The Best Mexican Food in Nashville
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The best Mexican food in Nashville, according to the experts: USA Today, Eater, and the James Beard Awards have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Maíz de la Vida comes out on top.
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Alebrije and Redheaded Stranger hold the next two places. The Nashville Scene shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with Eater next.
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Rank 1. Maíz de la Vida
Upscale Mexican
The awards
- USA Today USA Today: Restaurants of the Year
- Eater Eater: 38 Essential Restaurants in Nashville
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2023 · Semifinalist · Emerging Chef · Julio Hernandez
- USA Today Restaurants of the Year
- Eater 38 Essential Restaurants in Nashville
- James Beard Awards 2023 · Semifinalist · Emerging Chef · Julio Hernandez
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Rank 2. Alebrije
Mexican
The darkly tinted windows and near-invisible signage in an East Nashville strip mall suggest you might have the wrong address, but push through. This casual Mexican restaurant built its following as a pandemic pop-up and landed here with a menu centered on masa, nixtamalized and ground in-house, turning up as tortillas, sopes, and tostadas. The New York Times named the asparagus tostada one of the best restaurant dishes eaten across the country in 2025. No liquor license, but the taco shop next door sells beer.
The awards
- Nashville Scene Nashville Scene: 2024 · Best Chef Getting Bigger By Staying Small · Best of Nashville · Edgar Victoria
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: #8 · The Best Restaurants In Nashville
- The New York Times The New York Times: The 25 Best Restaurants in Nashville Right Now
- Nashville Scene 2024 · Best Chef Getting Bigger By Staying Small · Best of Nashville · Edgar Victoria
- The Infatuation #8 · The Best Restaurants In Nashville
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Nashville Right Now
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Rank 3. Redheaded Stranger
Tex-Mex
Chili pepper lights strung overhead and a line out the door set the tone for this Tex-Mex spot named for a Willie Nelson record. The flour tortillas are made in the open dining room, which is the kind of detail that keeps regulars honest about why they're there. Tacos, burritos, crunch wraps, a green chili cheeseburger, house hot sauces. The Michelin Guide gave it a Bib Gourmand, and the frozen drinks have their own following.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
- Nashville Scene Nashville Scene: 2024 · Best Frozen Drinks · Best of Nashville
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Rank 4. Little Rey
Taqueria
Little Rey is a fast-casual taco counter on West End from the Atlanta restaurateur Ford Fry, and the sauce-and-salsa bar is the real draw, with two green salsas, one mild and citrusy, one spicy and creamy. Smoky steak tacos and whole rotisserie-style chickens come out fast, George Jones plays overhead, and there's free parking and a patio you wouldn't expect on this stretch. Nashville Scene named it Best New Fast-Casual Joint.
The awards