Fish tacos are the quintessential summer food and, if you know where to look, you can reel in so much more than just battered fish and tartar sauce. We compiled a list of drool-worthy fish tacos that thrive on menus because of their inventive combinations. So, stop fishing for the best fish taco joints in Westchester — we’ve got you covered.
1 Willet Ave, Port Chester
914.937.8226
There are a lot of tacos to choose from at this hopping harborside hotspot, and the four fish-filled picks never disappoint. Think: spicy tempura-battered cod with chipotle slaw, cilantro, and onion; chilled ancho-crusted tuna, Asian slaw, Thai basil vinaigrette, soy glaze, and sesame seeds; chili-lime shrimp (oh my!); and a duo of crispy fried oysters over remoulade. Classic corn tortillas hug the offerings, or go super light with a Bibb lettuce shell (our pick).
Pro tip: From now until Labor Day, whisper #bartacosecret to your server and find yourself diving face first into a taco of luxuriously tender lobster and hominy poached in lemon brown butter; a steal at just $6.95 (you’re welcome).
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166 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains
914.461.3959
Cantina is known for using locally sourced, in-season ingredients, so enjoy a fresh bite of the Modelo beer-battered fish, served with pico, chipotle mayo, and shredded red cabbage. But, the real showstopper — and the best-selling dish on the menu — is the rock shrimp taco. It’s served with grilled or battered shrimp, pickled red onion, and house-made cilantro mayo on a flour tortilla.
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185 Summerfield St, Scarsdale
914.723.2600
Bringing Mexican street food to a whole new level, the calamari and shrimp ceviche taco is the definition of fresh, light, and summer. Here, the marine delights are marinated in lime juice and served with avocado and homemade slaw on a char-grilled tortilla.
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150 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont
914.834.2244
If you know you know, and be sure you know about these specialty tacos even though they might not appear on the menu. The grilled Spanish octopus one with pickled onion, avocado, and guajillo oil is a must, as is the shrimp varietal with bacon, pineapple, and a tamarind glaze — it’s bacon us hungry (get it?). When these specials are not available, the Baja fish taco with mahi mahi, habanero mayo, and avocado sauce is a solid fallback.
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46 Christie Pl, Scarsdale
914.713.8946
For a classic coastal flood in a tortilla, check out the crispy calamari topped with the house chipotle aioli or the mahi mahi with avocado crema and mango pineapple pico (say that three times fast, if at all). For a zippy marine delight, the cilantro and garlic shrimp won’t disappoint. And, did we mention all tacos are GF?
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296 Columbus Ave, Tuckahoe
914.361.1515
Four fish tacos flood the menu at this always bustling fave for margs and elevated Mexican standards including two tilapia-based tempters: one dipped in Dos Equis tempura with dill crema, and the other served blackened with poblano crema and roasted Mediterraneo salsa. A cheese-lovers tortilla plays host to melted Jack, caramelized onions, and fried calamari on top, while the piece de resistance is bacon-wrapped shrimp with caramelized onions, mixed cabbage, pico de gallo, roasted chipotle, and melted Jack.
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18 Main St, Tarrytown; 914.909.4455
65 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville; 914.356.8226
1086 N Broadway, Yonkers; 914.375.4000
465 Bedford Rd, Pleasantville; 914.422.8111
As the name suggests, there are a staggering number of tacos and burritos to choose from, and three are stuffed with seafood. The Cajun salmon packs a zippy punch with house-made wasabi slaw, chipotle aioli, and fresh cilantro, while the tempura-battered shrimp comes sweet and spicy with mouth-watering mango salsa and tomatillo sauce. Choose sautéed or battered for the Atlantic cod taco that’s topped with red cabbage slaw, guaca salsa, cilantro, and crunchy fresh radish.
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487 E. Main St, Mt. Kisco
914.218.3460
You’ll find four variations of fish tacos here, but the two standouts are crispy and salty cornmeal-crusted Blue Point Oysters paired with a homemade relish and chipotle aioli; and wild salmon tartare marinated in sesame ginger and tucked into a hard-shell organic corn tortilla for that extra crunch.
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712 North Ave, New Rochelle
914.278.9865
Bursting with authentic Asian flavor, the Kung Pao shrimp taco features breaded shrimp tossed in an Asian sweet and sour sauce with lettuce and black sesame seeds on top.
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