8 Best Taco Spots in Santa Barbara That’ll Make Your Taste Buds Dance

Santa Barbara’s taco scene is a flavorful fiesta waiting to be discovered. From humble street carts to upscale eateries, this coastal paradise offers some of California’s most authentic and innovative tacos. Whether you’re craving traditional carne asada or creative seafood varieties, these nine taco havens deliver mouthwatering experiences that perfectly capture Santa Barbara’s unique blend of coastal charm and Mexican culinary traditions.

1. La Super-Rica Taqueria

A legendary spot once frequented by Julia Child herself, La Super-Rica Taqueria serves up authentic Mexican street food in a humble setting. The line outside speaks volumes about its reputation among locals and tourists alike.

Their handmade tortillas, prepared fresh throughout the day, create the perfect foundation for simple yet extraordinary tacos. The al pastor and rajas options showcase the kitchen’s commitment to traditional flavors.

Don’t miss their signature Super-Rica Special – a cheese-laden tortilla topped with marinated pork, pasilla chiles, and roasted peppers. Cash only and worth every minute of the wait!

2. Los Agaves Restaurant

Family recipes shine at Los Agaves, where traditional Mexican cuisine gets a Santa Barbara makeover. The restaurant’s warm atmosphere complements their impressive array of specialty tacos that go beyond the ordinary.

Their Tacos de Camarón feature plump shrimp sautéed with garlic and butter, topped with fresh cabbage and their secret chipotle sauce. The Tacos de Carnitas offer slow-cooked pork that’s crispy outside yet melt-in-your-mouth tender inside.

What makes Los Agaves special is their attention to salsa – the salsa bar features eight homemade varieties ranging from mild to fiery, each prepared fresh daily.

3. Mony’s Mexican Food

Hidden in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Mony’s is a family-run gem serving some of the most authentic Mexican flavors in town. The tiny space packs big personality with its vibrant decor and even more colorful menu offerings. Their street-style tacos come on double corn tortillas with generous fillings – the lengua (beef tongue) and cachete (beef cheek) tacos showcase their commitment to traditional cuts prepared with modern flair.

Vegetarians rejoice over their potato tacos, crispy outside and creamy inside. Mony’s salsa bar is legendary, featuring unique creations like pistachio salsa and creamy avocado salsa that you won’t find anywhere else in town.

4. Corazon Cocina

Chef Ramon Velazquez brings the heart of Mexican cuisine to Santa Barbara’s Public Market with Corazon Cocina. His innovative approach combines traditional recipes with local Santa Barbara ingredients, creating tacos that tell a story with every bite. The Baja fish taco elevates the classic with tempura-fried local catch, cabbage slaw, and chipotle aioli.

For something truly special, try the Taco Dorado de Camaron – crispy shrimp tacos with melted cheese, avocado, and salsa macha. Ramon’s Oaxacan roots shine in seasonal specials featuring complex moles and rare ingredients. The open-kitchen setup lets you watch as each taco is crafted with artistic precision.

5. Maiz Picante Taqueria

What started as a farmers market stand has evolved into a beloved taqueria known for corn tortillas made from scratch using traditional nixtamalization techniques. Their signature Taco Al Pastor features pork marinated for 24 hours in achiote and pineapple, then sliced from a vertical rotisserie. The Taco Campechano combines crispy grilled steak and chorizo for a textural masterpiece topped with grilled onions and cilantro.

Vegetarians love their creative seasonal offerings like the charred cauliflower taco with cashew crema. Their housemade agua frescas provide the perfect refreshing complement to these flavor-packed creations.

6. Santo Mezcal

The stylish restaurant offers a sophisticated take on street food classics in an atmosphere perfect for date nights or special occasions. Their lobster tacos showcase buttery Maine lobster with black bean puree, pickled onions, and habanero aioli on blue corn tortillas. For meat lovers, the short rib tacos feature tender beef braised for 12 hours in guajillo chile sauce.

True to its name, Santo Mezcal offers an impressive selection of artisanal mezcals and creative cocktails that perfectly complement their elevated taco menu. The outdoor patio provides the ideal setting for enjoying these gourmet creations.

7. Taqueria La Unica

No-frills authenticity reigns supreme at Taqueria La Unica, a family-owned spot that locals try to keep secret. The modest exterior hides a kitchen producing some of the most authentic tacos north of the border.

Their carne asada tacos feature perfectly charred beef with just the right amount of fat, topped simply with onions, cilantro, and their fiery homemade salsa roja. The weekend-only barbacoa tacos offer tender, slow-cooked beef cheek that practically melts on your tongue.

What makes this spot special is their handmade tortillas, pressed to order and slightly thicker than most – the perfect vessel for their generous fillings. Their horchata, made from a family recipe, is the ideal sweet counterpoint.

8. East Beach Tacos

Baseball meets tacos at this unique spot adjacent to the batting cages at East Beach. The unexpected location delivers equally surprising fusion tacos that blend Asian and Mexican flavors with California creativity. Their Korean BBQ tacos feature marinated short rib with kimchi and gochujang aioli on corn tortillas. Seafood lovers flock here for the ahi poke tacos with sushi-grade tuna, avocado, and wasabi crema served in crispy wonton shells.

The casual outdoor seating area creates the perfect atmosphere for enjoying these innovative creations after a day at the beach. Their creative salsas – including a pineapple habanero that balances sweet and heat – add the perfect finishing touch to these fusion masterpieces.