The amount of taco options in Austin can be overwhelming, but we’ve narrowed down the perfect taco bucket list, from casual to more upscale! Explore the list below and get to eating!
Updated October 2023
CENTRAL/DOWNTOWN
ASADOR
With three locations in the downtown area, the tacos at Asador are clearly incredible! The menu includes staple food truck dishes, like brisket, grilled chicken, and carnitas. They also have a ton of vegetarian varieties like the mushroom mole, cauliflower chorizo, and vega queso!
Multiple locations | See locations
ATX COCINA
ATX Cocina has all of the coastal vibes with Mexican street food inspo! Give their tacos al pastor and tacos de trompo a try topped with fresh onion and cilantro. Take note that the place runs a happy hour daily from 4:30pm to 6:30pm in the bar area only, so make sure to stop by then!
San Antonio St. | Directions
AUSTIN TACO JOINT
Fresh handmade tortillas for the win! Find the most superb breakfast and lunch tacos at Taco Joint and dress them up with one of the many salsas that they make daily. Add some diced potatoes and refried beans to your tacos for the ultimate bite!
Multiple locations | See locations
LA CONDESA
This spot features modern takes on Mexico City dishes that are bold and flavorful! From tacos de pescado with pineapple pico and guacamole to steak tampiqueña tacos with housemade masa tortilla, everything is mouthwatering. They also have one of the largest collections of tequila and mezcal in the city, so you'll definitely want to try one of the many delectable cocktails along with your meal!
W. 2nd St. | Directions
TACO DELI
This classic chain is known for its amazing tacos! Their beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetarian tacos make the perfect meal with a side of Mexican red rice or Mexican street corn. Don't leave without trying one of their Señorita margs swirled with your choice of agua fresca for a refreshing finish!
Multiple locations | See locations
VAQUERO TAQUERO
This late-night taqueria that also serves up South Texas-style tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Their specialty is the taco al pastor that's wrapped in a warm handmade tortilla and garnished with roasted pineapple, cilantro, onion, salsa, and avocado crema. Come by on Tuesdays for $1 tacos and some live entertainment!
Multiple locations | See locations
VELVET TACO
The spicy tikka chicken taco is everything at Velvet, but so is everything else! From breakfast tacos with crispy potatoes to a Korean fried rice taco, the unique options are endless. Their classic queso blanco is also a must try that comes with chimichurri, Velvet taco heat sauce, and cilantro! (Pictured)
Multiple locations | See locations
VERACRUZ
Organic aguas frescas, homemade tortillas, and Mexican authenticity can all be found at Veracruz! Each location, food truck and restaurant, has a phenomenal menu with migas tacos, mole tacos, steak tacos, and more. Sprinkle some queso fresco and chunks of avocado and you're good to go!
Multiple locations | See locations
MORE NORTH
CON TODO
This award-winning food truck features tacos that come with everything, hence the name! All tortillas are made in-house daily and you have the option to make any taco a tostada with fresh guacamole. Order an ice-cold Mexican Coke for a refreshing finish!
North Austin | Directions
CARNITAS EL GUERO
Carnitas is definitely the move for juicy traditional Michoacan meat lovers! Try their all-time faves like tacos de carnitas (obvi), a mushroom quesadilla, chicharrón gorditas, and doraditas. They are open late, so you can always rely on some good grub after a night out at Carnitas!
Multiple locations | See locations
PAPRIKA
Find this mobile kitchen for incredible suadero tacos and more! They also have a great selection of meatless options like the tangy cactus and mushroom tacos. Make sure to give their socials a follow for their specials so you can try all kinds of authentic Mexican tacos!
N. Lamar Blvd. | Directions
A BIT EAST
CUANTOS TACOS
If you're looking for Mexico City-style tacos, look no further! Find some delicious suadero, cachete, carnitas tacos and more served out of this hard-to-miss mustard yellow truck. With specials of the day always varying and delicious, it's a spot worth visiting a couple of times a week!
E. 12th St. | Directions
DE NADA CANTINA
Step into a vibrant atmosphere with excellent tacos and margs at De Nada Cantina! Served in housemade blue corn tortillas, you can get tacos from shrimp with chipotle slaw to seared gulf fish with pickled pineapple. They also have must-try breakfast tacos every day from 11 am to 2 pm like the barbacoa and eggs with potatoes and the migas tacos! (Pictured)
E. Cesar Chavez St. | Directions
DISCADA
This taco truck serves only one type of taco and that's the meat and veggies-style taco, aka cowboy-wok cooking! You can choose to get three, five, or eight of their delicious tacos with a side of elote in a cup for good measure. Sip on a sidral mundet, apple soda from Mexico, for all of the Mexican vibes!
Rosewood Ave. | Directions
EL TACORRIDO
Pull up to this authentic Mexican taqueria that serves their tacos out conveniently through their drive-thru! Customize your breakfast tacos (served all day) and your classic tacos with your choice of meat. If you're looking for something equally delicious but that's on the lighter side, give their mushroom and cactus tacos a try!
Multiple locations | See locations
GRANNY'S TACOS
Granny's has all of the traditional family recipes and authentic eats! Voted as Austin's best breakfast taco, you'll definitely want to get the chilaquil taco with housemade mole and the migas taco. Find the pink and white truck to experience a home-cooked-style meal!
E. 7th St. | Directions
LAS TRANCAS TAQUERIA
This taco stand is tough to beat with its phenomenal tacos and late-night hours! At Las Trancas, you choose your meat, take a seat at one of the benches under the string lights, and wait for your mouthwatering order to be called. Pick one of your fave flavors of Jarritos for the perfect nightcap!
E. Cesar Chavez St. | Directions
PALO SECO 512
What used to be known as La Tunita 512 is now Palo Seco 512, but still serves the same savory tacos! Known for its birria tacos with cheese or consome, it's an excellent spot for a quick bite. If you get a chance, try their al pastor and bistec queso tacos before they sell out!
Burleson Rd. | Directions
JUAN IN A MILLION
If you're in the mood for a hearty taco, Juan in a Million is your spot! Famous for the Don Juan, dig into a mountain of eggs, potatoes, bacon, and cheese with a side of fresh flour tortillas. Add a couple of hot cups of coffee to wash it down and get your day started right!
E. Cesar Chavez St. | Directions
NIXTA TAQUERIA
A bean and cheese taco with chipotle mayo and avo? Yes, please! At Nixta you can also get an enchilada taco, a cauliflower taco, and the star of the show, a duck carnitas taco. Stop by for their happy hour from 4:30 pm to 6 pm for $2 off beer and cocktails that'll pair perfectly with your grub!
E. 12th St. | Directions
PUEBLO VIEJO
With six locations around town, Pueblo Viejo's street tacos are always in demand! The most popular tacos are al pastor and pueblo viejo style, but the other eight types of tacos are just as delicious. Don't forget to try their salsa, creamy serrano, and Mexican chipotle!
Multiple locations | See locations
ROSITA'S AL PASTOR
It's all in the name! Rosita's serves an authentic Mexican family recipe of al pastor that delivers every time. Come for freshly pressed flour tortillas and savory meat topped with fresh pineapple, onion, and cilantro!
E. Riverside Dr. | Directions
SUERTE
This adorable spot is upscale and adorned with Mexican art! Their suadero tacos are to die for and are a must-try. Lucky hour is Sunday through Thursday from 5 pm to 6 pm so get there to feel extra lucky with their frozen mangonada and yummy bites!
E.6th St. | Directions
TACOS GUERRERO
Look for a tiny orange taco trailer, run by the sweetest elderly woman! With spectacular breakfast tacos made with handmade corn tortillas, you'll definitely be in for a treat at Tacos Guerrero. Make sure to add the molcajete salsa for that extra kick of goodness!
E. Cesar Chavez St. | Directions
TAMALE HOUSE
Although known for its incredible tamales, the tacos here definitely shouldn't get slept on! From breakfast tacos to deluxe and street tacos, there's something for everyone at Tamale House. Don't forget to add one of the signature salsas to your order for bites full of bold flavor!
E. 6th St. | Directions
THE VEGAN NOM
Find some of the city's best vegan tacos at The Vegan Nom! There are breakfast tacos with tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, and potatoes and "nom" tacos with grilled avocado, mushrooms, and black beans. With over ten tacos to choose from, you'll have filling and tasty tacos with every order!
E. Cesar Chavez St. | Directions
MORE SOUTH
EL PRIMO
Located right outside of the Once Over Coffee Bar, you'll find El Primo's taco cart parked and serving up steaming bean and cheese tacos! You can also indulge in breakfast tacos like their migas, ham, and egg, or lunch tacos like their barbacoa or asada. With a coffee in one hand and a taco in the other, it can't get any better!
S. 1st. St. | Directions
FRESA’S
Fresa's is perfect for a patio hangout with friends, margs, and tacos! Go for the classic La Fresa or El Rey, El Santo, and La Mari which are your delicious chicken, beef, and shrimp options! Add an agua fresca to wash it down in flavors like lime, watermelon, and pineapple mint! (Pictured)
Multiple locations | See locations
VALENTINA’S TEX-MEX BBQ
Though it may be an unexpected combo, this spot's barbeque is phenomenal and the tacos are outstanding! Head just south of Austin to Buda, Texas for some smoked brisket and cerveza beef fajita tacos. Valentina's tacos are definitely worth the commute if it's a little out of the way!
Buda | Directions
PAPALOTE
This taco house serves amazing breakfast tacos (served all day), classic tacos, and specialty tacos! From fried avocado with cheese to shredded turkey covered in sweet mole sauce, there are so many unique options to choose from. Give their agua frescas a try like their hibiscus and tamarind for the full experience!
Multiple locations | See locations
