Is there anything more delightful and comforting than a huge plate piled up with crunchy tortillas, gooey cheese, spicy jalapenos, refreshing sour cream and all the fixins?
Nachos are one of the best bites you can get, but not all nachos are made the same. If you’re looking for the perfect plate of nachos in your city or somewhere on the road, trust our editors’ picks for the best nachos in their towns below.
Atlanta - Tin Lizzy’s Cantina
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Multiple locations / Website
With locations across the city, this popular eatery offers Mexican-inspired favorites and libations like craft cocktails, margaritas and more. Opt for Tin Lizzy’s shareable signature nachos with black beans, jack cheese, queso blanco, pico de gallo, jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream, a salsa roja side and the protein of your choice with offerings like grilled or fried chicken, pulled pork, steak or seasoned ground beef. Or try the buffalo fried chicken nachos with blue cheese crumbles, diced tomatoes, queso blanco, cilantro, onions and ranch dressing. Get even more cheesy goodness at one of the other great nacho spots on Atlanta’s full list.
Austin - Matt’s El Rancho
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2613 S Lamar Blvd., 512-462-9333 / Website
This Tex-Mex hot spot is perfect for the whole family. Originally opened in 1952 in downtown Austin as a family-owned and operated business, El Rancho now seats a capacity of 500 guests in its indoor and outdoor dining facilities. Many of the items on the menu today can be found on the original 1952 menu, and since the beginning, owner Matt Martinez promised a made-from-scratch cooking philosophy that remains intact today. Stop by for Mexican seafood dishes, fresh margaritas and, of course, a wide variety of beef, chicken and cheese nacho platters that will leave you eager for your next visit. A city like Austin has way more than one must-try nacho spot though, so be sure to check the city’s full list.
Chicago - Barrio
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65 W. Kinzie St. / Website
This River North Mexican spot serves its sharable signature nachos, crafted with aged jack cheese, tangy pickled red onions, black beans, jalapeños, charred tomato and jalapeño salsa, pico de gallo and garlic crema. Diners can opt for add-ons like pork carnitas, housemade chorizo, chicken al pastor or steak. Chicago is such a foodie city, so be sure to try the other nachos on the city’s full list.
Hamptons - Estia’s Little Kitchen
1615 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor, 631-725-1045 / Website
Nestled in Sag Harbor, Estia's Little Kitchen serves up a delightful plate of nachos that perfectly balances fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their take on this classic dish is a must-try for anyone seeking a satisfying, gourmet twist on traditional nachos. Take your pick between the nachos grande, packed with andouille, jack cheese, onions and peppers, salsa, guacamole and sour cream or the meatless nachos with mixed vegetables, queso fundido sofrito, salsa and sour cream. You can't go wrong with these tasty options! Nachos are perfect for the summer season, so try even more while you’re in the Hampton’s from the area’s full list.
Las Vegas - Casa Calavera
4455 Paradise Rd., Website
This Virgin Hotels restaurant brings the party in its open-air dining space. Between rounds of margaritas, be sure to graze on shared plates with your group, such as the Calavera Nachos. Showcasing a housemade chipotle cheesy nacho sauce, it comes piled with refried beans, Oaxaca cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream. Opt for guacamole and carne asada for the ultimate nacho order. Feeling lucky? Try the other nachos on Las Vegas’ full list.
Los Angeles - El Cholo
Various Locations / Website
This longtime restaurant has treated Angelenos to overloaded plates of classic Mexican dishes for more than a century, which includes various kinds of nachos. When deciding from the lineup, go for Carmen’s Original Nachos. On the menu for longer than any other kind of nacho, this dish goes heavy on the cheese. Also, it’s named after one of El Cholo’s self-described “legendary waitresses,” Carmen Rocha. You already know L.A. has incredible Mexican food, so do not miss a single spot on the city’s full list.
New York City - Tanner Smiths
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204 W 55th St., 646-590-2034 / Website
Nestled in the heart of Midtown, this speakeasy cocktail bar brings the allure and excitement of New York’s early twentieth-century illicit antics to life. Known for its craft cocktails and late-night bites, it offers a menu that’s as storied as its ambiance. The BBQ brisket nachos feature a 12-hour smoked brisket smothered in jack cheese, cello radish, black beans and shaved jalapenos. This celebrated bar creates an unforgettable atmosphere for those seeking a taste of history alongside crafted cocktails. Leave some room for later, because you’ve simply got to try the other spots on NYC’s full list.
Nashville - Bastion Nashville
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434 Houston St., Ste. 110 / Website
While Bastion's 24-seat, reservation-only tasting menu-style restaurant is a master class in creative fine dining, the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood spot's casual bar is home to just one dish: a heaping portion of nachos. It may be the only offering, but that's because it's the only one anyone could need: creamy queso cheese sauce, Cotija cheese, house-pickled veggies, cilantro, a dollop of sour cream and your pick of pulled pork or vegetarian chorizo. Looking for more? Check the other great nacho spots on Nashville’s full list.
San Francisco - Hi Tops
2247 Market St., 415-551-2500 / Website
This Castro favorite is a great place to grab a bite and watch the big game—whatever the sport may be. The menu is full of diverse delights from salads and bowls to sandwiches, burgers, breakfast until 3 p.m. and more, but of course, the nachos make this a must-visit. Hi Tops isn’t playing around with its "huge killer nachos" offered in full and half portions. Chow down on homemade tortilla chips covered in melty pepper jack and cheddar cheese, piled high with avocado, black beans, pickled jalapenos, salsa and sour cream. Don’t stop there! Explore the other nacho spots on San Francisco’s full list.
Maybe you’re in the mood for a more diverse menu? Check our list of the best Mexican restaurants across the country according to our regional editors.