The Most Delicious Tacos in Washington

Chaia

★★★★☆ 4.4 (809) • $$

"I don't even like to eat vegetables and I liked the food here. I was in the mood for a light dinner and stumbled across this place in the backstreet.Really pleasantly surprised! They have a good deal for 3 tacos. I tried the butternut squash (savory, paired well with the feta cheese) and sweet potato (pretty sweet). I also asked for salsa on the side and that helped elevate the flavor!Great cozy place to meet up with some friends and escape the weather. Really quick service - you order on a kiosk and get it within minutes."

Ixtapalapa Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.3 (813) • $$

"Wonderful restaurant right off Rockville Pike, Rte 355. My wife and I went in on a Tuesday night for dinner and it was not busy, so finding seating was not difficult. Very minimal decoration around the restaurant, which was great so that we could focus on the food. There was a lot of seating, indoor and outdoor, depending on weather and preference. The staff were all very kind and smiling, which brightened up the experience. Also, the staff brought food and hot sauce to our table when the food was ready (they give you a number after you order). The food also came out quickly, which was great.We ordered enchiladas with mole, 3 different types of tacos, esquites, and a frozen margarita. The portions of the meat and taco were amazing, where they did not hold back on either the pork, chorizo, etc. on the tacos. The enchiladas had a ton of chicken in it, which made me extremely happy that it wasn't just sauce and tortillas. Every bite was extremely delicious and flavorful. I definitely overdid it with one of the hot salsas, but didn't take away from the flavor in general."

Surfside Dupont

★★★★☆ 4 (673) • $$

"I was in the area for a Yelp Elite event and was craving a quesadilla so I had to pull up. Surfside has always done right, except this one time (the rice). It tasted a bit stale which is pretty unusual for them. I ordered the steak quesadilla, street corn, a side of yellow rice and guacamole. Aside from the ride, everything tasted great! The steak quesadilla was flavorful and had just the right amount of ingredients. I tried one of the sauces they had at the condiment station and am hooked. It was a pineapple hot sauce? Sooo good. Though the menu prices are a bit high, you definitely get a nice portion size for the main items (ie quesadillas). I definitely recommend checking this spot out if you haven't done so already!"

Tiki Taco

★★★★☆ 4.4 (429) • $$

"Solid taco spot with reasonable prices in DuPont. They have a whole selection of Hawaiian tacos along with dishes like Loco Moco and poke. I've only had the tacos, but I really enjoyed the carne asada tacos and the coconut shrimp one. The hot sauce they have has a small kick, but it's good for most people. Note that they have steak tacos and ground beef tacos too, so each beef taco is slightly different. The carne asada taco is classic with onion, salsa verde, and cilantro. The ground beef one comes with cheese and tomatoes (reminiscent of a healthier Taco Bell). Finally, the regular steak taco is steak with melted cheese and really thin fries. Personally I like the carne asada the best because it's the most complex. The jerk chicken taco was okay, but I preferred the coconut shrimp and the carne asada tacos the most.Service is pleasant and one of the owners, Ben, is really nice. It's a nice, casual little spot to grab some grub after a night of drinking or if you want to make a pit stop before continuing your other activities."

Jerk At Nite

★★★★☆ 3.5 (505) • $$

"This Jamaiican Food Place is open late nights in Washington, DC. They have a food truck as well. We came here at 12a-1a to order food for a family member. The parking is challenging as there is a club within 20 feet of the restaurant. Once we found street parking, we walked up to a line of about 15 people outside then about 15 more inside. This is a good sign; people willing to wait for authentic Jamaican Food. After standing in line for 20-25mins, we ordered with the 1 person taking orders. Then, we waited another 20mins for the food to be ready. There is no room inside the establishment to sit down while you wait for your food to be ready.We got back to our place and the family member started when they realize that it just wasn't as flavorful as the truck. The feedback is that the food truck food was well marinated well seasoned and cooked much better. Also, the full menu is not available mWe will stick to the food truck version of this place. It is nice that they have a stand up restaurant as well, but we prefer to have the good stuff for the prices we paid. TIP: The full menu is not available for late night dining, only about 4 select items."

Taco Rock

★★★★☆ 4.1 (345) • $$

"A great spot in Rosslyn! The tacos and other food are excellent and come in large portions. The jalapeño poppers had the largest jalapeños I have ever seen. The torta and street corn were also outstanding. Service was friendly, fast, and attentive. I greatly enjoyed my lunch at Taco Rock!"

Super Tacos & Bakery

★★★★☆ 3.8 (398) • $

"D.C. is definitely known for the jumbo slice, half-smoke, and wings with mumbo sauce. However, I've heard peeps complain about the lack of a decent taco joint in these parts. Are you kidding me? Apparently these naysayers don't know about Super Tacos & Bakery in Adams Morgan!Listen, don't sleep on this hole in the wall. I'm no taco aficionado, but Super Tacos can dish out a damn good taco. Talk about a fiesta for the taste buds. I always get the carnitas tacos...think tender, flavorful pork stuffed inside of a pillowy taco shell. FYI: They always add tasty toppings (small containers of pico de gallo, hot sauce, and pickled red onions) to my order.Now, let's talk about the refried beans. OMG! What a perfect side! Tastes like a concoction of homemade yum for the tum. No straight out of the can tomfoolery here. These refried beans are the real deal!Special mention: The menu is EXTENSIVE! There are lots of options to choose from...burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, tortas (sandwiches), and sooo much more. For those who have a sweet tooth, there are dessert slices on deck. Need a cake for a special occasion? Look no further than Super Tacos & Bakery.Limited indoor and outdoor seating. You can do takeout or delivery. Personally, I prefer takeout. Extremely friendly and efficient customer service!"

El Techo

★★★★☆ 3.5 (457) • $$

"Huge shoutout to Gio, the Events Director, and Graham, our server, for making our experience memorable. We initially reserved a table for 10 at 12 noon on a Saturday, but our party size grew to 16. Graham was super accommodating and suggested we switch to a 3pm seating, even offering a round of shots on the house. Of course, we couldn't skip out on free booze so we took the offer.The restaurant itself is located in Arlington, DC, and while it has a large, impressive staircase to enter, it's definitely a bit scary when you're tipsy and trying to leave. As for parking, there isn't a nearby garage, and I spent about 45 minutes searching for street parking, so I recommend taking an uber or the metro if you're planning to visit.Inside, it feels super festive with a colorful decorations and a live DJ. However, the bathroom situation was a little odd. One of the restroom doors was missing a handle/lock, and the men's urinal area had no privacy doors, which was definitely an unusual...Food wise- there was nothing that stood out to me or had a "wow" factor. Overall, great service and a fun atmosphere; we had a great time, but I probably wouldn't come back."

Gringos & Mariachis

★★★★☆ 3.8 (361) • $$

"Sometimes, the best decisions are made on the spot. We tried to get into another restaurant and when they had a long wait, we tried Gringos and Mariachis. Did you know that Gringos and Mariachis had a great brunch menu? Well, they do and it was terrific. We started off with complimentary chips and salsa. It was really tasty. We ordered the duck avocado toast and it was delicious. The duck was tender and lots of creamy fresh avocado on top of crunchy toast. We also ordered the churro French toast. The churro french toast had drizzles of warm chocolate and whipped cream. You can taste the warm spices in the waffle batter and it was amazing! I had a mimosa that was very good. My friend ordered the strawberry limeade and that was spectacular with strawberry puree and lime juice. Service was great. Our waitress was very accommodating and my friend even ordered dinner to take home because of the bad weather forecast. The place is decorated with stunning murals, a large bar area, and comfortable tables. I loved their brunch menu and I can't wait to return."

Wild Tacoz

★★★★★ 4.6 (228) • $$

"Located along South Washington Street in a small center next to Italian Cafe, this place offers a fusion of both Greek and Mexican cuisine. From the moment we stepped in to the restaurant, we were greeted with a warm friendly smile. The service was top-notch and very helpful as they explained all the options on the menu (if this is your first time here). There are a few tables to dine-in with a pleasant ambiance. The service is quick and the food was prepared fresh. We opted for the Mexican-style quesadilla and tacos, which were both delicious! Parking is available and limited in the center as it is shared with the surrounding businesses. A great neighborhood dining experience and will definitely be back again. Enjoy!"

TaKorean Korean Taco Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (288) • $$

"TaKorean has become one of my go-to spots for a quick lunch in Navy Yard. It's a great location for a fast, health-minded lunch with friends or coworkers. The format is styled like a Chipotle restaurant--you pick your style of meal, your protein, bases, sides, and sauces--with plenty of options. The flavors draw from Korean cuisine and include options like bulgogi and kimchi. Vegetarian options are available, and I really enjoyed the tofu on my latest visit. Service tends to be fast, even when the line is long. Prices are reasonable for the sizable and filling portions. There are also a few tables for indoor and outdoor seating. TaKorean is worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood."

Irish Channel Restaurant & Pub

★★★★☆ 3.8 (279) • $$

"We decided we wanted something from one of the Irish Pubs we saw around Washington, DC. I really wanted a Smithwick's draft and everything else would be a bonus. We decided Irish Channel was the closest and had decent reviews so we stopped in and ordered a couple of beers and a Reuben sandwich. Overall, it was a decent sandwich, not bad but nothing to write home about. The service was okay, but it felt like we were a burden until it came time for our check, then it was cheerful and helpful. If you're staying in the attached hotel, it would be a good option for a quick meal and a beer. If you want something similar to what you had when you visited Ireland, keep looking. It's an Irish Pub in name only. For a neighborhood bar it's great I would be here at least once a week if I lived in the area. But adding one Guinness option, Smithwick's and a couple of dishes does not make it what I thought it would be, which is on me and that's okay."

Chaia

★★★★☆ 4.4 (198)

"I've been here before for a Yelp event quite some time ago now, but haven't been back. Clocking in some steps on my lunch break, I ran into Chaia. I'm so glad to see this business is still here and thriving. At the time, DC seemed a bit inundated with tacos after the cupcake craze... But guess who's here for tacos and plant based options now? Who always thinks it's tacomagarita o'clock? *Raises hand* Everything was a great combination of flavors and textures. The coconut based drink I had was tasty. I can't recall each taco name, but just know that I chose options with my fingers crossed and my taste buds were elated. I'll be returning soon!"

Taqueria Cancun

★★★★☆ 4.4 (196) • $

"Here is what you need to know- - It's cheap- It's delicious That alone should tell you to stop by. The menu is in Spanish but fear not English only speakers, the staff are incredibly friendly and I highly recommend you get their suggestions. I got a burrito (made the way the woman at the counter recommended) and it was delicious and huge. It's a small place and I'm betting it's always packed but the tables seem to rotate out pretty quickly. The place has a warm and homey feel. Try it ... you will love it."

TaKorean Korean Taco Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (252) • $

"My absolute favorite place in Union Market! I generally order their white rice bowl with chicken and toppings (no extra cost). I like that their chicken is very tender and the level of stickiness for the rice is just on point. Toppings include salsa, gochu-pow sauce (a spicy sauce made from fermented Korean gochujang paste, if you don't eat spicy, exclude this from your toppings), lime crema (a sour cream based topping with lime juice, mirin, and agave), sesame seeds, cilantro, and shallots.I have also tried their add-ons before which include cucumber, piko de Gallo (tomatoes with ginger scallion sauce), pickled daiko radish, avocado, and poached egg. Service is quick and friendly. Despite long lines during lunch hours, I can typically get my food in under 10 minutes. On Tuesdays, you can get 3 tacos for a discount price (I think it's around $8-9 if I remember correctly) and they are equally delicious!"

Far East Taco Grille

★★★★☆ 4.1 (203) • $$

"This place only having 4 stars on yelp is wack. They deserve all the stars. From the lady who took our orders to the customizable meal, we loved every part. Inside has great music, a giant window and plants. There's only about 20 seats but we found a spot to sit with no problem. Bonus points for plain cheese quesadilla for a picky kid. Bonus bonus points for every bite being delicious. Will be back!"

Sin & Grin

★★★★☆ 4.4 (162) • $$

"S&G is one of our two favorite restaurants in the Kentlands, the other being Kenaki. So far we've loved everything about S&G, from the tasty well-prepared reasonably priced tasty dishes (check out the specialsn!) to the well made drinks and the great mix of music, and particularly the friendly, talented staff that brings in a happy crowd of good people."

El Papi Real Street Tacos

★★★★☆ 3.8 (205) • $

"Found myself up the avenue and around the corner shortly before 11am. Finally going to try birria tacos.2nd customer of the day. Placed my order and waited. Not a long await considering, orders are made to order. Cashier was warm and courteous. Employees behind the counter all wore protective masks.I ordered the Patricia's Queso Sample, Carne Asada Quesadilla & a side order of rice. Fulfilling and seasoned to the gods! I could only eat one taco before taking a break. The quesadilla was HUGE. Definitely enough for three servings.I'll be a repeat customer!"

Taqueria Al Lado

★★★★☆ 4 (167) • $$

"The quesabirria and chorizo tacos were slammin. Everything here is gluten free. All around excellent quality of food."

Tequila & Mezcal

★★★★☆ 4.3 (135)

"The service, ambiance and food here were great. And the drinks were awesome. We will be back soon."

Surfside Taco Stand

★★★★☆ 4.2 (141) • $$

"Surf side Wharf was pretty good! My guy recommended it for a nice evening in the city! I ordered the Rio and Cabo San Lucas taco with a lime Jarritos! The tacos were very pricey in my opinion but we were at the Wharf location! The staff was very nice and the food came out quickly! I loved the walk up vibe, it was very cool! There is no seating, so we sat out front in the square! I enjoyed my food and may go back for the ambience alone!!"

Tacos A La Madre

★★★★☆ 4.2 (129) • $

"This is my favorite taco spot at the moment.Ambiance is a quality lunch spot. I imagine you'll only spend 25 minutes in here, out of efficiency. There is plenty of seating, and they generally come out with your food in 6-8 minutes.They have jarritos (soda) to drink, in addition to fresh agua Frescas that they make in house. I really like the Mango and Tamarind, with Hibiscus coming in the #3 spot. 10/10Their birria quesadilla tacos are crispy but tender, have form, and are flavorful. The consommé has a good consistency to it. 10/10The tacos are very fresh. Good meat to tortilla ratio. The onions & cilantro are bring it to another world. Green or mild sauce work with it. Their spicier one (green), is bearable. 10/10Their nacho fries with carne asada are a full meal- they could be your dinner and you'd still have leftovers. Great value, however, I wish the fries itself were a little more seasoned. Other than that, the balance of all the ingredients is A1- it doesn't have the problem that most of these dishes have, which is sogginess. 9/10"

Tacos El Pariente

★★★★☆ 4.4 (116) • $$

"birria tacos are fabulous! Loved the chicharrones were huge! Dishwasher is really cute too! Decor is great! Would love to have artist paint a mural for me!"

Surfside

★★★★☆ 3.6 (145) • $$

"Surfside Tenleytown is a gem. The food is really good, the service we've received has always been great, and you can't beat the beachy Tex Mex ambience. It's a large airy space with garage-style doors that can be rolled up in good weather to essentially turn the entire restaurant into open air dining. There's also a back room for private events and a large patio, which has plastic curtains and heat lamps for colder weather. The menu is all solid, with bright flavors. I loved the Malibu tacos for a vegetarian entree, and the kids' entrees were both sizeable enough to take home for leftovers -- which they happily ate both days. It's family friendly; bustling but not overly loud, good kids menu options, and coloring place mats. There is a parking garage that I think is free for Surfside patrons after 5:00 pm but we've always grabbed street parking pretty easily."

Taco Bamba

★★★★☆ 4 (116) • $$

"This Taco Bambo location in Herndon serves two of the best veggie tacos: the Guru with sweet potatoes and the Spicy Shroom with mushrooms. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible.The service is quick, making it convenient for both dine-in and pickup orders.If you're looking for delicious vegetarian taco options, this place is definitely worth a try."

Muchas Gracias

★★★★☆ 4.3 (98)

"The quality of food alone should make you come here. Their service is the second reason you should come, as they're extremely efficient & friendly. Loved their decor. It has a warm style to it with Mexican touches you'd expect with hanging lanterns & terracotta plants throughout the space which makes it very calm & inviting. It is small & intimate, I would not recommend this for groups larger than 4 people. I had their passionfruit margarita which was so delicious, my husband almost drank it all (he's not into drinks like that but clearly made an exception here). I had their steak tacos which were marinated perfectly & were so tender. My husband had their Mexican fajita which was one of the best things I'd sampled. It is not your typical Tex-Mex American style, it's much better. It had so much flavor with a Smokey finish I almost ordered another one for us to take home. We were so full we didn't make space for dessert, but from the looks of things we missed out on that because what they were serving to all of the other restaurant goers looks delectable. I can't wait to come back & try their ceviche among other dishes that looked so good."

Torchy's Tacos

★★★★☆ 4 (106) • $$

"We had Torchy's for the first time in Austin a few years ago, so we were amazed that they decided on Rockville, MD as one of their newest locations! We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon around 1 pm, and the place was packed. We had a field day with the Damn Good Tacos (we ordered 5), and a side of queso, and rice and beans combo. For the 2 of us I thought it was a good amount. Trailer Park: Honestly my favorite of the 5 but kinda hesitant to say that because it was more like a fried chicken lettuce wrap than a taco you'd order at a Tex Mex joint. The fried chicken was SO MOIST I was a little surprised.Democrat: My next favorite. The beef was SO TENDER yet again and you really get a full mouthful of meat with every bite on this one.Republican/The Hogfather: These were okay, PERSONALLY just not a fan of barbecue sauce/sweet sauces in my tacos. Also didn't love the crispy onions, but that's just me.The Swinger (December special): Pork was cooked to perfection yet again, only comment was that the pieces of pineapple could've been a tad smaller. Wish I got it on a flour instead of the default corn.Hillbilly Queso and Rice and Beans combo: Lots of positive reviews about their queso - we enjoyed it but would've liked mine a TAD thicker. They sure give a LOT of chips with their queso. David liked the rice and beans a lot but I thought it was just average. Overall they do really such a good job on their meats, regardless of what you think about the toppings. Everything was incredibly tender and juicy. Took off 1 star because it took a while to get our food - the table next to us ordered right before us and after they were served at least a good 4-5 other parties got their food even the ones who came after. And by the time we got our food it cold. Would come back and try their burrito and/or bowl!"

Trippy Tacos

★★★★☆ 4.2 (81) • $$

"I wish this place was closer to me because I really loved their Lengua tacos![Food: 4 of 5]Lengua Tacos- 5 of 5.. I mean.. Lengua tacos are my all time favorite tacos. These meat pieces were bigger than what you would typically get at *generic taco shop* - and they were soo juicy. I ordered 2 tacos that came out to a little over $7, to me, that's definitely worth it.Al Pastor Tacos - 1 of 5 - I really did not enjoy this taco at all. And..that's all I'll say about that.Carne Asada con queso - 5 of 5- I have never had flour tortilla tacos served with cheese! I honestly was taken aback when they asked if I wanted this with cheese or not. Eaten fresh, it's super toasty with the cheese melting and oozing. Even when we let the taco sit there for awhile and cheese had hardened, it still tasted so good.Pupusas con friojles y queso- 5 of 5 - The pupusas was nice and hot- The pupusa was over filled with beans (not that I'm complaining) - I wish the sauces given were spicy or had a kick (I love spicy). The pickled vegetables for the pupusas were fresh and tangy, paired very will with thier pupusa.Drinks: I did not get their frescas but they offered tamarind, horchata and... one more flavor but I can't remember.They had a large variety of sodas in their cooler, including Pepsi Zero products which I thought were awesome.[Service: 5 of 5]The person who helped us at the register was so friendly and helpful.He let us know about the Taco Tuesday deals and offered ice to us with our soda since it wasn't cold. [Ambiance: 3.5 of 5?] The place was very small, like maybe it was a mom and pop shop? It was just the kitchen and then 1 small table for 2 and a bar along the window with some stools. The place did not have a public bathroom (which kind of sucked for me, because I drove over an hour to come here and reeally needed to use it). There was no music playing when I went, so it was kind of nice just listening to the hussle and bussle of the stoves, and the chitter chatter of the guests at the restaurants. I hope to one day venture out to this part of MD again so that I could try "the best nachos in MD" and to get some more lengua tacos!"

Taco Bamba

★★★★☆ 4.2 (79) • $$

"First time visiting on Memorial Day and it wasn't crowded. That was good for me because I got to talk to a staff member and get some great recommendations. She took her time, went over the menu with me and I was happy with my choices. The restaurant itself is not that big but there is a nice space for dining in, and it's a casual atmosphere. My order:Tinga taco Al Pastor tacoTaco Bamba**all of my tacos were good. The portions and flavors were to my satisfaction. Black beans and rice - didn't like. Mango drink - made in house. Sweet and very refreshing. I put it on the freezer to get it really cold and enjoyed it. Total came to around $23"

El Pollo Sabroso

★★★★☆ 3.6 (107) • $

"One street off the main drag and a few storefronts down is this underappreciated gem. Most everyone seems to come here to order the roast chicken. Personally, I was hoping for pollo saltado but they don't serve it and so I settled on the chicken and chorizo combination plate instead. This was one of those times when Plan B turned out even better!The chicken was good, tender, nicely seasoned, juicy...but the CHORIZO was the real star! If you know Mexican or even Portuguese style chorizo, you'll have to erase that from your thinking. This chorizo is made of seasoned ground pork (?) split lengthwise and grilled to perfection. It's much leaner and not cured. It was delicious! I'd return just for this dish."

Taqueria Distrito Federal

★★★★☆ 3.8 (92) • $

"Delicious! I had Al Pastor, Pollo & Carne Asada tacos. All were tasty but my fave were the Al Pastor. The tacos are so affordable $3-$3.50/each and loaded with meat.Wash it all down with a Mexican coca-cola, and you are golden. I will be back!"

Talkin' Tacos Washington DC

★★★★★ 4.5 (60)

"Definitely a vibe. I stopped by after happy hour to grab dinner and I was not disappointed! I got the steak burrito and it was the Takis inside that did it for me. I ordered on a kiosk and food was ready in about 15 minutes. It was full of people but service was still fairly fast. I work in the area so I am looking forward to returning to try more on the menu!"

Shawarma Taco

★★★★★ 4.7 (54)

"Wanted to try something new. Off the path of what my kids usually eat. I decided to try this place since my kids have taken a liking to tacos. The chicken was really good. The beef, the kids didn't take a liking to. I think the seasoning was a bit off for them. The sauce was pretty good to me. Portion sizes were huge and very filling. The meat was overflowing. Everything was made to order, so it came out super hot. The service was great. It is so kind and helpful. The seating area was a bit small, but it worked because we went during a weekday, so it wasn't too crowded. It's definitely worth a try if you're in the area and want something a but different."

Kokee Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (75) • $

"Located on the 2nd floor of the old Springfield Mall currently Springfield Center I think???? Anyways ordered a Beef Bulgogi taco it was amazing.. added kimchi, pico, cilantro and cabbage with soy garlic sauce, that first bite was incredible! Then ordered a half cheese and half sausage corn dog... so glad I did because it was also amazing with the soy and garlic sauce! Even with the surprise I got when I realized the sausage was actually a Vienna Weeny... but it works it was good!The young lady working the counter was so friendly and willing to help with any questions great customer service! Def recommend this for a quick delicious snack or meal...."

Banditos Tacos & Tequila Fairfax

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (96) • $$

"We like to come here every once in a while as a fun not too casual not too fancy place to get a sit down meal. Given it's next to another taco establishment the tacos are a cut below but sometimes you want to eat out and sit comfortably. The service has been fine and plenty of space. There are kids meals. The last time we went on a Wednesday (with free kids meal!) there was musical bingo and it was pretty entertaining.My favorite thing was the jalapeños popper empanadas. Not a fan of the K-pop taco. Nothing else was super memorable. Churros ok and available with chocolate sauce. Perfectly fine place to eat with family and friends."