Authentic Mexican flavors and fresh tortillas in the heart of Old Town San Diego.
Old Town Mexican Cafe is a beloved, long-standing restaurant offering authentic Mexican cuisine in a vibrant, traditional setting. Known for its fresh, handmade corn tortillas, flavorful carnitas, and classic dishes like pozole and street tacos, it provides a genuine dining experience with friendly service. Located in historic Old Town San Diego, it attracts both locals and tourists seeking delicious, reasonably priced meals in a lively atmosphere, often featuring mariachi music and timeless decor.
2489 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
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Enjoy classic dishes like carne asada tacos, pozole, and carnitas plates in a festive setting.
Watch our tortillas being made fresh daily, served warm with meals or to take home.
Host parties or events with our catering services, perfect for gatherings in Old Town.
Sip on margaritas and other Mexican-inspired drinks from our well-stocked bar.
End your meal with delicious homemade churros and other sweet treats.
Overall rating
caimiao liu
We got their ceviche, carnitas plate and street tacos. It was simple cooking. Though they may not look that appealing, they surely tasted delicious. Reasonable price for a popular tourist destination. The server was very nice and patient even though it was busy. Loved their corn tortilla and fried beans. The cocktail was okay and the ceviche was average. Meat was well seasoned. Overall pretty good experience.
Jonathan Siau
We had a fantastic meal at Old Town Mexican. The food was authentically Mexican, full of flavor, and very reasonably priced. The service was great—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The crispy carnitas were absolutely out of this world—perfectly cooked with amazing flavor and texture. The homemade guacamole was fresh and delicious, and you could truly taste the quality. We also loved that the tortillas were being made when we walked in; they were fresh, warm, and incredibly tasty. And don’t skip dessert—the churros were delicious and the perfect way to end the meal. Overall, an excellent experience with great food, great service, and great value. We’ll definitely be back!
Mike Sperando
I visited Old Town Mexican Café based on numerous positive recommendations and was not disappointed. I walked in without a reservation, and despite the café being quite busy, I was able to get seated after a reasonable wait. I ordered the mini carne asada tacos and the red pozole with corn tortillas. The food was very good, and the flavors felt authentic and satisfying. Although the service was a bit on the slower side, it wasn’t a major issue for me, as it gave me time to enjoy the atmosphere and relax. The restaurant had a lively, bustling vibe throughout my visit, which added to the experience. Overall, I’d recommend Old Town Mexican Café to anyone looking for a good Mexican meal in the area. It’s a solid choice if you’re in Old Town San Diego.
C Neon
This is an authentic Mexican restaurant at the mouth of Old Town San Diego. The decorations and vibes are very Mexican. They even had a mariachi band. The food is very tasty and authentic. Even the chips and dips are fresh and had a bit of spicy goodness. Overall, we have been coming here for decades and it remains true to its roots. Good experience.
M Abalos
It's been several decades that I have been coming to this restaurant. It's large (both patio and indoor area ) and it has a variety of tables and chairs to choose from. Mexican decor is timeless at this place. Our server was welcoming and attentive. Didn't have to ask for water refill. The food is definitely authentic, but its portioning compared to other similar places in the neighborhood, is on the skimpy side. I did not feel I got my monies worth with my machaca dish. The albondigas soup could have used a little kicker. It was missing something. Nonetheless, both dishes were good to go. Fresh corn tortillas freshly made. They were good!
