Tapa Taco South American Cuisine
16220 Lakeshore Rd West Entrance, Union Pier
(269) 934-9700
Recent Reviews
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Spent a night at the Gordon Beach Inn and gave Tapa Taco a shot. Truly loved everything about it! Had their Carne Asada arepa and yapingacho. Can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is an incredible hidden gem. Truly unique. Absolutely delicious House Paella, Argentine Steak, and Tres Leches cake. Wonderful service with attention to detail, very friendly, and knowledgeable. All this nested inside an historic Lake Michigan turn-of-the-century hotel. Wow!
On Tuesdays, the restaurant serves all-you-can eat soft shell tacos: flour or corn tortillas with a variety of vegetarian and meat options - all fresh and delicious. Great selection of beers, wines, and creative cocktails.
Highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent location and imaginative concept but the food honestly was just not that great. The ceviche and pulled pork were very over salted and the arepas were rubbery. Guacamole was above average and service was pleasant. In all, sort of a miss with this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
A very convenient and tasty place to have so close to the beach. We grabbed take out so we could enjoy the sunset. The food was good, but a bit greasy, which I want to tack on to it being take out. The seafood arepas were really good. I was hoping the steak tacos would come with a little more in them. Chips and Guac were great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
South American cuisine at its finest. Make a visit if you’re in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food and service was excellent! The menu is vast and has a lot of variety. Everything we had was absolutely delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fabulous South American food! Everything was absolutely delicious, we ordered all of the tapas and different paella to share, would highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taco, Empanadas, Ceviche, House Paella, Order of Fried Plantains
Tapa Taco: A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering
Every so often, a dinner out takes on the rare quality of revelation. Four of us found ourselves at Tapa Taco last night, and by the end of the evening, we all agreed without hesitation: this was the best damned meal we’ve had in a very long time.
The space itself is casual yet welcoming—laid-back enough that Bob’s cut-off shirt blended right in, but not out of place for someone arriving in a crisp dress shirt. That balance of easygoing charm and quiet polish extends to the food, which feels both comforting and transportive.
The menu wanders across South America and the Caribbean, and every stop was worth making. A saffron-scented paella arrived brimming with flavor, followed by crisp-edged plantains and smoky black beans dusted with island spices. Ceviche, bright and bracing with citrus, reminded us why fresh fish needs little more than lime and a confident hand. There were guacamole and chips—simple, yes, but lifted to near-perfection—and the rustic Brazilian Tropeiro, earthy, hearty, and deeply satisfying. The Rioja Verde washed it all down with just enough brightness to sharpen each bite.
Tapa Taco manages the elusive trick of serving food that feels celebratory without being showy. Dining here is less a transaction than an invitation: as if you’ve been welcomed into someone’s kitchen where every dish is prepared with care and confidence.
Part of us hesitates to share this review—after all, a place this good is best kept secret, if only to keep the tables easy to come by. But it seems only fair to spread the word: Tapa Taco is a treasure. We left already plotting our return, hoping it comes soon—perhaps even tonight—for the chance to try something new we know will be every bit as unforgettable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went from nearby Lakeside Inn, under the same managment, and found the same combination of friendliness, knowledge, and care. The restaurant was packed (with happy people) and noisy (happy noises) but the staff was wonderfully personal and professional in the best sense. The well-made margaritas came quickly. My friends enjoyed their taco dinners, especially praising the beans, and I had a flavorful goat stew with plaintains, but my favorite was the curried mussels, one of the best dishes I have had anywhere this year (in Chicago and elsewhere). This is serious food!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful food. Stayed in Union Pier for 5 days and my party ate here twice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing tasting food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An eclectic South American menu—so expansive and delicious-looking we’ll be back tomorrow, too. The tacos were solid, veggie paella very fresh and not crusty, but the standout was the tropeiro—of Brazilian origin: imagine a feijoada meets bi bim bap. (Tasty!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is amazing - this place should have Michelin stars! The servers were lovely, and they put up with a lot of annoying requests from our giant group. We sat on the screened in patio, which is beautiful in an unpretentious way. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place. The End.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deep Fried Sundae
We haven’t actually eaten here yet, although we are very excited to. I wanted to post here because I ran into the owner today (literally, actually hit him with a door) and he was such a kind and awesome person. Look forward to eating here in the future!
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