Velvet Taco

Taco restaurant · Austin

Velvet Taco

Taco restaurant · Austin

3

522 Congress Ave. Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701

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Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by Velvet Taco/Facebook
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null

Highlights

Velvet Taco is set out to elevate the taco through globally inspired recipes and the freshest ingredients. We provide a broad sampling of international tastes and inventive combinations, delivering flavors that are as memorable as they are delicious.  

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522 Congress Ave. Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701 Get directions

velvettaco.com
@velvettaco

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

522 Congress Ave. Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701 Get directions

+1 512 298 5223
velvettaco.com
@velvettaco
𝕏
@velvettaco3

$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
wifi
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reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 5, 2025

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@eater

"The Dallas taco export serves creative tacos (think: tikka chicken or Korean pork) until midnight Sunday through Wednesday; until 2 a.m. Thursday; and until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday." - Erin Russell

The Best Late Night Food in Austin During SXSW 2020 - Eater Austin
View Postcard for Velvet Taco
@eater

"Velvet Taco, the Dallas-based taco mini-chain which made its way into Austin in 2017, is opening a second local restaurant in the downtown area. It’ll be found at 522 Congress Avenue, Suite #100 within the Scarbrough Building, aiming to open on Monday, February 24, just before South by Southwest madness takes over downtown Austin. The downtown Austin Velvet Taco will offer the same menu and late-night hours. This means new-school tacos like Cuban pig, Kobe bacon burger, fish and chips, chicken and waffles, and hot tofu. Then there are sides like queso made with red curry and coconut, elotes, and slices of red velvet cake, as well as drinks such as margaritas. There’s also the Backdoor Chicken special, where people go to the backdoor of the restaurant to ask for the $20 meal with a whole slow-roasted rotisserie chicken, tortillas, and sides." - Nadia Chaudhury

Dallas Taco Chain Velvet Taco Is Opening in Downtown Austin - Eater Austin
View Postcard for Velvet Taco
@eater

"Velvet Taco, the funky late night fast-casual taco mini-chain from Dallas, is opening its second Austin location. It’ll be found off South Congress Avenue on Music Lane, within the same development as the members-only Soho House. It’s set to open in 2019. Velvet Taco’s new-school menu pulls inspiration from global flavors, like the spicy tikka chicken, Nashville hot tofu, and ahi poke tacos. It also serves brunch tacos all day long, made with frittatas. Other dishes include red curry coconut queso, red velvet cake, and the whole rotisserie chicken special (available by asking for it at the back door of the restaurant)." - Nadia Chaudhury

Late Night Dallas Velvet Taco Is Coming to South Congress - Eater Austin
View Postcard for Velvet Taco

Noshin Nabila

Google
It's conveniently located on the 6th Street we went out bar hopping and ended up eating here. It's pretty popular and cost friendly. It's famous for fusion items and I really liked the three types of tacos we tried and would love to go back to try the rest of the fusion items as well.

Emily Goodin

Google
VEGETARIAN options! We tried all four of the vegetarian tacos and loved them. (OK, we didn't love the Mediterranean mushroom, it was merely good, but the Nashville hot tofu, fried paneer, and beer battered cauliflower were all fantastic.) We arrived after 9pm and still got great service. The only annoying thing was that they closed the patio to new customers after we had already sat down, and a staff person started loudly cleaning up the area, and swept the floor near us. The selection of beverages was fine, and if we had stayed in town another day or two we would have eaten there again. Highly recommended!

Penny Fisher

Google
Quite possibly the best Taco’s I’ve ever eaten! Great atmosphere, Service was 100%, the staff are so friendly here. We had the loaded Nacho’s on our 1st visit (portions are BIG) with a Birria duo. The Buffalo Chicken Taco is a must! Thoroughly recommend.

Courtney Smith

Google
First and foremost, the food is great! Some of the best tacos you can get in the city.We went around 4 pm on a Thursday and the place was practically empty. The only downside is we didn't get some of the food we ordered delivered to the table and had to go remind them what we ordered. Other than that, the service was great!

Mimi Snook

Google
With all the different restaurants in downtown ATX, we came here twice on our short trip just to try different tacos on the menu. The curry queso with chips is so surprisingly good, and the sangrita is strong! Tasty tacos, filling and rich.

Delaney Mattos

Google
WOW! I’m not from the south so this was a unique experience for me. My friend told me whenever I make it back to Texas that Velvet Taco is a must, she wasn’t wrong. You aren’t going here for the atmosphere or service, but instead for their special taco combos. Out of the three that I ordered (Kobe smash burger, chicken tikka, and cauliflower) the chicken and the beef were tied for first simply because their flavors popped. But if you need to narrow it down order the chicken tikka, I feel like you rarely will see a flavor like that (other than at other Velvet Tacos). The guac was good and the queso was really good as well and better than many restaurant quesos I’ve had (including Chipotle - yuck) I would absolutely recommend!

P G

Google
I love that Velvet taco has tasty vegetarian options. Unlike other taco places that serve a slice of Avocado or Veggies in a taco shell without any flavour, the cauliflower tacos here are crispy and delicious. Paneer tacos are also a great choice. I wish there is one in south Austin because finding parking nearby this location is a challenge.

Jesse Younker

Google
Great place, atmosphere and vibe were fun. Loved the guacamole and the corn. All the tacos were really good.

Riley W.

Yelp
I came here with my family after moving into Austin, TX. The Korean taco was the best taco I've ever had, but the customer service I encountered from Selena was even better than the taco. Selena conversed with my family and discovered it was my first time here. She proceeded to come back with a piece of red velvet cake and the biggest smile!

Lauren S.

Yelp
My date cussed me out while I ate my taco, through my tears I inhaled every bite of that glorious dish. My only regret, leaving the second taco I ordered on the table as I ran away. Absolutely fire.

Megan R.

Yelp
Great food great service great environment we love it here soooooooooo muchhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Pranathi M.

Yelp
All my friends recommended Velvet Taco, and it lived up to the hype. The indoor-outdoor restaurant was super lively and spacious, but you might have to share a table with people you don't know. The tacos we ordered came out fairly quickly (~10 minutes), and the tables had extra condiments and napkins. My friends and I got the - Korean Fried Rice taco, which was a 7/10 because there was too much rice - Butter Chicken taco was a 10/10 and was super spicy - Mexi-Cali Shrimp taco was also a 10/10 and my favorite Overall, 9/10 experience and I'd love to come back!

Tipsy G.

Yelp
The interior is huge. There's lots to do here. Service did a good job of stopping in regularly to check on the table, which is great when in large groups and people leave the table to play and wander back. When I go here by myself or with a friend- it's friendly a fast. The food is what makes this place to easy to give a good review. The flavors are non traditional and I generally like them. The waffle and chicken being favorite- it just hits a spot.

Carissa A.

Yelp
If you want a plethora of options of tacos, this is your place. Restaurant offers ~17 different types of tacos. They also have a "Taco of the Week" in where they have a new, featured taco able to be ordered. This week I visited was Shrimp Scampi. I greatly appreciated the variety of options of tacos. The service was quicker than expected given I came during dinner time. Both the chicken & waffle taco and the Chile shrimp taco were great. I would definitely come back again to try some of the other options too.

Tope E.

Yelp
This was a quick stop before a concert and it was so worth it. The food came out quickly and was incredibly delicious. I practically inhaled it and could have ordered more. The vibe was pretty chill. You could grab a quick bite or hang out for a bit. There were plenty of tables and places to sit. You do have to bus yourself as it is not full service. I will be returning because that menu had so many great options.

Aileen H.

Yelp
This location is right on Congress about 5 blocks from the State Capital building in Downtown Austin. What's amazing about this taco place is that it is opened late, It is opened until 11pm. You go up to the counter and place your order. The menu has many interesting tacos organized by the type of protein inside each taco. We ordered 5 different types of tacos, and all the tacos were great except for the Korean Fried Rice taco. I would skip that one. The ones we liked were: 1. Mexi Cali Shrimp 2. Chipotle BBQ Pork 3. Chimichurri Steak 4. Slow-roasted angus brisket The corn elote and guacamole and chips were pretty good as well. The inside can be more clean. They should hire someone to go around and wipe the tables and chairs. Otherwise, this place deserves 5 stars.

Matthew S.

Yelp
Velvet Taco in downtown Austin offers a unique twist on traditional tacos, blending flavors from around the world with a Tex-Mex flair. The vibrant atmosphere and eclectic decor create a lively dining experience that complements the bold flavors of the tacos. One standout feature is the diverse selection of tacos. I opted for the Spicy Chicken Tikka and Korean Fried Rice tacos and both were outstanding! The chicken tikka taco features crispy pieces of chicken, spicy tikka sauce, cilantro rice, raita crema, and thai basil all stuffed into a flour tortilla. The Korean fried rice taco combines crispy korean fried rice, slow-roasted pulled pork, gochujang egg, red chile aioli, pickled red onion, fresh jalapeños, grilled pineapple, and cilantro, also STUFFED into a flour tortilla. As far as sides are concerned, you can't go wrong with the Crispy Tots and Local Egg. PERFECTLY crispy tots are piled high with herb goat cheese, smoked cheddar, avocado crema, chile butter, peppered bacon, and scallions. Throw a yolky fried egg on top and you've got a recipe for success! Service at Velvet Taco is prompt and friendly, with staff members eager to assist diners in navigating the menu and recommending their favorite dishes. The restaurant's convenient location in downtown Austin makes it a popular choice for both locals and visitors alike. Overall not disappointed in one aspect of our experience and definitely recommend Velvet Taco if you're in the downtown Austin area and looking for a bite to remember.

Melanie R.

Yelp
Overall, I'd rate Velvet Taco a 5/10. While the decor was nice and the ambiance was great, I found the food to be disappointing. It not only failed to impress my taste buds but also left my stomach feeling uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I wouldn't consider returning based on my experience. Overall presentation of the food was amazing too but the tacos just weren't that good. Service was great as well.

Subha R.

Yelp
I always love going out to velvet taco after a night out in downtown. It's really consistent and filling and the hours (open till 4 am on Friday and Saturday) make it the best option. The ambiance is nice. It's buzzing even at lunch time with office workers and there is ample seating. It's a great place to get a quick lunch option for under 15 bucks. I love how many vegetarian options there are! My go to are the Nashville hot tofu and the cauliflower. Hubs loves the paneer and cauliflower as well.

Nilou F.

Yelp
Such delicious tacos!! Loved all the fusions. I'd recommend the butter chicken taco for sure!

Takako S.

Yelp
We took for a long time to check in the hotel... needed to eat quickly. Walking distance, open till late and decent menu. Vegetarian options as well. Just order at the counter, self service. Simple, Price is right and I have no complain. There is outdoor seating, can be mound since it is located facing a big street but would not be bad if ot is later night.

Areeba Z.

Yelp
I was in Austin for a work trip and needed a quick lunch before my meetings. My Uber driver had highly recommended checking out Velvet Taco so I gave it a try via Uber Eats. They have a wide range of tacos on the menu, some traditional, most fusion. I decided to get the Chicken tikka and the hot jambalaya tacos and elote and chips for a side. I got the tacos on flour tortillas. The place also has some great deals on frozen margaritas and happy hours. The food arrived ahead of schedule. The tortillas were nice and soft and the fusion worked well. They were also big in size. The only thing I didn't like were the rice in my tacos. Not a fan of basmati rice on a tortilla, south Asians don't actually eat the rice and bread together. Other than that the elote was also spot on.

Brian B.

Yelp
Good tacos, nice people...good customer service. And a good location. Cool atmosphere that's walkable to sights, hotels, the river and UT. I recommend trying the Red curry Coconut Queso and Chips, mexi-Cali shrimp taco, chicken and waffle taco. I'll go back because there is more I want to try and it's priced right.

Carla A.

Yelp
Let me just start with the customer service. The cashier that was a guy who took my order, was very unpleasant. I didn't really like his attitude. When I was ordering... being my first time at velvet taco, I had a hard time ordering what I wanted. He was rushing me and I didn't like it. Moving forward, I like their tacos and the vibe was pretty cool. What you don't need to try is the red velvet cake. The cake tasted like it had been refrigerated, warmed up and then put back up on the shelf. It wasn't good at all. However, I enjoyed my brisket nachos they were great. While I don't recommend this spot while you're completely sober, after a few drinks, it might be pretty good.

julianne a.

Yelp
Lots of tables and restrooms available. Line moved pretty quickly and the service was fast. We ordered 11 tacos between 5 people and it was super filling. The nachos were bomb too.

Johanna J.

Yelp
Pretty decent lunch spot but beware this place does get busy and on some days, the wait times for walk-in/take-out orders can be 15+mins. The menu has plenty of options and prices are reasonable considering the location. The food was delicious and plentiful considering it's tacos. I opted for the Korean Fried Rice - flavorful, and two were enough for me. The ambiance is casual with plenty of indoor seating. Overall solid experience - I do recommend.

Jasmine S.

Yelp
I love this place. With this location being downtown It's kind of hard to get to if you want to just drive there and pick up food but if you're downtown walking around it's a nice spot to go to. I am disappointed with the item on the menu. I tried the quesa birria duo and it lacked the quesa. I was craving a birria taco and this didn't do it for me. Good hing I also got the picnic chicken cause that one is a staple and will always be bomb af.

Pete K.

Yelp
For a spot open this late, I have nothing critical to say. Bit of a long line but went super quick. Ordering was easy- staff was efficient, attentive and super helpful. The tacos did NOT disappoint. I opted for the chicken rotisserie and brisket tacos and both were absolutely delish. No I wasn't drunk. Plenty of places to sit- lots of communal tables inside w more seating outside in a patio section. Restaurant was clean and no sticky tables :) Will visit again next time I'm in Austin.

Carrie M.

Yelp
This is the perfect late night stop when out on 6th Street. The food came out very quickly. I got the Chipotle BBQ Pork taco, which was delicious. The meat was so soft and flavourful. My friends and I shared the elote guac, which was sooooo good (recommended by my Mexican friend who loves elote). Their bathroom has a code (which weirdly wasn't printed on the receipt--they should do that), but someone let us in.

Andrew L.

Yelp
Does what you would hope for from a downtown velvet taco location. The service was speedy and had ample seating. I came on a rainy, yucky, January weekday evening, so it's possible your mileage will vary. I appreciate the novelty of weird tacos, ingredients are all solid across the board. However there's a pretty firm ceiling when you're paying $14 for 2 tacos at a fast casual spot

Chloe F.

Yelp
Stopped in on a self guided taco tour. I got the cauliflower taco and a friend got the Nashville Hot Tofu. Lucky for me, the cauliflower was so good even with modifications to make it vegan (we found out the flour tortillas get buttered!). Unfortunately for her, the tofu wasn't as good. Service was quite slow, but they were very busy, but it seemed like they were a bit short staffed (tables could all use a wipe down).

Ash D.

Yelp
One of my favorite taco places!! I always have to get the spicy chicken tikka taco and this time I tried the Korean pork taco which was really good! I ordered the food online and it was ready by the time I got there. The staff there is really nice and helpful. I would say if you're really hungry 3 tacos would be good but if you're not starving, stick to 2! They're pretty filling. I also got the quac elote which was sooo good I could have eaten the whole thing by myself. The restaurant itself is really spacious. They have lots of indoor seating and then also a nice patio if you're in the mood to sit outside.

Kolby G.

Yelp
Super friendly and helpful staff. Tasty tacos. Lots of variety. Cuban Pig - 4/5 Steak and Avocado - 4/5 Cuban pig is definitely one of my favorites. Spicy mustard and Gruyère cheese. The steak taco is also delicious. Fried cheesy shell.

Wendi K.

Yelp
Came by for some late night bites. Love the "fusion" taco concept. So many options of tacos with different spins (Indian, Asian, fish & chips, chicken and waffles, etc.). Tacos range from $4-7ish and have various protein options. We tried the Rotisserie Chicken ($5.25), Fried Paneer ($4.95), and Grilled Flank Steak Taco ($5.95). They were all great. The Guacamole ($5.75) and Chips was awesome too - great portions. They also have alcoholic drinks we didn't get to try.

Judy L.

Yelp
We had a pretty wide selection from here. In order of preference: 1 chicken tikka -- this was so unique and tasty 2 Mexicali shrimp 3 grilled salmon 4 cauliflower 5 Cuban pig 6 smash burger The namesake red velvet dessert was not good. I'd recommend only getting tacos.

Eva G.

Yelp
Rate 3.5 First time here and I heard so much about the tacos here. The staff was very kind. I had high expectations with the tacos here. Ordered the following... Chicken & waffle crisp tenders, peppered bacon, peppercorn gravy, green apple slaw, maple syrup, red chile aioli, scallions, house made waffle tortilla Nashville hot tofu crispy tofu, napa slaw, ranch crema, house brined pickles, flour tortilla Beer battered cauliflower queso blanco, sabor hot sauce, avocado, roasted corn pico, candied pepitas, flour tortilla Mexi-Cali shrimp blackened shrimp, napa slaw, sriracha aioli, avocado, roasted corn pico, micro cilantro, flour tortilla Honestly the tacos are good, but heavy handed on the sauces. I felt like too much flavor going on that I couldn't decipher which taco is was eating. Also I had the chicken and waffle last. The shell immediately fell apart. Just a big mess. Kinda sad for my first experience. If I ever come back I will request light on the sauces so I can beembrace the flavors of each taco

Wennie H.

Yelp
SO GOOD. Got the coconut red curry queso and chips, the harissa pork taco with sweet potatoes and the chipotle bbq pork taco. Everything was flavorful, the queso had a good curry flavor to it without being too much. The harissa taco was different, the sweet potatoes were a nice addition to each bite. The bbq pork taco wasn't bad, the deep fried jalapeño added a nice kick and crunch but it was my least favorite, definitely had more of that sweet bbq sauce taste.

Cyrus A.

Yelp
Now THIS is why I keep hearing such great things about Austin! Velvet Taco was a fantastic lunch spot, their tacos were so delicious. I had the Korean Fried Rice (with pork) and the Mediterranean Mushroom (veggie). Both were PACKED with ingredients that left me equal parts full and craving more tacos. I also split an order of chips and guac. The guac was fresh and tasty, and the blue corn tortilla chips were perfectly salted for a delicious addition to the meal. Great spot for tacos, right on the main drag in downtown Austin!

Yvette S.

Yelp
Honestly, unpopular opinion but I think this taco joint is subpar and the tacos lack flavor. They're super bland although they look aesthetically appealing they're not flavorful at all. I doused mine in their two hot sauces just to make them edible. The folks that work there were kind and gracious. It's an order at the counter type of place and pick it up when it's ready- nothing fancy just straight to the point- so that makes it easy. But the people there get the job done... I'm just wondering why the flavor doesn't come through too.

Michaela M.

Yelp
Velvet taco is ok if you're getting something that doesn't include a fried chicken tender. Any of the other meat is good, but I ordered the chicken tika taco and it was a chicken tender (you can tell it had been frozen), with barely any sauce, and bland rice. It was just overall very bland and not fresh. Their margaritas are good and their elote dip is good as well, that taco is just a no for me.

Lauren A.

Yelp
Had a flank steak taco and a mexi-cali shrimp taco - both were just ok. The shrimp was overcooked and the tortillas didn't taste homemade - I think I'm just used to better tacos in Austin. They have a lot of interesting vegetarian options and fusion tacos though, so maybe I'll try a chicken tikka or tofu one next time. Service was fast and friendly.

Candace S.

Yelp
Velvet Taco is an awesome place!! This is my 2nd time while visiting from out of town! You must try the red velvet cake!!

Donald R.

Yelp
Stopped in for lunch after a tour of the Capitol. It's noisy and can get crowded fast during the lunch hour. I was impressed by the amount of different tacos offered, and their uniqueness too. I had the Korean Fried Rice taco, and my wife and I shared the smothered tots (kind of like nachos) without the fried egg on top. I had a Kick-Ass regular (house) margarita on the rocks. Ordering was fast and easy. We sat out in their glass enclosed patio to get away from the music, but it was still pretty loud out there too. I LOVED my taco. Great flavor and something I haven't had before. Not too spicy either (but I removed some of the fresh Jalapeño slices that still had seeds). The tots were unique and tasty too with the different sauces and cheese on them. They had a bit of a kick, but not too much for my tender tummy. The Margarita was good. A bit more on the sweet side, than tart. A really solid place for a decent lunch or dinner IMO.

Michael B.

Yelp
Apparently Velvet Taco is somewhat of a chain, but coming from the West coast, I have never heard of it until my move to Austin. They specialize in a wide variety of taco flavors and fusing different cultures together. And wow, they certainly executed it well! The two most absolute knockouts for me were the Slow-roasted Angus Brisket and the Korean Fried Rice (might be slightly biased here as I'm an Asian foodie). Both of these tacos are so well-crafted and ooze with flavor. Quite possibly some of the tastiest bites I've ever had! 10+++/10 I keep wanting to try some of their other options, but I'm so obsessed with these two that it's hard to choose something else! (I realistically can only eat 2 per visit). I have had the Chicken and waffle as well as the Spicy tikka chicken. They are good as well, but not blow-your-mind good like the aforementioned two. I'd give them about an 8/10. Also this location is open super late! As a night owl, I greatly appreciate having options like these past midnight.

Isa K.

Yelp
I feel that if you are the type that wants some sort of "authentic" tacos this is really not it. I had the Tex-cali taco and a chicken taco. The chicken taco was good and flavorful. The text-cali shrimp taco was ok, but not great. It's not bad but I would definitely not go out of my way to visit.

Joseph K.

Yelp
Velvet taco was my first stop after the airport that my friend took me too. It was a nice laidback place where you order at the counter and then wait for your food to be called out. I the microphone or speaker was a little soft and gravelly which caused some delay in grabbing the food but it wasn't too bad. The menu are all tacos that range from 4.50-6.50 dollars each that you can mix and match. They really had a lot of interesting fusion taco options. Such as hamburger, spicy chicken tikka, banh mi, kbbq, and Cuban sandwich. I got the Cuban sandwich and the chicken Tikka. The Cuban was a tad dry and bland but the hot sauce helped solve that. The chicken tikka was delicious and very surprising flavor profile with how familiar it tasted. Seems like a nice spot to grab a quick bite potentially to start the night or end the night.

Monish D.

Yelp
Hands down my favorite taco spot in Austin (and there are a LOT of good taco options in Austin!) My favorites are as follows Mexican cali shrimp Buffalo chicken Fried paneer taco and Spicy chicken tikka (for my Desi people, yes it's good and yes it's worth trying!) Love that their taco options are so international and inclusive of diverse non-traditional flavors and yet it all comes together like a beautiful taco melody Also, notable mention for their guacamole and chips. Guacamole was chunky in texture just the way I like it (and it's meant to be!) and they give you the dark chips to go with it, delicious and a beautiful accompaniment to your delicious tacos!

Emma C.

Yelp
Y.U.M.! Grabbed a quick lunch with a colleague at Velvet Taco before heading to the airport. I tried the chicken tinga taco, and the shrimp taco, with queso blanco and chips. The tacos and queso were ready super fast, and were a great size. The flavors of both were excellent, decent spice level as well. It was the perfect amount of food, probably didn't need the queso and chips if I'm being honest. The two tacos were quite filling! Glad I was able to try this spot I'd heard so much about before leaving town.

Sara S.

Yelp
Amazing! I cannot express enough how great this place is. The tacos are truly, velvet! So smooth and tasteful and the flavors blend perfectly. I'm mad I only ordered two. We got the Tikki chicken, the Korean fried rice, and the chicken and waffles tacos and they were easily the best food I've had in Austin. Location is perfect and staff was friendly! Definitely a party ambiance at night but who cares how loud the music gets when their tacos are this good. Amazing!!!

Rick L.

Yelp
Taco tour of Austin begin here at Velvet Taco downtown and it couldn't have been a better way to start. They've got plenty of vegetarian options...a whole separate vegetarian menu with really creative options outside of the typical Mexican or Tex-mex palate. I opted for the Beer Battered Cauliflower Taco as it was literally my first taco in the city of Austin and I wanted as close as possible to Mexican flavor profile as I could get within the vegetarian options. THIS TACO WAS DELICIOUS! I could have eaten many of these. Perfectly crunch with an explosion of flavor. The other vegetarian options fall into fusion territory menu...a Nashville Hot Tofu, a Fried Paneer, a Mediterranean Mushroom. They all looked worth trying but I was happy with my choice. I mean really happy. Almost all the sides are vegetarian too. If you want delicious DELICIOUS tacos, and you're a vegetarian, you can't go wrong here. Thanks for the awesome introduction to tacos in Austin, Velvet Taco!

Claudine R.

Yelp
Needed something to eat after arriving in town and I'm so happy we found this place. But also so sad we don't live here because the WTF tacos that are coming up later this month sound soooo good! We had the Korean Fried Rice, salmon, Mediterranean mushroom and beef tacos. Also had the tots with egg. It was all so good and they give you a ton of protein. The flavors were bold and well seasoned. Didn't even need sauce. I can't wait to go back at least once more this trip!

Brandon T.

Yelp
Came in for a quick lunch while in town for SXSW. A wild amount of options to choose from divided by type of meat. I went with some of the marked favorites and all three were very good. The tacos were large, so in hindsight I could have just gotten two. Also the person working the register was really friendly and helped me with suggestions on what to get. My favorite which was least taco-like ironically enough, was the smash burger taco. Such good flavors, and surprisingly less messy than I'd have thought. Would love to come again, and hopeful they open a location in NYC!

Christina W.

Yelp
I arrived on a Sunday night a little before closing, so the restaurant wasn't packed to my surprise. This was my first time in Austin, and I'm so glad my friend recommended this spot. There were so many flavors to choose from, so I definitely over ordered. The man at the register was so friendly as well and gave me recs for some other local spots too! The brisket was DELICIOUS. I wish I got more of these. The fish tacos were also tasty. I caved and got the dip trio, because I couldn't decide which one I wanted but I'm so glad I did. The elote dip was so good, I'd go back just for that. These are definitely some hefty tacos, I was only able to finish 3 and some of my dips. I'm missing this spot already!!

Mike V.

Yelp
Tacos were good, customer service needs better work and your eating utensils while eating the tater tots need to be better, get some real forks..

Mel S.

Yelp
Screwed up the order every single time including multiple times on the same taco. Simply do not understand food allergies!!!!

Suzanne M.

Yelp
Tacos are everywhere in Austin, and I indulged in a lot of them in a short amount of time... but this restaurant was my favorite! I was attending a conference in the center nearby, and this restaurant was in walkable distance. They were really busy, but had the system down and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. The seating is somewhat limited, but most people are in and out relatively quickly without table service. Believe the hype and give Velvet Taco a try!

J S.

Yelp
Not my absolute favorite but i like a lot of things about it. It's open a bit later, which is nice if you ever get tired of eating at Whataburger when it's after 10 PM (if that's possible.) Convenient location makes it a nice place to dip into when you're out and about. Velvet Taco's saved my stomach on more than one occasion during a music festival. Some of the fusion recipes feel a bit unnecessary, but I've not tried them yet, so I'll withhold judgement on something I don't know anything about. The fried chicken taco is insane, though. Worth it if you're treating yourself, you're out for a night on the town, or you just love tacos!

Kellen P.

Yelp
Unlike the Taco Bells of the world, Velvet Taco helps you maintain at least some sense of dignity. The girl working behind the counter greeted me with the smile of a Hallmark card, signaling I was amongst loved ones. My heart skipped a beat when the queso blanco and chips were served. Even amongst the above average noise level sounds of customer chitter chatter, I could still hear the queso whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Also, this fine establishment has outdoor seating (in case you have a spell of the uglies and want to make bypassers envious of all the fixings laid in front of you) and is open till 4am.