Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Restaurante Ixtapa

    4.1 (262 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    El Restaurante Ixtapa Photos

    Business Info

    EL RESTAURANTE IXTAPA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like El Restaurante Ixtapa

    Recommended Reviews - El Restaurante Ixtapa

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Barbacoa Burrito
    Rachel S.

    Love this Mexican restaurant. It's my new favorite in the Hillsborough area and I will return with my friends and family! Indoor and outdoor seating options, quick service and amazing food.

    Scott J.

    So I have mixed feeling about leaving a review, especially with a restaurant that is off the beaten path. The food was okay, but nothing to write home about. The service was also mediocre. I was so hopeful coming here, but won't be back.

    Menu 10/24
    Antoinette C.

    Best cultural food I have ever had. My husband is a huge fan of Mexican food, but we have never had success finding a restaurant that truly serves regional fare until we came to Ixtapa. My sister and her family told us that they come to this restaurant regularly, so we decided to try it while we were in town. When we arrive, we had just missed the lunch rush, so we were able to sit at the outdoor tables. We immediately ordered two horchata for ourselves and I got the flautas platter while my husband had the Bistec en salsa rojo. While waiting for our food, I went inside to get a feel for the ambiance. The staff was friendly and cheerful and we had a fun conversation in Spanish. I appreciated that the staff didn't automatically speak to me in English and they were very curious as to where I had learned Spanish. The experience definitely made me feel welcome. Inside there was an assortment of paletas, bonbons and to go sodas from different regions. If I weren't flying back home, I would have grabbed a few to go. When I returned to the table, our food was just being brought out. Even though my flautas were covered in lettuce and tomato, they were perfectly crispy and hot. The bean were better than any frijoles refritos I have ever had in California. I never finish my plate in a restaurant, but I did here. The horchata was perfectly cool, full of cinnamon flavor and an excellent accompaniment to the meal. This place rates a 10/5 in my book. When I come back to North Carolina, this will be one of my first stops!

    Mushroom torta
    Vraj P.

    I feel like Hillsborough is the hidden town of the best Mexican food in the triangle. First time coming to Ixtapa and had to try their torta. One of the best tortas I've had in a long time with a great flavor combination with the mushrooms. Definitely would get some hot sauce for an extra kick as well. The beans and rice were also great. Love the location of this place. Literally a house turned into a restaurant. Good outdoor area as well. The food did take forever (45 minutes) and we ordered there. Only 2 other people in the restaurant but seems like a lot of to go orders. Would definitely recommend ordering ahead of time and picking it up. Was surprised we didn't get any chips for the table either but maybe that's going out of style. Overall loved the food but wish it was slightly faster if you dine in. Will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu on a nice spring day!

    the outside of the restaurant
    Lauren M.

    Perfect spot to enjoy some food outside especially during covid times. There's a bunch of outdoor seating and a lot of play-sets, toys, and space for kids to run around and enjoy. Service was great and food was yummy! I had a Don Burrito with chicken. We also had chips and salsa and the chips were awesome!

    Mole
    Edward J.

    Excellent Mexican food. Homemade and fresh. Friendly service. Lots of outdoor seating and it can get busy when it's nice outside. Check the specials.

    Chips and Guac
    Tammy M.

    What a great little restaurant !! Out first time here but definitely not our last. Most of the seating is outdoor. We sat in the porch area that has a few small heaters. There is also some seating inside. We were not sure if they had a liquor license so we didn't order anything. We did see a few Corona beers go by. Started with chips and guac. The guac was freshly made and I believe the chips were also freshly fried. Not greasy at all and super crunchy. I had the "tinga" quesadilla. Fresh and delicious. It even had sliced avocado on it. Hubby had the enchiladas and he agreed that it was something he would come back and have again. Give them a try. It's not the "usual" Mexican food menu. Can't wait to come by again.

    Menu
    Chrissy A.

    This is a cute place super close to downtown Hillsborough. We had taken the littles Trick-or-Treating at the business and decided this would be a good place to stop since they have a play area for the kids to run off all that sugar (and traffic was pretty horrible since it was also Last Friday!) Us adults got a table outside and were able to enjoy a beer while the kids played. There was a QR code at the table where you could order online but a waitress came out to take our order. I got the Don Burrito and some cheese dip (just FYI, you must order chips/salsa separately here). The food was quite tasty, especially for the price. Their homemade chips were my favorite part. There were MANY options and everyone enjoyed their food. At the end of the meal you need to go in to pay which wasn't conveyed to us but we eventually figured it out. All in all a very nice evening and I look forward to coming back especially if we've got all the kids with us.

    Pollo tropical and tamarind juice
    Kyle R.

    I went here with my friend and would recommend it. Large portions, good prices, and friendly service. My favorite restaurant back home is Pollo Tropical and I saw they had an option on the menu for it so I had to try it and it was fantastic! Very flavorful, generous sizes, and really good! A lot of people were eating here which shows how great it is!

    Chicken Enchiladas- green sauce

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    This place has the best Mexican food in the area. I always go here when I visit my parents that live nearby.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Delicious and authentic. Wonderful wait staff and unique setting. We enjoyed our outside dining

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The food was fresh, filling, authentic and delicious. The service was quick and friendly. The dining experience was cozy.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jorge H.
    143
    27
    6

    2 years ago

    Great food and great friendly service! The tamales are absolutely amazing except they are only available certain days.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great home style Mexican food. Friendly. Wonderful outdoor area with occasional live music events

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ian S.
    0
    16
    1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Been there a couple of times. It was okay, it was hot in the summertime. It was okay, nowhere I would seek out to go.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle A.
    0
    59
    35

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    I love the shrimp tacos! Definitely authentic mexican food. Can be crowded so nice to be able to sit outside. Definitely worth a try!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C C.
    0
    13
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    So good! Great service! Definitely a hidden treasure in Hillsborough. The owners and staff are so friendly

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    El Restaurante Ixtapa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Restaurante Ixtapa

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 4,930 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Tacos los altos - Quesadilla Texana

    Tacos los altos

    4.4(39 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    First time here and the food was excellent. So good that I forgot to take pictures of most of it…read more We were greeted promptly upon entering and seated. There's both indoor and outdoor seating with a homey feel. Ended up taking our food to go. The waitress answered all of the questions we had about the menu and after ordering, the food was ready quickly. We got the fajita burrito and texana quesadilla. Both were tasty, came out hot and promptly, and were perfect when we got home to eat. The green and red salsas were tasty. The red which is the spicier of the 2 had a little heat but not too much. We will definitely be back.

    We were looking for a quick bite in Hillsborough and stumbled upon this cute little spot. The front…read morearea is set up like a small garden, thoughtfully decorated and clearly cared for by the owners, which immediately gave it a welcoming vibe. Food was quite good!! They offer a wide variety of tacos (since I was in the mood for tacos I didn't pay much attention to other things), and I was especially excited to see nopal as an option--such a rare treat! The staff were incredibly friendly and patient as we browsed the long menu. I asked for a horchata with no ice and fully expected it to be about 2/3 full (the cup was huge), but to my surprise, they filled it to the top. And it was delicious! My partner ordered a torta that looked amazing... though I didn't get a photo because he devoured it too fast! Definitely recommend this spot and will come back. Ambiance: 7/10 Food: 8/10 Service: 10/10

    Photos
    Tacos los altos - Inside

    Inside

    Tacos los altos - Chicken Fajita

    Chicken Fajita

    Tacos los altos - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Tacos Los Altos - Tacos

    Tacos Los Altos

    4.5(29 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    DIOS MIO !!! Who…read moreknew I'd travel all the way from Los Angeles, CA to Hillsborough, NC to find my favorite Mexican Restaurant!?! Okay, I can't take credit for finding it - my sister, who really knows how to find the best spots anywhere and everywhere told us this is the one! Muchas gracias, mi hermana ‍‍ Well, let's be real, I do have other favorites for different reasons, but everything here is fresh, authentic, and on-point! I would make a trip to Hillsborough just to eat at Tacos Los Altos. They have a great menu, the place is super charming (both inside and on the patio in front), plus they have really good margaritas served in glasses that add to the party vibe. Mom and I really enjoyed our food, then my niece and nephew found us and they loved theirs as well. My nephew was the only one to finish his meal, however. The portions are huge, so be ready for leftovers. I had the chicken breast enchiladas suizas and was amazed at how flavorful and moist the white meat was. They don't skimp on the cheese, either! Our server was kind and attentive, and none of the staff seemed annoyed that we were there a little late in the afternoon when they probably could have been taking a little break. We parked near the Colonial Inn and walked along the super charming street to this gem of a restaurant. I want to go back there right now. Let's hope this family-owned and operated business thrives for generations.

    Great tacos and burritos. Authentic "Californian" Mexican food. Expensive, but everything is.read more

    Photos
    Tacos Los Altos - Family-owned and operated - cozy and community-oriented.

    Family-owned and operated - cozy and community-oriented.

    Tacos Los Altos - Now you want enchiladas suizas, right? They def don't skimp on the cheese. The white meat chicken was moist and flavorful.

    Now you want enchiladas suizas, right? They def don't skimp on the cheese. The white meat chicken was moist and flavorful.

    Tacos Los Altos - Cheers! This was a nice margarita ‍ Not too sweet. Bar menu is good.

    See all

    Cheers! This was a nice margarita ‍ Not too sweet. Bar menu is good.

    El Restaurante Ixtapa - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...