Mexican fare ranks second among Americans' favorite global cuisines, according to Chef's Pencil. Mexican flavors and ingredients have permeated all corners of American cuisine, infusing vibrant and varied tastes into Americans' daily diet. But while tacos and enchiladas may seem commonplace in America now, that wasn't always the case.
To be sure, Americans have been influenced by the flavors of our neighbor to the south for hundreds of years. But it wasn't until refugees from southern and central Mexico brought their culinary traditions north to the U.S. during the Mexican Revolution that dishes like tacos found their way into the mainstream. An increasingly global culture (and a growing number of Mexican fast-food mainstays and high-end restaurants) have cemented Mexican food's beloved role in U.S. cuisine. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best Mexican food in Raleigh?
To find out, Stacker turned to Tripadvisor to compile a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Raleigh. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Some restaurants on the list may have recently closed. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
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#30. Cocula Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (16 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (3.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1428 Garner Station Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27603-3600
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#29. Dos Taquitos Xoco
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (64 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (3.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 410 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-1249
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#28. Taqueria El Toro
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (37 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 3615 Junction Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27603-3636
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#27. El Rodeo
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (51 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (3.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.0/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 329 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1803
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#25. El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (44 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4511 New Bern Ave Ste 120, Raleigh, NC 27610-1587
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#24. Fiesta Mexicana
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (47 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2839 Jones Franklin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606-4007
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#23. Transfer Co. Food Hall
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (17 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: not available
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 500 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1955
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#22. Salsa Fresh
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (28 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (5.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 5910 Duraleigh Rd Ste 131, Raleigh, NC 27612-2581
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#21. San Jose Mexican Restaurant
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#20. Gringo A Go Go
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (64 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (3.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 100 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1046
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#19. Toreros Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (74 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4721 Atlantic Ave Ste 101, Raleigh, NC 27604-8106
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#18. El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (37 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4112 Pleasant Valley Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612-6256
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#17. bartaco
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (61 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4121 Main At North Hills Street Suite 105, Raleigh, NC 27609
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#16. Los Tres Magueyes
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#15. 13 Tacos and Taps
- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (18 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 10511 Shadowlawn Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614-8554
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#14. San Marcos Mexican Restaurant Raleigh
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (89 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 5300 Homewood Banks Dr, Raleigh, NC 27612-8069
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#13. La Santa Modern Mexican Food
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (29 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 222 Glenwood Ave Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27603-1479
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#12. Cafe Capistrano
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (70 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 8471 Garvey Dr, Raleigh, NC 27616-3369
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#11. Chubby's Tacos
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#10. Dos Taquitos Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (152 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 5629 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612-6316
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#9. La Rancherita
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (104 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4325 Glenwood Ave Ste 3000, Raleigh, NC 27612-4532
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#8. Cantina 18- Cameron Village
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (102 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 433 Daniels St, Raleigh, NC 27605-1314
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#7. Chuy's
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (231 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4020 Market At North Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609-5772
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#6. Driftwood Cantina
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#5. Gonza Tacos y Tequila
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (121 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2100 Hillsborough St Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27607-7351
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#4. Jose & Sons
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (240 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 327 W Davie St Ste 102, Raleigh, NC 27601-1702
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#3. Centro
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (148 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 106 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1432
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#2. Salt & Lime Cabo Grill
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (252 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 6006 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609-3526
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#1. Gonza Tacos y Tequila