Most people think Cinco de Mayo — aka May 5th — is Mexico’s Independence Day. But it’s actually when Mexican troops won the Battle of Puebla over the invading French in 1862. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a popular celebration of Mexican heritage and culture in the United States. In fact, it’s much more popular in the US than in Mexico.

🌮 Tacos year-round: It might be a little late to make plans for Cinco de Mayo this year (most places are already booked!), but it doesn’t have to be Cinco de Mayo for you to enjoy authentic Mexican food or support an immigrant-founded local business.

Here are 10 Mexican restaurants you should definitely try (plus one bonus option we couldn’t leave out).

This family-owned restaurant serves bold and flavorful food made from authentic traditional recipes in a vibrantly decorated atmosphere.

📍 2134 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 410-571-0500

Owners Fernando Juarez and his wife, Megan, crafted their menu inspired by recipes passed down by generations of family in Mexico.

📍 48 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 443-775-5957

Newly reopened in their longstanding location on West Street, this popular spot specializes in fresh, made-to-order Mexican fare and top-tier customer service.

📍44 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 443-949-9310

Combining Mexican and Spanish cuisine, the diverse menu is prepared with fresh ingredients and served in a distinguished frescoed atmosphere.

Inside scoop: The paella takes some time to prepare but it’s worth the wait.

📍85 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 410-266-7580

In this unassuming little spot on Forest Drive, you’ll find freshly made Mexican and Latin American fare with Miami flare. Plus, they do great margaritas.

📍2129 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 410-266-0013

This family-owned restaurant prides itself on its authentic cuisine (you’ll love the handmade corn tortillas) where everything is served with their freshly prepped specialty salsa.

📍907 Bay Ridge Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403
☎️ 410-626-1444

This is an upbeat environment where you can get freshly prepared authentic Mexican food while learning about the culture. They’ve got live music scheduled several nights a week, and you can get dishes like tacos or quesadillas served by the tray.

📍2625 Riva Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 410 573 2961

The vibrant atmosphere of this restaurant makes it a great choice for family or group outings where you can enjoy traditional Mexican recipes.

📍1407 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21401
☎️ 443-714-8513

Founder Fredy Salmoran and his wife, Della, opened their restaurant in 2020 and have since expanded beyond the flagship Annapolis location to spots in Arnold, Edgewater, Severna Park, and Kent Island.

Inside Scoop: They just opened a market adjacent to the Annapolis location carrying fruits and vegetables from local farms and other grocery staples.

📍121 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403
☎️ 410-210-8000

This one isn’t as authentically Mexican as some of the other picks on this list, but if you want modern spins on Mexican staples made with farm-to-table ingredients, you don’t want to miss it. They do great craft cocktails too!

📍200 Main Street Annapolis, MD 21401 | 541 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146
☎️ Annapolis: 443-837-6521 | Severna Park: (410) 544-2300