Ethan BrownMexican cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most popular and well-loved cuisines all over the world. With its vibrant colours and irresistible blend of seasonings and spice, you can never go wrong with a plate of Mexican food.
And for our fellow Ottawa foodies who just can’t get enough of tacos, burritos, and birrias, we have good news for you! The city has plenty of amazing Mexican restaurants, and we’ve listed the best of the best just for you.
El Camino
Location: 380 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M9, Canada
Website: http://eatelcamino.com/
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 PM to 12:00 AM
Sunday: 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Located just a 5-minute walk away from the Canadian Museum of Nature, El Camino is the ultimate dinner spot for museum-goers. This hip and laid-back restaurant serves mouthwatering contemporary Mexican dishes that will have you craving more!
Don’t miss their signature tacos, topped with an array of delicious salsas and guacamole and served with crispy chips. Some menu items you should try are crispy fish, ox tongue, Japanese eggplant taco, and pork belly pastor.
Wash the greasiness from the tacos with one of their amazing cocktails or an ice-cold beer. And for a sweet ending, give their irresistible churros drizzled with salted caramel a try!
| Pro Tip: El Camino has a 10-minute grace period for their reservations, so don’t get there later than that. However, if it really can’t be helped, contact them so they can work things out on their end. |
Casa Mexico
Location: Floor 1, West Merivale Plaza, 1491 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2E 5P3, Canada
Website: http://casa-mexico.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 695 7899
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Located in Merivale in Nepean, Casa Mexico is a little over 20 minutes drive away from the CBD. But trust us when we say this Mexican Restaurant is worth every minute of the drive.
It has a very broad menu, so you’ll really have to take time to read each dish. They have 10 different tacos, 10 different platter menus, various desserts, and over 15 other traditional Mexican dishes, like pozole (a traditional Mexican hominy soup).
The drink menu is also just as extensive, offering different beers, tequilas, cocktails, wines, and some non-alcoholic drinks. It’s clear that Casa Mexico is dedicated to satisfying just about any Mexican food cravings you might have!
| Pro Tip: If you really can’t drive out of the CBD, Casa Mexico also recently opened a location on Preston Street. It’s open 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday, and 11 AM to 7 PM every Sunday. There’s also another one in Kanata if you’re in town. |
La Bonita Restaurant
Location: 1079 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y3, Canada
Website: https://labonita.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 695 7373
Operating hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Saturday: 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Lovebirds searching for a fantastic lunch or dinner date spot, La Bonita Restaurant in Wellington Street might be what you’re looking for! With vibrant Mexican decorations and lively Mexican music, the restaurant will transport you to Mexico in no time!
Their menu features a range of irresistible appetizers, mouthwatering entrees, and decadent desserts—perfect for a three-course feast. Don’t forget to also try their famous quesadillas (stuffed tortillas), served with your choice of homemade fillings.
La Bonita also serves amazing margaritas for a true Mexican experience! The restaurant’s founder, La Bonita, is from the State of Jalisco, so you can bet they use top-notch tequilas for all of their margarita offerings!
| Pro Tip: For huge taco fans, La Bonita will soon have Taco Tuesdays, so you can enjoy your favourite tacos at a discount! Just monitor their website for updates. |
Ahora Mexican Restaurant
Location: 307 Dalhousie Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E8, Canada
Website: https://www.ahora.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 562 2081, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Wednesday and Thursday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
For over 15 years, Ahora Mexican restaurant has been delighting Ottawa foodies with its Mexican fare. As soon as you step through the doors of this restaurant on Dalhousie Street, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a vibrant cantina in Mexico itself!
Their menu is bursting with all your favourite Mexican dishes, from burritos and nachos to quesadillas and tacos. They also have this salsa bar, where you can unleash your inner salsa connoisseur and spice up your meal with a variety of delicious, fiery sauces!
And the best part? You won’t have to break the bank just to enjoy Ahora’s top-notch dishes. It offers delicious meals at unbeatable prices!
| Pro Tip: Ahora is located in a basement with lots of stairs, so it’s not accessible for those using wheelchairs. If you still want to try out their food, ask someone to order at the counter for you or have it delivered to your place. |
Sí Señor Mexican Street Food
Location: 506 Rideau Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5Z7, Canada
Website: https://www.sisenor.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 421 7490
Operating hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sí Señor Mexican Street Food is a dream come true for owner Hugo Crespo. It’s a fiesta for the senses with authentic home-cooked Mexican dishes and walls adorned with Hugo’s Mexican art and pottery collection.
From tacos to tamales, quesadillas to burritos, their menu is bursting with all your favourite Mexican flavours. But the menu’s star is definitely the quesabirria (tortilla with beef and cheese), served with a dipping sauce that’ll have you dunking every last bite.
And now even more people can join in on the party; Sí Señor just opened a second location in Preston Street, complete with live music every Friday and Saturday. It’s the perfect dinner spot for our friends in the West!
| Pro Tip: Si Senor is pretty small and has limited seating, so prepare to wait a bit if you’re planning to eat there. The Preston branch has a bit more seating, and it has a patio, so that might be a better choice if you love eating outdoors. |
Aztec Tacos
Location: 77 Montréal Rd, Vanier, ON K1L 6E8, Canada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aztectacosottawa/
Contact details: +1 613 741 9998, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Tucked away on Montreal Road, Aztec Tacos may not have the flashy exterior of other Mexican joints, but don’t let that fool you. This small restaurant doesn’t fall behind when it comes to the quality of their tacos—we dare say, top three in the entire city!
Their standout tacos are bursting with authentic Mexican spices that will surely have you craving more. With 11 different options and special offerings every Saturday, there’s no shortage of choices for even the pickiest eaters!
Not only is their food top-notch, it also won’t break the bank. While other downtown taco spots can set you back $8 or more per taco, Aztec’s regular tacos only range from just $5 to $7, depending on the size.
| Pro Tip: The place can be busy, especially on Saturdays, so expect the service to be quite slow. It’s best to drop by when you have a lot of free time! |
Pancho Villa
Location: 361 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M7, Canada
Website: https://panchovilla.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 234 8872
Operating hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Thursday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Elgin Street has an impressive lineup of eateries, and among the best ones you need to try is Pancho Villa. This gem has been delighting diners with authentic Mexican cuisine for decades, using traditional herbs and recipes passed down through generations.
You’ll never run out of options here, as their extensive menu features classics like Mexican pizza, Mexican cheese fondue, quesadillas, enchiladas (stuffed corn tortillas), and more. And if you can’t decide, try a combination plate for a little taste of everything!
Its indoor seating isn’t overly formal, but the furnishing and design are subtle and elegant, making it perfect for a cozy dinner date. But if you’re in the mood for some fresh air, their patio offers a more laid-back vibe, ideal for unwinding after a long day.
| Pro Tip: Try their deep-fried ice cream, a yummy ball of creamy vanilla ice cream rolled in crispy cornflakes and drizzled with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. It’s the perfect ending to any meal! |
La Fiesta Latina
Location: 565 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 5K2, Canada
Website: http://www.lafiestalatina.ca/
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
La Fiesta Latina lives up to its name by offering diners a fiesta of food from various Latin countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and more. On top of that, its menu is packed full of delicious options for all dietary needs!
Their signature selections, such as chicken con mole negro (chicken with mole and chocolate), bistec Latino, enchilada rojas, and more, are 100% gluten-free! Their tacos are not just authentic and flavourful; they also have vegetarian and vegan options!
Save some room for dessert, though, because they have some really amazing desserts on the menu. Treat yourself to their amazingly moist and sweet tres leches cake, or get your chocolate fix with the indulgent and soft Chocolatoso cake.
| Pro Tip: If you’re planning to have a party with Mexican or any other Latin cuisine as the main menu, La Fiesta Latina can help you. They have various catering packages that can serve up to 30 people, so just hit them up! |
Chipotle Mexican Grill
– From @eatingottawa
Location: Floor 2, CF Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St #201C, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada
Website: https://locations.chipotle.ca/on/ottawa/
Contact details: +1 613 234 7664, +1 613 234 7664
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:45 AM to 10:00 PM
The American chain restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill also serves some fantastic Mexican dishes to Ottawa locals, which you have to try every time you shop in CF Rideau Centre!
The restaurant serves the iconic Chipotle burrito, lifestyle bowl, and burrito bowl that took the hearts of many Americans. If you haven’t tried Chipotle before, the chicken burrito bowl and Sofritas tuna burrito bowl are safe bets, so give those a try!
The best part about this Chipotle location? The ingredients are always fresh, and service is incredibly fast despite it being always packed with customers!
| Pro Tip: It can be really hard to find a good parking spot near the restaurant, so it’s best to walk or ride a bus. There’s a bus stop near it, so it’s pretty accessible with public transportation. |
Feleena’s Cantina
Location: 742 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 3V4, Canada
Website: http://www.feleenas.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 233 2010, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday, 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Feleena’s owner, Clyde Ross, has been in the Mexican food industry for over 38 years, so you can say he’s pretty much an expert in it by now. And if you dine at Feleena, you’ll see just how his experience shines through in every bite.
The menu has Mexican staples, like burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, but the best part of their menu is the specialty dishes that keep diners coming back. One visit is just not enough once you try their chilli relleno (stuffed chilli) and carne asada (grilled beef).
To complete your dining experience, Felenee’s also offers an array of drinks, including fine red and white wines, expertly crafted cocktails, domestic and imported beers, other spirits, and sodas.
| Pro Tip: Arrive early if you want to sit on the patio because Feleena doesn’t take reservations for the tables there. But if you don’t mind sitting indoors, just phone them at +1 613 233 2010, and they will gladly reserve a table for you. |
Mercadito
Location: Floor 1, Sun Life Financial Centre, 170 Queen Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E1, Canada
Website: http://www.mercadito.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 789 9115, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Top Chef Canada 2014 winner Chef Rene Rodrguez, Mercadito’s food is one of the best you’ll find in the city. This lovely restaurant brings Chef Rene’s own twist to traditional Mexican street food—the very same dishes that he loved as a kid.
The menu may be smaller than other Mexican restaurants, but it’s jam-packed with all your favourite Mexican dishes. It has loaded totopos (corn tortilla chips), gringas, chilaquiles (corn tortillas with salsa), tacos, burritos, quesadilla, and enchiladas.
For those with heartier appetites, don’t miss out on Mercadito’s power bowl, which is fully customizable with options like chicken, pulled pork, al pastor pork tenderloin, braised beef, cauliflower, or fish.
| Pro Tip: The tacos are a bit on the milder side when it comes to spice (at least for our staff). Don’t be shy to ask for hot sauce because they have quite a bunch of options that can elevate your meal! |
Corazón de Maíz
Location: 55 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3, Canada
Website: https://corazondemaizon.com/
Contact details: +1 613 244 1661
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
You can’t talk about the best restaurants in Ottawa without mentioning a restaurant in the iconic ByWard Market. And for Mexican food enthusiasts, Corazón de Maíz is the one you should look for whenever you’re in the market!
This casual dining spot offers a range of Mexican salads, tortilla soups, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tacos, and tostadas. The pork tostadas, tortilla soup, and beef tacos will surely reenergize you after a long day of walking around ByWard Market!
For a complete Mexican meal, try their horchata drink too! It’s a gluten-free drink made of rice milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and cane sugar that will surely help clench your thirst!
| Pro Tip: This is in ByWard Market, which is a popular tourist spot, so expect it to be packed with people. We recommend coming over after you’re done touring the area so you won’t have to rush! |
John Juan Burrito Mexican Grill
Location: Floor 1, RioCan St. Laurent, 1091 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1K 3B1, Canada
Website: https://johnjuan.ca/home
Contact details: +1 613 745 9696
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 1:30 AM
John Juan Burrito Mexican Grill is a family-owned joint in St. Laurent that specializes in fresh, homemade Mexican dishes. Every dish, from savoury burritos to tasty tacos, is crafted from scratch, so expect only the freshest ingredients in your meals!
Each order is fully customizable to however you want it, ensuring you get a fresh and delicious meal every time. This means you can pick any of their made-from-scratch fillings, whether it’s pollo chicken, barbacoa beef, carnitas pork, or asada steak!
You also have a choice between black turtle, tan pinto, and refried beans, all seasoned with authentic Mexican spices. Their salsas, from mild pico de gallo to green tomatillo, are also made in the morning, so it’s guaranteed fresh, whichever you choose.
| Pro Tip: The pico de gallo salsa has a lot of cilantro flavour, so those who aren’t huge fans of cilantro should avoid it! Make sure to also ask them if your order comes with guacamole to avoid paying extra for another one. |
Chilaquiles
Location: 55 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON K1M 1L9, Canada
Website: https://chilaquiles.ca/
Contact details: +1 613 699 7100, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Chilaquiles in Beechwood Avenue is one of the most recommended Mexican restaurants by actual Mexicans living in Ottawa. Its dishes are among the most authentic Mexican dishes you’ll get in the city, as they follow traditional recipes.
The restaurant’s menu is pretty wide, offering appetizers, salads, mains, nachos, and desserts. Crowd favourites that you should try are the enchiladas served with homemade salsa verde and the flavourful tortilla soup!
With its recent move to Chilaquiles, the restaurant now has more seating options available. Families can now enjoy the food at the restaurant with their young ones without worrying about it getting too cramped (though it still gets busy at times)!
| Pro Tip: Their holiday operating hours always change, so it’s best to check their website first before coming over! If they haven’t updated their website yet, call them up at +1 613 699 7100. They haven’t used their Facebook account in a long time, so you might not get an answer if you message them there. |
