Michelin rated, warm and intimate setting, top tier quality Mexican food cooked to absolute perfection, scrumptious mezcal cocktails, impeccable attention to detail and service?! Yes please! They even brought me a blanket when it got chilly! Superb ??
Chris Roberts
I really enjoyed everything. I’ve been to many restaurants in Mexico. The food is very authentic with a Michelin star quality twist. The pork belly and fish tacos I recommend. The cornbread is also good. I have been to a few Michelin star restaurants in the area. This beat out a few other Michelin star restaurants. The service was also very good. Everyone was very attentive. The chef came out and greeted a customer too. I would recommend coming here for a unique experience.
Bonnie Cuthbert
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been lucky enough to go several times and it's always a pleasure. The menu changes more now than it used to, but there are a few classic staples: the smoked fish taco and the mole (hasn't been there for my last couple visits). They've had a rotating tostada the last few visits and they're pretty amazing. And they usually start you off with an off menu snack or amuse bouche.Lately I've been in love with their tocino. My last meal had an incredible corn bread, a cod dish, and a Panna cotta.The wine pairings are great - they have fun, interesting wines and they give great recommendations. For non-drinkers, their agua Fresca is absolutely delicious. They used to end the meal with an amazing atole (I want it in my life all the time).
Kyle Thompson
It's easy to understand why Chef Carlos Salgado has accumulated so many culinary accolades and why Taco Maria is Michelin rated. He does it right, blending, culture and taste with artistry.The food, the service and wine pairing for each course of the Prix Fixe was exceptional. Treat yourself to a dinner at Taco Maria and you'll thank yourself for the experience.
Christina Tsai
Wait for two months to try out one star michelin restaurant but very disappointed.I don't know why my dishes didn't look like the one post on Google Maps. Test very simple.
Brock Lewis
Wow! I am blown away at the dinner I had at Taco Maria. Everything from the food to service was exceptional. Here is a breakdown of the food:1st Course: Callo GratinadoThis was a dish unlike anything I've ever had. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the squid ink breadcrumbs were the perfect touch.2nd Course: PescadillaThis was my top dish of the night! The smoked albacore was insanely delicious, I wanted to order more of this taco. The blue corn tortilla was perfectly crisp yet chewy. The accompanying salsa added to the overall smokiness of the taco.3rd Course: Gallina PintadaThis was a course I wasn't sure about when I ordered it. I have never had Guinea hen before so I wasn't sure what to expect. The meat was perfectly cooked and the star of the dish was the sauce. It was one of the best sauces I've ever had. In addition to the plate they bring your fresh blue corn tortillas, cilantro, avocado, and chili oil to build tacos out of it which I did!4th Course: Cremoso de CitricosThe dessert I chose was the panna cotta. I've never had a panna cotta so light and refreshing. It wasn't heavy and thick like other panna cottas I've had it was more like a whipped topping. A fantastic way to end the meal.Other notable experiences were getting to sit at the counter to have a close up view of the food being prepared. Lucky for us Chef Carlos Salgado was in the house. It was an honor to watch him at work meticulously checking every single dish that went out. It's no wonder why Taco Maria earned a Michelin star and is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Southern California!Vegetarian options: They are very flexible with the menu to accommodate any dietary restrictions.Parking: Plenty of spots
Anna Kaledina
Excellent service, super tasty cuisine with Mexican-fusion mix.The only minus it’s a small place for 3 tables, so they use the terrace and keep it open what's makes it too cold inside During an hour of dinner, I completely froze without taking off my jacket, so dress warmly for this place.
Aaron C.
This place was amazing! There was a lot of hype going in so we definitely had our hopes up and weren't disappointed. We do not eat meat or shellfish so we had to stick with the vegan/vegetarian friendly options on the 4 course menu. We loved it all. Can't wait to come back! (Old review so don't remember the names of everything we had)
Samantha T.
The food was what you would expect from a Michelin star restaurant. The service was great, all the waiting staff were friendly and our server did an amazing job with remembering the many food allergies from one of the people in my party. The ambiance was not too loud and not too quiet. It was a perfect night of delicious food, good drinks and great company. The restaurant not only has impeccable food the cleanliness of the inside was near spotless. A VERY big deal to me amongst the quality of food when I dine out. I can't wait to return for when they change the menu.
Kat K.
Was here for a friend birthday dinner and the experience is quite impeccable. Reservations are made by calling them and through their third party website. I believe for reservation over 4, you have to opt for the patio section. Which is fine as they have outdoor heaters so it wasn't too cold. We each got the preset menu which includes 4 courses meal: 2 appetizers , 1 entree and 1 dessert. They also served us a complimentary bread with a savory sauce , not sure what it was called. The ensalade verde was made with green tomatoe and yogurt. Most of us got the carne apache which was dry aged rib eye served in a toastado. This is was very good. The second appetizers was coctel capachaano and pescadillo. The coctel was made with raw/lightly cooked seafood: shrimp, geoduck, and scallop served with fresh tomatoes, avocado. The presentation of this dish is really pretty since everything was placed in a see through container . For the main entree it was the pork belly (Tocino) or gallina. The pork belly dish was super fattening but very flavorful. The gallina was a type of smoke fish: habanero. To finish our night we were served with the cream cheese cake and the melon sorbet. Both were awesome and not too sweet .
Tooooo pretty to eat....dinner was absolutely perfect! Detail was not spared in presentation, as well as the flavors, and the service. Simply a must try!!
Jenine G.
Honestly, what a great meal. Taco Maria was such an experience, and with it being a Michelin restaurant, it definitely lived up to the hype. All the dishes we had were crafted so well, and the flavors were magnificent. The purple tortillas were so authentic. My boyfriend was so overjoyed, because we just went to Mexico a couple weeks before our trip to Taco Maria, and how the tortillas smelled and tasted were exactly like how they were made in Mexico. Amazing. I wish I took a picture of the menu, so I can't tell you what we had specifically, but just go. Try it, and experience it. 10/10. All worth :)
Keren Z.
I used to love this place when they had the original menu, coming to lunch here weekly was a treat. But today I was extremely under whelmed with their salty dishes & pricing. I wish they stuck to their original menu so disappointed!
Caitlin K.
Food was delicious and beautiful, service was great. Really liked the dessert options for the prix fixe dinner. Liked pretty much everything they gave us.
Rachel L.
it was my first time at taco maria & I have to say I was impressed. the shrimp were flavorful, and the caesar salad dressing wasn't too heavy and the leaves were fresh. however, my favorite dish by far has to be the grilled pork chop tacos. the pork is juicy, well seasoned, and the tortillas (gluten free btw!) were perfectly warm and crispy on the outside. the striped bass & duck leg were also good but the clear winner was the pork chop for me.
Michelin rated, warm and intimate setting, top tier quality Mexican food cooked to absolute perfection, scrumptious mezcal cocktails, impeccable attention to detail and service?! Yes please! They even brought me a blanket when it got chilly! Superb ??
I really enjoyed everything. I’ve been to many restaurants in Mexico. The food is very authentic with a Michelin star quality twist. The pork belly and fish tacos I recommend. The cornbread is also good. I have been to a few Michelin star restaurants in the area. This beat out a few other Michelin star restaurants. The service was also very good. Everyone was very attentive. The chef came out and greeted a customer too. I would recommend coming here for a unique experience.
One of my favorite restaurants. I've been lucky enough to go several times and it's always a pleasure. The menu changes more now than it used to, but there are a few classic staples: the smoked fish taco and the mole (hasn't been there for my last couple visits). They've had a rotating tostada the last few visits and they're pretty amazing. And they usually start you off with an off menu snack or amuse bouche.Lately I've been in love with their tocino. My last meal had an incredible corn bread, a cod dish, and a Panna cotta.The wine pairings are great - they have fun, interesting wines and they give great recommendations. For non-drinkers, their agua Fresca is absolutely delicious. They used to end the meal with an amazing atole (I want it in my life all the time).
It's easy to understand why Chef Carlos Salgado has accumulated so many culinary accolades and why Taco Maria is Michelin rated. He does it right, blending, culture and taste with artistry.The food, the service and wine pairing for each course of the Prix Fixe was exceptional. Treat yourself to a dinner at Taco Maria and you'll thank yourself for the experience.
Wait for two months to try out one star michelin restaurant but very disappointed.I don't know why my dishes didn't look like the one post on Google Maps. Test very simple.
Wow! I am blown away at the dinner I had at Taco Maria. Everything from the food to service was exceptional. Here is a breakdown of the food:1st Course: Callo GratinadoThis was a dish unlike anything I've ever had. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the squid ink breadcrumbs were the perfect touch.2nd Course: PescadillaThis was my top dish of the night! The smoked albacore was insanely delicious, I wanted to order more of this taco. The blue corn tortilla was perfectly crisp yet chewy. The accompanying salsa added to the overall smokiness of the taco.3rd Course: Gallina PintadaThis was a course I wasn't sure about when I ordered it. I have never had Guinea hen before so I wasn't sure what to expect. The meat was perfectly cooked and the star of the dish was the sauce. It was one of the best sauces I've ever had. In addition to the plate they bring your fresh blue corn tortillas, cilantro, avocado, and chili oil to build tacos out of it which I did!4th Course: Cremoso de CitricosThe dessert I chose was the panna cotta. I've never had a panna cotta so light and refreshing. It wasn't heavy and thick like other panna cottas I've had it was more like a whipped topping. A fantastic way to end the meal.Other notable experiences were getting to sit at the counter to have a close up view of the food being prepared. Lucky for us Chef Carlos Salgado was in the house. It was an honor to watch him at work meticulously checking every single dish that went out. It's no wonder why Taco Maria earned a Michelin star and is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in Southern California!Vegetarian options: They are very flexible with the menu to accommodate any dietary restrictions.Parking: Plenty of spots
Excellent service, super tasty cuisine with Mexican-fusion mix.The only minus it’s a small place for 3 tables, so they use the terrace and keep it open what's makes it too cold inside During an hour of dinner, I completely froze without taking off my jacket, so dress warmly for this place.
This place was amazing! There was a lot of hype going in so we definitely had our hopes up and weren't disappointed. We do not eat meat or shellfish so we had to stick with the vegan/vegetarian friendly options on the 4 course menu. We loved it all. Can't wait to come back! (Old review so don't remember the names of everything we had)
The food was what you would expect from a Michelin star restaurant. The service was great, all the waiting staff were friendly and our server did an amazing job with remembering the many food allergies from one of the people in my party. The ambiance was not too loud and not too quiet. It was a perfect night of delicious food, good drinks and great company. The restaurant not only has impeccable food the cleanliness of the inside was near spotless. A VERY big deal to me amongst the quality of food when I dine out. I can't wait to return for when they change the menu.
Was here for a friend birthday dinner and the experience is quite impeccable. Reservations are made by calling them and through their third party website. I believe for reservation over 4, you have to opt for the patio section. Which is fine as they have outdoor heaters so it wasn't too cold. We each got the preset menu which includes 4 courses meal: 2 appetizers , 1 entree and 1 dessert. They also served us a complimentary bread with a savory sauce , not sure what it was called. The ensalade verde was made with green tomatoe and yogurt. Most of us got the carne apache which was dry aged rib eye served in a toastado. This is was very good. The second appetizers was coctel capachaano and pescadillo. The coctel was made with raw/lightly cooked seafood: shrimp, geoduck, and scallop served with fresh tomatoes, avocado. The presentation of this dish is really pretty since everything was placed in a see through container . For the main entree it was the pork belly (Tocino) or gallina. The pork belly dish was super fattening but very flavorful. The gallina was a type of smoke fish: habanero. To finish our night we were served with the cream cheese cake and the melon sorbet. Both were awesome and not too sweet .
Restaurantji Recommends
Tooooo pretty to eat....dinner was absolutely perfect! Detail was not spared in presentation, as well as the flavors, and the service. Simply a must try!!
Honestly, what a great meal. Taco Maria was such an experience, and with it being a Michelin restaurant, it definitely lived up to the hype. All the dishes we had were crafted so well, and the flavors were magnificent. The purple tortillas were so authentic. My boyfriend was so overjoyed, because we just went to Mexico a couple weeks before our trip to Taco Maria, and how the tortillas smelled and tasted were exactly like how they were made in Mexico. Amazing. I wish I took a picture of the menu, so I can't tell you what we had specifically, but just go. Try it, and experience it. 10/10. All worth :)
I used to love this place when they had the original menu, coming to lunch here weekly was a treat. But today I was extremely under whelmed with their salty dishes & pricing. I wish they stuck to their original menu so disappointed!
Food was delicious and beautiful, service was great. Really liked the dessert options for the prix fixe dinner. Liked pretty much everything they gave us.
it was my first time at taco maria & I have to say I was impressed. the shrimp were flavorful, and the caesar salad dressing wasn't too heavy and the leaves were fresh. however, my favorite dish by far has to be the grilled pork chop tacos. the pork is juicy, well seasoned, and the tortillas (gluten free btw!) were perfectly warm and crispy on the outside. the striped bass & duck leg were also good but the clear winner was the pork chop for me.