Any insider tips for La Purepecha?

Ask for taconazos style with melted cheese inside

What should I order at La Purepecha?

Carnitas taconazos, fish taco, consomé

Who should go to La Purepecha?

Authenticity seekers and taco purists

Any insider tips for Papi Tacos & Churros?

Order the OG Plate for best variety and value

What should I order at Papi Tacos & Churros?

OG Plate, birria quesataco, churros

When should I visit Papi Tacos & Churros?

Lunch for shorter lines than dinner rush

Who should go to Papi Tacos & Churros?

Street food lovers and birria enthusiasts

Any insider tips for Tu Madre?

Tuesday bottomless brunch is legendary among locals

What should I order at Tu Madre?

Fried chicken taco, ahi tuna tostada, margarita flight

When should I visit Tu Madre?

Weekday happy hours 3-6pm for best deals

Who should go to Tu Madre?

Young professionals and creative taco enthusiasts

Any insider tips for Blue Plate Taco?

$10 parking at Shore Hotel with restaurant receipt

What should I order at Blue Plate Taco?

Baja fish tacos, house margarita, guacamole flight

When should I visit Blue Plate Taco?

Happy hour Mon-Thu 4-6pm for sunset views

Who should go to Blue Plate Taco?

Tourists and beachgoers seeking upscale tacos

Any insider tips for Lanea?

Try their at-home tequila flights and picnic packs

What should I order at Lanea?

Barbacoa tacos, tequila flight, canned cocktails

When should I visit Lanea?

Happy hour weekdays 5-7pm or weekend brunch

Who should go to Lanea?

Cocktail enthusiasts and late-night crowds

Best Happy Hour Tacos Restaurants in Santa Monica (90401)

5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

#1 La Purepecha

8.8

$ Downtown Santa Monica

Vibes: Hidden Gems Heaven Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions

Named after Michoacán's indigenous societies, this year-old taquería offers handmade corn tortillas with exceptional meat-to-tortilla ratios. Tuesday's $1.99 tacos draw crowds for authentic carnitas, adobada, and their memorable grilled fish tacos.

Must-Try Dishes: Carnitas Taconazos, Grilled Fish Taco, Adobada Taco

What makes it special: Handmade tortillas with cheese-melted taconazos option

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#2 Papi Tacos & Churros

8.5

$ Downtown Santa Monica

Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions Family Friendly Favorites

Specializing in 16-hour cooked beef birria and wood-fired pollo asado, this street food specialist rose from the ashes of a fire to become a local phenomenon. Their made-from-scratch churros and rich consommé create an authentic Tijuana-style experience steps from the pier.

Must-Try Dishes: Birria Quesataco, OG Plate Combo, Dulce de Leche Churros

What makes it special: Authentic birria with 16-hour slow-cooked beef and handmade churros

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#3 Tu Madre

8.4

$$ Downtown Santa Monica

Vibes: Happy Hour Hotspots Group Dining Gatherings Date Night Magic

Born from a happy accident with a fried chicken taco, Tu Madre reinvents the taco game with creative combinations like ahi tuna on handmade tortillas. Their vibrant cantina atmosphere and $1.50 happy hour tacos make this a local favorite for groups and date nights alike.

Must-Try Dishes: Fried Chicken Taco, Ahi Tuna Tostada, Street Corn Nachos

What makes it special: Inventive fusion tacos with daily happy hour featuring $1.50 tacos

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#4 Blue Plate Taco

8.2

$$$ Ocean Avenue

Vibes: Outdoor Dining Oasis Instagram Worthy Wonders Date Night Magic

This beachside Baja-meets-Santa Monica spot features ocean views, handmade tortillas made fresh all day, and a coastal approach to Mexican cuisine. Happy hour brings discounted margaritas and sustainable, organic ingredients prepared with California flair.

Must-Try Dishes: Baja Fish Tacos, Short Rib Tacos, Lobster Taco

What makes it special: Ocean views with organic, sustainably-sourced ingredients

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#5 Lanea

8.1

$$ Downtown Santa Monica

Vibes: Happy Hour Hotspots Late Night Legends Girls Night Out Approved

This cocktail bar showcases over 400 tequilas and mezcals alongside authentic street tacos from East LA's 'Barbacoa Queen' Petra Zavaleta. The 36-hour pit-roasted lamb barbacoa wrapped in agave leaves pairs perfectly with handcrafted wellness-driven cocktails.

Must-Try Dishes: Barbacoa Lamb Tacos, Al Pastor, Carnitas with Consommé

What makes it special: One of the largest tequila/mezcal selections in the US

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