Lin NormanForget the neon lights of Broadway and those watered-down tourist margaritas for a minute. You might not instantly associate Music City with top-tier Mexican food, but the flavors are out there if you know where to look past the usual honky-tonk stops.
After surviving one too many sad, soggy tacos here in Nashville, we decided to hunt down the real deal. Our crew did the heavy eating for you by checking out the city’s savory and spicy corners.
We downed our fair share of tequila and demolished massive bowls of chips and queso along the way. We chased down the smoky char of grilled street meat and tracked down recipes passed down through families.
Learning the hard way means we can tell you exactly which spots are worth your time and cash. Think of this guide as your cheat sheet to the absolute tastiest plates in town.
How much does eating at a Mexican restaurant cost in Nashville?
In Nashville, you can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $50 per person at a Mexican restaurant, depending heavily on the service style and location.
| Dining Style | Estimated Cost Per Person | What to Expect |
| Quick Bites & Taquerias | $10 – $20 | Individual tacos ($3-$6), budget-friendly platters, and casual street-style setups. |
| Casual Sit-Down | $20 – $35 | Full-service dining, standard entrees like fajitas ($12-$22), and lunch specials. |
| Upscale & Trendy | $35 – $50+ | Elevated cuisine in trendy areas, premium tacos ($6.50+), and specialty drinks ($12-$18). |
1. Tito’s Mexican Restaurant
Website: https://www.titosmexicanrestaurant.com/
Address: 303 31st Avenue North, Suite 101
Contact: (615) 234-9905
Schedule:
- Mon-Sat 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Craving a warm, home-style plate of food? Tito’s skips the modern fusion trends and sticks to generational family recipes instead.
During my last visit, I chatted with the manager, who told me they refuse to cut corners when it comes to how they prep their food. Slow-roasted meats and warm, fresh tortillas fill the room with an unbelievable smell that makes you hungry the second you walk in.
Their menu breaks down different regional styles clearly, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Even if you miss the specials, you have to try their House Gold Margarita.
Just keep an eye on the clock if you want to catch happy hour, because it ends early at 6:00 PM. Sunday nights also wrap up early, so plan your weekend dinners accordingly.
Customer Reviews
Everyone stop in when you’re in their area!
I am totally excited about this restaurant went to an appointment and googled this fine establishment. Nice clean storefront…servers polite and engaging. Food presentation was on point. Large menu, drinks and lots of choices. I tell you what I will be back ..everyone stop in when you’re in their area!!@
- Linda Johnson | Google Review
I will definitely be back!
Had the Cadillac of margaritas, which was fantastic!!! As well as the fajita salad which was absolutely amazing! I will definitely be back! The service was good but still had to wait a considerable amount of time for a bartender to come by for the check and a to go container. Their accents were very authentic.
- Mr. C | Google Review
2. Fonda
Website: https://www.fondanashville.com/
Address: 2316 12th Avenue South
Contact: (615) 800-4899
Schedule:
- Mon-Weds 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thu 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Fri 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sat 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sun 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Walking through the vibrant 12 South neighborhood puts you right next to some of the best restaurants in Nashville. Among them, Fonda takes a regular night out and turns it up a notch with craft cocktails and regional dishes that feel really special.
Groups celebrating birthdays grab tables here for weekend brunch while friends catch up over drinks in the lively dining room. They even have a cool, glassed-in private room that fits up to 40 people if you are throwing a bigger party.
Parking around here can be a massive headache, so their validated spots right behind the building are a total lifesaver.
While their four-day happy hour runs all afternoon, they skip lunch service Monday through Wednesday. So, just plan on saving your appetite for an early evening meetup instead.
Customer Reviews
Lunch was great!
My husband and I snuck away for a day date. Lunch was great! Our server Kyla was so personable and gave great recommendations. She made our lunch date awesome. Had a wonderful experience and would be back.
- Kira Soldani | Google Review
Really good, small plates, Mexican food with very good service, a full bar, and validated parking in the rear; reservations recommended. The Tacos de Pescado are a delight, with very lightly breaded and fried fish. The Tostadas Atún are just a little spicy, and have lots of chunks of tuna. It’s a smaller restaurant, and a little loud.
- J. Medeiros | Google Review
3. The Salty Burrito
Website: https://thesaltyburrito.com/
Address: 2115 Belcourt Avenue
Contact: (629) 203-8255
Schedule: Mon-Sat 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Grabbing a filling morning meal on the go doesn’t mean you have to settle for a sad drive-thru sandwich. The Salty Burrito sticks strictly to hearty, wrapped handhelds that hit the spot whether you’re up early or grabbing a late lunch.
They open the doors at 7:00 AM, getting hot food into the hands of the busy breakfast crowd without the wait. Since they focus on doing one thing really well, you get your food incredibly fast.
Plus, the Belcourt Avenue spot makes it an easy pit stop when you are rushing to work. You’ll have to look elsewhere on Sundays, though, because they take the whole day off.
Still, keeping things simple with a straightforward menu means you always know exactly what you’re getting and how fast you’ll get it.
Customer Reviews
If you need a “SoCal burrito fix” this is your spot !!
If you need a “SoCal burrito fix” this is your spot !! Being a 20 year resident of the 909 in Cali…. I know a little something haha🤣 Danny will make sure that you are good to go! We went 2x in two days during our weekend trip in Nash Vegas … …
- Coach V of Sparta | Google Review
Great place on Belcourt Ave!
What a great place on Belcourt Ave! I got the street tacos. And since it was my first time in they let me try different meats. I’m going to have a really hard time choosing between carne asada and chorizo next time I go! Great customer service. The salsa and sauce bar were awesome as well.
- Renee C | Google Review
4. Nectar Urban Cantina
Website: https://www.nectarcantina.com/
Address: 206 McGavock Pike
Contact: (615) 454-2277
Schedule:
- Mon-Thu 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Fri 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sat 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sun 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor. At Nectar Urban Cantina, colorful grain bowls sit right next to classic regional plates, and you can grab a fresh juice or a local coffee to go with your meal.
The drink menu shakes things up with trendy THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cocktails alongside the usual cold draft beers.
Their huge outdoor area really acts as a community hangout. Last time I sat out on the lawn, kids were running around the dedicated play space while parents actually got to relax and eat.
But trying to get a table can be a problem, since they completely refuse to take reservations or call-ahead names.
You might end up waiting around during the dinner rush. Yet grabbing a drink from the fast-casual juice bar helps kill the time before you sit down.
Customer Reviews
The tacos can’t be beat
Been a longtime fan of nectar, literal years at this point. You must indulge in a prickly pear margarita pitcher and the tacos can’t be beat. Great vibes all around! No other place for a little Saturday day drink 🍹 …
- Shelby Bennett | Google Review
Everything made so fresh and fantastic!
Busy Saturday night with no reservations but no problem. The wait wasn’t long.
Ordered the Guacamole and chips with a Birria Taco and some fried plantains. It was so good! Everything made so fresh and fantastic! Don’t sleep on this place. It’s a keeper!
- Jkay C | Google Review
5. Federales Tacos & Tequila
Website: https://www.federalesnash.com/
Address: 636 Division Street
Contact: (615) 953-9420
Schedule:
- Mon-Thu: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Fri 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Sat 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Sun 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sometimes you just want to go out and have a loud, energetic time. Instead of a quiet dinner, Federales Tacos & Tequila delivers an open-air party where friends pack the tables and throw back their signature ice shots.
If you have a big crew hunting for the best downtown restaurants in Nashville, they actually run a free 14-passenger shuttle bus to easily keep everyone together.
You don’t have to worry about rain ruining your night, either, because they can just close the massive retractable roof over the patio.
While you can book semi-private spots like the Graffiti Bar, they don’t have any fully enclosed private dining rooms.
But between the loud music and the bottomless mimosa brunches on the weekend, the energy stays high the entire time you are there.
Customer Reviews
We will be back!
The breakfast burrito, chicken and waffles, and breakfast tacos were delicious. The bottomless mimosas is interchangeable with the vodka etc. So delicious and so worth it. We will be back! I suggest Uber because the parking is slim
- Giada Wren | Google Review
Queso fundido!
Fun place with outdoor seating. The Brussels sprouts were amazing, as well as the queso fundido! The tacos we chose were also great. What stands out is the flavor profiles of everything was elevated with authentic spices that truly came through in the dishes. Service was that like most bar/restaurant hybrids. Parking sucks, and they don’t have sweet tea which is wild in the south but overall we loved it.
- Emily L | Google Review
