Where to Get Your Taco Fix in Newcastle

Zapatista, Grainger Street & Ridley Place

A Mexican mainstay in Newcastle since opening its first restaurant on Ridley Place in 2012, Zapatista opened a second branch on Grainger Street a couple of years later and is a go-to for taco lovers. Choose from soft flour tortillas or gluten-free crispy corn tacos customised to your liking with a choice of fillings – beans, salsa and salad included.

Taco Bell, Grainger Street

American chain Taco Bell arrived in Newcastle in 2018 and has been a popular stop-off for food on the go ever since. As its name suggests, tacos are king with crunchy and soft options available, and both brimming with fillings like black beans, grilled chicken and seasoned beef. Open ‘til the small hours, it’s great for a post-night out taco treat too.

El Guapo, Pilgrim Street

Margarita mavens El Guapo do taco time best with inventive fillings including pork carnitas, chipotle fried broccolo and breadcrumbed salted cod. Cough up £16 and you’ll get two tacos and a side of house nachos too. Team with a drink or two from their margarita menu – the biggest in Newcastle – and you’ve got a Mexican meal made in heaven.

Revolucion de Cuba, Cloth Market

Cuban cuisine might be Revolucion de Cuba’s specialty, but they do a pretty tasty sideline in tacos too with some totally tempting flavours – BBQ pork, plantain and feta, beef ropa and ginger beer chicken included. Dining on a budget? Head there on Taco Tuesdays when tacos and margs are just £5 each.

Dakwala, Grainger Street

We all know that Mexico is the birthplace of the oh-so-tasty taco, but how does a taco with an Indian twist sound? If that tantalises your taste buds then head to Dakwala and try their Desi tacos – a thelpa flatbread stuffed with curry leaves and a choice of pulled chicken or jackfruit.

Chiquito, Grey’s Quarter, Eldon Square

Family-friendly dining and a tonne of Tex-Mex treats make Chiquito a top destination for tacos in Newcastle. Served in trios with three options available – chicken tinga, barbacoa beef or pulled jackfruit – they come loaded with cheese, pico de gallo and pink onion.

Motel Mexicana, Mosley Street

We’ve been living it up Motel Mexicana since it set up shop on Mosley Street in early 2024. Fellow taco fans certainly won’t be disappointed with fillings like beef barbacoa, pollo latino and mushroom enchilado with gluten-free and vegan options available too. Don’t miss out on their Taco Tuesday deal either when tacos are just £2.50 a pop. Arriba, arriba!

Tortilla, Grey’s Quarter, Eldon Square

Shopping ‘til you drop is hungry work, but Eldon Square eatery Tortilla is the perfect pitstop for a post-spree taco or two. Opt for corn or soft shell flour tacos and customise with a variety of fillings – from chicken asado and chorizo to vegan chilli – and finish off with toppings like chipotle cheese sauce, guacamole and sweetcorn salsa.

Las Iguanas, Grey Street

For a fiesta-filled feast that’s heavy on the tacos, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Grey Street favourite Las Iguanas. Get a trio of tacos crammed with a choice of smoky chipotle chicken, achiote lemon fish or squash, sweet potato and bean chilli or mix it up with their Taco of the Month. Eating out with your amigos? Try their taco sharing board – a smorgasbord of taco treats ideal for two or three to share.

Lola Jeans, Market Street

Burgers may be Lola Jeans’ bread and butter, but taco fans are in for treat at the Market Street restaurant too. Served in soft tortillas, there are two tacos to choose from and they’re equally tempting. If you’re partial to poultry, get the Korean chicken tacos but if seafood is more your thing the Baja fish – tempura cod fillet teamed with homemade salsa, iceberg lettuce and Baja sauce – is the one for you.

Gaucho, Market Street

Love tacos and steak, but can’t decide between the two? Market Street steakhouse Gaucho has you covered. Kick off your meal with their salmon tartare, mango salsa and avocado tacos and follow up with one of their big juicy steaks for your main course. Taco or steak dilemma solved!

Chaophraya, Grey’s Quarter, Eldon Square

For something a little different, Chaophraya’s signature Thai tacos should definitely be on your radar – soft rice flour tacos topped with crispy shallots and a choice of red curry chicken or vegetables. Enjoy as a starter or as part of their Thai tapas deal teamed with equally tempting dishes like chicken satay and spring rolls.

Hula Co, Side

Newcastle’s newest Hawaiian hotspot Hula Co might not seem a likely place to head for tacos, but Hawaiian food isn’t all about poke bowls and loco moco. With fillings like char sui pork, huli huli chicken and lomi salmon teamed with toppings including pickled slaw, guac and pineapple salsa, Hula Co’s tropical tacos are a must-try.

There’s a tonne of tasty tacos to try in Newcastle – from the traditional to the out-of-the-ordinary – so grab your amigos and enjoy taco time in the Toon today!

Main image: Hula Co

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