9 Best Taco Stops in Ensenada Near Downtown and Cruiseport

Best Tacos and Food Near Cruiseport

Updated May 2025

I live and eat in Ensenada full-time and love pointing travelers toward my favorite hidden spots. I eat a lot of tacos—and so does our team of local tour guides, who are always discovering new gems and passing them along to me. These are our top picks:

A great travel experience must include great food—and by food, I mean tacos! Ensenada offers some incredible street tacos and sit-down taco experiences near the Cruiseport and beyond.

Best Fish Taco Near the Cruise Port

Bullos on La Primera

Bullos serves super crispy fish tacos with outdoor seating, cold beer, and margarita combos. It’s not a food cart, so I enjoy the chance to sit in a nice environment in the heart of the walking district. It’s located next to my buddy Dean’s massage place (the second-best in town—after my team, of course!).

📍 Av. Adolfo López Mateos 725
🧭 Walk or take the shuttle to La Primera
⭐️ Well-rated on Yelp

Carnitas Riveroll — Best Pork Tacos

When I’m craving carnitas, this is my go-to. Just two blocks from the Cruiseport and near the Riviera Cultural Center, this humble street stand serves up delicious, fresh pork tacos. There’s no fancy seating, but they do have horchata and jamaica to wash it down.

📍 Av. Floresta 95, Bahia Ensenada
🧭 Walk out of the port to Costero Blvd, turn right. At the Riviera clock tower, turn left. It’s one block in, on the left.

Taquería La México — Best Beef Tacos

This spot is a favorite for a reason. Everything is fresh, the place is clean, and the service is excellent. It’s well-run, has open-air seating, and plenty of space to relax while you feast on flavorful beef tacos.

Fortunately, Taquería La México is close to our spa and right near my old apartment—before I moved to Playa Hermosa—so it was easy for me to work my way through the entire menu. 😄

On the days I eat meat, my go-to order is:

• 2 asada tacos

• 2 adobada tacos

• A cup of frijoles

• A side of grilled cebollines

• And, of course, a cold horchata

Bonus: Free refills on horchata or jamaica! 🙌

📍 Corner of Ruiz and 16th Street
🧭 A favorite stop for groups between their tour excursions and post-adventure massages

Best Authentic Mexican: Portero Viejo

Just a block off La Primera, in the trending Villa Mexicana center, you'll find a relaxed, local experience with great food and prices that won’t break the bank.

This spot is tucked away from heavy foot traffic, and the vibe and menu are definitely more local than touristy—which makes it a refreshing break from the typical cruise port stops.

Expect:

• Gorditas, birria, and many classic Mexican dishes made with care

• A casual atmosphere where locals actually eat

• A buffet-style lunch spot with fresh juices and rotating dishes

🧭 How to get there: Villa Mexicana is just a block from La Primera, between Primera and Segunda. If you’ve already walked First Street and had a margarita or two, I highly recommend wandering over for a more grounded meal experience.

Honorable Mention:
Hacienda Guadalajara on Ruiz (near the spa). This place is known for its birria, and the atmosphere has a cozy, traditional feel. It’s at the far end of La Primera, so it’s easy to walk back to the ship or catch a shuttle after lunch.

Vegetarian Taco Options Near Ensenada Cruiseport

Finding vegetarian-focused restaurants in Ensenada can be a bit hit or miss—places come and go—but there are still solid options if you're meat-free.

🥇 Tacos Puebla (Playa Hermosa area)
This is my top pick for a casual vegetarian taco.
Ask for nopales (grilled cactus) with guacamole—fresh, filling, and flavorful.
It’s near Playa Hermosa, so you can also snap a photo at the Ensenada beach sign while you’re there.
It’s a long-ish but safe walk from the port. Most of our private tours will stop here for a local taco fix before heading downtown or to the cruise port.

La Comadre (Near La Primera)
A more modern sit-down option, just a block off La Primera.
They offer some buffet-style dishes and rotating vegetarian options each week.
Very walkable from the cruise terminal—great if you want to stay close but skip the typical tourist food.

⚠️ Note:
Many kitchens here use animal fats in their oils, so if you’re strictly vegan, it’s worth asking before ordering.

Bonus Tip:
Former spots like Mojik Vegan and Seta Rosa (both now closed) showed there's demand—but true vegetarian restaurants are still rare in Ensenada. For now, these picks offer delicious, local-friendly meatless meals without straying far from the cruise port.

Let me know if you'd like a Google Map version or to include this in your printable Ensenada food guide!

Best Vegetarian Near the Port (Not Tacos):

Falafel Comida Israelí:

Looking for something fresh, healthy, and totally satisfying that isn’t a taco? Falafel Comida Israelí is a hidden gem just two blocks from the cruise port on Costero Boulevard—completely walkable for cruisers.

✔️ Fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and budget-friendly prices
✔️ Casual outdoor seating
✔️ A favorite post-beach/surf stop for locals (including me!)

Even though it’s not a traditional Mexican dish, the falafel wraps and plates are incredibly flavorful—and let’s be real, after binge-watching Netflix’s Mo, we all agree: falafel tacos are a thing. 🧆🌮

Bonus: It’s located in a quirky orange commercial plaza with a local art shop next door and the closest money exchange to the cruise port.

How to get there:
From the cruise terminal, walk straight to the main road (Blvd. Costero) and take a left. You'll find it about two blocks up on the left-hand side.

Margaritas After Tacos? Yes, Please.

Bar Andaluz at La Riviera Cultural Center

Let’s be honest—tacos digest better with a margarita chaser, and I’ve personally field-tested this theory. 😄 While you can grab a margarita anywhere on La Primera, Bar Andaluz offers an experience that’s far beyond your typical tourist bar.

Why it's special:

• Set inside the beautiful La Riviera Cultural Center, Bar Andaluz pairs its drinks with historic charm.

• Hand-painted tiles, a cozy fireplace, and peaceful garden grounds make it a serene, old-world escape.

• It's allegedly the birthplace of the margarita—and while that’s up for debate, the selfie opportunities are 100% real.

📸 Snap a pic at the “birthplace of the margarita” sign, stroll the public gardens, or explore the small local history museum next door.

Bonus: After tacos, it’s the perfect spot to start or end your downtown walk. You’re just a few blocks from the cruise port.

Lobster Tacos on the Malecón

Ensenada is legendary for its fresh seafood, and if you want lobster tacos without the 1-hour trip to Puerto Nuevo, stay local!

📍 Cocedor de Langosta – Located at the seafood market on the Malecón, this is the spot for lobster tacos and grilled lobster. Walkable in about 20 minutes from the cruise port or visit as part of a Taco Tour.

📍 Bahía Mariscos – Also a great choice for lobster (though not always in taco form). Enjoy a sidewalk patio booth and fresh seafood right in the heart of town.

Churros After Tacos? Absolutely.

If you haven’t tried fresh churros in Ensenada, you're missing out. They’re like Krispy Kreme's cooler cousin—stuffed with caramel (cajeta) and made hot to order.

📍 Churros Rellenos on La Primera – One block up from El Rey Sol, on the same side of the street. Usually open late afternoons and weekends.

📍 Parque de la Bandera Vendors – Exit the big flag area heading into town and find a row of food carts. Look for the churro guy on the right—ask for them fresh!

Bonus: 2nd Best Meat Tacos – Taquería El Paisa

If you’re ready to go local, El Paisa is the hidden gem. Off La Primera but totally worth the detour.

📍 Location: Corner of 10th and 20 de Noviembre
📆 Closed Tuesdays
💵 Tacos: ~$1 each

Why it’s special:

• Handmade corn tortillas that are thick and flavorful

• Efficient, high-speed taco assembly you have to see to believe

• Local crowd and ice cream shop next door for dessert

On cheat days, this is where I go for my meat binge—carne asada, adobada, and more.

Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada

If you’re looking for the perfect fish taco experience near the cruise port — easy, clean, with cold beer and a sidewalk vibe — Bullo’s Place California Bar Fish B Taco is your spot.

📍 Where: La Primera Shopping District
(Next to my friend Dean’s massage place — the #2 in town, after my team 😉)

💸 Pricing: Slightly higher than local taco stands like El Paisa, but you’re paying for prime location, table service, and a relaxing atmosphere.

Why I Love It:

• Super crispy fish tacos — fried fresh, not refried or soggy like some street stands

• Sidewalk seating with a fun people-watching atmosphere

• Beer & taco packages to make ordering easy and stress-free

Tourist-friendly but still authentic. Great service, spotless kitchen, and a relaxed, enjoyable setting.

Best Vegan Taco in Ensenada: Huitlacoche at Boules

For a relaxed, sit-down experience away from the tourist hustle, my top pick is a late lunch under the magnolia trees at Boules. Nestled next to Parque Revolución — one of the best green spaces in town — this spot offers a refreshing break with a distinctly local vibe.

📍 Where: Boules, about 5–6 blocks from La Primera
🕑 When: Open Tuesday to Saturday, starting around 2 PM
💡 Pro tip: Pair this with a massage beforehand, then grab a Didi or private driver back to the ship — it’s a bit far for walking late.

What to Try:

• Huitlacoche Tacos – also called “corn truffle” or “Mexican truffle,” this rare mushroom-like fungus grows on corn and has a unique, earthy flavor and soft texture. Slimy? Yes. Weird? Definitely. Delicious? 100%.

• Vegetarian dishes like artichoke heart appetizers and rotating seasonal options

Why I Love It:

• Chill atmosphere on a big wooden deck shaded by magnolia trees and vines

• Locally made ceramic plates add a charming artisan touch

• A lively mix of binational guests — ex-pats, creatives, locals, and food lovers

• Pleasant music and peaceful park surroundings

Bonus: Parque Revolución is recently renovated, green, and alive on weekends with families and Sunday music. Around the park are several taco stands and street-style options if you're in for more grazing.

Bonus Taco & Seafood Gems in Ensenada

Updated May 2025
Curated by Jesse – long-time local, taco connoisseur, and massage + excursion guide

Boules: A Local Favorite for Vegan & Vegetarian Tacos

Dog-friendly. Outdoor seating. Cigars welcome.
Boules is not only a favorite for its huitlacoche tacos, but also for its laid-back garden atmosphere and great conversation with binational locals. Owned by Javi, who’s often there to greet you personally, the entrance is either:

• Through a discreet door on 5th Street, or

• Through the wine shop next door, which also has a great selection of local bottles to take home.

La Guerrerense – Legendary Seafood Tostadas

Yes, it’s a bit pricey (2x local prices), but worth every peso.
Featured by the late Anthony Bourdain (RIP), this food cart offers an explosion of flavor with seafood tostadas layered in spicy sauces, creamy toppings, and fresh shellfish. It's famous for a reason.

Tacos Castillo – My Top Pick Over Tacos Fenix

Clean, fresh, and efficient. Their new stand is super hygienic and puts others to shame (sorry, Fenix fans). Fight me — these tacos are better!

Mercado Negro: For the Smoked Tuna & Marlin Fans

Located at the end of the harbor, this fish market is a free self-guided walking tour in itself. Just turn left after the cruise ship footbridge and walk the harbor path.

My pick?

• Smoked Tuna or Marlin (~$13 USD/kilo) — already cooked, easy to store, and delicious

• Also try: White wine garlic mussels (if you’re cooking that day!)

Upstairs you'll find fish taco stands. They’re clean, affordable, and reliable — no stomach issues here.

Yiyo’s Open-Flame Fish Tacos at Playa Hermosa

Sadly, Yiyo hasn’t returned post-COVID, but this is still legendary in local lore.
He used to grill fish tacos over open flame using guitar-shaped plywood scraps (rumor: from the local Fender factory). Not deep-fried — just tender, fire-grilled goodness, served steps from the beach.
Also great: shrimp cocktails & ceviches. Clean operation. Surfer favorite.

Best Tacos at La Bufadora Flea Market: Lidia’s Tacos

Delicious, quick, and clean — a top choice when cruise ships are in port.
Pro tip: Lidia opened a downtown Ensenada location in 2023. It’s still warming up, but worth watching — the tacos could be just as great once the atmosphere catches up.

Popular Traveler Advice:

Dollars, Pesos, ATMs in Ensenada?

Recommended Shore Excursions

Things to do in Ensenada Near Port

Ensenada Port Guide

About Jesse

Resident of Ensenada since 2010, Jesse is the founder of Ensenada Massage, Valle Mobile Spa, and Ensenada Excursions. When he’s not on the road or developing new tours, you’ll likely find him walking the beach with his two dogs or chatting with travelers over tacos.

With a passion for wellness, travel, and local experiences, Jesse spends his time training new massage therapists, curating memorable excursions, and occasionally blogging about life in Baja.

➡️ [Full bio here]