Rafa's Cafe Mexicano — Restaurant in Dallas

Rafa’s Cafe Mexicana on Lovers Lane in Dallas is a culinary gem that transports you straight to the vibrant streets of Mexico. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere envelopes you in a warm, festive embrace that promises an unforgettable dining experience.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the exceptional service provided by Oliver. His attentiveness, knowledge, and genuine passion for hospitality elevated our evening to new heights. Oliver's recommendations were spot on, guiding us through an exquisite menu filled with traditional Mexican delights.

The food at Rafa’s is nothing short of spectacular. Each dish bursts with authentic flavors and is meticulously crafted to perfection. The guacamole is a must-try, prepared fresh at your table with the perfect balance of ingredients. The enchiladas were a symphony of taste, and the fajitas arrived sizzling with a tantalizing aroma that had us salivating in anticipation.

The ambiance at Rafa’s Cafe Mexicana is vibrant yet cozy, adorned with beautiful decor that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. Whether you're here for a casual meal or a special celebration, the atmosphere is both inviting and festive.

A special mention to the refreshing margaritas – they are simply divine! Perfectly blended and garnished, they were the ideal complement to our meal.

In a city filled with dining options, Rafa’s Cafe Mexicana stands out not only for its delectable cuisine but also for its impeccable service. Thanks to Oliver and the entire team, our evening was a delightful journey through the flavors and traditions of Mexico. We left with our hearts full, eagerly planning our next visit.

If you’re in Dallas and crave an authentic Mexican dining experience, look no further than Rafa’s Cafe Mexicana. It’s a true treasure, and Oliver’s exceptional service will ensure your visit is nothing short of...

DON'T get seated at a table in the bar. Unless you want 50 people to crawl over you, coming and going from the kitchen.. The food here is sloppy Tex-Mex covered with heaps of shredded lettuce. Best description is blah, even the hot sauce is blah. Nothing but the melted cheese even sort of taste good, this is a "Parkie" hangout for old timers with hoads of kids. There is always a wait, the dinning area's have domed brick ceilings to bounce the really loud noise from screaming children and waiters clashing around. It is the worst mexican dinning experience you can find, but being seated at the one of the bar tables tops the loud dinning rooms.For worst place to eat.. In the bar they allow people to stack up 3 & 4 deep making it so that the waiters are crawling over the unlucky patrons seated at the tables. For over an hour, they could have moved the group outside, but the place is run like a dump. When I asked the waiter to move the herd, he did nothing. When I spoke with the lady at the front register she laughed and said .."there's no place to put them". The food is not great, the atmosphere is really tired, the waiters are not sharp and give you attitude if your not ordering top shelf,, etc.. I can't understand why anyone would wait, but once you see the old gizers and face lifted Parkie's hanging at the bar.. it's got to be remembering the past by gone days. There is no reason to pay inflated prices, have ho hum service and eat such boring food, in such and...

I love this restaurant, been eating here for over 20 years (back when it was located on McKinney St.), I ate here last night and was extremely disappointed. 1. THE "FOOD, AS USUAL, was spectacular, so good, so fresh; delicious!

(now the reason for the low rating, below):

They charged me $1.62 service charge for a to-go order The cashier was rude, was evasive, never said hello, never said goodnight, NEVER SAID "THANKS or THANK YOU", never made any type of eye-contact The menu on YELP, was nothing like the actual pricing (Yelp does have such a disclaimer stating the actual menu/pricing "could" be different. In some cases, the ACTUAL pricing was almost double the price on Yelp. My special requests were NOT honored (I had asked for some corn tortillas, which are free; they were not included), etc.

SHAME, SHAME on Rafa's -- you can certain ascertain that Raphael no longer owns this historical restaurant.

I was so disappointed that my bill was almost $35 for a standard plate dinner and a small queso. I'll think twice before ordering from them; this is very, very good Mexican food, but it's not worth $35 (I didn't order beef tenderloin or shrimp or salmon,...