Where to go for the best Mexican food in Manchester 

Located within the Northern Quarter’s legendary Koffee Pot (to the left), Birria Brothers take on the mantle when breakfast foods will no longer cut it. From 4pm every day, these guys sling tacos, quesadillas, nachos and all sorts of on-theme sides and sauces. It’s the birria that’s the headline act, though. Soft tacos are filled with rich beef stew, plenty of cheese and finished with zingy salsa. The whole thing is then fried and served with a pot of rich, spiced consommé for extra dipping and extra flavour. Sink a couple of their many, many margarita variations and Oldham Street could be Oxahaca.

With two sites in Manchester (Piccadilly Gardens and Rusholme) and one in Bolton, Don Tacos are probably the most represented Mexican outlet in the city, but by no means does that convenience mean that quality is compromised. This is thoroughly good grub, from the habanero lamb chops to the tinga de res. Elsewhere, they’ve made lunch-friendly adaptations to classic dishes, like naked burrito bowls and tacos both soft and crunchy. There’s also fajitas and grilled meat dishes, as well as low fat and keto dishes for those fuelling up post-workout. So loads of choice, if you want a light lunch, or a seriously un-light one.

With Mexican-inspired dishes, satisfying sarnies, tacos and a cocktail list that’s absolutely summer-ready, Haus in West Didsbury is a permanent slice of sunshine. From the avo toast to the steak sandwich to the brisket and ox cheek birria tacos, everything is bright, fresh and super-tempting. That’s before you even get to the fried chicken, which comes with a raft of dipping sauces including a homemade chilli that’ll blow your socks off, in a good way. You wash all that down with a crisp Mexican beer or some on-theme cocktails like a bloody maria or a mexcalita verde. It’s the ideal place to head for a weekend brunch that could ‘accidentally’ transition into a bit of a marg session.

A relatively recent addition to Piccadilly Gardens, Fuego is one of the many traders proving that the street food market is far more than just a lunchtime obstacle course. The stand-out here is the birria, slow-cooked in a rich stock packed with fragrant dried chillis imported from Mexico. A corn tortilla is then topped with cojita cheese and crisped up on the grill, with your birria tacos served with a pot of consommé. They also do sirloin steak and chipotle chicken tacos that are fresh to order. This is firmly in our weekly lunch rotation.

The old Blackshaws building, on Stockport’s Market Place, has one of the best views of the historic town’s centre. Think raw brickwork, retro neon signage, industrial light fittings and the odd mural adding colour, and yet more character. So when La Capilla started operating in the space, it became a must-visit for two good reasons. The menu is taco-centric, with some classics including baja fish and beef birria. Elsewhere on the menu, pork rice bowls, salt cod fritters and charred hispi cabbage prove to be flavoursome faves. Yet another jewel in Stockport’s foodie crown.

A genuine gem out in Irlam, you either love Las Bombas, or simply haven’t tried it yet. There is no in between. A vibrant spot inspired by Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and the southern Caribbean, think crispy salmon tacos, picanha steak with chimichurri, carne paella, lamb chimichanga, tiger prawns, cod fritters, and loads more. Groups of over nine can enjoy a super-sociable ‘wave-based dining experience’, where the courses just keep arriving at your ever-heaving table. Veggie options aren’t lacking either, from beetroot ceviche to miso glazed cauliflower tacos, and there’s sangria by the glass or the jug. A genuinely great night out, guaranteed.

You might not immediately equate the mighty city of Liverpool with top-tier tacos, oysters and all sorts of grilled delights, but Madre – the Scouse import which has its second location here in Manchester – could prove you all wrong. Head down to their restaurant and enjoy delicious morsels of sauce-laden meat, fish and veg in a raucous environment. The menu is separated into four parts: antojitos (snacky things like crispy potatoes), raw bar (slippery things like dressed oysters), parilla (scorched meaty things) and tacos (this one is fairly self-explanatory). These dishes are flavoursome and punchy, with the right amount of cheffy twists. If you’re after some Mexican food with flair, this is the ‘mother’ of all spots.

Pancho’s have been slinging burritos, tacos and Mexican soft drinks since 2009. Their burritos are generous, especially for a sub-tenner price point, and you’ve got a choice of everything from a large range of salsas to the tortilla itself. Best bit? There’s a vast array of chillies, hot sauces, peppers, tortillas and Jarritos sodas to take home too. If you’re fed up with your current city centre lunch go-to, Pancho’s are a seriously flavoursome alternative.

With sites in both Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor, Pico’s Tacos have diners in the city centre and the suburbs covered for tacos, nachos, and spicy margs. Tortillas are homemade, and come filled with anything from the vegan-friendly to the meat-centric, and their vast piles of colourful nachos covered in flouro-pink pickled cabbage and equally vibrant salsa verde are a favourite at both locations. Their brunch dishes are also top-notch. Rotating specials like sweetcorn and feta hash browns with a chipotle hollandaise, or golden wedges of quesadilla, make for an incredibly strong start to the day. How early is too early for a margarita?

The more relaxed little sibling to KAMPUS’ Madre, and located just next door, Salón Madre packs all the foodie punch of the flagship restaurant, but with more after-hours cool. If you enjoy your burritos, tacos, margs and crisp Mexican beers consumed while putting some time in at the pool table (which are free, by the way), this is the place to spend an hour or seven on your next city centre night out.

A consistently good fun Mexican bar, Sandinista has plenty of tequila inspired cocktails, including an Aperol-heavy one. There’s also a dedicated taco cantina, serving up some delicious Mexican delights, including burritos, quesadillas, nachos and tacos (obviously).