Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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!

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#30. Beat Street

- Rating: 3.6/5 (52 reviews)
- Address: 348 Hutchison Lane Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, New American
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#29. K38 Baja Grill

- Rating: 3.6/5 (197 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1127 Military Cutoff Road A-2 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#28. K38 Baja Grill

- Rating: 3.7/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 3846 Carolina Beach Road Unit A Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#27. Plaza Mariachi

- Rating: 3.7/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 326 South College Road Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#26. K38 Baja Grill

- Rating: 3.8/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8211 Market St. Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#25. El Cerro Grande

- Rating: 3.8/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5120 South College Road Ste 109 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#24. Gracias A Dios Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (39 reviews)
- Address: 33 South Kerr Ave. Wilmington Nc Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Honduran, Mexican, Latin American
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#23. Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn

- Rating: 3.9/5 (752 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4002 Oleander Drive Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Salad, Bars
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#22. K38 Baja Grill

- Rating: 3.9/5 (269 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5410 Oleander Drive Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#21. Beer Barrio

- Rating: 3.9/5 (488 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 34 North Front St. Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Beer Bar, Desserts
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#20. Zocalo Street Food & Tequila

- Rating: 3.9/5 (247 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1474 Barclay Pointe Blvd. Ste 206 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Latin American
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#19. El Arriero Taqueria

- Rating: 4.0/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6932 Market St. Ste P Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#18. Taqueria Los Portales

- Rating: 4.0/5 (47 reviews)
- Address: 29 Van Campen Blvd. Ste 109 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#17. Si Se帽or Modern Mex

- Rating: 4.0/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 140 Hays Lane Ste 190 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#16. Taqueria La Tapatia

- Rating: 4.0/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 820 South College Road Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Soup
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#15. Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila

- Rating: 4.1/5 (53 reviews)
- Address: 3540 Oleander Drive Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Tacos
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#14. Burrito Shak

- Rating: 4.1/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 5916 Carolina Beach Road Ste 150 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Tacos
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#13. Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill

- Rating: 4.2/5 (542 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4 North Lumina Ave. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood
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#12. El Mariscal Mexican Style Seafood

- Rating: 4.2/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 1319 Military Cutoff Road Ste BB Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, Mexican
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#11. Tacobaby

- Rating: 4.2/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 125 Grace St. Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Tacos
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#10. Taqueria Los Portales

- Rating: 4.2/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1207 South Kerr Ave. Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#9. Tequila Comida & Cantina

- Rating: 4.4/5 (200 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5607 Carolina Beach Road Ste 130 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#8. Capricho

- Rating: 4.4/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 215-A Princess St. Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#7. Block Taco

- Rating: 4.5/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 120 Greenfield St. Unit B Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Tacos
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#6. La G眉era

- Rating: 4.5/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6620-F Gordon Road Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
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#5. The Keg and Egg

- Rating: 4.5/5 (186 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4039 Masonboro Loop Road Unit 1 A Unit 1 A Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Beer Bar, Mexican
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#4. Los Portales Taqueria 3

- Rating: 4.6/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 3536 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Tacos, Soup
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#3. Buen Dia Mexican Breakfast & Lunch

- Rating: 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 5512 Castle Hayne Road Castle Hayne, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
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#2. On Thyme Restaurant

- Rating: 4.7/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 918 Castle St. Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, Tacos, Burgers
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#1. Amanecer Cocina & Cafe

- Rating: 4.8/5 (59 reviews)
- Address: 1616 Shipyard Blvd. Ste 20 Wilmington, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch
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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.

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