From street-side taquerias to chef-driven kitchens, Durham’s Mexican scene shines with soul and variety. Here’s where locals actually eat. Bring an appetite, brush up your salsa preferences, and go taste what makes these spots special.
Mexican Food in Durham (2025)
11 Places
From street-side taquerias to chef-driven kitchens, Durham’s Mexican scene shines with soul and variety. Here’s where locals actually eat. Bring an appetite, brush up your salsa preferences, and go taste what makes these spots special.
Taqueria La Vaquita
Mexican restaurant
A Durham classic famed for the rooftop cow and house-made corn tortillas, La Vaquita draws steady lines for barbacoa, carnitas, and tacos dorados. Featured by Eater Carolinas and highlighted by Discover Durham, it’s essential Bull City eating.
Fonda Lupita
Mexican restaurant
The Sanford sensation brings homestyle guisos, gorditas, and quesabirria to Brightleaf Square. Named one of America’s best new restaurants by Eater, its Durham outpost pairs soulful cooking with a full bar and late-night birria ramen.
Super Taqueria
Mexican restaurant
A North Roxboro stalwart praised by local critics, Super Taqueria turns out suadero, lengua, and carnitas with speed and swagger. Consistently recommended by the Durham Herald-Sun and Eater Carolinas for no-frills, dialed-in tacos.
La Superior
Mexican grocery store
Part market, bakery, tortillería, and taquería, La Superior is a community anchor with fresh tortillas and a deep fillings roster. Eater Carolinas calls the al pastor a standout; Discover Durham spotlights its in-house tortillería.
Don Becerra Taqueria
Mexican restaurant
Tucked beside its namesake carnicería, Don Becerra serves expertly seasoned tacos with memorable nopales and chicharrón options. Eater Carolinas praises the menu’s depth; regulars come for the sauces and weekday value.
Taqueria Los Canarios
Taco restaurant
A women-led truck serving southern Mexican flavors, Los Canarios turns out shrimp, campechano, and vegetarian mushroom tacos by day. Eater Carolinas spotlights the menu breadth and steady downtown presence.
The Durham Green Flea Market
Flea market
On weekends, La Pulga buzzes with multiple Mexican vendors slinging al pastor, birria, tortas, and more. Eater Carolinas notes its role as a Latino community hub; the market confirms year-round weekend hours.
Little Bull
Restaurant
Chef Oscar Diaz’s pocho cuisine riffs on Mexican-American memories with dishes like birria dumplings. Featured by Axios and praised by local writers, it’s a fresh, personal angle on Mexican flavors in Old Five Points.
TaTaco Durham
Restaurant
New in 2025 from James Beard–nominated Oscar Diaz, TaTaco remixes classics—tacos, flautas, enchiladas—with playful ideas and events. Axios reports daily hours and a broader mission than a standard taquería.
NuvoTaco
Mexican restaurant
Formerly NanaTaco, this independent spot leans Mexican-American with rotisserie meats, calamari tacos, and strong margaritas. Recognized by the Herald-Sun and beloved by locals for fast, flavorful meals and broad options.
Torero's Mexican Restaurant
Mexican restaurant
A family-run Durham favorite since the ’90s, Toreros reopened in 2025 with a refreshed space and classic plates. The restaurant confirms its comeback, offering fajitas, enchiladas, and celebratory vibes near downtown.
