★★★★★
Best tacos in St. Pete, hands down. The al pastor is incredible and the housemade tortillas make a huge difference. Patio is dog-friendly which is a big plus.
Mexican Restaurants · Grand Central District · St. Petersburg
Casita
Taqueria
01
The place
Casita Taqueria is a casual Mexican restaurant at 2663 Central Ave in the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg, Florida. The kitchen makes its corn tortillas and salsas in-house daily. The menu centers on street-style tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and rice bowls, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Beer, margaritas, and sangria are served from a small bar. The dining room is order-at-the-counter with a covered outdoor patio, and dogs are welcome on the patio. Casita Taqueria does not take reservations and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Takeout and delivery are available through the restaurant and third-party apps. Street parking is available along Central Avenue and adjacent side streets.
Casita Taqueria sits along the bustling Central Avenue corridor in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District, a short walk from the Warehouse Arts District and the SunRunner BRT line. The space is small, colorful, and order-at-the-counter, with a covered patio that fills up fast on weekends. Locals consistently rank it among the best taquerias in St. Pete thanks to a 4.6 average on Google across nearly 3,000 reviews.
The kitchen presses its own corn tortillas and grinds salsas in house. Most regulars order the al pastor or carne asada street tacos, the chicken tinga burrito, or the loaded nachos. Vegetarian and vegan diners are well covered with cauliflower, mushroom, and plant-based protein fillings. Pair anything with a house margarita, red or white sangria, or a Mexican lager.
Diners craving a more upscale take on modern Mexican cooking and a deeper tequila selection can head a few blocks east to Red Mesa Cantina in Downtown St. Petersburg, where the bar pours from more than 100 tequilas and mezcals.
Another scratch-made Mexican option a few minutes north sits in Central Oak Park, where Pepe's Cantina St. Petersburg turns out street tacos, burritos, and fajitas alongside a tequila- and mezcal-forward bar program.
Downtown diners after a similar street-taco-and-margarita lineup can find it at Nueva Cantina - St. Pete on 4th Street South, where hand-painted murals frame a covered patio and a tequila-forward bar.
Downtown diners after live mariachi and a traditional menu of fajitas, enchiladas, and molcajete can find it at Grand Hacienda on 11th Avenue North, where a covered patio and full bar round out the family-run room.
A few minutes east in The Edge District, the same family runs Red Mesa Mercado - The Edge District, a walk-up counter slinging California-style burritos, tacos, and bowls at covered outdoor tables.
West of downtown near Tyrone Square Mall, Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant is another family-run spot pouring house margaritas alongside traditional tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas in the Jungle Terrace neighborhood.
A few blocks north in the same Central Oak Park pocket, Chile Verde Restaurant rounds out the neighborhood's traditional Mexican lineup with tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, and chiles rellenos served on 22nd Avenue North.
Another family-run option in Central Oak Park, Grumpy Gringo, leans into classic plates like birria tacos, cochinita pibil, and tamales with house-made horchata to wash them down.
Reservations are not accepted — walk-ins only. Street parking along Central Avenue is metered until 9 p.m., with free side-street spots nearby. The covered patio is dog-friendly, and takeout plus delivery are available through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
Housemade corn tortillas and salsas
Dog-friendly covered patio
Walk-ins only — no reservations
Takeout and delivery available
What to expect
Order-at-the-counter Mexican spot with housemade tortillas, dog-friendly covered patio, and a small bar pouring margaritas, sangria, and Mexican beer. Walk-ins only — expect a short wait at peak hours.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
Casual spot with great food at fair prices. Carne asada tacos and a frozen margarita hit the spot every time. Order at the counter, food comes out fast.
★★★★★
Solid vegetarian options — the cauliflower taco is a standout. Loved the sangria too. Small place so we sat outside, which was perfect for our dog.
06
Frequently asked
Does Casita Taqueria take reservations?
No. Casita Taqueria is walk-in only, order at the counter. Expect a short wait during weekend lunch and dinner peaks.
Is Casita Taqueria dog friendly?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome on the covered outdoor patio along Central Avenue.
Where do I park near Casita Taqueria?
Metered street parking is available along Central Avenue (free after 9 p.m.) and on the surrounding side streets in the Grand Central District.
What are the most popular dishes at Casita Taqueria?
Top picks include the al pastor and carne asada street tacos, the chicken tinga burrito, the Baja fish taco, and the loaded nachos.
What are Casita Taqueria's hours?
Open daily from 11 a.m. — closing at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Hours can vary on holidays.
Does Casita Taqueria offer takeout or delivery?
Yes. Takeout is available by calling (727) 498-8749, and delivery is offered through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
07
Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Casita Taqueria.
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From Instagram
@casitatacos