Taco 'Bout Delicious

The Best Tacos Near Seattle

Crunchy or chewy, spicy or mild, there's a taco for everyone.

If you're looking for the best tacos near Seattle, take our word for it and head south to SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines. You'll find everything from upscale dining to off-the-radar taco trucks so good they were ranked among the best in the state.

Full-Service Restaurants
Taco Trucks

Full-Service Restaurants

Want your tacos with a side of sunshine? We've got several restaurants with outdoor seating and great views. Celebrating an occasion or getting a group together? We have some great options there, too. Read on to find out which full-service restaurants have the best tacos.

The Chicken Achiote Tacos at Rendition

Tucked inside Hotel Interurban in Tukwila, Rendition is a modern restaurant and bar that feels both casual and elevated. It also happens to have an incredible Taco & Tequila Tuesday deal, offering an order of two hearty tacos for $10. The chicken tacos are packed with flavor thanks to citrus achiote marinade (achiote, if you're not familiar, is a red-orange condiment with slightly peppery flavor), pineapple lime slaw, lime crema, and chipotle mayo. Pair it with a refreshing margarita.

Pictured: Chicken tacos at Rendition in Tukwila

The Fish Tacos at Anthony's HomePort & Lower Deck

Nothing says Pacific Northwest like fresh-caught seafood and ocean views. Anthony's HomePort and Lower Deck, located on the Des Moines waterfront, offers several kinds of fish tacos. Menu items rotate, but typically include options like wild Alaskan salmon, fresh mahi mahi, crispy true cod, blackened rockfish, or halibut. Wash it all down with a glass of wine and cap it off with a walk at the nearby marina.

Pictured: The wild Alaskan salmon tacos at Anthony's Homeport in Des Moines, Washington
Credit: Anthony's Restaurants

The Crispy Alaskan Cod Tacos at Sharps RoastHouse

Sharps RoastHouse may be famous for its roasted meats, but the fish tacos are a surprise hit. Get that extra satisfying combination of crunch and chewiness when you bite into the fried Alaskan cod enveloped in a soft white corn tortilla. The richness of the fish is offset by mild tartness from cole slaw and pickled red onion, a bit of heat from Fresno chiles, and extra flavor from house-made guacamole. While you're there, check out the expansive bar menu at this local institution. Located minutes from the airport, it's been a favorite of residents and travelers since 1988.

Carne Asada Street Tacos at Arturo's Mexican Restaurant

Arturo's Mexican Restaurant is run by three brothers who learned to cook their mother's recipes while growing up in Zamora, Michoacán, a farming region in Mexico. One giveaway that this food is made with care: the tortillas used for the street tacos are perfectly crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Order a plate of street tacos and mix-and-match different fillings like chorizo, shrimp, and carne asada (marinated steak), which is the most popular filling, and for good reason. It's juicy, tender, and perfect. As a bonus, the restaurant is right in downtown Des Moines, close to many other shops and the Puget Sound waterfront.

The Shrimp Tacos at Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar

It's tough to choose between the 10 different types of tacos at Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar, which include birria beef, fish, braised pork shoulder, and even a vegetarian Impossible option. However, if you like seafood, we suggest starting with the cameron and chorizo tacos. The shrimp is juicy and perfectly cooked, and the chorizo is crispy and flavorful. Add the hot sauce for a little extra kick!

Food aside, the restaurant has a great ambience. It's upscale yet festive, with indoor fire pits and plenty of seating, making it great for a group party, date night, or quick stop after shopping at Westfield Southcenter Mall.

The Brisket Tacos at Billy Baroo's

Billy Baroo's Smokehouse & Bar in Tukwila has a huge menu, but unsurprisingly, the smoked meats steal the show. Try their famous brisket in one of the street tacos, where it's coated in BBQ sauce and accompanied by just the right ratio of crunchy slaw, pickled onion, and cilantro. Even if this longstanding local favorite didn't have great food, it'd be worth stopping by for the setting alone. Located on the peaceful, forested grounds of Foster Golf Links, a century-old golf course, this restaurant is as close as you can get to dining inside a park, and the outdoor seating overlooks the course.

The Baja Cauliflower Taco at JOEY Southcenter

You don't have to be a vegetarian to appreciate the meat-free cauliflower tacos at JOEY Southcenter. The cauliflower is roasted in blackened seasoning and cooked just the right amount (no mushy, cafeteria-style veggies here), then punched up with chipotle mayo, cilantro chimichurri and fresh guacamole.

Taco Trucks

Seattle Southside is peppered with unassuming taco trucks that will knock your socks off. You could just drive down Military Road or International Blvd in SeaTac, both unofficial "taco rows," and keep your eyes peeled. Chances are high you'll spot something, and it will be good. Or, follow in the footsteps of Seattle Times food critic, Tan Vinh, who set out to find the best tacos in Washington State in 2023. He tried 500 tacos before narrowing the list to 30, two of which can be found at food trucks in our region. Read on to learn more.

The Carne Asada at Birrieria La Santa Tacos & More

Critics love this taco truck in SeaTac, and we do, too. As Vinh wrote, the carne asada uses a chuck roast that's richer than the typical skirt steak and imbued with "a pronounced chargrilled fragrance and a mix of secret seasonings." What also sets it apart is the size of the tortilla, larger than average, allowing for easier eating and plenty of room for the generous serving of meat inside. Top it with creamy habanero sauce or orange (arbol chili) salsa for a satisfying contrast of flavors.

Pictured: Birrieria La Santa Tacos & More in SeaTac, Washington

The Tacos Acorazados at Tacos El Patron

Tacos El Patron is set up in a parking lot in SeaTac, but we were pleasantly surprised by the cute, covered seating area, complete with picnic tables and festive decor. The Seattle Times named the tacos acorazados here among the best in the state, so, of course, we had to try them. This unique taco was originally designed to be a hearty, affordable meal for laborers, as it's larger than your average taco and packed with filling ingredients. An oversized tortilla holds a heaping pile of rice, fried onions, peppers, and egg. On the Times' recommendation, we swapped the egg with adobada (marinated pork with a hint of spice), and could not have been happier (or more full).

More Taco Trucks

Local content creator @philmaaaeats sampled taco trucks around town. Watch the video below to see what he had to say about them!

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Annie Atherton

Auteur

Annie Atherton

Rédacteur principal de contenu

Annie Atherton est rédactrice principale à Explore Seattle Southside. Résidente de la région de Seattle depuis (presque) toujours, elle est très fière d'y habiter et d'en parler à tous ceux qui veulent bien l'entendre.

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