Washington, DC
For Tacos in Washington, the local food press points to La Tejana, Taco Bamba City Ridge, and Taqueria Habanero. Picks from Washingtonian, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Washingtonian. Updated July 2026.
La Tejana · Mount Pleasant
Washingtonian 2025 readers' #1 tacos. The Mount Pleasant breakfast-taco shop that's become DC's consensus taco pick.
Taco Bamba City Ridge · Penn Quarter
Washingtonian 2025 readers' #2 tacos. Chef Victor Albisu's multi-location taqueria with outposts across the DC metro.
Taqueria Habanero · Columbia Heights
Washingtonian 2025 readers' #3 tacos. The Puebla-rooted kitchen anchoring Columbia Heights, Edgewood, and College Park.
Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana · Columbia Heights
A laid-back spot from chef siblings Jessica and Alfredo Solis, known for a molcajete platter that piles steak, shrimp, chicken, and queso fundido into a stone mortar as a shareable protein spread. The tacos hold their own, but the molcajete is the dish regulars come back for, backed by a mezcal-forward bar.
Tacos a la Madre - College Park
A family-run taqueria that started as a pandemic pop-up, now known for birria and carne asada plus quesotacos: tortillas lined with cheese, filled with braised beef, griddled crisp, and served with a mahogany dipping broth. Family members run every station, and the line often stretches to the door.
What’s your #1 Tacos in Washington, DC?
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