El Mexicano Tapas Tequila

5 ( reviews )

1293 Main Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011, United States

+1 973-546-2348

Discover the Authentic Flavors of El Mexicano Tapas Tequila

Nestled in the vibrant community of Clifton, New Jersey, El Mexicano Tapas Tequila stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican culinary tradition fused with a modern, inviting atmosphere. Located conveniently at 1293 Main Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011, United States, this establishment is more than just a restaurant; it is an experience designed to transport guests directly to the heart of Mexico through taste, aroma, and spirit. We pride ourselves on offering a diverse menu that celebrates the rich tapestry of Mexican regional cuisine, focusing particularly on the art of tapas—small, flavorful plates perfect for sharing and exploration.

Our commitment goes beyond simply serving food. It is about fostering a convivial environment where friends and family can gather, savor handcrafted cocktails, and delve into layers of complex, fresh flavors. Whether you are seeking a lively evening out or a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience, El Mexicano Tapas Tequila is curated to meet and exceed those expectations. We meticulously source high-quality ingredients to ensure every dish reflects the passion and dedication inherent in true Mexican cooking.

The concept of tapas allows our patrons the unique opportunity to sample a wide array of our culinary expertise in a single sitting. From zesty ceviches and savory tacos al pastor to rich mole preparations, our menu is a journey waiting to be embarked upon. Complementing this gastronomic adventure is our extensive selection of premium tequilas and mezcals, carefully curated to pair perfectly with your chosen dishes, enhancing the overall sensory delight of your visit.

At El Mexicano Tapas Tequila, we believe that great food tells a story. Our chefs draw inspiration from generations of culinary knowledge, adapting traditional recipes with contemporary flair while respecting the integrity of the original flavors. This dedication to authenticity and innovation is what sets us apart in the bustling New Jersey dining scene.

Key Highlights of the El Mexicano Experience

To truly understand what makes El Mexicano Tapas Tequila a must-visit destination in Clifton, consider these defining features:

Authentic Tapas Selection: We specialize in small plates that showcase the breadth of Mexican gastronomy. This format encourages exploration, allowing diners to customize their meal by mixing and matching traditional favorites and innovative creations. Sharing is encouraged, making it an ideal spot for group outings or adventurous solo diners.
Premium Tequila and Mezcal Program: Our bar features an impressive collection of agave spirits. Beyond the well-known brands, we feature rare and small-batch selections, guided by knowledgeable staff ready to recommend the perfect pour or craft a signature cocktail that highlights the spirit's unique profile.
Commitment to Freshness and Quality: Every element on your plate is prepared with an unwavering focus on freshness. From the daily prepared salsas to the hand-pressed tortillas, this dedication ensures a vibrant and clean flavor profile in every bite, distinguishing our offerings from standard fare.
Warm and Engaging Atmosphere: The ambiance at our 1293 Main Ave location is intentionally designed to be welcoming and energetic. It strikes a perfect balance between casual comfort and refined dining, making it suitable for everything from a spontaneous weeknight dinner to a significant celebration.

We invite you to step away from the ordinary and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture that El Mexicano Tapas Tequila embodies. Our team is passionate about providing exceptional service that complements the high quality of our food and beverages. We strive to make every guest feel like a valued part of our extended family from the moment they walk through our doors.

Your Culinary Destination Awaits

El Mexicano Tapas Tequila is strategically situated to serve the Clifton community and surrounding areas, offering a genuine taste of Mexico right here in New Jersey. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of culinary excellence and hospitality. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado of Mexican cuisine or someone looking to explore new and exciting flavors, we are confident that our menu and atmosphere will leave a lasting, positive impression.

We look forward to welcoming you to 1293 Main Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011, United States, to experience the rich tradition of Mexican tapas paired perfectly with the finest tequila. Come discover your new favorite dish and raise a glass to authentic flavor.

Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Kerbside pickup
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great wine list
- Live music
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy-hour drinks
- Happy-hour food
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar on site
- Toilet
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
- University students
Planning
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Plenty of parking

Desserts
- Mexican Churros US$11.00
Botanas
- Guacamole Served With Tostones And Shrimp US$18.00
- Empanadas (3 Pieces) US$12.00
- Elote (Regular) US$5.00
- Lobster Esquite US$19.00
- Chicken Wings (7 Pieces) US$12.00
- Guacamole Served With Tostones And Chicharron US$17.00
- Guacamole Served With Tostones US$16.00
- Broccoli Bites US$10.00
Tacos
- Homemade Chorizo US$12.00
- Fish US$14.00
- Chicken US$12.00
- Al Pastor US$14.00
- Prime Birria US$17.00
- Steak US$18.00
- Chicharron US$13.00
- Shrimp US$16.00
- Pork Belly US$15.00
- Pulpo / Octopus US$20.00
- Veggie US$12.00
Sides
- Tostones US$3.00
- Water US$3.00
- Sweet Plantain US$3.00
- Juices US$4.50
- Rice With Beans US$5.00
- Extra Sauce US$1.00
- Fries US$3.00
- Green Plantain US$3.00
- Sodas US$3.50
- Fried Yucca US$3.00

Tiffany

14-05-2026

This was a small, beautifully decorated Mexican restaurant, equipped with a DJ. Service was excellent, we were checked on several times, and the food was pretty good! We tried the chicken and shrimp fajitas, barria nachos, & the spicy corn, … More

Andy S.

10-04-2026

Came here for taco Tuesday and this spot did not disappoint whatsoever. Very pleasant atmosphere whether you want to dine in or outside. The drinks are amazing and the staff is more than friendly while delivering amazing service. Lastly, try the octopus taco!!! Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Rowdy Robio

10-04-2026

El Mexicano Tapas & Tequila is a gem of a Mexican restaurant! The food is flavorful, well-prepared, and full of authentic flair. From the tapas to the tacos, every bite was satisfying and delicious. The tequila selection is impressive, and the cocktails are expertly crafted—definitely worth a try if you’re into margaritas or mezcal-based drinks. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, perfect for a night out with friends or even a casual date. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. My only small gripe is with the tables—they’re a bit too small, especially if you’re ordering multiple tapas or drinks. It can feel a little cramped. That said, the overall experience more than made up for it. I’ll definitely be back. Just hoping for a slightly bigger table next time! Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $50–100 Food: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4 Recommended dishes Shrimp Tacos, Tacos De Pollo, Steak Tacos Noise level Very loud, hard to hear Group size 2 people Wait time Up to 10 min

luckgotyou

06-04-2026

El Mexicano Tapas & Tequila – Bottomless Brunch Review: $35 bottomless brunch? Say less. I chose sangria and after glass #2… yeah, it was hittin’. They don’t stop refilling either 👀. I had the steak and eggs with yellow rice, beans, and a sweet fried plantain. Steak was medium well—juicy, tender, and seasoned perfectly. Every bite hit, especially paired with that sangria. Service? On point. Music started off chill but had us lit by the end. We went for a birthday brunch and left full, tipsy, and happy—couldn’t resist finishing with green tea shots. Definitely a vibe. I’m already thinking about my next visit. Price per person $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level Loud, but you can still talk Wait time No wait Seating type Indoor dining area

Liza Martinez

23-03-2026

I went to this place for Sunday brunch, and it was an absolute disaster from start to finish. The food was cold, the service was disgusting, and the staff acted like they couldn’t be bothered. We were triple charged for extras we didn’t even get a clear explanation for, and when we questioned it, we were met with rudeness and zero accountability. It felt like they were just trying to scam as much money as possible out of people without actually delivering any quality or care. I would never return and strongly suggest others spend their money somewhere that respects their customers. This business does not deserve your support. We read past reviews but were hoping for the best! Never again. Food: 1 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 1 Noise level Very loud, hard to hear

Rue Westry

15-03-2026

The vibe was not too bad. However this is my second time here& the second experience was worse than the first. Curious as to who the chef is and if they’re qualified to be working in the kitchen. But let me tell you the seasoning is not in the kitchen. Brought my kid and the best thing was his overcooked chicken nuggets and super dry fries. Went with my sisters ordered about 4 rounds of drinks. You know food is nasty when it doesn’t hit and you’re lit. Got the Mexican platter as an app. The chips were burnt everything was bland, no seasoning. We tolerated it hoping our main dishes were good. I got the fajita mix and no seasoning was on the dish. Not even salt. Some rice was hard some was mushy. Both my sister and I sent our 2 fajita platters back. The manager had a nasty attitude due to this and then tried to send our bill with gratuity on it for a table with 3 adults and one child. Even though we let the server know in advance that we were going to give him a nice tip regardless. This was stated no where on the menu or bill. He would’ve gotten much more than $18 given we did not have an issue with him. But because he lied and added to our check that all he was left with. Really wish I took a picture of the bland , poorly presented food that we received. Food: 1 Service: 2 Atmosphere: 3

Vickiana Irizarry

23-02-2026

The food was mediocre, and the drinks were nothing special—overpriced for what they were. The service, however, was absolutely terrible. What should have been a two-hour dinner turned into a frustrating three-hour ordeal due to delays and poor service. After finally paying the bill and leaving, I later discovered I had been charged twice. I returned to the restaurant, and after they looked into it, they explained that the total had actually been different than what I was originally told. Fine—I accepted that part. What really upset me was the complete lack of accountability. No apology, no acknowledgment of the inconvenience or their mistake. The issue stemmed from them failing to provide the correct receipt with the accurate total, and the miscommunication could have easily been avoided. The entire experience was disappointing from start to finish. Price per person $100+ Food: 2 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 2 Reservation Not sure Group size 2 people, 3-4 people Wait time Up to 10 min Parking space Difficult to find parking Parking options Free street parking Wheelchair accessibility The place is small and tight so it’s hard to get around if you are wheelchair bound. I walk with a walker and it was a bit awkward walking with it.

Yamileth Camacho

20-10-2025

This is my opinion and experience. I thought the food was gonna be good based on how good they looked on other reviews. But just because it looks good does not mean taste wise it is. The place was aesthetically pleasing it was really nice. The drink we got “La Tóxica” was very tasty and honestly worth the price. But food wise and service wise it was kind of mediocre. I got the steak tacos as pictured and my husband got quesadillas al pastor. His dish was better tasting than mine. Although his quesadilla reminded me of taco bell. The steak in mine was super bland and didn’t even possess the aspect of salt, I was so disappointed and sad. I basically had guacamole tacos cause that’s all I could taste. The server came to our table a total time of 2, the first time was to take our drink order and food order. The server couldn’t even recommend a dish when asked. Not even a “most people enjoy…” nothing just asked “what are you in the mood for” and started listing off what they offer like if I didn’t just spend 20 mins looking at the menu waiting for him to show up. I didn’t even know his name cause right off the rip he gave “what do you want🙄” vibes. Anyways the 2nd time he came was to put the check on the table. I recommend this place for drinks and atomosphere because the place was honestly really nice and the music was good. My experience doesn’t mean it’ll be your experience. I’ve had really tasty mexican food and I go based off the good i’ve had. Maybe my criticism is a little strong but food disappointment is so sad cause everyone eats and salt is the bare minimum expected. My husband enjoyed his quesadilla thoroughly and he enjoyed his drink. So for his enjoyment I give a 3. Service Dine in Meal type Dinner Price per person $20–30 Food: 1 Service: 2 Atmosphere: 5

Wildary C

13-08-2025

Saw this restaurant on Ig while on our way to another restaurant… and we changed our minds and headed there right away. Since it was a Sunday, I called and asked if we could make a last minute reservation so that we could secure our lunch, they informed me it was already too late to make one but we could walk in because it was a party of 3 and they had available tables at the moment. Half an hour later we arrived, we were seated right away as there was one empty table when we got there. As soon as we sat down, Fabio came to our table, he was our waiter for the evening. We ordered Guacamole with tostones & chicharron for appetizer, and they provided complementary chips and salsa for the table as well. We also ordered our entrees right away… I ordered Birria nachos, my sister ordered Chicken nachos and my boyfriend ordered Short-rib fajitas. The service was amazing!!!!! The appetizer came out like five minutes after we ordered, the guac and tostones were freshly made and very tasty, the chicharrones as well. The food service was so fast, we were literally shocked!!! Our food came not even 5 minutes after we got our appetizers, we had our table full, literally!!!! Everything was delicious, portions are very very generous and service made it even better. Fabio and Felipe were extremely attentive, super friendly and incredibly nice!! Loved the ambiance and the food as well. Service Dine in Meal type Breakfast Price per person $20–30

Aishan Shetty

04-06-2025

The food here was great — no complaints on that front — but the service left a lot to be desired. Our biggest issue was the lack of transparency from our waiter. We were there on a Sunday during their $1.99 house margarita special, which we only discovered after getting our bill when I saw a small sign in the bathroom. At no point did our waiter mention the special. Instead, he had us choose which tequila we wanted, which led to us unknowingly ordering Patron margaritas. When we confronted him about the additional $45 this added to our bill, his only response was, “Oh, the special only applies to house tequila margaritas,” without acknowledging that he never mentioned the happy hour deal in the first place. If a restaurant is running a special during the exact time customers are dining, you’d expect your server to mention it — not hide it away in a dimly lit bathroom. On top of this, the restaurant automatically adds an 18% gratuity to the bill. While we usually don’t mind tipping well for good service, in this case it felt unfair since we walked away feeling a bit cheated. Our advice: Make your specials visible and train staff to be upfront about them. It’s a simple change that would go a long way in improving the customer experience. Meal type Dinner Price per person $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 5 Group size 3-4 people, Suitable for all group sizes Wait time No wait