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    El Tacuba

    4.3 (103 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    El Tacuba Photos

    EL TACUBA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - El Tacuba

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    They did a great job rehabbing this space for El Tacuba
    Dave R.

    We've been to El Tacuba twice now. Each time it was because we were in town for a concert at the nearby--walking distance--Chevalier Theatre (both times to see Toad the Wet Sprocket). And there's a reason we came back a second time. THE FOOD (and more) IS AWESOME! Essentially, it's a Mexican inspired Tapas place. We loved (again) everything about it. Our food was amazing. The decor is cool. And the service is top notch. Across both visits, we thoroughly enjoyed every dish--and we intentionally order different small plates on our second visit. Whenever we are in town for a show, we are going to have a VERY hard time not coming here (sorry other establishments).

    Ensalada de betabel
    Marni M.

    My friends had been here before and were excited to take me here. They mentioned it get busy quickly so they made sure to make reservations in advance. Arriving on a Saturday night, it was definitely the right call. Food is served tapas style so we got their Elote Callejero, Ensalada de betabel, Arroz Del Mar, Pescado a la Veracruzana, Estofado de res, and Pulpo Jaqueton. All the dishes were delicious and well seasoned. We really enjoyed the freshness of the salad was their salty dishes. The rice was wonderful as well as the fish served in the rich sauce. My only gripe was the octopus was slightly slimy in some parts but still fully cooked otherwise. Dessert was their thick and sweet flan which we thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, beautiful place with great food. Our waitress was very friendly and professional. Looking forward to the opportunity to come again!

    Flan
    Venessa P.

    Food was amazing... My daughter and I went for the first time this past Saturday night.... Christian our server was personable, engaging, made our dinning experience amazing.... My daughter got the Empanada- came with one, Plaintains came with one, I got the street corn and it was good and I also got a dish with shrimp, calamari, rice and cilantro... was spicy but delicious... We also go Flan for dessert. . We also had drinks... We will definitly be back... a hidden gem added to Medford Square... much needed in the square.

    Bisma A.

    El Tacuba is a great place to grab Mexican food in Medford. The interior is really fun and has cute decor which makes for great photo opportunities. It was not super busy during lunch and we got served very quickly. We ordered the chips and guacamole, the arroz verde, and suadero tacos and everything was delicious! The shrimp was perfectly crispy in the arroz verde and was definitely the star of the meal. The only comment would be that the tacos were a bit pricy for the small size and portion. Overall everything was pretty good and it's definitely worth checking out!

    Chilaquiles, sopesitos, birria tacos, stuffed plantain
    Sharitza P.

    Came here for brunch the other day & it was really good! I didn't see too many reviews or pics of this place/the food, so I thought I'd chime in. First, the interior design is stunning. The workers were very nice. The food was so tasty although I only tried a couple things. I got the regular sopesitos and chilaquiles, both were good and very filling! I loved the flavor of the sauces. My friend got the birria tacos and stuffed plantain. I tried the plantain and it was delish too. I deff want to come back for dinner & give an updated review!

    Suadero Taco
    Justin G.

    This was our second time at El Tabuca and my takeaways are: 1. the drinks are creative and well crafted. 2. This is a great place for tacos and apps. What we ate: - Guacamole: Great, would get again. - Ceviche de Pescado: Pass, this dish is missing some extra ingredients or at least a chip to eat it with. - Arroz Del Mar: Pass, didn't like this as much the second time around. It's a creamy dish and thats not my preference. - Atun Tostada: Pass, the fried onions overpower this tostada but still good. - Pescado Taco: Fantastic - Suadero Taco: Fantastic We will continue to try more items on the menu, but feel the drinks, tacos and apps are the best options.

    Quest fundido
    Bill D.

    We were in Medford for a concert at the nearby Chevalier Theater, so we had a late lunch at El Tacuba. What a treat! The staff was really friendly and made us feel very welcome. They answered our menu questions and made sure we got enough service without hovering. The decor is really cool inside. It's very bright and airy; I especially liked the tile and neon. Reminded us of a churr place in Mexico City. The food was excellent! The tacos were really tasty. We had a number of them and all were delicious. We also noshed on Sopes and Queso Fundido. Really terrific. What a fantastic find!

    Carajillo - the Mexican espresso martini but better
    Olivia B.

    Came here at the whim of my boyfriends barber and wow they did not disappoint!! All the tacos are superb, I did the Arrachera and Suadero tacos and the flavors were so complex and delicious. The drinks were wonderful as well. Easy to find bar seating on a Saturday night and the bartenders were easy going and made great recommendations. This is definitely the best place I've been to in the area!

    Mangorina! Yum!
    Lisa H.

    First time at El Tacuba. Love the vibe and the food! Dishes are small, and reasonably priced so have at it and try everything! Every dish I had was delicious, including the dessert flan! Will be back!

    Van V.

    Lovely and large space with a beautiful bar and several different eating areas. Workers were also greening up patio are by sidewalk with many plants. We both tried two plates each. He loved the enchilada suiza and I really enjoyed the short rib taco and tuna ceviche. Fantastic cocktails. Next time I go maybe I will sit at bar and try a special tequila. Fun soundtrack playing! Very nice upbeat vibe.

    Jason C.

    Came to El Tacuba to watch the Army Navy Game. Despite the outcome of the game the food here is delicious. It's a bit on the small side for portions related to cost but it's good! Service was solid but we were also the only ones in the place during that time. The ambiance of the restaurant is updated and clean which is nice! Would return again.

    Non-alcoholic margarita
    Kristin C.

    We have been waiting to try El Tacuba for such a long time. As Medford residents can remember, it took a super long time to open but the interior was worth the wait. If I were reviewing on atmosphere alone, I would definitely be giving 5 stars. Our server was fantastic, the food however not so much. Don't get me wrong, it was good! The best thing we got was the chips and guacamole (free). We ordered the queso with chorizo. It was extremely oily, and it had it not been for the saltiness of the chorizo it would've lacked flavor all together. I ordered shrimp tacos when I was told it came on the corn tortilla I asked to have it switched to a tostada. The corn tortilla's were not enjoyable at all. The entree was good and great size if you enjoy tapas. The non alcoholic margarita was delicious and it was nice to try flan for the first time. Awesome choice if you like super sweet desserts.

    Emily B.

    My sister and I came here for the first time tonight and it was amazing! We sat at the bar and started with the guac and chips. We ordered the classic margarita and a paloma. We had a few tacos to share, the pescado, costilla, de la casa and the camaron - all were so flavorful. Definitely a little messy so having the chips to pick up what fell out of the taco was perfect. We ordered another round of drinks and the enchiladas, beet salad and stuffed plantains to share (the suizas, en salads betabael and the platano macho). We finished off the night with the espresso martini (repo-spresso), which were delicious. Emy was our main bartender for the night and was so friendly and knowledgeable. We cannot wait to come back to try the flan!!! We were too stuffed to try this time haha

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    3 months ago

    First time. Enjoyed the food. Had the tacos amd guac. really tasty. want to go back and try other stuff. Really nice space.

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Ambiance and service was great. Tacos could use a bit more creativity to match the other menu items.

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    5 months ago

    Great service, fresh food well-prepared with nice portions. The atmosphere is upbeat and busy with close tables lending warmth.

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    Sarma - Sugar Snaps

    Sarma

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$

    Dining at Sarma was a delightful experience. We came on a Tuesday at 6pm and luckily got seated at…read morea countertop within 30 mins. I would recommend calling beforehand to ask about the wait. Although we commuted from Cambridge, this meal was worth it. For two people, we got: - Black Seed Cornbread: it's soft, sweet yet savory. I've never had cornbread like this, and the first bite into this was unforgettable. You must get this. - Honey Nut Hummus: this was honestly fine and I'd probably try a different dip next time. - Warm Gyro bread: well seasoned and great to share between two. I normally don't like gyro but I enjoyed this. - Lamb al pastor: this was a favorite. It was sweet and the lamb was tender. We were really impressed with the sauce. - Brussel sprout bravas: this was okay. I liked the crunchy nuts and the star of this dish was once again the sauce/seasoning rather than the brussel sprouts. With all of these dishes, we ordered enough for two, with a few bites leftover. If you have a smaller appetite, you could get away with ordering a plate less. Overall, I loved the dining experience here. Even though I'm not typically a small plates mediterranean person, I appreciated Sarma - from its beautiful interior space and open kitchen concept, to the liveliness of the restaurant on a random weekday night. Definitely come here if you're in the area (or even if you're not!)

    I had been looking forward to checking out Sarma for quite some time. Unfortunately, the experience…read moredidn't live up to the expectations. The food was overly salty, and the portions were very small.... even for tapas style dining. The flavor profiles just weren't there. The only thing that I would say tasted good was the cornbread and lamb skewer (which was definitely overpriced still). The cornbread was impressive and the ingredients made for a unique flavor. Service was also underwhelming. While the staff did their job, there wasn't much warmth or attentiveness and we didn't feel welcomed. We left feeling pretty disappointed given the hype and effort it took to get a reservation.

    Photos
    Sarma - Douggy, our bartender/waiter

    Douggy, our bartender/waiter

    Sarma - Feta Cheese Gnocchi

    Feta Cheese Gnocchi

    Sarma - Rainbow Carrots

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    Rainbow Carrots

    T'ahpas 529 - Paella Ciega

    T'ahpas 529

    3.9(352 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Took my parents here for a Sunday dinner and it was an absolute home run! We ordered the Pan de…read moreCasa, Pan con Tomate, Dátiles, Albondigas, Croquetas de Jamon, Solomillo, and Churros for dessert and honestly every single dish was a winner. The pacing was perfect. Every 5-10 minutes a new dish would arrive, which made the whole meal feel like a fun, festive experience. No long waits, no awkward gaps, just great food flowing steadily to the table. The Pan de Casa and Albondigas were the clear crowd favorites. My parents are in their 60s and adventurous eaters, and they were absolutely blown away. My dad couldn't stop raving about the meatballs! A huge shoutout to Kayla, our server, who was attentive, warm, and made the whole evening feel special. Sunday is a great night to go, relaxed vibe, great service, and the kitchen is clearly on point. T'ahpas 529 is a gem in Melrose. We will absolutely be back!

    I hate writing this review, its been many years coming, but I honestly thought I wrote it years…read moreago, but somehow it just popped up in my "Please review" section of Yelp, so here I am... So I visited T'ahpas many years ago - date night dinner, left the kids at home & wanted adult food and Tapas were becoming all the rage at the time. Read good reviews, got there, small place, quaint, really good atmosphere, we began ordering food and OMG did we order sooo much, we liked a few things so much we ordered multiple plates, Im talking total fat kid night... Then we are sitting there and it was later at night so the place was empty and instantly I FREEZE - My BF at the time looked at me and noticed panic, he knew exactly what I saw from my reaction - there was a mouse in the dining room, now listen, I GET IT.. All restaurants have them, I wasnt even grossed out like that, THEY ARE MY BIGGEST fear in life, like if someone said Heres a million dollars be in a room with a mouse, I would have to pass! That scared, I dont know why - just am!!! So I exhaled and sat there... it started to run closer, it then disappeared and I slowly was able to unclench and then it came back like 20 mins later, this mouse was ballsy, like there are people walking around in & out and I just couldnt anymore. We got the bill and left, and I told many people and they said I should have complained on the spot but that just isnt me... Im just mad because the Food was GOOOOOOOD... I want to go back but a part of me is just like Nope, Not going to happen! So my take, the food is great, better than great! Hoping it was a one off situation and not a regular occurrence but I would love to come back, Im just a big pussy!

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    T'ahpas 529
    T'ahpas 529
    T'ahpas 529

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    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - Spinach empanada

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge

    4.3(454 reviews)
    2.0 miPorter Square, North Cambridge

    My wife and I were born in Cuba and moved to the United States when we were very young. We've…read morecherished Cuban cuisine throughout our lives, prepared by our parents and grandparents. Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Gustazo Cuban Kitchen in Cambridge for the first time, and it was an exceptional experience. Our server, Sandeep, was delightful and provided excellent suggestions and recommendations. We began with three small plates: Croquetas de Jamón, Garbanzos con Espinaca (a Spanish-style dish with chickpeas and spinach in a smoky almond sofrito), and Tortilla Española (a traditional Spanish egg frittata with layered potatoes and caramelized onions). Each dish was incredibly delicious. We also sampled the Congrí Rice & Beans to see if it would be suitable for our holiday catering needs, and it exceeded our expectations. For our main course, we enjoyed the Ropa Vieja, served traditionally with white rice, black beans, and maduros. We ended with a delicious flan to share. Having dined at many Cuban and Spanish restaurants in Massachusetts, we can confidently say that Gustazo is the most authentic Cuban restaurant we've experienced. The flavors were truly delightful. Highly Recommended! Ray & Luisa Gonzalez

    Fun little spot! They've got a rotating menu, handcrafted cocktails, and a fun, lively atmosphere…read more It does get a little cramped inside, but the energy adds to the experience. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great recommendations throughout the meal. We tried a few different dishes and honestly loved everything. The standouts were definitely the mussels and the ribs. The mussels were huge, fresh, and packed with flavor, while the ribs were coated in a tangy-sweet sauce and literally fell right off the bone. Would absolutely come back to try more of the menu!

    Photos
    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - Bar or open kitchen at the lower level

    Bar or open kitchen at the lower level

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - WHOLE TRES LECHES CAKE

    WHOLE TRES LECHES CAKE

    Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge - Beet salad

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    Beet salad

    Moon Bar - Tuna escabeche

    Moon Bar

    4.8(40 reviews)
    5.1 miBack Bay

    I am over the MOON with Moon Bar!…read more If I could live here I would! :) Another excellent experience here and it just happened to be restaurant week. We also spent an hour at the King Tut exhibit across the street! This restaurant/bar always seems packed. And, with reservations for 645pm (highly recommend) the bar was quite busy. The buzz from this high-end cocktail bar is exactly what you want on a Friday evening; From girlfriends sipping their wine to couples laughing and swirling their cocktails, Moon Bar is for the classy and sexy. Abby our server is excellent! A mixologist who knows all the cocktails and can recommend based on your preference. I tried one of their new cocktails with bourbon and did not care for it. Abby made me my mezcal drink that I have ordered before...its the 305 cowboy, an extremely popular drink. A must try for sure! Note: Some bartenders make you feel guilty for saying something about a drink you ordered and did not like. But, here at Moon Bar, Abby was so gracious to make me something that I will enjoy. Hats off to her:) Food: Since it was restaurant week we just shared everything. For starters we ordered the Tuna Tartare that was excellent. Then, we had Piri-Piri Chicken Thighs that were also good but quite spicy. For dessert, we shared the Caribbean Tiramisu, which was great. It was a tough choice between this and the Guava Cheesecake. We were so full that we ended up bringing home leftovers. Oh, I also forgot to mention we always order their Curry Fries - a must try when coming here Trust Me. My husband doesn't love curry but he loves these fries and you will too. #friesaretodiefor Moon Bar, thanks for being amazing in every way. Thanks for your splendid service, crafty cocktails, delicious wine (try the Pinot Noir from Germany), and your amazing food ---Love those Curry Fries! "Alexa, make reservations for 2 at Moon Bar for tonight." Cheers~

    Had some incredible post dinner drinks at Moon Bar! The ambiance of the space is great and the…read moreservice was impeccable. The ladies shared a bottle of wine and we had a few cocktails. The cocktails were refreshing, creative and fun. Since we had just eaten we didn't have any food but will be back to try something soon.

    Photos
    Moon Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Moon Bar - Banana leaf wrapped black bass

    Banana leaf wrapped black bass

    Moon Bar - Green mango salad

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    Green mango salad

    Mighty Squirrel - Goat cheese berry salad

    Mighty Squirrel

    4.0(18 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    Great place especially if you're a brew aficionado. (I am not.) Went with some long-time friends…read morefor dinner. They are beer fans and they spent quite a while discussing the many thousands of options. The food was pretty good. Not overly-large-typically-American portions. I got the mac and cheese just cuz I like mac and cheese. Our apps were good too. The waitstaff is great. Very knowledgeable and polite. It's pretty loud there even though it's sort of an indoor/outdoor place. We sat inside but it was so nice out that they opened their bay (think garage) doors so the breeze could waft through. It ended up being a bit cold but was fine. This is a great dinner or happy hour restaurant. Highly recommend!!!

    Friendly service and great bites. They also have trivia Thursday nights and that's always a blast…read more I've had lunch and dinner here and have also hosted an event here with 70+ people and folks had a fantastic time. Even for non-beer drinkers, they have hard seltzers and hard smoothies which are delicious. Recommended dishes that I've had: patatas bravas, aloo tiki, birria poutine, hummus, chicken tinga tostada, chips & guac, smash burger. Friends have had tacos and mac & cheese and said they were great. If you're catering an event, get the beef sliders - they were a favorite and truly delicious. Very accommodating. We had a few folks with dietary restrictions and they allowed us to bring in a couple dishes for those folks, though most of their menu had a ton of options for everyone else. They also helped us with managing drink tickets (they even had tickets for us to use!) and making sure folks weren't over-served. If you're looking to host a large/companywide event, this is a fantastic option.

    Photos
    Mighty Squirrel
    Mighty Squirrel - Toasted Goat Cheese & Berry Salad & Fattoush Salad

    Toasted Goat Cheese & Berry Salad & Fattoush Salad

    Mighty Squirrel - Toasted Goat Cheese & Berry Salad

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    Toasted Goat Cheese & Berry Salad

    Parla XXI - Cheese stuffed burger with portobello and prosciutto

    Parla XXI

    3.5(100 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Very cute cocktail bar with indoor and outdoor seating. Came as a group of 4 and we sat outside…read morebecause it was dark and noisy inside. The cocktails were tasty and the ambiance and location were good. Would definitely return

    Wanted to love this place, but it might have just been an off night, our waitress seemed to either…read morenot understand all our asks or just was new, not sure. Mid meal, a different server came over & said she needed to take over - not sure why, there was no real explanation - it just kinda happened. But we had asked for some things and they never really were addressed. When we were walking in we saw someone eating a shrimp pasta plate & we had asked what it was, we then thought we ordered that and what we received wasnt the plate that the other person had (I know weird, but we all know we do it, Eye all the plates on the way to the table, LOL) The brussels were good, Burger was good, but hubby said it might have needed something - he just didnt know what?! The shrimp pasta was ok, but very bland. The calamari was good! There is this special drink book and you get the "Mystery" drink and its all a game there... Seems like it would be fun, but for someone like me with a "special" stomach - Gastric bypass and lots of drinks wont work for me! But yeah, hope that night being off was just random, and might try again sometime! And truly want to know what other shrimp plate we saw on the way in, LOL

    Photos
    Parla XXI - Tools of the trade.

    Tools of the trade.

    Parla XXI - Salmon fritters - the crunch is incredible and tartar sauce on point

    Salmon fritters - the crunch is incredible and tartar sauce on point

    Parla XXI - Death in the Alps Cocktail

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    Death in the Alps Cocktail

    El Tacuba - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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