We have a deep love for Mexican food and international cuisine. From mouthwatering Tex-Mex to hidden local gems, the restaurants in Laredo offered up so much more than we bargained for. Funny enough, we found things like Mexican-style sushi, Spanish tapas, extensive wine lists, Thai food, unique brunch items, gigantic Micheladas, and snack foods that brought me back to my childhood! Not to mention, Laredo was cute coffee shop heaven!
Often times, locals are the best source for finding the hidden gems that are sometimes passed over by places the tourists flock to. Given that, we asked not just locals, but also family and friends that are seasoned travelers and have a similar passion for trying new things.
This post will focus only on Laredo’s restaurants and coffee shops but be sure to check out our comprehensive list of the best things to do in Laredo!
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Where to Eat in Laredo
La India Packing Co.
Founded in 1924 by Antonio Rodriguez and his wife Antonia Villarreal Rodriguez, their goal was to offer people in Laredo their favorite Mexican spices, Mexican chocolate, and herbal remedies. It grew into a well-established brand and a local favorite for people in South Texas.
Now, you’ll find their spices in popular grocery stores. The owners even opened a small restaurant to demonstrate what you can achieve at home with their ingredients. We ordered the Chicken en Mole with rice and beans, but other popular dishes are their Charro Beans and their Enmoladas!
Tabernilla Bar de Tapas
Tabernilla is a vibrant, locally owned eatery and bar that serves over 50 Spanish tapas. Not only is Tabernillas a top-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor, but the menu consists of everything from traditional Spanish tapas to fusion dishes created by Chef Roberto Gonzalez, a native of Laredo.
The restaurant features a spacious dining room, live music, and a private patio with a blend of rustic and modern decor.
They have an extensive wine menu with a selection from different regions of Spain and Portugal. The menu even goes as far as to explain where the wine originated from, its flavors, and even pairing suggestions!
On Thursdays, you can get free tapas with a drink order!
We decided on the Paella de Mariscos (a traditional Spanish rice and seafood dish), a cheese and cured meats tray with Bresaola de Wagyu and Chorizo Iberico, Gambas Al Ajillo (garlic shrimp), and Pulpo a la Plancha (grilled octopus).
To drink, we ordered their Agua de Valencia (made with sparkling wine, a Cognac based liqueur, and muddled oranges), Cordobesa (with lime juice, mezcal, blended and caramelized pineapple, and a paprika rim), and Roja Sangria (a mixture of red wine and fruit typical in Spain).
Bolillos Cafe (North)
A small, colorful restaurant in the heart of Laredo, Bolillos Cafe offers authentic Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best part: their large selection of baked goods from Cakeland, their sister bakery!
We ordered their Concha French Toast, Churro French Toast, as well as their Barbacoa Tacos and Tacos de Nopal. They were exceptional!
República Cantina De México
If you’re looking to experience the food of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico without crossing the border, we highly recommend the Republic Cantina for elevated Tex-Mex dishes.
We tried the Chargrilled Cheese, the Ribeye Cheese Crust Tacos, Ribeye Tacos with Bone Marrow, and we paired them with an Old-Fashioned with Mezcal and a Mezcalita de Jamaica, which is similar to a margarita but with more prominent citrus flavors.
All their dishes are amazing and let’s not forget their fluffy, flour tortillas are homemade! They are open for brunch, dinner, and they offer a Happy Hour and a coffee menu.
The building itself is a mix of a modern and elevated cantina. Everything about this place blends perfectly together!
La Finca Bruncheria
This local spot is notorious for their brunch menu and their fresh juice made in-house. You might have a hard time choosing between their tasty, traditional Mexican breakfast items and your favorite brunch staples.
It may seem like an odd combination, but it works perfectly and keeps locals coming back every time! It was everything our taste buds needed!
We loved their Churro Waffles, and we couldn’t leave without trying their Barbacoa!
Antojitos Enchilados Laredo
Antojitos is short for Little Cravings and they’ll definitely curb your cravings here! This all-pink shop sells all sorts of sweet and savory snacks like:
- Flaming Hots Preparados – Preparados means covered with chamoy and spicy mix
- Takis Preparados
- Sandia, Mango & Chamoy flavored rim dips – Watermelon mango and chamoy mix
- Dulces Enchilados – Your favorite candy but covered in a layer of chamoy and spicy mix
- Manzanas Locas Con Chile – Apples covered in chamoy and spicy mix
- And more Mexican snacks
This is your go-to place for spicy snacks and cute selfies on your next trip to Laredo.
Golondrina Food Truck Park
Choose from a variety of choices: tacos, burgers, seafood, coffee, cocktails, and more! It’s the perfect place to grab some grub if you aren’t quite sure what you’re feeling or you’re looking to have a little bit of everything.
There are a total of seven food trucks, but we decided on Cheesy Steak Tacos at Comallita Taqueria, Tostito Elote (basically a corn cup mixed with tortilla chips) and Pastor Fries (loaded fries topped with marinated pork) from Tito’s Snacks, and Fruit Roll-Up Cucumbers (cucumbers wrapped with chamoy and fruit roll-up on a bed of hot Cheetos) from Picate Mucho.
Picate Mucho also has a store where they sell your favorite, traditional Mexican snack foods you can stock up with for your trip home.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating with picnic tables, plus a massive Jenga set and cornhole. This is the best place to go if you can’t agree on what to eat and you’re wanting a laid-back atmosphere to rest your feet!
La Laguna Mariscos & Sushi
Here, you’ll find the best Micheladas, prepared with your typical ingredients of lime juice, spicy seasonings like Tajin and Chamoy, tomato juice, and refreshing, cold beer, but with several variations to choose from!
We ordered the traditional Michelada and it was a site to behold! Not only was it three glasses high, but it was filled with multiple types of beer, fresh fruit, cocktail shrimp, and candy. It was more than enough for us to share and definitely a picture worthy moment!
They are so popular that they’ve established several locations in Texas, including McAllen and San Antonio, as well as a few locations in Mexico.
Chief’s Restaurant
This traditional Mexican restaurant serves everything your abuela would cook up for you.
Choose from traditional dishes like:
- Flautas or Fried Tacos
- Chile Relleno – Stuffed Peppers
- Tacos de Camarones – Shrimp Tacos
- Tacos de Papa – Potato Tacos
- Enchiladas
- Mexican Style Shrimp Cocktail
- Carne Asada with rice and beans
At Chief’s Restaurant, you’ll feel right at home. Its fresh food and affordable prices make this a popular spot for locals, so you know it’s tasty!
Paulita’s Breakfast
This casual dining restaurant serves humongous breakfast tacos and other traditional Mexican comfort food in a comida corrida style, similar to a fast-food restaurant.
We ordered two large tacos for 13 bucks, and it was like ordering from the dinner menu. The portions were huge, tasty, and affordable; the best combination!
The flour tortillas are homemade, the service was great, and the ambiance is family-friendly!
ALA Burger
ALA Burger is a whole other level of burger creativity. You won’t find your regular BLT or double patty burger here. Their motto is to ditch the taco and eat more burgers. With their intriguing options, it’s easier to consider doing just that.
Their selection includes appetizers like Flaming Cheetos Cheese Steaks and Birria Empanadas, a build-your-own burger option, as well as burger creations like:
- The Soy de Rancho Burger – Angus beef patty with Crema Blanca, avocado, baked Queso Panela, and their house made Fresadilla Sauce
- The Chilaquil Burger – Angus beef patty with tortilla chips tossed in Fresadilla sauce topped with mozzarella, avocado, crema blanca, and a fried egg
- Garlic Parmesan Cilantro Fries
- The Texas Gulf Shrimp Burger – House made shrimp patty with cucumber, arugula, avocado, and sriracha lemon aioli
- The Pineapple Express – Angus beef patty with Swiss, applewood bacon, caramelized onion, and sliced mushroom
- The Chorizo Serrano Burger – Angus beef patty with sauteed chorizo, sliced serrano peppers, and Swiss cheese
And served with a side of their Garlic Parmesan Cilantro Fries!
Step out of your comfort zone and try something different!
La Mies Restaurant
La Mies has an extensive menu of popular dishes taken straight out of Abuela’s recipe book. It’s all the traditional Mexican meals for reasonable prices. If you are not near their permanent location, you can look for the food truck, which makes several stops in Laredo.
We had their Steak and Barbacoa Machetes, the Tacos Al Pastor (made with marinated pork), and their Fajitas.
Although the Machete originated in Mexico City, it is not commonly seen on the menu at Mexican restaurants, so be sure to make this stop a priority and try this traditional, well-kept secret!
Kaitod Thai Kitchen
This Thai menu is full of gorgeous dishes with fresh ingredients and sizable portions.
You can order items such as their Steamed Dumplings in Red Curry, Hibiscus Lemonade, Crispy Egg Rolls, Thai Iced Tea, and Tom Yum Soup (a hot and sour soup often made with shrimp).
If you need a break from Tex-Mex or Mexican restaurants, then Kai Tod Thai Chicken is your best bet!
Tacos Kissi Restaurant
Tacos Kissi has everything on their menu, literally. Even sushi. You heard that right! A SUSHI restaurant fused with a Mexican menu. And it’s good too! Laredo is big on sushi, except the majority of locals do not like raw fish, so the menu is a fun combination of Tex-Mex ingredients and Japanese technique.
We decided on the Monterrey Roll (cream cheese, avocado, breaded chicken, and chipotle sauce), the Kissi Roll (breaded shrimp, Tampico, avocado, and cream cheese), and the Chicken Boy (Tampico, cream cheese, spinach, avocado, and wrapped in breaded chicken).
Shake things up a bit and pin this location to try something different but so good!
Vica’s Delights Bistro
This super trendy, pink and blue, retro diner serves all-day brunch, lunch, coffee, desserts, and even charcuterie boards! You’ll fall in love with their Rose Latte, like I did!
Their menu includes all of your favorite brunch items, like French Toast, omelets, fresh baked pastries, and more! We decided on their Tres Leches pancakes, topped with fresh strawberries, and their Blue Spirulina French Toast, topped with kiwi, banana, blueberries, and strawberries.
Don’t miss out on their creative and tasty selection on your next Texas trip to Laredo!
Cori’s Sweet Pastry
Now, this you have got to see! We are talking about Pan Dulce Heaven!
Their flavors are something out of your wildest dreams, like Nutter Butter, Chocolate Abuelita, Dulce de Leche, Oreo, Peanut Butter, Chips A’hoy, Dulce de Leche, and Tres Leches! Not to mention they can create personalized concha bouquets, like the one they made for me with the cutest otter conchas!
Not only do they have amazing flavors, but the presentation is a work of art, and you can pair them with Aguas Frescas to balance the sweetness!
Sal y Limon
Sal y Limon serves sweet and savory snacks for all sorts of palates. You can order Elotes and Esquites, pick from traditional ice cream flavors with fun toppings, get spicy candy cups with fruit, Tamarindo, and even Fresas con Crema.
They also have an area where you can hang out, eat, and enjoy live music.
The Best Coffee Shops in Laredo
Dosis Coffee
Grab a cup of coffee from the Latin American roasters at Dosis Coffee. They also have tasty baked goods that will be perfect paired with your cup of Joe. They have all the typical hot and cold coffee beverages inside this serenely painted orange and green coffee shop. There’s lots of lounging space whether you choose to get some work done, catch up with friends, meet a date, or just sit and catch your breath.
Casa Blanca Coffee
Casa Blanca Coffee has a cute farmhouse aesthetic with plenty of seating and chill music playing in the background. The staff was wonderful and very helpful in introducing us to their specialty coffee options like:
- Camote Morado – Made with Purple Yams
- Dulce De Leche
- Orange Vanilla
- Mexican Vanilla
- The Lavender Latte
The cool thing about them is that it’s like a little community, where the staff knows customers by name.
Gloria’s Coffee Bar
You can find them at the Golondrina Food Truck Park. Gloria’s Coffee Bar is a Latina and LGBTQIA+ owned and operated coffee shop with mind blowing flavors that make up the most colorful and tasty coffee drinks.
We ordered the:
- Fresita Rosa, with Strawberry, Vanilla, and Espresso
- Japanese Duvalin with Matcha, Milk, and Taro.
Give their eccentric coffee flavors a try and take some cute pictures along the way!
Organic Man Coffee Trike
In front of this cute coffee shop in Laredo, you’ll find a little yellow bus that parks in different areas of Laredo. Not only do they source their coffee beans from all over the world, but they also roast them in-house!
Their menu consists of coffee drinks inspired by different cultures, such as:
- Vietnamese Iced Coffee
- Dirty Choconut Latte from the Netherlands
- Turkish Style Coffee
- Cafe de Olla from Mexico
If you’ve never tried Cafe de Olla, you are missing out, but don’t fret; you can still change that!
Cafe de Olla is a traditional Mexican coffee made with cinnamon, cloves, star anise (a spice that has a similar flavor to licorice), and piloncillo (what’s left behind when you boil down cane just until it is crystallized). You can drink it black or add milk to your liking. If you’re a fan of chai, you’ll likely enjoy sipping on a cup of Cafe de Olla.
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Best Restaurants & Food in Laredo: Final Thoughts
We enjoyed compiling this list, especially since we got to taste all of this delicious food! We took our job very seriously so we can help you narrow down which places you might like most!
Keep in mind, we were not able to try all of the places mentioned above. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time or room in our bellies for all of it! Thankfully though, we received lots of recommendations from both Laredo locals and friends.
Now that you know all of the best places to eat in Laredo, skip the fast-food chains and indulge yourself in quality cuisine. Don’t forget to check out our list of things to do in Laredo for more inspiration, especially if you’re just visiting Laredo for the first time!
Last Updated 7 months ago by Jessica Serna | Published: March 16, 2023
