Even it’s not “Taco Tuesday,” most of us are usually craving tacos any day of the week. From plain chicken, lettuce, and cheese to extravagant like pulled pork BBQ topped with mac n’ cheese and crispy onion rings, the taco has been elevated from a quick-eat street food to a true art of just what to pile on. Looking for the best tacos in North Carolina? It’s hard to pick just one, which is why we’ve compiled this delicious trail! Taco Trail Tuesday anyone? Or how about the best tacos in North Carolina any day of the week?

Google Maps
1. Tower 7 Baja Grill, Wrightsville Beach
Facebook/Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill
Yelp / Annie A
Greeting you just as you cross over the bridge and reach Wrighstville Beach, Tower 7 is the place to get some of the best tacos in North Carolina. With some of the best fish tacos you'll ever try - this is THE place for an original, fried fish taco that's simply delicious. Don't forget to pair it with one of their famous (and strong) margaritas. Check out the official Facebook here.

4 N Lumina Ave Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
2. Taqueria El Toro, Raleigh
FourSquare/David B.
Yelp / Ellie J
While plenty of taco establishments have taken on modern aesthetics or elevated menus, Taqueria El Toro is simply authentic. This hole in the wall, fast-food-style-joint might just be hiding the best tacos in Raleigh. Unique offerings include cabeza (beef head), lengua (cow tongue), and chicharron prensado (mixture of pig skin and carnitas). YUM! Read more here.

3601 Junction Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27603
3. Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Raleigh
Facebook / Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Facebook / Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Quite the opposite of the first Raleigh restaurant mentioned, Gonza provides a lively, unique atmosphere paired with delectable tacos. The Colombian-Mexican joint also features hand crafted cocktails and an extensive tequila selection. Constantly making it on "Best Of" lists, Gonza is equal parts eclectic atmosphere and original yet unique tacos. With multiple locations you can enjoy Gonza in North or Downtown Raleigh, Wake Forest, Durham, Cary, and even a food truck. Click here for the official website of Gonza.

7713-39 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615

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4. Crafted, Greensboro
Yelp / Rob L
Yelp / Mike l
Remember when we mentioned BBQ and mac and cheese on a taco? Well, you can thank Crafted for that. On the surface it might seem that this downtown Greensboro restaurant takes the most ridiculous toppings and combines them on a taco - but there's a true art behind each (hence the 'art of the taco' byline). Favorites include Big Truck - BBQ, mac and cheese, tobacco onions, scallions and bacon BBQ sauce. The Bowtie comes with fried fish, roasted corn, poblano salsa, honey mustard, and sweet chipotle aioli. The 'hoodie' is the veggie taco with falafel, while the 'fedora' is like it sounds - somewhat uppity with blackened seared rare tuna, kimchi, garlic and pineapple aioli, and topped with scallions.

Without writing the whole menu for you, it's pretty obvious crafted is one of the most inventive choices on this list. Their 'street food' restaurant is equally delicious and Crafted recently expanded to Winston-Salem. Read more here.

219 S Elm St Greensboro, North Carolina
5. The Porch, Winston-Salem
Yelp / Ben B
Facebook/The Porch Kitchen and Cantina
With a laid back atmosphere and an approachable menu, The Porch is both a quick place to grab a bite or a place to sit, sip on some margs, and enjoy a taco or two. Go for brunch for a totally unique experience and try the Mexican Breakfast Tacos with chorizo, bacon, fried egg, sprouts and guac. Click here for the official website of The Porch.

840 Mill Works St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
6. Cabo Fish Taco, Charlotte
Yelp / Kevin L
Yelp / Anisha H
From a former Charlotte resident, Cabo Fish Taco was always the place I'd mention to (or take) visitors...because it was always consistently delicious paired with a lively atmosphere. Located in Charlotte's art district of Noda, Cabo Fish Taco fits right in to Charlotte's arts district of Noda. When it comes to tacos, they master the art of mixing simple ingredients with an inventive twist. While the lemon grilled shrimp tacos are totally worth getting two, the best way to try it all is "pick two." Head over to the official website here.

3201 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
7. White Duck Taco Shop, Asheville
Yelp / Anonymous
Yelp / John M
Simple, straight up, delicious - it's easy to see why White Duck has risen to fame and even recently announced the opening of a new Charlotte location. Not only is White Duck yummy, but the a la carte pricing also makes it affordable (and perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch). A little more than your average, White Duck features Bangkok shrimp, (obviously) a mole roasted duck taco, and even mushroom and potato. Click here for the official website of White Duck Taco Shop.

388 Riverside Drive Asheville, NC 28801

Safe to say, I’m ready for some tacos now! Did your favorite taco shop make the list? Any you would add? Who do you think makes the best tacos in North Carolina? Let us know in the comments! For another ‘sweet’ food trail in North Carolina, follow our ice cream trail across the state!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

best tacos In North Carolina

Beth Price-Williams | February 20, 2020

What are the best Mexican restaurants in North Carolina that aren't on this trail?

Can you think of anything better than dining at one of the best Mexican restaurants in North Carolina? How about if that restaurant boasts an all-you-can-eat buffet? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant in Charlotte. The charming North Carolina restaurant offers a lunch buffet that will leave you happy and stuffed.

You’ll definitely want to consider adding Limones in Asheville to your culinary bucket list, too. The unassuming Mexican restaurant in North Carolina boasts an eclectic menu of Mexican dishes with a Californian flair. Try such favorites as the sea bass, ceviche verde, and lobster nachos.

Where can I find the best margaritas in North Carolina?

We probably all have our favorite taco restaurants in North Carolina. However, if you want to pair your tacos with a scrumptious margarita, head over to Que Onda Tacos Uptown in Charlotte for a combo of tacos and a margarita. You can also order a flight plan, which includes the popular margarita.

While you’re in Charlotte, pull up a chair at Epicenter, which boasts both a taco bar and some of the best margaritas in town. If you still haven’t had your fill of margaritas, set off on this Margarita Marathon in North Carolina.

Are there any other food trails in North Carolina I should take?

If you liked the taco trail, you’re definitely going to love the other food trails in North Carolina. Satisfy your sweet tooth, for example, by following the epic Ice Cream Trail in North Carolina. The trail will take you to such ice cream shops as Big Buck’s Homemade Ice Cream and Scoops Homemade Ice Cream Parlor. For a delicious meal and an ice cream treat, plan a visit to Kill Devil’s Frozen Custard and Beach Fries in Kill Devil Hills.

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Featured Addresses
4 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, USA
3601 Junction Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27603, USA
7713 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615, USA
219 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA
840 Mill Works St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
3201 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA
388 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC 28801, USA