Diners' Choice: Mexican restaurants in Beach Cities

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mexican cuisine in Beach Cities? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Palmilla Hermosa Beach Cocina Y Tequila

4.8

4.8 (895)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

For birthdays, anniversaries or large parties, please call our Events Manager, Anjel at 310 977 7939 or email at reservations@palmillahb.com

Palmilla Hermosa Beach Cocina Y Tequila, an upscale chef driven restaurant, delivers regionally influenced gourmet Mexican food, engaging service, hand-crafted cocktails, and the best selection of premium tequilas in the South Bay. Located steps away from the Pacific ocean on the Hermosa Beach promenade, guests will enjoy an elegant market-fresh menu. The innovative space, designed by G+ Gulla Jonsdottir Designs, transports guests to a Mexican resort complete with a cozy heated patio, unique white stone walls surrounding an intimate dining room, and a stunning marble counter-top at the full service bar.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

Server was great ! Food was even better ! Reservation definitely a must isn’t crazy packed but to guarantee good seating.

El Torito - Hawthorne

4.8

4.8 (142)

$30 and under

Mexican

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

GuestVIP

Dined on Feb 7, 2025

My friends and I love coming here, the servers and managers are always so attentive!

Riviera Mexican Grill

4.8

4.8 (251)

$30 and under

Mexican

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

Riviera Mexican Grill (better known by locals as The Riv) has been a staple in the community for the past two decades. Founded by the Williams Family, The Riv is Where We Live. South Bay legends are on our walls. Come and sit at the bar and don't be surprised to start talking to a professional surfer or paddle-boarder eating one of our famous fish tacos and washing it down with a margarita. The Riv is a place where locals meet to discuss our community and keep in touch with old friends. Bring the family. We are here and excited to serve you. #TheRiv

Come enjoy our two outdoor patios with full service food and drinks.

Top review

DanielleVIP

Dined on Dec 30, 2024

Delicious food and good service as always. Would go back.

Discover more

Experience

Live Mariachi Night at The Riv!

Esperanza

4.7

4.7 (767)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

Inspired by both Cabo San Lucas’ beautiful coast and Mexico City’s vibrant cosmopolitan neighborhoods, Esperanza’s thoughtful design blurs the lines between art and function. Masterfully designed by internationally renowned Islandic architect Gulla Jónsdóttir, Esperanza’s interiors reflect an elevated coastal ambiance that exaggerates the grandeur of a beach town villa.

Chef Ray Alvarez oversees a menu featuring fresh interpretations of Sonoran cuisine while Head Mixologists John Fox and Kevin Williams developed Esperanza’s bar program to not only include delicious and playful cocktails, but the two have also created the largest tequila list and mezcal collection in the South Bay.

Top review

MadisonVIP

Dined on Feb 9, 2025

Our server Ben was a blast. The food and service were great. Will be back

Vida Modern Mexican + Tequila

4.7

4.7 (348)

$30 and under

Mexican

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

Located in the cozy Riviera Village in Redondo Beach, VIDA is a modern-day Mexican restaurant that focuses on tequila and holds true to South-of-the-border fan favorites, combined with some creative twists on East Los Angeles comfort food.

Top review

Chuck

Dined on Feb 20, 2025

Vida is consistently good. Service is always great, Food is excellent- always hot. The chips are the best anywhere. Happy hour selection and prices are good.

El Torito - Torrance

4.6

4.6 (292)

$30 and under

Mexican

Torrance / Carson

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely love the food and environment. I would go back again

Frida Mexican Cuisine - Torrance

4.7

4.7 (337)

$30 and under

Mexican

Torrance / Carson

About the restaurant

We are open for curbside pickup, takeout and delivery - we care for you! Take care of yourselves and eat Mexican food! We are open during normal business hours.
Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm
Friday & Saturday, 11am-11pm
Sunday, 10am-9pm

Top review

Jetzel

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

Love the atmosphere, delicious alcoholic drinks and food. Great service as well

Riviera Mexican Cantina

4.6

4.6 (144)

$30 and under

Mexican

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to "The Cantina"

We are a vibrant and authentic dining destination situated right on the water in the picturesque King Harbor Marina.
Sip on a refreshing margarita while taking in the sea breeze on our outdoor patio. Enjoy our sizzling fajitas and savory enchiladas to freshly made guacamole and tantalizing ceviche, our menu is a culinary voyage south of the border.
Our Mexican Cantina isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, a casual night out, or simply craving some delicious Mexican fare in a breathtaking setting, our Cantina is your destination of choice.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Jesse was awesome and provided great service and a delightful experience

Discover more

Experience

Happy Hour at The Cantina

Experience

Live Mariachi Music at The Cantina

Polanco Modern Mexican Steakhouse

4.3

4.3 (402)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

Polanco Mexican Modern Steak House is a slightly elevated restaurant that will focus on fine dining touches with a lively atmosphere. Polanco features a prime selected list of steaks seared off and seasoned with an eye towards the ranches and cattle farms of northern Mexico. Bar operated by Miguel Valencia who is the head mixologist listing a cocktail selection based on agave varieties such as Mezcal, Ensambles and a unique selection of Tequilas.

Top review

DianaVIP

Dined on Feb 20, 2025

Delicious flavors and new interpretations of Mexican cuisine. I was very impressed and found the overall experience delightful. I wish I lived nearby so I could visit more often!

El Torito - Redondo Beach

4.4

4.4 (389)

$30 and under

Mexican

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

Chris

Dined 1 day ago

Great view. Great limited time deal on chicken fajitas. Quick service once seated.