Discover the Top Tacos in Los Angeles

Tacos are a Southern California way of life. For many Angelenos, the pursuit of tacos is a love affair and often a quest to sample as many varieties as possible.

Los Angeles has one of the most vibrant taco scenes in the US. No matter where you are, you’re bound to find street carts, trucks, taquerias, and temporary pop-ups putting their unique spin on this beloved fast food staple. Looking to sample the finest? Here are the top taco joints in town.

Loqui: Best Mushroom Tacos

Inspired by Mexican taquerias, the lusciously soft and chewy flour tortillas at Loqui cradle an irresistible blend of mushrooms, beans, cheese, guacamole, onion, cilantro, and salsa. While the pork, beef, and chicken options are equally delicious, meat lovers may find themselves making frequent trips to Platform LA in Culver City just for these mushroom delights. There are also locations in Playa Vista and Downtown LA.

Escuela Taqueria: Best Branzino Tacos

With crispy-seared skin, topped with cabbage slaw and chipotle cream, the branzino taco is a compelling reason to return to this cozy cantina in the Beverly Grove/Fairfax district. Though tacos may be slightly pricier than those from street vendors, you have the option to bring your own beverages while indulging in other notable variations, including lobster and chicken tinga.

George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen at the Brews Hall: Best Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

While craft beer and game-watching may draw you to this food hall in Torrance, it also hosts four restaurants. You can satiate your hunger with hefty beer-battered fish tacos wrapped in soft flour tortillas and stuffed with shredded cabbage, spicy crema, cilantro, and lime. Accompany your taco feast with a refreshing Michelada featuring George Lopez Brewing Co.’s Li’l Mexi lager.

Socalo: Best Dobladita Tacos

LA chef legends Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken have opened this beachy canteen and Mexican pub in Santa Monica, boasting a sizable taco menu that includes dishes like slow-roasted lamb birria and shrimp. However, the Socal dobladita truly stands out—a blue-corn tortilla overflowing with roasted corn, kale, veggies, caramelized onions, cheese, and chipotle aioli. Look out for happy hour deals from Wednesday to Sunday between 3pm and 6pm, and Taco Tuesday specials all day.

HomeState: Best Breakfast Tacos

In 2020, KCRW named this Tex-Mex kitchen’s flour tortillas the best in Southern California. You can witness the crew skillfully crafting them on-site at all four locations. Start your morning with the Pecos—a comforting combination of slow-cooked brisket and eggs, with the option to add cheese or queso. The Tijuana Panther features shredded brisket, queso, and crispy potatoes, while the Guadalupe (chorizo, eggs, and cheddar) and the Blanco (organic egg whites with shiitake mushrooms and Monterey Jack) provide excellent all-day options.

Chicas Tacos: Best Plant-Based “Meat” Tacos

Say goodbye to the Impossible Taco—plant-based “beef” and “chorizo” from Abbot’s Butcher are now featured at all three Chicas locations, plus their pop-up at the Soho House in Downtown LA, and at the Malibu location on Sundays. You can add Whole30-approved plant-based meat to any menu item or enjoy crispy tacos filled with ground “beef” and nondairy cheese along with crisp lettuce, radish slices, and citrus vinaigrette—all tucked into a corn tortilla for an enjoyable meal.

La Chingona Tacos: Best Vegan Tacos

Based in Topanga Canyon, this colorful roadside stand, La Chingona, offers street-style tacos with picnic tables. While thick mini tacos piled high with fresh shrimp, salmon, and grass-fed carne asada are popular, vegans will relish options such as hibiscus stew, soy-chorizo potato, and yuca cassava. Do not miss the fried plantains, served with black beans and cream for a sweet finish. The stand operates for three days a week from around 4:00pm to 8:00pm, so check the schedule ahead of time.

Villas Tacos: Best Neighborhood Tacos

Make your way to this backyard operation in Highland Park, where thick cuts of seasoned chicken, mild chorizo, and carne ranchera are grilled and served in crispy-cheese-coated blue-corn tortillas topped with chunky guacamole, onions, cilantro, crema, and cotija. Vegans can find joy in this multi-layer taco, too, with Soyrizo substitutes. Check ahead for operating hours, as this spot often pops up on weekends from 3:00pm onwards.

El Granjero Cantina: Best Fried-Avocado Tacos

Located at this vibrant cantina situated in the Original Farmers Market, an LA landmark since 1934, El Granjero offers fresh tortillas made to order using masa and Maseca corn flour. They are generously filled with crispy avocado, chipotle aioli, marinated kale, corn salsa, and pickled red onions. Continue the feast with the braised-beef queso taco or pan-fried crispy dorados filled with soy chorizo and vegan cheese.

Nueva: Best Pork-Belly Chicharron Tacos

When you’re in Venice, stop by this lively patio for inventive mezcal cocktails and mouthwatering tacos. The standout option is the pork-belly chicharron taco, enhanced with cilantro emulsion and pineapple salsa, delivering a delightful mix of crispy and fruity flavors. Additionally, you might wish to try blue-corn tortillas filled with tempura sea bass, Mediterranean octopus, and roasted squash.

Tacos Por Favor: Best Crunchy Tacos

This family-run Mexican classic, known for its unpretentious charm, operates at three locations. Locals are drawn to their breakfast burritos, mahi-mahi tacos, and chilaquiles. However, our hearts are won by the asada hard tacos, generously filled with guacamole, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and cheese, providing a satisfying crunch with each bite. Customers can also choose fillings like chorizo, fried fish, and potato.

Caravan Swim Club: Best Shrimp Tacos

Located near LAX and Playa Vista Beach, Hotel June features the Caravan Swim Club, an on-property restaurant-bar with a Tulum-inspired vibe, offering mezcal cocktails and a cozy atmosphere. Chef Angie Lee showcases ingredients influenced by a Baja California to Santa Barbara road trip in her Baja-style taco, featuring crispy tempura-battered shrimp accompanied by cabbage-cilantro slaw, pico de gallo, and aji amarillo aioli, topped with cheese and cilantro. Whether you’re planning a staycation or a casual visit, rooftop poolside tacos await.

Evil Cooks: Best Dessert Tacos

While many are drawn to the Black Pastor tacos or the delicious pork, beef, and octopus options at Evil Cooks, they also serve up delightful dessert tacos. La Bruja combines flan, coconut candy, and polvorón (a type of Spanish shortbread) on unique hybrid tortillas, while the churro-cheesecake taco showcases cheesecake topped with strawberries—truly a heavenly treat to fulfill your sweet tooth.

The Goat Mafia: Best Birria Tacos

Juan Garcia brings his fourth-generation family recipe from Jalisco to Smorgasburg LA on Sundays and Echo Park on Saturday nights, along with other pop-up locations. The Goat Mafia’s birria features a flavorful meaty stew made with local goat, dried chiles, chocolate, and California oranges simmered for up to nine hours, served in a crispy homemade taco. Don’t forget to ask for the birria mulita for even more cheesy goodness inside your taco.

Los Cochinitos: Best Carnitas Tacos

The carnitas at Los Cochinitos pay homage to the best in Mexico. Every part of the pig is utilized, and they chop the meat fresh in front of you, allowing you to select from options like tripe, stomach, cheeks, tongue, heart, and skin, or request a mixed portion. Top your juicy, tender meat with onions, cilantro, and spicy salsa for a truly satisfying experience.

Brothers Cousins Tacos: Best Al Pastor Tacos

The delightful Mexican-style street tacos from Brothers Cousins will have you contemplating a move to La-La Land if you’re not residing there already. Join the line and savor the fleeting and sensual experience of juicy al pastor roasting on its pineapple-topped spit. These choices can be enjoyed in a taco or in a burrito filled with cheese, pineapple, and potato, topped with your choice of salsas and condiments.

Tacos Villa Corona: Anthony Bourdain-Approved Tacos

In 2012, on his Travel Channel show, Anthony Bourdain praised this affordable family-run taco and burrito hut for its delicious petite chicken and steak tacos alongside the famed chorizo-potato breakfast burrito—giving this nearly 30-year-old Atwater Village institution his seal of approval. Expect long lines for bean tacos, potato tacos, and rolled breakfast burritos that transport your taste buds straight to Mexico. Remember to bring cash; many patrons enjoy their meals curbside.

Mariscos Jalisco: Best Tacos Dorados

Angelenos have developed an obsession for this legendary seafood truck found on East Olympic Blvd. Celebrities often rent it out and rave about the tacos dorados de camarón—corn tortillas stuffed with shrimp and deep-fried to perfection, drizzled with smooth tomato salsa and topped with creamy avocado slices. For over 20 years, chef-owner Raul Ortega and his team have served tacos, tostadas, ceviche, and aguachile from four trucks operating in Boyle Heights, Downtown LA, Pomona, and West LA/Mid City.