Tips

The Ultimate Guide to the Top 10 Tastiest and Most Authentic Mexican Restaurants in District 1

If you're feeling adventurous and want to take a break from the familiar flavors of Vietnamese cuisine or the elaborate Western dishes, why not embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant land of Mexico? Right here in District 1, you can discover 8 captivating restaurants that will tantalize your taste buds with their unique and exciting Mexican fare. Get ready to spice up your life and indulge in a wild and wonderful culinary experience!

Administrator

13 July, 2024

Mexican chefs are often dubbed “culinary dancers” as the dishes they create resemble a dance performance. Their culinary creations start with a gentle prelude of natural herbal flavors, followed by a strong chorus of spicy chili, and conclude with a perfect finale of savory sauces made with secret recipes.

With their creativity and boldness, Mexican cuisine will surely satisfy your taste buds from the very first bite. So, why wait? Let’s explore the eight best Mexican restaurants in District 1 that will tantalize your taste buds.

1 Gringo Tacos Y Cantina

Gringo Tacos Y Cantina

Restaurant Rating: 4.4/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 137 Calmette, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 10,000 – 220,000 VND

Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Usually crowded around 5:00 PM)

Delivery: No

Facebook: GringoTacos y Cantina

Pros: All dishes are homemade, ensuring quality

Cons: Small space with limited seating

The owner of this restaurant is Mexican, so you can expect authentic, spicy dishes from the Mediterranean region. Their signature dish is taco, a traditional Mexican dish made from corn flour and served with meat or seafood. The soft and fragrant dough, along with the specially seasoned and sauced filling, makes it a must-try.

Additionally, their burrito rolls and unique drinks are worth trying. Gringo Tacos Y Cantina will surely give you a memorable dining experience.

2 La Fiesta

Restaurant Rating: 4.5/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 33 Dang Thi Nhu, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 50,000 – 250,000 VND

Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Phone: 0944291697

Facebook: La Fiesta

Delivery: Yes (Grab, Now, Gojek)

Pros: Spacious restaurant with generous portions

Cons: Parking is at a nearby bank, which incurs a fee.

The dishes served here are more generous than their prices suggest, so be mindful when ordering to avoid waste. Their spicy fried fish taco, featuring a thin and chewy dough paired with fish marinated in Mexican spicy sauce, is a must-try.

Another recommended dish is their quesadilla, a pizza-like dish with a thin crust and a filling of sautéed vegetables and melted cheese.

For more information:

3 Bandido Saigon – Dong Du

Restaurant Rating: 4.6/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 24bis Dong Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 150,000 – 500,000 VND.

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM | 5:30 PM – 11:59 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

Delivery: Yes (Grab, Now, Gojek)

Phone: 0868885600

Facebook: Bandido Saigon

Website: bandido.vn

Pros: Spacious restaurant with a true Mexican ambiance

Cons: Small parking area, difficult to park

This two-story restaurant boasts a unique and subtle Mexican-style decor from the Mediterranean region. Their BBQ pork ribs, marinated with a generous amount of spices and herbs, are so tender that they melt in your mouth.

Their taco is also exceptional, with a corn dough shell and a filling soaked in a special sauce, offering a burst of sweet, nutty, spicy, and salty flavors. Plus, they offer vegan options, including vegan taco fillings.

4 Tacoleo

Restaurant Rating: 4.5/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 48B Ho Hao Hon, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 8,000 – 41,000 VND

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Delivery: Yes (Grab, Now, Gojek)

Phone: 0903632907

Facebook: TacoLeo

Pros: Spacious and airy restaurant. Delicious and generous portions

Cons: Small parking area without an attendant.

TacoLeo specializes in taco, burrito, and tortilla served with cheese, all made from scratch and baked in their kitchen. The freshly baked dough ensures a soft and fragrant texture, and the accompanying sauces, such as tomato and BBQ, are prepared following authentic Mexican recipes.

5 Rico Taco

Restaurant Rating: 4.2/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 97 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 100,000 – 300,000 VND

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Delivery: Yes (Grab, Now, Gojek)

Phone: 02838251676

Facebook: Rico Taco

Pros: Cozy atmosphere with Mexican music creating a lively and relaxed vibe.

Cons: The entrance is small and located next to a pharmacy. The restaurant is on the upper floor, making it challenging to find.

Rico Taco stands out for its unique taco combinations and fillings. Their signature dish is the taco hem ham, featuring shredded meat, a soft texture without being mushy, and a cinnamon-scented sauce, offering a true Mexican culinary experience.

6 Oia Castle

Restaurant Rating: 3.9/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 119 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 30,000 – 200,000 VND

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Delivery: Yes (Grab, Now, Gojek)

Phone: 0932065119

Facebook: OIA Castle – Greek & Mediterranean Bistro

Pros: Painted in blue and white, reminiscent of Greece, with a beautiful and airy space.

Cons: Slow service when crowded.

While Oia Castle specializes in Mediterranean and Greek cuisine, they also offer excellent Mexican dishes. Their tacos and nachos are prepared in the authentic Mexican style, with spicy chili and a variety of sauces that explode in your mouth.

7 Sol Kitchen & Bar

Restaurant Rating: 4.7/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 115 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 50,000 – 300,000 VND

Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Delivery: Yes (Grab, Now, Gojek)

Phone: 0799991811

Facebook: Sol Kitchen & Bar

Pros: Beautifully decorated space with a warm ambiance and bamboo furniture

Cons: Small portions

Sol Kitchen & Bar serves dishes prepared in the authentic South American style. The chef creates various quality fillings for tacos by mixing different sauces like mayo, tomato, and Tabasco. Their beefsteaks are also noteworthy, as they are cooked to perfection, retaining the juicy marinade.

8 Chilango Taco Saigon

Restaurant Rating: 4.8/5 (according to Google reviews)

Address: 70E Pasteur, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Price Range: 50,000 – 125,000 VND

Opening Hours: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Delivery: No

Facebook: Chilango Taco Saigon

Pros: Cozy and airy space. Vegan options are available.

Cons: The entrance is a small staircase, and the restaurant is on the second floor, making it hard to find.

The dishes at Chilango Taco Saigon are seasoned in the Mexican style but without chili, allowing diners to adjust the spiciness to their preference. Their standout dish is the baja fish tacos, featuring the unique flavor of salmon and a soft and fragrant shell that will leave you craving for more.

They also offer vegan quesadillas (a combination of taco and tortilla) with a super delicious bean stew filling for those who don’t eat meat.

In conclusion, whether you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine or simply curious about this vibrant country, these eight restaurants in District 1 will surely satisfy your cravings and provide a delightful culinary experience.

Frequently asked questions

The blog post on meo.tips provides a comprehensive guide to the best Mexican eateries in the area, offering a mix of traditional and modern cuisine. It includes well-known spots as well as hidden gems, with a focus on taste and authenticity.

The author of the article based their selections on a combination of factors, including online reviews, recommendations from food critics and Mexican food enthusiasts, and their own personal experiences. They emphasize that the list is subjective and open to debate, but it provides a good starting point for those seeking an authentic Mexican dining experience in District 1.

The article highlights a range of signature dishes, such as tacos al pastor, mole poblano, and chiles en nogada. These dishes showcase the diversity of Mexican cuisine, featuring bold flavors, colorful presentations, and traditional ingredients. The author also mentions the importance of trying the restaurants’ margaritas and authentic Mexican street food options.

The blog acknowledges the challenge of finding vegetarian options in traditional Mexican cuisine, which often features meat as a central component. However, they highlight a few restaurants on the list that offer vegetarian-friendly dishes, such as El Papa Moto and La Casa de Los Tacos. For those with dietary restrictions, the article suggests inquiring about customization options, as some restaurants may be accommodating.

The price range varies across the list, with options for both budget-friendly and upscale dining. The article mentions that while some restaurants offer a casual and vibrant atmosphere, others provide a more intimate and refined dining experience. It encourages readers to choose based on their preferences and the occasion.