naples noms’ favorite spots for mexican food 🇲🇽

our picks for some of the best mexican (or mexican-inspired) food in naples, florida.

  • K-Rico Mexican Grill

    K-Rico Mexican Grill

    K-Rico, quite literally translated to “how delicious,” lived up to its name. This bayfront Mexican restaurant serves up some unique dishes that we hadn’t come across in Naples and were curious to try. It’s unfortunate that it’s typically just the 2 of us dining because we were ready to order the entire menu. Even the chips had their own twist - just look at these bright orange ancho-chili infused tortilla chips (and that trio of salsas)!

    And c’mon, how about the Mexican "Philly" Steak Torta generously filled with NY Strip steak, veggies, guac, and cheese. A perfect bite every time! Pro-tip: get the tostones as your side.

    The staff favorite, El Chapparal, was also a winner. We opted for the short rib (also a generous portion!) which is served over a stack of yucca fries topped with creamy queso sauce, scallions & avocado-jalapeño crema.

    Alright, now who is in for another go at the rest of their menu?

  • Habaneros Catering

    Habaneros Catering

    Can we make “Torta Tuesday” a thing, people? When a friend who works at the county offices asks if you want to have lunch at the Mexican stand that recently opened, run by Habaneros Catering, you say yes.

    For those looking for a deal, our lunch for the 2 of us came out to $16 and we split a torta, 4 tacos ($1 each on Tuesdays!) and a large agua de Jamaica (hibiscus). Just another great option for authentic Mexican food here in Naples!

  • La Oaxaqueña Taqueria and Grocery Store

    La Oaxaqueña Taqueria and Grocery Store

    There’s Oaxacan food in Naples? Yep!

    We recently paid a visit to La Oaxaqueña on Davis boulevard. They specialize is this regional Mexican cuisine. This restaurant is located in the back of a grocery store, but don’t be fooled, this small locale delivers big flavors!

    We decided to try the caldo de camarón (shrimp soup) and caldo tlalpeño which is a chicken soup filled with vegetables, ezapote and chipotle chilies. They were served with fresh homemade tortillas, lime, cilantro and jalapeño on the side.

    Both soups had that home cooked taste, reminiscent of mom or grandma’s cooking. The colorful tables and chairs also provided a festive atmosphere.

  • Taqueria San Julian

    Taqueria San Julian

    The taco post you’ve all been waiting for. Taqueria San Julian.

    Tacos in their purest form. Where all you need is the meat, chopped white onions, cilantro and lime on 2 corn tortillas.

    We also snuck in some of their homemade guacamole with tortilla chips, a shrimp quesadilla (hiding in between all the tacos), a shrimp ceviche tostada and washed it all down with an agua de Jamaica and a Mexican coke.

    Home of the Best Tacos? We’ll let you decide.

  • Molcajetes

    Molcajetes

    You’ll find Molcajetes hidden in the Park Shore Plaza under a sign that still reads ‘Grouper Grill’. You won’t leave this restaurant feeling hungry - their portions are generous and the flavors are plentiful.

    We had the Molcajete Supreme, presented in the restaurant’s namesake, a molcajete (Spanish for “mortar”) filled with chicken, steak, shrimp, chorizo and cactus topped with white shredded cheese that slowly melted onto the meats over time.

    Other options to try:
    •Texan Fajitas
    •Michelada - A drink made with beer, lime juice, assorted sauces (often chili-based), spices, tomato juice, and dried chili.

  • Iguana Mia

    Iguana Mia

    We’re not sure what made this such an memorable meal at Iguana Mia. Perhaps the beautifully unique bright green building? the decor that made you feel right in the middle of a movie? the bowls of different homemade salsas and tortilla chips? the friendly and attentive staff? the meaty Dip in the Heart of Texas? the perfectly smothered tamales, chimichangas and enchiladas? or perhaps the fried ice cream?

    There’s a reason they’ve been serving the area for over 30 years. We just found out why.

  • Turco Taco

    Turco Taco

    Looking for a new place to try this weekend? Give Turco Taco a try!

    Owner, Yavuz “Oz” Ozturk, opened Turco Taco in June with the goal of serving the freshest, organic locally grown produce with hormone and antibiotic free premium meats.

    We decided to try almost the entire taco menu during our visit.

    When you visit, don’t forget to try all of their house made sauces, each one is incredibly flavorful and a nice touch to anything you might order. They offer green salsa, house salsa, chimichurri salsa, and salsa de árbol which was our favorite!

  • Death By Taco

    Death By Taco

    Tracking down a food truck in Fort Myers is worth the effort when you have platefuls of food coming out the Death By Taco trailer at the end of it. Chef Skyler Denison and his team have managed to prepare a menu that checks every box, from more authentic Mexican offerings to vegetarian and vegan delights to Asian-inspired goodness.

    Kicked things off with a traditional Mayan roasted pumpkin seed dip called Sikil Pak, a beautifully fresh alternative to the salsa or queso you’d normally start this kind of meal with. This time around, we picked the Rockefeller tacos with perfectly cornmeal-fried mushrooms, the pork confit M-filled Saigon tacos, and the al pastor-style Al Bundy tacos. Bonus, we got to wash it all down with some Fort Myers Brewing Co.

  • Felipe's Mexican Taqueria

    Felipe's Mexican Taqueria

    What if I told you that these tacos could be yours for $2 each today? Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria is serving up the best deal in town with $2 tacos every day from 3-6PM and they wanted to be sure all our followers knew! Wash it all down with their house margaritas or some Ankrolab brews. Taco ‘bout a great deal! 😏

    Pick your protein, pick your tortilla, pick your toppings, and pick your made-from-scratch sauces. You do you! 👊🌮

  • Tacos & Tequila Cantina

    Tacos & Tequila Cantina

    If you’re a Naples local, you already know about Tacos & Tequila Cantina.

    This place offers an unconventional Tex-Mex menu and an extensive selection of tequila.

    It seems like there’s always a good food or drink special going on - our favorite? Two for one margaritas on Sundays and Tuesdays. You can’t beat that!

    When you visit, start off with your meal with fresh tortilla chips, salsa, and the flavorful queso dip, a must try menu item.

    We’ve probably tried every one of the specialty tacos on the menu, but if it’s your first visit we recommend these:

    T&T Signature Taco - it’s their signature taco for a reason! The crispy fried chicken and queso blanco are a match made in heaven.

    Korean Beef Taco - The kimchi and marinated steak taste just like what you’d order at your favorite Korean restaurant. You don’t normally see these flavors at a taco place - but they’ve perfected it.

    Baja Taco - Order it with grilled mahi mahi for a lighter option. The avocado crema and cilantro brighten up the flavors in this taco.

    Stop by and taste for yourself and you’ll see why this local chain is going national!

  • La Yerbita

    La Yerbita

    Making the drive to Orlando anytime soon? Take the state roads and plan a stop at La Yerbita in Avon Park. This unassuming hole in the wall delivers some of the most authentic Mexican food we’ve found.

    For $1.25 a taco, you can choose from the classic Al Pastor, Chicken, Barbacoa, and Suadero tacos (a traditional cut similar to brisket with a very beefy flavor) to the more adventurous tripe and tongue tacos. And don’t miss out on the chicken and pork tamales hiding inside the market attached to the taco stand. Also a great place to escape the heat while you eat. We washed it all down with an electric purple agua de Jamaica (hibiscus tea). Don’t let the humble look of it fool you, make this a pit stop on your trip to #Orlando and you’ll probably stop by again on your way back to #Naples.