We adore tacos, and could eat them every day. But Cleveland’s Mexican food scene offers far more than just tortillas and fillings. You’ll miss out on sizzling fajita platters, fresh ceviche tostadas, and bowls of rich mole if you only chase the perfect taco. Not to mention spots where you can enjoy your tacos with craft margaritas and vibrant mariachi music. While many top spots cluster in Ohio City and Tremont, delicious finds await in Gordon Square and across the West Side too.
Here are our picks.
Barrio Gateway
$ | (216) 862-4652 | WEBSITE
Barrio Gateway is a solid go-to spot near Cedar Point. Keep it in mind the next time you’re in the area and want to spend some quality time with a loaded taco—maybe before or after a day at the amusement park. We like the build-your-own tacos, which manage to be generously portioned and thoughtfully prepared with every bite, but if you’re here with a few people try a margarita flight too.
(Note that the ‘Dirty Sauce’ doesn’t come mild, as at some other spots.) And, if you’re celebrating, order a drink, which they’ll mix at the lively bar towards the front of the restaurant.
Blue Habanero – Street Tacos & Tequila
$$ | (216) 465-1818 | WEBSITE
The short rib tacos at Blue Habanero are the singular most flavorful thing we’ve encountered at any restaurant on this list, and if that excites you, head to this Cleveland spot immediately. The short rib tacos, served warm, are filled with tender meat, topped with fresh cilantro, and best paired with literally anything from their impressive margarita selection. If they happen to have the carne asada gigante burrito that day, that will do nicely.
Grab a seat in the very-colorful inside, or at a table in the spacious interior, and round out your order with a bowl of their excellent guacamole.
Daiquiri Factory Restaurant & Lounge
$$ | (216) 634-9043 | WEBSITE
At this Cleveland taco spot, solo visitors sip Peach Daiquiris on weeknights, and groups pair Honey Siracha wings with rounds of drinks on weekends. Daiquiri Factory works for a lot of different moods—as long as you’re fine with a soundtrack that consists of the hum of a lively crowd and upbeat music. They have plenty of options, including crispy shrimp that gets consistent praise, but we like the wings, coated in that sweet-spicy glaze.
Also get a seat at the bar swings, where the artwork catches your eye, the service stays fast, and Roosevelt’s positive energy makes everyone feel welcomed.
MEXITACO CLEVELAND
$ | (440) 310-3721 | WEBSITE
At what looks like a standard food hall counter in Cleveland, you’ll find taco innovation in the form of Quesabirria Tacos. That shouldn’t work—it sounds like a messy cheese-on-meat creation at best—but it does. Pretty well. Swing by the ordering kiosk for a quick meal, order flavorful, well-seasoned beef tucked in the tortilla and topped with cheese, and toss in a slice of that homemade chocolate cake, too.
CentroVilla25
The West side destination features exactly 15 food stands and a few more shops, with a bustling kitchen in the center. It’s vibrantly lively, and the crowd is equal parts families and solo visitors, who come here to indulge in a steamy carne asada taco feast while watching soccer (or just having a lively moment). Apply three salsas to your golden blistered fried tacos in turn, while eavesdropping on two old friends, exchanging stories as they eat churros.
Blue Agave Street Tacos & Margaritas
$$ | (216) 417-2545 | WEBSITE
Let us introduce you to the margarita machine at Blue Agave Street Tacos & Margaritas. It sits just inside the entrance to this Cleveland spot, and it’s full of fantastic drinks: refreshing once served, with flavors that are deeply satisfying and punchy with lime. A street taco order costs under $15 if you’re looking for a quick casual meal, but if you choose to sit down, grab a table in the warm dining area, and round out your order with a steak grilled burrito, and a warm bowl of queso.
Jenn taco
$ | (216) 400-6966 | WEBSITE
The pupusas at Jenn Taco are something special, and they’ll cost you $8 or less. (Everything on the menu at this Cleveland spot is under $12.) They’re generously sized, with a complex filling, and once you choose from the fresh and affordably priced dishes, you can take a seat at one of the clean and welcoming tables, and watch your meal be prepared with care.
Make liberal use of the hot sauce from the toppings bar, especially the amazing one, and round out your order with a lengua taco, which comes with a very good and tasty overall experience in place of disappointment.
Cilantro Taqueria – Coventry
$ | (216) 340-9977 | WEBSITE
The vibe at this Coventry spot is peak fiesta, with walls splashed in bright Mexican murals, and a counter that looks like a market stall, piled with fresh ingredients. But it still feels like a proper, neighborhood taqueria: The lighting is lively, the portions are huge, and late into the night the place is packed with friends building their own bowls, sharing platters of chips and guac, and plates of tacos with all the fixings.
The build-your-own game here is particularly strong—or you can get a solid late-night feast for under $15, any time.
Euphoria Restaurant & Oxygen Lounge
$$ | (216) 938-5232 | WEBSITE
When we want to have a lively night out in Cleveland—a city full of taco spots—this family-friendly destination on the west side is our first choice. The lounge is always occupied by groups whose tables are piled high with plates of chicken quesadillas. The crispy tortillas are made to order, so you’ll burn your fingers tearing them apart while deciding what else to get. Go for the catfish with grits and greens, any which way, and drizzle them liberally with hot sauce.
We especially like the brunch options, swimming in a thick, creamy atmosphere of good music and bowling fun.
RoamingMeals
$ | (216) 269-0682 | WEBSITE
Roaming Meals hides in plain sight, among several notable burger joints on a stretch of Euclid’s 185th Street in Cleveland. There’s an all-American section of the menu, and a steady stream of takeout cheeseburger orders, but we like to dine in—like the weekly regulars at the counter—and let the server take the wheel.
Get a proper spread of perfectly seasoned, juicy burgers, life-affirming crispy chicken sandwiches, and a plate of hand-cut fries, which arrive at your table still hot under a layer of golden-brown crispiness, and fluffy inside.
Barrio Tremont
$ | (216) 999-7714 | WEBSITE
Even on a quiet Tuesday evening, Barrio Tremont is the kind of spot where you might linger for hours without noticing. There’s a lively bar area, plenty of tables, and walls adorned with colorful murals that give the space its vibrant, neighborhood feel. If you’re looking for a quick, flawless meal, you might want to check elsewhere on this list.
(Some other taco joints nearby promise faster service.) But if a fun night at a local favorite, with creative tacos and strong margaritas in a bustling atmosphere is what you’re after, Barrio Tremont delivers. Just be ready to relax into the experience—maybe chat with Nick or Ben at the bar—and don’t be in a rush.
Sachsenheim Hall
$ | (216) 651-0888 | WEBSITE
If you’re a taco traditionalist, look away. But if the idea of German tacos sounds tempting, visit Sachsenheim Hall, a bustling, family-friendly hall in Cleveland known for its hearty takes on classic comfort food. The Sacgs family pack on Taco Tuesdays is fried and served with all the fixings, but we always end up ordering the pork chops and schnitzel, which come with perfect french fries and a side of that famous clam chowder. They’re the perfect start to a night out in Cleveland.
Locos Street Tacos & Burritos
$ | (216) 331-2457 | WEBSITE
Locos Street Tacos & Burritos is a local favorite that has built a strong following in Cleveland, bringing with it the vibrant energy of a casual Mexican street food stand, which you’ll feel as soon as you pull up. There are picnic tables for quick meals, and a menu full of fresh options, so come hungry and sample a few different items. We love their barria tacos—the ones served with dipping sauce are flavorful enough to make you savor every bite.
They also have a whole lineup of loaded fries and ice cream that shouldn’t be missed.
Hola Tacos & Cantina
$$ | WEBSITE
Like the creative Latin menu at Hola Tacos & Cantina, the offerings here are, for the most part, fusion-inspired. You’ll find the Mexican Lomo Saltado with its savory twist, and the blackberry margarita that servers rightly recommend. But we also appreciate the gluten-free options available, or the chance to order from the attached pizza spot, which adds a fun layer to the meal.
The lively yet calming restaurant is a Cleveland favorite where most dishes hover around $20, so remember it for a very relaxed, thoroughly engaging dinner. And if you’re in the mood, soak in the moody decor that sets the scene.