Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by savoring authentic Hispanic food in Naples at these five hidden gems. Curated by Liz Valdez of Paradise Food Tours, this list highlights family-owned restaurants serving everything from street tacos to traditional dishes like molcajete and tlayudas. These eateries offer a delicious way to support local businesses while indulging in the rich flavors of Latin America.
1. Taqueria Jalisco
📍 4075 Pine Ridge Rd, Ste 3
If you’re searching for the best al pastor street tacos in Naples, look no further. Marinated with pineapple and onions, the tender pork is bursting with flavor—and you’ll immediately wish you had ordered more. Want to take it up a notch? Try the choriqueso—a melty cheese dip mixed with Esther’s handmade chorizo. Just a warning: it’s highly addictive!
2. 7 Food Mart and Tortilleria
📍 2332 Santa Barbara Blvd
Hidden in the back of this Hispanic/Caribbean grocery store is a taco grill and deli beloved by locals. The barbacoa street tacos are a must—don’t skip the cilantro, onion, and house salsas. For something heartier, try the Cuban pork leg with black beans and rice (moro), a dish that keeps customers coming back again and again.
3. Garibaldi’s
📍 11510 Tamiami Trl E
Part bakery, part restaurant, Garibaldi’s is a delicious surprise in East Naples. While the pastries and desserts are eye-catching, the real showstopper is the molcajete—a sizzling stone bowl overflowing with meats, cheese, and even cactus, served alongside handmade tortillas and all the taco fixings. Bring a friend, because this dish is as big as it is bold.
4. El Tapatio
📍 11157 Tamiami Trl E
Don’t let the humble pink exterior fool you—this former roadside motel lobby has been transformed into one of Naples’ best-kept secrets for over 25 years. Owners Sergio and America serve up crispy-outside, soft-inside gorditas with fillings ranging from chicken to spicy pork to cactus. Pair them with a bowl of fresh guacamole and you’ll see why locals rave about this spot.
5. La Oaxaqueña Taqueria
📍 2795 Davis Blvd, Unit A
Step inside La Oaxaqueña and you’ll be transported to southern Mexico. The menu highlights include quesabirria tacos (a social media sensation) and tlayudas—giant, crispy “Mexican pizzas” topped with beans, cheese, meat, and veggies. Wash it all down with a passionfruit margarita or a refreshing agua fresca for a meal that feels like a celebration.
Whether you’re craving tacos, gorditas, or something adventurous like tlayudas, these five restaurants are perfect places to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with authentic flavor.
Liz Valdez is the founder of Paradise Food Tours and has spent years exploring the local food scene, discovering hidden gems and authentic eateries that showcase the rich flavors of our community.
