Whether you’re team corn or flour tortilla, prefer classic toppings like avocado and queso fresco or more adventurous combinations like pork belly with spicy Asian barbecue sauce, tacos are the pinnacle of Mexican cuisine. If you’re craving the best taco in the Bay or other Mexican favorites like burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more, here’s a list of spots to add to your favorites.
Jimmy’s Tacos
1604 N. 17th St., Tampa | (813) 242-0242
While Jimmy’s Tacos is known for some of the best sweet and smoky Birria tacos in the Bay, they offer much more than tacos. Beyond traditional Mexican dishes inspired by Jimmy Nunez’s great-grandmother, Jimmy’s Tacos has evolved into a fusion-forward culinary spot, featuring creations like birria grilled cheese and birria egg rolls. The drink menu has grown, too, with flavorful margaritas, sangrias, hard seltzers and beers on tap alongside a daily happy hour. Catering to all tastes, they also offer vegan options—and are soon expanding into the St. Pete market with a new location on Central Avenue.
Lona
505 Water St., Tampa | (813) 204-6390
Experience modern Mexican cuisine at Lona, where traditional flavors meet contemporary techniques in a vibrant setting. Curated by Chefs Richard Sandoval and Pablo Salas, the menu fuses regional Mexican dishes with bold, authentic flavors, redefining the Mexican dining experience with every plate. From street food favorites like Baja-style fish tacos to elevated mains like shrimp and crab enchiladas—and, of course, margaritas—Lona brings the taste of Mexico to the Bay.
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen
2802 N. 16th St., Tampa | (813) 361-7472
As featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel, the Cooking Channel, FOX 13 and NBC, multi-award-winning Chef Rene Valenzuela offers a remarkable catering experience for your next event. Whether you’re planning a breathtaking dinner or a casual cocktail reception with finger foods, Chef Rene brings his culinary expertise to every gathering. Starting at $9.75 per person, it’s the perfect time to book for the holidays!
Chef Michael Roberts, who recently stepped down as head chef at Wild Child, grew up in California surrounded by diverse street foods—but Mexican cuisine left the deepest impression, sparking his side project, Taco Wizard. This nomadic taqueria began with a mission to craft the perfect tortilla, using heirloom corn, masa, and a tabletop stone grinder. From there, Taco Wizard evolved into a fusion of cultural flavors, with pop-ups at spots like CellarMasters and Green Bench Brewing drawing eager crowds for unique offerings like pho birria with short rib and oxtail. Though Taco Wizard doesn’t follow a set schedule, following its Instagram is the best way to catch these in-demand tacos around town.
Don Pancho Villa
21565 US Highway 19 N., Clearwater | (727) 799-0453
Originally a grocery store that gradually introduced prepared dishes, Don Pancho’s has grown into a full-fledged restaurant offering authentic, traditional Mexican cuisine, particularly from Central Mexico. Known for its homemade tortillas, Don Pancho’s makes every dish fresh to order—no freezers in sight. Among the most popular items are the molcajete, huarache asada, grilled seafood, bistec encebollada and michelada.
Los Chapos Tacos | @loschapostacos
Locations in Ybor, Lutz and Brandon
Starting as a food truck in Ybor City, Los Chapos Tacos now boasts three locations, with a fourth opening in Wesley Chapel in 2025. One of the first to introduce birria tacos to Tampa Bay, Los Chapos quickly gained a cult following, drawing crowds with house-made sauces, fresh vegetables and chips, and birria that begins cooking daily at 4 a.m. Other popular menu items include customizable Mexican bowls, quesadillas and pork belly tacos.
Marina Cantina
25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater | (727) 443-1750
Part of the family-owned Baystar Restaurant Group, Marina Cantina has been serving fresh seafood with a Mexican twist since 2016. Located on the second level of the Clearwater Municipal Marina, it’s a go-to spot for seafood sourced from its own fleet, weekend brunch, weekday happy hour specials, and margaritas made with fresh lime and organic agave—best enjoyed at the restaurant’s expansive rooftop tiki bar, one of Clearwater Beach’s largest. Everything is prepared fresh to order, with popular favorites like Grouper del Sol and Shrimp and Scallop Ajillo.
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