The Ultimate List of Denver’s Best Tacos 2024: Our Top Picks

I am a taco enjoyer, as well as my wife, and we always take the chance to check out some new place.

Our hometown is filled with wonderful taco places. Since the competition is pretty steep, finding the one that satisfies the preferences tends to be quite a challenge.

Not only that, I used to find myself pondering which one was the best. Recently I came to that conclusion.

Hey, I wrote a guide on what you should visit if you’re spending a week in Denver, you can download it here.

That is why I want to share my conclusion with you.

6. Torchy’s Tacos

Just last week, a good friend of mine decided to treat us to dinner, insisting on tacos, and naturally, Torchy’s Tacos was the first place that came to mind.

Finding a free parking lot at Torchy’s is a bit of a challenge, given its size, but we were lucky. It was a weekday, and we managed to find a spot easily.

I decided to go with the Baja shrimp taco. I’ve always been a fan of seafood, and this one did not disappoint. The shrimp was fried to perfection, and the combination of jalapeños, slaw, cotija cheese, and chipotle sauce was nothing short of divine.

The corn tortilla was the perfect vessel for this concoction, and a squeeze of lime just tied it all together beautifully. Although I must admit, the cilantro and pickled onions weren’t exactly to my taste, but that’s just a personal preference.

Daniela opted for the Grande Burrito bowl with chicken. It’s always a sight to see her eyes light up with the first bite. We both agreed that the servings seemed a bit on the smaller side. I found myself wishing I had ordered at least two tacos, and Daniela felt the same about her burrito bowl.

The service at Torchy’s is worth mentioning. The server was polite and efficient, bringing our food to the table with a smile. The dining area itself was a pleasant surprise – clean, bright, and inviting. It’s these little things that make a dining experience memorable.

Among many good things you can try:

Taco	Ingredients
Trailer Park	Fried Chicken, Green Chilies, Lettuce, Pico de Gallo, Cheese
Crossroads	Smoked Beef Brisket, Grilled Onions, Jalapeños, Cilantro, Cheese, Avocado Sauce
Baja Shrimp	Hand-battered Shrimp, Cabbage Slaw, Pickled Jalapeños, Cilantro, Cotija Cheese, Lime, Chipotle Sauce
Brushfire	Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Grilled Jalapeños, Mango, Sour Cream, Cilantro

Don’t miss their delicious queso, which has earned a cult following, and refreshing margaritas to complete the dining experience.

5. Los Carboncitos

We have been frequenting Los Carboncitos in Denver for quite some time now.

Initially, I must admit, the exterior of the building had us a bit hesitant. It doesn’t exactly scream ‘come in, we have amazing food!’ But, let me tell you, any doubts were immediately dispelled the moment we stepped inside and were greeted by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the smell of authentic Mexican cuisine wafting through the air.

The service here is nothing short of fantastic. It’s a breath of fresh air, especially when you consider the high prices and often disappointing service at the big chain restaurants. At Los Carboncitos, they start you off with homemade chips and salsa the moment you’re seated.

we’ve tried a range of dishes – from tacos and huaraches to soups and alambres. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the alambres, hands down. The pechuga boracha, in particular, is a masterpiece. Imagine moist, flavorful chicken, caramelized onions, peppers, bacon, and melted cheese all coming together in a symphony of flavors.

It’s a dish that’s big enough for two, or even three if you’re not too hungry. This is the kind of meal that makes you forget about the modest exterior of the building because what’s served on your plate deserves all the attention.

The cleanliness of the place, right down to the bathrooms, is impeccable, which is just as important as the food and service in creating a pleasant dining experience.

Now lets take a peek at the menu:

Taco	Ingredients
Al Pastor	Marinated Pork Cooked on a Vertical Spit, Pineapple, Fresh Cilantro
Carnitas	Slow-cooked Shredded Pork, Onions, Cilantro, Salsa Verde
Carne Asada	Grilled Steak, Onions, Cilantro, Lime
Chorizo	Spicy Mexican Sausage, Onions, Cilantro, Lime

Los Carboncites is a wonderful, warm place everyone should visit when they have the chance.

4. Comida

For our last anniversary, we decided to visit Comida, a place we only heard about but never had the chance to visit it. I was a bit surprised because it is not your “typical” mexican restaurant.

Here are some of the highlights from the menu:

Taco	Ingredients
Beer-Battered Fish	Crispy Beer-Battered Cod, Cabbage Slaw, Chipotle Crema
Chorizo Potato	Mexican Sausage, Potato, Roasted Poblano, Onions, Cotija Cheese
Wild Mushroom	Seasonal Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Queso Fresco, Microgreens, Salsa Verde
Smoked Brisket	Smoked Beef Brisket, Tomato-Habanero Jam, Queso Fresco

The first thing we ordered was the chips, salsa, and guac. I convinced them to bring me a ramekin of habanero-carrot salsa also, which garnered an extra charge. It tasted exactly as one would think h.c. salsa tastes- floral, carrot-ey, and a strong presence of vinegar or lime juice.

Such acidity could come in handy for pork or fish. There was also house salsa and guac. The guac. was good I suppose. It’s subjective, because the guac. I make at home is always better than anywhere else. The house salsa had a nice sweetness paired with a roastiness.

Altogether it was positive, and delicious. I wouldn’t go there except happy hour- it’s just too expensive. I think the original food truck was probably reasonably priced. A bonus inclusive of the entire eating session was the 90’s R&B playing in the background, which was pretty nice.

There was a tv crew there from a travel channel filming new & good restaurants in Denver, which tells you something.

Would definitely go back to Comida!

3. Tacos Tequila Whiskey

Tacos Tequila Whiskey was our favorite place for a long time before we found another, but I must say, we REALLY enjoyed our time here.

The food, oh, the food! It’s simply out of this world. We were always particularly impressed with just how servers would managed to meet the preferences. I’ll admit,  we can be quite picky eaters.

From time to time, the experience would be without a hiccup. Staff isn’t always as welcoming as it should be. It is a bit of a downer at first, but as soon as a server shows up, he or she would turn things around for us, ensuring we had a fantastic dining experience from that point forward.

The ambiance of Tacos Tequila Whiskey is quite cozy, given its smaller size, but they’ve done a great job of making everyone feel comfortable with open seating at the bar. It’s impressive how swiftly they get the tacos out to you.

And speaking of tacos, every single one I’ve tried has been incredible. But if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the Beer N Fish taco—just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

The salsa is always fresh, and I highly recommend starting off with the salsa trio or the queso to really kick off your meal right. Plus, the bartender is super friendly, adding to the overall welcoming vibe of the place.

We come back from time to time to Tacos Tequila Whiskey to this day.

A quick look at the menu will tell you a lot things:

Taco	Ingredients
Chorizo	Savory Mexican Sausage, Potato, Queso Chihuahua, Salsa Morita
Tofu Mole	Marinated Tofu, Mole Sauce, Sesame Seeds, Pickled Onions, Cilantro, Cotija Cheese
Carnitas	Slow-braised Pork, Salsa Verde, Red Onion, Cilantro, Radish
Wagyu Barbacoa	Slow-braised Wagyu Beef, Salsa de Chile de Árbol, Onion, Cilantro, Cotija Cheese

This modern taqueria, formerly known as Pinche Tacos, was rebranded to honor the food that made them famous while embracing a broader menu.

2. Adelitas Cocina y Cantina

Just the other day, I found myself dining alone at Adelitas cocina y Cantina, a rare occurrence since Daniela and I usually visit together.

Despite the place being bustling with energy, I managed to get a seat quite easily. It was Taco Tuesday and the perfect opportunity for me to indulge in an assortment of tacos.

The Al Pastor tacos were divine, truly a culinary masterpiece. The meat just melted in my mouth, and the flavors combined to create an exquisite profile that I couldn’t get enough of. While the Pollo tacos were delicious in their own right, they didn’t quite reach the heavenly heights of the Al Pastor.

The Carne Asada was pretty standard but still above average compared to other places we’ve tried. But let me tell you, the Al Pastor tacos were the highlight of my meal. No visit to Adelitas is complete without their chips and salsa. I love when the chips come with just the right amount of salt on them, and their salsa is as hot and authentic as it should be.

Our waiter has always been knowledgeable and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. It’s worth noting that three out of four of us usually order the taco plate, where you can choose up to three flavors from their huge variety. And for our vegetarian friends, Adelitas offers plenty of choices.

You really can’t go wrong.

The restaurant’s name “Adelitas” pays homage to the brave women soldiers who fought during the Mexican Revolution.

Here is a glimpse at their menu:

Taco	Ingredients
Pescado	Grilled or Fried Fish, Pickled Onions, Chipotle Aioli, Cabbage, Cilantro
Carnitas	Slow-cooked Shredded Pork, Salsa Verde, Diced Onions, Cilantro
Rajas con Crema	Roasted Poblano Strips, Sweet Corn, Cream, Queso Fresco, Cilantro
Hongos	Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Garlic, Epazote, Queso Fresco, Salsa Roja

The “Pescado” taco, featuring grilled or fried fish, pickled onions, and chipotle aioli, is a standout option that perfectly balances flavors and textures.

1. Tacos Marlene

My favorite place by far is Tacos Marlene. It is a place that never dissapoints.

Just last week, we decided to drop by again, craving something hearty and flavorful.

What I particularly appreciate about their burritos is the balance of ingredients – the meat, beans, and rice are always in perfect proportion, ensuring every bite is as satisfying as the last. And the best part? You can customize it with a variety of salsa and vegetable toppings, tailoring it exactly to your liking.

The place itself has a cozy setup with four tables, each with four chairs, and additional stool seating along the wall. It’s not a large space, but it’s welcoming. A TV inside plays Banda music at a reasonable volume, adding to the authentic atmosphere without being overwhelming.

For those concerned about parking, they do have a small lot surrounding the building. Some spots can be a bit awkward, but it’s a small price to pay for the quality of food waiting inside. Plus, they’ve made sure the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp leading to the door and four accessible tables, which I find thoughtful.

 

@sidehustleaddict Tacos Marlene Denver #denver #tacos #foodie #mexican #colorado #eater #yummy ♬ Heatin Up – Lil Baby & Gunna

The salsa is always bursting with flavor, and the flautas and sope quickly became some of our favorites after our first few visits. Everything we’ve tried here is clean, delicious, and leaves you wanting more. The atmosphere of the place is something I’d rate four stars, primarily because the parking situation can be a bit tricky.

The prices are reasonable, the portions generous, and the staff always greets you with a smile. It’s evident that Tacos Marlene is family-owned, from the care they put into their food to the warm, welcoming atmosphere they’ve created. Daniela and I always leave with satisfied stomachs and happy hearts.

If you’re ever in Denver and looking for some of the best tacos around, do yourself a favor and visit Tacos Marlene. It’s a culinary experience you won’t want to miss.

Here are things I order usually:

Taco	Ingredients
Asada	Tender Grilled Steak, Chopped Onions, Cilantro, Lime
Carnitas	Slow-cooked Shredded Pork, Salsa Verde, Onions, Cilantro
Pollo	Grilled Chicken, Salsa Roja, Cilantro, Onions, Lime
Lengua	Tender Beef Tongue, Salsa Roja, Onion, Cilantro, Lime

Their no-frills approach focuses on delivering flavors that transport diners to the bustling streets of Mexico. The “Asada” taco, with its tender grilled steak, chopped onions, cilantro, and lime, showcases the simplicity.