TacosNearYou

Tacos Are the New Arrival in Hawaii

Mexican food is a relatively new arrival in Hawaii, sitting inside one of the most established local food cultures in the country — so taquerias here tend to be newer, smaller and often truck-based.

Hawaii: 188 taco venues on record across 48 cities, 32 dedicated taquerias, trucks and stands, 78% independent.

Where to look in Hawaii

Honolulu and Oahu's north shore lead; Maui and the Big Island have their own small clusters.

Showing the 30 busiest of 48 Hawaii cities on record.

What to order in Hawaii

Trucks more than storefronts, and fish tacos that make sense given the supply.

Hawaii is independent country

Hawaii is independent-leaning — 78% of the venues on record are not part of a national chain, which is high by national standards.

Taco shop 155Taqueria 17Truck 15Mexican restaurant 1
  • 78% independent (146 of 188)
  • 20 have a drive-through
  • 3 have outdoor seating

Best-ranked taco spots in Hawaii

Ranked by how taco-focused each place is and how complete its listing is, not by who paid. How we rank.

  1. 1Taqueria La PoblanaTaqueria · Kihei, HISee hoursCallDirections
  2. 2Clau & Chui's CocinaTaco shop · 153 South Kamehameha HighwaySee hoursCallDirections
  3. 3Kohala Burger & TacoTaco shop · 61-3665 Akoni Pule HighwaySee hoursCallDirections
  4. 4Maui TacoTaco shop · 5095 Napilihau StreetSee hoursCallDirections
  5. 5Maui TacosTaco shop · 9 locationsSee hoursCallDirections
  6. 6North Shore TacosTaco shop · 2 locationsSee hoursCallDirections
  7. 7Si! Si! Taco'sTaco shop · 16-1672 Keaau-Pahoa RoadSee hoursCallDirections
  8. 8Taco BellTaco shop · 35 locationsSee hoursCallDirections
  9. 9Amigos TaqueriaTaqueria · 250 Keawe StHours not recordedCallDirections
  10. 10Frida TaqueriaTaqueria · 94-307 Farrington HwyHours not recordedCallDirections
  11. 11Horhitos Mobile TaqueriaTaqueria · 1975 S Kihei RdHours not recordedCallDirections
  12. 12Lucy's TaqueriaTaqueria · 194 Kilauea AveHours not recordedCallDirections
  13. 13Monico's TaqueriaTaqueria · 2 locationsHours not recordedCallDirections
  14. 14Patricio's TaqueriaTaqueria · 73-4038 Hulikoa DrHours not recordedCallDirections
  15. 15Taqueria CruzTaqueria · 2395 South Kihei DriveHours not recordedCallDirections
  16. 16Taqueria El Gallo RosaTaqueria · 2 locationsHours not recordedCallDirections
  17. 17Taqueria El RancheroTaqueria · 2 locationsHours not recordedCallDirections
  18. 18Taqueria La MareaTaqueria · 237 Kalihi StHours not recordedCallDirections
  19. 19ChalupasTruck · 3477 Weliweli RdHours not recordedCallDirections
  20. 20El Taco Feliz Food TruckTruck · 4-1395 Kuhio HwyHours not recordedCallDirections

Tacos in Hawaii: common questions

Which Hawaii city has the most taco spots?

Honolulu leads Hawaii with 39 venues on record, followed by Kihei and Kahului. That is a count of places, not a quality ranking — the ranked list above orders by taco focus.

Are most tacos in Hawaii from chains or independents?

22% of the 188 Hawaii venues on record belong to a national chain, leaving 146 independents. 32 of them are dedicated taquerias, trucks, stands or birrierías.

What kind of tacos is Hawaii known for?

Trucks more than storefronts, and fish tacos that make sense given the supply.

Last updated September 29, 2026. Venue details refresh with each data import.