The Best Tacos in NYC
New York has a ton of great food scenes. We’ve got elite pizza, great ramen, and dangerously good donuts, but let’s talk tacos. From classic al pastor to loaded fusion situations, these are the spots doing it right across the city.
7205 Austin St | Forest Hills
Photo: 5 Burro Cafe
If you didn’t know you were looking for it, you’d walk right past it. Forest Hills staple with a busy bar, strong margaritas, and reliably great steak tacos. Order three and don’t overthink it.
668 10th Ave | Hell’s Kitchen
Photo: Añejo
Come for the margaritas, stay for the short rib tacos. Rich, tender, and actually worth the hype. The menu goes deep, but this is the move every time.
35 E 21st St | Flatiron District
Photo: Cosme
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth trying once. Upscale Mexican with standout carnitas and a surprisingly cozy room. Not your casual taco run, but a solid splurge night you won't regret.
1450 Broadway | Theater District
Photo: El Rey Tacos
El Rey Tacos brings Mexico City flavor to Midtown, with recipes from legendary chef Carmen “Titita” Ramirez Degollado. Expect fresh tacos, melty Oaxacan quesadillas, and build-your-own bowls, all made daily and stacked with classic toppings.
Multiple Locations in Manhattan
Photo: Empellon
Not your standard taco situation. Empellon leans into creative builds like the pastrami and cheesburger tacos. The flagship is in Midtown, with additional spots in the West and East Village. All with their own vibe and all worth the taste. Grab a pitcher of their spicy cucumber margarita while you're there. Trust.
219 Bedford Ave | Williamsburg
Photo: Esse Taco
Esse Taco keeps things simple. The focus is on corn tortillas made to order, paired with carefully curated fillings and salsas. It’s rooted in Mexico City tradition but lands perfectly in NYC and always hits.
Multiple Locations in NYC
Photo: Homemade Taqueria
Fresh tortillas, a stacked menu, and consistently solid no matter the location. The birria tacos with consommé are the move and perfect when you’re extra hungry, or, in our case, just a regular day at DoNYC.
766 Washington Ave | Prospect Heights
Photo: Kimchi Taco
Korean-Mexican fusion? HELL YEAH. Think spicy kimchi piled onto crispy chicken tacos. A little chaotic in theory, very good in practice. Don't be scared, give Kimichi Taco a bite!
Multiple Manhattan Locations
Photo: Los Tacos No. 1
Fast, cheap, and consistently great. It’s kind of the 7th Street Burger of tacos. The adobada is the move, juicy and packed with flavor. Side note: the lines have chilled out lately, which might be the ultimate real win.
Multiple Brooklyn & Queens Locations
Photo: Nenes Taquería
Handmade tortillas, family recipes, and some of the most talked-about birria in the city. Think crispy, cheesy tacos with rich consommé, plus a stacked menu of sopes, tortas, and more.
Multiple Brooklyn Locations
Photo: Tacos Morelos
You see it, you smell it, you love it. A regular on “best tacos” lists for a reason. Strong across the board, with locations and trucks that make any day a Tacos Morelos day.
113 W 225th St | Marble Hill
Photo: Taqueria Sinaloense
Low-key spot, big payoff. Known for standout birria and fresh ingredients. One of the best taco stops in the Bronx, no question. Try it and get back to us.
What goes better with tacos than margaritas? We pulled together a list of NYC’s best.
Updated April 2026
if(!$("#ds-leaderboard-ad").length || !$(".ds-sidebar.ds-listing-sidebar").length) {
setTimeout(runPromo, 300);
}
}
}
runPromo();
});