The 13 Best Mexican Restaurants in Toronto 2024
Za’atar-cured beef tartare evokes kibbeh nayeh with bulgur and olive oil; moutabal foul arrives with house-baked, sesame-crusted Jerusalem bagels; and tamarind-braised Ontario beef brightens with pomegranate. Rooms are among the city’s largest, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and anchored by spa-like granite bathrooms with rain showers and deep soaking tubs. Toronto’s flagship luxury address soars from Yorkville in a tower of blue glass, styled to feel residential and resolutely Canadian.
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- We visited the OG Gus Tacos location on August Avenue on a hot summer Saturday afternoon and hopped in line to order a plate packed with tasty tacos.
- The beloved “Petrichor” layers candy cap mushroom, pu-erh tea and pine into an uncanny forest-in-a-glass, while seasonal sours spin quince kefir or pickled lime into bright, complex hits.
- It can be vegan or vegetarian; you can have a whole fish-based menu or you can experience the meat-heavy side of Mexican cooking.
- From tender braised short rib tacos to decadent lobster enchiladas, each dish is carefully crafted to tantalize the taste buds and transport diners to the sun-drenched streets of Mexico.
- And let’s not forget about the drinks – El Catrin Destileria boasts an impressive selection of tequila and mezcal cocktails, expertly crafted by skilled mixologists who know a thing or two about shaking up a good time.
Milagro offers two Mexican restaurants in Toronto, located on Mercer Street and Queen Street West. Skip up the stairs and you’ll also find a cozy dining room with windows that look out over the hustle and bustle of Kensington Market. Our favourite is the Gringa, a traditional Birria Taco filled with melted cheese that gets nice and crispy around the edges. I tried my first Birria made of traditional goat meat on a Puerto Vallarta Taco Tour and instantly fell in love!
Come and indulge in the exciting, unique flavours that Toronto has to offer with this guide to the 13 best Mexican restaurants in Toronto. From moles that simmer for hours to handcrafted margaritas, dining here is an immersive experience that pairs bold flavours with equally bold cocktails. It’s praised for its tacos al pastor, carved right off the spit, and its inclusive menu featuring an array of vegan options, embodying the diversity of Toronto’s culinary landscape. Set in the eclectic Kensington Market, El Nahual offers a traditional taco stand experience. Z-teca Mexican Eatery offers a fast-casual approach to Mexican dining, specialising in gourmet burritos and tacos with a plethora of fresh, customizable toppings.
Gus Tacos
Inside, an Art Deco palette meets industrial relics, with velvet chairs, Persian rugs and a glowing 25-foot bar anchoring the room. Jamil’s started as a pop-up and now anchors Queen West with Pakistani street food that bends rules without losing its soul. The ground floor resembles a glamorous British tavern, complete with velvet banquettes and a dramatic central bar, while upstairs features a cheeky 1980s vibe with pink flamingo art. Rooms once used as parlors now hold shelves of books, Palestinian artwork and tables set for dishes rooted in Bethlehem but shaped by Ontario’s produce.
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Skip inside the mexican breakfast toronto colourful space and you’ll find patterned tiles, eye-popping murals and colourful hand-painted typeface exclaiming Churros! The Mexican sandwich shop is owned by Arturo Anhalt of Milagro restaurant fame. You’ll also find a seasonal wine offering alongside a Mexican beer list featuring Dox XX, Sol, Tecate and Model Especial.
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From zesty tacos to savoury enchiladas and everything in between, prepare to indulge in a delightful fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine and modern twists. By night, gas lamps and strings of light cast a warm glow as bars and restaurants fill the courtyards. Hotels aren’t content to offer generic luxury either; a wave of boutique openings is redefining how visitors experience the city, often through design and hyperlocal storytelling.
From classic tacos filled with mouthwatering meats and tangy salsas to inventive dishes like Mexican street corn and churro ice cream sandwiches, every bite at La Carnita is a taste sensation. With over 17 years of journalism experience, Andrew is recognized as a global expert on luxury hotels, restaurant food culture and recipe development. If you’re here on a weekend the place can get really packed so we suggest treating tacos as they were intended, a street food enjoyed best while strolling. Wag your finger down the menu and you’ll find Mexican classics like guacamole, ceviche, and plenty of drool-worthy tacos.
The cheap and cheerful Mexican restaurant interior features a take out counter near the front door, which spills into a friendly dining room and bar. Highlights from the Tacos El Asador menu include chilaquiles, tamales, pupusas, tostadas, quesadillas and both soft and crispy tacos. At the bar you’ll find a selection of Mexican lagers such as Corona, Modelo Especia and Dos Equis. The Tacos El Asador menu offers a selection of Mexican and Salvadorian dishes, which are served on colourful plastic plates lined with parchment paper. At XOLA you’ll find cricket tacos, cactus muddled guacamole and tortillas with chayote root cakes.
Our comprehensive guide to Mexican restaurants in Toronto features cheap and cheerful taco shops, mezcal bars, Tex Mex menus, fusion Mexicana concepts and fine dining rooms. Known for their creative tacos and a wide range of tequila, the restaurant channels the spirit of Mexican street markets through its inventive menu and urban aesthetic. Wag your finger down the Tierra Azteca menu and you’ll find enchiladas, quesadillas, chilaquiles, chile rellenos and a selection of tacos. With a spicy margarita in hand, wag your finger down the Anejo menu and you’ll find tableside guacamole, creamy Queso Fundido, pork belly and shrimp stuffed tacos and classic crunchy churros. The menu features street food favourites like tacos, huaraches and tortas with influences from various regions across Mexico.
Black and white photos of the restaurant owners family in Mexico adorn the minimalist walls. The dining room enjoys a bright interior thanks to the windows that peak over Parliament Street. Skip inside Taqueria Gus and you’ll find casual stool seating at the front, open kitchen overlooking the checkout counter and pretty backyard patio.
El Trompo
Cocktail fans can pair their So-Cal inspired Mexican dishes with a margarita or paloma. The popular Mexican restaurant is named after Wilbur Scoville, the famous chemist who created the Scoville scale, which measures the pungency and heat of spicy chili peppers. Wilbur Mexicana is a quick service taco joint located in trendy King West Village. We highly recommend ordering a steaming bowl of Pozole Rojo, selection of artisanal Tamales, and Enchiladas de Pollo smothered in bright green tangy tomatillo salsa. Pancho y Emiliano is perhaps most famous for its sun-soaked patio, which on weekends in the summer gets jam packed with taco and tequila lovers.