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Taco-bout Tasty Tacos in Houston

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable Team
Updated 28 January 2020

Houston has a bold Texas spirit, famous for its world-class arts scene, booming businesses and professional sports. In recent years, Houston has experienced a renaissance of Mexican cuisine. The flavors of Texas barbecue and local seafood mix add a spin twist to traditional enchiladas, tamales and, of course, tacos. From Tex-Mex classics to traditional Mexican treasures, we've got the low-down on all the best tacos in town. But where can Tex-Mex fanatics find the best tacos in Houston? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Our team of expert diners has tried every soft tortilla or crispy shell across town to create this unique list of top offerings. Book tonight for the best tacos in Houston.

A photo of La Lucha restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1420)
$30 and under
Seafood
Heights / Washington
About the restaurant
There’s a certain buzz around this popular Houston Heights restaurant. Black leather, wood, and greenery lend an old school feel, and the menu is also full of classics, yet the overall effect is fresh and modern. A select wine list, Southern favorites, plus some of the best tacos in Houston make La Lucha a neighborhood mainstay. Crispy shrimp tacos are the dish to order, also known as the La Lucha Late Night Treat. The combo of shrimp, spicy chile and American cheese is quite something.
Top review
Shunte’
Dined 4 days ago
First time here, the food was great! My server was not the best but I will be going back. Maybe it was an off day for her. Back to the food, I went there for the fried chicken and it did NOT disappoint me. It was fresh and hot just the way I like it.
A photo of State of Grace restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3431)
$31 to $50
Contemporary Southern
River Oaks
About the restaurant
State of Grace manages to combine nostalgia and the modern in equal measure. Polished and upmarket inside, it still has a certain retro air to it, like a really cool museum. The menu takes influences from all over the world, with dishes ranging from chicken and sausage gumbo to gnocchi with lamb ragu. The taco? Ask for the Duck Carnitas. This is a sharing plate of tortillas, meat which just falls apart, and Mexican mole. Take a friend- there’s too much for just one person!
Top review
MarkVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent service/delicious food/great night! Definitely recommended!
A photo of Nobu Houston restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1638)
$50 and over
Cocktail Bar
Galleria / Uptown
About the restaurant
Uptown’s Nobu is a Japanese restaurant filled with traditional flavor in a sparkling contemporary space. The Nobu brand is famous worldwide, and Houston’s venue doesn’t let fans of the Matsuhisa empire down. The “Nobu Style” sashimi tacos are availble on most Nobu menus- for a very good reason. These seafood spectaculars are a massive hit. Tuna, battered white fish, and lobster all get the Nobu treatment, in tiny but tantalizing taco shells with big flavors.
Top review
Eulen
Dined 4 days ago
The food, service and atmosphere are excellent. However, it is a pricey experience!
A photo of ARMANDOS restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1087)
$31 to $50
Mexican
River Oaks
About the restaurant
Westheimer Road is full of top eateries, yet some continue to stand out from the rest, year after year. Armandos has been a Houston favorite since 1978, and has the feel and flavor of old-school Mexico City. There’s a range of tacos on the menu, from tacos al carbon to crispy ground beef. For something truly different, order the tuna tartare tacos on the appetizer menu. Delicate, raw tuna with creamy avocado and a hit of sriracha- not the average taco.
Top review
gregory
Dined 4 days ago
Service was fantastic , food was excellent I know for a fact I am coming back
A photo of Eloise Nichols Grill + Liquors restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1135)
$30 and under
American
Galleria / Uptown
About the restaurant
Head Uptown and just a little north of the main stretch of Westheimer and discover the vintage-styled delights of Eloise Nichols. Family run, the name is for their grandmother- allegedly a “no-nonsense” woman. That’s the ethos of the menu here: thoughtful, simple and flavorful, with no pretentions. Grilled fish tacos are one offering, made with whatever the catch of the day is. Plus, early risers can choose from not one but two types of breakfast taco- chorizo, or onions and red bell peppers. Always full of flavor.
Top review
Stephen
Dined 4 days ago
We truly enjoyed ourselves. The food was superb and the service crisps and kind. It’s a Safe environment with great natural lighting, conveniently priced. See you guys soon!
A photo of True Food Kitchen - Houston restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1450)
$30 and under
American
Galleria / Uptown
About the restaurant
Eco-chic is definitely becoming cool. Seasonal eating, sustainable eating; these aren’t just buzzwords anymore and True Food Kitchen has taken that to heart. Their menu is all about food positivity, supporting local producers and healthy living. This includes tacos made from grass-fed steak, with corn and coconut, or their grilled fish tacos with a creamy yet sharp avocado tomatillo salsa. Good food with a clear conscience.
Top review
Colin
Dined 4 days ago
Went for brunch. The food was fresh and delicious and the menu had wonderful takes on my favorite vegetable forward, whole food dishes . Food was a bit salty but could have been a 1 off and obviously this is a subjective assessment. I’d honor per week if I lived close by.
A photo of Arnaldo Richards' Picos restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1301)
$31 to $50
Regional Mexican
Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor
About the restaurant
Tex-Mex is great, but when the soul calls for some real authentic Mexican food, that’s when it’s time to head to Arnaldo Richards’ Picos. A third-generation restaurateur, Richards was learning his grandmother’s Mexican recipes by the tender age of 14. At this Southwest Houston restaurant, he aims to teach Texans all about real Mexican food, including some of the best tacos in town. Ask for the famous Chilorios: slow roasted pulled pork, avocado and pico de gallo. Don’t leave without trying a house margarita.
Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 4 days ago
What a beautiful evening.. music was amazing..food always delicious!!
A photo of Blanco Cocina + Cantina – Houston restaurant
4.5
4.5 (517)
$30 and under
Mexican
Galleria / Uptown
About the restaurant
It’s all in the name: This is where to come for the finest tequila and best tacos in Houston. Guests can indulge in flights of tequila to taste them all, plus a menu of food that blends the best of Mexican and Texan influences. The taco menu is out of this world: grilled fish or shrimp, pork or carne asada, plus grilled avocado with a fresh and spicy yogurt drizzle. There truly is something for everyone here.
Top review
Glenn
Dined 7 days ago
Excellent service and very tasty food! Glad we were seated in back area (near mall entrance) where noise levels were lower.
A photo of Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina - Memorial restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1323)
$30 and under
Tex-Mex
Westside
About the restaurant
Goode Company has a few restaurants across the region, but this Kitchen and Cantina close to memorial is all about the blend of influences the family has come across over the years. There are dishes that speak of traditional taquerias, Tex-Mex classics, plus a range of Texan seafood. Tuck into some of the best tacos in Houston, including marinated redfish, carbon beef, and crispy beef, all served with a range of other Mexican favorites.
Top review
RobVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Great business team luncheon today with 15 in attendance! Jessica, our table captain, took great care of us. Everything came out perfect and on time. Excellent service. Food was excellent. Appetizers, entrees, desserts, etc. I had the Redfish on the Half-shell and it was excellent. Was very loud, but we expected that. At least we were in a corner of the restaurant and the luncheon worked out well. Will return! Well done!
A photo of Ouisie's Table restaurant
4.8
4.8 (4816)
$30 and under
American
Galleria / Uptown
About the restaurant
River Oaks locals know that Ousie’s is the place to go for traditional Southern food. Since 1973 the restaurant has been serving up shrimp and grits and fried chicken made with passion and style. Today, the only thing that’s changed is that Ousie’s is even more popular, with offerings to suit everyone. This includes a diverse breakfast menu with some of the best breakfast tacos in Houston. The blend of soft eggs, caramelized onion and melting cheese is the perfect way to start any day.
Top review
Al
Dined 2 days ago
A late lunch for four. As always, attentive service and a good crab salad for lunch. Crepes only ordinary. Fine ambience for a good talk with friends.
A photo of Willie G's restaurant
4.5
4.5 (3849)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Galleria / Uptown
About the restaurant
Willie G’s is West Loop South premier seafood destination. For nearly four decades, they’ve been the place to go for fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, plus a range of fresh fish broiled, roasted and seared. Willie G’s is always worth a visit but it makes it onto our list thanks to the supreme blackened fish tacos. Guests just can’t get enough of the combo of fish, crisp radish and creamy aioli. Sublime.
Top review
SHARON
Dined 4 days ago
Overall really enjoyed. It was a little too dark. Food was ok good.
A photo of Saltillo Mexican Kitchen restaurant
4.7
4.7 (474)
$50 and over
Traditional Mexican
Bellaire
About the restaurant
A regular sight on lists of top Houston restaurants, Saltillo might be a tiny space but it's full of massive flavors. Cozy and welcoming, Saltillo is as filling for the soul as it is for the stomach. The menu is full of authentic Mexican flair, from pollo con chilaquiles to enchiladas verdes with the house green sauce. Start with the trio of tacos, a symphony of prime sirloin, pork in that same green sauce, and rich smoked brisket. A great way to try a range of flavors.
Top review
John
Dined on 27 Sept 2024
When you want to splurge with friends or family, order the tapa de Loma for the finest cut of beef. As good as anywhere in Houston and outside of Saltillo Mexico. Other cuts are also good. Love to get the enchiladas for lunch. Ask about the wine selections. Good values from Mexico. Truly a neighborhood gem.
A photo of Irma's Southwest restaurant
4.8
4.8 (708)
$31 to $50
Mexican / Southwestern
Downtown
About the restaurant
Irma’s promises Texas cuisine with Mexican Spirit, the ethos of original Irma’s founder Irma Galvan. This combined with stellar service, a neighborly feel, and a comfortable and casual dining area make Irma’s Southwest a firm favorite with locals and visitors alike. Keep an eye out for the barbocoa style tacos with their soft meat, plus the shrimp tacos are always a big hit too.
Top review
Ebony
Dined 4 days ago
The food was extremely flavorful, particularly the sea bass! Post dinner espresso with an orange peel to set it off made for a delightful caffeinated treat!
A photo of Cyclone Anaya's - Rice Village restaurant
4.2
4.2 (357)
$30 and under
Tex-Mex
Rice Village
About the restaurant
Started by a former famous professional Mexican wrestler, Cyclone Anaya’s is definitely a heavyweight when it comes to Tex-Mex cuisine. Lobster enchiladas with chardonnay cream sauce, peppers stuffed with chicken and Mexican cheese, and house tamales are just some of the favorites on this exciting menu. Tacos include the ever-popular Tacos al Carbon with charcoal cooked meat, and the crispy beef- a hit with taco fans of all ages.
Top review
ChristaVIP
Dined on 2 Feb 2025
Really good food and wait staff. The outdoor seating is nice!
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