Best Mexican Food Oahu

In Hawaii and craving some Mexican food? Today I’m sharing the best Mexican food Oahu has to offer!

I will be the first to tell you that it took me a long time to find Mexican food on Oahu that I really loved. That said, nearly ten years and quite a bit of trial-and-error, we’ve found a few spots we will drive around the island to in order to eat our Mexican food loving hearts out!

Best Mexican Food Oahu

Taqueria El Ranchero

Driving up to Wahiawa is totally worth it for Taqueria El Ranchero and if you can go on a Tuesday and ride the bull in the parking lot, even better. That said, if you DO go on a Tuesday, go early, because their Taco Tuesday is one of the most popular on the island.

Taqueria is probably the most authentic Mexican food Oahu has, in my opinion. The menu is huge, the service is quick, and spicy means spicy, so consider that your warning.

I order the vegetarian burrito with black beans, and always get a bag of chips. Dane loves just about everything on the menu, but he co-signs on ordering a bag of chips. Every person needs their own. In pre-COVID times they had a delicious self-service salsa bar, but just make sure you get plenty of those, too.

Make a full date night of it, and drive up to enjoy it on the beach in Haleiwa!

Serg’s Mexican Kitchen

I ate Serg’s after my first full marathon and I can still taste how absolutely delicious it is. I think about that moment every single time we go here and I order the exact same thing every freaking time – a vegetarian Chimichanga, extra beans. I can’t quit it!

It’s topped with delicious sour cream and guac, plus super crispy since it’s fried. Always, always, always get the chips for scooping up extra toppings that inevitably fall out!

Dane orders the nachos, Flautas, or Mexican style tacos, but all of that considered, we’ve never had a bad meal here, so get wild. Parking can be kind of precarious and there are only a few places to pull in, but if you see the red, white, and green banners, you know you’re in the right place.

Food is best taken to go, but if you stay, you can sit on the curb. Just make sure to grab a bunch of napkins and if there is a wait, it’s worth it, I promise.

Buho Cocina y Cantina

Also known as Buho, or Buho Cantina, this is a trendier, rooftop spot that is perfect for a fun night out. It’s definitely what you’d consider ‘upscale Mexican’ and not as authentic as the two listed above, but I still love Buho, if for no other reason than their happy hour is 10/10 and the table side guac with homemade chips is *chef’s kiss*.

If you go here, it’s imperative you get here early. This place fills up quickly, especially on peak days like weekends and Tuesdays, and the good seats on the chair rail can be hard to come by. 

I highly recommend the chips with guacamole and salsa, followed by the goat cheese quesadillas, adding brisket. Even if you don’t normally eat a ton of meat like brisket, just trust me on this one and do it. OH MY WORD! 

And there you have it! I will say, I’ve tried Paniolo’s (the closest Hawaii has to Chipotle), as well as Mexico Lindo (good food, service is kind of slow), and both are good, but my top three are for sure Taqueria, Serg’s, and Buho.

Exploring Oahu? Don’t miss all my best Oahu recommendations or go all in and read every Hawaii post I’ve ever written!