The service and food are great! I love that it's been in the same spot since 1976. Everyone there is so friendly. The giant margaritas are wonderful! read more

Very disappointed :( The restaurant was really cute on the inside and the server was very kind. However the food was very very bland. I do not know if there are seasonings in the kitchen at all. We got the La Palma fiesta plate and the el burro burrito. To start they offer free chips and salsa, chips were good salsa tasted very tomato-ey and not like Mexican salsa at all. The fiesta plate came with sampler sizes of the taquitos, flautas and quesadilla with bean dip guacamole/sour cream. The guacamole and sour creme portions were not proportionate to the plate and was more like for a single serving. The chicken in the dishes were dry and lacked any seasonings or flavor at all. I could honestly only take two bites of each. The quesadilla had globs of cheese that was also not proportioned with tortilla, I had to take out half the cheese to not be grossed out by it. It was thick cheese and tasted artificial. Next, the burrito was ... atrocious. It had the same globby cheese on top, smothered in the most Italian like salsa. The burrito tasted more like a failed enchilada and I could only have one bite. I would skip this. The server was politely asking if we were sure we were done with our food and I didn't have the heart to tell him it was not good because he was so nice. Advice for the business, please work on seasoning and improving your salsa recipe. I think this is a place for people who may be new to Mexican food or prefer very bland tasting dishes. I would be willing to give this place another shot if they focused on the quality of their dishes instead of the quantity that they have on their menu. For now it feels like a waste of money spent tbh. read more

First visit to La Palma. The food was great and the staff wonderful! Will return again on my next trip to Ballard!!

I just discovered this neighborhood gem. The decorations give off a festive, but cozy vibe, so visually appealing! The workers here are always top notch. My grandfather and I especially enjoy when we run into Roberto as our server. He's such a good sport, he even learned a new dance lol But really, I've never walked in feeling like a burden to the staff, everyone always smiles, works hard. The food consistently comes out hot and tasty. There's a big menu and lots of items if you want something on the lighter side, of course alongside the usual delicious suspects you expect at a typical Mexican-American restaurant. **There's a lot of stairs to enter so I am not sure how ADA Accessible this location can be for someone who requires those accommodations. Once inside, there are stairs up to a bar, a seating area, and down to another area. Call ahead to confirm if you can be comfortably accommodated. Walkers, canes, crutches have all been used fine during some of my visits. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - Appetizer sampler - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

So, I've lived in Ballard for a quarter of a century. I go by La Palma almost daily and always thought, 'hey, I should get some dinner there'. Until tonight it never worked out, and I'm an idiot for taking decades to patronize these wonderful people. Oh, and yeah, with the small-ish multiple level dining areas; total date-night destination. Chile relleno: A++. Guac: What, is someone's cousin driving the avocados up from Oxnard on a daily basis? And the love; you can feel it from the greeting, to drinks, to dinner. These are my people, the people that make a little piece of Seattle really special. read more

One of my most favorite restaurants in Seattle. The servers are always so sweet and the food is delicious. Always enough for leftovers!!! I would recommend the carne asada burrito or the steak à la mexicana! So yummy read more

Best. Mexican. Food. In. Town. Portions are a huge, so much value for what you pay for, the food will make your taste buds dance right out of your mouth, and the staff is friendly and courteous and genuinely seem happy to see you when you walk through the door. Such a cozy atmosphere with nice low lighting to create an intimate & relaxing setting. They even have a few TV's so it was nice to catch the last bit of the Mariners game while waiting for my dinner. It's a small parking lot but I've never had any issues with it being too full to find a spot. If by chance the lot is full, there's also street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. I've been here countless times over the past two years and La Palma never disappoints. Highly recommend! 10 stars! read more

See all

la Palma is a rustic classic Mexican food spot authentic and hearty. generous cheese and beef helpings in the chicken and beef enchilada and jalapeno chilli releno. lots of seating and friendly service. looks like it's located on the second floor of a home but it's part of the decor, they've been in service since the 70s! read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Greatest freshest mexican food you could ever eat. 100% perfect. Ive been all over the united states this by far beats california, las vegas and any other city nation wide for the greatest mexican and seafood ever read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wanted to like this place, but was disappointed.Ended up paying almost 100.00 for an awful dinner. Starting out, they had a nice staff. Greeted happily. Once seated, looked over the menu and ordered some favorites. Unfortunately, once we got our orders, it was terrible food. Yes, starting out the Chips and salsa were good. However, the steak fajitas and chicken enchiladas were awful. Low grade meat and lots of onion filler rather than meat. Not seasoned well. The drinks were not good. Margaritas were mostly mix. Every menu item seems subpar and overpriced for what you get. Saw several cockroaches run under our tables as we were eating. Just not a good dining experience, especially since I love Mexican food. Would not recommend, due to the poor food and subpar conditions. read more

Great restaurant. Long time presence in the community (been open for about 50 years).

Got takeout from here. Food was not that great. But I arrived early and had time to stay for a drink, and that's why I gave an extra star. All the employees were so nice. Remembered my name from my takeout order. And the spicy Margarita was really good! Unfortunately the Pollo a la Crema was one of the worst I've had. It was more oily than creamy. Large portion. Might be willing to give this place another try, but I'd definitely get something different. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - Pollo A La Crema - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We go to this neighborhood Mexican restaurant at least twice a month, and sometimes once a week! The service is always excellent. We are greeted as if we are longtime friends (I mean, we go there so often, they may recognize us). The ambiance has the feel of a 1980s Mexican restaurant, but I think that is part of their charm. They do have a photo from a snowstorm in 1982 and still serving the surrounding neighborhood. Their margaritas do the job! If you don't have a Margarita partner or don't want to trip down the stairs leaving, I suggest a small one because the large one is definitely a two-person job. My husband loves their mole and I get the tostada salad. Chips, salsa, guacamole. Standard fare, but dependable and consistent. I hate paying $$ for bad food, so I appreciate knowing that this place will always deliver. I love supporting long-time family-run businesses in Seattle. read more

This was one of the worst dining experiences. From the stale chips and watery salsa to what was supposed to be queso, I was thoroughly disappointed. Everything tasted like it had been in a can. read more

Old world Mexican restaurant with amazing food. This restaurant has been here for generations do not pass it by because it looks old. The staff is attentive and working hard to get you a great meal. The classics are everything you're looking for, try the haberno salsa if they have it prepared, I took some home it was so good. read more

This is such a cute spot. Service is excellent and very inviting. Food and drinks are great. Food is definitely authentic. Lots of gluten free options. Has its own parking area. Definitely will return again soon. read more

There is no place I'd rather be on a Sunday before grocery shopping than La Palma Mexican Restaurant with a margarita in my hand and chips with salsa in my belly. This restaurant isn't fancy, but that adds to the traditional homelike feeling that the staff knows their regulars and treats them well. The prices are good, the food is greasy and traditional - what more could a Seattle transplant ask for? read more

WTH...? Been coming here 40 years and found it consistent. Went the other night and had head banging grunge going in the kitchen with chef singing to it, tv was on also with other video music loudly playing, young staffers, food quality diminished, and feels no longer like a "family" neighborhood restaurant. The place needs deep cleaning to say the least. Obviously a change is a com'n... read more

This place was SOOO MUCH FUN! Went here on a whim For a birthday party and although it was totally random the birthday boy had a blast! We will all definitely be dining here again!!! read more

La Palma is a classic greasy Mexican food spot with giant margaritas and huge portion sizes. I've been coming here for ages and it is consistently good with a fun vibe. read more

See all

It doesn't look like much when you're driving by, but this family ran restaurant is absolutely amazing. With actual authentic Mexican cuisine, you have to try La Palma, and I highly recommend the large margarita read more

See all

If you gave less than 4 stars for this place, you need to check yourself. Dining is about the entire experience. From the moment we stepped in I fell in love. The waiter greeted me with "hola senorita" and gave us a booth by the window. His cologne? Nostalgic for kind men. The margaritas were the strongest. We received refills of chips and salsa. Delicious entrees with the best refried beans. Also, it's snowmageddon outside and they remained open. I LOVE LA PALMA. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

LA Palma is a treasure of Seattle. It's one of those places to meet up with friends to have a great meal and a good time. The menu and the grande margaritas are HUGE! The staff here are fun, kind, and welcoming. I love the interactions with them because they have a natural rapport that is a part of their great customer service. The food is well priced and delicious. You get A LOT of bang for your buck and I have never had a bad meal. I typically leave saying, "Why did I eat so much?!" But I can't help it, it's really good! I personally enjoy that there is a little bit of kick with the chips and salsa. Favorite dish: Pollo a La Naranja The point is, there are countless options when it comes to dining in Seattle, from dives to fine dining. La Palma is one of those locations that you should put into your standard rotation when looking for a place to just chill out, enjoy a great mean, and enjoy the fun welcoming atmosphere with friends and family. read more

We were excited to stumble upon this place on Cinco de Mayo, but we were severely disappointed. While the staff was very nice, it kind of ended there. The chips at the beginning were burnt and the salsa was watery and too spicy. The food tasted funny. We ordered to large blended margaritas and they had very little flavor and I wonder if there was any liquor in them. For $21.25 each, there should have been noticeable liquor. It was incredibly, incredibly loud and we could barely have a conversation. Probably won't be back, especially after reading other reviews. read more

A cozy spot for standard Mexican food. SOMEWHAT TASTIER THAN EXPECTED. Though my husband was less than impressed with his Colorado enchiladas, I found the food quite enjoyable. The chips came out hot, the salsa was sweet and spicy, and the food wasn't long to make it to our table. I hunted around on the menu for some vegetarian options and opted for huevos rancheros. The eggs were loaded in cheese and the whole beans were quite flavorful. The tortillas came out warm and the side of veg included ranch dressing. All in all it really worked together. OVERALL ATMOSPHERE WAS PLEASANT WITH A TWIST. On a rainy Saturday night, we had no problem finding parking in their lot. There were other tables filled, though we didn't have to wait for a seat. The service was very attentive and my water was frequently refilled. What really put a damper on the evening and brought the experience from 4 stars to 3 was getting a styrofoam container for my leftovers. Sorry if this feels like a petty reason to dock a star, but that styrofoam really bummed me out on behalf of the planet. A return visit would be dependent on their getting environmentally friendly takeout containers or the world suddenly inventing a way to break down styrofoam. read more

What can I say. It's my most favorite Mexican restaurant. Staff: always jovial and friendly. Food: amazing. Partial to the chicken quesadillas. Restaurant: one word: wow. A special experience to visit this unique restaurant! Plenty of amazing tall-backed booths - my favorite!! Las Palmas cares that I care about the environment. Estoy Sal a do las tortugas!! They wrap my food in foil when I forget to bring my take out containers. Las Palmas is festive and welcoming. Always feel good when I arrive, and filled and happier when I depart. Gracias, Las Palmas! read more

Hadn't been here in over 25 years. Lovely family owned business. Food is Mexican American. Staff is friendly. Had lovely dinner with friends from work. It was establishing in 1976, so you know they're doing something right. Prices are afforded and portions are generous. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - exterior sogn - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

La Palma is wonderful! They treat you like family. It is so refreshing to go to a Mexican restaurant and get a combination and a margarita. The service is quick, margaritas are strong and food is great. read more

My husband and I have eaten at La Palma a few times and always enjoyed the food. Unfortunately, we got takeout on 08/09 and it was a different story. I got a bean tostada and a side of rice, which I added to the tostada. About 1.5 hrs after eating the tostada, I started to have signs of food poisoning. I have had food poisoning elsewhere and know what it feels like. It started with really bad body aches and chills, as well as a low grade fever. I then had stomach pain/cramps and vomiting. This is by far the worst case of food poisoning that I have had (of the three experiences). It is Sunday and I'm still dealing with the stomach pain and cramps. The staff here are amazingly friendly which is why I gave a two star instead of one star review. Unfortunately after this experience and reading some other reviews regarding food poisoning, we will not be back. read more

I'll be honest, I love La Palma! The inside is a bit dingy, but the staff are the sweetest people, the food is good, and it is my go-to for margaritas. The big margaritas are basically one of my personality traits at this point according to all of my friends. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - La Palma Fiesta Plate - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

You come here for the service, large margaritas and the casual vibe. This might be the last casual place in Seattle. Love it.

La palma serves AUTHENTIC Mexican food. The staff are friendly and inviting. The food is delicious and the margaritas are humongous! We met the owner Pedro and he was just the sweetest man. Alex is also great and provides excwptional service. I recommend this place 100%! read more

Very comfortable and family like vibe. Quick service delicious food! The spicy margarita was shpicy and delicious! My beautiful wife had the chicken fajitas. The chicken was so juicy and tender and the pepper and onions were a bit caramelized, served sizzling on a cast iron platter! Wow! So so good! I got the 3 crispy tacos with rice and beans. Everything was fabulous! Thank you for a great meal with great service. read more

See all

I really like the beans and rice here. I feel like they have a lot of flavor. That being said, the chicken chimichanga leaves a lot to be desired. It's just straight chicken inside, which can be a little dry (even with the sour cream and guac on the side). However the fajitas are pretty good, I'd go with those if you are unsure! The decor is kind of old and could do with a revamp and parking sucks especially during dinner time. The place always gets pretty busy, but there are 3 kind of separate floors/areas so I've never had to wait every time I've been there. I probably wont be returning here again. My friend and I both agreed it was kind of disappointing during our most recent visit. read more

This is a wonderful dining experience with a warm atmosphere and the kindest staff you will find in Seattle! Great comfort food! Atmosphere: Warm and inviting. I chatted with the owner, everyone was very kind. Food: Steak Fajitas: with flour tortillas. 9/10 The rice and beans were delicious, The portions were huge, the steak was very good. The tortillas were a little thick, I will try the corn tortillas next time! Fried ice cream: 10/10 I've been looking for this style fried ice cream for a very long time! They roll the ice cream in crushed deliciousness and cinnamon and cover in chocolate sauce. The cinnamon makes this fried rice stand out from other restaurants! read more

It's been a minute since our last trip to La Palma and it took moving into the neighborhood to get us to return. Some things have changed since my last visit and it's for the better. The food we ate was solidly 3.5 stars, but 1/2 stars are not allowed so there it is. Service is stellar, the restaurant is a Mexican-parrot kitsch filled paradise and the food has improved, even if the cheese to food ratio hasn't changed. What would Tex-Mex be without all the queso? I guess it wouldn't. My partner ordered the chicken chimichanga which he claimed had flavorful bird inside. I had the cheese and bean enchiladas which were also perfectly acceptable. Free chips and salsa, margaritas made with love and a heavy pour for $7 bucks and we had an enjoyable dinner in our neighborhood joint. Despite it being my boo's birthday, I didn't out him so that he wouldn't be forced to wear the obligatory birthday sombrero. Gracias amigos, volveremos. read more

I've literally never left a 1 star review before, but this place was a major L all around for us. Food was literally awful, and the staff was very rude... and I'm the overtly polite type of customer I got a vegetarian chimichanga, which was literally just mushy carrots, zucchini, and mushroom wrapped in a tortilla, with no seasoning or cheese or anything. It was like a college student tried making food for the first time. I could literally only handle one bite. Not the mention it was EXTREMELY greasy. I also got guac and sour cream, which were both disappointing as well. I didn't even know sour cream could disappoint, it was more like plain yogurt. We ordered takeout, so perhaps the dining experience is better? Although I can't imagine how... read more

This place was a lot of fun! The service was quick and everyone was so friendly. The place has a very warm, homey feeling. We got the steak a la Palma ($25) and it was hugeeee. The marinade was delicious, but the steak itself was a little over cooked. It came with rice, beans, & tortillas. Oh, & of course there's also unlimited chips & dip for the table! For sure a fun place to check out, especially if you like big portions. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - the dining area - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

Tried La Palma for the first time, and we were really happy with our experience. The salsa had a good flavor and a little spice to it, which is nice if you're ready for something more than the usual really mild tomato sauce. We opted for margaritas, and we went big, and they were big! Big! We had the strawberry which were frozen and very delicious. We had the chicken mole for entree, and we did not regret our choice. The mole is very close to a peanut butter mole that we make it home. The entree came complete with rice and beans and salad, so it was a nice plate. We also went all in and tried the flan for dessert adding the Kahlua. It had a great flavor. For me. The texture could have been smoother, but that is always hit or miss depending on where you go. The ambiance has a warm rustic feel as though your guests in someone's ornate home in Jalisco. A heads up to those physically challenged. This is not a new building, and the only entrance are some steps up to the door. Once you're inside the door, you then have to either go up more steps or go down steps to different dining areas. I didn't see any other ways to enter, and it could be challenging to navigate. read more

Had a late lunch here. Enchiladas were good. Salsa and chips were very delicious. Wished they had more hot sauce options (tapatio is good but I was hoping for authentic) they did give us a salsa that was very lime-y tasted more like a seafood salsa. Margarita slushy were insane. As big as my head! Overall great time. read more

LA Palma Mexican Restaurant - Margaritas bigger than my head! - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington