The best Mexican restaurants in Toronto have the ability to make you feel as if you’ve taken a flight somewhere with warm sun and warmer hand-pressed tortillas, where the fish tacos are crispy and the margaritas are cold. Whether it’s an exotic food experience or a taste of home, your next Mexican meal could be just a streetcar ride away.

Here are the best Mexican restaurants in Toronto.

1
La Carnita (John St.)

This buzzy restaurant with locations throughout the city including one at Yonge & Eglinton serves some of Toronto’s favourite tacos, especially a “Big Sur” fish variety, as well as some of the most popular margaritas in town.

2
Playa Cabana

Upscale tacos, nacho chips and other Mexican specialities like salads and ceviches are served at multiple outlets of the Playa Cabana empire, including ones in the Junction, Annex, Koreatown and Corktown.

3
El Rey Mezcal Bar

Nominal mezcal is served in shallow clay dishes at this dim Kensington hangout with an amazing patio and serious Mexican cuisine.

4 Torteria San Cosme

This is the place to go in Kensington for traditional thick and meaty Mexican torta sandwiches, and they make some bang-up agua fresca as well.

5

Tenoch

On St. Clair West sits a humble little Mexican restaurant that makes some incredible sandwiches, including the signature Tenoch with shredded roast chipotle pork, ham, egg, pastrami and sausage.

6

Itacate

Though it’s possible to pass by this St. Clair West spot hidden inside a butcher shop, it’s not to be missed with mouthwatering beef tongue and al pastor tacos as well as super cheesy quesadillas and gringas and even specials like chiles rellenos.

7

El Catrin

This elegant Mexican restaurant in the Distillery District offers several kinds of ceviche and guacamole, and you can add crickets or chicharron to the latter. You can also indulge in a six-course Mexican tasting menu.

8

Los Colibris

This King West place is so popular and swanky it was even on an episode of Real Housewives of Toronto. Everything is made from scratch, even hand-pressed tortillas.

9
Campechano

Tacos, including amazing Baja-style fish ones, are served on a patio that’s as picture-perfect as your plate at this charming restaurant in the King West area.

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