Taquerias in Manhattan don’t always follow the traditional Mexican playbook. You won’t always find lucha libre wrestlers on the walls, a salsa bar, or giant trompos of meat spinning outside.
But despite that, many Manhattan taquerias more than deliver when it comes to flavor. Some say New York City doesn’t do Mexican food justice (especially compared to LA or Texas), but the taco joints below beg to differ.
Here are the best taquerias in Manhattan.
- Los Tacos No.1 (75 9th Ave, New York): Founded by friends from Tijuana, Mexico, and Brawley, California—aka places where people know their tacos—Los Tacos No. 1 has locations in Hudson Yards, on Wall Street, and inside Chelsea Market. The ‘hype’ taco to order is the adobada (al pastor) served with thinly sliced pineapple on nixtamalized corn tortillas.
- Los Mariscos (409 W 15th St, New York): From the same team behind Los Tacos No. 1, the standout menu items at this seafood taqueria are pan-seared fish tacos or battered shrimp tacos, both drizzled with a zingy, creamy sauce and lime aplenty.
- Tacos Cholula Truck (142 E 2nd St, New York): Unlike the above taquerias, Tacos Cholula is proper street food. Expect low prices, no frills, and late-night hours (this food truck runs until at least 3 a.m., depending on the crowd). Plus, there’s no need to be too adventurous with your protein choices—here, you’ll find fish, al pastor, and chicken tacos.
- Taqueria St. Marks Place (79 St Marks Pl, New York): Taqueria St. Marks Place serves Mexican food and margaritas so cheap, you’ll forget you’re right by Greenwich Village. It’s more dive bar than Mexican cantina, with two levels, band posters, a candlelit interior, and rock and roll playing over the sound system.
- La Esquina (114 Kenmare St, New York): On the corner of Kenmare and Lafayette sits La Esquina, an underground, dimly lit taqueria with pared-down, priced-up Mexican food in the form of shareable plates.
- El Gallo Taqueria (609 9th Ave, New York): Located in the Upper West Side, Chelsea, and Lower Manhattan, there’s always an El Gallo Taqueria nearby when you’re craving tacos that are a step up from Chipotle but still want to keep it casual. No charred-this or activated-that here. Definitely save room for dessert… their churro bowl is a must-try.
- Taqueria by El Prieto NYC (139 W 28th St, New York): This taqueria makes Tijuana-style tacos: simple, loaded with cilantro and guacamole, and free from any “pick-a-body-part” options. Instead, you’ll find crowd-friendly choices like chicken, steak, pork, and mushroom… and loaded carne asada fries so good, you’ll be tempted to gatekeep.
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