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Taco Pescado at Cocteleria La Palma (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

The Best Fish Tacos in Tucson

Updated March 6, 2024

While carne asada is king in the Sonoran desert, don’t dismiss the fish. Fish tacos don’t need to be complicated. The fish should be juicy and taste fresh. If they’re fried, they need to be crunchy. Everything else is a bonus. Here are our picks for the best fish tacos in Tucson. (P.S. If a place has a great fish taco, it’s safe to assume their shrimp taco is great too.)

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a picture of a hand squeezing a lime onto fish tacos
Fish Tacos with lime (Photo by Melissa Stihl)

Cocteleria La Palma Mariscos Y Mas

The seafood at Cocteleria La Palma is exceptional, and the fish and shrimp tacos are no exception. While the quality of the seafood itself is notably fresh, the batter itself is worth a mention with its light, not-too-dense crunch.

a picture of tacos
Fish Tacos at Taqueria Pico de Gallo (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Taqueria Pico de Gallo

What sets these fish tacos apart is their freshness and authenticity. Pico De Gallo makes their tacos fresh to order, starting from scratch with the masa, which ensures maximum freshness​​. Their fish tacos consist of two corn tacos filled with minced cabbage and three good-sized pieces of fish that have been breaded and fried, complemented by, of course, some pico de gallo and queso fresco. They are served with a side of re-fried beans and jalapeno carrot pickle, adding an authentic touch that you don’t often see in other Mexican restaurants.

a photo of fish tacos
Fish Tacos at Taco Fish (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Taco Fish

For a mishmash of seafood, order the Taco Gordo at Taco Fish. The goliath of a taco is topped with fried fish, fried shrimp, and a pepper stuffed with meaty shredded marlin.

a photo of an elaborate taco
Chicarron Tacos at El Berraco (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

El Berraco

El Berraco offers an extraordinary take on fish tacos, filling them with a generous portion of freshly chopped fish and an unusual yet delectable combination of both vegetables and fruits. Their commitment to using high-quality, fresh seafood, despite the associated cost, is evident in the superior taste of their tacos.

An overhead picture of tacos
Octopus Macho Pescado Tacos at BOCA (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon

Whether you want grilled or fried, BOCA has you covered. The Salmon is marinated with citrus and grilled, while the Pescado features beer-battered whitefish. The tacos are dressed simply with chopped cabbage for crunch, while the daily changing salsas make it so you won’t get the same flavor experience twice regardless of how often you visit.

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Fish Tacos at Seis Kitchen (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Seis Kitchen – Mercado

Order the fresh fish of the day on a taco and enjoy the beautiful courtyard.

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