The Best Taco Shops in Austin (2026)
Being in Austin for over eight years, I’ve had a lot of tacos and I’m always looking to try a new taco place. I’ve learned that the best tacos are ones that are served outdoors so mainly food trucks!
Here are the TEN best taco shops/trucks/etc in Austin.
*Disclaimer: I have not visited ALL of the taco shops in Austin, so please, leave a comment below and let me know your favorite so I can visit it!
updated July 5 2023
discada
After having their truck totaled thanks to someone running into it, Discada returned in 2021, and thank goodness because they were missed! They take a mixture of beef and pork marinated for 24 hours, add bell peppers and onions, slowly cook in a tractor plow disc for 6 hours, and then serve in a corn tortilla.
What To Order
🌮 3, 5, or 8 count of tacos
🌽 Side of Elote
Pros [+]: authentic, flavorful, fresh, delicious
Cons [-]: only one location, but it’s at a popular bar (pro AND con) with inside & outside options
East Austin - Chalmers
1700 e cesar chavez st atx 78702
tu 4-9pm th-sat 12-9pm sun 12-4pm
website | instagram
Photo Credit: Paprika FB
paprika atx
Another food truck turned brick and mortar, Paprika brings authentic flavors with a modern twist. It’s undeniable how much Paprika cares about using only fresh and tasty ingredients.
What to Order
🌮 Quesitaco + Carnitas | 5
🌮 Taco De Suadero | 4
🌮 Taco De Nopalitos | 4
Pros [+]: fresh, authentic, inside dining room, trompo saturdays
Cons [-]: smaller dining area
6539 n lamar blvd austin 78752
tue - sat 11am-6pm
website | instagram | facebook
Credit: ATX FYI | Bianca Delmar
Credit: ATX FYI | Bianca Delmar
ensenada
This incredibly delicious taco truck is where liz has recently brought baja California street food to Austin! She has opened her incredible truck on the east side, sharing her taco recipe with Austin! I had the pleasure of talking to liz herself, her daughter, cristina, & her granddaughter, kristell (who is so much fun to talk to and is well on her way to being a food critic!).
Being from florida, I miss having fresh fish tacos, but ensenada has filled that void!
what to order: anything & everything
🐟 Fish Tacos - (Ensenada Style)
🍤 Tacos De Camaron
🌶 Salsa verde, Salsa Roja & Salsa Macha
🍋 Sparkling Limeade
✨weekend special menu✨
🐟 Tostados De Ceviche
🍤 Coctel De Camaron
🍹 Micheladas (byob)
Pros [+]: BEST SEAFOOD TACOS, authentic, flavorful, fresh, delicious
Cons [-]: only one location, which only has outdoor seating, but you can always eat in your car if the weather isn’t nice
East Austin - arbor food park
1108 e 12th st austin tx 78702
wed-sun 11am to 6pm
la santa barbacha
Another family-owned taco truck, fronted by sisters Daniela and Rosa from Central Mexico, both attended culinary school in Mexico and moved to Austin to open their food trailer in 2021. Now they are serving the absolute best barbacoa in town while being recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand in 2025!
What to order: Anything & Everything
🥑 Chilaquiles | 16.75
🧀 Quesabarbacha | 12
🌮 Barbacoa Taco | 5-6
🍈 any of their incredible agua frescas | 7.50
pros [+]: to die for barbacoa, made-to-order tortillas that are colorful, beautiful + fresh dishes, and delicious agua frescas
cons [+]: only outdoor seating and limited hours
East Austin - 2806 manor rd atx 78722
tu - sun 7am to 3pm
West Austin - 1214 w 6th st ste 100 atx
daily 9am to 3pm
Instagram | ORDER HERE
taqueria 7 estrellas
Don’t let this unassuming taco trailer in front of a tire shop sway your judgment. This is a late-night taco truck; they typically open at 6 or 7pm and open until 4:30am. I’ve heard that there are sometimes people playing instruments and making this quite the hangout.
No longer a taco trailer, 7 estrellas is now a brick and mortar (!!!) located less than a mile away from their original spot in the north park shopping center. They easily have the best al pastor taco I’ve ever consumed. Not only are these tacos delicious, but they’re wonderfully priced. This is by far the least expensive tacos on this list.
What to Order
🍍 Al Pastor Taco
🥩 Bistec Taco
🌮 Campechano Taco
Pros [+]: price, family-owned (super nice too!), late night, authentic, awesome customer service
Cons [-]: Not the best area but I’ve never had an issue eating here
9616 n lamar blvd austin tx 78753
mon 12pm – 4:30am | tues 730am - 8:30pm | wed 730 - 12am | th, fri, sat&sun 24 hours
Credit: ATX FYI | Bianca
nixta taqueria
This incredible taco spot is owned by Sara Mardanbigi and James Beard winner Chef Edgar Rico who have put so much love and passion into their food, you can TASTE it!
What to Order
🐟 Tuna Tostada
🫓 Migas Taco
🦆 Duck Carnitas Taco
🫘 Bean + Cheese Taco
𓋛 Paleta
Pros [+]: freshest food, bright & beautiful
Cons [-]: dining area outside (but covered)
East Austin | 2512 east 12th st atx 78702
tu - th 5-9pm f&sat 11-2pm; 5-10pm sun 11am-3pm
website | instagram | facebook
veracruz
With locations that are conveniently all around Austin, Veracruz has a brick and mortar and a couple of food trucks. The one that I frequent is near the South Lamar area, parked in front of Radio Coffeehouse. This taco joint was founded and ran by the Vazquez sisters back in 2006, originally selling smoothies and snow cones but in 2010, they started cooking tacos and the rest is history.
What to Order
🍳 Breakfast Taco
🫓 Migas Especiales Taco
🥩 Fajita Steak Taco
Pros [+]: Several Locations, Breakfast Tacos ALL DAY LONG
Cons [-]: Different Menus at Different Locations
website | instagram | facebook
Veracruz Locations + Hours
South Austin Food Truck, with the ability to sit inside of Radio, so it’s weather friendly
4208 Manchaca Rd ATX 78704 —
Sun - Th 8am - 9pm | F&Sat 8am - 10pm
Round Rock Brick & Mortar:
2711 La Frontera Blvd #320 Round Rock TX 78681
Open Daily @ 8am – 3pm
East Austin Food Truck
2505 Webberville Rd ATX 78702
M-T 8am - 3pm | F-Sun 8am - 8pm
The Line Hotel (DT ATX)
111 E Cesar Chavez ATX 78701
Sun-Th 8am - 8pm | F & Sat 8am - 10pm
Tarrytown:
2401 Winsted Lane ATX 78703
Daily 8am - 3pm
Mueller Food Truck:
4209 Airport Blvd ATX 78722
Tues – Sun: 7pm – 2pm
don’t miss out on veracruz fonda, a brick&mortar that’s like the big brother to the veracruz trucks.
It’s an elevated version, still authentic and insanely good
churchrow tejas bbq
If you miss Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, this place will fill that fix. Using mesquite wood and hand making tortillas, it’ll take you right back standing outside that trailer off of manchaca road (or brodie!).
What to Order
🔥 Brisket Taco
🍳 Real Deal Holyfield (if on special!)
Pros [+]: incredible meats & queso, inside dining
Cons [-]: the ordering process is a bit of a mess
1521 w anderson lane atx 78757
mon 11am to 9pm | tue closed | wed-fri 11am to 10pm | sat 10am to 10pm | sun 10am to 8pm
website | instagram | facebook
cuantos tacos
The tacos that burnt the one pizza guy who always takes more than one bite. Cuantos is known for its authentic Mexico City Style iconic menu items like carnitas served on Colonial 100% nixtamalized corn tortillas from San Antonio. Located in the Arbor Food Park, it’s the perfect spot to get your friends together and eat whatever cuisine you prefer!
What to Order
🌮 Carnitas Taco
🌮 Suadero Quesadilla
🌮 Frijoles Especiales
Pros [+]: incredible authentic food & tortillas
Cons [-]: only outdoor dining
East Austin - arbor food park
1108 e 12th st austin tx 78702
tu-fri 11am to 10pm | sat 9am to 8pm | sun 11am to 4pm
website | instagram | facebook
papalote
With its roots in Austin, Papalote is one of my favorite taco shops. The tacos are authentic Mexican tacos, without as many frills like you’ll see at Torchy’s Tacos. If you don’t speak Spanish, you might not understand half of the things on the menu, but the employees are very friendly and will help you figure out what to order.
What to Order
🌵 Adobada Taco | 4.60
🥩 Desebrada Taco | 4.60
🍍 Al Pastor Taco | 4.60
Pros [+]: Authentic and Traditional Tacos, Agua Frescas, South and North Locations
Cons [-]: Not Very Big Inside, Intimidating Menu for First Timers, Kind of Greasy Al Pastor (but delicious)
South Austin - 2308 south lamar blvd atx 78704
daily 7am to 9pm
website | instagram | facebook
torchy’s tacos
If you like tacos, you’ve heard of Torchy’s.
Of course, these are not authentic Mexican tacos, but they’re originally from Austin, so I like to provide the option!
There are locations all over Texas, but the original shop was a trailer in 2006, founded by former corporate chef Michael Rypka, off of South First Street at Bouldin Creek in Austin. There are now over 15 locations in Austin. You can’t read articles talking about tacos in Austin without Torchy’s being mentioned. I list it because there are TONS of locations around Austin, and it’s an experience to have if you’re visiting from out of town. Be sure also to order queso with your tacos; that’s a must.
What to Order
🥑 Democrat Taco
🐔 Trailer Park Hillbilly Style Taco (Secret Menu)
🧀 Queso
Pros [+]: Interesting Taco Ingredients, Taco of the Month, Secret Menu, Locations Everywhere
Cons [-]: The Wait, The Inconsistencies between Locations, Usually Younger Inexperienced Staff
website | instagram | facebook
austin torchy’s locations
There are 11 locations in Austin as of 2026… check out this map to help you find one nearest you or where you’ll be staying in Austin!
Lamb Barbacoa Taco @ Pueblo Viejo
pueblo viejo
This food trailer in one of my favorite hang-out spots, Cosmic Coffee (and St. Elmo Brewery), offers a delicious veggie taco and an inventive quesadilla taco. (The original Pueblo Viejo is a counter-service served at the North Door venue in East Austin). However, the trailer at Cosmic is genius because you can order food, grab a drink from Dillo Den and then go grab a seat in their beautiful beer garden outside. And if the weather isn’t kind that day, they have an indoor area as well.
What to Order
🫑 Vegetable Taco
🧀 Quesadilla Taco
🍍 Al Pastor Taco
🍚 Horchata
Pros [+]: Location, Many Different Options of Tacos, Huge $5 Delicious Horchata, Breakfast Options
Cons [-]: Lamb Barbacoa was Fatty and the Texture was Tough, Al Pastor was a Little Dry
———
Locations:
riverside | 2410 e riverside dr ste h-8 atx 78741
cosmic coffee | 121 pickle rd atx 78704
tillery (flitch) | 641 tillery st atx 78702
meanwhile brewing | 3901 promontory point dr atx 78744
st elmo | 8110 springdale rd atx 78724
website | instagram | facebook
Peached Tortilla – [In the airport]
Bahn Mi Taco @ Peached Tortilla
As a small version of a restaurant in Austin, Peached Tortilla, is also at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. They are making sure that they offer their best dishes from their popular restaurant off Burnet, like their tacos and bowls.
I ordered their Banh Mi tacos, including pork belly, pickled daikon carrot, sriracha mayo, and cilantro. They were delicious, but not some of my favorite tacos; however, I know that being in an airport, the quality and experience don’t usually match the experience in the actual restaurant.
What To Order
There are not many taco options here, so I think you’ll be safe with any pick!
Pros [+]: Delicious Tacos, Don’t Need a Reservation, Easy and On-The-Go
Cons [-]: It’s In An Airport, Crazy Atmosphere, Quality Might Not Be As Good
———
Location: In ABIA, main terminal, between Gates 7 and 8.
website | instagram | facebook
un mundo de sabor
Photo Credit: Bianca at ATX FYI
Might be the absolute BEST Carnitas and Tres Leches I’ve ever had.
Unfortunately, this truck moved from austin to the mean eyed cat bar out in driftwood.
I wanted to still give them a shoutout in this list because I was so impressed by the food and the kind people who make it!
What to Order
🌮 Carnitas Taco | 4.75
🌮 Barbacoa Taco | 4.25
🌮 Sweet Potato Taco | 4.25
🌮 Marzapan Tres Leches Cake | 5
Pros [+]: fresh food, full of flavor, can dine inside of distillery, truck open on tues!
Cons [-]: other than it’s out in driftwood, that’s it!
mean eyed cat bar
8750 w rr 150 ste100 driftwood tx 78619
m - th 4pm to 2am | fri-sun 12pm to 2pm
website | instagram | facebook
B R E A K F A S T T A C O S
I have a city guide about the best breakfast tacos here, but here are two of my favorite spots in Austin for breakfast tacos:
Photo by Kaden MacFadyen
paco’s tacos
The best breakfast tacos I’ve ever had are from Paco’s Tacos. This family-owned restaurant started in San Antonio but was brought to Austin. Everything is cooked to order, and if you come in often enough, the employees recognize you and remember your order; that’s service! Additionally, the salsas are incredible and made in-house.
What To Order
🌮 Make Your Own Breakfast Taco w/side of potatoes
🌮 Paco’s Pick
Grilled Steak w/poblano, red peppers & jack cheese,
🌮 The Hook-Em
Brisket, coleslaw, chipotle BBQ sauce & cilantro.
Pros [+]: Best Breakfast Tacos, Mimosas, Customer Service
Cons [-]: The Location Isn’t Close Enough To My House! (haha), Closed on Mondays
1304 east 51st street atx 78723
Tu-Sun: 6:30am - 9pm | mon closed
website | instagram | facebook
tacodeli
If you’ve been in Austin and someone has mentioned breakfast tacos, most likely Tacodeli was mentioned during the conversation. Tacodeli is only open during breakfast and lunch, so don’t miss out on your chance on some staple breakfast tacos. The first ever Tacodeli opened in 1999, 20 years ago, and since then, it stays farm-to-kitchen-to-table. All of the food is locally sourced, they use pasture-raiased eggs, and believe in only using high quality meats.
Ever heard of mashed potatoes on a taco? Well, you can get them here on your build your own taco.
What to Order
🌮 The Freakin’ Vegan (add egg)
🌮 Jess Special [Migas, jack cheese, avocado]
🌮 Pollo Fantastico
🌮 Akaushi Picadillo
Pros [+]: Several Locations, Innovative Tacos, Friendly Customer Service, Best Salsa Ever (Roja — buy it at Whole Foods where it’s not so watered down)
Cons [-]: Always Busy, Inconsistencies Across Locations
website | instagram | facebook
———
Austin Tacodeli Locations + Hours
Tacodeli Gracy Farms
12001 Burnet Rd ATX 78758
M-F: 7am-9pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-9pm
Tacodeli Spyglass
1500 Spyglass Dr Austin TX 78746
M-F: 7am-9pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-9pm
Tacodeli Crestview
7301 Burnet Rd ATX 78757
M-F: 7am-9pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-9pm
Tacodeli Westlake
701 S Capital of Texas Hwy e590 ATX 78746
M-F: 7am-9pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-9pm
Tacodeli CIRCLE C
5701 W Slaughter Ln # B-150 atx 78749
M-F: 7am-9pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-9pm
Tacodeli Downtown
301 Congress Ave ATX 78701
M-F: 7am-3pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-3pm
Tacodeli Rosedale
4200 N Lamar Blvd ATX 78756
M-Fri: 7am-9pm / Sat&Sun: 8am-9pm
Honorable Mentions
Asador
@ las perlas: 405 E 7th St atx 78701
on rainey: 88 1/2 Rainey St atx 78701
@ cheer up charlies: 900 red river st atx 78701
This original hidden taco stand started in the courtyard that 7 Grand and Las Perlas share, so you’ll need to enter one of those establishments and go straight to the back. Now there’s a standalone location on Rainey and a spot outside of Cheer Up Charlies.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Closed Corner
😔
Closed Corner 😔
norte tacos
norte
Norte was located at hi-sign brewery. My favorite tacos included el rey, al pastor, and gringa.
website | instagram | facebook
texsueno
Texsueno was a taco trailer I first tried at high noon bar and moved to fierce whiskers brewery. Chef/Owner Brandon Martin came from Barley Swine and Lenoir, which was obvious because every single thing I tried from his truck, was INCREDIBLE. I miss their flautas, carnitas taco, crispy beef taco, and sweet potato taco.
instagram
el refugio gro
El Refugio Gro was located in south austin off menchaca road run by a super kind woman, helping educate customers about her authentic mexican cuisine.
instagram
Taco Shops We Miss: Valentina’s Tex Mex, El Refugio Gro
Hope you enjoyed my list; if you have more to add, please comment below!
Go out, get some tacos, and enjoy yourself in the beautiful Austin, Texas!
Cheers!
