Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Syracuse area by diners
Just like cuisine from any country, Mexican food is not monolithic. It isn't just combo plates and tacos. (Not that there's anything wrong with that style of food; it's delicious and is responsible for popularizing Mexican food in the United States.) But Mexican food means more than that.
It reflects Mexico's diverse population鈥攕haped by waves of immigration鈥攁nd has proliferated throughout the U.S., showcasing the cuisine in all its complexity and regionality. Mexico has, and thanks to immigrant chefs and the rise of promising culinarians of Mexican descent looking to share their signature dishes, Indigenous foodways, and ingredients from various regions, diners are reframing their idea of "Mexican food."
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data, , and nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. The analysis also reveals that California and Texas are home to a majority of the Mexican American population and together host 2 out of 5 Mexican restaurants in the country.
These findings serve as a testament to the influence Mexican cuisine has had and continues to have in America. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best old-school Mexican restaurants, loncheras slinging tacos out of a half-window, and innovative modern Mexican food pushing culinary boundaries?
To help you out, compiled a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Syracuse area based on diners' reviews on as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "Mexican" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Syracuse were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides Mexican food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 50 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
Keep reading to see if your favorite Mexican spot made the list or to discover a new restaurant to try!
#19. Pap谩 Gallo Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 3.0/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 205 West Genesee St. Fayetteville, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#18. Bull & Bear Roadhouse
- Rating: 3.4/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 411 East Genesee St. Ste 5 Fayetteville, New York
- Categories: Barbecue, Tacos, Burgers
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#17. Ponchito's Taqueria
- Rating: 3.6/5 (116 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3800 New Court Ave. Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Latin American, Breakfast & Brunch
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#16. Margaritas Mexican Cantina
- Rating: 3.6/5 (269 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 203 Walton St. Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#15. Adelita's
- Rating: 3.7/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 5241 West Genesee St. Camillus, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Salad, Wine Bars
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#14. Alto Cinco
- Rating: 3.7/5 (520 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 526 Westcott St. Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex
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#13. XO Taco
- Rating: 3.8/5 (248 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 713 East Fayette St. Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Tacos
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#12. Azteca Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.8/5 (239 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3783 Milton Ave. Camillus, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#11. Guadalajara's Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.9/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 325 West Manlius St. East Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouses
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#10. Camino Real Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3811 Brewerton Road North Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#9. Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6195 State Rt 31 Ste 14 Cicero, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#8. Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (244 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 510 Oswego St. Liverpool, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#7. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 324 West Water St. Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#6. Ponchito's Taqueria
- Rating: 4.1/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1002 West Fayette St. Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Burgers, Sandwiches
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#5. Mi Rancho
- Rating: 4.1/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 6677 Manlius Center Road East Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Mexican
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#4. Eagle Tavern
- Rating: 4.3/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7575 Buckley Road Liverpool, New York
- Categories: American, Bars, Tacos
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#3. Rancho Viejo - Cicero
- Rating: 4.4/5 (23 reviews)
- Address: 5909 NY-31 Cicero, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouses
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#2. Plaza Grande Cocina Mexicana & Cantina
- Rating: 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 2212 West Genesee St. Solvay, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Whiskey Bars, Cocktail Bars
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#1. Mamacitas
- Rating: 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6059 East Taft Road Syracuse, New York
- Categories: Puerto Rican, Tacos, Sandwiches
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 326 metros.
