La Carnita-John St

4.3 (1392)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

106 John St, Toronto, ON M5V 2E1

Make a reservation

2 people

May 28, 2025

May 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 32 times today

About this restaurant

Lively
Good for groups
Great for happy hour

Locally designed with the help of some of Toronto’s best street style artists, La Carnita is the spot to enjoy delicious tacos, a handful of churros, run through a mixtape, and wash it all down with a fresh cocktail or beer. Our aim is to serve up a dynamic menu, and connect with the community through our love of art & music.

Located in the financial district is La Carnita’s South Central location in a beautiful two-story heritage building. The upstairs makes for an engaging venue, seating 55 guests with its own bar.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
CAN$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon–Wed, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(647) 348-1166
Website
http://www.lacarnita.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Jon Hamilton
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of the financial district is La Carnita’s South Central location. The beautiful two-story heritage building was locally designed and features the works of some of Toronto’s best street style artists. The upstairs makes for an engaging venue, seating 70 guests with its own bar.

Location
106 John St, Toronto, ON M5V 2E1
Neighborhood
Entertainment District
Cross street
King St W/John St
Parking details
Paid parking across the street on John.
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Tortilla Chips with Dip
Dips: Guacamole, Corn Salsa, Spicy Bean
Mexican Street Corn (2pc)
Crema, queso añejo, árbol & ancho chili powder
Scorpion Wings
Confit chicken wings, scorpion chili BBQ sauce, seeds of paradise, coconut crema
Smoked Chorizo Quesadilla
Mexican chorizo sausage, smoked queso Oaxaca, roasted habanero, caramelized onions, sweet potato crema
LC Ceviche
Bay scallops, lime, cilantro, sprouts, Guajillo sesame seeds, mango salsa, blackened chili powder, taro chips
Queso Fundito
Roasted pepper salsa, pickled chillies, scallions, chipotle hot sauce, Mexican chorizo sausage, tortilla chips (Make It Veggie With Mushrooms)

Salads

Avocado Mango Salad
Red Chili, crispy Plantain, Jicama, queso Fresco, pepitas, cilantro-lime dressing
Cali Salad
Grilled corn, grape tomato, black beans, chickpeas, avocado, sunflower seeds, pea shoots, Agave Sherry dressing
Kale Caesar Salad
Shredded kale, parmesan, bacon, tortilla croutons, chipotle caesar dressing (Add Fried Chicken / Add Carne Asada)

Tacos / Tostadas

In Cod We Trust
Crispy Cod, Voltron sauce, lime crema, pickled red cabbage, green apple, cilantro
Mexican Chorizo
Chorizo Sausage, Habanero Mayo, Cotija Cheese, Mango Salsa, Guacamole, Chicharrones, Cilantro
Carne Asada
Grilled Steak, Chipotle Mayo, Tomatillo Salsa, Crispy Shallots, Lime Avocado, Cilantro
Pollo Frito
Fried Chicken Thigh, Peanut Lime Hot Sauce, Crema, Salsa Fresca, Green Cabbage
Achiote Chicken
Grilled Chicken, Pineapple & Jalapeño Salsa, Crema, Crispy Shallots, Cotija Cheese
Tuna Ceviche Tostada
Fresh Tuna, Guacamole, Coconut Milk, Habanero, Tomato, Cucumber
Grilled Fish Tostada
Grilled Fish, Corn Salsa, Crema, Pea Shoots, Diablo's Fuego Hot Sauce
Hardshell Tacos (Tuesdays Only)
8 Hardshell Tacos, Mexican Spiced Chorizo + All The Sides! Serves 2

Vegetarian Tacos / Tostadas

Crispy Cauliflower
Charred Pepper Hot Sauce, Queso Añejo, Crema, Pickled Celery & Jalepeños, Cilantro
Crispy Cotija
Cotija Cheese, Pinto Bean, Pickled Carrots, Chipotle Sauce, Green Onion, Cilantro
Mushroom Tostada
Fermented Chili Crema, Mushrooms, Arugula, Pickled Chili, Cotija Cheese, Crispy Shallots, Chipotle

Kids' Menu

Quesadilla
Crema, guacamole
Crispy Chicken
Crispy chicken pieces, honey
Buttered Corn
1pc
Chips and Guac

Sweets

Churros
w/ Housemade Cajeta
Tres Leches Cake
Seasonal Accompaniment
Paletas
Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Monster, Feature Paletas
Sweet Jesus Ice Cream Cake
Ask your server

What 1,392 people are saying

La Carnita-John St reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.2Service
4.2Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Carnita-John St. offers a vibrant atmosphere with "fantastic tacos" and "amazing service." While some reviews mention noise and slow service, many highlight the "friendly staff" and "great food." The restaurant's convenient location makes it perfect for pre-show dining. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity.

1,392 Reviews

J
Jennifer
London3 reviews
3.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Was very busy - maybe understaffed. Had to wait long time for first round of drinks, second order never came. Sangria was way too sweet, couldn’t taste the wine. Pork belly tacos and mushroom tostada were delicious. Tuna tostada was bland.
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R
Raquel
Toronto / Ontario1 review
3.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Booked a week in advance, still sat right by the propped open door on a 9 degree rainy Sunday. Cold, uncomfortable, and no ask or interest to make things more comfortable. All in all, not good.
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J
Joanne
Toronto / Ontario1 review
3.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
If you want grilled fajita - do not or the shrimp - came just because served in a cast iron dish does not make it sizzling/charred/seared etc… was just shrimp in a sauce (though tasty) not what I expect when described as “sizzling fajitas”
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S
Shawn VIP
Toronto / Ontario26 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It's been a while since we checked out La Carnita, but I am glad we did. The service, the food and the overall experience were great. We'll definitely be back again soon!
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H
Hassan
Toronto / Ontario1 review
4.0
Dined on May 15, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food is great. Service was ok. Ambiance is ok also.
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S
Surbhi
Toronto / Ontario1 review
3.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
All in all the food was satisfactory. I ordered achiote tacos and scorpion wings. To this I also ordered a dessert which to my surprise was awful in taste, as this was a Mexican place and I ordered a Tres Leches I hoping it would be authentic and soft it was super dry inside out and the milk was like 2 spoons of it which was disappointing. However, the tacos were fab!
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S
Sophia
Toronto / Ontario10 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had some of the best service here!! We stopped in just before a show and let our server know - they were super prompt and just overall really great!! Food and margaritas good as always!
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C
Christine
Toronto / Ontario2 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 3, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The ambience at La Carnita is incredible! I went out with a big group of friends for a birthday dinner and the interior was classy and elegant. The modern aesthetic, combined with the hiphop/R&B playlist, created a chill vibe for everyone. The food and drinks are a bit pricey but the black bean sesame dip, guac, and corn dip with the chips and the achiote chicken tacos were super tasty! The churros were also hot, fresh, and declious. Despite the restaurant being super busy and us having to wait for some time, the service was still good and our server was very friendly and helpful. Overall, this was a great experience and we had a great night!
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T
Todd
Toronto / Ontario10 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Lunch was excellent as always. My first- time guest and I both loved the two taco lunch special, especially the Mexican Street corn.
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A
Audrey
Toronto / Ontario4 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This restaurant loads their tacos so they are messy to eat but sooooo delicious. Service was fast and accurate. Loved that their tacos are gluten free. Cali salad is yummy.
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FAQs

La Carnita-John St offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (647) 348-1166.

La Carnita-John St is rated 4.3 stars by 1392 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Booked 32 times today

106 John St, Toronto, ON M5V 2E1

Additional information

Cross street
King St W/John St
Neighborhood
Entertainment District
Hours of operation
Mon–Wed, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu–Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am
Price
CAN$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Paid parking across the street on John.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Jon Hamilton
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.lacarnita.com/
Phone number
(647) 348-1166
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of the financial district is La Carnita’s South Central location. The beautiful two-story heritage building was locally designed and features the works of some of Toronto’s best street style artists. The upstairs makes for an engaging venue, seating 70 guests with its own bar.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat

La Carnita-John St

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Starters

Tortilla Chips with Dip

Mexican Street Corn (2pc)

Scorpion Wings

Smoked Chorizo Quesadilla

LC Ceviche

Queso Fundito

Salads

Avocado Mango Salad

Cali Salad

Kale Caesar Salad

Tacos / Tostadas

In Cod We Trust

Mexican Chorizo

Carne Asada

Pollo Frito

Achiote Chicken

Tuna Ceviche Tostada

Grilled Fish Tostada

Hardshell Tacos (Tuesdays Only)

Vegetarian Tacos / Tostadas

Crispy Cauliflower

Crispy Cotija

Mushroom Tostada

Kids' Menu

Quesadilla

Crispy Chicken

Buttered Corn

Chips and Guac

Sweets

Churros

Tres Leches Cake

Paletas

Sweet Jesus Ice Cream Cake

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does La Carnita-John St offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is La Carnita-John St restaurant rated?

Is La Carnita-John St currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information