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ZipPicks Awards
Best Tacos in Silver Lake
Master Critic Review
Tacolina
7.5
Baja California-inspired restaurant from Blue Plate Taco featuring farm-to-table ingredients in a lush garden setting. Chef Jonathan Juarez's menu includes organic chicken tacos, seasonal salads, and craft cocktails, though the stunning verdant patio outshines the food execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Taquitos, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Caesar Salad
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 7.4
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: One of LA's most beautiful outdoor dining patios
Who should go: Date night diners prioritizing ambiance over food
When to visit: Happy hour 4-6pm weekdays, brunch Saturday-Sunday
What to order: Chicken taquitos with chipotle aioli, margaritas
Insider tip: Visit hidden Jaguar Room speakeasy bar after dinner
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - moderately difficult. Sunset Blvd meters ($2/hr) or residential streets 2 blocks away. Arrive 15 min early for dinner
Dress code: Elevated casual - sundresses, button-downs, nice jeans welcome. The Instagram-worthy garden setting calls for photo-ready outfits
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - excellent for conversation. Open-air patio diffuses sound, can easily hear across table
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation Friday-Saturday after 7pm. Reservations strongly recommended
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins usually seated within 10-15 min. Brunch weekends books up fast
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 6-8 options including grilled vegetable tacos, seasonal salads, and cheese quesadillas. Farm-to-table vegetables shine
Vegan options: Limited - 2-3 modified options. Can request tacos without cheese/crema. Ask server for seasonal vegetable preparations
Gluten-free options: Yes - corn tortillas standard for all tacos. Salads and several entrees naturally GF. Kitchen aware of cross-contamination
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice. The romantic garden patio with string lights and greenery creates natural conversation flow. Moderate noise level means you'll actually hear each other. Cocktails during 4-6pm happy hour take pressure off, and the Jaguar Room speakeasy provides a built-in 'second location' to extend the date if it's going well
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but risky for dinner. Weekday lunches usually accommodate walk-ins within 15 min. For weekend dinner or brunch, expect 60-90 min waits or turn-away. The patio is the draw - indoor backup seating is minimal. Book via OpenTable or call ahead, especially for parties of 4+
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for ages 8+ during early dinner (5-6:30pm) - outdoor space gives kids room and quesadillas/simple tacos appeal to young palates. Under 8 gets tricky as it's a date night destination with no kids menu or high chairs. The romantic vibe makes it less ideal for families versus nearby brunch spots
Best For
Better for: Tacolina wins on ambiance and Instagram appeal - LA's most beautiful taco restaurant patio. Choose this over competitors when the setting matters more than food perfection, for dates/special occasions prioritizing romance, or when you want craft cocktails with your tacos. The hidden speakeasy bar is a unique Silver Lake experience
Skip if: You're seeking authentic Baja flavors or best-in-class taco execution - food is good but not transcendent at this price point ($$$). Choose Guisados or Colonia Taco Lounge if taste trumps atmosphere. Also skip if you need guaranteed indoor seating (limited backup) or have mobility issues (uneven garden terrain)
Hours
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday3pm - 10pm
Thursday3pm - 10pm
Friday3pm - 11pm
Saturday11am - 11pm
Sunday11am - 9pm