The Best Latin American Restaurants in Toronto
Toronto doesn't have a reputation for being a hotbed of Latin American cuisine, but look hard enough and you'll find some worthy candidates serving up regional eats from across Central and South America.
Leading the pack is a smorgasbord of Mexican restaurants; most catering to North American appetites for dishes like enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, burritos, guacamole and margaritas. Also prevalent are basic El Salvadorean eats from the pupusa ladies pounding dough at the back of Kensington Market shops on weekends, to holes in the wall like El Sabor de El Salvador at 958 St. Clair West.
Also making our list of the best Latin American eats in Toronto (as voted by readers in our Best of Toronto survey) are restaurants representing the flavours of Cuba, Brazil, Chile and Peru. Leading the way is perennial Koreatown favourite Tacos El Asador at the corner of Bloor and Manning with its hard working kitchen, cramped wooden tables and the promise of Hot Tacos and Cold Beer.
Tacos El Asador
Eating tacos and pupasas doesn't get much better than this casual Latin American street food hangout in the heart of Koreatown. More...
Julie's Cuban
Tucked away on Dovercourt in Beaconsfield Village, Julie's Cuban has been serving up the best cuban food in Toronto for years. Dine on the front patio in the summer. More...
Jumbo Empanadas
Who thought empanadas could be this big? Don't forget to try the humitas (Chilean tamales) and corn pie at this bustling restaurant in Kensington Market. More...
Caju
Chef Mario Cassini cooks up the most sophisticated Brazilian-influenced cuisine in Toronto at this Queen West spot. Ask for the excellent Bobo de Camarao. More...
El Trompo
In the mood for Mexican street eats? Nobody does this with more gusto than El Trompo. Good guacamole and creamy huitlacoche. More...
Mexitaco
A contender for best burritos in Toronto, Mexitaco offers a full line up of Mexican meals including carne asada, quesadillas and enchiladas. More...
Rebozos Mexican Foods
Rebozos Mexican Foods draws fans from across the city for its homemade tacos. Wash them down with a green apple soda. More...
Milagro
Milagro is pricier than most on this list but wins points for aiming to bring sophisticated Mexican cuisine to the theatre district. More...
El Jacal
This family-style restaurant on Bloor is a favourite for tacos, guacamole, soup, cactus salad, tostadas, enchiladas, pork and beef dishes. More...
El Plebeyo
A nondescript restaurant near Bathurst and St. Clair, El Plebeyo serves Peruvian and other Latin American cuisine. Pair their fish with a pisco sour. More...
Dos Amigos
Some say Dos Amigos is the best authentic Mexican restaurant in town. Judge for yourself over some enchiladas and a cactus salad. Save room for some churros for dessert. More...
Rio 40
Know for their meat, Rio 40 hasn't escaped the influence on their Italian neighbours. Pizza and pasta accompanies Brazilian staples like cassava on the menu. More...
Boulevard Cafe
A long-time neighbourhood favourite, Boulevard Cafe offers an extensive menu of Peruvian classics including lots of seafood options. More...
Comments (26)
Unfortunately El Bodegon has been closed for some time now...looks like a pub of some sort will be occupying the space.
it would be nice to find a similar list of lebanese sit down restaurants.. if we have enough for a list :)
I went to Boulevard Cafe last summer and the only substantial veggie main I could get was steamed vegetables. Hardly what I'd call selection.
I disagree. Boulevard is by no means a vegetarian restaurant but they do have a number of veggie options. Check their menu:
Mmmm!!! so many good restaurants!
Have to say that i grew up in Mexico and Milagro is the closest that comes to good finer Mexican cuisine.
It's true is not the cheapest, but if you are looking for the real taste that is not cheap tacos go to Milagro!
( yum, now i have a craving to go :P )
Should Mexican restaurants be on the list of Latin American restaurants? I'd put them in a category all their own, given their prevalance.
Bonus points to anyone who can recommend to me an authentic Argentinian steakhouse. No one does steak better than the Argentines.
Sean - I haven't been there but you might want to check out Sky Ranch at 2473 Dufferin (416.787.0491)
There are some favs on the list. But it's sad that El Bodegon is gone. A huge favorite of mine!
i am getting a bit sick of this blog talking about burritos, is it because the webmaster has a personal interest in it?
Tim, there is literally one veggie main on the dinner menu (Parrillada Vegetariana), one appetizer and two vegetarian salads. Parrillada Vegetariana sounds good but the day I was there the waitress failed to mention it when I asked about a vegetarian entree.
I consider "lots of vegetarian options" to mean at least three mains and a couple of apps and salads. Though you were spot on about the extensive list of seafood options.
El Slo...ahem El Sol...has to be one of the top 3 Mexican spots in Toronto. Hands down. Can't believe its not on here.
authentic has been butchered and misrepresented for far too long.
El jacal has amazing and cheap carnitas (great for Sunday games buy two pounds for cheap ! ).Exactly what carnitas should be.
and milagro stands apart from the rest , unique , real , not cheap but as real as it gets for a cantina
Jumbo empanadas has the most addictive cheese empanadas ( think fried quesadillas) and the most delicious aji in the city ! , empanadas should be easy to eat , cheap and delicious
is this a Mexican restaurant list or a LATINO restaurant list? What about the Pupusa Loca in North York?-well worth the wait. and the Sopa Marinera at El Tipico Ecuatoriano? Peruvian at El Fogon at Vaughn & St.Clair. whoever voted these places (Jumbo for empanadas)obviously neglected the hidden gems and went commercial. The all time best was El Bodegon, hands down.
Thank goodness El Bodegon is closed. I hope they never, ever re-open. I got terrible food poisoning there the day before my father's funeral. The fish was stale, but deep-fried and had a sauce over it. I was so sick for 3 days with the worst fever. When I went to the hospital they confirmed the food poisoning. The only food I had that day was at El Bodegon, so I had to have gotten it there. Sorry when I hear people say positive things about this restaurant it makes me crazy.........I missed my own's father's funeral due to being in the hospital! Good riddance.
When I first moved to Toronto, La Mexicana was my first find-and it was, and still is, amazing. The service is not the quickest, but I've always found that I'm enjoying the food and vibe so much that I don't notice how long I've been there.
I think the best latin restaurant in Toronto is Plaza Flamingo I do not see it here
they have live music with an excellent group (havana Express every friday night and flamingo dance show on saturday nights)best food in town and they have a buffet after midnight for $10.00 worth trying.
I'm sure you'll like this place
Grace denis
I have to say I'm not a big fan of El Sol. I would not recommend it. My review is here:
Skay Ranch Restaurant is the only Argentinian steakhouse I know in Toronto.
Great food, nice place spend a Saturday night, live music good food
I recomend Sky Ranch for sure.
Have you gone to El Rincon Mexicano? The food is amazing... we used to go to La Mexicana but I tell you there is no competition.
And to 'Mija' I went to the pupusa loka and it took TOOOOO long for a 3 pupusas and after that i went straight to the washroom to bring it all up. The worst food ever! If you want AMAZING pupusas go to Downsview Merchants Market. They have a pupuseria called Delicias I believe. Those are amazing and fast!!! The only downfall, they open weekends only =(
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