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Best Mexican Restaurant in Pittsburgh for 2022

Whether you are looking for the best Mexican food in Pittsburgh or nearby areas — La Palapa keeps rocking with its traditional and authentic approach to their cooking.

Instagramers Pittsburgh Staff
Instagramers Pittsburgh
5 min readJan 4, 2022

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If you’ve ever had a flauta (or taquitos as known in the US), it’s probably thanks to Mexican food. Flautas are the very embodiment of what Mexican food means. La Palapa is known for its award-winning flautas and is one of Pittsburgh’s best places for birria, tamales, and tilapia a La Veracruzana. As well as having an incredible selection of Mezcal cocktails — which is quite unique in Pittsburgh. La Palapa has been named in numerous awards including Pittsburgh's 2021 Best Mexican Restaurant in Pennsylvania by 24/7 Wall St., and 2019 The ‘Burgh’ Best Dishes and Drinks by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. As if its popularity wasn’t enough, it was recognized by Pittsburgh Business Times as the best Mexican restaurant in Pennsylvania from over 286 restaurants!

Have you tried La Palapa Mexican Restaurant yet? Post a review on Google, show it to your waiter on your next visit, and get a free Margarita or chips and pico de gallo!

There is an undeniable diversity within the regional cuisines of Mexico and the incredibly diverse directions they have taken as they have come to America and mingled with American palates. It is impossible to account for them all, but we are pretty confident that if you experience the flavors of Mexico at this restaurant, you will be thoroughly pleased with your decision.

“From tacos to gluten-free foods, this authentic Mexican restaurant won’t disappoint. The flavors are made to please and are meant to make you come back for more,” says Jeannette L. Jr. from Yelp of La Palapa in Pittsburgh .

Have you ever wondered where to find the best Mexican restaurant in Pennsylvania? Give the bold and contemporary La Palapa a try. Their chef prepares sophisticated dishes developed to emphasize fresh ingredients and authentic flavors.

Source: La Palapa

Late last month, La Palapa Pittsburgh Mexican restaurant, Mezcal bar, and Catering received “The Best Mexican Restaurant in Pennsylvania” award from a poll conducted by Yelp. The award comes with a certificate featuring the winner’s name and an advertisement for the year-long calendar for 2021 printed on it.

Being voted the best Mexican restaurant in the state by Yelp users is something that makes us proud. It means we are consistently serving our guests with the care, friendliness, and hospitality they expect from La Palapa.

Mexican food is incredible — it can comfortably combine cheese, avocado, and chips, without losing its integrity, and it is definitely worth the price of a trip down to Pittsburgh. Mexican food, in general, is very healthy compared to other varieties of cuisine — it tends to have higher fiber and nutritional elements than its counterparts — and with something like this Pittsburgh Mexican Food Restaurant, you will be able to enjoy Mexican food with none of the guilt.

Pittsburgh’s Best Mexican Restaurant offers an ideal healthy eating experience for those that want a fun and flavorful change from typical American cuisine. La Palapa, Pittsburgh’s best Mexican restaurant chefs, bring a unique twist to the traditional recipes you know and love by using the freshest ingredients and adding their signature style — best of all, they also offer catering food services to Pittsburgh and near areas for weddings, events, and private parties.

Jesus Martinez, La Palapa’s founder, portrayed. Source: La Palapa

Martinez is a traveler who loves cooking and eating. He has seen and tasted the flavors of many different countries throughout his travels from Latin America through Western and Eastern Europe to the Middle East. “When somebody you meet invites you to their table, that is when you realize that families show you their culture through their kitchen and flavors.” This anecdote was the principal reason why Martinez wanted to open a window to the Mexican culture and customs through the flavors of Mexico.

Oscar Avila, La Palapa’s co-owner portrayed Source: La Palapa.

As we walked into La Palapa, Jesus and Oscar greeted us with a warm smile, which made us feel right at home. In the dining area, an archway leads you to the full-size bar and kitchen with a counter where you can see all of the Mexican food preparation in action. The Mexican food menu had several sections, such as appetizers, burritos, brunch, sweets, drinks, and other goodies. There are more than just Mexican dishes to choose from; they also have other favorites, such as burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and a selection of beverages and desserts like their pastel de tres leches.

La Campechana Margarita, is one of La Palapa’s best seller Margaritas. Source: La Palapa.

We have been to several Mexican restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, but I never visited an authentic Mexican restaurant. From the moment I walked in the door, I was welcomed with a casual and cozy décor to feel like you are dining in the streets of Mexico. Central Mexican food is influenced by Mexican cultures such as the Aztecs and Mayas, making La Palapa in Pittsburgh genuinely authentic.

Last but not least, La Palapa also offers a Mexican-style brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday between 11 AM — 2 PM, and wow, their Mexican “Molletes” are out of this world. Check out the video below for more info:

Source: La Palapa Pittsburgh on Youtube

La Palapa Mexican Cuisine, Mezcal Bar and Catering restaurant is located at 2224 E. Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203. Get directions or schedule a reservation.

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