Where to Eat the Best Tacos in San Diego

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• Address: 1857 Logan Ave San Diego, CA
• Price: $
• Must-try on the menu: Rolled taco

Good thing for nice weather because the line at Las Cuatro Milpas is always stretched outside the door. It’s hard to resist the old-school charm of this taco spot. It sticks to the basics and does them with taco excellence.

Lots have remained unchanged since it opened in 1922, but why change perfection? It still makes all tortillas in-house. Try the rolled taco if you prefer to keep your hands clean. It’s a crispy shell recipe with salsa, crema, lettuce, cilantro, and cheese. The simple menu includes burritos and more. Bring cash because it’s cash only.

The Taco Stand

• Address: 621 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA
• Price: $
• Must-try on the menu: Baja-style tacos

The Taco Stand’s popularity has led to establishing of locations in Downtown La Jolla, North Park, and even out of the state. Stop by the original shop to see why these are the best tacos in San Diego for an authentic south-of-the-border flavor.

The Taco Stand specializes in Baja-style tacos. Everything is made from scratch, from handmade tacos to guacamole and salsa. The retro-fitted dining space is perfect to dine in.

Old Town Mexican Cafe

• Address: 2489 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $$
• Must-try on the menu: Carnitas Tacos (Slow-cooked pork)

The Old Town Mexican Cafe is widely known for having the best tortillas in town. The warm hand-pressed corn and flour tortillas have laid the foundation for serving authentic street tacos for over four decades.

Dine in the casual dining room. You’ll enjoy live music and waiter service, delivering your meal right to your table. It has all your favorites, like carne asada and al pastor tacos. Look out for the chili pepper icons on the menu unless you prefer spicy food!

City Tacos

• Address: 3028 University Ave, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $
• Must-try on the menu: Vampiro Taco (Adobo-marinated steak)

City Tacos brings taco culture to the trendy streets of North Park. The contemporary taqueria creates the best tacos in San Diego by blending traditional ingredients with Southern California flair.

Mix-and-match sauces to make these San Diego tacos your way. Carnitas and mahi are a few menu favorites. It also serves veggie and paleo tacos as a healthy alternative. No order is complete without churros for dessert. Bask in the local neighborhood buzz on the trendy outdoor seating area.

Tacos El Paisa (City Heights)

• Address: 840 S 47th St, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $
• Must-try on the menu: Asada Tacos (Grilled beef tacos)

If the savory scent of tacos cooking in the kitchen doesn’t brighten your day, the vibrant decor at Tacos El Paisa surely will. It’s designed to put a smile on everyone’s face—even before tasting some of the best tacos in San Diego.

Tacos El Paisa is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant. Now, even the youngest taco lovers can enjoy a round of their award-winning tacos. There’s also a drive-through for delicious tacos on the go.

Oscars Mexican Seafood

• Address: 646 University Ave, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $
• Must-try on the menu: Tacos de Pescado (Fish Tacos)

Combine your love of seafood and tacos at Oscars Mexican Seafood. It merges two of the most popular foods in San Diego for a mouthful of flavor straight from the Pacific Ocean.

Try one of the fresh fish tacos, shrimp tacos, surf and turf, and fresh ceviche. You’re never too far from these tacos. It has multiple locations, including Mission Valley and Hillcrest.

¡SALUD!

• Address: 2196 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $
• Must-try on the menu: Surf & Turf Taco (Marinated steak and shrimp)

As seen on The Food Network, ¡SALUD! brings pure Chicano energy to your Taco Tuesday. This taco spot is near Chicano Park in the Barrio Logan Cultural District.

The neighborhood’s artsy energy flows into this taco shop. Tattoo-style murals and retro car parts decorating the walls add tons of character to the restaurant. The menu is even more eclectic. Order the Chicali taco, Azteca Tlahco, Califas, and other specialty tacos.

La Vecindad

• Address: 3827 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $$
• Must-try on the menu: Costa Azul Taco

Three brothers relocated from Mexico City to establish La Vecindadto bring their family taco recipes to SoCal. These generational recipes have marinated into the best tacos in San Diego.

You’ll have plenty of taco options made from scratch on homemade corn tortillas. Popular flavors include Costa Azul, California, el Perron, nopales, and potato. Personalize your flavor at the salsa bar. Don’t forget one of their signature Mexican cocktails to wash it down.

Lola 55 Tacos And Cocktails (East Village)

• Address: 1290 F St Suite 117, San Diego, CA
• Price Range: $$
• Must-try on the menu: Cauliflower taco

Taco chasing in San Diego will bring you to the Michelin-reviewed Lola 55 Tacos and Cocktails. It stands among the top San Diego restaurants for Mexican food. The creative touch makes each dish on the menu stand out.

Enjoy sophisticated flavors designed for alternative taste preferences, like vegan squash, cauliflower, and baby carrot adobada. It also serves a mini plate taco meal for kids. Tacos are prepared on a mesquite wood-burning grill for even more flavor profile in every bite.

Tacos El Gordo

• Address: 689 H St, Chula Vista, CA
• Price Range: $
• Must-try on the menu: Adobada Tacos (Marinated pork tacos)

Word on the street is that Tacos El Gordo has the best adobada tacos in town. Taco lovers line up daily, and it’s well worth the wait. Grab a tray of these Tijuana-style tacos and even taste a few unusual flavors sure to leave an impression in your mouth.

Pair your juicy pork tacos with unique flavors like beef head or a traditional style, such as chorizo and cactus. All tacos come with guacamole and cream sauce. And don’t sleep on the hard shells for a crunchy sensation in every bite.

Puesto La Jolla

• Address: 1026 Wall St, La Jolla, CA
• Price Range: $$
• Must-try on the menu: Filet Mignon Tacos

Puesto La Jolla turns tacos into a contemporary dining experience. It surpassed more than 20 million sold of its signature tacos. The popularity shows no signs of slowing down!

See why these are the best tacos in San Diego with artisanal style. The Mexico-city-inspired tacos start with a homemade Azul stone-ground tortilla. Order at least three and mix it up. It has Spring Lamb barbacoa, baja fish, al pastor, and more. Enjoy these one-of-a-kind tacos in an art-filled restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.

Explore The Taco Scene In San Diego

This guide to the best tacos in San Diego takes you to the city’s most exciting neighborhoods. Book your vacation home and start planning your trip to San Diego today!