Incredibly moreish and satisfying, nachos are arguably one of the best appetizers ever, whether you're sharing them with the table or enjoying a plate all to yourself. Whether you like yours piled high with smooth, silky queso, sour pickled jalapeños, fresh guacamole and spicy salsa or you prefer your tortillas laden with spicy chili or fresh crab, we've found the best nachos in every state.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Customers rave about the plantain nachos at Mexican restaurant El Barrio and with good reason. Crispy plantain chips are topped with roasted pork, plantain ribbons, pickled jalapeños, dried poblano chilies, cotija (a crumbly Mexican cheese) and lime crema (a super zesty, tangy cream). They might be different to your traditional nachos but it's a combination that really works.
Jack Sprat calls its Nachos Libre 'adventurous vegan nachos' and we can see why. Corn tortilla chips are topped with chilled mushroom and walnut 'meat', avocado purée, scallions, radish, fresh salsa, and spicy serrano peppers for an extra hit of heat. Whether you follow a plant-based diet or not, these sound utterly delicious.
The JT Nachos are a customer favorite at casual taqueria Just Tacos and More and it's easy to see why. Crisp and crunchy nachos are smothered in housemade chorizo queso sauce, re-fried pinto beans, pico de gallo (tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime salsa), freshly made guacamole, and Mexican crema. If you're particularly hungry you can also add shrimp or steak on top.
The Fold is a taco joint based inside a 1960s auto repair and gas station meaning this casual Mexican eatery has bundles of retro charm. The joint's nachos are a firm customer favorite. Loaded with black beans, salsa, scallions, cilantro, crema, and queso that comes highly rated, meat lovers can also add bison, chicken, chorizo, pork, shrimp, or steak. There's also a charming patio area perfect for enjoying your nachos al fresco.
Gus’s BBQ is one of LA's oldest restaurants and where you can find the best nachos in town. Its version is topped with pulled pork, three-cheese sauce, BBQ baked beans, smoked mozzarella and Monterey Jack, as well as tomatoes, onion, pickled jalapeños, guacamole, and BBQ sauce. Pure comfort food! The restaurant also has two more locations in Claremont and Porter Ranch.
La Loteria Taqueria started out as a food truck before finding a permanent home in Denver and the cozy restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike. Its Solo Nachos combine Pepper Jack, Cheddar and nacho cheese, pickled jalapeños, pinto beans, and salsa, plus a refreshing sour cream. If you want to make a meal out of your nachos you can add chicken, carne asada (grilled steak) or camarones (shrimp).
El Pollo Guapo specializes in rotisserie chicken but customers also rave about the Guapo Nachos. Topped with pollo con queso (chicken in a cheese sauce), queso fresco (white fresh cheese), sriracha aioli, garlic aioli, sweetcorn, and pico de gallo, they sound mighty fine. The restaurant also has outlets in Glastonbury and Wethersfield.
The nachos at cool brewpub Stitch House Brewery are served in an extra-large sizzling skillet, making them look even more appealing. They come smothered in beer cheese, Cheddar Jack, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, sour cream, and scallions. You can also add chicken, pulled pork or chili. It’s the perfect accompaniment to one of their craft beers.
The oldest deli in Florida, Kush by Stephens serves up nachos with a difference – the Pastrami Nachos sees tortilla chips loaded with Cheddar, pico de gallo, sour cream and the restaurant's signature hand-sliced pastrami. The lively Jewish-themed joint from Miami restaurant group Kush Hospitality also serves up killer cocktails, including the OG Blueberry Kush, which is packed with Midnight Blue Moonshine, blueberries, basil and orgeat (a sweet syrup).
The nachos at family-owned site Taco Cantina will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Loaded with black beans, two types of cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and guacamole, there's also a long list of meat toppings you can add. Choose from al pastor (grilled pork slices), chicken tinga, shredded brisket, grilled chipotle steak, grilled chicken, pulled pork, steak, or shrimp al diablo.
Shorefyre's two locations in the International Market Place and Koa Ave serve Mauna Kea Nachos, which keep it simple with melted cheese, jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, and sour cream. You can add chicken, kalua pork (smoked, shredded meat) and steak, as well as avocado and red bell peppers, for an extra cost. It's also a great place for a night out, with live music and killer cocktails.
The hottest happy hour in town can be found at The Matador, a Mexican restaurant and bar with a smattering of outposts across the state. Every day from 4pm-6pm and from 10pm until close, you can get Grande Nachos loaded with Cheddar, Monterey Jack, black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro, and lime crema for $7. For an extra charge you can add house chorizo, carnitas, ground beef or marinated steak.
Fans of trying something a little different will love the Roasted Sprouted Nachos at Broken Barrel Bar, which load oven-roasted Brussels sprouts, sliced radishes, a jalapeño-Cheddar sauce, salsa and sour cream over tortilla chips. You can also add brisket, pulled pork and grilled or crispy chicken to the mix too.
It might be called The Tamale Place, but visitors in the know order the Steak Nachos when they’re here. Succulent steak sits atop fresh, thick tortilla chips, whole black beans, housemade white cheese dip and shredded lettuce. You can also add two extra toppings including red and green salsa, jalapeños, and guacamole.
Mullets is the place to go when you're feeling particularly hungry or are out to eat with family and friends. Its Brisket Nachos with tomato, lettuce, onions, jalapeños, banana pepper and cheese are large enough to feed six people. The restaurant also has an outdoor patio with amazing views of downtown to gaze at while you work your way through the ginormous dish. If you're visiting pre-lunch, the restaurant also serves breakfast nachos, topped with scrambled eggs, onions, sausage, bacon, and jalapeños.
There's a wide range of nachos available at La Fuente Mexican Street Food with meat options including steak, chicken tinga, and carnitas (pulled pork). Whichever you go for, expect them to be piled high with beans, queso fresco, and guacamole. Customers say they're packed full of flavor and come in generous portions.
Mussel and Burger Bar has a different take on nachos, using regular potato chips instead of the traditional tortilla chips. They're loaded with tender and flavorful braised beef short rib, guacamole, pico de gallo, black bean purée, Monterey Jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, sour cream, and a cheese dip. It may be different, but it's definitely tasty.
Rum cocktail and Caribbean food heaven The Rum House also happens to serve seriously good nachos, and they're so popular with customers the restaurant named them 'Damn Good Nachos'. Expect a plate of tortilla chips layered sky-high with pulled pork, black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, red onion, lime crema, cilantro, and melted cheese. One portion will easily feed two.
Fans of Taco Escobarr – a lively Mexican restaurant where the music is always playing, the Margaritas are always flowing and the bartenders are friendly – say the nachos here are the best in the state. There are two varieties to choose from: El Nino's Nachos, with queso, pickled jalapeños, scallions, radish, pico de gallo, cilantro, crema, queso fresco, and guacamole; and El Jefe's Nachos, with chips, cabbage, onion radish, pico de gallo, and scallions.
The signature starter at homey pub The Outpost American Tavern is its 10 Can Nachos. Every ingredient in the dish is made in-house, including the fried flour tortilla chips which are topped with pinto beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, chorizo, queso, sour cream, cilantro, and scallions. The nachos come served in a huge tin can, which you then tip on to the plate, hence the name.
You can choose from buffalo chicken, cheesy, veggie, steak, shrimp, and pulled pork nachos at Orale Mexican Grill, but they all come laden with refried beans, pico de gallo, cheese, crema, jalapeños and guacamole. Whichever you opt for, the restaurant's regular customers say you'll be coming back for more.
Taqueria Mi Pablo is loved for its traditional Jalisco-style dishes, hailing from the owners’ hometown in western Mexico. A particular favorite is the meat and vegetarian botanas, the Mexican version of appetizers. The dish is basically nachos – corn tortilla chips smothered with beans, melted cheese, tomato, avocado, onions, green peppers, and jalapeño peppers. Customers say these alone are worth a visit to the restaurant.
The star dish at Nacho’s Mexican Grill is, of course, nachos. They’re topped with queso, beans, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and guacamole. Extra toppings such as asada, barbacoa (pulled beef), chicken tinga and chorizo are optional, but the steak option has received standout reviews.
Loaded with your choice of smoked chicken, brisket, BBQ pork rind or pulled pork – plus queso, beans, pico de gallo, jalapeños, pickled onions, a sweet barbecue sauce and sour cream – it’s no surprise that the BBQ Nachos from award-winning barbecue joint The Pig & Pint are a firm favorite.
Seoul Taco blends Mexican and Korean cuisines with delicious results. Their nachos are topped with queso blanco, green onion, roasted sesame seeds, kimchi, and sour cream and customers say the flavors complement each other perfectly. The restaurant has three locations in St Louis, plus a food truck making stops around town.
The Club Tavern & Grill is a sleek sports bar loved by locals who come to watch a game on the many screens while enjoying a menu filled with comfort food. The nachos are a customer favorite and come topped with cheese sauce, pepper jack, Cheddar, black beans, pico de gallo, olives, jalapeños, ground beef, and fire-roasted salsa. Add a side of guacamole for $2.
If you want a Mexican fix in Nebraska then head to Javi’s Tacos, a laidback joint with three branches in the area. The nachos come topped with meat (chicken or birria), really good queso, and your choice of garnishes like radishes, sweetcorn salsa, onion, cilantro, lettuce, and sour cream. Some people ask for 'Javi's Way', which means all of the above.
Local chain Nacho Daddy is the place to go for gourmet nachos, with a menu dedicated to the popular dish. Options include lobster and crab, Thai chicken and pork carnitas. The firm customer favorite is the filet mignon, though; nachos topped with tender, grilled filet mignon sautéed with peppers, tomatoes and garlic in a red enchilada sauce, Cheddar and Jack cheeses, refried beans, queso fresco, sour cream, and scallions.
An exceptionally garlicky, decadent dish, the Famous Chicken & Garlic Nachos from Hermanos Cocina Mexicana are made with hand-cut yellow or blue corn tortillas, which are fried and then piled high with chicken, cheese, jalapeños, and garlic dressing. You can also build your own with toppings including pork, beef, shrimp, avocado, olives, and chilies.
Trendy taqueria Tacoria Mexican Street Kitchen, which has eight locations throughout the state, is the ultimate spot for vegan nachos in New Jersey. Its Viva La Nachos takes hand-cut tortillas and loads them with black beans, salsa, cheese, crema, and marinated peppers. You can also add fried avocado, Beyond Tacoriza (vegan chorizo), or charred Brussels sprouts in chipotle sauce.
The Nacho Mama Platter from Casa Taco has been named the best in the city by multiple customers. This huge dish keeps it fresh and simple with cheese, pinto beans, queso, lettuce and tomatoes. There's also the loaded version, which adds ground beef, sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeños to the dish. As well as customers raving about the food, they love the friendly service too.
The nachos at trendy Mexican Bar La Contenta are a work of art and loved by customers who can't get enough of the tasty dish. Thick tortilla chips are topped with layers of stretchy Pepper Jack, Oaxaca cheese, Cheddar, black beans, pico de gallo, avocado sauce, and sour cream. The perfect accompaniment to one of the bar's delicious cocktails.
The nachos at the Raleigh Times Bar are piled high and presented beautifully. Times Nachos see thick and crunchy tortilla chips decorated with fresh jalapeños, cilantro, Cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. You can choose to add juicy chicken tinga, or barbacoa, both of which come hIghly rated. There's also a lovely rooftop patio, perfect for enjoying your nachos with a drink and watching the sun go down.
The Irish Nachos at Blarney Stone Pub are especially good if you're after something a little bit different. This version of the dish uses waffle fries instead of tortilla chips, topped with a choice of seasoned beef or chicken, plus melted Cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, tomatoes, jalapeños, scallions, and salsa. The pub has two locations in South Dakota.
Asian fusion gastropub Copper & Flame serves wonton nachos, which customers claim are 'epic'. This dish combines crisp wonton chips, juicy carnitas, creamy queso, tangy Korean BBQ sauce, housemade kimchi, cotija (an aged Mexican cheese), fresh radish, jalapeños, and cilantro. The perfect sharer to enjoy while you work your way through the bar's 68 self-pour drafts.
The Sheet Pan Nachos from Ted’s Tacos and Cantina – a fun taqueria with a great happy hour – keep customers coming back for more. Large enough to serve two people, the dish is topped with shredded cheese, queso, pico de gallo, pinto beans, sour cream, guacamole, and Southwest sauce. Customers can then customize their nachos with a choice of ground beef, shredded chicken or pork, fajita chicken, and grilled veggies.
Jalisco-style taqueria, Papi Chulo’s is known for its housemade, spicy birria stew (a traditional Mexican dish). However, customers say its nachos loaded with fresh pico de gallo, jalapeños, pinto beans and a Mexican cheese blend are not to be missed. Make a meal of it by adding shrimp, veggies, pork, steak, or chicken.
Rosy's Taco Bar is the place to go for nachos and Margaritas in Philadelphia, especially during happy hour (3pm-5pm, Mon-Thurs) when they're just $5 each. The nachos here are covered in delicious chihuahua (a soft, white Mexican cheese), Monterey Jack, refried beans, sour cream, tomato, pickled red onion and jalapeño. You can also add chicken, shrimp, carnitas, veggies, steak, or chorizo.
The cozy Brick Alley Pub, which has walls crammed with historic artifacts, is famous for its nacho platters. The Ultimate Nacho Platter consists of house-fried corn tortillas covered in a blanket of Cheddar and Monterey Jack, with refried beans, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Other options include marinated chicken or eight-hour slow-cooked beef brisket.
There are eight types of nacho plates on the menu at Nacho Hippo, as well as an option to build your own. Customers rate the Hungry Hippo with taco beef, shredded chicken, blended cheese, queso, black olives, coriander, shredded lettuce, and pico de gallo. Other options include the vegetarian Tree Hugger and Bangin' Shrimp with fried shrimp, 'spicy bangin’ sauce', mango pico de gallo, queso, blended cheese, shredded lettuce, and salsa.
You'll feel as if you've stepped into a traditional pub in Dublin thanks to the Victorian-era features like a copper ceiling and stained-glass windows at McNally's. The nachos also have Irish charm, swapping the traditional tortillas for kettle chips. These are topped with both sirloin and chicken, plus shredded Pepper Jack, Cheddar, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
When you have a nacho craving in Memphis, head to Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos, a chilled diner with locations in Midtown and Downtown. The dish is heavy on the salad, loading tortilla chips with beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, carrots, cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, chipotle, and cheese, and it always hits the spot. If you're looking to add more protein, spicy shrimp or chicken tinga are the favorites, but there's also pork and steak.
Visitors to Vamonos, a colorful Tex-Mex restaurant that gets its inspiration from classic Texan ranch meals, are always impressed by the Nachos Ignacio. The large dish features crispy tortillas, ground beef, refried beans, Oaxaca and Monterey Jack cheese, and pickled jalapeños. Customers also rate the fun atmosphere and friendly service.
Lake Effect is a fine-dining restaurant, but the nachos are just as popular here as they are in more casual establishments. Oven baked in a tin can to keep them assembled straight, the nachos are topped with Cheddar, black beans, pickled jalapeños, tomato, salsa verde, scallions, guacamole and sour cream. You can swap the cheese for vegan cheese or add pulled pork or flank steak depending on your preference.
Chic American restaurant The Gryphon serves Sweet Potato Nachos and customers are big fans. Made with sweet potato chips loaded with black beans, fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, guacamole, sour cream and green tomato salsa, the dish feels healthy and fresh – a far cry from the greasy, game day staple sometimes offered up by places. You can also add chicken or pork to the dish.
Charlottesville brewpub South Street Brewery wins rave reviews for its great food and impressive list of beers and craft cocktails, but it's their twist on nachos that really gets people talking. The Pork Wonchos feature crispy fried wontons topped with pulled pork, jalapeño-corn coleslaw, wasabi goat's cheese, roasted red peppers, and chives. In short, the dish is packed full of flavor.
Seafood fans will love the Crab Nachos served at the lively Some Random Bar. The decadent dish is citrus flavored and rich, topped with a generous portion of fresh crab, white Cheddar, grilled onion, avocado, sour cream, cilantro pesto, Aleppo pepper and lime. It's a zingy alternative to traditional nachos and customers love it.
For Tex-Mex fans in West Virginia, street food and cocktail joint Black Sheep Burrito and Brews is a must-visit. Its nachos are made with fresh tortilla chips, housemade chili, queso, pickled jalapeños, pico de gallo, and lime-sriracha crema. You can also add grilled steak, chicken, chorizo or pulled pork.
For outdoor dining and Caribbean-inspired dishes, check out San Pedro Café in Hudson. Even its much-loved Duck Nachos have a tropical twist with sweet mango salsa, spicy lemon habanero aioli, pico de gallo, and stretchy mozzarella loaded between the chips. It's one of the most popular dishes on the menu. The restaurant also offers Chicken Nachos and Roasted Tomato and Sweetcorn Nachos.
The Bueno Nachos from charming, old-fashioned Mexican restaurant Merry Piglets come highly recommended. Corn chips are topped with a blend of cheeses, mashed pinto beans, onion, tomato, fresh jalapeños, black olives, sour cream, and guacamole to create a satisfying dish full of flavor. Add shredded beef, chicken, or pork if you want just that little bit extra.