Villeray's Mr. Azteca, a taqueria and birrieria, serves up killer tacos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, burritos, quesadillas, flautas, tortas, and, seldom seen in Montreal, pambazos (a sandwich drowned in guajillo chile sauce). Desserts are homemade, too.

Low-key and affordable, Bélanger's Super Taco (previously called Impactaco) covers all the bases: chorizo, al pastor, cabeza, and more. The atmosphere may be plain, but the tacos aren't. Takeout only.

On the perimeter of Jean-Talon Market, El Rey del Taco is one of the city’s most well-known taco-churning operations. Try the beef tongue or chorizo and cheese tacos, and don’t be afraid to experiment with the tangy salsas.

La Matraca has tacos de chuleta, chorizo, or the specialty, tacos de suadero. Filled with tender fried beef, they’re a must-try.

Maria Chavez, chef and owner of Maria Bonita, brings some of the best food that Mexican cuisine has to offer to Montreal. Its takeout menu offers a nice range of vegetarian and meat tacos, as well as other dishes like ceviche, mushroom and cheese quesadilla, and chicken adobo, served with rice, black beans, and guacamole. A great bet for elegant, homestyle Mexican.

This Plateau nook is a great place to grab Baja-style crispy fish tacos, but the menu runs the gamut from classic al pastor right through to a vegan chorizo option. On weekends, there are also succulent birria tacos (with an accompanying consomé).

Icehouse is Montreal’s Tex-Mex destination, with Chef Nick Hodge’s Lone Star state roots reflected in the décor and the food. The fried chicken taco with ranch dressing is unlike any other in the city, and the “old school” taco, a crisp shell packed with beef, cheddar, and iceberg lettuce, is another winner.

Partners Rafael Hernandez Vaillard, Paulino Martinez Cardenas, and Geoffrey Moreau, who hail from Monterrey and Mexico City, opened this Chinatown taqueria in 2015, and it quickly ascended the ranks. During the pandemic, they added tortas, quesabirria, and new sides to their already delectable menu of classic tacos.

This relatively new, terrazzo-clad taqueria has both the basic tacos (carnitas, al pastor, etc.) and some fun spins, like cheeseburger, BLT, and pastrami tacos.

Tacos Don Rigo opened in November 2020 with a no-fuss menu of burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and — what else —tacos. Try the birria or quesabirria tacos (the latter has melted cheese), and cherish the cup of warm, rich, red consomé (beef broth) that comes with it.

Frida is a Oaxacan family affair. Carnitas, beef, and mushroom tacos are available here, and all are good bets.