A curated list of the best places to get tacos in and around Leeds
These tacos are so good we’re not gonna give you the hard shell; just tac-our word for it (sorry…)
Tacos El Pastor, Lupe’s Cantina
Husband & wife-run Lupe’s Cantina has a long, broad menu that demonstrates that there’s much more to Mexican food than things wrapped up in tortillas and taco shells. That doesn’t mean their tacos aren’t some of the best in the business, though. Their al pastor pork is rubbed with lesser known but authentic ancho chilli and achiote, and laced with a fresh arbol chilli salsa and caramelised grilled pineapple.
204 Cardigan Rd, Leeds LS6 1LF
Read now: “Hyde Park is a more vibrant, interesting place because of it” Lupe’s Cantina review.
Whitebait Tacos, The Holy Mountain
Leeds’ newest Mexican joint The Holy Mountain has taken over the kitchen of Leeds’ previous newest Mexican joint Chida Cantina, where chefs Harry and Sean stand at a traditional hatch and sling out excellent versions of classics like baja fish and al pastor tacos, as well as vegan options like beer-battered avocado and pear & cinnamon pulled jackfruit.
The showstoppers are on the specials board though, where experimental ingredients and flavours change daily. One of these is whitebait tacos, where whole punchy fish come in a thick, fried chicken-style batter with homemade habanero hot sauce.
5 Cross Belgrave St, Leeds LS2 8JP
Cod Tacos, Pinche Pinche
Our reviewer Megan Jones had to pinche herself when she discovered the cod taco at Chapel Allerton neighbourhood Mexican spot Pinche Pinche. Fried in a light batter, the pieces of fish come on a pink slaw flavoured with tart hibiscus inside a soft blue corn shell. As authentic as it is photogenic.
116 Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, LS7 4NY
Read now: “Best enjoyed while fighting back tears of passion” Pinche Pinche review.
Carne Asada Board, Vocation & Co
Not technically in Leeds, but you’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to Hebden at Vocation Brewery’s Vocation & Co taproom in, wait for it...Hebden Bridge. Nationally-acclaimed beers as fresh as they’re ever gonna get, plus a banging selection of tacos - they’ve got a Breddos cookbook on the pass which raises expectations dangerously high, but they more than live up to them.
Our favourite is the DIY extravaganza of the carne asada sharing board, where steely rump steak is cooked rare and sliced thin, to be embellished with salsa rojo, dried chilli, and white onion.
10 New Road, Hebden Bridge HX7 8AD
Al pastor pork tacos, Cielo Blanco
Book-ending the list with more al pastor, Cielo Blanco’s take on the classic is a more simplified version. It’s hard to follow Cielo’s mantra of “social eating” when you’re concentrating more on not-dropping a bit of pig on your lap than on the conversation, which might be why the al pastor pork is chopped until almost minced, and its mature, super-piggy flavour is pepped up with a scattering of fresh onion and coriander.
415 Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, Leeds LS1 5AY
