Best Tacos Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Jajaja Mexicana
All-vegan Mexican menu with big flavors and a party-ready room.
Notable Picks
8.8
Jajaja Mexicana is a plant-based Mexican restaurant where colorful plates, creative tacos, and a deep mezcal list pull in crowds from beyond the neighborhood. The space feels bright and social, leaning more toward fun group dinners and brunch than quiet, lingering meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grande Nachos, Buffalo Flower Tacos, Chorizo Burrito
What makes it special: All-vegan Mexican menu with big flavors and a party-ready room.
8.6
La Contenta LES is an intimate Lower East Side mezcal and tequila bar where polished versions of classic Mexican dishes share the stage with a serious cocktail program. Crowded tables, loud music, and a compact room make it feel more like a lively night-out spot than a quiet neighborhood cantina.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tacos, Enchiladas Suizas, La Contenta Nachos
What makes it special: Cocktail-driven Mexican spot where tacos, enchiladas, and mezcal share top billing.
#3
Barrio Chino
8.3
Barrio Chino is a long-running Broome Street fixture pairing strong margaritas with a compact menu of tacos, enchiladas, and tequila-friendly snacks. The narrow, dim room gets loud and energetic, making it a go-to for casual dates and group catch-ups more than business dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole Enchiladas, Tequila Shrimp, Guacamole with House Chips
What makes it special: Tequila-focused LES standby where margaritas and tacos anchor lively nights.
8.1
Mictlan Mexico is a modern Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar where tacos share space with ceviches, grilled mains, and composed plates. The room feels more polished than most neighborhood taquerias, making it a go-to when you want agave spirits and elevated tacos in one place.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos, Quesabirria
What makes it special: Contemporary Mexican plates and tacos in a compact, cocktail-friendly room.
Worthy Picks
#5
Birria LES
7.9
Birria LES is a casual taco shop focused on beef birria, quesabirria, and related comfort dishes, serving late into the night on Rivington Street. Diners come specifically for dunkable, consomé-backed tacos that lean rich and hearty.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria Tacos, Classic Birria Tacos, Birria Ramen
What makes it special: A birria-focused spot where nearly everything revolves around rich, dunkable tacos.
7.6
Essex Taqueria is a straightforward counter-service shop turning out tacos, burritos, and plates at lower-than-average neighborhood prices. The focus is on speed and value over ambiance, making it useful for quick meals before or after nearby bars and markets.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Burrito, Chicken Quesadilla
What makes it special: No-frills taqueria where pricing, portions, and speed are the main draw.
#7
Taco Recipes
7.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Taco Recipes is a casual, family-friendly Mexican spot that runs a broad menu of tacos, burritos, wings, and Tex-Mex plates. It’s the kind of place neighbors lean on for delivery or low-key sit-down meals where classic taco fillings and big portions carry the experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos, Chicken Tacos
What makes it special: A broad, delivery-friendly menu where classic tacos come alongside Tex-Mex standards.