Montreal embraces tacos in all their forms, from traditional Mexican staples to bold, modern creations. Across the city, from the Plateau to Brossard, including Verdun, Mile End and Saint-Henri, several restaurants stand out as go-to spots for expertly crafted tortillas.
Cinco de Mayo, celebrated every May 5th, marks the 1862 victory of Mexican forces in Puebla. While the holiday gained popularity mainly in the U.S., especially in California, it has also become a festive moment in Quebec to gather around tacos, margaritas and good music.
Tinga, carnitas, cabeza, camarones or plant based chorizo. Each spot brings something different to the table. Some lean into authentic street style flavours, others add a local or creative spin. Many places serve tacos in sets of four or five, paired with onion, cilantro and house made salsa.
This guide highlights places that stay true to their essence, without taking themselves too seriously. Places where the tortillas arrive warm, the portions fit perfectly, and the flavours stay with you long after the last bite.
5047 Rue St-Denis, Montréal, H2J 2L9
In the Plateau-Mont-Royal, L'Estancia feels like a trip to Mexico with every bite of its generous tacos and warm, handmade tortillas. The birria tacos come with a rich dipping broth, the bistec ones boast juicy meat and full flavour, and the crispy fried shrimp tacos bring a satisfying crunch. The salsa has just the right kick without overpowering the fillings. Also, you can find surprising vegetarian options, like Mexican mushrooms that feel just as bold and comforting. It all comes down to flavour, instinct and generosity. Dishes arrive quickly; service provides a simple, uncomplicated experience; and the food speaks for itself. You leave full, a little spicy smile, and the feeling that you've found your new favourite taco spot in the neighbourhood.
Read also:
An Authentic Gourmet Journey to Montreal Mexican Restaurants
Photo Credits: wafa.khanji
Multiple locations
At 3 Amigos, tacos take centre stage. From beef or lamb birria served with consommé to giant chipotle shrimp, Baja-style battered fish or creamy avocado tacos topped with house aioli, the options offer bold flavours and satisfaction. Plates come complete with Mexican rice, refried beans and crisp radishes. From Pointe-Claire to Old Montreal, with locations in Laval and Brossard too, all eight spots are buzzing with colour and energy. Bright textiles, oversized sombreros and live mariachi, some nights set the tone. Whether it's lunch with coworkers, dinner with family or a loud night out with friends, the vibe pulls you in. Add a fresh margarita and a sizzling fajita platter, and chances are you'll want to linger a little longer.
4542 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, H2J 2L3
At Caifan in the Plateau Mont-Royal, every taco tells its own story. The cochinita pibil melts in your mouth, the arrachera comes with salsa macha, and even the zucchini stands out, paired with chayo salad and ala de mosca. Since 2016, Chef Eduard Acosta has been offering a personalized experience through a tasting menu and à la carte options that highlight the deep flavours of Mexican cuisine. From beef tacos with chile, radish and coriander to Rosarito tacos with cod and jalapeno mayo, each dish brings something unique. The cocktail and tequila bar ties everything together. People linger, share, and leave with memories shaped by every bite.
117 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, H2Y 2C7
In Old Montreal, La Catrina serves tacos you won't forget. Crispy pork belly, fried chicken with watermelon, birria with rich broth, or tender gobernador shrimp. Every bite hits the mark. Chefs Jacques Coutu and David Melo Rubio work with seasonal arrivals to build bold, balanced plates. The menu shifts often, but the flavour always delivers. Behind the bar, exclusive margaritas, rare mezcals and house salts complete the experience. Whether it is for a relaxed dinner or a cocktail that turns into a long night, La Catrina draws you in and leaves you planning your next visit before the bill even lands.
El Rey del Taco (LE ROI DU TACO)
232 Rue Jean Talon E, Montréal, H2R 1S7
You can't talk about tacos in Montreal without mentioning El Rey del Taco, just steps from Jean-Talon Market. Since 2009, this beloved spot has been serving street-style tacos with no frills and plenty of flavour. Orders come in sets of four, topped with cilantro, onions and homemade salsa. It is one of the rare places in town where you can get lengua, cabeza or suadero tacos alongside grilled shrimp, fish or vegetarian options. The vibe is casual, the service fast, and the terrace fills up quickly when the weather's nice. Next door, their market-style shop sells fresh tortillas, salsas, guacamole and hot sauces to take home. It is a staple in the neighbourhood and a go-to for anyone serious about tacos. No matter how many times you visit, this place always finds a way to bring you back.
500-A Rue Bélanger E., Montréal, H2S 1G4
In Rosemont, Super Taco lives up to its name. This spot draws taco lovers looking for generous, affordable, and well-executed options. Each order comes with four tacos, all using the same protein: al pastor with grilled pineapple, juicy carnitas, spicy chorizo or tender cabeza. The vegetarian version, with beans, mushrooms and cheese, holds its own. Everything is served with onion, cilantro, lime and hot sauce on the side. A small back patio lets you sit down to eat, but takeout is just as popular. Service is quick, staff are welcoming, and prices are hard to beat. Every bite brings back the feel of a neighbourhood taco stand in Mexico. No fuss, no frills, just flavour. A local favourite that easily becomes a regular stop.
Photo Credits: jptastetheworld
Multiple locations
With two locations on Saint-Denis Street, Manana brings a vibrant Mexican spirit to the Plateau Mont-Royal. Tacos take the spotlight with bold flavours and fresh execution: juicy birria, grilled shrimp, al pastor with pineapple, crispy fish, marinated chicken, or seared steak. Vegetarians aren't left behind with hearty options like portobello, vegan chorizo, or achiote-marinated oyster mushrooms. The menu goes further with generous mains like chicken in mole or shrimp a la diabla, all perfectly paired with some of the best margaritas in the neighbourhood. Everything is homemade, from the hot sauces to the tortillas, and the service is attentive without being overbearing. It's a place full of life and flavour where every visit feels easy and satisfying.
862 Rue Marie-Anne E, Montréal, H2J 2A9
La Selva, tucked on Marie-Anne Street in the Plateau Mont-Royal, checks every box for a great neighbourhood spot. Tacos come in sets of four, packed with generous fillings like slow-cooked carnitas, tempura-fried shrimp, crispy fish, grilled chicken or a veggie mix of mushrooms and zucchini. The Gringas are rich and satisfying, and the blue corn tortilla ribs taco is worth the trip alone. Sides are fresh, portions are solid, and flavours are always on point. The vibe is laid-back, the cocktails are creative, and the six-dollar cucumber mojito hits the mark. Service is kind and attentive without hovering. You eat well, you feel welcome, and you already know you will come back.
Multiple locations
In both Boucherville and Terrebonne, Agave brings generous flavour with every plate of five tacos. From slow-cooked carnitas and pineapple-marinated pastor to house-made chorizo, chipotle chicken tinga and tequila-flambéed shrimp, each taco is served with guacamole, rice, refried beans and fresh pico de gallo. The mango-habanero guacamole hits that sweet and spicy balance just right. Molcajetes for two make an impression, and fruit-based margaritas keep the energy light and festive. The atmosphere is relaxed, the attention to detail is clear, and the staff knows the menu by heart. On weekends, a live DJ brings the party to life while colourful cocktails and steaming plates turn every visit into a small escape from the city.
1678 Boulevard St-Joseph, Montréal, H8S 2N1
In Lachine, El Meson serves tacos that are hard to come by these days. Filled with beef, fish or chicken, wrapped in soft tortillas and topped with house-made tomato or mole sauce, they carry a flavour that feels both familiar and honest. Victor Lopez and Elena Garcia prepare them the same way they did back in their Dorval days, with a kind of generosity that shows up in every dish. Nopalitos con carne, sliced carne asada and barbacoa chicken round out the experience. In summer, the terrace opens onto the canal. In the colder months, the warmth stays inside. These tacos may look simple, but they keep people coming back. And rarely for just one.
Multiple locations
El Gordo is the kind of place where tacos fly out fast and no two orders look the same. In Petite-Bourgogne or Saint-Lambert, it is all about that juicy al pastor, cheesy quesabirria, creamy portobello with goat cheese or crispy cactus with tofu. Each taco comes with its spice level clearly marked, served in pairs with rice and beans. Tuesdays, it is ten tacos for a steal. The vibe is unfiltered, fun and easygoing. Mojitos flow, plates get passed around, and no one's in a rush to leave. El Gordo does not overpromise. It just serves really good tacos. And that's all anyone really needs.
4350 Rue Notre Dame O, Montréal, H4C 2W6
It is hard to talk about the best tacos in Montreal without mentioning Tacos Frida. The Saint-Henri location is always buzzing, thanks to its three-taco format served on corn tortillas. Al pastor, with pineapple, tender birria, fried fish, house-made chorizo, cactus or mushrooms prepared pastor-style, each option has its own flavour and signature sauce. Recipes come straight from Oaxaca, prepared with care and served in a space that feels warm and unpretentious. Run by a family with deep roots in Mexican tradition, the spot stands out for its honest food, fair prices and the kind of welcome that keeps people coming back.
5013 Rue Wellington, Montréal, H4G 1Y1
Verdun has a place where tacos stay true to their roots. At El Sabor de Mexico, guests go for the cochinita marinated in achiote and orange, the fried lamb barbacoa topped with sour cream and cheese, or the juicy classics like carnitas and al pastor. The birria, slowly braised with ancho pepper, brings depth and balance. Corn tortillas arrive warm, and the plates are always generous. No flashy decor, just cooking that holds its ground. It is a warm and precise spot that delivers what it promises without ever trying too hard.
Cinco de mayo - Le 5 mai Déjeuners, tacos et salades
4376 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec, H4C 1R8
Cinco de Mayo is the kind of place in Saint-Henri where you can start your day with tacos. The menu begins with Mexican breakfast plates and flows into trios of tacos with options like mushrooms, cactus, carnitas, garlic shrimp and grilled pork. Some stay for the pozole or ceviche; others return for the gringa pastor taco on a warm flour tortilla with melted cheese. Between bites of juicy carnitas and sips of fresh limeade, it becomes clear why this spot has become a local favourite. No frills, just bold flavours, warm service and a menu that keeps you coming back.
1505 Avenue des Lumières, suite 15, Brossard, J4Y 0B3
In Brossard, Dirty D serves up as many tacos as neon lights. Inspired by a road trip through Mexican dive bars, this festive spot in the Quartier DIX30 brings it all together: offbeat decor, foosball, arcade games, string lights, smoky cocktails and an unapologetically bold vibe. The tacos are packed and straight to the point: braised beef birria with consommé, cochinita with escabeche, chipotle shrimp, roasted cauliflower, house-made chorizo or tequila-grilled chicken. Orders are placed directly at the kitchen counter, food truck-style, while the bar invites guests to dive into its tequila encyclopedia. It is loud, colourful and fully committed. A vibrant tribute to the cantinas of Mexico that has become one of the South Shore's most unfiltered and unforgettable taco destinations.
5834 Avenue du Parc, Montréal, H2V 4H3
Grilled octopus tacos with caramelized onions, crispy pork al pastor with pineapple, fried fish, sweet and spicy shrimp, grilled beef flanks with chimichurri, cheesy birria, tempura vegetables or butter-seared lobster : every taco at Mezcaleros carries its own signature. The Mile End energy shows up on the plate and around the table. Portions are made for sharing, cocktails are on point, and the service feels effortlessly personal. People settle in slowly, taco in one hand, drink in the other, surrounded by a space that is both relaxed and full of life. It is this balance between bold flavours and a warm atmosphere that makes the place stand out. Mezcaleros delivers the kind of taco night that keeps you coming back.
1096 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2Z 1J5
Build-your-own tacos, a relaxed vibe and spot-on toppings make La Capital Tacos a standout in the Quartier des Spectacles. The classics are all there, with that extra edge. The birria comes tender with ancho chilli, radish and onions. The al pastor includes marinated pork with grilled pineapple. The choripapas combines soyrizo and braised cabbage. Even the vegetarian options, like garlicky mushrooms, bring full flavour. Plates are served as a kit with three warm tortillas, proteins and toppings on the side. Each bite stays fresh and balanced. Portions are generous, and the seasoning is just right. It works for a quick lunch or a slower meal, and always leaves the feeling that you picked the right spot.
Photo Credits: natachaeats
Multiple locations
Seven locations, one shared spirit, and the belief that a good taco can fix just about anything. At Escondite, every spot brings its own vibe, but the menu always pushes boundaries. The alambre taco blends beef, escabèche and salsa verde cruda. The Mr. Mole layers chicken, queso fresco and toasted sesame. You'll come back for the chipotle shrimp with Oaxaca cheese, the choripapas, or the lamb taco with a Montreal twist. Portions are spot on, cocktails keep pace, and churros wrap up the night just right. Walls burst with colour, the team knows the menu inside out, and the energy stays fun without trying too hard. Each visit brings a new favourite. Each neighbourhood has its own Escondite.
Multiple locations
Three neighbourhoods, one approach: made-to-order tacos, house toppings and textures that hit right. The birria comes hot and tender, the fish tacos are crisp, and the carnitas stay juicy with every bite. Each location has its own rhythm and regulars. Some swing by after work; others stop in between shows or on their lunch break. Tuesdays bring a special vibe, with Taco Tuesdays in full swing and plates stacked high. The menu is consistent, and the execution confident. Some discovered their go-to taco on the first visit; others kept coming back without even glancing at the board. That usually says it all.
Photo Credits: sam.in.montreal
Montreal is packed with places where tacos shine in all their variations. To go further, read our article on the best Mexican restaurants in Montreal. You can also browse the full list of Mexican restaurants in Montreal or explore all restaurants serving tacos.
