The Nine New(ish) Tacos Every New Yorker’s Gotta Know

No one does quick, easy eats like New York City.

There’s the dollar slice. The best-in-class street meat. The corner shop chopped cheese.

But what about the humble taco?

Your West Coast friends will say we’re deficient. We say they just don’t know where to look.

So we put in the legwork to scout out the nine best new tacos in town, from gourmet pop-ups to the grill next door.

The Wild Son
Meatpacking
The Wild Son just launched a Fried Oyster Taco with jicama slaw and cilantro yogurt wrapped in a corn tortilla or lettuce cup. Plus, they do $9 classic cocktails for happy hour. But they had us at oyster.
53 Little West 12th Street (map)

La Chula
Harlem
Mexico City-style, La Chula is serving up all sorts of traditional tacos (like the Pastor, with rotisserie pork marinated in chiles; the Sweet Potato and Chorizo; or the Camarón, with spicy garlic shrimp), plus a load of ceviches, burritos and tortas to boot. The vibe is festive. The verdict is satiated.
137 East 116th Street (map)

Good Story
Soho
For a limited time only, Chef Harold Moore of Harold’s Meat + Three has launched a Día de los Muertos-themed bar at the Arlo Soho Hotel’s Good Story. Through October, you’re in store for a rotating selection of tacos that pair ever so nicely with one of their Blue Corn Sangrias or Borrachos (beer, Clamato, lime, tequila and hot sauce).
231 Hudson Street (map)

Empellón Al Pastor
East Village
The new locale from Chef Alex Stupak is dishing up Tacos Arabes: lamb shoulder on pita with red sauce and white sauce. Interesting, indulgent and not to be missed.
132 St. Marks Place (map)

Vida Verde
Midtown West
A big new Midtown haunt good for happy hour, with a serious penchant for tacos. Our favorite by a long shot is the Steak Fajita Taco, but the Squid and Corn should definitely make it’s way to your table behind it.
248 West 55th Street (map)

Casa Pública
Williamsburg
On the upscale side when it comes to south of the border digs — but we dig it. The menu all fetches, but in the taco department go for Mole de Pollo and Flor de Calabaza.
594 Union Avenue, Brooklyn (map)

Madre Mezcaleria
Prospect Heights
The emphasis is on mezcal. There are 50 to choose from and flights for sampling. The fare is simple, snack-sized bites, and that extends to the tacos. And might we add, this is a great opportunity to get that liquid courage on and pair those tacos with a side of grasshoppers.
706 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn (map)

Alta Calidad
Prospect Heights
Conversation piece tacos here. We tried ‘em all and so should you. At the very least, make sure to save room for the Roasted Skate Wing and Shrimp Tempura line items.
552 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn (map)

Dekalb Taco
Downtown Brooklyn
What would a blossoming new foodie market be without some fine ass tacos present? Fret not. Dekalb Taco comes correct with their Tocino BBQ, Pescado, Lamb Barbacoa and more.
445 Albee Square West, Brooklyn (map)