The absolute best street tacos in Cabo are Tacos Guss, Los Claros Marina, and Las Guacamayas. Read my review of all three below.
The first taco I ever had in Cabo san Lucas was at the Westin, west of Cabo on the way to San Jose. That shrimp taco was the first sweetie in my love affair with Cabo tacos. I remember the first bite like it was yesterday, it was like an explosion of flavor went off in my mouth.
I’ll never forget it.
I’ve said it before, Cabo san Lucas is a foodie paradise. I’ve travelled to a lot of places in my life, but I’ve never seen so many restaurants in as close proximity than here close to the Cabo marina.
You ask yourself how can so many restaurants stay open, they do have a high and a low season here, and in summer it is pretty chilled out as far as crowds go. Summer is also incidentally my favorite season here since it is so low key.
The secret is that there are a lot of restaurants that go out of business here. In an area so competitive to stay in business you have to have an awesome location, or be really good. Only one of the places on this list has a decent location, but it is really good. The others are just a bit off the beaten path.
It is really in free market economies where you have to be good to stay in business and those that aren’t will perish. What economics teaches us is the more competition the better, and it is proven out here in Cabo of all places, in the tacos that are served here.
This might just be the best place to get tacos in the world.
Now I’ve only seen one real street taco place in Cabo that is an actual stand with no seating. It is El Gran Pastor, and it isn’t on this list as I’m only listing places I’ve been to.
I’ve had El Gran Pastor on my list for years, but it is never open when I go by. And to be clear, I would only try it because I have heard it is really good, but to my mind I want to sit down and drink a beer when I eat my tacos, you can’t do that at El Gran Pastor. I will have a taco from there one day, but I haven’t to date.
I’m not sure what you expect when you order a taco, but in Mexico generally when you order a taco it is meat on a tortilla. Mind you both the meat and tortilla have been made from scratch with great care. If you are expecting a soft shell taco deluxe with cheese, tomatoes and sour cream you are going to be disappointed.
This is Mexico, tacos are served traditional style. Don’t fret, all of the condiments will be there for you at the table, or in some cases you get up to go to a condiment station to dress your tacos.
Rest assured, these taco places are the real deal.
Tacos Guss
This is your spot if you are looking for the best consistently good tacos in Cabo. That is saying a lot considering all of the good street taco places here. Stay away from the fish here and go for the Al Pastor (pork) and Carne Asada (steak).
You can see the Al Pastor being slow roasted by the street, notice the pineapple over the top. I’ve never seen this before, and I know the secrets of pineapple when it comes to tenderizing meat. I learned it years ago. I can only surmise that is what helps make these tacos so tender and delicious.
Even as I write this my mouth is watering.
The waitresses don’t always speak English, the service isn’t always great and sometimes you don’t get exactly what you ordered, but that’s ok, whatever they serve you will be good.
I go for the flour tortillas, I find the corn tortillas just fall apart too easily. Corn is traditionally Mexican when it comes to tacos, but I’ here for the best taco experience, and for me that comes with a flour tortilla.
Los Claros Marina
Right off the Marina concourse, the service here is excellent. The best taco here is the lobster taco. The other tacos here are fine, but if you are looking for pork or steak go elsewhere. Of all the taco places on the list, this is the place with the most consistent outstanding service. If you are out for some lobster tacos with fantastic service, this is the spot.
The condiments to put on your tacos here are endless. Simpler is always better in my book. I stick with hot sauce, onion, cilantro maybe some pico de gallo, but always hot sauce. Don’t be afraid to experiment, I have been experimenting with thousands of tacos. Just do it the way you like it, no need to let anyone else tell you how you like it.
Las Guacamayas
Start out with the fried rolled cheese, you won’t be disappointed. They basically slice cheese really thinly and then deep fry it.
When you are sitting down you might notice several locals eating here. This is not a coincidence. Whenever you go to a Mexican restaurant if you see Mexicans there you know you are in the right spot.
You can get Al Pastor tacos here with shaved pineapple. Normally I am a traditionalist, but it’s so good you have to try one. Again, stick with the pork or steak tacos here as well. The charro beans here are a local favorite.
If you like churros, they fill theirs with caramel, and yes, they are delicious.
Pro Tip:
Go with the flow. This is not America, or whatever country you are from. Don’t be in a hurry, that’s not the way most things work down here. You are most likely on vacation if in Cabo, relax, have a beer or two and enjoy some tacos.