25 of RVA's best taco spots for authentic, fusion, and everything in between
Do you know where to go in RVA when taco cravings strike? We compiled this list to satisfy even the strongest taco hankerings, whether you like your tacos crafted traditionally or creatively by the chefs making them.
Whichever part of Richmond you live in, and whatever type of tacos you prefer, there’s an option on this list for just about everyone.
— contributions by Alicia Valenski & Bonnie Dunkel
¡Ay Caramba!
This Arts District restaurant actually started out as a food cart — but now, you can dine in at the vibrant brick-and-mortar on as many tacos as your heart desires. Pro tip: Stop in on Taco Tuesday for $1 off of signature taco options, or to get a taco platter for just $10 including three tacos and your choice of two sides.
Location: 204 E Grace St (Arts District)
Hours:Monday - Saturday, 11:30 am - 8 pm
Barrio Taqueria + Tequila
What pairs better with tacos than a soft serve margarita? Known for their Instagram-worthy tequila drinks and yummy food, Barrio is the perfect spot to meet a friend for drinks and tacos. With 12 taco creations to choose from, you’re bound to find a new favorite on this menu.
Location: 2229 W Main St (The Fan)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 4 pm – 12 am; Friday, 4 pm – 2 am; Saturday, 11:30 am – 2 am; Sunday, 11:30 am – 10 pm
Boka Grill / Boka Tacos
Awarded accolades like Best Food Truck in Richmond, Best Food Truck in Central Virginia, Best Tacos in Richmond, Best Tacos in Virginia, and more, Boka Tacos spells “boca” and “tacos” with a K because in their words, “these aren’t your ordinary Takos.”
You can visit their brick and mortar, or find their Tako Truck menus and routes here.
Location: 2557 Sheila Ln (Stratford Hills)
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 12 - 8 pm; Sunday, 12 – 7 pm
Chicanos Cocina Bar & Grill
From the same ownership as Lalo’s Cocina Bar & Grill, Chicanos is owned by Eduardo “Lalo” Macias. He and his kitchen staff use fresh Mexican ingredients to bring authentic Mexican flavors to Richmond, particularly when it comes to tacos like their Tacos Teto (pulled pork marinated in a special tamarindo salsa), Tacos Chupa Cabras (grilled steak, chorizo, and pico de gallo), and more.
Location: 523 E Main St (Downtown)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday, 11 am – 11 pm; Saturday, 11:30 am – 11 pm
Don’t Look Back Co.
The tacos at Don’t Look Back are consistently recommended by locals as some of the best in the city. You can choose flour or corn tortillas, either “Gringo” style (cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa) or “Traditional” style (cilantro, red onion, and lime), with any of their 10+ filling options ranging from carnitas to tofu.
Location:
DLB Triple: 3306 W Broad St (Scott’s Addition)
DLB South: 7524 Forest Hill Ave (Stratford Hills)
Hours:
DLB Triple: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 am – 12 am, Friday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 2 am
DLB South: Sunday, 11:30 am – 9 pm, Tuesday – Thursday, 11:30 am – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday, 11:30 am - 10 pm
El Pope Latin American Cuisine
While many people visit El Pope for their pupusas (an El Salvadoran dish comprised of a thick corn tortilla and a savory filling), the Latin American spot also offers delicious Tacos al Pastor, Adobo Chicken Tacos, Tilapia Tacos, and more.
Location: 1731 W Main St (The Fan)
Hours: Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm; Monday – Wednesday, 11 am – 10 pm; Thursday – Saturday, 11 am – 11 pm
En Su Boca
It makes sense that “In Your Mouth” is this restaurant’s name in English, because that’s exactly where you’ll be ready to shove everything on their Tex-Mex menu, including not just their infamous smothered-and-slathered burritos but a large menu of tacos.
The Southern-fried fish, braised chicken tinga, and slow-roasted carnitas are popular, but the Sloppy Jose (a sweet and spicy Mexican sloppy joe taco with jack cheese, shredded lettuce, and fire-roasted tomato salsa) is a local favorite.
Location: 1001 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Daily, 11 am - 12 am
Habanero Mexico Grill
This small, affordable, West End spot primarily offers takeout, but don’t let that make you think their menu is anything near small. In fact, they’ve got a wide selection of tacos as well as tortas, burritos, and other Mexican entrees to choose from.
You can eat outside at one of the umbrella-adorned patio tables, or you can take your tacos to go. I can say from experience, they hold up without getting soggy or falling apart on your drive home.
Location: 9101 A Quioccasin Rd (West End)
Hours: Daily, 11 am – 9 pm
Intergalactic Tacos
Okay, admittedly this isn’t technically a “spot” since it’s a food truck, but we couldn’t make a list of Richmond’s best taquerias without mentioning Intergalactic Tacos! Voted the second best food truck in Richmond, their Beercan Chicken tacos are the stuff of legends — though my favorite is the buffalo cauliflower taco, personally.
Location: Varies; check their Instagram for updates
Hours: Varies; check their Instagram for updates
Kahlo’s Taqueria & Bar
Follow your tastebuds to Church Hill’s vibrant woman-owned taqueria, Kahlo’s, for a robust selection of tacos auténticos boasting more than a dozen protein options. They’ve got the veggie tacos and mushroom tacos for the herbivores, the pescadillas or the camarones for the omnivores, and everything from carnitas to lengue (stewed beef tongue) and beyond for the carnivores. Come hungry!
Location: 718 N 23rd St (Church Hill)
Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 12 - 10 pm; Saturday - Sunday, 11:30 am - midnight
La Cabana
This hole-in-the-wall restaurant has been known to offer authentic, no-frills Mexican street food. One of the most popular options here was the Lengua (beef tongue) taco, which can be intimidating for first-timers — but all the reviews raved that it was melt-in-your-mouth good.
However, as of 2020, reports have indicated that La Cabana experienced a shift in ownership. Time will tell if the tacos can stand the test of this transition.
Location: 4086 Crockett St, Henrico
Hours: Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm; Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 9 pm; Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm
La Milpa
Ask a Richmonder where to get great tacos and La Milpa is sure to be one of their first suggestions. This 24-hour (!!!) Mexican restaurant and market calls its tacos “the stars of the house” for good reason.
You can choose from 16 different meats served in either soft corn tortillas, soft flour tortillas, or hard tacos with traditional toppings.
Location: 6925 Hull Street Rd (Southside)
Hours: Daily, open 24-hours
Lalos Cocina Bar & Grill
From the same ownership as Chicanos Cocina Bar & Grill, Lalo’s is a self-described “high-end Mexican restaurant” (but at a super reasonable price point) offering all kinds of traditional dishes, but none more popular than their tacos.
You can get three sizable soft tacos made with fresh ingredients, along with sides of rice and beans, for as little as $9.50.
Location: 2617 W Broad St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 am – 10 pm; Friday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 11 pm
Nuevo Mexico Restaurante
This family-friendly restaurant is tucked away in the Shoppes at Crossridge shopping Center, serving authentic Mexican fare with an emphasis on food quality and freshness. Their Crab Tacos are a unique option bursting with flavor, but they’ve also perfected more traditional orders like their Tacos de Carnitas and Choritacos.
Location: 10282 Staples Mill Rd (Glen Allen)
Hours: Sunday, 11:30 am – 9 pm; Monday – Thursday, 11 am – 10 pm; Friday, 11 am – 11 pm; Saturday, 11:30 am – 10 pm
Rico’s Mexican Grill
The team at Rico’s has been serving the greater Richmond area for more than 12 years now, and their authentic street tacos are a regional favorite.
At any of their four Rico’s locations, you can get three of the same meat choice for $11.49, or mix-and-match for $13.49 — either way, your three tacos will be topped with onions and cilantro, and served with rice and beans.
Location: Restaurants in Henrico, Glen Allen, Midlothian, and Mechanicsville — details here
Hours:
Henrico: Wednesday – Monday, 11 am – 8:30 pm; Tuesday, 11 am – 9 pm
Glen Allen: Sunday – Wednesday, 11 am – 9 pm; Thursday – Saturday, 11 am – 9:30 pm
Mechanicsville: Daily, 11 am – 9 pm
Midlothian: Sunday, 11 am – 9 pm; Monday – Saturday, 11 am – 9:30 pm
Shelly’s Food, Comida Latina
You’ve probably driven right past this unassuming spot across the street from the Dumbarton Square Shopping Center, which means that means you’ve missed out on their authentic Latin fare.
Don’t be nervous about the menu that is all in Spanish — the employees at Shelly’s are patient and will help you pick out some delicious street tacos. You’ll be dreaming of their homemade corn tortillas for weeks.
Location: 7304 Staples Mill Rd (Henrico)
Hours: Daily, 9 am – 9 pm
Soul Taco
With locations in Jackson Ward and Shockoe Slip, this black-owned restaurant blends robust Latin American flavors with the comfort and nostalgia of Southern Cuisine.
Owner Trey Owens, a native Richmonder originally from Fulton Hill, and his staff serve up drool-worthy “tacos with soul,” including cornmeal-crusted catfish tacos, roasted sweet potato and black-eyed peas tacos, country fried carne asada tacos, and more.
Location: 321 N 2nd St (Jackson Ward) // 1215 E Main St (Shockoe Slip)
Hours:
Jackson Ward: Sunday, 11:30 am – 4 pm, Monday – Tuesday, 11:30 am – 9 pm, Wednesday, Closed, Thursday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 9 pm
Shockoe Slip: Monday – Saturday, 11:30 am – 9 pm
Tacos Mexico
A straightforward business name and a straightforward mission: serve some of the best damn tacos in the city. Get there early to order your authentic tacos of choice at the counter and snag a seat before the small, unpretentious shop fills up (which it does quickly!).
Location: 4108 Jefferson Davis Hwy (Southside)
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm
Taqueria El Tacorrey
Once again, this isn’t technically a “spot” since it’s actually a food truck, but it needs to be mentioned on this list because the authentic tacos here are truly incredible. Filling, juicy, and flavorful. Be sure to get out cash before visiting, since that’s all they accept. And consider just ordering blindly, since they tend to run out of particular tacos rather quickly — because you don’t have to worry, everything here is delicious.
Location: 5348 Hull St Rd (Southside)
Hours: Monday, 1 – 10 pm; Wednesday – Thursday, 1 – 10 pm; Friday, 12:30 – 11 pm; Saturday, 12:30 – 10 pm
Taqueria Panchito
While the tacos themselves at Taqueria Panchito are delicious, one other reason to visit is their extensive salsa bar. They’ve got the usual suspects (mild, medium, and hot salsa, as well as guacamole) along with options like “Atomic Bomb” -level spicy salsa, pineapple salsa, and more — as well as with limes, radishes, and slaws to customize your taco to your liking.
Location: 6531 Midlothian Turnpike (Midlothian)
Hours: Daily, 10 am – 9 pm
Taqueria y Antojitos El Chido
This family-owned and operated restaurant started out by operating a popular taco trailer, and just last month they just opened their own brick-and-mortar restaurant as well!
Taqueria Y Antojitos El Chido opened its doors in the Westwood Shopping Center on May 1, serving the same renowned taco selection as the popular food truck.
Location: Trailer, 6715 Staples Mill Rd // Brick & Mortar, 7568 W Broad St
Hours: Daily, 12 – 11:30 pm
TBT El Gallo
TBT El Gallo offers their menu of modern and authentic Mexican street food from their takeout-only, walk-up location in the Fan. They offer traditional tacos as well as unique creations like the Slam Dunk Contest (birria de res, chihuahua cheese, scallions, cilantro, and consommé) and Aloha Fluffy (pork belly al pastor, spicy pickled pineapple, cilantro, poblano crema, and pickled onions). Pair your tacos with an order of Mexican Street Corn and enjoy your feast on their outdoor patio.
Note: TBT El Gallo is currently operating out of Hatch Kitchen while their building undergoes repairs. Check out their Instagram for updates!
Location: 2118 W Cary St (The Fan)
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 5 – 10 pm; Saturday, 1 – 10 pm
Tio Pablo
This contemporary taqueria in Shockoe Bottom has a massive menu of Latin American fare, but we’re just going to focus on the tacos for now — and even then, we’ll have a ton to choose from.
Tacos are typically served in a soft corn tortilla with your choice of filling, topped with cilantro and diced onion. But you can ask for any taco “Gringo Style” for 75 cents more, which means adding lettuce, crema, and queso fresco. And filling options, dios mío. You’ve got a dozen options that vegans and carnivores alike will love.
Location: 1703 E Franklin St (Shockoe Bottom)
Hours: Sunday, 11 am – 8 pm; Monday, 11 am – 9 pm; Wednesday – Thursday, 11 am – 9 pm; Friday – Saturday, 11 am – 10 pm
Wong’s Tacos
Another option from EAT Restaurant partners (the folks behind Fat Dragon, Pizza & Beer of Richmond, Foo Dog, and more), Wong’s Tacos offers fusion dishes inspired by both Mexican and Chinese cuisines. Visit for menu items like Asian Pork tacos, Korean Beef tacos, Fried Brussels tacos, and more.
Location: 201-A Maltby (Henrico)
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 11 am – 10 pm; Friday – Saturday, 11 am – 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm
Y Tu Mamá
Located inside The Veil Brewing Co’s Forest Hill location, Y Tu Mamá serves up a variety of tacos including carnitas, carne asada, chicken, and veggie. If you’re looking to get in on the birria taco craze, make sure to order their Quesabirria Tacos (two tacos filled with beef or chicken birria and cheese served with a side of beef consommé for dipping).
Location: 4910 Forest Hill Ave (Forest Hill)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 4 – 9 pm; Saturday, 12 – 9 pm; Sunday, 12 – 6 pm
Still hungry?
