Calacas Mexican Cuisine

Sat at the bar. House margarita was perfect. Service was great. Had the salsa trio (spicy was my favorite) all were good. Al Pastor tacos very good, the jalapeño sauce was perfect on them, black beans were very good, rice was bland. Tres leches cake was EXCELLENT! I would definitely recommend and plan on returning.

We had the guacamole and salsa trio tasting. Really good. Guacamole was fresh and was very tasty. Chips were good too right amount of salt. We had the balboa enchiladas. Very good. Glad we gave it a try 😊

We had a fantastic dinner that started with such a pleasant host representative. The great service continued for a meal at the bar. We had a salsa trio and chips, along with guac to start and the salsas were all unique and deeply flavored,but the guac was amazing!!! Our entrees were clearly well thought out in balancing flavors and the tres leches was a perfect shareable ending. We were at 1st disappointed with no music but in the end that was a bit of a welcome break from the noise of the rest of downtown and gave us a wonderful meal without having to yell at each other to hear ;) Bonus points for several vegetarian dishes for the 1/2 of us that was super happy about that!

Calacas is a cozy restaurant, nestled just far enough away from the honky tonks. The staff was friendly and attentive, without being overbearing. The food was pretty tasty, leaning more casual than upscale. For those concerned about spice, rest-assured they will not overwhelm your palette.

Perfect dinner. Best pork tacos I’ve ever had. The salsa trio was enjoyable with three very different flavors. The mezcal and pineapple cocktails were exceptional. I highly recommend this place.

Wonderful restaurant. The food is good but the atmosphere and service are too notch. Also they have an amazing tequila and mescal selections with very reasonable prices. The food was well prepared but it could have been a little more spicy. The salsa sampler was great!

The drinks were very good and the service was great. The food... was good. But for the price, it could've been better. It was the most American Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. A Tex-Mex. But all in all, it was okay.

I’ve never paid this much for enchiladas and I’ve also never seen any so small. I feel ripped off. I got take out and almost returned it just out of principle. At least give people full sized meals if you are gonna charge such outrageous prices for the cheapest to produce food on the planet Update: they don’t even taste that good :( you made me very sad, Calacas

Ate at the bar after arriving in town for work. Food and drink were delicious. The bartender was very attentive even though it was busy.

Staying in the area in Nashville, went on a Monday night as a walk in. Tamarind Margarita special was delicious, depth of flavor was really good. Two of us got tacos, I got Enchiladas Mole, which were delicious. Not a lot of spice to them but the sauce was very good. Trio of salsa and guacamole appetizer was very high quality but 20$ was steep for the portion size. Overall very happy to have decided to pop in

Ceviche was good Solid drinks Service was on point Effective Have to add too many characters for a review

I could have sworn I wrote about this restaurant, but maybe I dreamt it. This place is wonderful. This is one of a number of really wonderful restaurants within walking distance of our hotel in the SOBRO area. Walking in into the restaurant you are greeted by the host station. We were seated immediately...helps if you have a reservation. The cocktail menu offers a lot to consider. All unique in their way, and offering something appealing based on your pallet. It's hard to make a choice here. I am a sucker for and old fashioned so I went with the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned. That was so enjoyable, I had three. The wife had a Pineapple Margarita which was equally good. The Guajillo syrup really added some depth to the drink. We started off with the three salsas and chips with guacamole. these were really wonderful, and I would have been happy just drinking and eating chips and salsa. Also note, you can easily fill up on chips and salsa, and potentially not order an entree...they are that good. For entrees, I had the chili releno with the barbacoa beef added. it was a beautiful presentation, the sauce that adorned the Chile was awesome. The disappointing part of this entree was the center was barely cooked...just a little above room temperature. so that took away from the entree. My wife had a couple tacos, which thoroughly enjoyed. I really, REALLY wanted desert but too many chips and salsa took that option away. I would like to particularly mention our server, who was probably one of the best servers I had the pleasure to serve us. He was funny, prompt, and new the menu inside and out.

Popped in for a quick bite after a relaxing spa day at the Omni. This was the PERFECT late afternoon meal. Refreshing yet filling! Service was top notch, we were seated right away. Our server was very attentive to us making sure our water glasses were always full. Food was so freaking good! Came out piping hot and was so fresh and filling. The spicy margarita was the cherry on top, just the right amount of spice! The restaurant itself is beautiful, I could not stop looking around! The main color of the floors and walls is gray with pops of pinks for the booths and chairs. Calacas will definitely be my new "go to" when people come to town to visit me!

Sat at the bar and our bartender acted like we were an inconvenience. Ceviche was incredible. Husband got the mole barbacoa enchiladas and they were quite good. I am a chile relleno person. I was soooo looking forward to this based off the pics. Sauce was made for white people. Cheese was in no way melty. Meh. Considering the prices for everything I would give this a 3/5. Happy we tried it but won't be back.

Decent food - list some exotic M'ritas but just don't rise to a top notch place. Excellent salsa but stale chips - so enjoyable but the little things take it down a notch

My sister and I were staying nearby and saw the beautiful pictures on their Yelp page. We were happy to get seated right away on a Saturday night. We shared their Guacamole y salsa tasting which was huge and could be enough to share with 4 people as an appetizer. All the salsas were fresh and flavorful. Entrees consisted of Camaron tacos and chile relleno w/ barbacoa. The tortillas seems to be made in house and had such fragrant and delicious toppings. As far at the chile relleno, it was to die for! I loved every bit of it and was sad I didn't have an extra stomach to eat the rest of it with. It was tender, moist, and flavor packed. Overall, we had a perfect experience. They let us stay until they closed not rushing at all along the way. The bartender doubled as our waiter and was efficient in going above and beyond in both roles. Would absolutely love to come again and recommend others to do the same!

lacas offers a vibrant dining experience with a unique blend of traditional Mexican flavors and modern twists. The atmosphere is lively, with colorful décor and great attention to detail that transports you to a festive cantina. The food is delicious, with standout dishes like the birria tacos and elote that truly capture the essence of authentic Mexican cuisine. The flavors are bold, and the portions are generous. Their margarita selection is impressive, with creative flavors that pair perfectly with the meal. The service was friendly and attentive, though there was a slight delay during peak hours, which is to be expected given the popularity of the spot. Overall, Calacas is a fantastic place for a fun night out, whether you're grabbing drinks with friends or enjoying a family dinner. A must-visit if you're in Nashville and craving Mexican food!

By far the best cauliflower tacos I've ever had! My gf and I came on a Friday night and sat at the bar. The bartenders and staff were super friendly and attentive. Our meals and drinks were delivered with ease and grace, not to mention swiftness! I loveddd the ambiance. Anything dia de los muertos vibe, is a vibe! I thought it was stunning inside.

Incredible meal. The scallop risotto was fantastic and my wife really enjoyed the cauliflower tacos. We also got a salsa medley not pictured that came with green, red, and black bean salsas. The black bean was the star although they were all great. Not often that you find high end Mexican fare. Worth every penny.

I would like to write a sparkling review. I saw the not so good ones and figured those were from the crotchety picky people. Alas, not so much. The good: the spicy pineapple margarita. Flavorful and spicy. Very, very good. The not so good: the mole tinga enchiladas. The rice was dry. The tortillas were dry. The chicken was very dry. In fact, after eating the chicken the rice seemed a lot better. I got the mole instead of the verde because the bartender who was asking my order assured me it was "the best thing we have here". It was decently flavored, and I needed every bit of it for the rest of the dish. But it did not live up to the heavy endorsement. The bad: that bartender? Never checked on me again until I was done with my drink and my plate. And was on the other side of the bar so I couldnt really even try to get their attention. No more water, no second drink, no whatever I would have said about the dry components. And the check? Those two things came to $51. I get that the restaurant is in prime downtown space. But it just wasn't worth it. The drinks and atmosphere are the reason I'm giving this review a 3 instead of a 2, but reality is 2.5.

The food is special and authentic. My favorite place in the city. The service is always impeccable and the ambiance is relaxing, yet modern and upbeat. The bar service and cocktails are really a highlight. With an impressive tequila selection, this is the BEST margarita in town, hands down, must try! The guacamole y salsa tasting is a great appetizer, and I've had every amazing dish, but, my new favorite is the CHILE RELLENO, with roasted poblano pepper, black beans paste, queso fresco, salsa ranchera, crema fresca, white rice with corn. Add the beef barbacoa for an unbeatable dish! Always an enjoyable and memorable visit! See you soon!

Our wait staff was terrific! (Alessia) very friendly and smiley. Attentive without being overly. She took good care of us. we started with the trio salsa, we got two of the red two of the tomatillo, and we ignored the hot one cause it was hot! I really loved the red salsa. My hubs ate almost all of the tomatillo by himself! Lol The chips were some of the best I've ever had super thin and crunchy and salted! Alessia told us that they make everything here in-house, including the chips! For mains: I had the carne asada. (Steak and potatoes) it was cooked perfectly! The potatoes were small and cut in half, they were crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. Some of the best little potatoes I've ever had. The chimichurri on the steak was delicious. The steak was wonderful. My husband had the Chile Relleno. It was covered in a red sauce with sour cream all on the top. It was beautiful. It was stuffed with cheese and he really enjoyed it. I plan to come back again just to order that steak again!!

Excellent Food, does take a while to get served after ordering. Clean restaurant and nice waiters.

Traveling again for work, and Calacas is on the same block as my hotel. The place is small, but nicely appointed, well positioned on a bust street, and very clean. The staff was nice and efficient, and overall I enjoyed my solo meal. I had a spicy margarita, which was very, very good. for dinner I ordered the chili relleno upgraded with barbacoa. It was nicely done, but the sauce was a little too much towards the sweet side in my opinion. It also wasn't supper hot (temperature, not spice) with some of the cheese not fully melted. I'm giving them a 4 because of this, but otherwise it's a solid choice for dinner and/or drinks.

I usually balk at a $5 taco, but the Cochinita Pibil Taco happy hour special blew my mind. The tender meat falls apart in your mouth but releases succulent juiciness in every chew. The well-rounded flavor is supportive rather than remarkable--same goes for the complementary nuttiness of the corn tortilla-- and is accented in color, texture, and acidity by the pickled onion. Would rank this in the top 3 tacos I've ever had. (5/5) The ceviche was somewhat underwhelming in comparison. Fresh and subtle with a salsa verde and cucumber combo rather than the typical tart punchiness of pico de gallo. This left the focus on the fish, but in this case perhaps to its detriment. Just ok, especially given the price and smaller size. (3/5) Friendly service that offers helpful recommendations and answers questions about items containing dairy (both Cochinita Pibil Taco and Ceviche do not contain dairy). They were amused by my exaggerated reaction to the taco, but I'm willing to put up with a little embarrassment to show my appreciation and support. Definitely recommend coming in to try this restaurant, especially for happy hour!

Very quick stop here for Happy Hour which is Sun - Fri 4-5:30pm). Ordered chips & guac (not on HH menu) as well as a few margaritas (on HH menu). Everything was good! We sat at the bar but the restaurant area looked really cute & slightly dark. The bar was nice as was the Bartender.

Really good upscale Mexican restaurant. Our server Trinity was amazing. You will be fortunate if she takes care of you. The food was very high quality Started with house made Tortilla Chips and Salsa Trio. Chips were great. The three salsa's were fresh tasting but none had any heat. If you like guacamole, I probably would chose fresh made guacamole over the salsas. 4* Margaritas? Of course! I had the Mescal Margarita. My wife had the the Pineapple Margarita, an interesting twist. Both were very good and the there was no skimping on the alcohol. Drinks get 5* The Seared Scallops over Creamy Mushroom Corn Risotto were Ah-Maz-ing Gets 5* The Flank Steak was Super Tender but something about the seasoning seemed odd. I would not get it again, but that won't stop me coming here again Gets 3.5 *. Then came dessert. WOW Warm Churros with Ice Cream and Hot Fudge and Caramel Sauces. It was so good that I might just come back and just skip Apps and Margaritas and do the Churros for dinner and again for dessert 5* But seriously...it's a great place. Make a RSVP and try it if you haven't

The food here was excellent. We both loved our meals. I got the cheese enchilada plate. It came with 3 enchiladas and rice. No beans which is perfect because I'm not a huge beans fan. Everything about it was excellent. The flavor, the plating, everything. The service was excellent. Really nice decor and ambiance. We got a booth which made it feel private and it wasn't overly loud so it was enjoyable to converse. I would definitely come back here on another trip.

My husband and I dined in for Calacas for a quick lunch today. When you walk in, the decor adds an appeal to the restaurant especially if you are all about aesthetically pleasing restaurants. Our host had several tables and was attentive to us as well as the rest of his tables. Their guacamole was light and perfectly salted, which accompanied my guava margarita well. My guava margarita was excellent, you could actually taste the tequila, which is exactly how I like it! My husband got the empanada oaxaca and ate everything on the plate. As for my costra de carne, I am so glad I got this appetizer because it was the perfect amount of food and amazing. The carne was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The grilled cheese and pickled onions were also a great touch. Will definitely be going again, but hopefully will be able to save room for dessert!

Staying at a hotel nearby and I was craving some home cooked Mexican. This little gem hit the spot. Elena my server is a sweetheart and is more than attentive. Salsas were tasty and fresh. If you can handle jalapeños, you'll be fine with these salsas. My highlight for the night was the pork belly taco. OMG. You gotta get one of those. The mezcal margarita was exquisite. A lick of the salt rim and then a a sip balances out so smoothly. Def recommend!

Did takeout from here while staying at the hotel above. So delicious and ready right on time!

Happened to stumble across this one evening in search for food. I just say it didn't disappoint. Everything was flavorful and very authentic tasting. Dimly lit restaurant with the date night vibe. Service was prompt and efficient. It's a bit more pricey than your usual Mexican restaurants, but it's worth it.

The restaurant had super cool Mexican decor. I loved all the day of the dead and sugar skull art. Coming from Texas I was a bit hesitant about Nashville Mexican food but it was actually really good (a very close second lol). We had the quesadillas for an appetizer it was delicious ! I had the pastor tacos with pineapple it was really good too! The BEST was the tres leches for dessert! Honestly that was the best I had in a while. Our server I wish I remembered her name was so accommodating and kind. She was so good and kept our water full and even recommended some great cocktails. The drinks were AMAZING! I highly recommend this place if you're hungry in downtown Nashville!

The vibe of this restaurant was nice. Nothing that really stood out to me though . Food was good but I'm not a fan of the cilantro rice but that's anywhere not just here. Drinks were on the strong side which is actually kind of nice because you don't want to have to spend a lot of money to try and get a nice buzz . Only downside was the hostess. Me my wife and daughter went in without a reservation and the hostess was like well I can seat you but I have a reservation in an hour so you have to eat fast . And when we were seated there were plenty of open tables and no one was coming in when we were eating .

We were in need of late night food and drink after getting checked in to the Venetian and Calacas did not disappoint! Tasty margaritas, tasty salsa and yummy fajitas. Friendly wait staff. Located inside the Grand Canal Shoppes.

Our final evening in Nashville, we had tried most everything close to our hotel and decided that Calacas needed to be crossed off our list. Full disclosure the lovely K makes bangin' Mexican food, so we are often disappointed when we go out to have some. Calacas is a beautiful space, if a bit dark for our taste, but there is no denying it has a unique and interesting decor. We sat at the bar, which has become the usual choice for us if there is one in the place. Our server was friendly, polite and could easily be mistaken for Chin Ho Kelly from Hawaii 5/0. Our water arrived quickly as did K's wine and the poblano soup which we shared. The soup was excellent, nice and hot and very tasty. It was also nice and hot which we find can be an issue. The portion seemed a little small to us, but we did share it, so eating the entire thing might make a difference. The lovely K had the Enchilada with barbacoa and I the Chili Relleno with the barbacoa as well. There is plenty of food to be sure, and quite tasty, but it didn't blow us away. My rice was put into a mould to provide plate presence, but it wasn't hot, only barely warm which is always an issue for me. Given the price of our meals, we expected more, but again with the quality of product coming out of our kitchen when K gets her Mexican on we probably shouldn't have been surprised.

We've been to Calacas a number of times now. Their food is sensational, and the margaritas are the best in Nashville. I highly recommend the Costra de Carne appetizer tacos--probably the most flavorful taco I've ever had. The service is consistently five-star. If you haven't made a reservation and you are looking for a modern, fun, and relaxed vibe with incredible food and drinks, I highly encourage Calacas.

Had a great dinner here last night. I loved the Day of the Dead theme in the restaurant, it was a good twist on the normal decor of most Mexican restaurants! We started with a Guacamole and salsa sampler, a red, green, and hot hot salsa were included, and all delicious. The guacamole was some of the best I've had in a long time, and the chips were amazing, definitely freshly made. After filling up on the guacamole/salsa and chips, I settled on a simple chicken and cheese quesadilla, it wasn't anything over the too, it it was delicious Wish I were in town longer to go again, but would definitely return if I'm ever in Nashville again

Wow is all I can say. I had the scallops and spicy margaritas; it was heaven, so tasty, fresh and delicious. They marinate their own tequila in jalapeños. They go above and beyond. Chill atmosphere and great service! Highly recommend!

Food was great. Loved the atmosphere. Great service and margs were wonderful! Had a long meeting that day and needed something to eat. Found online and the pics captured the essence of the place. At at the bar and had a great meal. Scallops were amazing

Just a couple appetizers but we have had a full family meal here before. Wonderful food, inviting atmosphere and FANTASTIC service. A definite must if you are visiting downtown Nashville!

High recommend! If you're in the Downtown Nashville area and you're craving some amazing Mexican cuisine, Calacas has it for you. If you're a tequila aficionado, let me start by saying the tequila variety here is superb. From Frontera, Lalo, G4 High Proof it's a one stop shop to some of the best sought out tequilas. Now to the service, Alexia was charming and attentive. She was amused by my astonishment of the tequilas they stocked. She even brought a few bottles to the table for me to see! Now the food, truly impeccable! Seriously we couldn't stop raving about how well presented, prepared and tasteful everything was. From the creamy guacamole to the enchiladas with the best mole you've tasted. Lastly, the ambiance was chill and not pretentious. Very complimentary of the food, the drinks and the service! Our highlight of our stay in Nashville! Thank you Calacas!

Had a good visit here, we tried a few starters then I had the shrimp tacos. Our server was awesome, and made several recommendations. It was relatively quiet and our group was able to visit during our meal.

Nice restaurant in downtown area. Cool decorations remind me of Dia De Los Muertos. They do some good specialty margaritas and drinks. Not too noisy, speak easy. The carnitas plate was great. The pork fell off the bone, perfectly seasoned, tender and Juicy. Service was great. Restrooms were clean and stocked. They were playing the local hockey game in the bar area.

Friendly service and tasty margaritas. Liked sitting by the window and people watching. We ordered the Tacos Al Pastor and the salsa trio. Tasty!

Parking available at the AC Hotel. Our drinks were very good as was the food and the service. The entree we ordered was big enough for two. It was cold outside and there seemed to be a bit of a draft where we were sitting but otherwise, we really enjoyed our evening! I'd definitely recommend if you're near downtown Nashville.

We had the best dinner with Braxton at the bar. The carne asada was tender enough to cut with a fork. The salsa trio had habanero, traditional tomato, and then a tomatillo with avocado and lime that was amazing! We did finish with hot churro and ice cream. The margarita had some kick.

We pass by this restaurant all the time when we're going to a Preds game, but we finally came by with enough time to sit and eat the other day. Inside is upscale, but still cozy and welcoming. Plus, our server and her trainee were extremely friendly and helpful. We hadn't been before, sot he recommendation to try the guacamole and salsa app was right on point. I loved all of them, but the darkest salsa was my absolute favorite! We were warned it was spicy, but I think our guacamole was made with super fresh jalapeños, so that was honestly a bit spicier. Loved it all though. I ordered a pineapple margarita, so I felt like I had to get the Tacos Al Pastor. The margarita was lovely (I got it only with the Tajin, no salt) & the tacos came with rice and beans. The rice was a little dry, but the tacos were nice. There was just the right amount of meat on them, but I thought they could have used more of the other fillings (pineapple/cilantro/onions). I'm glad we had the appetizer at the table so I could add some guacamole to them. Looking forward to next time!

Food is great but they hide their large party tip as a service charge and still request a tip in addition to the bill they give you. No mention that the tip is included in your bill. VERY dishonest . .

Good excellent Drinks YUM Service exemplary My favorite Mexican restaurant Can't wait to return I wish they catered

Food was delicious! I ordered the chicken tinga enchiladas with verde sauce and loved it! The drinks are also very tasty. The server was so friendly and attentive even with our large party of 7! Would definitely recommend!

Wow, we had a great experience here. As a party of 7, we all tried something different and everything was fantastic. The guacamole was the best I've ever eaten, cocktails delish, and the pork belly tacos devine! Don't miss out on this place. You'll get great service as well. Thanks for a great afternoon Calacas!

Food was outstanding!!! Margaritas were tasty! Service was great!! Ambient was quaint & nice window table

Great vibe. Upscale and tasteful. The tacos were excellent and the sides of cilantro rice and black beans were even better! Cocktail was super small, (always a turn off) but the wine pour was very healthy. Recommend when needing a break from bbq and country music. Great location.

As a fellow Mexican I really enjoyed the authentic food this restaurant offered. The food was very Mexico City styles . As an appetizer I had the costra de carne street tacos and they were amazing ! They are delicious tacos with a cheese crust on the bottom . As an entree I had the chile relleno , it was very delicious . I also highly recommend the pineapple margarita with mezcal (if you like mezcal ) - my personal fav . Nancy was an amazing bartender and provided great service . The ambiance was beautiful and calm . I highly recommend.

Pretty great food! (Forgot to take more photos!) The service was quick and extremely thorough. Friendly staff - the bartender provided great service to my spouse and I , and the atmosphere was very nice and calm. Highly recommend !

I stopped by for dinner at around 7:20, and there was no tables available, so I had to come back 40 minutes later to get the table. I decided to skip the drinks, even though cocktails looked quite attractive, and I went directly to the food. My appetizer was ceviche, which was beautifully presented. It was tasty, albeit a bit too acidic to my taste (I polished the plate nevertheless). Ceviche was served with delicious plantain chips (I had to ask for more of those). Have chosen tacos as my main dish. I went with recommendation of the waiter - crispy cauliflower tacos. I thought that as I was not too hungry, even if I don't like them it wouldn't be a big deal. Boy, not only I liked them, those were probably one of the very best tacos I ever had! Supremely delicious, crispy, crunchy, perfect flavor - just excellent. Very nice decor- you can't miss the fact that you are in a Mexican restaurant. Very good service - prompt, attentive, friendly. Definitely recommended.