Velvet Taco in Austin, TX
Restaurants

Velvet Taco

4.4 ★ average from 5 reviews

Located on Congress Avenue, this vibrant eatery serves a globally inspired menu featuring creative combinations like spicy tikka chicken and rotisserie corn tucked into fresh tortillas. It is a popular downtown destination for diners looking for adventurous flavors and late-night bites in a modern, casual setting.

Location

522 N Congress Ave Ste 100, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Austin, TX, 78701

Contact

Hours

fri
10:30 AM – 4:00 AM
mon
10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
sat
10:30 AM – 4:00 AM
sun
10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
thu
10:30 AM – 1:00 AM
tue
10:30 AM – 12:00 AM
wed
10:30 AM – 12:00 AM

Photos

Velvet Taco photo 2Velvet Taco photo 3Velvet Taco photo 4Velvet Taco photo 5

Recent reviews

  • ★★★★★Mike Parente

    Midnight tacos just hit different! I got the steak and the Mexicali taco and both were absolutely delicious! They are open late so you can get a meal that's tasty and not too overpriced late at night but just be aware that the parking can be a bit of a hassle.

  • ★★★★★Venus

    Velvet Taco was one of my favorite casual dining experiences in Austin! The tacos here are absolutely delicious, and I was impressed by the variety of flavors available. I tried several options, including chicken, pork, beef, salmon, and shrimp tacos, and each one was unique, flavorful, and well-prepared. It’s rare to find a taco place that executes such a wide range of proteins so well. One of the highlights for me was the Blue Corn Chips. They were fresh, crispy, and incredibly addictive—the perfect side to accompany the tacos. What makes Velvet Taco even better is the value for money. For around $25, we enjoyed four tacos, two portions of blue chips, and drinks, which is an excellent deal considering the quality and portion sizes. It’s affordable, satisfying, and a great way to sample different taco creations. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, making it a perfect stop for a quick lunch, dinner, or late-night snack while exploring Austin. If you’re looking for creative tacos, generous portions, and great value, Velvet Taco is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended!

  • ★★★★Kimberly Maginn

    If you're looking for a quick bite, this is a fantastic fast-casual spot—but come hungry. These aren't your standard, dainty street tacos; they are "big boi" portions. While two would have been plenty, I tackled three and left absolutely stuffed. The Food The menu offers some impressively unique flavor profiles. I tried a trio of different proteins: • Mexi-Cali Shrimp: The undisputed winner of the night. The sauce they use is lovely and ties everything together perfectly. • Fish and Chips: A creative twist on a classic. The fish was incredibly crispy, and the addition of a curry sauce made it a standout, "interesting" bite. • Chimichurri Steak: A solid, well-executed classic for those who want something more traditional. Atmosphere & Service The vibe is exactly what you want from a fast-casual joint. There is a decent amount of indoor seating and a nice covered patio for outdoor dining. The music hits that "Goldilocks" volume—loud enough to set the mood, but quiet enough to actually hold a conversation.

  • ★★★★★Sam J

    We just touched down and needed to pick a spot to eat and we landed on velvet taco! The vibe is cool and eclectic, and even at that evening hour they had a nice crowd. The staff were kind and friendly too! I got the special of the week—a gyro taco— and the fish n chips taco with a side of queso. He got the gyro taco as well and corn elote. The gyro taco was our absolute fave! The queso was so gooey and delicious, and the corn elote was everything too even though it wasn’t on the cob. They have tacos, bowls, nachos… a really versatile menu suitable for any hungry person! They also have this velvet cake that I plan to get during my next visit—yes, we will be back!

  • ★★★☆☆Matt E

    This place is average at best. The service is great, but the food itself is just OK. The mexi cali Taco was the best thing we had, and the chicken tikka taco was decent too. When you pay $15+ for chips and three dips, You expect them to be great. The guacamole was just average at best, the queso was not warm, and the roasted salsa was well below average. The place was clean, and the workers were nice but I probably wouldn’t go back.