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A wax paper-lined serving basket filled with three tacos and two lime wedges.
Tacos al pastor from Anna’s Taqueria.
Anna’s Taqueria

14 of Boston’s Top Tacos

Rich birria tacos, breakfast tacos, grasshopper tacos, and more

by Erika Adams and Stephanie Carter Updated
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Tacos al pastor from Anna’s Taqueria.
| Anna’s Taqueria
by Erika Adams and Stephanie Carter Updated

For breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night, the Boston area offers hearty breakfast tacos with egg, sausage, potatoes, and cheese; tacos with classic fillings like carnitas, al pastor, fried fish, or even grasshoppers; trendy birria; and cheffy offerings like grilled swordfish paired with a habanero yogurt.

While the taco field is vast, this list highlights just a few standout options right now. (For a broader view of Mexican dishes, visit Eater Boston’s list of top Mexican restaurants.)

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Grasshopper Tacos at Tu y Yo

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Somerville’s hit Oaxacan taqueria brings some of Mexico’s most fun ingredients to Boston. The menu pops with enigmatic flavors of nopales in green mole, chopped pork tenderloin in peanut sauce, and an appetizer portion of tiny, crunchy tacos de chapulines stuffed with grasshoppers and chiles.

858 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-5411
(617) 623-5411

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Cochinita Pibil Tacos at La Brasa

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Chef and owner Daniel Bojorquez grew up in Hermosillo, Mexico, and while his cuisine at the greenery covered La Brasa isn’t strictly Mexican, the cochinita pibil taco brings the best of the Yucatan to Boston. Tender pork brightened with achiote and citrus are tucked into made-to-order corn tortillas and served along with refried black beans, fresh radish, tangy pickled onion, and spicy habanero.

124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-1412
(617) 764-1412

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Birria Tacos at Taquería Jalisco

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Warm and cheesy with a rich consomé on the side, the slow-cooked, adobo-rich birria tacos at this tiny, old-school Mexican spot tick all the comfort food boxes. Lengua tacos are another crowd favorite here.

291 Bennington St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-6367
(617) 567-6367

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Beef Cheek Tacos at Taqueria El Amigo

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This bustling taco stand makes pilgrimages out of visits to Waltham. The beef cheek stands out among a glowing list of tacos. Note that this tiny spot has limited seating, so prepare to take tacos on the go if you can’t wait around for one of the few, coveted seats.

196 Willow St, Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 642-7410
(781) 642-7410

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Breakfast Tacos at Vincent's

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Vincent’s Texas-style breakfast tacos anchor the brunch menu with fillings like chorizo, crispy potatoes, and eggs; smoked brisket, beans, eggs, and cheddar; and more. Keeping with the Texas theme, kolaches also join the menu in sweet and savory versions.

233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 314-7297
(617) 314-7297
Three tacos, each in an individual brown cardboard serving vessel, are arranged on a large plate.
A variety of breakfast tacos from Vincent’s.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Tacos al Pastor at Anna's Taqueria

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You know it, you love it. With seven locations around town, no one is ever too far from this beloved local chain that has been feeding Boston for nearly 30 years. The tacos al pastor are the restaurant’s most popular, with slow-cooked pork, pineapple, and a sprinkling of red onions. Takeout tacos are also top-notch here: The to-go boxes are built with individual slots for the tacos so they don’t get jumbled.

242 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-8822
(617) 227-8822
An opened box with three individual taco slots filled with tacos.
Takeout tacos from Anna’s Taqueria.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Carnitas Tacos at Lone Star Taco Bar

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Hit taco bar Lone Star pulls the best flavors from many regions of the taco world — Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Oaxaca. The tender pork in the carnitas taco comes topped bright salsa verde and queso fresco. Other standout tacos include the gooey chorizo fundido, as well as a couple variations on the fish taco.

479 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02134
(617) 782-8226
(617) 782-8226

Galbi Short Rib Tacos at Coreanos

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Korean-Mexican fusion first found its footing in Los Angeles, where the popular cuisine gained a following for combining American-style Mexican food with Korean hits. In a Boston neighborhood flooded with great Korean food, this tidy cafe stands out by putting it on a taco. Here, fillings like kimchi and fried tofu, bulgogi beef, and spicy pork all find their way into flour tortillas with garnishes like cilantro, jalapeños, and sesame seeds, but the standout version is the galbi short rib taco.

172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
(617) 208-8822
(617) 208-8822

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Grilled Swordfish Tacos at Cósmica

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Located inside of a boutique hotel in the South End, inventive Cal-Mex restaurant Cósmica, led by executive chef Colton Coburn-Wood, is a happening spot for cheffed-up tacos in a swanky setting. Don’t miss the grilled swordfish number, served with a zingy habanero yogurt, pineapple, cucumber, and topped off with mint and cilantro.

40 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 313-7878
(617) 313-7878

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Carne Asada Tacos at Taqueria El Barrio

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Here’s a perfect dinner plan on a warm weather day: Order a lineup of tacos from northern Mexican hit Taqueria El Barrio — including the carne asada, flavorful grilled steak with crunchy cabbage and dabs of guacamole and salsa taquera — pair it with a beer from top Boston brewery Trillium, located steps away, and devour it all on the premises’ sunny outdoor patio.

Time Out Market, Landmark Center, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 460-3168
(617) 460-3168

Also featured in:

Chili Duck Tacos at Yellow Door Taqueria

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This laid-back taco shop, backed by local celebrities including Dropkick Murphys singer Ken Casey, has a fervent following around Boston. Settle in at the taqueria’s newest location in Mission Hill and reach for tacos with fillings like chili barbeque roasted duck, paired with a vanilla plantain puree, pickled red onions, crema, and strips of plantains, piled onto a housemade corn tortilla.

1619 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
(617) 505-6350
(617) 505-6350

Chicken Tinga Tacos at Chilacates

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Chilacates first debuted in Jamaica Plain in 2015 and now has locations sprinkled across Greater Boston where diners dig into tacos cradling tender, slow-cooked meats. At any of the locations, including the original shop on Amory Street, the team stuffs corn tortillas with tender, pulled-apart chicken bathed in a slightly spicy chipotle sauce for an excellent chicken tinga taco. Meanwhile, the papas con chorizo taco combines flavorful chorizo with comforting potato to soak up some of the spices.

224 Amory St, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-6000
(617) 522-6000

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Birria Tacos at Dora Taqueria

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Dora Taqueria opened just weeks before the pandemic closed down the city in 2020. In the intervening years, it has not only survived but thrived: Owner Kelmyn Mejia and his daughter Kimberly expanded with a Woburn location of the taqueria in 2022. For the uninitiated, start with the birria tacos. The crispy, fried outer shells give way to flavorful stewed beef mixed with gobs of melty cheese, ready to dip in a side cup of warming, smoky consomé.

112 Stoughton St, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 322-5353
(617) 322-5353
A foil takeout container with three fried birria tacos and a side styrofoam container filled with stew, with a white lid on top.
Birria tacos from Dora Taqueria.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Grasshopper Tacos at Tu y Yo

858 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Somerville’s hit Oaxacan taqueria brings some of Mexico’s most fun ingredients to Boston. The menu pops with enigmatic flavors of nopales in green mole, chopped pork tenderloin in peanut sauce, and an appetizer portion of tiny, crunchy tacos de chapulines stuffed with grasshoppers and chiles.

858 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-5411
(617) 623-5411

Cochinita Pibil Tacos at La Brasa

124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

Chef and owner Daniel Bojorquez grew up in Hermosillo, Mexico, and while his cuisine at the greenery covered La Brasa isn’t strictly Mexican, the cochinita pibil taco brings the best of the Yucatan to Boston. Tender pork brightened with achiote and citrus are tucked into made-to-order corn tortillas and served along with refried black beans, fresh radish, tangy pickled onion, and spicy habanero.

124 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-1412
(617) 764-1412

Birria Tacos at Taquería Jalisco

291 Bennington St, Boston, MA 02128

Warm and cheesy with a rich consomé on the side, the slow-cooked, adobo-rich birria tacos at this tiny, old-school Mexican spot tick all the comfort food boxes. Lengua tacos are another crowd favorite here.

291 Bennington St, Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-6367
(617) 567-6367

Beef Cheek Tacos at Taqueria El Amigo

196 Willow St, Waltham, MA 02453

This bustling taco stand makes pilgrimages out of visits to Waltham. The beef cheek stands out among a glowing list of tacos. Note that this tiny spot has limited seating, so prepare to take tacos on the go if you can’t wait around for one of the few, coveted seats.

196 Willow St, Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 642-7410
(781) 642-7410

Breakfast Tacos at Vincent's

233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, MA 02141

Vincent’s Texas-style breakfast tacos anchor the brunch menu with fillings like chorizo, crispy potatoes, and eggs; smoked brisket, beans, eggs, and cheddar; and more. Keeping with the Texas theme, kolaches also join the menu in sweet and savory versions.

233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 314-7297
(617) 314-7297
Three tacos, each in an individual brown cardboard serving vessel, are arranged on a large plate.
A variety of breakfast tacos from Vincent’s.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Tacos al Pastor at Anna's Taqueria

242 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114

You know it, you love it. With seven locations around town, no one is ever too far from this beloved local chain that has been feeding Boston for nearly 30 years. The tacos al pastor are the restaurant’s most popular, with slow-cooked pork, pineapple, and a sprinkling of red onions. Takeout tacos are also top-notch here: The to-go boxes are built with individual slots for the tacos so they don’t get jumbled.

242 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-8822
(617) 227-8822
An opened box with three individual taco slots filled with tacos.
Takeout tacos from Anna’s Taqueria.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Carnitas Tacos at Lone Star Taco Bar

479 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02134

Hit taco bar Lone Star pulls the best flavors from many regions of the taco world — Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Oaxaca. The tender pork in the carnitas taco comes topped bright salsa verde and queso fresco. Other standout tacos include the gooey chorizo fundido, as well as a couple variations on the fish taco.

479 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02134
(617) 782-8226
(617) 782-8226

Galbi Short Rib Tacos at Coreanos

172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

Korean-Mexican fusion first found its footing in Los Angeles, where the popular cuisine gained a following for combining American-style Mexican food with Korean hits. In a Boston neighborhood flooded with great Korean food, this tidy cafe stands out by putting it on a taco. Here, fillings like kimchi and fried tofu, bulgogi beef, and spicy pork all find their way into flour tortillas with garnishes like cilantro, jalapeños, and sesame seeds, but the standout version is the galbi short rib taco.

172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
(617) 208-8822
(617) 208-8822

Grilled Swordfish Tacos at Cósmica

40 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116

Located inside of a boutique hotel in the South End, inventive Cal-Mex restaurant Cósmica, led by executive chef Colton Coburn-Wood, is a happening spot for cheffed-up tacos in a swanky setting. Don’t miss the grilled swordfish number, served with a zingy habanero yogurt, pineapple, cucumber, and topped off with mint and cilantro.

40 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 313-7878
(617) 313-7878

Carne Asada Tacos at Taqueria El Barrio

Time Out Market, Landmark Center, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215

Here’s a perfect dinner plan on a warm weather day: Order a lineup of tacos from northern Mexican hit Taqueria El Barrio — including the carne asada, flavorful grilled steak with crunchy cabbage and dabs of guacamole and salsa taquera — pair it with a beer from top Boston brewery Trillium, located steps away, and devour it all on the premises’ sunny outdoor patio.

Time Out Market, Landmark Center, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 460-3168
(617) 460-3168

Chili Duck Tacos at Yellow Door Taqueria

1619 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

This laid-back taco shop, backed by local celebrities including Dropkick Murphys singer Ken Casey, has a fervent following around Boston. Settle in at the taqueria’s newest location in Mission Hill and reach for tacos with fillings like chili barbeque roasted duck, paired with a vanilla plantain puree, pickled red onions, crema, and strips of plantains, piled onto a housemade corn tortilla.

1619 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
(617) 505-6350
(617) 505-6350

Chicken Tinga Tacos at Chilacates

224 Amory St, Boston, MA 02130

Chilacates first debuted in Jamaica Plain in 2015 and now has locations sprinkled across Greater Boston where diners dig into tacos cradling tender, slow-cooked meats. At any of the locations, including the original shop on Amory Street, the team stuffs corn tortillas with tender, pulled-apart chicken bathed in a slightly spicy chipotle sauce for an excellent chicken tinga taco. Meanwhile, the papas con chorizo taco combines flavorful chorizo with comforting potato to soak up some of the spices.

224 Amory St, Boston, MA 02130
(617) 522-6000
(617) 522-6000

Birria Tacos at Dora Taqueria

112 Stoughton St, Dorchester, MA 02125

Dora Taqueria opened just weeks before the pandemic closed down the city in 2020. In the intervening years, it has not only survived but thrived: Owner Kelmyn Mejia and his daughter Kimberly expanded with a Woburn location of the taqueria in 2022. For the uninitiated, start with the birria tacos. The crispy, fried outer shells give way to flavorful stewed beef mixed with gobs of melty cheese, ready to dip in a side cup of warming, smoky consomé.

112 Stoughton St, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 322-5353
(617) 322-5353
A foil takeout container with three fried birria tacos and a side styrofoam container filled with stew, with a white lid on top.
Birria tacos from Dora Taqueria.
Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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