Still Craving Tacos? Here's Where to Find (Most) of the Venues from Taco Fest

Taco Fest has come and gone, but if you’re looking to mix up your next Taco Tuesday or just want to try a place you missed during the fest – be it because of a full stomach, long lines, or otherwise – we’ve got a list and nifty map you can use to find and try some of the best tacos Beijing has to offer.

A note on the list – Taco Bell currently has around 16 locations in the capital, and seeing as we couldn't possibly fit them all in one map, we've selected two of their most popular spots. You can always find one closest to you by doing a general map search. Plus, we couldn’t include Tacolicious as they’re all the way in Shanghai (get down there and try them!).

Moji Mexican Restaurant

Having called the capital home for about six years now, Moji is serious about Mexican cuisine and tacos in general, viewing the small morsels as the soul of Mexican street food. Their tacos to try include their Al Pastor (RMB 65) or their Cochinita Pibil tacos (RMB 65), a traditional Yucatan taco made with pork marinated in achiote and other mild spices.

Taco Go

Taco Go has two locations you should go to, each offering their own distinct options. At their 3.3 Mall branch in Sanlitun, definitely try the Beef Quesabirria (RMB 29 for one) or Cajun Chicken (RMB 24 for one) "quesatacos", both quesadilla taco hybrids fried before serving. At 17 Street, their Three-Taco Combo with Birria Consomé (RMB 77) is a must, featuring a Pork Carnitas Taco, Beef Cheek Taco, and Chorizo Taco served with a side of beef soup with corn kernels.

Circle Urban

Having opened up last year, this was Circle Urban’s first time at a Beijinger event, and their tacos didn’t disappoint. At their home base up near Sanyuanqiao, they’ve got four especially tasty tacos to choose from. There’s the classic Al Pastor with roasted pineapple (RMB 58), Shredded Beef with Papaya (RMB 68), Roast Duck with Soybean Paste (RMB 58), and, as a vegetarian option, Fried Avocado with Tomato Salsa (RMB 45).

Golden Hill Ale House

Purveyors of craft beer and great food, Golden Hill also serves up classic tacos. They keep it simple with three options: Chicken (RMB 48), Pork (RMB 50), and Beef (RMB 55). They come in sets of three, all topped with cheese, tomato salsa, and veggies nestled in 6-inch flour tortillas. Pair it with a beer and you’re good as golden.

MORROW Grill & Cantina

This recently opened spot has tacos, burritos, margaritas and so much more, but the tacos everyone raves about are their Birria Beef Tacos (RMB 68). These tacos see beef cooked in a special marinade combined with cheese and placed in tortillas dipped in that same marinade, lightly fried, and served with a consomé made from… you guessed it, the marinade.

HFFOUSA TACO

Offering a more health-conscious take on Mexican food, HFFOUSA has three locations on the east side of Beijing. They have a decent range of tacos as well, with options like Shrimp (RMB 88), Beef Barbacoa (RMB 65), Roasted Beef (RMB 65), Chicken (RMB 55), and Vegetarian (RMB 65). Plus, if you can’t decide, you can opt for a combo with one of each of the aforementioned tacos.

Las Musas

Situated right next to Slowboat on Sanlitun Nanlu, Las Musas has become a Mexican food stalwart since it opened its doors a few years back. Although their tacos are hard to choose from, if you asked us our favorites would have to be their Al Pastor (RMB 65), Lengua (aka beef tongue) (RMB 68), and Asado Steak (RMB 68). Also, don’t miss their regular Taco Tuesday deal: RMB 120 for all-you-can-eat tacos all day long.

The Taco Bar

One of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Beijing, The Taco Bar has been bringing stellar tacos to the masses for ten years. They’ve got two locations, one in Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4 and the other in Andingmen, from whence their yummy taco creations are born. Opt for the Combo Vato, with one each of Carnitas, Lengua, and Al Pastor tacos (RMB 65).

El Mercadito

This spot up in Shunyi has some of the most traditional tacos and Mexican fare you can come by in Beijing. What’s more, they even offer DIY taco kits you can eat there or waimai. Choose from Carne Asada (RMB 88), Carnitas (RMB 69) or Garlic Shrimp (RMB 85), and don’t forget to get some extra Guac (RMB 26) or Salsa Verde (RMB 20) while you’re at it.

Nashville

One of the oldest Western restaurants in Beijing, Nashville has been serving up food and drink north of Chaoyang Park for over 16 years. They brought two tacos to our Fest, a Chicken Taco with grilled chicken thighs, jalapeno jam and other fixings, plus – and chief among the two – a Signature Steak Taco made with premium American Angus.

SUSU & Xiao SUSU

Local Vietnamese restaurant chain SUSU stands out from the crowd with their “Viet Tacos”, aka tacos with a little Vietnamese twist, available at their Longfusi and In Street locations. Three options are available with two tacos each: Cha Ca La Fish, Grilled Chicken, and Shaking Beef (all RMB 65), all rolled in homemade flour tortillas and served with homemade salsa.

Taco Bell

The one, the only, the myth, the legend: Taco Bell. As we mentioned before, you can find this American chain at around 16 locations all across the capital. While they don't have many of their classics in China (maybe they'll bring the Crunchwrap Supreme here someday?), the tacos we prefer are the Supreme Beef (RMB 19.9 for one), available with either soft or hard shell, and their "taco sandwiches", which are the soft and hard shell tortillas combined with cheese in between (RMB 29 for chicken, RMB 32 for beef).

Tsingtao 1903 Taproom

As a brand under Tsingtao Beer, Tsingtao 1903 Taproom aims to create the perfect food to match their great selection of fresh beers, mostly with a Chinese twist. This ranges from serving burgers on mantou buns to their selection of tacos, of which their Peking Duck Tacos (RMB 58) – pretty much Peking duck with all the fixings in a flour tortilla – are a particular highlight.

VINN

When talking about the tacos at this Western eatery and bar, one must first delve into their tomato salsa, which their Chicken (RMB 48), Beef (RMB 56), and Shrimp (RMB 56) tacos, served in double hard and soft shell tortillas, were designed around. VINN’s tomato salsa uses over ten different kinds of herbs and seasoning to create a sweet, sour, spicy, and refreshing flavor. In fact, it’s such a big hit that some of their customers have asked to buy it to take home to add to rice!

Great Leap Brewing

Legendary Beijing craft brewery Great Leap has the perfect food menu to pair with their beers. Seeing as they’ve got everything from burgers to pizza to hot dogs, it’s no surprise that they recently decided to add tacos to the menu at a few of their locations. Even though it’s only one taco in the form of their GLB Beef Taco (RMB 60 for one), it’s quality over quantity featuring Australian Angus, salsa, cheddar, onion, cilantro, and jalapenos.

Q MEX Bar & Grill

Another stalwart Mexican restaurant with multiple locations around Beijing, Q MEX is one of the best places you can go in the capital for a taco fix. Q MEX has a few classic three-piece taco sets, with Chicken (RMB 75), Pulled Beef (RMB 78), Crispy Battered Fried Fish (RMB 75), Jalapeno Butter Shrimp (RMB 80), and Sirloin Steak (RMB 78), served in flour tortillas with their own distinct sauces. You can also opt for a few combo options, at RMB 78 each.

Also, if you'd like to join our dedicated Beijing Taco Lovers group, where you can share your obsession with everything from corn to flour tortilla and pico de gallo to guacamole (provided it's all on a taco, of course), simply add TBJButler on WeChat (QR code below) and request to join!

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Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the venues