The Mission Kierland: Indulge in Latin American Flavors with Trendy Tacos

I really enjoyed the Guac-Tail happy hour! The guacamole was amazing along with the bar service by Sam. When I'm in the Scottsdale area I will definitely be back...customer service at this restaurant is top notch!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Mission just gets it. From the moment we sat down, it felt like one of those meals you know you’re going to be talking about later. The tableside guacamole is pure joy. Fresh, perfectly balanced, and made right in front of you—simple, fun, and ridiculously good. It sets the tone immediately, like, okay… we’re in good hands. Then the tacos showed up and sealed the deal. The Tecate steak tacos were unreal—tender, bold, full of flavor, and impossible not to devour. And the crispy shrimp tacos? Crunchy, juicy, and gone way too fast. The kind of food that makes you slow down for a second because you don’t want it to end. What really stood out though was the whole experience. The energy, the flow, the way everything just worked. Nothing felt forced or overdone—just great food, great vibes, and a place that clearly loves what it does. The Mission isn’t trying too hard… it doesn’t need to. It’s one of those spots that leaves you happy, full, and already planning your next visit.

The Mission in Scottsdale is an authentic and romantic Mexican–Latin restaurant that delivers both exceptional flavor and atmosphere. From the moment you arrive, the ambiance sets the tone — dim lighting, warm décor, and soft Latin music that fills the air without overpowering conversation. The restaurant features two floors with both indoor and outdoor seating. The patio, where we dined, was especially charming — perfect for a romantic evening or special occasion. We started with house-made chips, fresh salsa, and guacamole prepared tableside — a true highlight. Watching the guacamole being made right before you adds a personal touch and freshness you can taste. The Mission’s guacamole is rich and creamy, featuring Hass avocados, jalapeños, lime, cotija, tomatoes, and toasted pepitas. We also shared the chicken thigh appetizer, served with warm tortillas. The meat was tender, juicy, and seasoned beautifully — perfect for sharing. For our entrées, we enjoyed the swordfish with rice, the specialty crab tacos, and the half chicken. Each dish arrived hot, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. The swordfish was moist and flaky, the crab tacos were light and refreshing with a hint of spice, and the wood-grilled half chicken offered a smoky, savory taste that stood out. Portion sizes were generous and satisfying. To pair with our meal, we ordered two mocktails — one made with ginger and pomegranate — both fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Although it was a Monday evening, the restaurant was surprisingly busy, resulting in a short wait before the initial service. It took about ten minutes to be greeted, but once the rush passed, the servers were attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful, explaining menu items and offering thoughtful recommendations. The only minor downsides were the restroom cleanliness and outdoor cushion upkeep — small details that, if improved, would elevate the overall experience from wonderful to superb. Expect to spend between $100 and $200 for a three-course meal for two, but it’s worth every penny. The Mission delivers top-quality food, service, and ambiance — making it one of Scottsdale’s best spots for a romantic date night with a touch of Latin flair.

Went there for brunch. Hard to find front door of restaurant. Not labeled and found inside patio seating. found our way inside. What a beautiful place! Salsa was amazing. Loved it. Table-side Guacamole delicious too. The ‘whole pig’ taco buffet was very small. Great sauces but only had bbq pork. It was tasty, but not what we thought it would be. Nice staff, good food. Will go back.

The place is decorated beautifully! The guacamole made table side is very good along with fresh chips and salsa. The cocktails are very good as well. The food is good, but they can improve on the tacos as they are too small to pick up and eat. The service is something to be desired. On a slow lunch day it took too long to get service.

It was Valentine's Day and we had a reservation for 4:30. We waited 20-minutes to be seated. There did seem to be some confusion at the hostess desk, but then there might not have been servers available. We enjoyed our table on the balcony overlooking the bar, the setting is beautiful with a romantic vibe. Our house margaritas were very good. We ordered the Hamachi appetizer which I would not order again. The presentation is a little sketch for us squirrely diners... I felt like that poor fishs' fin was waving at me. The Hamachi was a little undercooked but not cold as if to be sashimi style, giving it a mushy texture. The fish was tasteless and the pineapple sauce was not good. The meal improved dramatically when we received our entrees. The crab tacos are excellent with the fresh house-made blue corn tortillas. We do not need large portions, but there are two, small tacos on the plate which is a little on the slim side. Three would have been a more appropriate serving. My husbands steak was a nice portion and very good but the star on his plate were the baked cheese balls. He had the potato with chorizo side dish which is a must-have to accompany the steak. We would be back for a special occasion and have a better idea of what to order.

Best burger in the Valley. Chipotle chicken torta had rich flavors, Brussels sprouts were a crowd favorite topped with crispy bacon. Curtis our server was a pleasure and made our dining experience an excellent Easter brunch.

Great food, really some of the best I've had in a long time. Loved it!