11 Mexican Restaurants in Wilmington Sure to Spice Up Your Next Night Out

If you’re looking for Mexican Restaurants in Wilmington, NC, look no further. Our team has scoured the internet and compared the reviews, and the results are in.

Keep scrolling, and you’ll find the best authentic Mexican food, Mexican street food, and taquerias in Wilmington. We’ve done the legwork to give you some background on each of the restaurants in the list, along with important details like the restaurant’s location and website, plus a snippet from one of the reviews that helped cement its place on our list.

We’ve also gone ahead and included links anytime one of these restaurants accept our super convenient virtual gift cards!

GiftYa Virtual Gift Cards?

That’s what we said! In case this is your first time on our blog or you need a quick refresher, a GiftYa is a digital gift card that can be sent within seconds right from your phone. These gift cards can be used at a variety of locations but are particularly popular for restaurants, with plenty of local and national options available.

Whether you’re traveling and don’t want to carry cash or you want to treat a loved one to an easy-to-use gift, GiftYa is an excellent option. Plus, without those bulky physical gift cards you can forget and leave at home, there really isn’t a more convenient option when it comes to buying gift cards and gifts for yourself or others.

Now that we’re all caught up, on to the main event: the top Mexican restaurants in Wilmington!

1. Taqueria Los Portales

Chow Down on Authentic Mexican Food Without Taking a Trip Across the Border

1207 S Kerr St | College Oleander Center | taquerialosportales.com

Want a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine? Good news! If you’re in Wilmington, you don’t have to travel far to find it. Taqueria Los Portales is located right on Kerr Street, making it easily accessible to anyone in need of a tasty taco.

You can truly pile on the flavors at Taqueria Los Portales. With 12 types of toppings available at the salsa bar (no, that’s not a typo – 12!) you can tailor your dish to your flavor and spice preference. With options like spicy habanero, smoky chipotle, and citrusy tomatillo, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“The best Mexican food place in Wilmington! And being from Los Angeles myself, that is saying something. Los Portales has real authentic Mexican food selections on their menu! Like dishes that are even hard to find at Mexican restaurants like the lengua taco - they have it! ” - Yelp Review 

Taqueria Los Portales doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding Mexican restaurants and attractions in Wilmington!

2. La Oaxaquena Taqueria 

Authentic Mexican Food in a Bright, Cheerful Atmosphere

4540 Fountain Dr | St James Village | laoaxaquenataqueria.com

Known for its fast service and excellent food, La Oaxaquena Taqueria is a not-so-hidden gem in the heart of St. James Village. Locals love the upbeat vibes and family-friendly dining experience. If tacos aren’t your style, be sure to try the tortas, which are jam-packed full of authentic Mexican flavor.

Pro tip: You can join La Oaxaquena’s VIP program on their website to earn loyalty points, get exclusive discounts, and even unlock secret menus 👀

“This spot is so cute! I saw them on their Instagram page and wanted to try them out. The Decour is darling, bright, cheerful, fresh and clean. Our server was such a sweetheart and gave us great recommendations. Had the taco de lengua, Barbacoa, and fish tacos. My friend had the flautas with beans and rice” - Yelp Review

La Oaxaquena Taqueria is one of the thousands of restaurants that accepts digital GiftYa gift cards but it is also among one of the highest rated Mexican restaurants in Wilmington!

3. El Arriero Taqueria

Some of Wilmington’s Favorite Authentic Mexican Food 

6932 Market St | elarrierotaqueria.com

Wilmington has a thing for authentic Mexican cuisine, so it’s no wonder El Arriero Taqueria comes in so high on our list. From their expansive salsa selection to their fresh, hand-made corn tortillas, El Arriero Taqueria knows the importance of building a dining experience from the ground up.

Patrons love the molcajete, but if that’s not your fave, never fear – El Arriero has plenty of other options on the menu: tacos, quesadillas, tortas, burritos, huaraches, tamales, sopes, and so many more.

“Molcajete was phenomenal. Really excellent and worth the money. The restaurant has generous serving sizes. Best molcajete I've had to date. I also tried the shrimp camarones The shrimp was expertly cooked, putting many seafood restaurants to shame. A great surprise. Great service. Nice waitress.” - Yelp Review 

You can’t get a digital GiftYa gift card to El Arriero Taqueria at the moment but be sure to check back soon as new Mexican restaurants and locations in Wilmington are added all the time!

4. Gracias A Dios Restaurant

Sample A Variety of Traditional Mexican and Hondoruan Dishes at this Family Owned, Vegetarian Friendly Restaurant

33 S Kerr Ave | South Kerr Business Center | graciasadiosrestaurant.com

Gracias A Dios means “Thank God,” and is also the name of one of the 18 departments into which Honduras is divided, which is why Honduras-born owner Joe Othoniel chose it as the namesake for his restaurant. Built on the idea that good food, generous portions, and friendly service are the recipe for a great evening, Gracia A Dios Restaurant is a unique addition to the Wilmington food scene.

Family owned and operated, Gracias A Dios Restaurants prides itself in serving delicious Hondoran and Mexican meals made from locally sourced ingredients.

“Yeah, we're happy. Stopped in the morning for some food and left completely smiling. We hit the lunch special and I had the Pollo Horneado- absolutely perfection. Chicken fell right off the bone into the rice and I loved every delicious morsel of it… We will definitely be back!” - Yelp Review 

Unfortunately Gracias A Dios Restaurant isn’t one of the Mexican restaurants in Wilmington participating with GiftYa just yet, but check back soon cause they might be any day now.

5. Zocalo Street Food and Tequila

Second Generation Restaurateurs' Take on Modern Mexican Cuisine

1474 Barclay Pointe Blvd | Sun Valley | zocalostreetfood.com

Established by a group of young men who grew up working in their parents’ restaurant, the owners of Zocalo Street Food and Tequila were determined to carry on their family’s legacy of great food and excellent service, while still adding a modern twist. The result? One of Wilmington’s favorite Mexican restaurants.

Be sure to try the chimichanga or street tacos – you’ll be glad you did!

“Wow! I love this place for a modern Mexican cuisine! The chips and salsa are phenomenal. We've eaten in--the service is easy, and we've taken orders to go--things travel well. I will say the lunch menu is a great price for the quality and quantity! The Aztec quesadilla is great, so is the chicken chimichanga, and the verde enchiladas are delightful!” - Yelp Review 

Right now you aren’t able to get a GiftYa digital gift card to Zocalo but check back because there’s more Mexican restaurants and stores in Wilmington added all the time.

6. K-38 Baja Grill

Flavors Imported Directly from Mexico and the US Southwest

5410 Oleander Dr | Avondale | liveatsurf.com

The first of several restaurants by Live Eat Serve, K-38 Baja Grill is “where the adventure all started,” according to its founders. With chiles and spices imported from the Southwest US and Mexico, you can rest assured that the flavors you bite into at K-38 Baja Grill are the real thing.

Not sure what to try first? Locals love the carne asada and enchiladas. Another reason locals keep coming back to K-38 for more? The vibes, of course. This casual restaurant offers a colorful ambiance that will lift your mood and help you relax whether you stop in for dinner on the weekend or just to grab a drink and some appetizers with some friends after work.

“Best restaurant in Wilmington. food is always awesome and staff is great. John is most helpful and professional person I have ever seen. Great team and great food. The salsa is why I come back!!” - Yelp Review 

There aren’t GiftYa digital gift cards available for K-38 Baja Grill as of the date of this writing, but there might be now! Be sure to check GiftYa itself for all the gift cards available for Mexican restaurants  in Wilmington.

7. Beer Barrio

Craft Beer-Infused, Chef-Driven Modern Mexican Restaurant Right in the Heart of Wilmington’s Historic District

34 N Front St | Historic District | beerbarionc.com

Can’t choose between craft brews and a tasty marg? Now you don’t have to. Beer Barrio has all of your favorite cocktails – tasty margaritas included – as well as over 30 beers on draft. When you ask locals about the menu, a few phrases pop up over and over again: affordable, variety, and flavor. Which sounds like a winning combination, if you ask us!

When you stop by, consider ordering the Carolina pulled pork, beer braised beef tacos, or tequila grilled chicken. Lots of their menu offerings have boozy inspiration, and they pack big flavors as a result.

“Took my dog on a nice walk around downtown for her birthday when my boyfriend and I decided we needed something to eat. We locked eyes and said "BEER BARRIO". We absolutely love this place and I cannot get enough of their chili cheese dip!” - Yelp Review 

As always we’re busy adding attractions and Mexican restaurants in Wilmington to GiftYa all the time but you can’t get one for Beer Barrio just yet. Check back soon.

8. Taco Bell

Try a National Favorite if None of These Local Options Catch Your Eye

630 S College Rd | St James Village | tacobell.com

Sometimes when you’re looking for Mexican food, what you’re really looking for is comfort food. If none of these local favorites jumped out at you, consider stopping by your local Wilmington Taco Bell for the nostalgic crunchwrap and Baja Blast combo that has been rocking your world for as long as you can remember. 

“Very clean store! The staff was also very friendly. Can't beat late night drive thru!” - Yelp Review 

Grab a GiftYa digital gift card to Taco Bell by following the link right here and enjoy some of the best Mexican restaurants in Wilmington you can find!

There you have it! All the best rated Mexican restaurants you can find in Wilmington. 

As we said before, Wilmington has a LOT to offer, so it isn’t easy to narrow down the list of great Mexican restaurants to only what can fit in a single post. Wilmington has a thing for authentic flavors, so we’re sure that you’ll find something on this list of local-approved Mexican restaurants that tickles your fancy. And as a reminder, you can grab a convenient GiftYa digital gift card to any of the restaurants indicated on the list.

Didn’t quite find the right fit? Not to worry. At GiftYa, we’re always adding more Mexican restaurants to our catalog. And we’re always curating more lists of the best restaurants in Wilmington on the GiftYa blog, so check back soon for more inspiration for your next meal out in Wilmington!Wilmington, NC is a beautiful city with plenty to offer – from beautiful ocean views to impressive college campuses, from indoor attractions to countless ways to have fun in the sun. Whether you’re local to Wilmington or just stopping by for a vacation, one of the most attractive things about the town is its bustling food scene.