20+ Best Taco Spots in Toronto to Satisfy Your Taco Cravings

Julie Anne
· · ·

Taco cravings don’t wait for weekends—and honestly, neither should you. Toronto’s taco scene is wild in the best way: one minute you’re holding a greasy, no-frills birria taco on a street corner, and the next you’re at a tiny spot that serves queso so good it feels illegal.

This guide is here to help you navigate the choices. We’ve broken down some of the city’s standout taco spots by what they do best, so you can find exactly the kind of taco you’re looking for.

A quick tip: Many of the smaller, more traditional taquerias, especially in Kensington Market, are cash-only or cash-preferred. It’s always a good idea to have some on hand.

20+ Best Taco Spots in Toronto: Where to Satisfy Your Taco Cravings

The Birria Boom: Where to Get Your Dip

The craze for slow-braised, cheesy birria tacos served with a rich dipping consomé is still going strong. These are some of the top spots specializing in the trend.

Dirty Birrias

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A leader in the city’s birria scene, this east-end spot focuses on one thing and does it well. Their slow-braised beef is tender, the shells are crispy, and the consomé is deeply flavourful. It’s pure comfort food.

Birria Catrina

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @birriacatrina / Instagram

Located in the heart of Kensington Market, Birria Catrina is dedicated to traditional Jalisco-style beef tacos. The meat is cooked low and slow until it’s incredibly tender, making it a must-try for birria purists.

Comal y Canela

Photo via @comalycanela / Instagram

This Jane Street spot is grounded in family recipes and traditional cooking methods. Their rich and meaty birria tacos have earned a loyal following, offering a home-cooked taste that stands out.

Atomic 10

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @ _atomic10 / Instagram

Leaning into creative combinations, Atomic 10 serves massive, cheesy birria tacos packed with slow-cooked meat. It’s a spot for generous portions and playful twists on the classic.

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Kensington Market Staples: The Heart of the Scene

Kensington Market is the undisputed hub of Toronto’s taco culture, with several legendary spots located just steps from each other.

Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos

Photo via @sevenlivesto / Instagram

Often credited with shaping the city’s love for Baja-style tacos, Seven Lives is an institution. Their Gobernador taco (smoked marlin, shrimp, and cheese) is famous for a reason. Expect a line, as it’s part of the experience.

  • Price: $$
  • Instagram: @sevenlivesto
  • Location: 72 Kensington Ave, Toronto

Taco Loco

Photo via @tacolocoto / Instagram

This tiny, no-frills stand delivers classic tacos made fast and fresh. It’s a perfect example of a place that doesn’t need fancy plating to win over the city—just honest, straightforward flavours.

  • Price: $$
  • Instagram: @tacolocoto
  • Location: 160 Baldwin St #73, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 647-248-8031

Tacos El Asador

Photo via @tacos_el_asador / Instagram

One of Toronto’s original taco joints, this spot has been serving its blend of Salvadoran and Mexican cooking long before tacos were trendy. It’s loud, busy, and consistently serves satisfying, home-style food.

  • Price: $$
  • Instagram: @tacos_el_asador
  • Location: 689 Bloor St W, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 416-538-9747

El Trompo

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @eltrompo / Instagram

For a quick and reliable taco fix inside the market, El Trompo is a go-to. Their al pastor tacos, carved right off the spit, are a classic choice that never disappoints. The line can get long, but the service is fast.

Tacos & Tequila: The Sit-Down Experience

These spots offer a full restaurant or bar experience, perfect for a night out.

El Catrin Destileria

Photo via @elcatrinca / Instagram

Located in the Distillery District, El Catrin pairs polished Mexican plates with an extensive tequila and mezcal list. Its massive, heated patio makes it a year-round destination for a more upscale taco dinner.

  • Price: $$
  • Website: www.elcatrin.ca 
  • Location: 18 Tank House Lane, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 416-203-2121

Playa Cabana

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @playacabana / Instagram

This Annex spot mixes a casual atmosphere with sit-down comfort. The tacos are generously filled and flavourful, especially the shrimp and short rib options. It’s a great place to settle in with friends for a full meal.

  • Price: $$
  • Instagram: @playacabana
  • Location: 111 Dupont St, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 416-929-3911

El Rey Mezcal Bar

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @elreymezcalbar / Instagram

This intimate Kensington Market bar boasts a fantastic mezcal selection and a surprisingly strong taco menu. The baja fish taco is crisp and light, while the al pastor has a deep, smoky spice, all served in a lively setting.

Placos Tacos Mexican Food & Bar

Striking a balance between casual and festive, Placos in Kensington Market offers loaded tacos and a full bar. With a menu that spans from al pastor to chilaquiles, it’s a great spot to turn a taco craving into a full night out.

La Nayarita

Photo via @lanayarita.mxfood / Instagram

This Queen West spot brings something new to the table with its focus on details. The Gobernador taco is a standout, and the chef’s background is evident in the quality of the ingredients, all while keeping the prices casual.

Fonda Lola Mexican Bistro

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @fondalola / Instagram

This Queen West restaurant keeps things classic with a dependable taco menu and weekly deals. It’s a great choice for a casual group dinner, especially for Taco Tuesdays.

  • Price: $$
  • Reservation: Click here.
  • Website: https://fondalola.com 
  • Location: 942 Queen St W, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 647-706-9105

Chula Taberna Mexicana

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @chulatabernamexicana / Instagram

For the adventurous eater, Chula in Leslieville offers an inventive menu. The duck confit taco, served in a crunchy, tajín-spiced shell, is a rich and unique highlight that sets this spot apart.

Neighbourhood Gems Across the City

Los Compas Tacos (Downtown)

This Spadina spot has the feel of a Mexico City taco stand. The carne asada is juicy, the al pastor is carved right off the spit, and the focus is on simple, high-quality ingredients.

King’s Tacos

Photo via @kingstacoscanada / Instagram

Known for its generous carnitas tacos and warm, casual service, King’s Tacos is a neighbourhood favourite. The prices are fair, the portions are large, and it consistently delivers on flavour.

  • Price: $$
  • Instagram: @kingstacoscanada
  • Location: 1190 St Clair Ave W, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 647-342-0262

Enchilados Taqueria

Best Taco Spots in Toronto
Photo via @enchilados_taqueria / Instagram

This spot shines a light on tacos al vapor (steamed tacos), a softer, more delicate style of taco. The tortillas are steamed until warm and pliable, then filled with recipes passed down through generations.

Holi Taco

Photo via @holi_taco / Instagram

Proving that some of the best food comes from unassuming spots, Holi Taco on Queen East has a small menu where every item is made from scratch. The flavours are clean, focused, and consistently great.

  • Price: $$
  • Website: www.holitaco.ca   
  • Location: 1636 Queen St E, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 647-873-5283

Puerto Bravo

Photo via @puertobravo.to / Instagram

Located on Gerrard East, Puerto Bravo focuses on tacos and mariscos (seafood). While their birria is popular, the shrimp and octopus tacos offer a fresh, coastal alternative.

  • Price: $$
  • Instagram: @puertobravo.to
  • Location: 1425 Gerrard St E, Toronto
  • Phone: 1 416-551-3700

Chilliy Pepper Tacos

Photo via @chilliypeppertacos / Instagram

This Dupont Street joint is humble, spicy, and full of personality. It brings the heat with its flavourful menu and a straightforward mission to serve authentic Mexican food.

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Julie Anne Loquinario

Hey, it’s Julie! Powered by coffee and cuddles from my five feline overlords, I’m always hunting down the best cafés and restos in Toronto and the GTA. When I’m not indulging in my latest food obsession, you’ll find me binge-watching shows or dreaming up my next adventure.

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