Meagen SetterDid you know that there’s actually a National Taco Day? We’re not kidding! It’s on October 4th. But if you’re like us, we don’t wait for that one day to indulge in delicious tacos.
In fact, we’ve gobbled up so many tacos, we actually made a list of the best tacos in Vancouver so you won’t have to wander around the streets like a lost puppy.
Vancouver’s Best Tacos
Taco shops are abundant in Vancouver, but finding the best tacos can be a challenge. From food trucks to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, we’ve listed some of our favorites, but not without doing thorough research and taste-testing.
Take a look at the criteria listed below to see what we considered when determining the best tacos in Vancouver:
1. La Taqueria Pinche Taco
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
La Taqueria Pinche Taco may appear as a tight squeeze at first, but trust us when we say that there’s tons of space in the back and a few spots at the bar where you can chill and munch on those tasty tacos.
Taste-wise, this place passed the vibe check as their tacos are very well made; both flavor and texture were in good balance. We also liked that they’re able to accommodate clients with dietary restrictions.
They’ve got a whole lineup of 11 different taco types here, with fillings like fish, pork, braised beef, chorizo, peppers, cauliflower, beans, and chicken stew.
These bad boys are wrapped up in a 6″ corn or flour tortilla, perfect when paired with their birriamen—a bowl of birria tatemada brisket broth. Dip your tacos in it, and let us tell you, it’s a whole experience, trust us.
But, it was the Birria Taco that stole the spotlight. It featured tender beef birria, amped up with melted cheese and salsa verde, making it super flavorful. Also, the fish tacos were big, juicy, and crispy, so those are definitely a recommendation too.
They’ve also got a bunch of sides to go along with your tacos—think guacamole, cheese, mozzarella, pico de gallo, and a whole lot more. We paired our tacos with guacamole and loved it, so if you’re down, that’s the one to go for.
Pros
- 11 different taco types
- Fair selection of sides
Cons
- Limited seating
Customer Reviews
Authentic Mexican cuisine
“La Taqueria Pinche Taco, located at 322 West Hastings St in Vancouver, proves that truly authentic Mexican cuisine is about more than just food…”
-Sebastian
Favorite tacos to date
“My favourite tacos to date, so good I went two days in a row. And the margarita selection is perfect *chefs kiss*…”
-Jasper C.
2. Gringo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Don’t let the run down alley keep you away from Gringo. This lively taco shop hidden away within Gastown’s Blood Alley Square is definitely a staple for late-night tacos and Mexican staples.
It’s quite funky here as the space is truly blindingly colorful—kinda like a spring break theme with margarita buckets and quirky decor like flamingo lights and pacman tables.
The taco selection here is quite astounding. You’ve got tacos packed with Kung Pao marinated tofu, pork butt, angus beef, and refried beans.
We really dug the brisket taco here. While the other flavors were decent, nothing too mind-blowing, that brisket one was something else. They do their own twist on brisket in-house.
You’ve gotta pair those tacos with a beer, no question. They’ve got lager or pale ale for $4.75, and seriously, it’s a solid combo. But if you’re more into margaritas, go for it – they serve those fun drinks in a bucket.
Their toppings selection was pretty great too – salsa, sour cream, guac, queso, cheddar, and this zesty picante pineapple salad. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these choices.
Overall, it’s fair to say that Gringo serves up some of the finest tacos in Vancouver. Sure, it might be a bit of a hunt to locate, but trust us, it’s totally worth the effort in our book.
Pros
- Lively shop ambiance
- Has gluten-free options
Cons
- Location a bit hard to find
Customer Reviews
Pretty cool place
“Pretty cool place! We had this place marked as to go for a while and decided to give it a shot today. I was a bit discouraged when I walked in the alley to get there but we went in anyway and I’m happy we did!..”
-Ghazal
Great hole in the wall
“Great hole in the wall mexican restaurant. Don’t let the Gastown location (blood lane) turn you away. Very small place, it worth the 15-35 min wait time if busy. 16 oz draft beer 🍺 for $4.50!…”
-Shaun H.
3. Chancho Tortilleria
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Chancho Tortilleria is a really snug place for tacos and drinks. It’s super laid-back, almost like having a backyard barbecue with pals. But what really grabbed our attention were the walls—covered in art like a milk carton, corn, and even mermaids.
It really is quite astounding that they source non-GMO corn directly from small Mexican farms. In our opinion, this ensures the authenticity and quality of their tortillas.
Tacos here come in pork and veggie options, which initially got us skeptical as it’s quite a limited variety, but we thought that it actually allowed them to focus on perfecting those two options.
You’ve got options like pork shoulder, pork belly, potatoes, and mixed vegetables to stuff in your tacos. Each of them comes with pickled red cabbage, whole pinto beans, salsas, and limes on the side.
But man, those pork tacos were something else. The flavors were just spot on. And that limonata was citrusy and refreshing, perfectly cutting through the fat and grease.
Building your own taco here is a blast—you get to jazz it up with the sides and sauces they give you. Their tortillas are top-notch, though. Just a heads-up: go for the bottom ones first because they get pretty soggy if you leave them hanging around for too long.
Pros
- Non-GMO corn tortilla sourced from Mexican farms
- Generous portions
Cons
- Limited flavors of tacos
Customer Reviews
Delicious and authentic food
“Delicious food, very authentic and nice restaurant. The salsas and black beans are delicious, the tortillas taste like if you were in Mexico and you can order the type of meat you want to eat…”
-Maria H.
Flavors are well-put together
“Wow. Just wow. Best pork taco place ever. The flavours were well put together. The shoulder and the belly compliment each other magically and the assortment of sauces and sides were spot on…”
-Earl F.
4. The Pawn Shop YVR Taco Bar
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
This cool taco joint boasts awesome artwork and decor and incredible tacos. Located on Granville Street, the Pawn Shop YVR Taco Bar has an open-concept kitchen, graffiti walls, and cozy benches.
The vibe here feels more like a bar—dim lights, a bunch of TVs at the bar, and the whole ceiling twinkles with yellow and pink fairy lights. There’s even a piñata hanging around, adding to the scene.
Now, let’s get started on their tacos. Their OG tacos include chicken, pork shoulder, wild mushrooms, and fried artichoke. We had these, though they weren’t really enough to satisfy our cravings.
Heading on to their jefe tacos. Here, we devoured their dorito-dusted chicken and avocado tacos. The dorito-dusted chicken had a flavorful and crispy coating, and the avocado provided a creamy and refreshing contrast to the chicken.
It’s also a great idea to order a side of beer-battered fries while you’re at it. It had a distinct lemon pepper seasoning and a parmesan dip that complemented the fries perfectly.
Pawn Shop YVR Taco Bar is hands-down a fantastic spot for those midnight tacos on Granville. What’s cool is how the kitchen pays close attention to texture in everything they serve on the plate.
Pros
- Good variety of meat and vegetarian options
- Open late, seven days a week
Cons
- Can get crowded on weekends
Customer Reviews
Delicious tacos and vegetarian options
“Best happy hour on Granville! The chicken & pork tacos were delicious, vegetarian options available as well. Come.for the delicious food and enjoy the funky atmosphere!”
-Glenn
Club vibe and nice social patio
“Club vibe on the inside, nice social patio on the outside. Nice place to enjoy to tacos and burritos. Great place to gather friends or just go out on a casual date.”
-David H.
5. Mi Casa Mexicana
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Mi Casa Mexicana is an informal cantina that truly captures the Mexican essence. There’s traditional decor, comfy seating options with red leather couches and padded seats, and colorful murals on the walls.
What we liked most about this restaurant is the space, as tables have just enough room to comfortably enjoy your meal without feeling cramped. Eating here gives off a vibe that’s kind of like heading to a fancy restaurant for a Sunday family dinner.
They’ve got a whole range of seven taco varieties, from the classics like beef, birria, chicken, and pork to options like chorizo, as well as choices for vegetarians, vegans, and those looking for gluten-free options.
We went for the taco trio with braised beef, shredded pork, and chorizo con papas—a perfect choice if you’re up for sampling various flavors.
Those tacos were delicious, especially when paired with a side of pickled onions and different salsas served with each. We weren’t fans of the fact that the toppings were set and couldn’t be customized according to our preferences.
Still, we really appreciated that the tacos were generously filled. For our vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free pals, they’ve got a special taco just for you called the “quesa-taco especial.”
It’s got a thick layer of melted cheese, your choice of meat or veggies, fixed toppings, and a side of pico de gallo.
Pros
- Spacious restaurant
- Has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
Cons
- Closed on Mondays
Customer Reviews
Very authentic
“Everything I’ve tried has been good so far and very authentic. The suadero is tender and flavorful and the birria quesadilla was fantastic. It’s also celiac friendly. Gluten free items are clearly marked and the staff is knowledgeable.”
-Amy H.
Amazing food and service
“Stopped in for lunch. Amazing food, amazing service. Had the Tacos Birra and Churros, so amazing and delicious.”
-K W.
6. Ay! Mamacita
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Ay! Mamacita is a Mexican food truck owned by Chef Alejandro that you can find along Industrial Avenue. We couldn’t stop raving about how all their food is freshly made from scratch.
The tacos he creates showcase his family’s chorizo recipe, a homemade Mexican pork chorizo sausage, served with guacamole, tomatillo salsa verde, asadero cheese, pumpkin blossoms, pickled onions, and sprouts.
You’ve got four choices here: either go for the housemade chorizo, Mexican chicken adobo, pork confit, or the zucchini and poblano pepper taco.
Sometimes they have new flavors pop up on their menu, and our favorite is the roasted lamb tacos that had a delicious blend of tender lamb, mint yogurt sauce, pickled red onions, and cheese. It was juicy, tasty, and a perfect balance of flavors.
The tacos had a good ratio to meat and veggies and we liked that they lightly cook their tortillas to give them a nice charred flavor.
Yeah, sure, they may not have the widest taco menu, but given the fact that they serve authentic Mexican tacos, it’s enough for us to include them on our list of the best tacos in Vancouver.
Pros
- Homemade chorizo recipe
- Good ratio to meat and veggies
Cons
- Relatively longer serving time
Customer Reviews
10/10 appearance-wise and taste-wise
“10/10 appearance wise and taste wise! The workers are the loveliest people, their service is beyond amazing and it really shows in the food that they make…”
-Brenda N.
Exceptional tacos
“Exceptional tacos! Exceptional chef! A taste to remember on this visit to Vancouver. Highly recommended.”
-Chak L.
7. Tachingón
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Tachingón is a small Mexican eatery owned by husband and wife, Ulyses and Martha. The restaurant features a selection of tacos, tostadas, and tortas, as well as tortilla soup, enchiladas, and more.
Vibe-wise, we’d say we felt like we were in a quaint eatery in the streets of Mexico City. The colorful decor, traditional music playing in the background, and an actual Mexican flag hanging proudly on the wall added to the authentic atmosphere.
The taco flavors here cover a wide range, including beef fajita, shredded chicken, birria, pork confit, Mexican sausage, pork belly, sautéed zucchini, and a mix of sautéed veggies like onions, poblano, and bell pepper.
Among all the options, our top pick was the pork belly. It’s incredibly crispy and juicy. The salsa was fantastic too—quite spicy, but it didn’t overpower the original flavors.
We’re a bit iffy about the limited variety of sauces that came with the tacos. However, we do appreciate that they doubled up on the taco wraps to prevent everything from getting soggy.
When it comes to drinks, we highly recommend trying the horchata and Jamaican drinks; they were absolutely wonderful and refreshing.
Pros
- Wide selection of taco flavors
- Double-wrap tacos
Cons
- Limited sauces
Customer Reviews
Best Mexican restaurants
“We’ve been going to Tachingón from the day they opened, and I have to say, it might be one of the most best Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been to…”
-Thomas J.
Home-style food
“A great authentic small location with home style food prepared fresh by a passionate and friendly chef owner…”
-Kenrick L.
8. Cuchillo
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Cuchillo is an upscale Latin American restaurant nestled in an artsy and industrial-chic setting. The ambiance was chill, which made it easier to have conversations.
The decor is really classy, with warm, rustic brick walls and a striking punched tin bar facade. We’d recommend grabbing a seat downstairs in their “lounge” area, as it tends to be less crowded.
We loved how creative the tacos were here at Cuchillo. Take the turmeric cauliflower frita. It’s got almond date butter and tomato ginger jam that add a unique and delicious twist to the traditional taco.
We also got a taco filled with crispy Fraser Valley pork that was just as flavorful and juicy as we had hoped. The one that really left an impression on us was the angus steak taco.
This one had blueberry sauce, and it was so good. It was a bit of an unusual combination, but it surprisingly worked really well. The sweetness of the blueberry sauce complemented the savory steak perfectly.
Other taco options include queso saganaki, cabeza de puerco, and mole lamb albondigas. See, we told you? The flavors here are quite unique, right?
If you’re looking to try out new taco flavors, we highly suggest you drop by Cuchillo. It’s a bit pricey, but we think it’s reasonable given the quality and creativity of the dishes.
Pros
- Classy and rustic decor
- Creative taco flavors
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Customer Reviews
Good vibes and great cocktails
“Good vibes, great cocktails and delicious food! We tried the scallop ceviche, pork tacos, corn and brussell sprouts. We went back to try mole lamb tacos. Yum.”
-Aliya L.
Lively environment
“We loved every dish we got. The environment is lively, loud, and could be fun for those that enjoy active bars. We enjoyed our servers, they were attentive and cleaned our small table often.”
-Gabriel T.
9. Las Tortas Mexican Gourmet Sandwiches
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Las Tortas has been dishing out fresh Mexican cuisine since 2009. Under the guidance of Chef Moises Toyber, the restaurant takes pride in crafting everything in-house, from the guacamole, beans, and jalapenos to the dips and potato chips.
Yeah, it’s a bit small, but the place is decked out with art from famous Mexican movies, which we feel really amps up the vibrant and authentic atmosphere.
The tacos here are served in 5-inch tortillas and come in a variety of flavors like chorizo, birria, grilled chicken, beef asada, pulled pork, beef milanesa, lamb, fish, and many more. They’ve got over 18 different varieties to choose from!
We totally loved the fish tacos. They had non-battered fish, pan-fried with their special house blend of spices, and served with a side of small guacamole.
But if you’re feeling super hungry, we recommend trying the chorizo and potato tacos. They come packed with rice, beans, red and green salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
Las Tortas also has a great selection of quesadillas, burritos, huaraches, enchiladas, soups and desserts.
Pros
- Housemade side dishes
- Over 18 different taco varieties
Cons
- Some complaints about food portions
Customer Reviews
Excellent food and friendly service
“Excellent food and very friendly service. The torta I had was full of fresh ingredients, was filling without being heavy. I wish I had more time to try other items…”
-Sami A.
Phenomenal food
“Wow AMAZZZZZZING, This place is the king of all Mexican food restaurants. The food is absolutely phenomenal…”
-Oriana S.
10. Sazon
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Shop Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Ingredients | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Freshness | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Tortilla Quality | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Flavors | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Toppings | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Sazon is located right in the heart of Kitsilano. Once you step inside, you’ll discover a well-designed space with red-painted walls adorned with cactus wall art and Mexican paintings.
The tacos here arrived promptly, and everything was served hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor. We opted for the 4-taco plate, giving us the chance to savor the beef, pork, chicken, and chicken tinga (which are the only options available).
Overall, the ingredients were impressively fresh, and everything turned out juicy and delicious. I have to admit, the chicken tinga was the standout. It was a mix of tomato, chipotle sauce, and onions, and it was just fantastic.
They also have a veggie taco filled with butternut squash and mushrooms. The butternut squash added a hint of sweetness, while the mushrooms provided a savory element. If you’re looking for a meatless option, this is definitely worth trying.
Here’s a tip from the inside: try the tortilla soup. This homemade tomato-based soup includes tortilla strips, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and avocado. Dip your taco in it—trust us, it elevates the flavors to a whole new level.
Pros
- Accessible location
- Great food presentation
Cons
- Some complaints about taste consistency
Customer Reviews
Good prices and fresh taste
“Very good Mexican food. Good prices. Enjoyed the fresh taste. Chile Releno and enchilada were great…”
-Janet R.
Fresh and well-prepared
“One of the best quality Mexican restaurants in the Vancouver region. The food was definitely fresh and well prepared…”
-Jay Z.
