Tacos may just be the new burger — or at least the new pizza. They’re everywhere, and lucky for us, our corner of South Florida is rich with authentic Mexican spots worth seeking out. We’ve done the legwork (and the taste-testing), sampling everything from al pastor and chicken to beef, birria, and even a surprise tripe taco that won us over. The result? A delicious lineup of taco destinations, from quick bites to full dining experiences. So grab a friend, bring your appetite, and remember—tacos are too scrumptious to save just for Tuesdays.
Deerfield Beach
Baja Café
Baja Cafe has been serving up Mexican favorites since 1999. For adventurous Gator fans, they offer gator tacos at market price. Don’t worry, though, they also serve plenty of standard tacos and all your favorite Mexican dishes, with ample margaritas to wash it all down. 1310 S Federal Highway, 954-596-1305, bajacafefl.com
Casa Maya Grill
Casa Maya in the Cove delivers on its promise of authentic Mexican cuisine. Chef Emilio travels directly to Mexico to source the spices for the many dishes served at Casa Maya, ensuring genuine flavor in every meal. 201 SE 15th Terrace #101, 954-5706101, casamayagrill.com
El Jefe Luchador
El Jefe has been a staff favorite since they opened. This fast-casual spot serves up street-style tacos with flavorful fillings, ranging from al-pastor to crispy fried shrimp. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that their salad is an absolute textural flavor bomb! 27 S Federal Highway, 954-2465333, jefetaco.com
Tijuana Flats
Unfortunately, Tijuana Flats has been closing locations due to bankruptcy, but the Deerfield Beach restaurant remains open. The tacos here are pretty standard yet will surely satisfy any taco craving. You can choose your protein and enjoy it “Tijuana Style” with cheese, fresh jalapeños, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream — or customize it however you like. All tacos come with tortilla chips and are available in either hard corn or soft flour shells. 278 S Federal Highway, tijuanaflats.com
Tijuana Taxi Co.
Tijuana Taxi is that lively, vibrant place you visit when you’ve had a long day at work and nothing will make it all better except some Mexican comfort food and a perfectly tart, salt-rimmed margarita. The restaurant’s festive atmosphere and colorful decor create the ideal environment to unwind and forget your troubles. While we would not classify Tijuana Taxi as a taco joint, since the menu is far more comprehensive and offers everything from sizzling fajitas to enchiladas smothered in flavorful sauces, it’s important to know all the Mexican dining options close to home for those times when you’re craving south-of-the-border cuisine but don’t want to travel far. 1015 S Federal Highway, 954-7082775, tijuanataxico.com
Pompano Beach
Baresco
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again — tacos by the ocean? Does life get any better? We think not. Throw in a margarita for good measure and you’re set. Baresco offers a comprehensive Mexican menu, so feel free to enjoy fajitas, enchiladas, or whatever your heart desires. 225 N Pompano Beach Blvd., 954-904-4567, eatbaresco.com
Dos Amigos
1308 N Federal Highway, 954-7811955, dosamigosbestmexicanfood.com
La Lupe Mexican Restaurant
You have to love it when you head out for Friday night tacos and your waitress is actually from Mexico. We tried a whole bunch of tacos, including the ever-popular birria tacos. Of course, we ordered the quesabirria because everything is better with cheese. Don’t believe us? Have you ever seen a viral video of a parent tossing a slice of American cheese at a crying toddler? Stops the crying like magic. But back to the tacos, these were the authentic Mexican variety where the fillings truly shine because the only accoutrements are a sprinkling of cilantro and chopped white onion. 625 E Atlantic Blvd., 954-933-3491, lalupemexicanrestaurant.com
Talkin’ Tacos
Talkin’ Tacos is technically a chain spot, but OMG, the tacos are way better than you’d think! We dove into their birria tacos and they were packed with super juicy meat that was practically screaming to be dunked. Think of birria tacos as like the cool Mexican version of a French dip sandwich – loaded with tender meat that you get to dunk in this savory consommé. We tried a bunch of other stuff too, and those bang bang shrimp tacos? Absolute game changers! We’d totally hit this place up again just for those bad boys. The al pastor tacos came in a close second — I mean, they had us at pineapple and those zingy pickled onions. Price-wise, you’re looking at about $13.99 to $15.99 for three tacos, and the cool thing is you can mix and match! 431 S Federal Highway, 954-738-8342, talkintacos.net
Taqueria Latina
If you’re willing to trade polished décor for pure taco bliss, you’re in for a treat. Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall in Pompano, Taqueria Latina serves up the kind of authentic Mexican tacos worth venturing beyond your usual haunts for — at just $3 each. The tortillas are warm, the fillings richly seasoned, and the flavors will have you ordering a second (or third) round before you know it. Consider it a delicious reminder that great dining experiences aren’t always wrapped in white tablecloths. 760 W Sample Road, 954-366-6913
Tortilleria Mexicana II
Introduced to the team when one of our sales rep arrived to a meeting with a take-out feast, this spot quickly earned our love. One staffer even jokes about always ordering five tacos — simply because it’s the only number they know in Spanish. English isn’t the dominant language here, but the universal language of street-style tacos speaks loud and clear. Warm, flavorful, and gone in seconds, they’re the kind of bites that disappear almost as quickly as they arrive. 1614 E Sample Road, 954-9430057, fromtherestaurant.com/taqueria-latina/locations/
The Taco Station
This spot, just steps from the ocean, is serving up some pretty good tacos. We tried a few different tacos, and truth be told, we over-ordered because these babies were packed. Each taco comes loaded with onion, cilantro, pico de gallo and shredded purple cabbage, plus cilantro cream, which honestly was what elevated it all to the top. Outdoor seating is available, and is there anything better than a taco after a beach day? 3432 E Atlantic Blvd., 954-657-8167, tacostationpompano.com
Ay Chavelaa
900 E Atlantic Blvd., 954-532-5246, info@aychavellacantina.com
Taqueria Doña Raquel
A platter of assorted tacos at Taqueria Doña Raquel in Pompano Beach — one of our favorites on our regional taco tour.
For those willing to venture beyond the usual dining corridors, this family-owned spot on Dixie Highway offers a vibrant slice of Mexico — no passport required. On a recent Sunday lunch visit, the place buzzed with energy and the aroma of freshly made tortillas. English is rare here, but the universal language of sizzling meats and rich spices speaks for itself. Six different tacos arrived at the table, each more tempting than the last — one even turned out to be tripe by surprise, and it was delicious. With an open kitchen and flavors far from the “middle school taco” stereotype, Taqueria Doña Raquel is a local gem worth the detour.
793 S Dixie Highway, 954-946-4490
Laudedale-By-The-Sea
Taco Craft
With four locations across South Florida, Taco Craft has clearly found success. Their popularity might be due to their weekend brunch featuring bottomless mimosas, margaritas, and sangria. Visit their website for information on other locations.
4400 N Ocean Drive, tacocraft.com
Fort Lauderdale
Casa Frida
While some spots on this list are perfect for a quick, authentic taco fix, Casa Frida delivers a full-fledged dining experience. This local favorite elevates Mexican cuisine beyond the predictable “same dish, different shape” approach. Here, traditional techniques and time-honored recipes shine in dishes featuring house-made moles, adobos, and salsas — each prepared with care and layered with flavor.
5441 N Federal Highway, 954-530-3668, casafridamexicancuisine.com
El Camino
With three South Florida spots, this bustling Mexican restaurant is full of party vibes and cheer. Visit the website for Delray and Boca Raton locations.
817 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, elcaminoftlauderdale.com
Boca Raton
Taco Lab
Boca & Parkland, tacolabsfl.com
Calaveras Cantina
409 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561-5762132, calaverascantina.com
La Condesa
3320 Airport Road, 561-931-4008, lacondesamexican.com
Casa Tequila
8228 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-4305458, palmbeachcuisine.com
Las Fajitas
2298 N Dixie Highway, 561-620-1981
Vote for Pedro
6018 SW 18th St., 561-576-3099, voteforpedro.fun
Pop-Up Don Manuel Tacos
No storefront, DM them on Instagram to order.
When down in Miami
The Wolf of Taco Pop-Up
This place started as a pop-up but now has a true brick and mortar location. And since we love a success story, we are listing them here. As they claim on their website, they do tacos the proper way. In other words the filling is the star. They aren’t hiding behind mounds of cheese and lettuce — just a classic smattering of cilantro and white onion.
550 NW First Ave., Miami thewolfoftacos.com
Prize-Winning Tacos in Hallandale
Uptown 66
Their original location in Miami won Good Morning America’s search for the best taco in the USA in 2023. And with success comes expansion with a new spot in Hallandale.
801 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale, 754-888-9380, uptown66.miami