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The Best Tacos in Los Angeles

From the Sonora-style flour-tortilla counter to the al pastor trompo and a Michelin-starred octopus taco — where Angelenos actually eat tacos.

By Dim Hour · Updated 2026-06-23 · 6 verified picks

No American city does tacos with the range Los Angeles does — Tijuana-style asada, al pastor shaved off a vertical trompo, Sonoran flour tortillas, and a Michelin-starred octopus taco all live within the same county. These are the spots that answer "where should I get tacos in LA," each one scored and verified by Dim Hour, with the order that justifies the trip.

A quick map of styles: al pastor is marinated pork cooked on a spinning vertical spit (often crowned with pineapple); asada is grilled beef; Sonora-style leans on thin, pliable flour tortillas instead of corn. The list below spans street trucks, sit-down taquerías, and one fine-dining counter.

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The Picks
1

Sonoratown

Mexican / Tacos · Mid-City · $ · Dim Hour 90
🏆 Eater LA 38 (Spring 2026)

The Sonora-style benchmark: thin, blistered flour tortillas built around mesquite-grilled asada, on Eater LA's 38 list. The asada taco is the move; the Caramelo (a crisp-edged quesataco) and the Burrito 2.0 are the other orders worth making.

Order: Asada Taco · Burrito 2.0 · Caramelo
📍 5610 S San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
2

Leo's Taco Truck

Mexican · Little Armenia · $ · Dim Hour 89

A late-night institution carving al pastor off the trompo on Sunset — the taco al pastor and the mulita al pastor are the reasons the line forms. Cash, a curb, and some of the best $2 tacos in the city.

Order: Taco al Pastor · Mulita al Pastor · Quesataco al Pastor
📍 5525 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
3

Taqueria Frontera

Mexican / Tacos · Cypress Park · $ · Dim Hour 89
🏆 Eater LA 38 (Spring 2026)

A Cypress Park taquería on Eater LA's 38 — the al pastor taco and the quesatacos are the table, with mulitas when you want something heartier. Walk-in, no fuss.

Order: Al Pastor Taco · Quesatacos · Mulitas
📍 700 Cypress Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065 Full listing on Dim Hour →
4

Tacos 1986

Mexican / Tacos · Hollywood · $ · Dim Hour 86
🏆 Eater LA's Best New 2018 — Tijuana-style tacos multiple locations

Tijuana-style tacos that grew from a single stand into a small empire. The tacos al pastor and adobada are the calling cards; the carne asada and costillas round out the order.

Order: Tacos al Pastor · Adobada · Carne Asada · Costillas
📍 1165 Vine St, Los Angeles CA 90038 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
5

Escuela Taqueria

Mexican / Tacos · Beverly Grove · $$ · Dim Hour 85

A Beverly Grove taquería known for a tightly edited lineup — the pork belly taco and the al pastor are the standouts, with carne asada and chorizo close behind. Finish with the watermelon agua fresca.

Order: Pork Belly Taco · Carne Asada Taco · Al Pastor Taco · Chorizo Taco · Watermelon Agua Fresca
📍 7450 W Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
6

Holbox

Mexican Seafood · South LA · $$$ · Dim Hour 94
🏆 Michelin Star | Eater LA 38 (Spring 2026) · North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 (#26); James Beard Outstanding Chef (Gilberto Cetina) 2025 (semifinalist)

The high end: a Michelin-starred Yucatán-leaning seafood room where the taco de pulpo (octopus in its own ink) is among the most talked-about single bites in LA. Also on North America's 50 Best. The reservation, not the walk-up, pick.

Order: Taco de Pulpo en Su Tinta · Smoked Kanpachi Tostada · Aguachiles
📍 3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Website ↗ Full listing on Dim Hour →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best tacos in Los Angeles?
The top taco picks in Los Angeles include Sonoratown, Leo's Taco Truck, Taqueria Frontera. Each is scored and verified by Dim Hour; see the full ranked list with signature dishes above.
Where can I get the best al pastor in LA?
Leo's Taco Truck carves al pastor off the trompo on Sunset and is one of the most-cited al pastor spots in the city; Taqueria Frontera and Tacos 1986 are also known for theirs.
What is Sonora-style and where do I get it in LA?
Sonora-style tacos use thin, pliable flour tortillas rather than corn. Sonoratown is the LA reference point — its mesquite-grilled asada taco on a flour tortilla is the order.
Is there a Michelin-starred taco in Los Angeles?
Holbox holds a Michelin star for its Yucatán-influenced Mexican seafood; its taco de pulpo (octopus in ink) is a signature. It also ranks on North America's 50 Best Restaurants.
What is the difference between al pastor and carne asada?
Al pastor is marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit (trompo), often shaved to order and finished with pineapple. Carne asada is grilled beef. Most LA taquerías serve both, plus adobada (a close cousin of al pastor).
Where are the best taco trucks in LA?
Leo's Taco Truck on Sunset is the classic late-night trompo truck. Beyond it, LA's truck scene is vast — many of the best sit-down taquerías below started as stands or trucks.
Do these LA taco spots take reservations?
Most are walk-in (Sonoratown, Leo's Taco Truck, Taqueria Frontera). The sit-down/fine-dining picks take reservations (Resy).
How much do tacos cost in Los Angeles?
Street and truck tacos are budget-friendly (roughly $ per person for several). Sit-down taquerías land around $$, and the Michelin-tier seafood counter is a different bracket ($$$).
How many restaurants does Dim Hour cover in Los Angeles?
Dim Hour curates 804+ restaurants in Los Angeles, each scored and verified, organized by neighborhood, cuisine, and occasion.
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