When people ask me to think of my favorite restaurant, for some reason I inevitably think of Gardens of Taxco first. I don’t go there very often, really just for special meals, but my memory keeps going with all the colors and flavors this amazing West Hollywood spot has to offer.

Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who loves the Taxco Gardens, so parking can be a bit of a hassle. There is a small parking lot in front of the restaurant that is almost always full and street parking can be tricky in this neighborhood. The best thing to do is go ahead and pay the $4 for valet parking. I promise, it’s worth it.

Gardens of Taxco serves the most incredible and hearty five-course traditional Mexican food you’ll ever taste. The flavors are so delicate and unusual that they are nothing like the watered down, greasy nonsense you find at popular, flavorless chains. Even before your main course, they offer appetizers of spicy pickled vegetables and fresh tortilla chips with homemade salsa, a quesadilla with Oaxacan cheese and homemade guacamole, a tempting enchilada, and a spicy soup. And the dessert (banana cream pudding with cherries and a complimentary glass of sherry) is so rich that even if you’re full, you’ll find room for it.

While every offering at Gardens of Taxco is wonderfully spiced and tastes authentic, the one thing you shouldn’t miss is any mole dish. The mole served at this elegant restaurant is unlike anything you’ve ever dreamed of and, as the human menu narrates, it’s “the best mole in town.”

Gardens of Taxco offers a variety of wines and beers to pair with a Mexican palette, and sangria daiquiris by the pitcher to keep the party going.

The atmosphere here is hard to define. Small tables and booths dotted throughout the dimly lit restaurant, accommodating both large parties and intimate dates.

You’ll feel transported to a strange land resplendent with a fusion of Spanish and Mexican décor. the atmosphere is lively
without being too loud or boisterous and the roving mariachi softly strumming their guitar makes Gardens of Taxco a romantic place to bring a date. There are no menus, there is just one man, who has been there since opening day, who recites the menu like an epic poem and designs your dinner delights based on his personal tastes.

You won’t know what to expect when you walk through the door: the atmosphere is whimsical yet somber, lively yet refined. Just know that you will be treated like a VIP and savor every bite of the delicate and unique cuisine.

taxco gardens

1113 North Harper Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-1746
Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday: 4:30 pm to 11 pm
Fri/Sat: 4:30pm-midnight (reservations recommended on weekends)

PS Since I’m always in favor of discounts, I’m not shy about promoting Garden’s version of an “Early Bird” special. If you go Tuesday through Friday before 7pm, you can enjoy this amazing five-course meal for half price. Check their website for details on the coupons they offer.