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Top 5 Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Honolulu, Hawaii

by Bryan Murphy | May 4, 2023

best mexican food honolulu
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What Restaurants Have the Best Mexican Food in Honolulu?

The best Mexican food restaurants in Honolulu that you must try during your visit include Buho Cocina y Cantina, Encore Saloon, Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant, Margaritas, and Taco’ako.

Don't Want to Scroll? Get the Top 5 Mexican Restaurants Here:
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  • Top 5 Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Honolulu, Hawaii
    • What Restaurants Have the Best Mexican Food in Honolulu?
    • Top 5 Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Honolulu
      • 1. Buho Cocina y Cantina
      • 2. Encore Saloon
      • 3. Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant
      • 4. Margaritas
      • 5. Taco'ako
    • What Makes Each Restaurant Stand Out
    • Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Honolulu
    • Related Posts
    • HB 002: The Sunrise Shack on Oahu – How Four Surfers Share Their Passion for Healthy Eating with Founder Travis Smith

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Hola, fellow foodies, are you in search of the best Mexican cuisine Honolulu has to offer? Look no further, as we’ve done the legwork and compiled a list of the top 5 mouthwatering Mexican food restaurants in Honolulu.

From authentic flavors to unique twists on classic dishes, these restaurants have gained high ratings and rave reviews from locals and travelers alike.

Top 5 Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Honolulu

Here are the top 5 best Mexican food restaurants in Honolulu that you must try during your visit: Buho Cocina y Cantina, Encore Saloon, Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant, Margaritas, and Taco’ako.

1. Buho Cocina y Cantina

best mexican food in honolulu for cinco de mayo

Photo by of Buho Cocina y Cantina

If you’re searching for high-quality Mexican cuisine in Honolulu, look no further than Buho Cocina y Cantina. Ranked among the city’s top five best Mexican restaurants, this modern eatery offers a fresh take on classic dishes that will make your taste buds dance.

Situated conveniently in Waikiki, their menu features an array of delicious selections such as tacos de camaron, rib tips chile verde, and king mushroom mole.

Be sure to also indulge in one of their expertly crafted margaritas from their full-service bar while enjoying indoor or outdoor seating with incredible cityscape views.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
Located in: Waikiki Shopping Plaza
Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave #525, Honolulu, HI 96815
Menu: 
Phone: (808) 922-2846
Reservations: opentable.com

RELATED: Make our lilikoi (passion fruit) margarita!

2. Encore Saloon

best mexican restaurant in honolulu

Photo by Encore Saloon

Stepping into Encore Saloon, you’ll immediately feel the vibrant atmosphere that makes it a favorite among Hawaii visitors.

Their menu highlights include mouth-watering tacos, burritos, and quesadillas made with fresh ingredients and bold flavors to satisfy your cravings.

Don’t miss out on trying their signature ceviche de atun or rib tips chile verde – both are must-try dishes when visiting Honolulu.

Choose from various Mexican beers or sip on one of their famous margaritas during happy hour to wash down your meal.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
Address: 10 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: (808) 367-1656

 

3. Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant

hawaiis best mexican food

Photo courtesy of Yelp

During your tropical getaway in Hawaii, be sure to indulge in some of the best Mexican food at Los Chaparros Mexican Restaurant.

Ranked as one of Honolulu’s top 5 Mexican restaurants, this hidden gem specializes in classic, mouthwatering dishes such as chimichangas and combo plates that will keep you coming back for more.

Located conveniently at Waipahu, Los Chaparros is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

So whether you’re craving an authentic breakfast burrito or delicious enchiladas for dinner after an adventurous day exploring Oahu’s mesmerizing landscapes, look no further than this renowned eatery.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery
Address: 2140 S Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96826
Menu: order.online
Phone: (808) 951-6399

4. Margaritas

margaritas hawaii

If you’re looking for a great place to grab a delicious margarita along with your Mexican meal, then Margaritas is the spot for you.

Check out our podcast episode with the team at Margaritas to learn more about them.

Located in Kaimuki, this restaurant offers a wide selection of tequila and mezcal-based drinks to quench your thirst.

But it’s not just the drinks that make Margaritas stand out; their food is equally impressive. From classic dishes like tacos and burritos to more unique options like cochinita pibil, they offer something for everyone.

And if you’re vegetarian or vegan, they’ve got you covered too with options like tofu chilaquiles and veggie fajitas.

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · Delivery
Address: 808 Sheridan St #111, Honolulu, HI 96814
Menu: margaritashawaii.com
Phone: (808) 330-6880
Reservations: margaritashawaii.com, opentable.com

5. Taco’ako

top 5 mexican restaurants in honolulu

Photo by Taco’ako

One of the top 5 best Mexican food restaurants in Honolulu is Taco’ako. This small but lovely restaurant serves unique and delicious tacos that are filled with fresh and tasty meats and ingredients.

If you’re looking for something different, try their Surf N Turf Tacos made with grilled steak and shrimp or their Ono Loco Tacos, which feature marinated fish cooked to perfection.

Whether you’re a local or a traveler visiting Hawaii, make sure to stop by Taco’ako for some delicious tacos that will tantalize your taste buds.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery
Located in: SALT At Our Kaka’ako
Address: 675 Auahi St #129, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 594-7445

What Makes Each Restaurant Stand Out

Let me tell you about what makes each of these Mexican restaurants stand out. Buho Cocina y Cantina is an open-air restaurant with a beautiful ambiance and delicious margaritas.

Encore Saloon serves up some of the best tacos on the island, including their popular Surf n’ Turf taco made with steak and shrimp.

Margaritas, located in Kaimuki, has a lively atmosphere perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo or enjoying a night out with friends. Their extensive menu includes mouth-watering options like homemade tamales and flavorful carne asada.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Honolulu

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Honolulu as a Hawaii traveler can be an unforgettable experience. The city has several Mexican restaurants that offer authentic dishes and festive decorations, making it the perfect place to celebrate this Mexican holiday.

Los Chaparros is one of the top-rated options for those who want to enjoy an authentic taste of Mexico.

Another option worth checking out is Margaritas, which offers delicious margaritas, tacos, burritos, fajitas, and more. Their fiesta-style atmosphere makes it an ideal location to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with friends and family.

Besides eating exceptional foods at these restaurants while enjoying all the festivities on offer in town like live Mariachi bands or colorful parades as part of a broader celebration or festival on this day also enhance the overall experience.

What about you? What is your favorite Mexican restaurant in Honolulu?

Related Posts

HB 002: The Sunrise Shack on Oahu – How Four Surfers Share Their Passion for Healthy Eating with Founder Travis Smith

HB 002: The Sunrise Shack on Oahu – How Four Surfers Share Their Passion for Healthy Eating with Founder Travis Smith

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Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy is the creator of Hawaii’s Best Travel and a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert through the Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau. He’s an active member of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau and continues ongoing education focused on Hawaiian culture, history, and sustainable travel. As the host of the “Hawaii’s Best Travel” podcast—one of the top travel podcasts in the U.S.—Bryan shares practical, respectful guidance to help visitors experience Hawai‘i in a more meaningful way. His work reaches nearly half a million people across podcast, blog, and social media.

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Aloha! We are Bryan and Ali Murphy, a family of five that loves exploring Hawaii. Bryan Murphy, founder of Hawaii’s Best Travel, is a certified Hawaii Destination Expert with the Hawaii Tourism Authority. In addition, he's an active member of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, With more than 30 visits to the Hawaii, Bryan blends firsthand experience with formal training to provide practical tips, budget-friendly recommendations, and insider insights to help travelers plan meaningful Hawaii vacations. As host of the top-rated podcast "Hawaii’s Best Travel," we offer insights on best Hawaii travel tips and ways to support local. Learn More ->

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