2. Tacos Por Favor
8.5
1408 Olympic Blvd (at 14th St.), Santa Monica, CA
Taco Restaurant · 128 tips and reviews
Selina: My favorites so far are the tacos (obviously) and the green chicken enchiladas. Mmmm
KT Lai: Such a hole-in-the-wall gem and It's clean! I'm all about crunchy tacos and hands down, one of the best crunchy fried fish tacos I've had in awhile.
Josef Szotten: Lovely tacos. No frills though. Just tacos straight up and down. Go for the Mahi Mahi tacos. You won't be disappointed.
3. La Playita
8.4
3306 Lincoln Blvd (at Ozone Ave.), Santa Monica, CA
Taco Restaurant · Ocean Park · 27 tips and reviews
Matt Cadle: tacos are a must... the best in town
Love C.: Cheap and delicious shrimp burritos, carne asada tacos, shimp ceviche and tostada... And 2 or 3 homeless guys waiting for handouts... Fair trade off.
Julius Weil: Shrimp cocktail , shrimp tacos. Best tacos in Santa Monica/Venice you can totally do dinner for under$10. Great food as real as it gets. Leave a tip.
4. Gilbert's El Indio
8.5
2526 Pico Blvd (26th street), Santa Monica, CA
Mexican Restaurant · 69 tips and reviews
Mallory Maske: A margarita on the rocks with salt and carnitas soft tacos can't be beat! Cash only.
R Williams: Cash only but ATM on site. Excellent food at a place they learn your name. Shredded beef tacos and carnitas super burritos are delicious. Ask for diablo sauce if you like very spicy salsa.
Sammy Dee: Gilbert’s is the best. You can’t go wrong. Great house marg, crispy shell tacos and delicious rice/beans. Don’t miss the albondigas soup! Great chips/salsa - star of a place
5. Mercado
8.3
1416 4th St (at Santa Monica Blvd), Santa Monica, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 82 tips and reviews
Dalit Troyce: Everything is amazing. Try the choriquezo and the shrimp tacos!
Gregory R: Many great items: choriqueso, duo dip, carnitas, fish tacos. Went in a group of 9. had an upstairs table. The food was outstanding. Service excellent. Would go back again and again.
Lauren Foster: The sea bass taco is amazing as is everything else. Jalapeño margarita is a must try.
7. True Food Kitchen
8.9
395 Santa Monica Pl Suite 172, Santa Monica, CA
New American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 263 tips and reviews
Melanie Y: Alaskan halibut tacos are delicious!
Dëva Holik: On weekends they serve breakfast later. Try the quinoa pan cakes or market scramble. During the week the fish tacos are great. Try the edamame dumplings daily soup or one of their custom drinks
VEEV Spirits: Don't miss the Grapefruit Mojitos at True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica! Plus the street tacos are out of this world good, and amazingly healthy.
10. Upper West
8.3
3321 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
American Restaurant · 87 tips and reviews
Mad Pat: Get the ahi tacos appetizer then the pork chops. Yummmy.
Naz Hash: Carpaccio, burrata, ahi tuna tacos, filet mignon, grilled cheese...wow!
Elle Cameron: Ahi taco appetizer, duck meatballs, & Giselle crab cake are yummy! Also the watermelon mojito is delish if you like sweeter tropical drinks.