If you are on the hunt for the tastiest tacos in the city of Toronto, then you’ve come to the right place.
This famous Mexican street food comes in many varieties. It can be made with different meats, seafood, and vegetables, and an assortment of garnishments and sauces.
From the classics al pastor and barbacoa to fusion flavours like bulgogi, there is no shortage of amazing tacos in this city.
With Toronto being such a hot spot for this delicious Mexican street food, it can be difficult to find one that is worthwhile from the abundance of choices.
For this reason, we compiled a list of places for the best tacos in Toronto that would truly rock your world.
1. Tacos 101
Image by: Tacos101
Address: 178 Baldwin Street, Toronto, Ontario
Phone: (416) 340 – 0101
This highly popular taqueria that was forced to shut its doors at their former location on Dundas Street East, is back to offering delicious Mexican street-style tacos at their new Kensington Market location.
Their sweet and savoury Al Pastor Taco – a top favourite – is a must try. Made of beautifully marinated pork shoulder meat that is carved from a pile of roasted pork on a vertical spit – very similar to shawarma – and served on 2 corn tortillas with a bunch of tasty garnishments like pineapple, onions, cilantro, green salsa and avocado sauce.
For vegetarians, the delicious Nopal Taco will definitely tickle your taste buds. It contains thinly sliced pickled cactus, pinto beans, cheese, avocado sauce, green salsa and served on a double tortillas. If you are vegan then simply ask to just omit the cheese.
We recommend adding some of their amazing house hot sauces to give your tacos an extra kick if you like spicy. It comes in three levels from mild to very hot, but be warned, very hot can be extremely spicy.
2. Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos
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Address: 72 Kensington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
If you love tacos then you’ve probably heard of Seven Lives. If you haven’t then this place should be on your radar because they offer one of the best tacos in Toronto.
This veteran taco joint has been serving up mouthwatering tacos in the vibrant Kensington Market neighbourhood since 2012.
Their menu is not extensive, but they offer a nice selection of tasty tacos that ranges from fish, shrimp and octopus to chicken, beef and pork. They also have Mushroom and Cactus tacos for you vegetarians out there.
You really can’t go wrong with any of those choices, but their famous Gobernador will leave you craving for more. It is generously filled with smoked tuna, perfectly cooked shrimp, tangy pickled onions, crema, cheese and salsa roja.
Their highly raved Baja fish taco is another great option. You get a beautifully battered and fried basa that is nice and crispy, crunchy cabbage, creamy baja sauce and pico de gallo salsa.
3. Wilbur Mexicana
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Address: 552 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario
Phone: (416) 792 – 1878
Wilbur Mexicana is a great place for a quick grab and go meal of some yummy Mexican food.
Located in the heart of Toronto’s Fashion District on King St. West, this apothecary-style taco shop offers exceptionally tasty tacos at a very reasonable price that won’t break the bank.
You can find a good selection of tacos on their menu, from the classics to their must-try fusion style Bulgogi taco. The Bulgogi has a nice sweet flavour with some spiciness to it, and is garnished with tangy slaw, shredded pear and sprinkled black sesame seeds that fills your mouth with flavours of Korean cuisine with every bite.
Their Chicken Tinga and Baja Fish tacos are also great choices, and you get a side of nachos with every order.
What’s cool about this place is that they have a self-serve hot sauce and salsa station with a variety of options where you can mix and match flavours to your liking.
Not only do they have amazing tacos, Wilbur also makes some of the best burritos in Toronto as well!
4. Gus Tacos
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Address: 225 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Phone: (416) 977 – 8226
Kensington Market sure does house many of the top taco joints in downtown Toronto, and Gus Tacos is one of them.
This Taqueria is another great place to get your hands on some tasty authentic Mexican tacos at a reasonable price.
You can get a taco with your choice of protein – from meats, fish, shrimp to mushroom and cheese with avocado – on their hand made corn tortilla, with onions and cilantro as garnishments for just five dollars.
Our top faves were the Barbacoa (braised lamb) and Carnitas (braised pork). Both had such deep rich flavours and were so tender and juicy.
We recommend drizzling some of their amazing hot sauces on the tacos to give it that extra kick if you can take the heat. Their hot sauces are not only spicy, but have great flavours to it.
They make an excellent Guacamole and Chips as well. The guac is light with a nice consistency to it, and the chips are fresh and crunchy.
You can find them at their two other locations as well – Bloor and Dufferin, and Parkdale – if you are looking for some mouthwatering yet inexpensive Mexican tacos.
5. Itacate
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Address: 998 St. Clair Avenue West. Toronto, Ontario
Phone: (647) 701 – 0420
This little gem that operates as part taqueria, part butcher shop is located on St. Clair Ave West, and they offer some of the tastiest authenticate Mexican style street food you can find.
Tacos are the main features of their menu with an array of selections, but you can also find quesadillas and tamales that will absolutely tickle your taste buds.
The fan fave Volcan taco is mind-blowingly yummy, with the steak seasoned to perfection, sweet caramelized onions and cheese served on a soft tortilla.
Their Lengua (ox tongue) will leave you wanting for more with the melt-in-you-mouth thick cut beef tongue, beautifully complimented with onions, cilantro and hot sauce.
The classics Al Pastor and Carnitas are also excellent choices that will not disappoint.
The shop is small and narrow with very limited seating, so it’s best to grab and go with take-out.
Itacate is a cash only restaurant, so remember to bring some cash along with your appetite!
6. Chula Taberna Mexicana
Image by: chulataberanmexicana
Address: 1058 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario
Phone: (416) 901 – 9859
If you are looking for a cool place to chill that offers amazing Mexican fare, then Chula is the place to be. Not only is the food great, but they also have the ambience to match it.
This lively bustling spot located in the Leslieville neighborhood, on Gerrard and Jones, can be easily spotted by their yellow storefront façade.
The ambience is incredible, from the vibrancy of the large Mexican wall mural in the restaurant to their two cozy heated and covered outdoor patios on the upper and lower decks.
They feature 5 types of tacos on their menu –Carnita, Chipotle Grilled Chicken, Barbacoa Beef, Beer Battered Haddock and Crispy Zucchini – which are all good eats, but our top favourites are most definitely the battered haddock and the zucchini.
The Haddock is battered and fried to a beautiful crisp – just like what you would find at fish and chips joints – and complemented with guacamole, pickled veggies, fresh cucumber and crema.
Their Crispy Zucchini is topped with sweet roasted corn, chunky pico de gallo, cheese, and adobo mayo, giving it a multitude of harmonious flavour profiles that will make you easily eat it again and again.
To satisfy that after meal sweet tooth, you got to grab their Churros Sundae. It is crispy with a nice cinnamon dusting on it, paired with cold creamy melt-in-your-mouth vanilla ice cream, and complemented with candied peanuts and mints. It makes such a delightful treat!
We also compiled a list of the best places for desserts, donuts, bubble tea, macarons, cheesecakes, and gelatos in Toronto that might just tickle your fancy for whenever you get that sugar craving.
All in all, if you’re looking for a good time and good tacos to enjoy with some friends, then this place should absolutely be on your list.
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