Where to Find the Best Tacos in Philadelphia

Distinguished among its quick-serve counterparts in the Calle 9 Italian Market, this family-owned and -operated restaurante has genuine warmth and hospitality — not to mention a liquor license and incredible tacos made with a rotating lineup of specialty tortillas pressed on the premises.

Colorful flags wave overhead at this South Philly escaparate, where friendly service beckons with platters of generously appointed tacos, available in combinations of grilled and roasted meats, fragrant huitlacoche, and spicy beef and chorizo campechanos.

Everyone has a favorite neighborhood taco joint, and for many, this is it. A humble corner storefront slings memorably flavorful al pastor and nopales-tangled carne asada. Diners eat in to enjoy the signature sour cream-chipotle dipping sauce, which goes great with fresh salsas and tortilla chips.

 Este spot’s gigantic menu of tacos of all textures and regional styles features grilled smoked pork chop, steak with Chihuahua cheese, several varieties of al pastor, beef eye and tripe. The owners also vend at the popular Headhouse Square Farmers Market, held on Sundays at Second and Lombard streets.

Jose Pistola’s (see below) South Philly outpost offers up a menu of more than a dozen land and sea tacos. The restaurante distinguishes itself with a variety of cocas and shrimp al pastor tacos.

The full-service restaurante from chef Cristina Martiñez offers the incredible barbacoa, pancita (callos), tortillas recién prensadas y un consomé conmovedor que le ha valido el galardón de “mejor restaurante nuevo” de Buen provecho and made Martiñez a James Beard Award 2019 finalist for “Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic.”

Diego Rivera-esque murals giveaway this South Philly truck. This spot, popular with nearby workers and bar-goers, isn’t messing around. Of special note: spit-roasted pork and various meat tacos served with salsa on the side.

Like all the best taquerias, this Pennsport-parked truck has it all — the red, white and green motif; Jarritos; tortas; and simple but punchy al suadero, callos y choriqueso tacos, right in front of Jefferson Square Park.

Those in the know entrust their late-night taco needs to this tiny, no-frills tienda, a lifesaver among Philly’s restaurant industry folks and anyone who craves pork skin tacos at 3 a.m.

The authentic South Philly taquería that opened in 2002 has paved the way for countless others with its super affordable soft tortilla-wrapped delicacies, such as stewed bistec, grilled shrimp and cheese-stuffed jalapenos.

Should taco cravings take a turn for the burrito, or even a sizzling fajita salad, this lugar delivers. Fried fish, carne asada and chorizo tacos share the menu with Tex-Mex classics.

This shoebox-size Center City joint is known for fun-loving fusion, mixing the classic (chipotle-braised chicken, blackened mahi-mahi) with the unconventional (fried plantains, chipotle cream and queso fresco).

En old Center City diner sets the festively retro scene for lamb tacos and chile relleno alongside micheladas (cerveza, especias y lima). También hay tacos en la sala clandestina Ranstead, situada en la parte trasera.

The food and beverage choices are extensive at this Center City hang. Among the taco options at this Mexified craft beer bar are Korean-style short rib with Asian pear pico de gallo and tempura-battered rock shrimp with pepitas and tom yum aioli.

Chic little Lolita brings modern Mexican flavors to busy 13th Street in Midtown Village. The street food-style menu features tacos of the fish, carrot and chicken variety, along with interesting cocktails and margaritas.

This hopping upstairs Center City spot from the owners of the landmark Oyster House (just below) balances tradition and innovation, offering beef short rib and chicken mole tacos alongside red bean croquettes with chipotle mayo. The busy bar serves stirred, shaken and frozen cocktails.

This just-off Rittenhouse Square spot specializes in chef Carolyn Nguyen’s “tacos without borders” philosophy, exemplified by global spins like barbecue-spiced cauliflower or roasted duck served on a scallion pancake.

The prolific owners of Hawthornes Cafe and The Cambridge hold down the west side of South Street (officially the Graduate Hospital neighborhood) to satisfy taco cravings, happy hour through late night. Menu highlights include tacos topped with interesting flavor combos, like garlicky shrimp and bacon and lentil-cauliflower.

Both Heffe’s walk-up stand in Fishtown and bi-level restaurante en Spring Garden serve fancifully named, unconventionally filled tortillas that fulfill the “tacos that don’t suck” motto.

This dive-y, cash-only Fishtown spot con un Cedar Park offshoot found inspiration in L.A.’s fusion-y taco trucks, resulting in a mix-and-match selection of fun — and sometimes unexpected — flavors. Classic preparations like al pastor and pollo pibil share menu space with unconventional choices, like vegan-friendly seitan and spinach, and soy chorizo.

Nemi’s menu follows the traditional flavors of Mexico complete with house-made tortillas, salsas, guacamole and ceviche. As far as tacos go, there are confit pork shoulder, marinated skirt steak, fried cauliflower and other options for the choosing. A full tequila and mezcal bar add to the authenticity of this Port Richmond newcomer.

An under-the-radar taquería on an unassuming corner in the Callowhill neighborhood impresses with fillings such as crispy breaded fish and grilled shrimp, plus extensive sopas, burritos, tortas and platos selections.

With a name that translates to “How beautiful is Puebla,” a shoutout to the owner’s home state, this fresh and friendly Olde Kensington bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot serves three meals a day, with a wide variety of platos típicos que incluyen guiso picante de gambas y chimichangas decadentes. Pero la selección de tacos aquí no se queda atrás, con carne desebrada, tripa o bistek fillings in the traditional soft tortillas, or in a crunchy shell.

Jose Pistola’s (see above) Fishtown spot offers a similar selection to hungry locals hanging out along Frankford Avenue. Nearly 20 types of tacos are served two to an order and come in varieties not often seen on other menus: pork belly banh mi, Korean rib, lobster, and calamari and chorizo.

Sating Mexican-craving masses from breakfast through dinner, this Old Kensington restaurante has a cozy interior, excellent tamales and generously filled tacos such as choriqueso (spicy Mexican sausage and Oaxaca cheese) and salsa-draped chicken. Quesadillas, platillos y guisados (Mexican stews) round out the menu.

Mexican food is not typically associated with Northeast Philly, but this relaxed sit-down is doing its part to add south-of-the-border style here. This is a non-traditional taquería by design, serving tortillas filled with General Tso’s chicken, fried Brussels sprouts and Cajun-spiced mahi-mahi. They also offer Tex-Mex snacks, like nachos and “fancy cheese” quesadillas.

Not a moving vehicle per se, the seasonal visitor to the roof of Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting turns out some tasty fish, pork and veggie tacos, offering craft canned beer to go along with them.

This surprising Bucks County spot serves up Salvadoran pupusas and traditional Mexican tacos, along with tamales made the Mexican or Salvadoran way. Taco fillings include shrimp, fish, spicy shredded chicken, tripe and tongue.

Grown from a grocery-store taco operation, this thriving mini-chain en Chester y Montgomery counties is famous for tortillas that are soft enough to sleep on. Each of the nine locations offers a small but tasty lineup of tacos, featuring traditional meats like chicken tinga, tilapia, carne asada and al pastor.

Colorful platters at this fantastic Kennett Square joint include homemade salsas, radish slices, golden rice and refried beans. Of course, the main event is the tacos: Specialties here include cecina, al pastor and beef tongue.

The Main Line’s go-to for fish tacos and island flavors is a favorite for fresh tacos and smoothies. The classic combo: their “Pipeline” taco (grilled or tempura-fried mahi-mahi with mango papaya salsa and cilantro lime sauce) and a 24-ounce “Green Goodness” (kale, spinach, sweet banana, mango, pineapple and coconut smoothie).

Behind a Mexican grocery store lies this three-meals-a-day taco heaven — and a bakery. Besides dessert, there’s an extensive menu of traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos filled with chicken, pork skin, tongue, tripe and more, along with the Middle-Eastern spiced pork tacos.