The 8 Best Taco Spots in Los Angeles (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 8 picks

The best tacos in Los Angeles in 2026 are the fried shrimp tacos at Mariscos Jalisco, al pastor from Leo's Tacos Truck, Sonoran-style carne asada at Sonoratown, braised tacos at Guisados and mesquite-grilled tacos at Tacos 1986 and Villa's Tacos. Tire Shop Taqueria adds carne asada from a South LA lot, and most spots here cost under $5 a taco.

Los Angeles taco culture spans trucks parked in the same lot for decades, Sonoran flour-tortilla counters and Baja seafood stands. This list sticks to places with a reliable address, so you can find them. For trucks and stands, the tip gives the usual location.

Pair a taco crawl with a sit-down meal from our best restaurants in Los Angeles guide, or see the full Korean BBQ guide if you want a different late-night option.

1. Mariscos Jalisco — Boyle Heights

The fried shrimp taco truck with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

$ Budget

Mariscos Jalisco is a walk-up truck on Olympic Boulevard best known for its taco dorado de camarón, a fried shrimp taco finished with tomato. It has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and is often called the best taco truck in the city.

Seafood tostadas and ceviche are also on the menu. There are no reservations, so expect to eat standing or at the picnic tables nearby.

Good to know: Usual spot: the truck parked at 3040 E Olympic Blvd in Boyle Heights. Hours reported vary by source, so go before mid-afternoon.

3040 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023

Google Maps

2. Leo's Tacos Truck — La Brea & Venice, Mid-City & Fairfax

Al pastor sliced off the trompo, served late into the night.

$ Budget

Leo's is the truck most people mean when they say LA taco truck. The signature is tacos al pastor cooked on a vertical trompo; the menu also lists sopes, huaraches and other items.

The La Brea and Venice truck is the original many locals know, and the company lists other locations across LA.

Good to know: Usual spot: 1515 S La Brea Ave at Venice Blvd. The site lists hours until 2 a.m. most nights and 3:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

1515 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Google Maps Website

3. Sonoratown — Downtown LA

Sonoran-style tacos on flour tortillas, made fresh.

$ Budget

Sonoratown cooks Sonoran-style food, built around flour tortillas. The menu lists tacos at $3.50, plus the Caramelo with pinto beans, Monterey Jack, avocado salsa and salsa roja, and a Burrito 2.0.

The downtown counter is open daily, and there are also locations in Mid-City and Long Beach.

Good to know: Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the downtown location; add the smoky grilled poblano to the Caramelo for $1.25.

208 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Google Maps Website

4. Guisados — Boyle Heights

Homestyle braises on handmade corn tortillas.

$ Budget

Guisados builds its menu around homestyle Mexican braises served on fresh handmade corn tortillas. The Boyle Heights original is the one to visit.

Order a sampler to try several braises at once.

Good to know: Go to the original Boyle Heights location; the company also has stores in Echo Park, DTLA, West Hollywood and elsewhere.

2100 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Google Maps Website

5. Tacos 1986 — Beverly Grove, Mid-City & Fairfax

Grilled-over-fire tacos with tortillas made to order.

$ Budget

Tacos 1986 describes its food as grilled meat over fire with hand-made-to-order tortillas and fresh guacamole. The menu includes tacos, quesadillas, mulitas and vampiros.

It has several LA locations, including this Beverly Boulevard one, downtown on Spring Street and Westwood Village.

Good to know: Order online if the line is long; the Beverly Grove counter is one of several LA locations.

7235 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Google Maps Website

6. Villa's Tacos — Highland Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz

Handmade blue-corn tacos from a Michelin-recognized taqueria.

$ Budget

Villa's Tacos is a family-rooted Highland Park taqueria that makes handmade blue-corn tacos. The newest Figueroa location serves Baja seafood and mesquite-grilled tacos.

It also has a counter inside Grand Central Market downtown.

Good to know: The original is on N Figueroa St in Highland Park; confirm hours on the site, since sources disagree.

5455 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Google Maps Website

7. Tire Shop Taqueria — South LA

Carne asada tacos served from the lot of a working tire shop.

$ Budget

Tire Shop Taqueria sets up in the lot of a tire shop on Avalon Boulevard and is known for its carne asada tacos. Time Out and other guides name it among the city's best.

It is walk-in only and runs in the evening.

Good to know: Usual spot: the tire shop lot at 4077 Avalon Blvd (some listings say 4069). Evenings only, and hours differ by source, so check before you go.

4077 Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90011

Google Maps

8. Evil Cooks — El Sereno, East LA & Boyle Heights

Heavy-metal-themed taqueria known for black octopus tacos.

$$ Mid-range

Evil Cooks began as a taco stand in El Sereno and is known for tacos with tentacles, plus a heavy-metal-inspired look. It has since opened a brick-and-mortar.

It is open limited days, so treat it as a planned stop rather than a drop-in.

Good to know: Hours have changed; check evilcooksla.com or its Instagram first. Coverage shows a move from Eastern Ave to 3333 N Eastern Ave.

3333 N Eastern Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90032

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the best tacos in Los Angeles?

Boyle Heights and East LA have the densest concentration, including Mariscos Jalisco and the original Guisados. Downtown, Mid-City and Highland Park also have strong options, such as Sonoratown, Leo's Tacos Truck and Villa's Tacos.

How much do tacos cost in LA?

Most taco trucks and counters charge roughly $2.50 to $5 per taco. Sonoratown lists a taco at $3.50 and a quesadilla at $4.75. Plan on about $15 to $20 to eat well.

Which LA taco truck is the most famous?

Mariscos Jalisco is one of the best known, thanks to its fried shrimp taco and a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Leo's Tacos Truck is the classic for al pastor sliced from the trompo.

Do LA taco trucks take cards?

It varies. Some trucks and stands are cash-only or prefer cash, so carry small bills and check the restaurant's Instagram or website before you go.

What should I order at a taco spot in LA?

Order the specialty. That means the shrimp taco at Mariscos Jalisco, al pastor at Leo's, carne asada on a flour tortilla at Sonoratown, and the sampler of braises at Guisados.

Are there good late-night tacos in LA?

Yes. Leo's Tacos Truck lists hours until 2 a.m. most nights at its La Brea and other locations, and Tire Shop Taqueria runs evenings into the night.

1. Mariscos Jalisco — Boyle Heights

2. Leo's Tacos Truck — La Brea & Venice, Mid-City & Fairfax

3. Sonoratown — Downtown LA

4. Guisados — Boyle Heights

5. Tacos 1986 — Beverly Grove, Mid-City & Fairfax

6. Villa's Tacos — Highland Park, Silver Lake & Los Feliz

7. Tire Shop Taqueria — South LA

8. Evil Cooks — El Sereno, East LA & Boyle Heights

Frequently asked questions

Related lists

The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles (2026)

The 10 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles (2026)

The 10 Best Museums in Los Angeles (2026)

The 8 Best Kosher Restaurants in Los Angeles (2026)

The 10 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Los Angeles (2026)