The happy hour margarita was delicious. Thank you Victor. Thank you Artemiza for the great customer service and happy hour food recommendations. read more

Great food and great atmosphere. Artemiza was super great and helpful !! We will be back

Such a cute spot! The food was really good and the service was great. The quesabirrias were exactly what you want them to be--so flavorful and delicious. The steak empanadas were also SO good and definitely worth trying! Our server, Artemiza, was super sweet and made the whole experience even better. We really enjoyed everything and will definitely be back! Not to mention the delicious drinks read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Aisha was our waiter last night and she was so sweet... She was quick to get our drinks and did such an amazing job juggling all her tables making sure we always had refills and food was delivered at our request and in a timely manner. Music always good here not too loud definitely can hold a conversation. We were bummed out to know the aguachiles had been removed from menu however that's not our waiters fault. Thanks Aisha for being such a great waiter and helping us end our night on a positive note.. read more

See all

I honestly can't remember the last time I ate something this good. I ordered the Salmon Al Pastor after my waitress, Artemiza, recommended it, and she did not steer me wrong. It was absolutely delicious, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and one of those meals where you keep thinking about how good it is while you're still eating it. The drinks were amazing too! Vanessa was the bartender, and she definitely knows what she's doing because those drinks were delicious and did their job! What really made the experience stand out though, was the service. Artemiza was so kind, friendly, welcoming, and gave me a girls girl vibe. Her food and drink recommendations completely made my meal. Vanessa made fantastic drinks, and overall the staff made me feel genuinely welcome. I will continue coming here and inviting everyone that I can. Great food, great drinks, and genuinely great service. I came in on a whim and left SO happy that I did. read more

We happened upon Palenque Kitchen by Mezcal on our way back to LA from Palm Springs and I'm so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, Victor greeted us and also ended up being our server. He was attentive, friendly, and gave us great recommendations throughout the meal. Truly excellent service from start to finish definitely ask for Victor if you go. We ordered the enmoladas, fajitas, churros, flan, and aguas frescas (Jamaica and sandía), and everything was spot on. Muy bueno todo. The ambiance great vibe overall. This was such a great unexpected find and we'll definitely be back next time we're passing through. Highly recommend! read more

Came here on a Friday for lunch. It was not at all busy. I believe our waitress was Iris. She was super sweet and extremely helpful and attentive. The restaurant has a fun vibe and beautiful bright decor. I imagine it being pretty fun at night. The chips and salsa were excellent, the chips had a seasoning on them that was so good and everything was fresh. I got a fish taco and asada taco because I couldn't decide between the two. The fish lacked a little flavor and the asada was a little greasy but the rice and beans were good. My husband got the Huevos Rancheros with asada and he ate the whole thing up, I tried his food and the flavors were bomb! We also got the mimosa flight which was perfect Overall, I would come back and check it out again. read more

See all

Tried the margarita flight and taquitos at Palenque Kitchen The margarita flight was fun to try and the drinks were strong with great flavor variety. The taquitos were crispy, well-seasoned, and perfect for sharing. Great spot for a lively girls night in downtown Riverside -- would definitely come back. read more

See all

Decided to come in for 1 strawberry margarita and maybe a appetizer. Ramon was the bartender and talked up the additive free tequila even for the well. Pretty nice touch not having to have Cuervo, Sauza or a tequila written in crayons. I ended up having a watermelon and a Guava margarita. I would of took a picture of the queso fundido but it got crushed. I tried steak empanadas and Ramon brought out a chipotle sauce that was perfect for them. I'd come back for sure because of Ramon and everything else after in that order. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Fresh Strawberry Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

We had such a fantastic time at Palenque by Mezcal! We ordered the guacamole, ceviche, and the margarita tree, and everything was delicious. The margarita tree was especially fun and perfect for sharing! Artemiza was our waitress, and she was incredible! Super sweet, attentive, and she took great care of us all night. Great atmosphere, excellent drinks, and even better service. Definitely ask for Artemiza! read more

See all

The vibes are great and the birria quesadillas are amazing. Service was really friendly. Hot churrros for desert are a must.

Our waitress Artemiza was fantastic! We came with a party with a bunch of little kids; not did she humor their requests, she got our food order to the kitchen quickly so we didn't have an absolute meltdown from these toddlers. The steak was tender, the vegetables were delicious and not overcooked. Definitely enjoyed my meal. (Get the flour tortillas! They are delicious) read more

We were out there for Christmas lights and decided to get a quick dinner. Being holiday time, it was super busy and crowded. We had to wait to get a table. Service was quick and ambiance was cool. We order enchiladas with shrimp, carnitas plate, and queso. Everything was great and tasted good. Food came out a bit cold with was unusual. Probably because they were super busy? But still strange to not have served hot food if it's just coming out of the kitchen. Overall, a good place to check out.. might give it a shot again when it's not a holiday week. read more

See all

The vibes here and food was good! Our server was nice and friendly her name is Artemiza. I really enjoyed the restaurant. Lots of fun!! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

It is comfortable seating inside. They also have seating outside in the front patio. We did not have a long wait for a table. The waitress was very friendly and the service was adequate. We ordered Baja fish tacos and pozole. Pozole was chicken soup. it was NOT Pozole. The fish tacos had lots of batter and very little fish for the first bite. The batter overwhelmed the fish taco. Tasting on the greasy side. The side of beans = meh Truthfully I can see how going to Baja /Rosarito& Ensenada area has made me more critical of places that claim to have Baja Fish Tacos. The best fish tacos are simple and delicious. Ummm it's not available North of the border. ‍ oh well - read more

Palenque by Mezcal - I added the cabbage, red onions, cilantro and lime juice... still chicken soup not pozole. sorry this is not a great picture. - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

The food was delicious, and the agua frescas were definitely the highlight. The staff was kind enough to make one for us with different flavors so we could try a little bit of everything! The workers Artemiza and Victor were super friendly, welcoming, and accommodating, which made the whole experience even better. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Agua Fresca Flight - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Food was great but service with Artemiza was even better. She was awesome really spoke on the fabulous things to do around here and spoke really well on food and restaurant. The atmosphere was good. Definitely recommend if you have not tried. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Inside of restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

The service was phenomenal. Food is quality. Environment is chill, but fun around 10ish. Special thanx to Artemiza for being super sweet and an amazing server!!! Highly recommend this place. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Chicken mole!! - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

We had a great time at Palenque! Our server (Artemiza) was attentive and on top of everything! 00% we would recommend and make sure you ask for Artemiza read more

Stumbled upon this place post drinks from another nearby venue and immediately fell in love. I am from the OC and adore the palenque in Costa Mesa so I was glad to experience the IE restaurant! The restaurant aesthetically is beautiful and spacious. Perfect for a night out with friends or a date night. Sonia at the bar was so kind and immediately greeted us upon entry. My girlfriend and I were here for drinks and the margarita sampler($36) did not disappoint! It was flavorful and had a kick to it. Sonia also recommended dessert which was delicious. We did the tres leches and the churros. So good. This was a total win in my book and will recommend palenque riverside by all means! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Tres leches - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

This was a cool place to try out. Our server Jose was very attentive and friendly! Food presentation was beautiful and flavorful. Atmosphere was very modern and upbeat decor. Location is near Mission Inn on Main Street. Price is on the higher end so plan to pay an average of $30/person. The only thing that was a bummer for us was the loud music for lunch hour experience. The music was loud and made me think it would be best for a club atmosphere? Maybe it was just me but I felt anxiety eating because the music was so upbeat and loud. Music is a big part of the eating experience. I know some people may be fine with it. For example, we had breakfast at Tio's Taco and the music was spot on for the dining experience. read more

See all

Sally our server was awesome! The service was really good, I liked the quesabirria and 3 leches cake. Good ambiance overall

Such a fun spot for drinks and happy hour. The vibe was really nice, the drinks were good, and the whole place had a great energy. Service was friendly and fast, and it felt like a perfect place to catch up with friends or start the night. I would definitely come back for the drinks and atmosphere. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Great food, Artemiza was such a great waitresss very friendly and attentive!! We had the mimosas and brunch menu. Overall 10/10 read more

Made a reservation for 9 on a Sunday at 5:30 and fortunately, it wasn't just and we were seated right away. Important to note that reservations hold a card for cancellation. Our server was helpful and kind, especially for us being a bigger party. And the food came out quickly for the size of our party too. I got the Baja tacos which comes with rice and beans. The fish tacos are pretty standard and decently tasty but nothing standout. I don't know what kind of fish they use but it didn't seem like a meaty fish like cod or pollock. The beans were too salty and the rice was good but some was overcooked/dry. It is a good portion size (was able to save 1 taco) but it's on the pricier side. Maybe I should've tried something else but wouldn't plan on coming back or recommending it read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Baja tacos with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

The food and service was really good! Artemiza was very sweet and attentive. The portions are also pretty great. It's also very pretty inside. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

Ordered the Baja fish tacos, which were tasty! Artemiza was an excellent, attentive server. The restaurant is also very trendy inside!

This place was a lot of fun! The service and Ambiance was great! Christian took care of us and he was awesome! Definitely recommend going here. Check out their Sunday brunch options read more

Papas Bravas (2/5): The papas bravas were a bit disappointing as it lacked flavor. The appetizer came with crema and green onions on top but honestly it did not add to the taste. The dish was overall quite plain and just tasted like potatoes dipped in sour cream. We dipped the potatoes in the chicken enchilada sauce and it made them taste a little better. If you're looking for an appetizer I don't recommend this one. Carne Asada Fajitas (3/5): This dish was neither good nor bad. We were very excited when it was brought to our table but unfortunately it lacked flavor and was dry. Before we ordered, we asked if we could choose how the meat was cooked but was told it was only cooked one standard way. It comes with guac, beans, mexican rice, and pico de gallo which helped give the dish a bit of life. Chicken Enchiladas (5/5): Everything about these enchiladas was so delicious. The chicken was cooked just right, they added the perfect amount of cheese, and perfect amount of green salsa and crema. The plate was clean by the time I was done with the dish. I would absolutely order this dish again. The interior was nicely done and our waiter was great! Something you should know is if you reserve a big party you have to pay $20 per person to hold your place. If you don't show up it will be deducted from the card you put on file. read more

See all

It was great! Good and customer service ! Came 's birthday and they let us do whatever we want! It was so great! they have a club right next door too if you want to turn up afterwards read more

Artemiza, was amazing. Excellent costumer service. Food was good. But she made the experience a lot better. Definitely give her a raise and a paid day off on her birthday. Servers like her are worth spoiling. read more

We weren't sure if Palenque required a reservation, so I called ahead. The man who answered said it was a slow night and that we could walk in, which we did. My friend and I arrived, picked a table, and were greeted by our waiter, Hailey. At the very beginning, the service actually seemed fine--she was attentive and checked on us regularly. Things started to change once the rest of our group arrived. We initially told Hailey it would be four people, but two additional friends joined, making it a party of six. From that point on, the energy noticeably shifted. Hailey became far less attentive, and when we asked questions, her responses felt awkward and dismissive. She would laugh in a way that felt uncomfortable, like there was an inside joke we weren't a part of. I can't pinpoint exactly where everything went wrong, but overall the experience was very underwhelming. We did not feel welcomed in the space at all, and the change in service made the night uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. Unfortunately, this isn't a place I'd return to or recommend. read more

Great food and excellent service! Everything was fresh and flavorful. Our waiter, Artemiza, was friendly and attentive and made our experience even better. We'll definitely be back! read more

Came to brunch! Victor was awesome and attentive! We did bottomless mimosas and he was filling us up! Had enchiladas and they don't miss. Good music! read more

Amazing service! Thank you so much to our server Aisha, she was so welcoming and made my friends birthday dinner absolutely amazing! Will definitely be back! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

I came here with some friends for an R&B event and absolutely loved the vibe. People were singing along, drinking, and laughing it was such a fun atmosphere. I really enjoyed myself and the food. I had the shrimp tacos with chipotle sauce so good! And the margaritas were STRONG read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Shrimp Tacos Refried Beans Spanish Rice - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

See all

We decided to switch things up on Christmas evening with a walk through the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights. No agenda--just fresh air and a change of pace. That's when we noticed this spot was open... and surprisingly BUSY. On a whim, we went in. Best unplanned decision of the night. The patio felt intimate, the staff was awesome, and the vibe was just right. We shared a couple of drinks, ordered their delicious tres leches and a seriously crave-worthy brownie, and settled in to people-watch as the crowd walked by seeing the lights. One of those chillest nights that ended up being exactly what we needed to slow down in the middle of a busy night before getting back to everything. read more

The best Mexican restaurant I've been to in Riverside. Also, our server, Artemiza, was amazing!!!!! She provided great service and hospitality. Also, I'm marrying my date next to me ;) read more

My husband and I came here for a lunch date yesterday. We parked in the structure next door. The decor inside is beautiful and we were immediately seated at a corner booth. We were given both the brunch and dinner menu. I ordered the ceviche and fish tacos and my husband ordered the steak tampiquena. Our host Victor was amazing and was always checking up on us and was super helpful since it was our first time dining here. Everything was delicious and definitely a place we'd return. read more

See all

Love this place. 2nd year in a row we have been to the Benedict Castle Concours and followed up with a great meal here. I think we need to start a tradition! The ambiance here is great and so is the service. My husband and I both love their cocktails, would highly recommend just asking to switch from tequila to Mezcal if you're a fan - awesome. Even their house margaritas are fantastic. They have this one margarita that is a little spicy, with hints of cucumber - so refreshing. Then there's the food. Their house chips and salsa are so fresh, need to be careful on overloading before your actual food gets there. My husband had the shrimp enchiladas- all I can say is wow. This has got to be the star. I got the carne asada steak - also grilled perfectly. Highly recommend this spot. Great place to go when you're in downtown Riverside, then after this meal maybe take a walk to the Mission Inn! I work in Costa Mesa, there's another Palenque there as well - will have to give that a try. If it's a good as this one in Riverside, it'll be a real temptation not to go there during my lunch hour. We'll be back for sure! read more

See all