Tacos have come a long way in the last decade and North Carolina has been at the forefront of the new taco food craze. When it comes to tacos that inspire a foodie road trip, we’re not just seeking out traditional ground beef, lettuce, cheese and tomatoes stuffed into a crunchy shell anymore, are we? Prepared to get hungry and possibly change your dining plans for the day? Read on to discover some of the best tacos joints in the Tar Heel State!
- Cabo Fish Taco - Charlotte
TripAdvisor/Kim L
Facebook/Cabo Fish Taco Your taco-lovin’ life will change for the better after a visit to this artsy, eatery with flavor combinations you’d never dream of in a million years. The Baja-style tacos are packed with stuffings and flavor! It’s open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Find it at 3201 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205.
- White Duck Taco Shop - Asheville
TripAdvisor/MAP1080
TripAdvisor/MAP1080 The fusion tacos found at the several locations of this local taco shop in Asheville are out-of-this-world good. From creative and flavorful combinations, to the intensely unique decor at each location, you’ll want to visit them all, and try all of the tacos! The location shown here is found at 388 Riverside Dr., Asheville, NC 28801. It’s open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- I Got Your Crabs - Kitty Hawk
TripAdvisor/Shelley R
Google Maps/Kitty Hawk You’ll feel right at home in this seafood fiesta. Whether you’re stopping in for a baker’s dozen fresh crabs to crack all on your own, or some oysters… be sure to order up a couple of their fresh seafood tacos. And don’t forget the hush puppies! It’s open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find it at 3809 N Croatan Hwy., Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
- Crafted - The Art Of Taco - Greensboro
TripAdvisor/Go567289
TripAdvisor/askchefdennis Stop inside this trendy spot in Greensboro for globally-inspired taco combinations. From street inspired pairings to gourmet creations, the tacos here are worth the trip to Greensboro alone. Find it at 220 S Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Paco’s Tacos and Tequila - Charlotte
Google Maps/Paco’s Tacos and Tequila
TripAdvisor/rocknrungirl For true Tex-Mex tacos, head to this festive spot in Charlotte. Of course, it never hurts to pair those tacos with a flavorful tequila-spiked drink either! It’s open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Find it in the Specialty Shops at SouthPark. The address is 6401 Morrison Blvd. #8a, Charlotte, NC 28211.
- Chubby’s Tacos - Durham
Google Maps/Old Bull
Google Maps Chubby’s is more than just a taqueria. It uses only the freshest ingredients in the tacos, burritos, and more that make up these hearty delights. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be leaving Chubby’s hungry! It’s open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find it in at 4711 Hope Valley Rd., Durham, NC 27707.
- Nollie’s Taco Joint - Carolina Beach
TripAdvisor/xined
Google Maps/Karen DeCicco Hawkins You’re sure to love the clever menu names for the tacos at Nollie’s as much as you love the food itself! This no-frills lively spot at the beach also has amazing burritos! It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Find it at 3 Pelican Ln., Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
- Los Potros Taqueria - Kernersville
Google Maps/Sherebiah 1
Google Maps/Mike Ratcliffe Being conveniently located inside a Mexican grocery store affords some major advantages for this taqueria, like the freshest delicious ingredients to stuff into their flour tortillas. If you haven’t tried them, you’re really missing out! It’s open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find it at 400 E Bodenhamer St., Kernersville, NC 27284.
- Gonza Tacos y Tequila - Raleigh
Google Maps/Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Google Maps/Chris Burnett Prepare to be wow’d by everything about this trendy taco joint. From the decor to the festive atmosphere, friendly staff, and the TACOS… this place delivers a dining experience you won’t soon forget. Be sure to come hungry! It’s open seven days a week. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. There are two locations in Raleigh; the one shown here is found at the ALoft Hotel at 2100 Hillsborough St., Raleigh , NC , 27607.
The perfect taco is definitely a life-changing experience. You get it, right?
TripAdvisor/Kim L
Facebook/Cabo Fish Taco
Your taco-lovin’ life will change for the better after a visit to this artsy, eatery with flavor combinations you’d never dream of in a million years. The Baja-style tacos are packed with stuffings and flavor! It’s open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Find it at 3201 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205.
TripAdvisor/MAP1080
The fusion tacos found at the several locations of this local taco shop in Asheville are out-of-this-world good. From creative and flavorful combinations, to the intensely unique decor at each location, you’ll want to visit them all, and try all of the tacos! The location shown here is found at 388 Riverside Dr., Asheville, NC 28801. It’s open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
TripAdvisor/Shelley R
Google Maps/Kitty Hawk
You’ll feel right at home in this seafood fiesta. Whether you’re stopping in for a baker’s dozen fresh crabs to crack all on your own, or some oysters… be sure to order up a couple of their fresh seafood tacos. And don’t forget the hush puppies! It’s open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find it at 3809 N Croatan Hwy., Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
TripAdvisor/Go567289
TripAdvisor/askchefdennis
Stop inside this trendy spot in Greensboro for globally-inspired taco combinations. From street inspired pairings to gourmet creations, the tacos here are worth the trip to Greensboro alone. Find it at 220 S Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Google Maps/Paco’s Tacos and Tequila
TripAdvisor/rocknrungirl
For true Tex-Mex tacos, head to this festive spot in Charlotte. Of course, it never hurts to pair those tacos with a flavorful tequila-spiked drink either! It’s open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Find it in the Specialty Shops at SouthPark. The address is 6401 Morrison Blvd. #8a, Charlotte, NC 28211.
Google Maps/Old Bull
Google Maps
Chubby’s is more than just a taqueria. It uses only the freshest ingredients in the tacos, burritos, and more that make up these hearty delights. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be leaving Chubby’s hungry! It’s open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find it in at 4711 Hope Valley Rd., Durham, NC 27707.
TripAdvisor/xined
Google Maps/Karen DeCicco Hawkins
You’re sure to love the clever menu names for the tacos at Nollie’s as much as you love the food itself! This no-frills lively spot at the beach also has amazing burritos! It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Find it at 3 Pelican Ln., Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Google Maps/Sherebiah 1
Google Maps/Mike Ratcliffe
Being conveniently located inside a Mexican grocery store affords some major advantages for this taqueria, like the freshest delicious ingredients to stuff into their flour tortillas. If you haven’t tried them, you’re really missing out! It’s open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find it at 400 E Bodenhamer St., Kernersville, NC 27284.
Google Maps/Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Google Maps/Chris Burnett
Prepare to be wow’d by everything about this trendy taco joint. From the decor to the festive atmosphere, friendly staff, and the TACOS… this place delivers a dining experience you won’t soon forget. Be sure to come hungry! It’s open seven days a week. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. There are two locations in Raleigh; the one shown here is found at the ALoft Hotel at 2100 Hillsborough St., Raleigh , NC , 27607.
For another foodie bucket list, check out this mouthwatering Burger Bucket List!
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