Best Taco Food Stops Near Downtown

A great travel experience should include great food, and by food, I mean tacos! Ensenada has some superb treats of street tacos and sit down dining experiences They are a bit hard to find, so. Massage clients and cruise excursion groups often ask for my local recommendations. Each recommendation below has links so you can handily track them down and plot your own food quest.

1) Best Fish Taco in Ensenada on Open Flame

Yiyo’s taco cart food stand has awesome fish tacos. It’s a cool place on Beachfront Playa Hermosa, so you can sit in front of the beach and chow down, and take a stroll before or after. Each day he sets up a taco marisco stand. But the fish is not deep-fried, it is on steel grill with open flame. Fish is tender and ceviches are fresh. Awesomely, the firewood is plywood cut-outs of guitars, probably harvested from the local Fender factory. It’s a well-run food stand, so very clean and several employees there. He is a cool guy, almost always there and has been there since I started visiting 8 years ago, and he keeps the local parking lot semi-clean for local surfers.

The shrimp cocktails are great too, but not unique like his open flame fish taco.

It is walkable from Cruiseport if you are up for 1/2 mile on street and 1/4 mile on the beach. The first 1/2 mile is on the sidewalk in front of marine base and cement factory, then you can walk along the beach. Or just uber there.

2) Best Authentic Mexican: Portrero Viejo

For travelers wanting Mexican food, this is great option, just off La Primera in trending Villa Mexican. It is tucked away so not so much traffic and the decor and menu still caters to locals. Prices are great.

I wouldn’t expect a polished tourist experience, but food and atmosphere is a nice change. Gorditas, birria, many classic Mexcian dishes made with care.

And there is a mariscos place next door if you need that in your diet.

3) Healthy Vegetarian: Falafel Comida Israeli

Killer fresh, simple, healthy, lovely flavors. Outdoorish seating and low prices. On Costero Walkable for cruisers and it’s on my way home from Playa Hermosa, so it’s my go to post-beach/swim/surf spot.

Next door is a cool local artist and some other local shops, including the money exchange place closest to the boat. I will post more vegetarian/ vegan options soon.

4) Margaritas at Bar Andaluz:

Margarita Margarita. Say it 5 times fast. The clean, gardens and grounds of Riveria make this place memorable, fireplace in the corner, mexican tile work make a drink and wandering conversation a pleasant experience. And you can get your selfie at the birthplace of the margarita - do I believe it? I like this place with old school Mexican drinks and a fireplace for the atmosphere. Tucked inside the Riviera, it is very close to the cruise port, so easy to start/end walking journey here. The public gardens are nicely maintained there is a small museum in the Rivera cultural center.

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5) Muelle 3 on Harbor

Ensenada is known for the freshness of the seafood. For sit down sea food, I gotta go with Mulle 3 for it’s high quality and prime location on the waterfront. The walk to arrive is nice, sunset on a warm day, and a new art installation there where the small fishing boats depart. There is often a wait, but there is plenty to see and people watching is great.

6) Churros:

As I mentioned in my quirky cheap things here, Fresh churros are better - much better - than fresh Krispy Kreme. Get you sugar rush on! Try them stuffed with cajeta - carmel.

7) Best Meat Tacos: El Paisa

on 10th and 20 de Noviembre is my local taco hang out and off la Primera, but worth it. I think the thick corn tortillas are the secret to it’s deliciousness. Always full. Tuesday’s closed. Handy ice cream joint next door for when you want local sweet. When I relax my healthy plant-based food habit, I stop here for a meat bing. I think the secret is the corn tortillas, hand made.

Also check out the speed of the taco assembly operation. The carne asada guy is amazing with speed and assembly of tacos. The ladies in the back assemble other elements like onions, radishes, and tortas. Tacos are about a $1 each!

8) Best Crispy Fish tacos

with a cool atmosphere of fun people and sidewalk seating available. Bullo’s Place California Bar Fish B Taco on Primera easy option. It’s got a tourist flair, but it’s well done, great service and clean as a whistle.

Prices are slightly more than El Paisa since it is one first street tourist district. But, with the location, there is no need to wander far. Several beer and taco packages daily to reduce your decision fatigue. My friend has a massage parlor next door, and it’s okay for budget shoppers if you want a quality experience - discover our massages and facials. Reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Facebook, and Google rank us higher.

9) Lunch under Magnolia Trees: Huitlacoche Vegan Taco

Enjoy a walk in the park and outdoor dining at Boules with cool ceramic plates made by local artists, an interesting mix of binational people. They have great food and I love the vegetarian options and huitlacoche vegetarian tacos.

The atmosphere is a huge wooden deck with magnolia trees and vines all around. It is located 5 blocks off La Primera, so cruisers don’t stumble in by mistake. This is my favorite place to relax and feel the lively conversation of happy binational people dining. Pleasant music, a variety of interesting international and vegetarian foods like artichoke heart appetizers. The huitlacoche tacos are totally unique and if you have never had moldy corn treat, it is disgusting and tasty at the same time. Try it.

Tues - Sat 2 pm and after, usually. It is a 6 block walk from La Primera, 4 blocks to La Paisa Meat Tacos listed above.

It is also dog-friendly, and with outdoor sitting, cigar smoking is welcome. It is locally owned by Javi, who is often there to greet folks. The entrance is a door through a wall on 5th, or through the wine store that is adjacent to it. If you want a bottle of local wine, as a souvenir, they have a good selection.

Bonus: Best Ensenada Tacos Castillo and La Guerrerense

I love La Guerrerense, and it is priced for travelers at about 2x local prices, but the quality and diversity of flavors make it worth it. Anthony Bourdain’s visit made it semi-famous, RIP AB. Tacos Fenix never impressed me that much so I am putting Tacos Castillo on my list. They have a new stand and super hygienic.

Bonus food item: Smoked Tuna or Marlin at Mercado Negro

The Mercado Negro fresh fish market along the harbor has tasty smoked tuna and smoked marlin at about 200mn or 10$ a kilo. I love it because the price is budget-friendly and the flavor is awesome! And since it is already cooked and smoked, it doesn’t go bad in the fridge and travels well in a couple of plastic bags. You will have stinky breath, of course.

Other fresh seafood is fun to look at and great prices. I sometimes love some white wine garlic sauteed mussels. If you buy, I suggest you cook it the same day since freshness standards vary by the day and vendor. There are a bunch of fish taco places there just above the market. They are all clean and won’t cause stomach issues.

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