Where to Get Tacos in Jamaica
Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays.
Traditionally made from a hand-sized corn tortilla topped with protein and vegetables, tacos have become a vehicle for culinary fusion and experimentation.
From Mexico to America, Jamaica and beyond, the humble taco has travelled far and wide, adopting new flavours and variations along the way. In the 20th century, the US popularized the idea of a hard shell taco by deep frying the original corn tortilla—and of course the franchise restaurants that would become Taco Bell. Today in Jamaica, we can find both soft and hard shell tacos topped with local ingredients, like ackee and oxtail.
Someone could probably write a whole thesis about cultural diffusion using the example of tacos spreading around the world in ways that honour their Mexican heritage while adapting to local palates.
But, if you’d rather eat tacos than read about them, here’s where to find good tacos in Jamaica.
Chilitos JaMexican Food
Location: Chilitos JaMexican, 88 Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica
Website: www.chilitosjamexican.com
Taco shells: Hard corn shells or soft flour tortillas
Protein options: Grilled chicken, jerk chicken, cauliflower, ackee, black beans, chili beef, fish
Specials: Weekly Taco Tuesday discount
Tacbar
Location: Tacbar, 26 Hope Road, Devon House, Kingston, Jamaica
Website: www.tacbarjamaica.co
Taco shells: Hard corn shells, soft flour tortillas, or cheese crusted soft shells
Protein options: Beer batter fish, ground beef, adobo cauliflower, jerk chicken, fried chicken, shrimp, pork sausage
Epican Tapas Restaurant & Lounge
Location: Epican Tapas Restaurant & Lounge, 67 Constant Spring Road, Kingston, Jamaica
Taco shells: Crispy corn tortillas or soft flour tortillas
Protein options: Grilled chicken, bbq jackfruit, crispy fish, shrimp, steak birria, lobster (seasonal)
Specials: $500 Taco Mondays
The Copper Garden
Location: The Copper Garden, 9 Haining Road, Kingston, Jamaica
Website: www.thecoppersja.com
Protein options: Fish (snapper), baja chicken, fried shrimp, beef tenderloin, sticky pork belly, braised oxtail
Cellar8
Location: Cellar8, Shop 10 Upper Manor Park Plaza, Kingston, Jamaica
Protein options: oxtail, mushroom steak, pork belly, jerk pork, ribeye steak, beef, salmon
Specials: Weekly Taco Tuesday (music, tacos, and signature margaritas)
Taco Spot Jamaica
Location: Taco Spot, Lot 3, Bogue Hill Rd, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Website: www.tacospotsja.com
Taco shells: Handmade soft corn tortillas or flour tortillas
Protein options: Marinated pork (adobada, al pastor, carnitas), crispy pork belly (chicharron), chicken, beef steak (asada), beef tongue, mushroom, cauliflower, refried beans, shrimp, fish
Specials: Birria (Mexican beef stew) available only on Sundays
Papi Chulo
Location I: Papi Chulo, Lot C4, Drax Hall, St. Ann, Jamaica
Website: www.papichuloja.com
Taco shells: Hard or soft flour tortillas
Protein options: chicken, beef, bull dawg, shrimp, fish, veggies
Island Twist Specialties: ackee and saltfish (only on Thursdays), oxtail (only on Fridays), curry goat (only on Saturdays)
Specials: 20% off Taco Tuesday every week
More WongaNews
Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays. Here’s a list of restaurants selling tacos in Jamaica—including their taco shell and filling options.