If you think Culver City is just about film studios and tech offices, think again. Hidden between sleek production campuses and tree-lined boulevards is a taco scene that could make East LA jealous. From smoky asada grilled on parking-lot planchas to vegan al pastor that somehow tastes too real, Culver City’s taco game in 2025 is as diverse as its residents — and absolutely worth the calories.
Here’s your inside guide to the 10 best tacos in Culver City — where tortilla meets soul, and every bite feels like a mini fiesta.
1. Tito’s Tacos – The OG Classic
Address: 11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230
Website: titostacos.com
Ask any Angeleno about Culver City tacos, and this name drops first — and loudest. Tito’s has been dishing up crunchy, no-frills tacos since 1959, the kind that taste like your childhood if you grew up within sniffing distance of the 405.
Must-Try: The classic hard-shell beef taco with their legendary house salsa.
Why Go: Nostalgia in a napkin — affordable, fast, and unpretentious.
Pro Tip: Cash only, long lines, but worth every second.
2. Loqui – The Designer Taco Dream
Address: 8830 Washington Blvd #104, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: eatloqui.com
Born in a San Francisco garage and perfected at the Platform, Loqui is the polished, minimalist face of the modern taco. Their handmade flour tortillas are soft, chewy perfection, and the meats are marinated to obsession-level detail.
Must-Try: Chicken or mushroom tacos on flour tortillas with salsa verde.
Vibe: Sleek, sunny, and filled with creatives on lunch break.
Price: $4–$6 per taco — and worth every dime.
3. Chicas Tacos – Sustainable Street Flavor
Address: 9340 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: chicastacos.com
Chicas is LA’s new-era taco joint: organic, locally sourced, and eco-conscious without losing any flavor cred. They serve everything from slow-braised barbacoa to beer-battered fish tacos, all made from sustainable ingredients.
Must-Try: Baja fish taco with house slaw and habanero crema.
Why Go: You can taste the freshness — literally.
Bonus: Compostable everything.
4. Tacos 1986 – Late-Night Perfection
Address: 9552 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: tacos1986.com
Born as a viral Tijuana-style pop-up, Tacos 1986 now brings its smoky adobada (al pastor) to Culver City. Expect red-hot trompos, marinated pork, and handmade corn tortillas slapped to order.
Must-Try: The adobada taco with pineapple — pure theater on a plate.
Vibe: Street energy, bright lights, loud music.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the salsa roja.
5. Cinco – Elevated Mexican, Westside Cool
Address: 7241 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (near Playa Vista border)
Website: cincoplaya.com
Technically just outside Culver City, but too good to leave out. Cinco offers chef-driven Mexican with heart — think handmade blue-corn tortillas, mezcal cocktails, and tacos that look like art but taste like home.
Must-Try: Cochinita pibil taco (slow-cooked Yucatán pork).
Why Go: Cozy, classy, and perfect for date night.
Bonus: Huge mezcal selection.
6. Tacomiendo – The Local’s Favorite
Address: 4502 Inglewood Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
Website: tacomiendo.com
The name literally means “taco-eating,” and this family-run spot delivers pure neighborhood authenticity. No trends, no nonsense — just perfectly grilled carne asada and juicy carnitas served fast and fresh.
Must-Try: Asada tacos with fresh cilantro and onions.
Why Go: Real-deal flavor, no lines, great prices.
Price: $2.75–$3.50 each.
7. Gracias Madre (Culver City)
Address: 8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: graciasmadre.co
Vegan tacos so good they’ll fool your meat-loving uncle. Gracias Madre’s Culver outpost brings a stylish, plant-based spin to traditional Mexican cuisine — all organic, all delicious.
Must-Try: Jackfruit “al pastor” tacos with cashew crema.
Why Go: Zero guilt, all flavor.
Bonus: Their mezcal margarita is dangerously good.
8. Pinches Tacos – Taco Truck Energy, Brick-and-Mortar Vibes
Address: 3660 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 (Culver-adjacent pop-up)
Website: pinchestacos.com
A cult-favorite chain that feels like your favorite taco truck went to design school. The Culver City pop-up runs through 2025 with classic tacos and a rotating chef-collab menu.
Must-Try: Birria tacos with consommé for dipping.
Vibe: Fun, loud, full of personality.
Pro Tip: Order online early — the birria sells out nightly.
9. Anaya’s Restaurant
Address: 9555 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: anayasrestaurant.com
Family-owned, flavorful, and totally underrated. Anaya’s tacos are the definition of comfort food: juicy, well-spiced, and packed with love.
Must-Try: Shrimp tacos with chipotle crema and cabbage slaw.
Why Go: Hidden gem — generous portions and friendly service.
Bonus: Great for takeout nights.
10. Madre! Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria
Address: 1261 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance & 3105 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: madrerestaurants.com
Chef Ivan Vasquez brings the flavors of Oaxaca to Culver City with bold moles, handmade tortillas, and tender slow-cooked meats. Madre! is part restaurant, part mezcal love letter — and their tacos are unforgettable.
Must-Try: Taco de chapulines (grasshoppers) if you’re feeling adventurous, or the mole negro chicken taco if you’re not.
Vibe: Elegant yet earthy — Oaxaca by way of LA.
Bonus: 400+ mezcals behind the bar.
Culver City Taco Map: A Quick Reference
| Spot | Style | Best Taco | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tito’s Tacos | Old-school | Hard-shell beef | Classic LA nostalgia |
| Loqui | Modern artisanal | Chicken/mushroom | Sleek & social |
| Chicas Tacos | Eco-friendly | Baja fish | Sustainable & trendy |
| Tacos 1986 | Tijuana-style | Adobada | Street-loud & flavorful |
| Cinco | Chef-driven | Cochinita pibil | Upscale Mexican |
| Tacomiendo | Neighborhood staple | Asada | Laid-back & local |
| Gracias Madre | Vegan | Jackfruit al pastor | Plant-based luxury |
| Pinches Tacos | Pop-up | Birria | Hip & lively |
| Anaya’s | Family-run | Shrimp | Cozy & underrated |
| Madre! | Oaxacan | Mole negro | Bold & authentic |
Taco Trends in 2025: The Westside Way
- Birria Mania Isn’t Over: Slow-braised, cheesy birria tacos with dipping broth still rule menus.
- Plant-Based Heat: Vegan tacos are now mainstream — not a compromise.
- Sustainability Counts: Compostable packaging, local produce, and grass-fed meats define the new taco ethos.
- Tijuana Technique: Flame-seared adobada and fresh masa are everywhere.
- Taco Happy Hours: Mezcal and mini tacos are the new craft beer and wings.
FAQs:
Where can I find the best late-night tacos in Culver City?
Tacos 1986 stays open late and delivers that perfect midnight snack energy.
Which taco spot is best for vegans?
Gracias Madre for upscale, and Chicas Tacos for casual eco-friendly vibes.
Are there any taco trucks worth visiting?
Keep an eye on Pinches Tacos’ pop-up schedule and local food truck nights around Washington Blvd.
