Portland is a well-established foodie city, with seafood restaurants and Asian fusion eateries hogging much of the spotlight.
The Latino food scene–which has been steadily gaining momentum in the last few years–isn’t talked about as much, but it should be. Portland boasts a host of Mexican restaurants that offer finely-crafted margaritas, authentic Mexican dishes, and a fun, lively atmosphere that draws a crowd on any night of the week.
Map of Mexian Food in Portland
Here are the Mexican food restaurants in Portland, as mentioned in this article:
Taco Escobarr
When you walk into Taco Escobarr, you know you’re going to have a good time.
The loud, lively, brightly decorated cantina is a favorite local spot to grab tacos and pregame before a night out in the Old Port–or as a place to grab a late-night snack after the bars (open until 1 AM)!
The extensive menu covers all the basics, from tacos with fillings like fried avocado, al pastor, shrimp, and carne asada to tortas, burritos, nachos, and taquitos.
Try a spruced up margarita, like the Strawberry Jalapeno or Mango Tangerine, to wash it all down.
Location: 548 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Taco Escobarr
Lupita’s Taqueria
Lupita’s opened its doors in the summer of 2021 on one of the busiest streets in the Old Port.
Located on Exchange Street, Lupita’s is perfectly-poised to become one of the most popular taco spots in Portland. The owner, Bill Zopler, previously operated B. Good (another fresh food concept shop) in the same location before deciding to completely overhaul the restaurant.
Inspired by his wife’s Colombian roots, he launched Lupita’s with the hopes of bringing some Latino soul to Portland’s downtown. The menu is made up of family recipes and features tacos, bowls, and margaritas served in shiny copper cups to ensure they stay icy cold.
Although they offer vegetarian options, Lupita’s specializes in shrimp, pork, chicken, and shredded beef tacos, so order one of each!
Location: 15 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Lupita’s
El Rayo Taqueria
Bright and basic, El Rayo is an easy place to grab a Mexican bite in downtown Portland.
They advertise weekly specials–including the always-popular $3 Taco Tuesday–and otherwise have a relatively inexpensive menu. Burritos and tacos are a-plenty with the option to turn any burrito into a bowl.
El Rayo also offers a few specialized appetizers like fried plantains, chili-dusted pineapple skewers, and chicken tortilla soup.
The impressive selection of 100% agave tequilas sets El Rayo apart from many of the others on this list. Test your tequila knowledge and get a little tipsy with a tequila flight and compare the differences between silver, reposado, and añejo.
Location: 26 Free St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: El Rayo Taqueria
Bayside Bowl Food Truck
A bowling alley with a rooftop bar and taco food truck? It’s no wonder Bayside Bowl is such a popular place. Bowl a game or two downstairs, then make your way to the rooftop bar for a frozen mixed drink and some simple, tasty Mexican street food served out of a refurbished Airstream.
The menu is selective, but covers all the bases. You’ve got a standard rice and bean burrito with your choice of protein filling, chicken and beef tacos, and even a few innovative veg-friendly options like turmeric cauliflower and black bean tacos.
Between bowling, eating, and drinking, it’s easy to pass hours at Bayside Bowl.
Location: 58 Alder St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Bayside Bowl Food Truck
Taco Trio
Hop across the bridge from Portland to South Portland, and you’ll find Taco Trio, a neighborhood favorite settled into its new and improved location in SoPo’s Knightville.
This place prides itself on their variety of made-daily sauces to accompany the plentiful menu of tacos and burritos (both have vegetarian and vegan-friendly options).
Taco Trio takes freshness seriously, stating that they always cook with fresh (never frozen) food and don’t use a microwave. The generational recipes are not only authentic, they’re made fresh daily, using as many as traditional Mexican ingredients as possible.
Its brand new location features a 90-seat venue and long bar that’s transformed this former-hole-in-the-wall restaurant into a cool hangout.
When the weather is warm, the spacious outdoor dining area will get plenty of use, but for now, take advantage of the conjoined take-out window if you don’t have time to stay.
Location: 60 Ocean St, South Portland, ME 04106
Website: Taco Trio
El Corazón
Sitting on the corner of State Street and Congress Street, El Corazón is an excellent place to kick back with a margarita and watch the world go by from a sidewalk table.
Husband and wife owners, Joseph and Laura Urtuzuastegui, first got their start with the El Corazon food truck.
They experienced so much success that they opened their brick and mortar location in 2017. Both draw on their family roots and favorite childhood meals to put together a tasty menu of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Rosa’s Enchiladas are served in honor of Joseph’s late mother, who advised him on the restaurant and recipes until she passed away in 2016.
Joseph says that he appreciates Portlandites’ willingness to try new things, and enjoys experimenting with new menu items, like Mexican Seafood Cocktails.
You won’t find these original El Corazón creations at other Mexican restaurants around town, so make sure to try the combo of classic Mexican ingredients (spicy tomato juice, avocado, shrimp, and lime) with typical Maine fare (shrimp, lobster, and clams) served in a chubby mason jar.
Other must-tries include the burritos (there are 8 different varieties), home-made tamales, and posole. Save room for the flan or tres leches cake for dessert.
Location: 190 State St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: El Corazón
Amigos
If you’re looking for an unpretentious crowd-pleaser, Amigos is the spot. Located in the heart of the Old Port, Amigos is a dive bar that serves some pretty tasty Mexican food.
Tacos, tortas, and burritos are the main attraction and can be washed down with any number of Mexican beers.
Food prices are reasonable and are even more agreeable if you hit Amigos on Taco Tuesday for $2 specials. You can also score a decent happy hour here with $4 beers and $6 margaritas six days a week (and during parking bans due to snowstorms, because, well, this is Maine).
The cherry on top is the spacious back deck that often hosts bands and stays open well into the wee hours.
Note: This place has a tendency to get rowdy as the night wears on!
Location: 9 Dana St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Amigos
Bird & Co.
Portland’s up-and-coming Woodford’s Corner is anchored by the classic dive bar, The Great Lost Bear, several coffee shops and bakeries, a new restaurant or two, and a tiny little taco shop called Bird & Co. Cute, cozy, and completely tucked away on a small offshoot from Woodford’s Corner intersection, Bird & Co. offers a small menu focusing on tacos and margaritas–and they do them both right.
Along with the classics like shredded beef and fish, there are a few tacos with a twist like the Banh Mi and Bacon & Brie. Non-meat eaters will appreciate the creative vegan options, like Crispy Tofu, and Fried Plantain.
Bird & Co. also gets points for their thick tortilla chips that don’t break off in the chunky guacamole.
Location: 539 Deering Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Bird & Co.
Jefe Juan’s
Jefe Juan’s is the sister restaurant of Mash Tun, the scrumptious burger joint on Wharf Street (if you haven’t tried their burger yet, go get one).
Juan’s is a late-night spot for burritos, tostados, beer, and tequila. Situated on Wharf Street, the atmospheric restaurant has the potential to draw the after-hours crowd, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dishing up quality bites.
With a one-page menu with equal parts dedicated to food and booze, come here for a quality burrito and a spicy tequila cocktail or a perfectly-crafted margarita (skip the lobster roll and the craft beer).
They’re also one of the few places in Portland that pours Mezcal, so if that’s your thing, you’re in luck.
Location: 47 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Jefe Juan’s
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