11 best Mexican restaurants inside Las Vegas resorts

Eleven of the best Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas happen to be located in some of the city’s most iconic hotels and casinos.

México is a gastronomic mecca with varied culinary styles, practices, and traditions.

The diversity among the country’s regions is reflected in Mexican eateries throughout Las Vegas. Many of the chefs at these restaurants base their menus on their own hometown cooking style or travels through South America.

Whether you’re seeking a unique take on coastal cuisine or something more conventional, you’ll find it at a Las Vegas Mexican restaurant, many of which are located inside some of the city’s most iconic hotel-casinos.

From fancy food to a festive affair, these 11 Mexican restaurants are spicing things up at resorts on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

1. Javier’s 

Aria

Javier’s is known for its upscale approach to Mexican food, hand-shaken signature margaritas, and a large selection of premium tequila. The luxurious Las Vegas location is one of five in the U.S. and México. Unique architecture and an attentive staff add to the classy yet casual ambiance. You might even forget you’re sitting just off the casino floor!

2. Casa Playa Encore

Wynn Las Vegas & Encore

Casa Playa transports guests to a Baja California, México beachside with an Instagram-worthy design and fresh coastal cuisine. Chef Sarah Thompson aims high with sustainably sourced seafood, housemade masa, and seasonal ingredients served family-style. There’s also an extensive tequila and mezcal selection and innovative specialty cocktails, created by resort mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini. A DJ adds to the festive ambiance in the evenings. Be sure to save room for one of this restaurant’s crazy dessert concoctions. You won’t be disappointed!

3. Cañonita

Venetian

Devour traditional Mexican cuisine in Italy (the Vegas version of Italy, at least) while watching gondolas pass by at Cañonita, located in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Executive Chef Daniel Márquez adds his own style to authentic dishes, based on his travels through his home country of México. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner from the colorful dining room, or opt for street foods and margaritas from the food truck parked outside the restaurant facing St. Mark’s Square.

4. ¡VIVA!

Resorts World Las Vegas

Serving Mexican food with a twist in a fun and festive atmosphere, ¡VIVA! Is helmed by Esquire Magazine’s 2015 “Chef of the Year” Chef Ray García. His take on Latin cooking translates to regional dishes with bright, bold flavors and coastal ingredients, served as small plates, appetizers, and shareable entrees. The corn masa tortillas, ceviches, guacamoles, and salsas are prepared in-house. Cocktails, tequila, sangría, and beer round out the experience.

5. Chica

Venetian

Chef Lorena García drew inspiration for CHICA from her family recipe books and her travels through South America, creating a diverse Latin fusion menu, Dishes, which are beautifully presented, come from Venezuela, Perú, Brazil, México, Argentina, and more, and some are cooked on a custom open-fire grill while meats are marinated, cured, and dry-aged in-house. Chica is located in Restaurant Row in The Venetian Tower, On weekend nights, the restaurant takes on a nightclub vibe with a live DJ. 

6. Mijo

Durango Resort

With its lush garden entrance, Mexico-inspired atmosphere, and a live DJ, a meal at Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant is like a journey south of the border. The restaurant has multiple dining rooms, each representing different parts of México. Meats and fish are prepared on a wood-burning grill and served in eclectic ways. There’s also a unique tequila and mezcal program, led by catadores (tequila experts).

7. La Popular

Palms Casino Resort

La Popular Restaurants comes to the Palms from one of the most recognized restaurant groups in Mexico City. Located near the Ivory Towers, the restaurant has shareable Mexican favorites and a festive vibe. The drink menu has more than 80 labels of tequila and mezcal, plus rare Mexican spirits and artisan products sourced from Oaxaca, Jalisco, and Guadalajara.

8. Border Grill

Mandalay Bay

Modern Mexican restaurant Border Grill is focused on thoughtfully sourced, seasonal dishes made from organic ingredients. Opened in 1999 by award-winning Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, the restaurant has a 25-year history of impressing guests with delicious cuisine and crafted cocktails. Patrons especially love the endless tapas brunch. Enjoy your meal on the two-story outdoor patio overlooking Mandalay Beach or in a vibrant dining room covered in colorful and playful murals.

9. González Y González

New York-New York Hotel and Casino

Start spreading the news. New York-New York is a great spot for a Mexican fiesta. Located on the property’s Village Street, González y González serves up Mexican cuisine for lunch, dinner, or late at night. Enjoy guacamole made tableside and huge portions of authentic favorites. In addition to a full bar, the restaurant boasts one of the largest tequila menus on the Las Vegas Strip.

10. Señor Frog’s

Treasure Island

Señor Frog’s is a Mexican restaurant for party people. If you don’t like loud places, this spot isn’t for you. There are two stories for dining, drinking, and dancing, plus an outdoor patio overlooking a pirate ship. On weekends there’s a fabulous drag brunch with bottomless mimosas. The menu at Señor Frog’s includes Mexican and American favorites. But let’s be honest. You don’t come here for the food.

11. China Poblano

The Cosmopolitan

Not sure if you want Mexican or Chinese food? No problem. You can have both at China Poblano by José Andrés where authentic Mexican and Chinese cuisines are served side by side. The idea came to the Spanish-American chef after visiting the vibrant street markets in both countries. Everything is prepared and served with total respect for the authenticity, cooking techniques, and traditions of each culture. It’s like visiting East Asia and South America in one night.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.