Whether you’re looking for some Tex-Mex or an authentic meal, there are a wide variety of Mexican restaurants to choose from in the Classic City. Here is a list of your options!
Cali-N-Tito’s
1427 South Lumpkin Street and 1245 Cedar Shoals Drive
The Five Points location is close to campus with patio seating and a BYOB policy, while the larger East Side location has a full bar, gelato counter and arcade games. Both spots are beloved by locals, students and families alike.
Fan favorites: empanadas, tostones and maduros.
Cielito Lindo
496 Baxter Street
One of the newer Mexican restaurants in Athens, Cielito Lindo, the name meaning “Beautiful Sky” opened October 2025.
Fan favorites: birria tacos, quesabirria and carnitas.
Poquito’s
195 Prince Avenue
Birria, carnitas, pozole and more are available in the former Go Bar space from the former owners of The Grit and Pedro de Paz of Ted’s Most Best. Bonus: A sunny corner patio.
Fan favorites: carnitas pambazo, pozole and al pastor torta.
Taqueria Tsunami
320 East Clayton Street and 1791 Oconee Connector
Located in downtown Athens, Taqueria Tsunami is known for its Latin-Asian fusion menu. Guests can enjoy Asian-styled appetizers and then feast on Latin dishes.
Fan favorites: mini poke tacos, Asian nachos and tuna poke bowl.
Agua Linda Mexican Restaurant
1376 Prince Avenue and 2080 Timothy Road
Agua Linda has served authentic Mexican cuisine since 1999, offering lunch specials and a variety of drinks.
Fan favorites: fajita nachos, birria ramen and tostadas de camaron.
El Camino Real Taqueria
401 North Avenue, Suite 2
Attached to a supermarket, El Camino Real Taqueria serves a variety of Mexican foods from homemade corn tortilla tacos to baked goods and ice cream. Taco Tuesday also offers $1.50 tacos.
Fan favorites: nachos, guacamole and asada tacos.
Tlaloc El Mexicano
1225 North Chase Street
From August 2009 to present day, the Ramirez family has served the Athens community with a menu inspired by their family’s roots in Mexico City.
Fan favorites: enchiladas, botana 4 and combo 13.
La Parilla Mexican Restaurant
196 Alps Road
La Parilla has 23 locations from Alabama to Georgia and South Carolina. The Athens location in Beechwood Shopping Center opened October 2024.
Fan favorites: tableside guacamole, sopa de pollo and enchiladas verdes.
Willy’s Mexicana Grill
196 Alps Road
Also in the Beechwood Shopping Center, Willy’s flavors are inspired by San Francisco’s district.
Willy’s also has a variety of eco-friendly initiatives, including recycled box containers for quesadillas and nachos and self-programming thermostats.
Fan favorites: Baja burrito, build your own bowl and the nachos.
Tres Amigos Mexican Restaurant
350 East Broad Street
Originating in Athens, Tres Amigos offers daily handmade dishes that blend “family recipes with a lively cantina spirit.”
Fan favorites: steak torta, birria tacos and arroz con pollo.
Pancho’s Tacos & Tequila
675 Pulaski Street, Suite 100
Located in the historic Leathers Building, Pancho’s delivers authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine, inspired by ancestral recipes that celebrate family and tradition.
Fan favorites: quesadilla sincronizada, churros and sopapilla.
Punta Cana Latin Grill
367 Prince Avenue, Suite 1
Specializing in Dominican classics, Punta Cana is located in Bottleworks on Prince Avenue, and also offers outdoor seating.
Fan favorites: chimi burger, mangú con los tres golpes and chicharrón de puerco.
Paloma Park
235 West Washington Street
In the heart of downtown Athens, Paloma Park offers Tex-Mex inspired flavors and a social dining experience with a high-energy atmosphere in one of the largest indoor/outdoor spaces in town.
Fan favorites: smoked brisket tacos, fiesta fries and nachos grande.
Sr. Sol Mexican Restaurant
175 Tallassee Road
Beloved by students, Sr. Sol is known for generous portions of classic Mexican dishes in a laid-back, casual environment.
Fan favorites: the burrito especial, Texas fajitas and gorditas.
Taco Mama
265 North Lumpkin Street
Taco Mama, operating from a scratch kitchen, prepares fresh, whole foods alongside hand-shaken margaritas.
Fan favorites: arroz con pollo and cheese dip, tamales plate and fajitas Guadalajara.
Taqueria Del Sol
334 Prince Avenue
Taqueria Del Sol is known for its blend of Southern, Mexican and Southwestern flavors, creating a cross-cultural flair that keeps patrons coming back for more.
Fan favorites: fried chicken tacos, carnitas pork enchiladas and shrimp corn chowder.
San Angel Cocina & Cantina
2226 West Broad Street
With flavors inspired by the district of Polanco in Mexico City, San Angel Cocina & Cantina provides a modern twist on traditional dishes and flavors.
Fan favorites: house margarita, street tamales and the ribeye polanco.
El Paso Tacos & Tequila
255 West Washington Street
Next to the historic Morton Theatre, El Paso offers a blend of authentic Mexican food and Tex-Mex in a lively atmosphere, offering indoor and outdoor seating, live music and a tequila bar.
Fan favorites: burrito loco, empanadas de res molida and nachos con pollo asado.
El Bajio
400 Hawthorne Avenue, Suite 12
Focusing on the preservation of traditional Mexican cooking, El Bajio serves authentic dishes from the central states of Mexico, including Veracruz, Puebla and Michoacán.
Fan favorites: costilla de puerco en salsa verde, 7 mares soup and camarones a la diabla.
Cantaritos Café
2467 Jefferson Road
Cantaritos Café specializes in freshly made-from-scratch dishes like arepas, pupusas, and empanadas. The café provides a unique dining experience with authentic Venezuelan influence, featuring everything from hearty breakfast skillets to distinctive specialty lattes
Fan favorites: costillas en salsa verde, camarones al ajillo and the cali burrito.
Dos Palmas Mexican Grill
3523 Atlanta Highway
A family-owned Athens tradition since 2007, Dos Palmas Mexican Grill is a go-to spot for authentic Mexican dishes and a wide selection of over 40 types of tequila.
Fan favorites: brisket chimichanga, burrito loco and carnitas plate.
La Montaña Mexican Grill
4115 Lexington Road
Celebrating the essence of Mexican culture, La Montaña Mexican Grill offers an immersive dining experience filled with traditional decor, music and authentic flavors.
Fan favorites: house flautas, enchiladas verdes and taco Americano dinner.
Tacos Los Plebes
675 Danielsville Road
Tacos Los Plebes draws a dedicated line of customers, a local favorite known for serving some of the best and most authentic street tacos in Athens.
Fan favorites: chorizo, campechano tacos and nachos.
el Barrio Tacos & Tequila
1331 South Milledge Avenue
With happy hour specials from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day and daily deals el Barrio Tacos & Tequila offers a vibrant spot for affordable, high-quality Mexican food.
Fan favorites: crispy fish tacos, cheesy chicken rice bowl and chocolate churros.
Barberitos
680 North Highway 29, Unit 250, 259 East Clayton Street,1860 Barnett Shoals Road, 1880 Epps Bridge Parkway, 1739 South Lumpkin Street, 1180 Prince Avenue and 45 Baxter Street
Founded in downtown Athens in 2000, Barberitos is a Southwestern-style, quick-serve restaurant focused on fresh, healthy ingredients made-to-order in front of the customer.
Fan favorites: chicken bacon chipotle ranch quesadilla, traditional taco salad and Philly cheesesteak burrito.
