It’s always nice to use our free time to enjoy a weekend away or nice road trip that takes out of town. But there’s certain adventures that you can take in the Empire State that will have you discovering local restaurants and leave you feeling far from hungry. Taking you from the southern Finger Lakes up and out to Central New York past Syracuse, this quick little two-hour scenic drive is mapped out and ready for you to explore for yourself!
To take a look at the entire mapped out adventure on Google Maps, click here.
Google Maps
- Viva Taqueria - Ithaca
Joe C./Yelp
Ohgorges/TripAdvisor First stop on this delicious adventure? Viva Taqueria in Ithaca! This city is one that’s filled with a ton of amazing places to eat, making it extremely difficult to choose just one place to dine. But if you’re only visiting the area briefly and are staying for just one meal, then take your tastebuds on an adventure to this local Mexican restaurant.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
- Mesa Grande Taqueria - Auburn
Mesa Grande Taqueria/Yelp
Mesa Grande Taqueria/Yelp After starting off your trip at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, you’ll make your way north to the city of Auburn just north of Owasco Lake. Featuring two other locations in New York (Fairport and Camillus), it’s their Auburn location that makes for a great stop while you’re enjoying a scenic drive through the Finger Lakes. A casual spot that you won’t have to worry about dressing up for, Mesa Grande Taqueria will have you feasting on freshly made menu items like their unforgettable tacos.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
- Tres Primos - Elbridge
cnymike/TripAdvisor
Nancy O./Yelp After enjoying a meal of casual dining in Auburn, you’ll head just a bit further north to the town of Elbridge. Here in town you’ll come to the amazing realization that this place features an underrated and absolutely scrumptious Mexican restaurant. A newer dining destination to this area, Tres Primos has made a lot of positive noise since planting its roots in New York State.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
- Azteca Mexican Grill - Camillus
Mtcutter/TripAdvisor
Lizzy B./Yelp Once you make it to the town of Camillus, the driving on this trip will become much shorter and easier. Just west of Syracuse, Azteca Mexican Grill is a popular place to visit around dinner time. The Mexican restaurant’s large and drool-worthy menu will make you wish that you could stay longer to try all of it out for yourself!
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
- The Mission Restaurant - Syracuse
Ashley W./Yelp
The Mission Restaurant/Facebook A vibrant spot that’s one of our absolute favorites on the list, Syracuse’s The Mission will rescue you from any hunger. Set inside of an old church from the 1800s, this Mexican restaurant is a loved by locals. Cooking up amazing tacos that will make you want to eat dinner and lunch here each and every day, The Mission is a place you’ll be happy you crossed off of your dining bucket list.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
- Papa Gallo - Fayetteville
Papa Gallo Mexican Restaurant
Papa Gallo Mexican Restaurant/Facebook Waiting for you in the small town of Fayetteville in Onondaga County is a Mexican restaurant that’s wonderful to visit while New York is experiencing beautiful warm weather. At Papa Gallo’s you can bring your empty stomachs and sit outside while you enjoy the summer weather with their outdoor dining set up. Pairing up their menu items with an amazing drink selection, this restaurant is one of our favorite places to dine at in Central New York.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
- La Cocina - Chittenango
La Cocina/Facebook
Guy V./Yelp Last but not least, La Cocina! While most may associate the small town of Chittenango with The Wizard of Oz, local residents know that one of the town’s best attractions is their Mexican restaurant - La Cocina! A scenic town that you’ll love ending this trip in, the restaurant can be found along the town’s Yellow Brick Road sidewalk on Genesee Street.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
How many of these Mexican restaurants have you already tasted for yourself? If you’re in need of other tasty trails to discover, take a trip along New York’s Cheese Trail That’s Everything You Ever Dreamed Of!
Google Maps
Joe C./Yelp
Ohgorges/TripAdvisor
First stop on this delicious adventure? Viva Taqueria in Ithaca! This city is one that’s filled with a ton of amazing places to eat, making it extremely difficult to choose just one place to dine. But if you’re only visiting the area briefly and are staying for just one meal, then take your tastebuds on an adventure to this local Mexican restaurant.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
Mesa Grande Taqueria/Yelp
After starting off your trip at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, you’ll make your way north to the city of Auburn just north of Owasco Lake. Featuring two other locations in New York (Fairport and Camillus), it’s their Auburn location that makes for a great stop while you’re enjoying a scenic drive through the Finger Lakes. A casual spot that you won’t have to worry about dressing up for, Mesa Grande Taqueria will have you feasting on freshly made menu items like their unforgettable tacos.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
cnymike/TripAdvisor
Nancy O./Yelp
After enjoying a meal of casual dining in Auburn, you’ll head just a bit further north to the town of Elbridge. Here in town you’ll come to the amazing realization that this place features an underrated and absolutely scrumptious Mexican restaurant. A newer dining destination to this area, Tres Primos has made a lot of positive noise since planting its roots in New York State.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
Mtcutter/TripAdvisor
Lizzy B./Yelp
Once you make it to the town of Camillus, the driving on this trip will become much shorter and easier. Just west of Syracuse, Azteca Mexican Grill is a popular place to visit around dinner time. The Mexican restaurant’s large and drool-worthy menu will make you wish that you could stay longer to try all of it out for yourself!
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
Ashley W./Yelp
The Mission Restaurant/Facebook
A vibrant spot that’s one of our absolute favorites on the list, Syracuse’s The Mission will rescue you from any hunger. Set inside of an old church from the 1800s, this Mexican restaurant is a loved by locals. Cooking up amazing tacos that will make you want to eat dinner and lunch here each and every day, The Mission is a place you’ll be happy you crossed off of your dining bucket list.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
Papa Gallo Mexican Restaurant
Papa Gallo Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Waiting for you in the small town of Fayetteville in Onondaga County is a Mexican restaurant that’s wonderful to visit while New York is experiencing beautiful warm weather. At Papa Gallo’s you can bring your empty stomachs and sit outside while you enjoy the summer weather with their outdoor dining set up. Pairing up their menu items with an amazing drink selection, this restaurant is one of our favorite places to dine at in Central New York.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
La Cocina/Facebook
Guy V./Yelp
Last but not least, La Cocina! While most may associate the small town of Chittenango with The Wizard of Oz, local residents know that one of the town’s best attractions is their Mexican restaurant - La Cocina! A scenic town that you’ll love ending this trip in, the restaurant can be found along the town’s Yellow Brick Road sidewalk on Genesee Street.
To find out more information and to view their menu, click here.
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