Here are the must-try spots for tacos in Toronto's Kensington Market neighbourhood

Toronto's Kensington Market is a hub for Mexican cuisine and, more specifically, tacos, so we've compiled all the spots you have to try.

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but there's no way to avoid it. There's an undeniable crisp in the air that, paired with the glowing lights of the CNE midway, can only mean one thing: summer 2025 is coming to a close.

Still, there's technically just under a month left in the season, which is plenty of time to check items off of your summer bucket list. If we may tack just one additional item on, before the sun starts clocking out at 4 p.m., you've got to get out to Kensington Market and do a taco crawl with your friends.

If that's not your style, you could also just pick one of the seemingly infinite Mexican restaurants and taquerias in the neighbourhood and bask in the glory of tacos and margaritas on a patio. It's the reason for the season, if you ask us.

Given that the neighbourhood is so densely packed with Mexican joints, it can be near impossible to orient yourself in the right direction. That's why we've compiled our ultimate guide for the perfect Kensington Market taco crawl.

Here's where you need to go:

Birria Catrina

Where better to kick off your journey than the birthplace of the tacos that were voted Toronto's best in 2025? To be fair, some people like to save the best for last, but if you've ever tried Catrina’s titular Birria tacos before, you simply won't be able to wait.

Using a recipe passed down from his father, a taco vendor in Guadalajara, owner Abraham Luna churns out a variety of birria-based items from quesadillas to ramen, but it's the tacos that really have our heart.

Pro tip: they're about to relocate across the street to 263 Augusta Ave., so double-check that you're headed to the right place — at 214 Augusta Ave. — when you go.

El Trompo

If you're looking for a spot that'll make you feel instantly transported to Mexico, this, at 277 Augusta Ave., is it. The walls are covered in vibrant murals, shelves stacked with tchockes and folk art, and juicy meat endlessly rotates on the titular trompos, ready to be shaved off fresh onto a tortilla for you.

You get a whopping five tacos per order at a deeply pocket-pleasing price, which is reason enough to add this longstanding classic to your list, but their house specialty, al pastor, is reason to stay. If you want to take a break from tacos for a moment, their quesadillas are also next level.

Gus Tacos

This chain has blown up in Toronto in recent years, now operating a whopping nine locations across the city, but there's no better way to understand what all the fuss is about than visiting the place where it all began.

All of the fillings can be prepared as tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, burrito bowls or chilacas, but let's be real; we're here for the tacos right now. We're particularly fond of its pastor and asada, but you really can't go wrong with any of them.

This original location can be found at 225 Augusta Ave.

Seven Lives

While most of the taco joints on our list are casual, take-out spots, this stalwart restaurant that's been in the neighbourhood for over a decade is a little more on the higher end, and there's nothing wrong with treating yourself.

Its claim to fame is the gobernador, which features house-smoked tuna, grilled shrimp and cheese, but the mushroom and cactus taco with fried halloumi is a very close second. Grab one for yourself at at 72 Kensington Ave.

Tacos 101

There's nothing too out of the ordinary at this 178 Baldwin St. taco joint, but there's nothing wrong with the classics. Birria tacos are among its best-selling menu items (and for good reason), but you can't go wrong with other staples like al pastor or pollo adobado, all of which come drenched in its utterly droolworthy salsa verde.

Major bonus: you can pick up a side of chamoy-and-tajin-covered fruit or esquites from partnering business Fruta Libre at the exact same time.

Placos Tacos

Located inside a converted house obscured by lush trees on the quieter Kensington Avenue, it's easy to overlook this newer competitor in the Kensington Market taco race, but you'd be remiss to pass it by.

Sizeable tacos are filled with the usual suspects, from pastor to chicken tinga, but if you ask us, the California shrimp taco is the real star of the show. That, and the dance lessons the restaurant regularly hosts from its spacious, romantic patio at 21 Kensington Ave.

Not a bad way to wrap up the perfect summer taco crawl, if you ask us.