These 2 California Mexican restaurants are among the nation’s best, Yelp says. See the list
California has some of the best Mexican restaurants in the country, according to Yelp.
The popular review website recently released its 2024 Top 25 Mexican Spots in the United States, ranking the best places for crunchy tacos, stuffed burritos and authentic Mexican sweets.
A total of two California restaurants landed on the list.
Here’s where they can be found:
What’s the best Mexican restaurant in the country?
La Paleta in Las Vegas was named the best Mexican eatery in the United States.
The dessert-focused shop — which serves authentic Mexican sweets, including aguas frescas, fruit cups and paletas — was also named the fourth-best ice cream shop in the country in 2023.
Yelp said owners Fernando and Mayra Garcia opened their shop in 2022.
“Fernando loves to play with flavors, and created paleta combos such as Mango & Chamoy ... flavored with sweet-spicy chamoy sauce, and a brand-new seasonal item, tangy Mango-Lime Margarita,” Yelp said.
Popular desserts include flan and house-made tres leches cake, including a carrot cake version.
“I grew up in Mexico, and this place … brings back memories of summers spent as a kid eating paletas from pushcarts,” Yelp reviewer Jenny V said.
Aroma Latin American Cocina in Henderson, Nevada, was No. 2 on Yelp’s list.
Where are the best Mexican spots in California?
The Char Market in Carmichael was the highest ranking California restaurant on Yelp’s list of the 25 best Mexican restaurants in the nation, landing in third place.
“(The Char Market) brought a true culinary experience to an area which has been pretty much a food desert,” Foothill Farms resident Richard Stanley told The Sacramento Bee as part of is reader-driven series Sacramento on a Budget.
The fast-casual Mexican grill, which opened in the summer of 2023, has nearly 200 five-star reviews on Yelp.
The restaurant has simple decor and a straightforward menu with exceptional grilled flavors, Yelp said.
Diners can choose a variety of Mexican food options, including tacos, salads and nachos, featuring proteins ranging from marinated steak, smoky chicken and juicy shrimp to melty bone marrow.
The Char Market offers a unique menu option: a bone marrow platter topped with steak and melted cheese, and served with tortillas, rice and grilled seasonal veggies.
“This place is so good,” Yelp reviewer Adam G. of Sacramento wrote in his review of The Char Market. “My wife and I loved the charred flavor of everything.
California Yelp reviewers also raved about the offerings at Restaurante Los Primos in Palm Desert.
The eatery, which has more than 220 five-star reviews on Yelp, was No. 6 on Yelp’s list of the best Mexican restaurants in the nation.
Restaurante Los Primos’ menu features classic dishes with a Mexican twist, including tacos, chilaquiles, tortas and pambazo.
Also on the menu burgers, eggs Benedict and salads.
“Yelpers speak most highly” of the restaurant’s short rib omelette, churro waffles and huevos rancheros, Yelp said.
Where are the top Mexican spots in the country?
These are the top 25 Mexican eateries in the country, according to Yelp:
La Paleta, Las Vegas
Aroma Latin American Cocina, Henderson, Nevada
The Char Market, Carmichael
Tacos Los Panchos, Fillmore, Utah
Cafe Carambola, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Restaurante Los Primos, Palm Desert, California
La Osita, Portland, Oregon
Taco Libre, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii
Tommy Tamale Market & Cafe, Grapevine, Texas
T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs, Austin, Texas
Malinche Mexican Culinary Experience, Ellisville, Missouri
RJ Skillets, Portland, Oregon
Tacos Del Chavo, Kennesaw, Georgia
GG’s Birria Barbacoa Cafe, Kansas City, Kansas
El Xangarrito, Chicago
Los Agavez Taqueria, Columbus, Ohio
Antojitos Izcalli, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Taqueria El Asador, Pensacola, Florida
Tacos Aya Yay, Lafayette, Colorado
Xicamiti La Taquería Bistro, Golden, Colorado
Kiss Pollos Estilo Sinaloa, Phoenix
Tacos Y Mariscos Las Islitas, Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
Tacos La Pasadita, Green River, Utah
Mi Casa Restaurant, Benson, Arizona
How did Yelp come up with its rankings?
Yelp said it looked at spots in the Mexican category and ranked them based on total volume and review ratings, with a focus on freshness, authentic recipes and blending traditional Mexican flavors with modern techniques.
“Every place on our list boasts a 4.8- to 5-star average,” Yelp said.
