Toronto’s vibrant food scene is a melting pot of global cuisines, and when it comes to Mexican food, the city is sizzling with incredible options. From authentic taquerias to more modern Mexican eateries, Toronto offers everything that can sate your gastronomic desires. Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a full feast, this guide will take you on a journey to discover the best Mexican food in Toronto — one delicious dish at a time.
Table of Contents: The Best Mexican Food in Toronto
- Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos – flavourful fish tacos
- El Catrin Destileria – authentic margaritas and tapas in a beautiful setting
- Quetzal – the finest Mexican dining
- La Carnita – beloved tacos and tostadas
- La Cevichería – the premier stop for ceviche in Toronto
- Sinaloa Factory – Mexican sushi
- Birria Catrina – stewed beef and broth for dipping
- Puerto Bravo – traditional coastal flavours
- Pancho’s Bakery – we love churros
- ChocoSol – Mexican-style artisanal chocolate
Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos
Flavourful fish tacos
72 Kensington Ave | sevenlivesto.ca
We have to start with one of Mexico’s most famous foods: tacos. One of Toronto’s most popular taco shops is Seven Lives, located right in the heart of Kensington Market, and they have been serving some of the city’s best Baja-style fish tacos since 2012. Their signature Baja Fish taco is packed with flavour, featuring layers of cabbage and sauce piled on top of a massive fried basa filet. But they’re not just a one-trick pony — the menu also includes meat options like chicken and chorizo, alongside vegetarian favourites like the Mushroom & Cactus taco, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Local tip: While they are a take-out only establishment, come in the summer and they’ll have some benches out front to sit on while you enjoy your tacos!
El Catrin Destileria
Authentic margaritas and tapas in a beautiful setting
18 Tank House Lane | elcatrin.ca
El Catrin Destileria offers an authentic tapas-style dining experience, showcasing flavours and textures from across Mexico. With separate menus for lunch and dinner, each visit offers a unique culinary journey. The lunch menu features Aguachile de Sandía — baked watermelon paired with a blend of chili peppers, cheese, and lime juice. In the evening, savour the Pulpo con Chorizo, a dish of roasted octopus and sausage served with potatoes. No matter the time of day, you’re sure to discover something amazing to savour.
Local tip: El Catrin is worth it just for the vibes alone. Just looking for a drink? El Catrin not only serves the best margaritas in Toronto, they also have the country’s largest mescal and tequila bar for you to enjoy.
Quetzal
The finest Mexican dining
419 College St | quetzaltoronto.com
To take a page from the Michelin Guide, head over to Quetzal — the only Mexican restaurant in Toronto boasting a coveted Michelin star. Led by head chef Steve Molnar, the restaurant delivers a refined taste of Mexico’s diverse culinary traditions. One standout dish is the Memela, a toasted blue corn tortilla topped with smoked mushrooms, melted cheese, and crispy chicharrón, offering layers of texture and flavour in every bite. Another crowd favourite is the Secreto, a marbled cut of pork marinated in al pastor-inspired spices, served alongside grilled pineapple and rich onion salsa. Whether you’re dining at the bar or under the glow of the open fire kitchen, Quetzal promises an unforgettable experience.
Local tip: Can’t decide what you want to order? They offer a curated multi-course tasting menu for your enjoyment, but also offer a special off-menu version too, to get a full experience made up of amazing dishes you can’t order otherwise.
La Carnita
Beloved tacos and tostadas
La Carnita began as a humble pop-up taco shop and has since grown into a local favourite with four locations across Toronto. Its original Little Italy spot remains one of the city’s most stylish places to satisfy your taco cravings. You can enjoy their signature Carne Asada — grilled steak served in tacos or tostadas, topped with crispy shallots and spicy chipotle sauce. For a shareable option, try the Eight Spice Tiger Shrimp, served with enough tortillas for the whole table to scoop up every bite of its saucy goodness. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or a lively night out, La Carnita delivers bold flavours with every dish.
Local tip: There are different specials depending on which day of the week you come by, with one main and one drink on special daily, giving a good excuse to come at least 7 times and try them all.
La Cevichería Bar & Grill
The premier stop for ceviche in Toronto
285 Augusta Ave | lacevicheria.ca
When you think of eating raw fish, there is only one dish that comes to mind. That’s right, Ceviche, and this is exactly what La Cevichería is here to deliver. Specializing in fresh, vibrant seafood, this spot offers a variety of creative takes on the Mexican classic. While we do have a favourite option on the menu, you should absolutely opt for a full tasting experience and order the Ceviche Shots, featuring three varieties of ceviche served with tortilla chips — the perfect way for you to discover which one is your new favourite. However, if you’re craving something more specific and unique, the Cocktail de Camarones offers a zesty twist on shrimp cocktail, made with lime, chiles, and creamy avocado. With a seasonally evolving menu and only the freshest ingredients, La Cevichería brings the flavours of the coast straight to Toronto.
Local tip: Get dinner and a show! La Cevichería hosts many events such as comedy nights, live music, and even karaoke. Check their Instagram or Facebook and see if they have anything planned for your next visit!
Sinaloa Factory
Mexican sushi
551 Danforth Ave | sinaloafactory.com
When thinking of eating cooked fish with grilled beef and melted cheese, there is only one dish that comes to mind. That’s right, Sushi, and the Sinaloa Factory is here to share with you their signature Mexican Sushi. It sounds like a strange combo, but trust us, you have to try it for yourself. This fusion restaurant brings the bold flavours of the coastal Sinaloa region, all served in sushi form for an unforgettable experience. Their fish, including shrimp and crab, is cooked to perfection, as seen in their popular Guamuchilito Roll. For something truly unique, try the Sushingada Madre Roll, a creative combination of plantain, chicken, bacon, and shrimp, and with a layer of melted cheese and dried fruits on the outside surrounding the rice.
Local tip: Sushi and All You Can Eat is an unbreakable pairing, and every Wednesday evening at the Sinaloa Factory you can enjoy this duo too!
Birria Catrina
Stewed beef and broth for dipping
131 Roncesvalles Ave | birriacatrina.com
Toronto has no shortage of taco shops, but for the juiciest tacos in the city, Birria Catrina is our go-to spot. Their signature stewed beef shines in the classic Birria Tacos, featuring double-layered crispy tortillas filled with tender meat and onions. And if that wasn’t juicy enough, you can dip those tacos into a cup of rich Consommé, made from the very broth of the beef. But Birria Catrina isn’t just about tacos — their stewed beef also makes appearances in bowls of stew, quesadillas, tortas, and even ramen, letting you savour it in any form you desire.
Local tip: Order extra Consommé. Not only will you be dipping every last bite in the broth, but if you have extra you can take it home and find even more foods that pair well with the beefy sauce.
Puerto Bravo
Traditional coastal flavours
Puerto Bravo is another standout eatery recognized by the Michelin Guide, earning a spot on their Bib Gourmand menu. The restaurant offers a seafood-focused menu inspired by the vibrant flavours of the chef’s hometown, Tampico, Mexico. A must-try is the Camarones Aguachile, a refreshing dish featuring shrimp and greens marinated in a zesty chili-avocado sauce. For something less seafood-forward, their Papa Asada is a crowd favourite — a baked potato filled with mashed potatoes and steak, topped with sour cream, house salsa, and melted asadero cheese.
Local tip: Keep up with their Instagram, as Puerto Bravo often has unique weekend specials only available for a limited time. Some past favourites include tamales or scallops in pineapple leche de tigre.
Pancho’s Bakery
We love churros
214 Augusta Ave | panchosbakery.com
There’s more to Mexican cuisine than just appetizers and entrées — we can’t forget about the most important meal of the day: dessert. Luckily, Pancho’s Bakery, Toronto’s very first Mexican bakery, has you covered for those sweet cravings. This churro shop, founded in 2009 by owner Adalberto, was born out of his desire to bring the delicious treats he loved from Mexico to Toronto. We are forever happy that he has, as this shop is not just loved by Torontonians, but it’s also one of our favourite shops to visit on our Kensington Market Food Tour. Unlike traditional churros served with dipping sauces, Pancho’s serves theirs hollowed out and filled with your choice of chocolate, strawberry, dulce de leche, or condensed milk, ensuring that every bite is bursting with saucy goodness.
Local tip: Kensington has been a popular locale for many Mexican and Latin immigrants over the decades, and that is reflected with the above list having many restaurants located in the neighbourhood. Wherever you go for lunch or dinner, be sure to get a churro from Pancho’s for dessert!
ChocoSol
Mexican-style artisanal chocolate
1131 St Clair Ave W | chocosoltraders.com
One last spot that’s less of a restaurant but absolutely worth mentioning is ChocoSol. Here at Tasty Tours, we have a strong passion for chocolate, and this Mexican-style chocolate maker is a staple for both our Chocolate Tasting Kits and our Private Chocolate Tastings. ChocoSol was founded in 2004 by Michael Sacco, who was inspired by the bean-to-bar chocolate-making methods he discovered in Oaxaca, Mexico, and wanted to share this unique experience with Toronto. Their chocolate bars, like the popular 65% Vanilla Sea Salt, are less processed than your average chocolate, allowing them to preserve the complex natural flavours and nutrients of this lesser-known superfood. At their shop, you can also enjoy Mexican-style Drinking Chocolate, a rich and spiced hot chocolate that offers a warm, comforting treat.
Local tip: Bring a reusable container when you go to buy chocolate, and you’ll get a little discount for helping to not provide any packaging waste.
Book a Food Tour to taste the best of Toronto
Want to experience more culinary delights in Toronto? Join Tasty Tours’ Toronto food tours to sample the best foods Toronto has to offer. Our Kensington Market Food Tour features Pancho’s Bakery as a finale, and gives you easy access to explore more great Mexican food spots. Don’t miss out on this delicious adventure!
