The Best Mexican Food in Philadelphia
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The best Mexican food in Philadelphia, according to the experts: James Beard Awards, Eater, and The New York Times have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. South Philly Barbacoa comes out on top.
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El Chingon and Amá hold the next two places. Eater and The New York Times show up on more of this list than any other guide.
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Rank 1. South Philly Barbacoa
Mexican
By six on a weekend morning, the lamb is already being hacked apart at this barbacoa shop in the Italian Market, and a line has formed before most of the city is awake. Chef Christina Martinez won a James Beard Award for what comes next: slow-cooked lamb folded into fresh tortillas, quesadillas stuffed with housemade Oaxacan cheese, salsas in every color. The crowd runs from construction workers to food journalists, which tells you something.
The awards
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2022 · Winner · Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic · Cristina Martinez
- Eater Eater: The All-Time Eater 38
- The New York Times The New York Times: The 25 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia Right Now
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Winner · Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic · Cristina Martinez
- Eater The All-Time Eater 38
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia Right Now
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Rank 2. El Chingon
Vibrant Taqueria
The cemitas, Puebla-style sandwiches on sesame-seeded buns baked in-house, are what anchor this colorful South Philly Mexican restaurant. Bring friends and a strategy, because the menu rewards sharing, and skipping the lacy griddled flour tortillas would be a regrettable act of self-sabotage. The chef earned a James Beard semifinalist nod and a Michelin Bib Gourmand, plus a spot on the New York Times restaurant list, which is a lot of hardware for a tight little room.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
- The New York Times The New York Times: The Restaurant List
- The Philadelphia Inquirer The Philadelphia Inquirer: Top 10
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Rank 3. Amá
Mexico City
Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap a corner of Fishtown where chef Frankie Ramirez runs an ambitious, high-end Mexican restaurant closer in spirit to Mexico City than to anything else on the Philly dining scene. The cocktail list leans into sotol and other Mexican ingredients, and the menu is built for sharing, from tostadas to a whole wood-fired pulpo. A James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist in 2026.
The awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Philadelphia Magazine: The Philly 15
- Eater Eater: The 38 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Magazine Philadelphia Magazine: 2025 · Best Chef · Best of Philly · Frankie Ramirez
- Philadelphia Magazine The Philly 15
- Eater The 38 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Magazine 2025 · Best Chef · Best of Philly · Frankie Ramirez
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Rank 4. Blue Corn Restaurant
Mexican
Blue Corn is a casual Mexican spot in the Italian Market where the tortillas and both table salsas are made in-house, which is more effort than most places put into a free bowl of anything. The room is strung with so much festive decor that you'll wonder which holiday you missed, and the margaritas are strong enough to make you stop asking. Expect an easy dinner, jeans welcome, and a spot on The Infatuation's list of Philadelphia's top restaurants.
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: #13 · The 25 Best Restaurants In Philadelphia