Sebastopol's Mexican food scene punches way above its weight for a small wine country town. From family-run taquerias to upscale cantinas, authentic flavors thrive here.
These nine spots represent the real deal — places where locals actually eat, not tourist traps. Each brings something different to Sebastopol's surprisingly diverse Mexican dining landscape.
📍 All 9 Locations
⚡ Quick List
- Viva Mexicana — Authentic Family Favorites
- Martha's Old Mexico — Old-School Comfort Done Right
- Papas and Pollo — Rotisserie Chicken Royalty
- El Coronel Restaurant — Traditional Mexican Classics
- Taqueria El Favorito — No-Frills Taqueria Excellence
- Barrio Fresca Cocina Mexicana — Modern Mexican Flair
- El Tarasco Restaurant — Hidden Michoacán Treasures
- Ochoa's Mexican Restaurant — Neighborhood Comfort Spot
- Mi Pueblo — Happy Hour Heroes
1. Viva Mexicana
✨ Best for: Authentic Family Favorites
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 4.2 · 324 reviews · $$
Viva Mexicana draws crowds for a reason — their mole poblano is rich and complex, simmered with twenty-plus ingredients that create layers of smoky sweetness. The carnitas tacos arrive perfectly crispy-edged with tender pork that falls apart at first bite. Construction workers and wine industry folks pack the vinyl booths at lunch, everyone chasing down spicy salsa verde with ice-cold Coronas. The portions are generous without being ridiculous, and the prices keep regulars coming back weekly.
Must-Order:
Mole PoblanoCarnitas TacosPozole Verde
Insider Tip: Arrive early for lunch — their mole takes hours to prepare and occasionally runs out by mid-afternoon.
2. Martha's Old Mexico
✨ Best for: Old-School Comfort Done Right
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 4.1 · 314 reviews · $$
Martha's Old Mexico feels like stepping into your Mexican grandmother's kitchen, assuming she was an incredible cook. Their chile rellenos are textbook perfect — poblanos stuffed with queso fresco, battered light and fluffy, then smothered in tangy tomato sauce. The carne asada is charred just right, served with handmade tortillas that taste like they were pressed moments before. Local families claim corner tables for weekend dinners, kids coloring while parents linger over margaritas.
Must-Order:
Chile RellenosCarne AsadaChicken Enchiladas
Insider Tip: Ask for extra tortillas with any meat dish; Martha's handmade tortillas are too good to waste.
3. Papas and Pollo
✨ Best for: Rotisserie Chicken Royalty
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 3.9 · 285 reviews · $$
Don't let the name fool you — Papas and Pollo serves much more than potatoes and chicken, though their rotisserie pollo is legitimately addictive. The bird emerges crispy-skinned and juicy, seasoned with cumin and garlic that permeates every bite. Their al pastor tacos feature properly marinated pork with charred pineapple chunks that add sweet-smoky contrast. Sebastopol's restaurant workers stop by after their shifts, knowing the kitchen stays consistent even during late hours.
Must-Order:
Rotisserie ChickenAl Pastor TacosTres Leches Cake
Insider Tip: The rotisserie chickens are freshest between 11am-2pm when turnover is highest.
4. El Coronel Restaurant
✨ Best for: Traditional Mexican Classics
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 3.6 · 321 reviews · $$
El Coronel keeps things traditional with recipes that haven't changed in decades. Their pozole rojo arrives steaming hot with tender hominy and pork shoulder swimming in chile-spiked broth that warms you from within. The machaca burritos are breakfast perfection — shredded beef scrambled with eggs and wrapped in flour tortillas the size of small pillows. Regular customers have their usual orders memorized by the friendly staff who remember names and preferences.
Must-Order:
Pozole RojoMachaca BurritoCarne Asada Fries
Insider Tip: Sunday pozole is only available until it's gone, usually by 3pm, so plan accordingly.
5. Taqueria El Favorito
✨ Best for: No-Frills Taqueria Excellence
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 3.9 · 189 reviews · $
Taqueria El Favorito operates with taqueria efficiency — no-nonsense service and food that speaks for itself. Their carnitas are rendered slowly until the pork practically melts on your tongue, served on corn tortillas with nothing but onions, cilantro, and squeeze of lime. The horchata is creamy and cinnamon-heavy, perfect for cooling down after their surprisingly fiery salsa roja. Local landscapers and vineyard workers fuel up here before dawn, grabbing breakfast burritos for the road.
Must-Order:
Carnitas TacosBreakfast BurritoHorchata
Insider Tip: Cash payments get you slightly larger portions, though they do accept cards.
6. Barrio Fresca Cocina Mexicana
✨ Best for: Modern Mexican Flair
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 3.8 · 152 reviews · $$
Barrio Fresca brings modern Mexican sensibilities to traditional dishes, elevating familiar flavors without losing authenticity. Their fish tacos feature beer-battered cod with crispy cabbage slaw and chipotle crema that adds smoky heat. The street corn is charred perfectly, slathered with mayo, cotija cheese, and chili powder that clings to every kernel. Young professionals and wine tourists appreciate the Instagram-worthy presentations alongside the seriously good food.
Must-Order:
Fish TacosStreet CornChicken Tostada
Insider Tip: Happy hour runs 3-6pm weekdays with discounted appetizers and strong margaritas.
View Barrio Fresca Cocina Mexicana →
7. El Tarasco Restaurant
✨ Best for: Hidden Michoacán Treasures
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 4.1 · 97 reviews · $
El Tarasco specializes in Michoacán-style cooking that feels refreshingly different from typical Mexican-American fare. Their carnitas are prepared the traditional way — slow-cooked in lard until fork-tender, then crisped on the plancha for textural contrast. The sopa tarasca is a revelation, a hearty bean soup topped with fried tortilla strips, avocado, and Mexican crema. Despite the small dining room, locals squeeze in for Sunday pozole that's worth the wait.
Must-Order:
Traditional CarnitasSopa TarascaPozole Dominical
Insider Tip: Call ahead on weekends — the small dining room fills up quickly with regulars.
8. Ochoa's Mexican Restaurant
✨ Best for: Neighborhood Comfort Spot
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 3.7 · 122 reviews · $
Ochoa's Mexican Restaurant serves the kind of comfort food that turns first-time visitors into regulars. Their enchiladas verdes are smothered in tangy tomatillo sauce that's bright and herbaceous, filled with tender chicken that's been slow-cooked until it shreds easily. The combination plates are old-school generous — rice, beans, and multiple items that could easily feed two people. Neighborhood families treat this as their go-to spot for reliable Mexican food without pretense.
Must-Order:
Enchiladas VerdesCombination PlateChicken Flautas
Insider Tip: Their combination plates are massive; consider sharing or plan for leftovers.
View Ochoa's Mexican Restaurant →
9. Mi Pueblo
✨ Best for: Happy Hour Heroes
📍 Sebastopol · ⭐ 3.7 · 29 reviews
Mi Pueblo earns devoted followers with their legendary macho burritos and killer happy hour scene. The California burrito is a masterpiece of excess — carne asada, french fries, cheese, and guacamole wrapped in a tortilla that requires two hands and serious commitment. Their chile relleno combo plate features poblanos stuffed with cheese, battered and fried until golden, served alongside beans and rice. The atmosphere gets lively during happy hour when locals gather for drinks and oversized portions.
Must-Order:
Macho BurritoCalifornia BurritoChile Relleno Combo Plate
Insider Tip: Visit during happy hour for the best value and lively atmosphere, and don't underestimate the size of the macho burrito.
Tips for Finding Great Mexican Food in Sebastopol
Follow the Workers: The best Mexican spots are often packed with landscapers, construction crews, and vineyard workers during lunch. They know authentic flavors and good value.
Ask About Specials: Many family-run places offer traditional dishes like pozole or menudo on specific days. These rotating specials often showcase the kitchen's best work.
Bring Cash: Several authentic taquerias prefer cash and may offer slightly larger portions or better prices for cash payments.
Learn Basic Spanish: A few phrases go a long way at family-owned spots. Staff appreciate the effort and often share recommendations for off-menu items.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Picked These Spots
We ranked these restaurants based on consistent quality, local popularity, and authentic flavors. Customer reviews, repeat visit frequency, and recommendations from longtime Sebastopol residents all factored into our selections.
Every restaurant on this list has a full profile on our site with photos, hours, reviews, and insider tips.
Last updated: February 2026
