Whether you’re craving some comfort food after the stress of move-in day, or simply want to take your friends from out of town to a great pizza or taco place, you’re in luck. Riverside, California, is chock-full of awesome restaurants — though, you might not know about the hidden gems if you don’t live here.

That’s why we’re going to talk about the best restaurants in downtown Riverside in this article. If you happen to be looking for great places to eat that are within walking or driving distance from your downtown Riverside apartment, this article is for you. Let’s get started!

Palenque Kitchen

Palenque Kitchen is known for having the best Mexican food in Riverside. This place has colorful lights, comfortable lounge areas, and Mexican art on the walls. Also, if you’re celebrating something special, they have a private dining area that's perfect for parties.

They serve authentic Mexican food with a modern twist (like their Ceviche Baja style, fish tacos, carnitas, carne asada, and their signature dish, El Patron). Don’t forget to try one of their margaritas or a beer, and finish off your meal with some Palenque Cake or churros!

Estrella Taqueria Lounge

Another must-try, when it comes to restaurants in downtown Riverside, is Estrella Taqueria Lounge. Their menu has all of the classic Mexican dishes you could dream of (like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas), but they’ve also added some twists to these classic favorites. If you’re not sure what we mean, you’ll just have to try it out yourself!

Their food is made with fresh ingredients, and you can choose from a few different proteins (including beef, chicken, pork, and seafood). There are even vegetarian and vegan options, so don’t worry if you aren’t a meat-eater. Oh, and did we mention that their cocktails are to die for?

Ay Mi Pa!

Ay Mi Pa! is definitely worth mentioning. This restaurant was created by Chef Mi Pa, and features the awesome flavors of Tulum. The surrounding area is enormous (4000 square feet), so it’s a great place to hang out with your friends.

Chef Mi Pa has a few other places, too (Fire up Grill and Mr. Taco). If you happen to be a fan of these restaurants, you’ll definitely love Ay Mi Pa! Don’t forget to try one of their super creative tequila cocktails!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just passing through or are looking for downtown Riverside apartments to live in, this city sure has a lot to offer when it comes to great food. It has some of the best Mexican cuisine in the state, and the restaurants around here tend to have a great “vibe” to them, too. They’re certainly worth checking out!