Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, honors the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. This month-long event is a tribute to the rich cultures and traditions of Spanish-speaking communities, including Mexican, Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Central and South American influences.

Metro Detroit is home to tons of Latin American restaurants that showcase the diversity of these cultures. While Southwest Detroit is well-known for its Mexican eateries, the area’s culinary offerings stretch far beyond, featuring flavors from many Spanish-speaking countries.

Here are 30 of the best Latin American restaurants in metro Detroit to explore during Hispanic Heritage Month—and to support all year long.

Taqueria Lupitas 3443 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-1105; taquerialupitas.com This Mexicantown staple claims to be “the house of the original Mexican taco,” serving up casual and authentic Mexican cuisine at great prices in a homey atmosphere. Credit: Photo courtesy of @d.tizzy
Casa Amado Taqueria 2705 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley; 248-398-3294; casaamado.com In January 2023, this spot’s Chef Amado Lopez was named as a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation in the Emerging Chef category. The taqueria serves up authentic, flavorful tacos with fresh ingredients. Credit: Tom Perkins
Pilar’s Tamales 2261 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-929-4161; pilarstamales.com At this Salvadoran food restaurant, indulge in the tamales, pupusas, and various traditional sides, as well as horchata and Latin coffee drinks. Credit: Rob Widdis
Campestre Chicken 3419 Fort St., Lincoln Park; 313-914-7522 Merging Mexican and Salvadorian cuisine, with the addition of Peruvian chicken, this spot bursts flavor and variety. Besides the Lincoln Park location, the restaurant also utilizes a food truck that is in Southwest Detroit on the weekends. Credit: Tom Perkins
Pupuseria y Restaurante Salvadoreño 3149 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-899-4020; pupuseriayrestaurantesalvadoreno.negocio.site For a taste of El Salvador, visit this hidden gem specializing in pupusas, considered the country’s national dish. Credit: Viola Klocko
Learn how to dance with free salsa lessons at Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine 1250 Library St., Detroit; vicentesdetroit.com Every Friday and Saturday night from 10:30 p.m. to close, this local Cuban restaurant holds free salsa lessons. The class is for both beginners who need to learn the basics and experts who want to pick up some new moves. Credit: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine/Facebook
La Jalisciense Supermercado Y Taqueria 3923 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-551-0522; lajalisciensedetroit.com Located inside a grocery store, this family-owned restaurant has tacos starting at $1.59, with chips for just 99¢ — among many other Mexican favorites. Credit: chaunceyfrancois/Instagram
Barda 4842 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-952-5182; bardadetroit.com With a more exclusive menu for special occasions, Barda brings Argentine cuisine to the city with a fancy twist. Credit: Tom Perkins
Empacho 2760 Larned St., Detroit; empacho.us This spot near the river specializes in an Argentian street food staple: the empanada. The small shop is mainly carryout and may soon expand to a second location in Ann Arbor. Credit: Tom Perkins
Encuentro Latino 228 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-483-1727; facebook.com/encuentrolatinorestaurante Ypsilanti boasts numerous Latin restaurants, but this family-owned Guatemalan gem often goes under the radar, offering an extensive menu at great prices. Credit: Facebook, Encuentro Latino
Culantro 2939 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-632-1055; culantroperu.com One of the only authentic Peruvian restaurants in Michigan is Culantro in Ferndale, which opened in 2018. Currently, the family-run spot is getting ready to open a second location in Ann Arbor. Credit: Tom Perkins
Asty Time Dominican Cuisine 7340 McGraw Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9390; astytime.com Chef Asty Acosta’s journey from the Dominican Republic to Southwest Detroit culminated in the creation of Asty Time, a restaurant known for standout dishes like salami con tostones and carne de res guisada. First serving with his wife out of their home, the family launched its now brick-and-mortar location in 2017. Credit: Tom Perkins
1923 552 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-934-0969; 1923.llc This gluten-free taco truck, housed in a London double-decker bus, offers a unique dining experience with outdoor patio seating and delightful rolled ice cream. Credit: Facebook, 1923
El Rey de Las Arepas 7701 McGraw Ave., Detroit; 313-307-2210; elreydelasarepas.com At Detroit’s first Venezuelan restaurant, you can enjoy arepas, cachapas, and pabellones. Credit: Rob Widdis
La Torre Taqueria 1525 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-905-7220 This family-owned Mexican restaurant serves up great tacos super close to Eastern Michigan University’s campus. Credit: Photo via GoogleMaps
Dos Hermanos Mexican Grill 402 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-802-1662 Dos Hermanos Market has been open in Ypsi since 2007, but when neighbor Abe’s Coney Island’s time came to an end, the owners were quick to scoop up the space next door to open this new full-service restaurant, serving authentic Mexican and Central and South American food. Credit: Layla McMurtrie
Dos Locos Tacos 10337 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-872-6838; doslocostacos.com Hamtramck has tons of great Middle Eastern food, but this spot grants the town some Latin flavor. Dos Locos Tacos serves up burritos, empanadas, quesadillas, and of course, tacos. Credit: Tom Perkins
Tikalito 1346 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-896-3857 This newly opened authentic Mexican restaurant has taken over the spot previously occupied by HANA Korean, bringing fresh flavors to the table. Credit: Layla McMurtrie
Rincon Tropical 6538 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-334-8526; Facebook.com/rincontropical Part nightclub and part authentic Puerto Rican eatery, Rincon Tropical specializes in staple dishes like mofongo, empanadillas, sorullitos, relleno, and alcapurria. Credit: Photo via GoogleMaps
Buena Fe Restaurant 10116 W. Nine Mile Rd., Oak Park; 248-677-3222; mexicanrestaurantoakpark.com This family-owned spot offers Mexican favorites and Salvadorian dishes, all at affordable prices. Credit: Tom Perkins
Best Mexican Restaurant (Washtenaw): MAIZ Mexican Cantina 36 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-340-6010; maizmexican.com Credit: Facebook, MAIZ Mexican Cantina
Antonio’s Coney Island 2896 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-905-7321; antoniosypsi.com More than your average coney, Antonio’s doubles as a Honduran restaurant, offering classic comfort meals alongside Honduran fare. Credit: Facebook, Antonio’s Coney Island Ypsilanti
Taqueria Los Charros 4090 Dix Hwy., Lincoln Park; 313-551-5740; loscharrostogo.com This family-run restaurant has the mission to provide authentic Mexican food to the Downriver area, offering traditional dishes as well as street-style trendy food. Credit: Facebook, Taqueria Los Charros
Pollo Chapin 2054 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-843-1885; orderpollochapin.com This family-owned establishment operates out of a lowkey spot and offers affordable Guatemalan cuisine. Credit: Photo via GoogleMaps
Cantaritos Mexican Bar & Grill 386 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-206-7194 Serving all of the Mexican favorites, this spot has a vast menu, good vibes, and great happy hour deals. Credit: Facebook, Cantaritos Mexican Bar & Grill
Miny’s Mexican Restaurant 2866 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-434-0857; minysmexicanrestaurant.com With phenomenal homemade hot sauce, affordable prices, and great flavors, this is definitely one of Washtenaw County’s best taco joints. Credit: Facebook, Minys Mexican Restaurant
Latin American Cuban Cuisine 2269 Ellsworth Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-961-7452; latinamericancubancuisines.com The restaurant’s name is refreshingly straightforward. Whether you’re craving a Cuban sandwich, yuca fries, a hearty dish of meat, plantains, and rice and beans, or a delectable tres leches cake, this establishment offers a diverse array of Latin culinary delights. Credit: Facebook, Latin American Cuban Cuisine
Cantina Taqueria & Bar 1140 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-222-3715; cantinaannarbor.com This spot near the University of Michigan’s campus is renowned for its nightlife, but it also offers delectable food and drinks. Credit: Facebook, Cantina Ann Arbor

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...