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A pile of cut meat and sauces on a corn tortilla next to plastic containers of sauces.
A carnitas taco from Carnitas El Guero.
Carnitas El Guero/Facebook

28 Must-Eat Tacos in Austin

The most wonderful tortillas filled with migas, fajitas, barbacoa, lengua, and mushrooms

by Nadia Chaudhury and Kelly Stocker Updated
2 comments / new
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A carnitas taco from Carnitas El Guero.
| Carnitas El Guero/Facebook
by Nadia Chaudhury and Kelly Stocker Updated
2 comments / new

Tacos are amazing and versatile; it’s ideal for an early morning quick start, a late-night indulgence, and great car food. While yes, most taco establishments and trucks serve up great tacos, Eater is highlighting Austin’s best tacos through this guide. This means steadfast options from Veracruz All Natural and Cuantos Tacos, barbecue takes from Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, unparalleled tortilla de maiz at gas station surprise Ñoños, quality options from Nixta Taqueria, and vegan greats from Vegan Nom.

Ever in pursuit of taco perfection, for the purposes of this map, Eater skipped taco chains (meaning Torchy’s Tacos and Tacodeli) in favor of places that are doing interesting things with Austin’s favorite foodstuff (albeit with fewer presidential visits).

For other taco needs, scope out Austin’s best breakfast tacos and birria tacos.

As with all businesses right now, be sure to call ahead to make sure each restaurant/truck is still open or if there are updates on current offerings and service models, as things are changing constantly. Be sure to wear a mask, tip well, and, if you’re ordering delivery, try to order directly from the restaurants/trucks themselves.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Con Todo

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The newer North Austin truck focuses on comida frontera stemming from owner Joseph Gomez’s Rio Grande Valley background. This means daytime and nighttime tacos con todo (cilantro, onions, salsa) with barbacoa, bistec, alamre, and calabaza asada. Orders can be placed in person, there is outdoor and indoor seating available at host site Celis Brewery.

10001 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 78758

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Tacos Y Tortas El Chilango

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The North Lamar red taco truck strung with holiday lights slings affordable tacos in the evenings until the wee hours. The fresh corn tortillas, spicy green sauce, and bistek with sautéed onions and a squeeze of lime are the star of this show. It’s cash-only, and there are outdoor tables.

10721 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 785-4520
(512) 785-4520

Carnitas el Guero

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Carnitas are definitely the move at the North Austin Michoacan-style restaurant. Opt for the orden personal, which comes with more than enough food for a single person from the morning to late night hours. There’s a pile of that juicy carnitas, plus tortillas, tacotes, and a doradita. There’s a second location down in far south Austin. There is indoor dining available.

8624 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 814-9055
(512) 814-9055
A pile of pork meat, a circular tortilla, and a crispy taco.
Carnitas, a tacote, and a doradita from Carnitas el Guero
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

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Ñoños Tacos

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The gas station-adjacent taco spot in Georgian Acres belies the fantastic tacos inside. The meat is tender, the spices are spot-on, and the daily fresh tortillas are the best in the city, available from the mornings into the evenings. The restaurant is open with indoor and outdoor dine-in service; takeout orders can be placed online.

102 W Powell Ln, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 609-8601
(512) 609-8601
A place of three tacos with meat, vegetables, and shredded cheese, next to a pile of reddish rice and smooth refried beans.
Crunchy tacos from Ñoños Tacos.
Ñoños Tacos/Facebook

Paprika ATX

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This Highland truck serves up some of the best tacos in the city for lunch and dinner. The meaty tacos are all excellent, particularly the suadero, but the meatless tangy nopalitos are also just as good. Keep an eye on its Instagram page for specials, such as the shrimp. Orders are placed in person, and there is outdoor seating available.

6519 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
(512) 716-5873
(512) 716-5873
Three tacos overloaded with meats and vegetables, with a small pile of quartered limes and plastic condiment containers with salsas.
Tacos from Paprika.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Taqueria Mi Trailita

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The little Pecan Springs/Springdale truck parked at a gas station is a stellar choice for breakfast and lunch tacos, especially the migas and barbacoa. There’s outdoor seating too, and the truck just opened a new physical restaurant.

5301 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 497-9877
(512) 497-9877

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Vaquero Taquero

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The North Campus taco restaurant dishes up South Texas-style tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the al pastor is really spectacular, as is the nopales. There’s a downtown location too. Orders can be placed in person or online for takeout and deliveries; both feature dine-in service with indoor and outdoor areas.

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 366-5578
(512) 366-5578
A person dipping a taco into a short plastic container of broth.
A birria taco from Vaquero Taquero.
Vaquero Taquero/Facebook

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Nixta Taqueria

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New-school ingredients with old-school approaches, the East Austin taqueria is serving tacos, tostadas, and paletas. The duck carnitas is a thing of wonder, the enchilada potosina is a hearty taco with a potato/chorizo puree and duck-fat refried beans, and don’t overlook the thoughtful seasonal vegetable offerings. It’s open for lunch and dinner, plus breakfast on Sunday. The restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services, and takeout/curbside pickup orders can be placed online.

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 551-3855
(512) 551-3855
A blue tortilla topped with cauliflower and cilantro.
The cauliflower taco at Nixta.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

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Cuantos Tacos

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The Central East Austin taco truck has become one of the city’s very best taco trucks, focused on Mexico City-style tacos from daytime into nighttime. The suadero and cachete are wonderful, and the meat mixtures (campechana, revuelta, or the champi-longi) are excellent too. Look out for specials, such as the estilo matamoros with bistec, or the tripas. Orders can be placed in person or online for pickups, outdoor dine-in service, and there are deliveries.

1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 903-3918
(512) 903-3918
A bunch of tacos on a white plate.
Tacos from Cuantos Tacos.
Cuantos Tacos/Facebook

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Discada

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Discada refers to the northern Mexican style of cooking meat and vegetables using a kind of “cowboy wok.” Meat and vegetables are layered in and cooked in the juice from the previous layer. This taco truck serves only this type of taco, alongside elotes. The tiny lunchtime and dinnertime tacos are served simply with salsa and lime. Orders are placed online or in person and there is outdoor seating available.

1319 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 945-7577
(512) 945-7577

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Asador

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Since the taco truck opened in 2018, it quickly grew to a total of three locations throughout downtown for a good reason. The meats are juicy (the brisket with smoked chile morita and black sesame is a favorite) and the vegetables are delightful (the cauliflower is wonderful). Of the three locations attached to bars, the original truck parked in the back of East Seventh Street mezcal bar Las Perlas makes for a good combination. Hours vary but typically include lunch and dinner services. Orders can be placed online or in person, all locations offer indoor and outdoor seating.

405 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
Two tacos with meat and sauce.
Tacos from Asador.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

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Veracruz All Natural

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As Austin knows, Veracruz can do no wrong. Homemade tortillas and organic aguas frescas along with the migas, fish, and vegetable tacos inspire loyal devotion. Every location — trucks and restaurants — are typically jam-packed each week for good, delicious reasons. The Webberville location is fun and festive, and the Menchaca Road truck at host site Radio Coffee makes for a good taco/coffee trip. All locations are open for breakfast and lunch, and there are dinner hours at the Line Hotel and Radio Coffee. All locations offer online ordering, and there is in-person ordering, plus all locations feature on-site services with indoor and outdoor areas.

2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 981-1760
(512) 981-1760
A metal tray with three tacos.
Tacos from Veracruz All Natural.
Veracruz All Natural/Facebook

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Suerte

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The suadero tacos at the upscale Mexican restaurant in East Austin are pure magic, available for dinner and weekend brunch. Reservations are available, with room for walk-ins, and there’s both indoor and outdoor seating.

1800 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 953-0092
(512) 953-0092
A hand holding up a taco with meat and green sauce.
A suadero taco from Suerte.
Suerte

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Las Trancas

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For the money and the flavor, this East Austin truck is tough to beat. The daytime and late-night street tacos are tiny bundles of delight with a sheen of grease and thinly shaved spiced meats. The menu’s got the standards, but fans of offal will be pleased to find tripas and lengua. Orders can be placed in person and there are outdoor tables too.

1210 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 701-8287
(512) 701-8287
Three tacos with meat on aluminum foil.
Tacos from Las Trancas.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Taco Joint

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The East Riverside Mexican restaurant is highly underrated despite making ridiculously superb breakfast and lunch tacos. A pro-move would be ordering the barbacoa and adding diced potatoes and refried beans. You won’t regret it. Pickup orders can be placed online or in person;, both locations are open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

134 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 599-5144
(512) 599-5144
Two tacos on a pink and white plate.
Tacos from Taco Joint.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

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The Vegan Nom

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Some of the city’s best vegan tacos can be found at this Holly truck for breakfast/lunch/dinner. The breakfast tacos use fluffy scrambled tofu, and the “fish” taco is deceitfully great. Takeout orders can be placed in person or over the phone, and there are third-party deliveries through Favor. The outdoor tables are available for dine-in services.

2324 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 497-3147
(512) 497-3147
A taco with scrambled tofu and diced vegetables.
The migas taco from Vegan Nom.
Vegan Nom/Facebook

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El Primo

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Grab a cup of coffee at Bouldin Creek coffee shop Once Over, and then indulge in a steaming bean and cheese breakfast taco from the small taco cart parked out front. People are passionate about El Primo’s beans in a way that’s just on this side of obsession. The migas stuffed with ham is another good bet, as is the barbacoa. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Online orders can be made in advance, in-person orders are cash-only, and there are two outdoor tables.

2011 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Two tacos in individual cardboard trays, one with eggs and avocado, the other with brown meat and slices green leaves.
Tacos from El Primo.
Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

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Papalote Taco House

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All locations of Papalote serve up a nice array of tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from pollo a la parilla to turkey mole to vegetable-stacked rajas y hongas with bonus zucchini and cabbage to customizable egg tacos for the morning. Orders can be placed online or over the phone, and there are dine-in services.

2803 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2474
(512) 804-2474

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Rosita's Al Pastor

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The Riverside original had to relocate its truck while also opening a new physical restaurant due to developments, but it still keeps its place of pride among the top pastor purveyors in the city during the daytime and late-night hours. Bright red-orange meat carved off a spit and freshly pressed fluffy flour tortillas are just the start. Orders can be placed in person at either the restaurant or the truck, and there are outdoor and indoor dining areas.

1801 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 442-8402
(512) 442-8402

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El Tacorrido

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Drive-thru tacos are a dream come true with all locations of El Tacorrido. There are breakfast tacos and meaty tacos (the carne guisada and the revuelta are great), but really the star of the menu is the mushroom taco. Orders can be placed in person, and it’s open from the mornings to the late evenings.

2316 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-1939
(512) 912-1939

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Flavia’s Kitchen

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Amazing corn tortillas and tacos can be found at the red Bouldin Creek truck open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The aporreado is the best of both breakfast taco and lunch taco worlds, consisting of a lovely mixture of chopped beef, eggs, and salsa. Orders can be placed in person, and there are outdoor tables available.

510 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 422-7158
(512) 422-7158
Three tacos with fillings on a blue-gray plate.
Tacos from Flavia’s.
Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

Trippy Tacos

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This is just the kind of place that screams “Austin” (the logo is an anthropomorphic taco holding a tiny taco). But are the tacos good? Yes. The spicy shrimp, campechano, and Americano tacos are fan favorites. The namesake taco comes with bacon-wrapped fried chicken and mango. It’s open for breakfast and lunch. Orders can be placed online and there are tables.

4205 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(737) 703-4370
(737) 703-4370
A red food basket with three tacos.
Tacos from Trippy Tacos.
Trippy Tacos/Facebook

El Super Taco

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The tacos from the East Riverside truck in a former car wash are, well, really super, available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings. The deshebrado and barbacoa are great choices. Orders can be placed online, it’s cash-only, and there are outdoor tables.

0307050811, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 203-4932
(512) 203-4932

La Tunita 512

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The East Riverside truck is known for its really excellent birria tacos, available with cheese and/or consomme, for lunch and early dinner. Orders can be placed online or in person. The outdoor table is available for on-site dining.

2400 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 679-0708
(512) 679-0708
The birria taco from La Tunita 512
A birria taco from La Tunita.
La Tunita 512/Facebook

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Pueblo Viejo

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The popular Austin taco truck now has a whopping six locations across the city. The best of these is the truck parked at South Austin cafe and bar Cosmic Coffee + Beer, where you can get coffee, beer, wine, cocktails, fire pits, and also Pueblo Viejo tacos? Street tacos and gorditas are represented, but there are delicious options for vegetarians. There are usually breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours. Most locations offer online ordering, otherwise place orders in person; all locations offer some sort of on-site dining.

121 Pickle Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 762-2566
(512) 762-2566
A taco in a small cardboard white tray with a paper liner.
A taco from Pueblo Viejo.
Pueblo Viejo/Facebook

La Flor

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Corn tortillas are the move at this West Congress gas station taco truck, especially with its chicken fajitas, for breakfast and lunch. Place orders in person and there are outdoor tables.

4901 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 417-4214
(512) 417-4214

Taqueria Morales

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Handmade tortillas, y’all. There is nothing like ‘em, and the South Austin truck makes some of the best in town for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu is pretty simple — tacos, sopes, tortas, quesadillas, and a hamburger for good measure. The barbacoa is immensely popular as is the cheesy “gringa” taco. Orders can be placed in person and there are tables.

1415 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 906-4933
(512) 906-4933
A blue-gray plate with four tacos.
Tacos from Taqueria Morales.
Nadia Chaudhury/EATX

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Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ

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Barbecue marries Tex-Mex at this taco spot in far south Austin. Look for people lined up outside the trailer, clamoring for a taste of the smoked carnitas, pulled pollo, and smoked brisket tacos. There’s a dedicated breakfast hour, and then there are lunch and dinner services. The truck accepts in-person orders and there are plenty of outdoor tables.

11500 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 221-4248
(512) 221-4248
A tray of six tacos, each filled with a slice of bacon, brisket, and fried eggs.
Breakfast tacos from Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ
Nick Solares/Eater

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Con Todo

10001 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 78758

The newer North Austin truck focuses on comida frontera stemming from owner Joseph Gomez’s Rio Grande Valley background. This means daytime and nighttime tacos con todo (cilantro, onions, salsa) with barbacoa, bistec, alamre, and calabaza asada. Orders can be placed in person, there is outdoor and indoor seating available at host site Celis Brewery.

10001 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 78758

Tacos Y Tortas El Chilango

10721 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

The North Lamar red taco truck strung with holiday lights slings affordable tacos in the evenings until the wee hours. The fresh corn tortillas, spicy green sauce, and bistek with sautéed onions and a squeeze of lime are the star of this show. It’s cash-only, and there are outdoor tables.

10721 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 785-4520
(512) 785-4520

Carnitas el Guero

8624 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
A pile of pork meat, a circular tortilla, and a crispy taco.
Carnitas, a tacote, and a doradita from Carnitas el Guero
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Carnitas are definitely the move at the North Austin Michoacan-style restaurant. Opt for the orden personal, which comes with more than enough food for a single person from the morning to late night hours. There’s a pile of that juicy carnitas, plus tortillas, tacotes, and a doradita. There’s a second location down in far south Austin. There is indoor dining available.

8624 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 814-9055
(512) 814-9055
A pile of pork meat, a circular tortilla, and a crispy taco.
Carnitas, a tacote, and a doradita from Carnitas el Guero
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Ñoños Tacos

102 W Powell Ln, Austin, TX 78753
A place of three tacos with meat, vegetables, and shredded cheese, next to a pile of reddish rice and smooth refried beans.
Crunchy tacos from Ñoños Tacos.
Ñoños Tacos/Facebook

The gas station-adjacent taco spot in Georgian Acres belies the fantastic tacos inside. The meat is tender, the spices are spot-on, and the daily fresh tortillas are the best in the city, available from the mornings into the evenings. The restaurant is open with indoor and outdoor dine-in service; takeout orders can be placed online.

102 W Powell Ln, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 609-8601
(512) 609-8601
A place of three tacos with meat, vegetables, and shredded cheese, next to a pile of reddish rice and smooth refried beans.
Crunchy tacos from Ñoños Tacos.
Ñoños Tacos/Facebook

Paprika ATX

6519 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Three tacos overloaded with meats and vegetables, with a small pile of quartered limes and plastic condiment containers with salsas.
Tacos from Paprika.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

This Highland truck serves up some of the best tacos in the city for lunch and dinner. The meaty tacos are all excellent, particularly the suadero, but the meatless tangy nopalitos are also just as good. Keep an eye on its Instagram page for specials, such as the shrimp. Orders are placed in person, and there is outdoor seating available.

6519 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
(512) 716-5873
(512) 716-5873
Three tacos overloaded with meats and vegetables, with a small pile of quartered limes and plastic condiment containers with salsas.
Tacos from Paprika.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Taqueria Mi Trailita

5301 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723

The little Pecan Springs/Springdale truck parked at a gas station is a stellar choice for breakfast and lunch tacos, especially the migas and barbacoa. There’s outdoor seating too, and the truck just opened a new physical restaurant.

5301 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
(512) 497-9877
(512) 497-9877

Vaquero Taquero

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705
A person dipping a taco into a short plastic container of broth.
A birria taco from Vaquero Taquero.
Vaquero Taquero/Facebook

The North Campus taco restaurant dishes up South Texas-style tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the al pastor is really spectacular, as is the nopales. There’s a downtown location too. Orders can be placed in person or online for takeout and deliveries; both feature dine-in service with indoor and outdoor areas.

104 E 31st St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 366-5578
(512) 366-5578
A person dipping a taco into a short plastic container of broth.
A birria taco from Vaquero Taquero.
Vaquero Taquero/Facebook

Nixta Taqueria

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
A blue tortilla topped with cauliflower and cilantro.
The cauliflower taco at Nixta.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

New-school ingredients with old-school approaches, the East Austin taqueria is serving tacos, tostadas, and paletas. The duck carnitas is a thing of wonder, the enchilada potosina is a hearty taco with a potato/chorizo puree and duck-fat refried beans, and don’t overlook the thoughtful seasonal vegetable offerings. It’s open for lunch and dinner, plus breakfast on Sunday. The restaurant is open for indoor and patio dine-in services, and takeout/curbside pickup orders can be placed online.

2512 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 551-3855
(512) 551-3855
A blue tortilla topped with cauliflower and cilantro.
The cauliflower taco at Nixta.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Cuantos Tacos

1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702