Where to find the best authentic Mexican food in Ottawa
4 Minute Read
Summary
- Ottawa’s Mexican food scene features authentic tacos, tortas and enchiladas at locally owned spots.
- Restaurants range from Vanier and Little Italy taquerias to ByWard Market and Glebe mainstays.
- Menus emphasize traditional recipes, fresh ingredients and diverse options for all tastes.
Few things bring people together quite like a good taco.
There's the satisfying snap of a fresh tortilla, the bright kick of lime and salsa, and that first bite that makes the whole table go quiet.
Ottawa has a Mexican food scene worth celebrating. From a Vanier taqueria slow-roasting al pastor on a vertical spit, to a Little Italy spot that started as a humble food truck. Expect family recipes, bold flavours and dishes rooted in tradition. Here are the best spots for Mexican food in Ottawa.
Ay Wey!
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Where: 295 McArthur Ave., Ottawa
Located in Vanier, Ay Wey! Mexican street tacos serve traditional street food rooted in Mexican cooking. Owned by chef Juan Carlos Domínguez and his wife Beatriz Salgado, the restaurant highlights the flavours and traditions that make Mexican food unique.
The al pastor tacos are a specialty at Ay Wey! They feature marinated pork that is slow-roasted on a vertical spit, just as it is done in Mexico. If you’re craving a sweet treat, try the choco flan, a rich chocolate cake topped with a soft, creamy flan, drizzled with caramel.
Casa Mexico
Where: 1491 Merivale Rd., 226 Preston St. and 7 Kakulu Rd., Ottawa
With three locations across Ottawa, Casa Mexico offers a variety of tacos sure to satisfy any craving. You’ll find familiar favourites among the tacos, like carnitas or pastor. Or try the aguacate tacos with crispy avocados and pickled vegetables, topped with a chipotle mayo and cilantro.
Beyond tacos, the quesabirrias are a fan favourite, featuring three quesadillas with slow-cooked birria. Served with cilantro and onion, and a side of birria broth, the quesabirrias at Casa Mexico are dripping with flavour.
They also offer vegetarian options that won't skimp on flavour, like the enchiladas filled with Papa a la Mexicana, Mexican potatoes fried with onion, tomato, and jalapeño for some spice.
The menu does change slightly between locations, but there are plenty of options for every palate.
Torta Boyz
Where: 354A Preston St., Ottawa
For Mexican food that is full of flavour, check out Torta Boyz. The spot started as a food truck in 2021 and has since grown in popularity.
Offering rich tortas, tostadas and tacos, Torta Boyz is a great place to unwind in Little Italy. Try the carne asada torta, a Mexican sandwich with tender steak, queso, chimichurri, and topped with chipotle mayo and avocado. Or, opt for the beer-battered haddock tacos.
Sí Señor
Where: 2280 Carling Ave., Ottawa
Sí Señor offers Mexican Street food inspired by owner Hugo Crespo’s childhood. From family dinners to the restaurant his mom owned, it was no surprise Hugo found himself working in kitchens.
The menu features a variety of tacos, burritos and quesadillas that offer the flavours Hugo remembers from Mexico City, tied with his own unique flair. The tacos dorados are a specialty at Sí Señor. These crunchy street tacos are deep-fried and filled with your choice of potato, chicken or beef.
Hugo also owns a food truck, La Troca de Sí Señor, which can be found around Ottawa throughout the summer and fall.
Corazón de Maíz
Where: 55 Byward Market Sq., Ottawa
Corazón de Maíz calls Ottawa’s ByWard Market home and is committed to creating a menu with options for those with food sensitivities.
The menu offers vegetarian, dairy and gluten-free options with a focus on fresh ingredients. Corazón de Maíz gets its produce from the ByWard Food Market, located just across the street. Everything is prepared in-house, including their six hot sauces.
The homemade horchata is a favourite at Corazón de Maíz, made from rice milk, it is creamy and sweet with just enough spice.
Feleena’s
Where: 742 Bank St., Ottawa.
On the corner of Bank Street and Second Avenue in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood sits the colourful Feleena’s. Opened in 1992, Feleena’s offers Mexican food with a California influence.
The owner, Clyde Ross, grew up eating tacos and burritos at taco stands in East Los Angeles. Now, he is known for bringing Mexican flavours to Ottawa. Whether you sit inside or on the patio, Feleena’s has a lively, inviting atmosphere that welcomes you in. Try the Mexican flag enchiladas, one of Feleena’s specialties that features one beef, one chicken, and one cheese enchilada, smothered in Feleena’s three signature sauces.
Aztec Tacos
Where: 77 Montreal Rd., Vanier.
Located in Vanier, Aztec Tacos offers a menu that balances Mexican favourites with vibrant and fresh ingredients. With 11 tacos and traditional dishes, Aztec Tacos offers options for everyone. The pastor tacos are a standout with marinated pork and topped with pineapple for some brightness.
One of the stars of Aztec Tacos is its Saturday specials, which are announced each week on Aztec Tacos’ social media.
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