The food and ambiance at this establishment was fantastic. Our server recommended great drink options - we loved the mulled wine and margaritas we ordered. The chicken tacos were flavorful. The guacamole was fresh but needed a bit more seasoning. This was quickly taken care of as our server brought us their house hot sauces. He made sure to alert us of peanuts in the sauce which was very considerate. Overall, we had a great lunch. My only suggestion would be to invest in more heaters as we were not seated by the fire pit and we felt a bit chilly with one heater for a table of 3. We will definitely be coming back in warmer weather.

Stopped in for a Saturday lunch and I'm glad we did since I love trying new places. Location 9/10 Great vibe, ambiance and environment. We sat on the patio and the music was on point. Service 8/10 Service was pretty quick and although we had to wait an hour to get a table, during COVID we've learned not to be picky. The young woman who served our table was polite, professional and quick. I would like to note that I cannot understand a Mexican restaurant that doesn't bring hot sauce to the table, this is an issue with the establishment since the other tables were all the same. Food 2/5 Sadly, although I really wanted to love this, flavour just isn't there. I had to ask for hot sauce to give some flavour to the tacos we orders. Unfortunately, I had to drown the food in sauce in order to give it some taste. I orders four tacos Al Pastor and the price was $25. You'd think it would come with rice, beans or something but no. Just four tacos for $25. My wife also ordered tacos for the same price ( I tried her meal and it equally boring and bland). Price 2/5 One beer, a pop and two taco "meals" is just under $100 with a tip. Terrible value if you ask me. Honestly, I really wanted to love this place. Giving this place two stars since location and service isn't all you need for a great restaurant, food quality matters too.

Great cocktails and some of the best margaritas I have tried. Loved the baja fish taco they were amazing. We also ordered one chicken taco which was par average and a beef taco which was above average. The chips and guacamole were fantastic, it had the right texture and flavor. Loved the ambience and vibe of the place very hip and vibrant. One visit is a must.

Excellent Mexican restaurant with stunning decor in a fantastic spot in Toronto , The Distillery District. Highly recommend. Our server Mason was excellent. Very attentive to our dining needs. Knowledgeable and helpful with the menu. The Guacamole is the best. A must try if looking for an authentic Mexican meal In a place with a great vibe. Reservations recommended. Especially if dining in the summer as the patio is one of the best around.

This is a great place to come in the Distillery District. Atmosphere is key and the ambiance felt very chic and hip. Food tasted great and the guacamole and chips is a must. Tacos were also tasty and the large grilled octopus which was soft and had lots of flavour. Was here with the family in the late afternoon, but this place could easily be great at night with Mexican lights and outdoor tables.

Ambiance was beautiful! Food was delicious. Drinks were YUM! Staff helpful and friendly. All compliant with Covid protocols. Very spacious, clean and comfortable “moving” around room.

Had an amazing experience as always. El Catrin is one of my all time favourite summer patios. The music is amazing!! (Sad they can’t play it louder due to covid!) The ambiance is beautiful and the food is fresh and tasty. I especially enjoyed the margarita. I will make this a MUST to come back each summer. 🌮🥃

Everything here was perfect. First of all our bartender took a good care of us with some recommendations. We ended up getting margaritas platter. It was so fun to taste different kinds of margaritas at once. They had so many different options for food. We had two different tacos, two tostadas, and guacamole. My favorite was octopus tostadas. The food was served quickly as well. They have big patios outside and looked very nice. I’d love to sit outside for the next visit. Inside atmosphere was also very cool. I’d 100% recommend you to come here once. You’ll love everything.

What a great experience from start to finish! I had booking issues so stopped by on my way home. They totally set me up. Had great food, amazing company and accommodations for my avocado allergy. The service was fantastic and the food was music to my tummy. Sooooo good that i forgot to take pics 🎶❤️

It was a friend s birthday who brought us here to this wonderful spacious beautiful very modern and cool restaurant with excellent drinks and starters It was full on a weekday with ppl waiting The decor is super awesome with dim lights looking beautiful! Ordered nachos with guacamole/ribs / shrimp bucket/ veggie tacos and more The shrimp was spicy and good Loved the guacamole too The drinks were great so was the food The service was super excellent too very warm and friendly Would strongly recommend this place for a great fun evening with family and friends A place u will remember for lon

The fancy expensive restaurant is perfect for a date night, but there's room for improvement in the food and drinks quality. The food is above average, but it doesn't quite justify the high price point. The drinks, especially the margaritas, were expensive and seemed to be more ice than alcohol. Additionally, we encountered a peculiar policy where nacho/chip refills are chargeable if the server wears red and free if wearing black. This information wasn't disclosed until we inquired about the extra charges, feeling somewhat like a scam. We ordered a variety, including margaritas, baja tacos, on-table guacamole, and all desserts on the menu. While the food was above average, it was pretty standard with nothing particularly special. On the positive side, the ambiance earns full marks, making it a perfect spot for a date night.

Definitely not a restaurant for an avid foodie. Being such a Toronto staple I expected a little more of the food here, but I was sadly let down. Main problem was the protein for all the tacos was extremely dry and lacked seasoning. Seemed the braising process sucked out all the juices of the meat, shame really because the portions are quite generous. Guacamole and tuna tostadas were passable. The corn shooter was pretty meh. Service and ambience get full marks. Our server was David and he was on point! It’s a cute, sleek place, but you can get way better food elsewhere. Maybe come for a first date? Probably wouldn’t get a second one though….

This place is AMAZING. I am Mexican and I can tell you, their food is really good. Don Jose was our host, and he was really nice. We enjoyed our delicious food very much! And just to make you a little jealous... her are some pictures ;)

Margarita flight was not worth it. Food was phenomenal. Service was lacking a lot of the wrong items were served to us and tables around us. Patio was great. And the decor, look and feel of the restaurant inside was impressive. Appreciated that they had delicious vegan items!

lovely atmosphere. great service! okay-ish food. crazy high prices for the serving sizes and how the food tastes. i can only assume prices are so high because they have to cover the crazy rent in the distillery. still, i have eaten incredible tacos for a fraction of the price, and these were not even yummy.

We were seated quickly! Waiter was great! The drinks and food were amazing and we will definitely come back! It was a little on the pricey side but worth every penny! I also love that they spritz you on the patio!!!

I recommend it if you are visiting the distillery district. Super long lineups so make sure to leave your name and number before walking around. The Margarita flight is really good it's a fantastic way to try the different varieties. All of the tapas are good. I strongly suggest you check your bill before paying because on my last visit I was handed someone else's bill for over $200....... that's crazy.

The food was okay. I really enjoyed the margarita flight, it was a great way to try all the margs! I find it a little more expensive than other spots, but an okay experience overall.

Visited during weekend, wait time was about 20-30 mins for a table of 2. The place was very busy, service was quick and friendly. Tried mojitos, baja fish tacos and churros!! Tacos were amazing, definitely a must try! Churros could have better quantity for the price of 17$ for 4 pcs.

Decided to drop in for a quick late afternoon bite after seeing the festive crowd in the outdoors patio. It took us a minute to find the restaurant entrance since there was no clear directions nor any staff directing walkup traffic. We were greeted at the door by a staff who didn't want to be bothered. She did not ask where we wanted to sit (outdoors) and showed us to the nearest table (indoors). We wanted to eat and did not insist on switching tables. The server who took our orders was friendly but provided very little service after taking our order. She did not refill our water and had to be fetched (via the front of house staff) to get our bill. Then she stood resolutely in front of us, as if to make sure we observe the 'suggested' 16-20% gratuity. Even though the food was passable and the atmosphere lively and inviting, the service at this establishment was repulsive. The fish taco was good, but not $24 good. One could get similar quality food at fast food joints. Considering the inattentive service, I would not recommend this place.

Great and cozy place to take your friends to. The food is delicious and you have the option to be at the patio or inside. The customer service was wonderful too. Sai was our waiter and he was just awesome. He kept checking up to see if we needed anything and was very helpful with the food options.

Nice place with great vibes. It's busy on weekends for sure, so you may have to wait at least half an hour for an outdoor table. Food was good but be prepared to shell out a bit. Service was really good and quick. Explore the place around as well.

Authentic Mexican restaurant and bar in the Distillery District. Expect to pay fair price to be here for the excellent food, drinks and experience. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Amazing experience and one of the best mexican food I have experienced in the Distillery District. The service is also fantastic and they have a huge area outdoors and also a good amount of indoor space. Had the fish tacos which are a definite recommend and it is a nice place to catch up with friends and family alike!

Excellent food and vibe. Food was authentic delicious Mexican classics with modern touches. Welcoming staff and great selections, even mescales.

This was my first time going to this restaurant and it was excellent. I spoke with the manager Earl and he was fantastic, got me a table on the patio right away . It was Friday November 5 2021 at approximately 9PM so it was busy. Excellent atmosphere and delicious food. Kiera was my server and she was very nice. Definitely going back again to try some other tasty dishes. Thank you.

Great place to visit, especially in the summer months to enjoy some patio time! Food is very tasty, and not your usual fare. You have to start with Guacamole! Prepared fresh in front of you, goes really well with tortilla chips which have taste like they are home made. Good recommendation is to order different tapas and main dishes for the table, and that way try all the different tastes of Mexico. Don’t skip fish tacos!

Everyone must come to this place just for the guacamole!!! Their cocktails are also good, same for tacos and the octopus tostadas! They have great people who are good at clientele - very friendly and at the same time knowledgeable of the drinks and food. I was visiting Toronto and I am glad to have been here twice in a short time. I would love to come back just for the guacamole though.

Went to this place for a work dinner and the place is really nice. Situated in distillery district, they have a huge outdoor patio with heaters during the cold weather months and the inside is nice with nice artwork and a nice bar backdrop. We ordered nachos and guac dip to start which were nice. I ordered the Birria Tacos and it was fine, not really what I expected as it's usually fried but these were just tacos with the toppings with a sauce and chili on the side. It wasn't anything special. It has a nice vibe and our waitress was super nice! I'd recommend for large groups who just want space to come together.

It’s a super lovely place! I loved the decoration which was amazing and could give you this vibe that you’ve been to a Mexican restaurant. Both the patio and the inside of the restaurant are nice. Drinks and food are great, but it is pricey. I mean I would go here more often if the price was more affordable but as I said it has a nice vibe for special occasions. We’ve had this chance to be with one of the Mexican servers who was super friendly and nice. For vegetarians, they have a separate menu which has lots of options and makes it easier to choose. Loved my experience here.

Beautiful place and an overall great vibe! The interiors were well thought of and were executed beautifully. The oversized lampshade, murals, and atmosphere was such a delight - food for the eyes. As for the actual food, we very much enjoyed the guac (prepared table side), the tuna and octopus tostadas, and an array of different tacos (pastor, baja, birria, and cochinita), and of course… the churros. The churros were perfectly crisp and oh so tasty, we ordered it twice. We also ordered the ceviche but this didn’t wow us as much. For our drinks, we had some beers, mojitos, and margaritas. We took our family from abroad here and they were instantly impressed with the restaurant’s interiors. They also enjoyed their food and overall experience. Albeit this is quite a pricey place for Mexican, this does deliver and leave a very good impression. Thank you!

For a “Mexican night out” I can only recommend @elcatrinca in Toronto. The spacious and beautifully designed outdoor patio is well-equipped for outside dining even when nights get chilly like they do now that autumn is here. But also the interiors are quite impressive with giant murals and Fancy furniture. We had #guacamole🥑 🥑 and a side of crickets 🦗 for starters (will post on that special experience separately;)), fish and beef tacos for mains. Both were delicious. Washed everything down with a pitcher of #margharita (which was probably the most expensive part of the dinner) and couldn’t have had a better evening. Service was very nice and attentive, too. 5/5 stars ⭐️ More food inspo on Instagram: @damnyumberlin . . . . . . #torontofood #torontoeats #damnyumberlin #damnyum #torontorestaurants #toronto #torontorestaurant #torontofoodguide #torontofoodguides #foodguidetoronto #foodguidestoronto #instafood #instafoodie #instafoodies #instafoodtoronto #foodlovers #foodloverscanada #foodloverstoronto #mexicanfood #elcatrinca #tacostoronto #torontotacos #margharitas #fishtacos #beeftacos #beeftacos🌮

Amazing and authentic Mexican place. We came before going to the Soulpepper theatre. We had one hour and it was plenty. Staff and kitchen are fast. Our bartender was amazing, giving recommendations and took time to chat. The vegetarian tacos are highly recommended. Also the Tequila reposado, so tasty and mild. Loved the presentation.

Went here on a Thursday (reasonably busy at 1pm). Food : 6/10 We got corn on the cob and it was pretty bland. There was no zest to it. Really overpriced. Traditional margaritas were $16 each (hell worth it but still pricey) and corn was $7 fora miniature shot glass. Service : 9/10 Our server was really on point. Much around and food was brought to the table on time. Ambiance : 9/10 Great ambiance!! Super lit during the night and crowd is engaging.

El Catrin is nothing short of a trendy and stylish authentic Mexican restaurant in the Distillery District. We love their small plates, the margarita pitchers, the tequila options and their heated patio (it's stunning). A great spot for any occasion.

First time visiting. Good atmosphere inside & patio looks nice. Greeted by our server, Benji. Super friendly & recommended fish tacos & molcateje knowing that it’s our first time visiting here. He took good care of our table even it looked pretty busy tonight. Food was amazing, came quickly & good quality. Good balance for fish tacos, the fish was so fresh. Molcajete was served with a hot stone bowl, super cool dish & tasted great! Lots of options for alcohol, their Cocktails were great. Would come back again with bigger group to try out more dishes.

Nice place great ambiance Awesome drinks. Tamarind margarita is yummy- the spices on the ribs of the glass leave you licking your lips. Charred cauliflower was a good accompaniment with the drink. They are celebrating 10 years and had a tequila tasting going on - this was good. The atmosphere is great and you like spending time there

My family loves the Mexican culture and we really enjoyed our experience at this restaurant. The food was amazing and authentic. Whether inside or outside, the atmosphere and vibe was really fun and took us back to Mexico:) would definitely go back!! Not to mention in the distillery there are many things to do and walk around to see.

Love both the patio and indoor seating options at El Catrin because both areas provide a totally different experience. We really enjoyed the fresh guacamole that is mixed right at your table so you can smell the dish before you taste it. Simple but delicious. The other dishes we tried were also very tasty. Overall a good experience.

Had a great experience at El Catrin! The staff was incredibly courteous and accommodating, contributing to an overall enjoyable atmosphere. The restaurant's interior is aesthetically pleasing, providing the perfect ambiance for a date night. Despite the spacious setting and the big crowd, the noise level remained at an acceptable level which I appreciated since I hate being drowned out. Navigating to the entrance proved a tad challenging since the main door lacked the restaurant's name. However, we eventually found our way in. To kick off our meal, we opted for the highly recommended guacamole. Skepticism quickly gave way to delight as the dish surpassed expectations. The chips boasted a satisfying crunch and thickness, complemented by the freshness of the guacamole. The addition of lemon and lime elevated the flavor, and the portion size was ample for two. Trying the Octopus tostadas, we were impressed by the well-seasoned and perfectly cooked octopus. However, the portion size left us wanting more, especially considering the price. We finished both pieces in one bite and for twenty dollars, we thought it was a bit ridiculous. Moving on to the birria tacos for our main course, we were pleased with the juicy and generously filled tacos. The flavorful broth added another layer of enjoyment, though the pricing reflected the upscale location and ambiance as for only 3 tacos it is 24 dollars and for 4 it is 32. The Horchata proved to be a refreshing delight, expertly spiced, and accompanied by a classic Jarrito. For dessert, the Tres Leches cake was a highlight, featuring a perfect and flavourful balance of sponge cake and milk. The only drawback was the fact that I could tell they used Gay Lea as the whipped topping since that’s what I use LOL, which, at the given price of 14 bucks left room for improvement since making your own topping isn’t that tedious. While we enjoyed most dishes, the churros were a letdown. Priced at $17 for four pieces, the churros' texture was off, lacking the desired chewiness and tenderness, bordering on crispiness akin to a cereal. The accompanying sauces also failed to impress. In conclusion, El Catrin is worth revisiting for its vibrant atmosphere and overall delicious fare. Some dishes may be hit or miss, and the pricing reflects the upscale setting. Consider it for special occasions if you're mindful of your budget

Lovely ambience. I had a group dinner with friends at the patio. We ordered the white sangria, and had some tacos. The sangria was soothing. A little bummer was, we came with a cake and were told that food from outside wasn't allowed - I guess it makes sense. But other than that, it was an amazing place. I'll definitely like to visit again.

Really delicious restaurant with friendly servers and a popular outdoor patio! A lot of the menu is gluten free which is really pleasant for people who have restrictions to have a variety of dishes to order from! Our server was really awesome with recommendations and even though we didn’t have a reservation, we were sat quite promptly (maybe the taco gods were smiling down upon us). Would recommend to come for a bite and cocktail!

Saturday was my first time here. Carol was absolutely wonderful. These were the best fish tacos. And my first time having churros; the trio of dips was delicious. I highly recommend this place. The patio vibe is just what you need. I will be back very soon.

I had my birthday at El Catrin. We had such an amazing night. The restaurant has a warm and lovely environment. It’s placed at the distillery and besides the El Catrin, stores and the whole place is amazingly beautiful! The quality of the food was very good. We had house nachos and guacamole. Delicious and beautifully served! The chicken taco was delicious. I mostly enjoyed the original margarita, delicious! For desert we got churros, it was served with three dips; caramel, chocolate, and strawberry.

They may need more staff for the summer rush, water wasn’t refilled and took time for server to attend to us. Food was okay, didn’t get a lot of the Mexican faves that you would see. Ambience was perfect. Those margaritas be hitting hard, LOVE IT….

Visited not too long ago: Food tasted good but very pricey. My only other complaint is that my table’s food came out at different times, about 10 minutes apart: Some of us had already finished eating before another person got their food. If you’re looking for a place with good atmosphere and good food, but not worried about the price, this is the place to be!

This place is so cool!!! I went there during summer and it was very hot, but they have steam for refresh the place!! The food was amazing!! I ordered meat Tortilas that were amazing!!! Also ordered chicken tacos, but they were kinda boring. The waitress Britney was the sweetest and the coolest!!! The patio is really awesome at summer!! Such a different experience!!

Totally Catches the right vibe. Decor... Music... Food.. All works. The staff was super friendly and highly attentive. Really enjoyed the evening. Quite a few mexi dishes I haven't seen outside of Mexico as well. Highly recommend reservations. Filled up fast on a Wednesday night both inside and the patio

Came here with my fiancé and two best friends to celebrate my birthday! The food was fantastic and the flight of tequila was perfect for me since I love tequila! The drinks were big and really tasty and the food was delicious. The decor and ambiance of the entire restaurant was authentic and enjoyable. I would love to return during the summer and dine on the patio!

The atmosphere of this restaurant is really incredible and the service was quick and quite attentive. We didn’t have a reservation but we only had to wait around 10 minutes before we were given a table on the patio. I would’ve preferred to eat inside since it was a little chilly, but apparently the tables on the inside are for resos. Most of the food we had was pretty good, like the esquites (I wish the portion was bigger but sooo delicious) and the barria tacos. However, I found the flautas to be a bit underwhelming in flavour and while the salsa el jefe, which was made at the table, was good the tortilla chips tasted a bit stale. The drinks, however, were very creative and tasted great, especially the puebla margarita.

The drinks and food here are too die for! We try something different every time we go and it's always amazing. Megan our server was also a sweetheart and made us feel right at home! And with seating inside and out it's a go to when visiting the distillery district!

The food portions are small and might not be good enough for a person either but it is tasty. The inside decorations are fantastic and inspired me at the first.

My love for tequila gets me here all the time. Shoutout to Jack and America, they were so friendly and accommodating even during the rush hour. Service was very fast. I liked how America, gave me good recommendations. The best guacamole to the best margaritas. The ambiance is beautiful. I wish they had more variety/flavours of tacos specifically for chicken. I don’t beef and pork so I only had one option to chose from which wasn’t the best 🥹

If you're looking for an elevated Mexican dining experience in Toronto's trendy Distillery District, El Catrin Destileria is the perfect spot. The restaurant has a stylish and modern vibe, with beautiful decor and an impressive selection of tequilas. The small plates menu is full of delicious options, and the kids menu is also excellent. The ambiance at El Catrin is truly special - it's perfect for a date night or a night out with friends. The service is also top-notch, and the staff are always willing to help with menu recommendations. I highly recommend El Catrin Destileria - it's one of my favorite restaurants in Toronto!