Locals Know Taco Tour
Description
This walking taco tour takes you through East Austin’s tastiest taquerías, from Michelin-approved trucks to long-loved neighborhood faves. Along the way, you’ll savor everything from mole-drenched tacos and juicy barbacoa to smoky birria consume, creamy horchata, and garden-grown garnishes that bring the flavor full circle. But this isn’t just about what’s on the plate. You’ll stroll past iconic murals, explore a vibrant community garden, and hear the stories behind each taco stop… because every tortilla has a story to tell. Taco ’bout a perfect day in Austin. Come hungry, wear stretchy pants, and let’s walk, talk, and taste our way through Austin’s most beloved food-following, one unforgettable taco at a time.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Don’t let the humble food truck fool you. Granny’s has made Bon Appétit’s “Best Tacos in the Country” list and continues to be a local legend. This East Austin staple slings scratch-made tortillas stuffed with bold, soulful flavors like their signature mole taco (complex, rich, and a little bit magic) and the wildly popular shrimp taco with creamy chipotle sauce. With lines that start early and flavors that linger long after, Granny’s is proof that sometimes abuelita really does know best.
Famed as a Michelin Guide Recommended, La Santa Barbacha is holy ground for barbacoa lovers. Chef Ana Torrealba slow-cooks her beef to juicy perfection and pairs it with hand-pressed colorful tortillas, fresh cilantro, and house salsas that hit all the right notes. And the pineapple mint agua fresca… it’s the chill to your chile. This isn’t just a taco truck, it’s a spiritual experience you did not know you needed.
A neighborhood favorite for nearly two decades, Eater Austin calls El Chilito one of the city’s “Essential Taco Joints.” Known for its vibrant patio and laid-back vibes, this stop brings us signature al pastor tacos with charred pineapple and salsas that deserve their own trophy case.
We’ll slow things down with a stroll through Este’s on-site garden where fragrant herbs and edible flowers are harvested daily for their coastal Mexican menu. Named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America, Este is where the sea meets the soil in East Austin. While we breathe in the scent of epazote and mint, we’ll also stop for pics at a few of the most iconic murals nearby—color, culture, and fresh food all in one short stint.
Featured in Texas Monthly and beloved by locals for its modern Tex-Mex, El Chile delivers the goods with crispy-queso birria tacos dunked in smoky consomé and tortillas that soak it all in. Add in their roasted salsa and a killer patio, and you’ve got yourself a birria baptism. This place walks the line between comfort and culinary craft so well. Bonus: The chips and roasted salsa are practically a love language, and we’re fluent. Just when you think you’re stuffed, we’ll surprise you with one last sweet bite—a crispy, cinnamon-dusted treat that ends the tour on a high. (No spoilers, but let’s just say churros might be involved in the making of this dessert but they’re not how it ends.)
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
Great experience wonderful food and amazing tour guide . Every place we went had wonderful food and tour guide codi had tons of information.
Thank you so much for joining us! I’m really glad you had a great experience and enjoyed all the food along the way. Codi does such a great job sharing the stories and details behind each stop, and we’re lucky to have her leading tours. We appreciate you coming out with us! — Will / Locals Know BBQ Tours
Tour was fun and the tacos were great! Loved the last stop the most and cool to see some of the local art throughout Austin.
Thank you so much for coming out with us! I’m glad y’all had fun and enjoyed the tacos. That last stop is always a favorite, and I love hearing that you got to take in some of the local art along the way too. We appreciate you joining the tour and hope to host you again next time you’re in Austin! — Will / Locals Know ATX Tours
This tour was amazing!! The food was stellar and so plentiful. Definitely come prepared to eat! There was also so much more to the tour, and you really get a feel for the area and the culture! Our guide was so awesome, and one of the very best guides we've ever had!! Would 100% recommend this tour to anyone who loves food, tacos, and just visiting Austin!
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you had such a great time with us and left full. That’s always the goal. We love getting to share not just the food, but the neighborhoods, stories, and culture that make Austin special. It means a lot to hear that your guide made the experience so memorable. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again next time you’re in town! — Will / Locals Know ATX Tours
We had a great time on the Taco Tour! The guide took us to some places we hadn't tried, and all of the tacos were delicious and unique. Hard to pick my favorite spot or taco but loved the quesadilla/taco at Santa Barbacha, the shrimp taco from Granny's, the churro donuts at El Chile. And our guide, Rachel, was full of great information about each location & the history of some of the dishes. Glad there was some walking involved - great way to explore the neighborhood while getting some movement between dishes. Highly recommended to locals and visitors alike!
Thank you so much for joining us on the Taco Tour! I’m really glad y’all had a great time and got to try some new spots. We love sharing places that feel unique to Austin, and it’s always fun when every stop brings something different to the table. I’m also glad you enjoyed the mix of food, stories, and walking through the neighborhood. That’s a big part of what we try to create — a tour that lets locals and visitors experience the area, not just eat their way through it. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to have you out with us again soon! — Will / Locals Know ATX Tours
