Where to find the best Latin food in metro Detroit during Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, marks a celebration in honor of the anniversaries of independence for a number of Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. 

The month-long celebration encompasses the rich tapestry of Spanish-speaking cultures, embracing Mexican, Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican, South, and Central American traditions. In metro Detroit, a multitude of Latin restaurants offer diverse culinary experiences with cuisine from these countries, beyond Southwest Detroit’s Mexican staples. 

Here are 30 of our favorite Latin restaurants in the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas that you should try during Hispanic Heritage Month — and continue to support year-round. 

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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.
Photo courtesy of @d.tizzy

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.

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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.
Tom Perkins

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.

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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.
Rob Widdis

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.

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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.
Tom Perkins

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.

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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.
Viola Klocko

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.

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Garrido’s Bistro
19605 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-466-3042; garridosbistro.com
Opened in 2015, Garridos specializes in Venezuelan cuisine including arepas and seafood. The spot also offers a large dining area and patio, with a curated wine and cocktail menu.

Garrido’s Bistro

19605 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-466-3042; garridosbistro.com

Opened in 2015, Garridos specializes in Venezuelan cuisine including arepas and seafood. The spot also offers a large dining area and patio, with a curated wine and cocktail menu.

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Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St., Detroit; 313-962-8800;vicentesdetroit.com
Vicente Vazquez’s dream of bringing family recipes to life led to Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine in 2005, offering traditional Cuban dishes like Pollo Con Camarones and the Sandwich Cubano Grande in the heart of downtown Detroit.

Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine

1250 Library St., Detroit; 313-962-8800;vicentesdetroit.com

Vicente Vazquez’s dream of bringing family recipes to life led to Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine in 2005, offering traditional Cuban dishes like Pollo Con Camarones and the Sandwich Cubano Grande in the heart of downtown Detroit.

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La Jalisciense Supermercado Y Taqueria
3923 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-551-0522; lajalisciensedetroit.com
This family-owned Southwest Detroit market and restaurant is so popular that it’s considering a second location on the east side. It’s been serving authentic fresh Mexican food since 2014.

La Jalisciense Supermercado Y Taqueria

3923 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-551-0522; lajalisciensedetroit.com

This family-owned Southwest Detroit market and restaurant is so popular that it’s considering a second location on the east side. It’s been serving authentic fresh Mexican food since 2014.

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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.
Tom Perkins

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.

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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.
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.

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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.

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.

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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.
Tom Perkins

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.

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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.
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.

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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.
Facebook, 1923

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.

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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.
Rob Widdis

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.

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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.
Photo via GoogleMaps

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.

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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.
Layla McMurtrie

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.

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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.
Tom Perkins

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.

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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.
Layla McMurtrie

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.

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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.
Photo via GoogleMaps

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.

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