Bangkok lost some good Mexican restaurants last year, but the new ones came in with a bang.

Sure, Bangkok has great Thai, Indian, Chinese—of course, French, Italian, and Japanese. This is a cosmopolitan city with 34 Michelin stars under its belt. But don’t skip on the Mexican. 
 
While the city has hosted a lot of all-round great comfort Mexican food, about two years ago, a few select spots really started to elevate the cuisine. Sadly, some favorite spots—Tortilla Quemada, Mezcal—closed down in the last year, but the foodie scene hates a vacuum, and a lot more have sprung up. 
 
Top Tables is sponsored by UOB, W Bangkok, W Koh Samui, Gulp BKK, SKYY Vodka, Giffard, Suntree Brewing, OG Kratom, Chiang Mai Beere, Vivin Grocery, and Topgolf Thailand.

 

Santiaga 
 

This spot in Mahatun Plaza really broke the mold when they came out with their Mexican omakase in 2022, and ever since they’ve been the spot to beat for high-end Mexican fare. Truly, this place is in a league of its own on the scene. Finally launching their a la carte option last year, the venue has garnered some hangout vibes to go with its Latin American pedigree. They clocked in at number 25 at this year’s Top Tables, and that was before they blew us away with their chili packed new menu in December; simply put, a game changer for chili lovers. 

  

Ojo 
 

Spoiling Bangkokians with opulent views and a fresh take every six months, Ojo has taken Mexican cuisine to new heights (literally) and this year is no exception. Celebrating its second year, the new lineup features dishes that may appear less traditionally Mexican at first but the flavor profile is still as spice-filled and vibrant

as ever. The satisfying Tatela de Pato and Moles, for instance, takes house made corn flour and elevates the bite with confit duck, foie gras, and cheese fillings.

 

El Santo - New

This is a new entry on the list and what an entry. So, it’s not just about the food here. El Santo came on the spot with a love for luchadores, and that wild, fantastical spirit shows in the venue—oh, and they also sometimes have actual pro wrestling with their Santo Slam events. They’ve got miniature rings for your tequila shots, fun specials, an indoor-outdoor vibe, and you can’t miss the octopus chicharrón. 

 

  

La Monita 

Santiga’s older, chiller little sister, La Monita is a Ploenchit spot for margs and some big Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. Think vivid design, a pseudo outdoor area in the back and quesadillas and tacos with house-made corn tortillas. Their enchiladas are a favorite for regulars, and the carne asada taco with New Zealand rib eye steak is a must-try.

  

Cholos

Bangkok knows Cholos, but the big news, just out this week, is that they’ve got a new spot in Old Town on Charoenkrung Road on the second floor. BK hasn’t had a chance to drop by yet, but, honestly this city knows what to expect from the chefs who cut their teeth in the kitchens of Gaggan and Gaa. Their taco truck at Asok has been the go-to spot for Mexican food near Asoke for years, and now they’re ready for something new. 

 

Delia

This space is still pretty new, but expect to hear a lot more about it in the coming months. Another spot that takes both its dishes and its ingredients seriously, Delia joins the group of Mexican restaurants that are trying to make Mexican food the way it was meant to be made and using local ingredients from local Bangkok markets. And, to top it off, they’re making some creative craft cocktails. 

 

 

Missing Burro

These two Mexican brothers serving up Yucatan cuisine are a long-time favorite in Bangkok. With outdoor seating, a cool vibe, and great food, it’s just as easy of a place to party with a good group as it is to chill for lunch. People love the birra here, but a dish that’s fast becoming a litmus test for great Mexican food around the city is barbacoa. Don’t miss their lamb. 

  

Charley Brown’s

Chef Primo cooks from the heart. Tucked away in a little corner of Asoke, this is another spot where people like to down as many margaritas as they do tacos, but the vibe is friendly, modern, and a little bit silly—as you notice from all the jokes in the bathroom. If you’re indecisive, go for the Charley Brown platter boasting a taco, enchilada and chimichanga with rice and beans. 

 

 

La Lupita

This space has been around for a long time, serving up comfort food from Chef Alberto Garcia Espinosa and good drinks. The space is bright and friendly, and it’s kind of a celebration spot, with colorful sombreros and good music. Pro-tip: Go on taco Tuesday and order 10—yes, that’s right, 10 tacos—that will come to you on a big serving board. 

 

Tacos and Salsa

A lot of people don’t even know there’s good Mexican food in Onnut—let alone some of the best. Eating in, this easy-to-miss spot is famous for their baja fried fish tacos, but the dish we keep going back to is the chimichanga, so filled with cheese it can kind of be hard to finish (but we manage). And, while you’re there, don’t miss out on their very sugary churros with chocolate sauce. 

 

Dos Burros

A new space from the food brothers Itzco and Tlahui Calva from Missing Burro (the clue is in the name, obviously), this new must-try adds a little something special to their offerings on the other side of Thonglor—notably, breakfast, as they’re open at 8am. You’ll also find the likes of chilaquiles and chorizo with eggs, complete with corn chips in a guajillo sauce, and their brunch menu runs from 11am-3pm.

 

Mexicano Restaurante Autentico

Another old favorite, this space on the 4th floor of the Rembrandt gives off surprisingly fun vibes for a hotel spot. The food is authentic, affordable, and the venue itself is prone to put on big parties, recently putting on unlimited margaritas and churrasco by the pool. If you haven’t been and are thinking about going, catch their weekend brunch. 

Spotted Pig

You probably already know Bowlito—heck, it’s hard to miss at this point. The same folks broke out with a whole new brand on Silom, giving the neighborhood a much needed dash of Mexican spice. The first thing you’ll notice is that this space eschews the colorful, Mexican vibe—looking more like an Aussie cafe—but the food is a good option for the office crowd in  Saladaeng who want a bit of Tex-Mex on the go. What’s more, earlier this year, they opened up a space at Emsphere. 

 

Rodeo Mex-Tex Grill and Tap House

Mex-Tex? What’s that? The world’s gone mad. Well, this space, opening only a few months ago, is led by Belfast’s Chef Sam and is focusing on what they call “Mex-Tex” food, with the focus obviously being on the Mexican flavors. That said, if you don’t like the “Mex” section of the menu, they’ve got a “Tex” option with a pretty good Buffalo chicken burger. Just like it rides the line between Texas and Mexico, it also blurs the line between nightlife and restaurant, so you might look at this one for a late night stop. 

 

 

Ms Maria and Mr Singh

This one is coming at the bottom of the list because it’s cheating—in that it’s a fusion of Mexican Indian food that just works (also listed on our top Indian restaurants of the year). From none other than Gaggan Anand, this space hosts fun guest shifts and provides an a la carte vibe you don’t normally get at this type of spot. The mix of Indian and Mexican cuisines is careful, creative, and brings the best of both worlds. The same can be said of their cocktails. 

 

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