Aliu IsaWhere to go when you’re looking for savoury, spicy, and a bit of sweetness to warm up those cold dreary days? Just look for the best Mexican restaurants in Toronto and your taste buds will be on a vacation to the sunny side of the world!
What is the average price of a Mexican meal in Toronto?
Based on our list, a Mexican meal in Toronto typically costs around $15 per person.
How We Chose the Best Mexican Restaurants in Toronto
1. MEXITACO Cantina
MEXITACO Cantina is a family-run spot that brings the flavours of Mexico to life. Previously on Bloor for sixteen years, it now thrives in Victoria Park, decorated with Corona signs, luchador masks, and filled with a warm community ambiance.
Owner Alex Copto Sr., who arrived from Mexico in 1992, created their restaurant chairs from barrels. Alongside his wife Gabriela and son Alex Jr., they create a tight-knit, hospitable spot that welcomes guests and patrons warmly into their culture.
The menu showcases authentic Mexican treats, from signature tacos and burritos to popular appetisers like shrimp ceviche. Tacos de carne asada and a burrito de tinga provide a fantastic culinary experience in Mexican street food.
With your meals, you can choose from drinks such as mangonada, traditional horchata, and an array of Mexican beers. For a sweet ending, we recommend trying the house churros and indulgent dips.
Every detail, from corks on surfaces to unique sinks, reflects Alex Sr.’s hands-on approach.
Pros
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Outdoor seating available
- Has live music at certain times
- Vegetarian options available
- Attentive servers
Cons
- Parking can be challenging during peak hours
- Wait times can be long, especially during peak hours
- Guests may need to indicate spice levels as it’s slightly toned down for Canadian palates
Quick service, great food, friendly staff
“Incredible experience tonight at Mexitaco. It was mine and my wife’s first time and the food and drinks were great. I had the mexitaco beer which was a light tasting lager and my wife a strawberry margarita. Both drinks were brought instantly as well as the food. I cannot say how quick it was because we ordered it and less than 10 minutes later we had the food we ordered.
We ordered the nachos and tacos de birra. The chips were fresh tasting and crispy and delicious and I would definitely recommend them. 👌 The tacos de birra were phenomenal and I cannot say enough good about them I loved the flavourful beef, the complimentary sauces and the beef au jus wasn’t necessary but a nice touch.
The food was so good we also tried the baja fish tacos and then shared the churros.
Overall the experience was great and all of the staff was so very friendly and helpful.
I will definitely return probably next weekend for the live music and more of their delicious food.”
John Siriopoulos, Google Review
Fast service, good food, kid-friendly
“Dining here was absolutely amazing. The food is INCREDIBLE and tastes very authentic. My favourites were the birria tacos and the churros. The drinks are also very delicious – I got a paloma and it was so refreshing and yummy! The service was incredible, all the servers were SO attentive and sweet. To top it all off, the ambiance is so much fun! The decor is so colourful, and the music was really good. The prices are also really good – three of us ate till totally full (2 apps and a main each, plus 2 drinks and 2 desserts) for just over 100$. For that quality food and experience, that is a steal. 100% recommend this spot for dinner and drinks!”
Eden Minichiello, Google Review
2. La Carnita
La Carnita is where art, music, and Mexican street flavours collide. In the early pop-up days, La Carnita ingeniously skirted legality by selling logo prints and giving tacos for free.
Today, the ‘Meathead’ art continues, prints are free, and tacos are sold. Designed by local street artists, La Carnita’s four Toronto locations fuse Mexican street food, graffiti, and mixtapes.
Situated in the financial district, the South Central spot occupies a two-story heritage building, with a venue upstairs for 55 guests and a bar. The menu offers a diverse in-house mix, from street corn and ceviche to ribs, empanadas, and an array of tacos.
The eclectic soundtrack, from golden era hip hop to future rap, sets the mood. Highlights include the Ranchera and Smoked Chorizo Quesadillas, Avocado Mango Salad, ‘In Cod We Trust’ Taco, and Barbacoa Pork Ribs, perfectly paired with sangria.
Pros
- Great for group dates
- Diverse food choices offering different flavours
- Vegan and vegetarian choices are available
Cons
- May be too much for some people in terms of ambiance
- Not ideal for first dates
- Service can be difficult during peak hours
- May need to request spice levels
Good music, flavourful food, fun ambiance
“A friend and me had dinner her since it’s her favourite in Toronto for tacos, the atmosphere is really fun and the music is loud and more R&B so if you don’t like this music I recommend not eating here. The food was amazing and fairly priced for quality, we got the chips and two dipping sauces (guacamole and salsa) wasn’t really my favourite thing, they have a smoked spice flavour on the chips and to me it just tasted burnt, but I can see some people probably loving it. I also got the chorizo beef taco and the chicken taco, both were amazing and the margaritas were on happy house which were also pretty good. Would recommend this place for anyone in the area.”
Jennifer M (Jen), Google Review
Fun environment, vegan choices, can get slow service during peak hours
“Lively Atmosphere, great for a Friday night. Ordered nachos to share, and their vegan chorizo taco, sweet potato taco, and Portobello mushroom tostada. My favourite was their vegan chorizo soft tacos. They were all flavour packed. I would definitely go there again. The host did seem a bit confused and did not guide well for a busy night. However, the above and beyond service from the bar tender covered up for it.
Vegetarian options: Limited Veggie Options, but good enough to have a bunch.”
Pranali Pandya (Jen), Google Review
3. Comal Y Canela
Comal y Canela is a Toronto treasure bent on delivering authentic Mexican dishes. Established in 2018, this culinary spot is the vision of owner Yasmen De Leon’s mother and offers a taste of home-cooked meals reminiscent of abuelita’s kitchen.
With a commitment to authenticity, the menu showcases birria tacos, Mexican poutine, and a variety of mix-and-match taco options. The small but mighty space features a walk-up counter and a covered patio, creating an intimate atmosphere for patrons.
The heart of Comal y Canela lies in its kitchen, where a dedicated duo focuses on creating the most authentic Mexican food. From the decadent quesadilla to the notable Sope and the crispy birria tacos, each dish shows off Mexican culinary traditions.
The cosy spot eagerly awaits patrons on their makeshift patio, promising a memorable experience for those seeking the genuine taste of Mexican cuisine.
Pros
- Food is made from scratch daily
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Wi-Fi is available
- Free parking is available
Cons
- Doesn’t accept reservations
- Parking may get full quickly
- Small space, so seating may fill up quickly
Opens early, great service, large portions
“We had birria taco and the taco combo of al pastor and suadero and one order of mexican poutine with red salsa and chorizo.
It is perfect here for early birds like me. They open as early as 9am. The server was attentive and accommodating. Huge servings too!! We ordered a lot but ended up not eating all of it and we had it for to go because of the serving size.
Will definitely come back and try more of their food.
Parking: Shared parking from all the other establishments. So I think it will be hard to park if it is peak hours”
Jaymee Talag, Google Review
Quick service, complimentary starters, seating may be difficult
“everything was so so good here from the service to the food, to all of it. we got the nachos and added chicken, the 5pcs birria tacos, and the mix and match with chicken and beef. they start you off with complimentary salsa and chips. after you order the food comes out QUICK! it was delicous. so much meat in the tacos it was insane. the nachos were also loaded so so well. i would definitely check this place out if you’re wanting some halal tacos. this place is also small so seating might not always be available as it is busy.”
sb, Google Review
4. Mad Mexican Restaurant
Mad Mexican offers diverse regional Mexican cuisines in a friendly, spacious interior. Ideal for groups, the nacho platter for four exemplifies value for taste – basically making it a perennial crowd favourite.
Other recommended treats include street corn, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tortas, and margaritas – all of them promising a filling and flavorful experience. Diners will love the dessert such as rice pudding infused with golden raisins and Mexican cinnamon.
Tables invite eat-in customers, refrigerated cases showcase guacamoles and salsa, and glass doors reveal the bustling production area. The charming chalkboard menu features daily offerings such as tacos, tortas, sopa de tortilla, and choriqueso.
Drink choices include Dos Equis, Sol beer, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and lemonade.
Pros
- Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available
- Wheelchair-accessible with a wide street-level sidewalk
- Paid street parking is available
Cons
- Portions may not be as large as expected
- Service may be slow especially during peak hours
- Paid street parking may be difficult during peak hours
Diverse authentic food, homey Mexican ambiance
“I’ve had the pleasure to visit Mad Mexican several times and I have to say it truly never disappoints me! This is no longer a restaurant, for me, it feels like home. Good Mexican food is always hard to find in toronto, however, with the experienced and renowned Chef, Luis Valenzuela, Mad Mexican food always brings me back to Mexico with it’s authentic and delightful taste! alongside with the super good hospitality of the staff members such as, Dani or David, the extensive amount of drinks served by the efficient Bartender, Rene, are all together combined to give the best experience you could possibly have! I definitely recommend everyone come check this restaurant and experience it by yourself. My favorite go to is the mexican bulldog to drink! but the pina colada is great as well! to eat, tacos never go wrong but i would definitely recommend trying the enchiladas as well as the enfrijoladas, street corn as an appetizer is a must and to end your night i would suggest getting those delicious churros served warm with the cajeta and chocolate sauce 🤤“
H Mata (Tito Mata), Google Review
Great ambiance, good service, medium-sized servings
“Lovely bright space with open kitchen and well spaced seating.
Service was excellent and very engaging.
Food was beautifully presented and flavourful. Servings are not large but every bite was enjoyed.
Wheelchair accessibility: Wide, sidewalk level entry. Bathroom not visited.”
Paul Young, Google Review
5. Fonda Balam
Fonda Balam offers a casual-chic atmosphere with counter seating, cacti, and folk masks. Born from the birria craze, it evolved into a budget-friendly haven co-signed by Kate Chomyshyn, Julio Guajardo, Matty Matheson, Gary Quinto, and Dave Thorek.
Designed by Emil Teleki, the space has casual diner vibes, and the menu draws inspiration from Guajardo’s Mexican home street food and home cooking. Highlights include aguachile, guacamole, and spicy seafood cocktails.
Tacos and quesadillas steal the show, featuring savoury comfort treats like carnitas and house escabeche pickles. Here, guests can further explore the rich flavours of Mexico, from classic cocktails like margaritas to a tequila-infused jungle bird.
Pros
- Great atmosphere with eclectic decor
- Outdoor seating is available
- Unique seating arrangement best for couples or small groups
Cons
- Limited seating
- No reservations and may have long wait time
- A bit on the pricey side
Unique setup, delicious selections, slightly pricier
“All the tacos we tried in the small menu were delicious! Seating is unique, with two large U-shaped counters filling the centre of the space. A bit on the pricey side but good service and atmosphere as well as food.”
Sarah Phu, Google Review
Authentic Mexican fare, fantastic cocktails, possible long wait to get seated
“Located west of Bathurst on Dundas, this is an excellent place to go if you’re craving some tacos. The food here are overall delicious and flavourful, decently priced, and the vibe here is great. I would to rate this place 4.5 stars if I could due to a couple of things I mentioned below, but rounded up to 5.
Fonda Balam has one of the best tasting tacos I’ve tried in the city. I highly recommend the Quesabirria Con Consome, and the Guacamole. The Ceviche de Coco was beautifully presented, and flavoured nicely, but I found some pieces of the scallops a little fishy. The cocktails here are also delicious.
This restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so you will need to add your name to the waiting list upon arrival. I visited this restaurant on a Friday evening and had to wait about 25 minutes. The restaurant setup only has stool seating on the inside, with 2 U-shaped bar tables in the middle of the restaurant, and some more bar seating at the windows. It’s a fun set up, but I found that this seating arrangement works best if you’re in pairs. It’s harder to socialize when you’re in a group of 3 or more because your back will be facing someone at one point. In the warmer seasons, the restaurant has picnic tables for outdoor seating.”
Steve McCann, Google Review
