This is not an exhaustive list of all of the Mexican restaurants in Temecula by any means. (That is what Yelp is for.) These restaurants combine flavor with service, location, and ambiance, and are the ones we like to bring our friends and family when they visit.
Margaritas Cocina Y Cantina
Margaritas Cocina Y Cantina is a beautiful, family-owned restaurant hidden in Old Town Temecula’s Truax building. It’s across the city hall, and around the corner from Corbeaux Wine & Tea House. They specialize in traditional Mexican family recipes and decadent brunch treats like chilaquiles and Tres Leches Pancakes. If you like your food spicy, be sure to tell the kitchen so they can bring the heat, otherwise they tend to go light on the spices. Closed Mondays and Wednesdays.
Landeros Mexican Grill + Cantina
Landeros Mexican Grill + Cantina, also pictured at the top of the page, is another family-owned gem that opened in mid-2022. The Landeros family has decades of experience running Mexican fast-food locations, the Old Town location is their first full-service restaurant. The kitchen delivers authentic, Guadalajara-inspired fare like birria tacos, chile verde, and margarita flights. The restaurant’s festive, mural-adorned walls, and life-size tree at the center might be reason enough to stop in at least for a cocktail. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
1882 Cantina at Pechanga Resort Casino
1882 Cantina offers a modern Mexican dining experience spotlighting authentic flavors from across Mexico, Central, and South America. The menu offers regional dishes from Oaxaca, Baja California, and Mexico served in an open space just off the atrium of Pechanga Resort Casino. The house-made tortillas are incredible as is the carne asada, the salsa verde enchiladas, shrimp ceviche and elotes are all must-tries. On Friday and Saturday nights, you might even luck out with live Latin and Spanish music to go with your artisan tequilas margaritas. It’s the perfect choice for a laid back dinner before a show at the casino. Open daily.
Quiero Brunch
Quiero Brunch is a vibrant and warmly designed brunch spot in a Temecula shopping center just outside of Old Town. They skillfully blend traditional Mexican flavors with modern twists—think tres leches pancakes, churro waffles, and seven varieties of chilaquiles made in-house with local ingredients. Don’t forget to order a basket of homemade conchas for the table. This cozy yet lively café draws admirers for its delicious dishes, generous portions, and charming thoughtful touches like blankets on cooler days. Though weekend waits can be a thing (make a reservation before you go), the energetic atmosphere, creative menu, and inviting vibes more than make it worth the visit. Brunch and lunch only.
Fonda Doña Loca
Fonda Doña Loca is a cozy Mexican brunch and lunch spot with authentic and flavorful menu of tacos, fresh salsas, homemade tortillas, chilaquiles, and Coffee de Olla. Don’t miss the queso fundido. With a welcoming, festive atmosphere and fast, friendly service, it’s become a local favorite for both casual breakfasts and lively brunches. Located in a decidedly unsexy strip mall, it rivals Pechanga’s 1882 in both flavor and service, and is the most affordable option on this list. There’s no liquor license at this spot, and they only stay open until 6 pm.
Open daily. No website, see them on Yelp.
Kalaveras
The only chain restaurant on this list, we like Kalaveras for its delicious Margaritas and prime location overlooking Front Street in Old Town Temecula. Kalaveras combines Día de los Muertos-inspired décor with a dark, casual bar setting. They have a Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch buffet with customizable chilaquiles, tacos options, hearty Menudo, and bottomless mimosas. Must-try items on the menu are the Queso Birria Tacos, Tacos Gobernador, and Shrimp Fajitas. Open daily, Friday and Saturdays until midnight.
