Naco Taco — Restaurant in Hà Nội

Laid back but very high-quality Mexican-inspired restaurant in the Tay Ho area. Probably the best Mexican food in Hanoi. Plus, rumor has it the staff are on a profit-sharing arrangement with the owner so they have a stake in the business. It shows. They are attentive, speak good English and are more than happy to help with suggestions and explanations. Cash, credit and probably e-wallet payments accepted. Outdoor seating only but they have fans to keep you cool and a retractable awning to keep you dry. Lovely atmosphere that does resonate with a beachside taco shack.

First, they have a decent selection of both tequilas and mezcals. Top-shelf options like Clase Azul but their house tequila is Jose Cuervo Gold. Spend a little more to upgrade to an actual tequila such as Butterfly Cannon Blue Tequila, or something even nicer. Their margaritas are very good. The Orange Jalapeno option had a respectable kick to it while the passionfruit option was well-balanced, though personally I would rim it with sugar rather than salt. They know how to make a La Paloma that is well-balanced and incredibly refreshing.

Chips & pico de gallo are very authentic. As some have noted the pico could use a touch more salt but you can do that yourself. Additionally, I prefer just a tad more citrus but that's a small matter. Chips are thick and crisp and stand up to both the humidity and the pico de gallo valiantly.

Birria tacos seem to be all the rage these days in SE Asia but I'd suggest steering clear of them for some other taco options. Their Carne Asado Tacos (2 per order) are packed full of deliciously tender beef. You don't think the corn tortilla shells will be able to contain the innards but they do a great job. Very flavorful and not overly messy. No, these are not authentic Guadalajaran street tacos but the flavors are amazing all the same. Their GOV shrimp tacos (1 per order) are also flavorful and the shrimp is not overcooked.

If you like Mexican food this is your go-to location in Hanoi. I look forward...

I had high hopes for Nacotaco in Hanoi, but unfortunately, the experience was a major letdown. The food was underwhelming, with very small portions that left me unsatisfied and still hungry after the meal. To make matters worse, when we arrived, we discovered the dine-in option was unavailable due to an event—something that wasn’t mentioned on their website until after we had already made the trip.

We opted for takeout and got the taco tasters, which came completely deconstructed. There was no clear indication of what was what, and the small tacos barely had enough room to add the other ingredients. The amount of meat provided was minimal, and everything was packed in individual plastic containers—an unnecessary and excessive use of plastic. It felt more like a DIY cooking kit than a ready-to-eat meal.

I also ordered the nachos, which were equally disappointing. They were deconstructed, with far too many chips and not nearly enough toppings. There was a meager amount of chicken and sauce, and shockingly, no cheese at all.

Adding insult to injury, the meal was grossly overpriced by Vietnam standards. We paid over 650,000 VND for food that was subpar and far from filling. On top of that, we also had to pay for a Grab fare to get there and back since we couldn’t dine in.

Overall, this place was a complete letdown. Overpriced, underwhelming, and lacking in clarity or value, Nacotaco fell short on every level. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I certainly won’t...

If you have one night in Hanoi and are craving your favourite Mexican restaurant from back home, then Naco Taco will not disappoint. From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out, I felt like I was in a special place.

The staff are super friendly and helpful and really know their stuff, giving recommendations for food and drinks. Plus, when I told them about my dietary issues (Coeliac + dairy free + egg & raw onion free), they were empathetic and made me feel safe when ordering, suggesting dishes based on my tastes. For food allergy sufferers out there, they know how much of a big thing this is! :) A big shout-out to the manager, Trang, for helping me with my drink choices!

Let's talk about the food... The food is so good. I had the Chicharrón (seasoned fried pork skin & pork belly served with Limes and green and red salsas) and three Tacos - chipotle chicken, pork carnitas and pork & chorizo. Each was delicious with the right amount of spice! The tacos came with green and red salsas and a divinely spicy salsa macha.

Naturally, these were washed down with more than one margarita! I highly recommend the mezcal one and the orange and chilli one.

If you're in Hanoi for more than a few hours, this place is definitely...