From traditional classics to plant-forward and fusion, discover the top taco spots in Toronto that will leave you craving for more.
Why can’t every day be Taco Tuesday? With this list, you’ll be trying a new taco a day for weeks! Tacos bring people together to eat with their hands and choose their own adventures on their plates.
In Toronto, we have a vast selection of Mexican eateries, and the taco appears on many menus. While we know that the taco is the tip of the iceberg for scrumptious Mexican cuisine here, we love it for its divine taste and versatility.
The taco can be handheld, taken to go or devoured on the spot. It can also be served within a sit-down meal setting with loved ones and banging cocktails while talking over vibrant music.
Such a delight to the senses—it’s no surprise that the taco has taken Toronto by storm for years and years. The fillings are a mix of succulent and crispy, the options are endless, and the open-face tortilla means you have the perfect visual of every delightful element within.
Are you ready to explore the best tacos in Toronto? Let’s taco about it.
Campechano
With ethically raised meats and heirloom Mexican corn used for each tortilla, the secret is right there in the ingredients. At Campechano, the freshly made tortillas are the real star of the show.
The namesake Campechano taco comes loaded with grilled sirloin steak, chorizo, salsa Morita, salsa cruda and perhaps a side of pomegranate-studded guacamole.
Gus Tacos
This little spot has exploded with locations throughout the city. The grab-and-go Gus Tacos locations allow you to turn any protein on the menu into a taco, quesadilla, torta, burrito or chilaca.
My favourite in the handmade tortillas is the Al Pastor, with little chunks of pineapple and the barbacoa, made with braised lamb. Plus, their yummy hot sauces will have you buying them by the bottle!
Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos
Seven Lives is a destination for seafood and fish lovers, but really a place for all. It is a bright and welcoming spot in Kensington Market where the menu changes with the day’s catches.
They have everything delicious, from spicy octopus and the famous Gobernator with shrimp and smoked marlin to vegetarian-friendly features like nopales, aka cacti.
El Pocho Antojitos Bar
In Seaton Village, off the beaten path of Bloor Street West, this little spot is pure magic inside. El Pocho comes filled with twinkly lights, an intimate patio, tequila cocktails flowing by the pitcher and many gluten-free options (yes, even the churros!).
Try the Tacos de Pescado with vibrant purple cabbage, chipotle aioli and cilantro. For breakfast/brunch on the weekend, pull up a plate of breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs and all the taco fixings.
Playa Cabana
Playa Cabana’s Dupont location was the first of this restaurant group’s taco empire, and they rose and have stayed at the top for a couple of good reasons! Great vibes and great tacos.
Their tacos come in threes, so a possible route would be to order one plate of Sauves (soft tortilla) tacos and one plate of chorreados (cheesy crispy-shelled).
In particular, go for the succulent barbacoa, an ancho-braised beef short rib with pico de gallo, guacamole, queso, crema, guajillo, and cilantro.
Puerto Bravo
These tacos didn’t land themselves on the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand list for nothing! Puerto Bravo’s owners originate from Tampico in the Gulf of Mexico, so seafood is their specialty.
Follow that wave and order the Cameron Bravo with salsa brava, Asadero cheese, sour crème, and pickled onions.
The Carne Asada will also have you singing, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on this small but mighty taco menu.
Also read: 6 Delicious Alternatives to Toronto MICHELIN-Recognized Restaurants
La Bartola
Walk on the plant-based side of life at La Bartola, where vegetable-forward Mexican cuisine reigns supreme.
The hibiscus taco with salsa macha is an explosion of flavour, and that braised hibiscus flower provides meaty satisfaction on a gorgeous blue corn tortilla. All this deliciousness, and anything tortilla-related, comes from heirloom corn from Mexico, and the creative cocktail and mocktails are the perfect accompaniment.
Atomic 10
With its cute patio, just off of St Clair West, Atomic 10 has plentiful options, and they put their own twist on things.
Some standouts include the super juicy pork carnitas tacos and “Black & Yellow” with beans and plantains for vegetarians. For the more adventurous, check out Pad Thai taco, which adds Thai sauces and bean sprouts to their battered fish taco.
Fonda Balam
With a vast bar that snakes around the room, every seat at Fonda Balam is the perfect perch for a drink, people-watching and throwdown with the taco menu.
The standout (and a key part of the origin story of Fonda Balam, since they began as a Birria pop-up) is the ooey gooey plate of Quesabirria Tacos where the cheese hugs the tacos, then dipped in a savoury beef broth.
Sample more fresh corn tortilla-ed tacos with options like beef tongue, pork carnitas, braised chicken, or crispy fried potatoes.
La Chilaca Taqueria
This little spot is tucked away in Kensington Market, yet it packs a big punch! At La Chilaca Taqueria, you’ll find the classics you want with Mexican ingredients.
A couple of great examples of this would be the shrimp taco with poblano pepper, onion, cheese, and Mexican cream or order the namesake Chilaca taco with your choice of protein, chilaca pepper and cheese. Everything is served on their signature checkered paper.
Also read: 10 Iconic Eats in Kensington Market
El Trompo Taco Bar and Cactus Grill
Another gem in Kensington Market! El Trompo has great portions for great value and is the perfect sit-down pit stop during a busy day exploring Kensington Market.
You receive FIVE tacos with each order, and standouts include the chicken tinga, their homemade chorizo and the Al Pastor, which has its roasting spit of pork making an appearance in their logo.
Also, smell fresh corn tortillas being made at the tortilleria next door!
Sinaloa Factory
Known for its fusion of Mexican ingredients with Japanese technique and its tribute to the seafood-loving Sinaloa region of Mexico, Sinaloa Factory also has an excellent array of tacos.
The Birria plate is an elaborate presentation with a pot of braised beef with beef broth, tortillas, cilantro, white onions, limes, and a spicy house sauce to make your own tacos.
Meanwhile, the shrimp tacos have tempura-style shrimp, shredded lettuce, and homemade chipotle sauce to also showcase a blend of influences.
Also read: 6 Fusion Restaurants That Serve The Ultimate Mash-Up
Maizal Tortilleria
Not technically a taqueria, but this tortilleria has earned its spot on the list for supplying this city with its supremely delicious tortillas! With a super fresh product and a zero-waste process, you’ll find Maizal Tortilleria’s tortillas on many esteemed menus around Toronto.
They sell in person at Trinity Bellwoods Farmers Market, where you can pick up the famous tortillas and make-at-home taco fillings like conchita pibil, meal kits, and salsas galore.
Latin World
Latin World is a one-stop shop as both a small and independent grocery store AND restaurant. The tacos here are to the point, with simple toppings and a lot of love in the fillings.
Stock up your pantry with staples like chilis, masa, hot sauce and more while you stock your stomach up with carnitas and chorizo tacos with cilantro, onion and lime. I’d be remiss not to mention the comforting pozole soup with shredded chicken, too.
This Leslieville hangout has a patio that’s more than double the interior. It’s beside Jimmy Simpson Park, making it the perfect place to sit down for a talk, a drink and watch the world go by.
At Barrio Cerveceria, the Camerones Endiablados taco is uniquely bursting with shrimp, grilled pineapple, guacamole, lettuce and smokey sauce.
Or since this is a “cerveceria” (meaning “brewery” in Spanish), lean in and go for the Chihuahua taco, which comes with beer-battered chihuahua cheese, serrano aioli, spring onion and radish.
