Beyond Taco Tuesday: 7 Spots to Get Your Taco Fix in Vancouver, Every Day of the Week

Sure, Taco Tuesday is iconic (alliteration alert!), but Vancouver’s taco scene is so hot right now that a single weekday simply won’t do. We have enough excellent Mexican options around town these days to create at least a week’s worth of very delicious dinner options. And, here, we’ve done just that—get ready to add Taco Monday, Taco Wednesday and all the rest of the days to your culinary calendar. 

READ MORE: Vancouver’s Best Latin-American Restaurants

Monday: Top-Notch Takeout from Machete

The slog of Mondays means we’re less interested in going “out out” and more interested in eating something that makes us feel nourished… while sitting on the couch and watching reruns of Temptation Island. For this, turn to Machete Ancestral Mexican Food, where the dishes feel healthy, the delicate blue corn tortillas are handmade and you can pick it up to take home. The pumpkin flower and chorizo tacos stand out among the regular offerings thanks to a balance of fillings and toppings (the red salsa is a must), but the tacos de canasta (basket tacos) are the secret star of the show. The popular Mexican street food features four tacos that are all steamed together, resulting in a softer texture. Machete’s version is filled with either chicharrón prensado or beans and topped with lettuce, cilantro, white onion, sour cream, cheese and guacamole. Also, do not skip the fresas con crema (strawberries and cream) for dessert—it’s one of the few places in the city that serves this traditional treat. 1007 Main St. | @machete.mhf

Tuesday: Pop-Up Al Pastor from Taqueria Chicatana

Taco Tuesday deserves the best, which is why on that classic day I’m heading to Taqueria Chicatana, a pop-up taco bar that operates out of Chinatown’s beloved pizza joint, Thank You Pizza. The al pastor taco was number 20 on our list of 25 things to eat in Vancouver in 2025—and we stand by the claim that these handhelds are a do-not-miss delight. Achiote-seasoned pork and pineapple are piled high on a traditional spinning trompo and then sliced off once it’s just charred enough. When topped with onions, cilantro and avocado salsa it becomes a masterful example of salty-savoury-sweet-spicy perfection. 789 Gore Ave. |  @taqueriachicatana

Wednesday: Beachside Birria from Jalisco

The West End’s Taqueria Jalisco opened its doors in summer 2024 and quickly gained a reputation for vibrant Mexican fare. The space is casual, but the tacos (and quesadillas, soups and burritos) are authentic and bursting with flavour—just what the middle of the week calls for. Do not miss the “Golden Taco:” a corn tortilla stuffed with either carnitas, veggies or the best birria in town and then griddled until crisp and topped with white onion and cilantro. It’s made even better by ordering a  side of birria consommé to dip into. 1180 Denman St. |  @taqueriajaliscoo

Thursday: Cocktails and Chicken Mole at El Compa

Thursday night calls for a cocktail alongside tacos (we don’t make the rules! We just follow them!) which makes East Van’s newest Mexican restaurant, El Compa, the ideal location for libations and exquisite food. Pair a richly savoury pollo con mole (chicken mole) taco with the sweet-yet-floral “Mystico” (hibiscus and mezcal) or the subtle-yet-peppery rajas con crema (poblano peppers with cream) taco with a bright and spicy jalapeno margarita. The salsas and sides should not be overlooked, either: salsa macha here is fantastic, and the refried beans are luxuriously creamy. 1889 Powell St. | elcompayvr.com

Friday: Patio Party at Chupito

The original Chupito became a Gastown institution (and Michelin Bib Gourmand winner!) post lockdown, beloved as much for the hidden DTES outdoor patio as it was for its excellent cocktails. With its move to South Cambie, the patio party carries on next to La Taqueria, with inventive drinks from Vanmag’s Bartender of the Year (and Chupito co-owner), Tara Davies, and a seafood-forward menu from chef Maria Ponce. Start with creamy, zesty ceviche de coco and wash it all down with a La Punta (mezcal, ancho reyes poblano, ginger tepache, lime and sage), and then it’s time for the main event: whole fried sea bream with sofrito, salsas negros and chipotle, served with garlic aioli, mango xnipec—a fresh Yucatán-style salsa—and corn tortillas. More cocktails should follow, obviously: a taco this good deserves to be toasted.  2450 Yukon St. | chupito.ca

Saturday: Combat the Hangover at Baja Racing

Saturday is for good vibes… and possibly nursing a hangover from a little too much fun on the Chupito patio the night before. That’s where Baja Racing comes in. The cure for what ails you is, of course, more tacos, and alongside the authentic Baja Sur-style fish and shrimp options you’ll find a jovial crowd watching a soccer game or live music. Tacos here are just what the doctor ordered: fresh, crisp (but light as air) and topped with a creamy, crunchy slaw—all on a house-made tortilla. If you’re not quite ready for another taco just yet, they serve up some mean “hangover remedy” beverages, too. Made with Clamato, salsas and tequila, they make for a great alternative to caesars. 3364 Cambie St. | bajaracingsportsbarbc.com

Sunday: Taco Brunch at Ophelia

Sunday brunch is meant for luxuriating, and Ophelia is the ideal place to fend off the “scaries” and indulge a little. The brunch menu features many taco options, but the best of the bunch is the taco de arrachera y bone marrow. A soft and pliable flour tortilla is griddled with cheddar cheese until crispy and then topped with tender grilled skirt steak, cilantro, creamy-yet-spicy serrano aioli and a massive roasted bone packed with marrow. But if making decisions feels like more of a Monday thing, the trio de tacos means you can try carnitas, cochinita pibil and al pastor without having to turn on your analytical brain. 165 W 2nd Ave. | opheliakitchen.ca