The best tacos in Miami

Scott Linquist is the venerable O.G. of Miami’s casual Mexican food scene and the chef and owner of Coyo Taco. Here, expect creative tacos such as seared angus steak, smoked bacon, crispy duck, charred octopus and pickled jalapeños, grilled cactus and quinoa and more. When you’ve had your fill, wash it all down with a paletarita—a frozen popsicle and margarita mash-up. You can get one at the Wynwood location, which has a not-so-secret bar hidden in the back, just past the “Employees Only” door. 

Mexican food has a surprisingly strong presence on Calle Ocho and Mi Rinconcito Mexicano is proof why. At this taqueria, don’t expect anything but authentic Mexican food. There are no decorations or fancy presentations to catch your eye, but the flavor is simply incomparable. Get your soft tacos made-to-order with lamb, pork, spicy beef tongue, chorizo, chicken or ground beef. It’s all topped with fiery hot sauce, onions, cilantro and lime.

Photograph: Courtesy Yelp/Fernanda F.

These tasty tacos are pretty far south in Homestead, but they’re worth the drive—which is just under two hours from Lincoln Road. When you do arrive, start with appetizers like chips and guacamole or housemade ceviche verde. Then, move on to a huge menu of crunchy or soft tacos, all stuffed with fresh mahi-mahi, shredded pork, lobster, baja fish, blackened chicken and more.

Part taco shop, part South Beach speakeasy—this Mexican hotspot isn’t your average bodega. Inside, you’ll find a casual grab-and-go window that’s shelling out classic tacos—like their always-on al pastor tacos with spit-broiled pork, charred pineapple and salsa rosada—and a rotating list of weekly specials that can be quite daring. Walk through what looks like the door to the bathroom and find one of Miami’s sexiest lounges, a club that features a solid happy hour and an always-packed late night crowd.

The brainchild of Steve Santana, Taquiza is Miami Beach street food at its finest. It's not so much a sit-down restaurant as it is an oversized taco ventanita at 15th and Collins Avenue. Each taco is served in one of Santana's handmade masa tortillas. Take your pick of 11 tacos with classic choices like chorizo, al pastor and lengua—or get adventurous with the chapulines, a pile of crunchy grasshoppers atop a pillow of avocado. 

Walk into Little Havana’s Taquerias El Mexicano and you’ll feel like you’ve walked into a shop in Mexico City. It’s hard to miss the outside: look for the green and red stripes and giant colorful rooster. It's just as colorful inside, with hanging piñatas and racks and racks of Mexican spices (which you can buy and take home). After you devour your free basket of chips and salsa, get a taco. You’ll find them with wonderfully cooked toppings such as spicy pork, fish, chicken, shrimp and Yucatan-style roasted pork. 

Sitting in the heart of West Kendall, this chill taco shop is a neighborhood favorite. Go here for tacos with a Southwest and Caribbean flare. Enjoy some nice craft beer pairings and if you’re there on the right night, expect karaoke and open-mics. The tacos are made to order (available in corn, flour or crispy shells) and can be stuffed with a whole bunch of good stuff: churrasco, shrimp, buffalo chicken, portabella mushrooms, pork and even tofu.

With an in-house quesadilla bar, over 150 types of tequila and mezcal and a taco window open until the glorious hour of 4am, TacoCraft is a solid option no matter your craving. Judge by the name and assume tacos are the main draw. There’s a “Weekly Taco” menu with out-of-the-box fillings like fried chicken, lobster tempura, oyster po’ boy or even duck confit. There's also a standing menu with hits like ahi tuna, smoked brisket, crispy pork, kale, sweet potato and more.

Photograph: Downtown Photo

Most people go here for the drinks since this is Miami’s first real mezcaleria, with a gloriously long menu of agave cocktails (like the Mexigroni) that will have you reconsidering your Friday night margaritas. No cocktail is complete without some tacos though. There are four different kinds to choose from. They arrive hot in a basket of three, and no trio costs more than $7.50. For a fiesta in your mouth, get the hongos el mole tacos with enoki and portobello mushrooms, mole, avocado and sesame.

Caja Caliente is one of Wynwood's many food truck success stories. Serving awesome Cuban-style tacos, Caja has since expanded into a larger, permanently parked food truck with an attached outdoor patio. Pull up a colorful chair and sway to music as you devour curious, down-home tacos such as tuna poke, ceviche, octopus, jumbo shrimp or the delicious pan con lechon tacos.