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    Playa Cabana Cantina

    3.3 (328 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Playa Cabana Cantina Takeout or Delivery

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    PLAYA CABANA CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Hipster
    Good for groups

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    Diablo tacos
    Deanne D.

    Excellent meal as always. I have been coming here for several years and it's nice to know they have not scrimped on quality or taste. My go to dishes are the guac and chips starter and the shrimp diablo hard shell tacos: both are just perfection! Service was excellent: attentive, efficient and kind.

    Carne Asada Taco
    John J.

    I've been here a few times now... place has been around for quite a few years and they also have another location on Dupont. It's a popular place in the Junction. Food (4.25/5) - chips and guacamole are my favourite in Toronto... great homemade guac and chips too. Really nice flavour and the salsa is an excellent pairing. - carne asada taco - good taste, on the spicier side - pulpo taco - probably the best one - nice flavour - baja fish taco - good solid taco - all of the tacos are on the small side but i like the soft warm shells Service (3.5/5) - they can get busy, especially on evenings... but seems like it can be hit and miss on the speed of your order/attentiveness Atmosphere (4/5) - got a cool vibe to it... with side tables and a bar area too. Overall (4/5) - Playa is a solid choice... maybe not as great a value as other places but the food is reliable, especially the chips and guac.

    Fish tacos and chicken enchiladas
    Shivani P.

    The food here was delicious but well overpriced for the portion sizes and service. Our server took really long to come to us and bring out our food. Worth checking out as both dishes were really good. The chicken enchiladas are a must try.

    Inside restaurant
    Zulmira R.

    Warm fresh nachos were my favourite. Had the shrimp and beef barbacoa tacos which were also great. Servers were friendly and food was served quickly

    Shruti J.

    I think after Miami and Los Angeles, the next place place to have Tacos is Playa Cabana Cantina! They have a wide variety of Tacos both crispy and soft. You can actually choose a taco plate with 3 same Tacos or do a combination of 3 different Tacos in a single plate. I thought the Taco would be small but to my surprise they were quite large and filling. The Baja fish taco and the skirt stake taco were my favorite! Definitely do the Baja fish one! They have a nice cocktail menu as well. I tried the one with Rum and it was quite strong and tasty! For desserts, I got the churros coz who doesn't want churros, right?! Amazing caramel dip with a whole lot of marshmallows. Overall, was a great experience and the service is also very warm. Love the interiors, felt like I was in Miami!!! Definitely visiting again!

    Service: The server Gabriel (skinny with curly red hair) was absolutely atrocious. No smile no warm greeting paired with his horrible service. He did not introduce himself to our table we only got his name after speaking with the "manager" as we left the Resturant. He also rolled his eyes when I asked questions about the menu and requested my drink sooner due to todays heat wave. Im not sure what his issue was with our family but the only obvious difference is that we were the only family of colour in the restaurant at that time. I chose to ignore his lack of interest towards serving my family and we ordered our meals. His attitude and lack of interest continued as we would ask questions. We got our meals and drinks from two other servers and did not see him while we ate. He did not ask us how our meals were or if everything is ok as a server normally would. Its a very small restaurant and I actually had to call him over to request the bill when we were done eating as he never came back to assist us. Our bill was about $80 combined for two adults and a child. I would have typically tipped 25% as I do at every other restaurant however his service was so blatantly off-putting and offensive we did not tip. In all my years of eating out this was the absolute first time that I have experienced something like this leading me not to tip. When the transaction was completed He had the audacity to say under his breath "If you can't afford to tip you should not have come here". I was not going to complain at all we were ready to leave but after hearing that I had to file a complaint with the manager and write this review. I spoke with the "manager" about Gabriel's service she made sure to let me know that he is one of their best servers. Im sure she meant to say best friends. It really didn't seem like she truly cared to understand the core of our complaint, what he said and where his behavior stem from. My thought is that he had a preconceived notion of who the big tippers may or may not be and took it out on us. I say this because I witnessed him grace other tables with the warmest smile and constant attention. Although the "manager" apologize for our experience I don't think it will go much farther than that. 0/10 service Food: We ordered chicken and fish tacos. The chicken did not taste like authentic tacos it tasted more like sweet bbq flavour. The fish was over cooked on the outside and undercooked inside. It was not the greatest. I ordered three and only managed to finish half of one. I requested no cilantro for my fish tacos and it wasn't added, that is the only reason i gave 2/10. 2/10 In comparison, I suggest Gus taco it is not to far from Cantina their service is amazing and the flavour of the tacos is much better. The price point at Gus is very similar to Cantina once you add toppings and get multiple tacos. Environment: The space is well decorated. The tables are very close to each other giving it a cozy feeling if you don't mind your chairs touching the table next to you. 6/10

    Shrimp taco
    Crystal N.

    Came here again with a friend who works in the neighbourhood. Since the kitchen is undergoing renovations, their menu was a little shorter than usual. I ordered the Asada burrito with sauce on the side. Huge portions stuffed with rice , a little bit of beans and nice cut up steak! $18 for one portion. I actually really appreciated how they gave me the sauce on the side. I'm not a huge fan of soggy burritos so it was perfect! Service was great! Waitresses were kind and attentive. Food came out quickly and delicious! I guess I would ya e liked it more if there was more lettuce or salad! There's definitely a reason why I keep coming back! Food is good. Ambiance is great and service is friendly. Highly recommended if you're in the junction! :)

    John S.

    Usually deserving of a 5 star review reduced due to their choice of menu, allow me to explain their food is excellent but not only do you need a newer generation smart phone, but you have to enter very minimal information into their lsughable contact tracing system(online), then when you finally get to the menue you have to place your order online. And that is where my experience ended. I will be back and hopefully restore my review to a 5 star after all this COVID craziness is all over with, and things resort back to normal until then this is a location for us more Tech Savvy le and not our grand parents. Such a shame because their food is extremely good.

    Diablo - spicy shrimp taco
    May G.

    Love this place, great spicy and crisp tacos. Cocktails are very good too. My favorite is Diablo - spicy shrimp taco. The vibe and interior is very funky and lively. Certainly a must try mexican joint in Toronto!!

    Vivian T.

    We came here late on Saturday night and were worried that the kitchen would be closed but glad to see they were still serving! The nachos are a must! The chips are deep fried and come with a generous amount of guacamole,cheese and the works! In fact I could have used more chips! We also ordered the beef steak quesadilla and the chunks of meat was really good and Im glad because nothing is worse than the protein is not enough and you're paying a lot for it! Tried to order the flauto but it was sold out for the night so tagged in the empanadas but I was quite surprised when it arrived. It was covered in a sauce of lime and sour cream or something. Something I didn't expect, but was not bad. Probably wouldn't order it again but it was different. Overall: 8/10 would come back! Food and portion sizes were good!

    Pulpo tacos (octopus)
    J T.

    The food here is quite tasty. And the ambiance is fun. The service is ok. Friendly. The only thing I would complain about is there are certain dishes that ended up being way too spicy that was unbearable to eat. And I like my spice. Perhaps it would be better for them to have side hot sauces for the client to actually make it spicier if they want it. One time I came here and ordered the ceviche. Which is great. The table of four that I was with could not eat it. Everyone said it was way too spicy. They were nice enough to make this again for me as the waitress has been told this before. And it was my main. I was told the last time I came in that the dish had been changed and it may be less spicy. I went there again and ordered the Michelada drink (lager with Clamato). I only had a few sips. I could not drink all of it. We were also charged for a drink that only had a few sips taken from it. My friend that I was with had the same but theirs was not nearly as spicy. So just a bit disappointed in the inconsistency. Burrito is a good portion. I would get this again. Pulpo tacos were delicious. Flavorful.

    The BEST taco ever! Crispy Taco, topped with cheese and delicious braised beef!
    Angela G.

    Last year my friend took me to Playa Cabana Cantina and I fell in love after one bite. Seriously... It's really hard finding a good taco place in Toronto, La Carnita had recently changed their menu and removed one of my favorite Taco options :( but thank god for Playa Cabana. I also love the atmosphere here, grab one of the long tables and make some new friends. I've had a few items here, and I always go for the Braised Short Rib options, the meat melts in your mouth and is filled with flavor. I would definitely go for the crispy taco with cheese + Braised Short Beef (fucking BOMB) I'm not joking, this taco has to be the best taco I've ever had! Another item that I'm in love with is the Braised Shortrib (in ancho chile) Enchilada! One bite and there's an explosion of flavor... I can't even explain how good the braised beef is. If you want a monster of a meal I would go for the Burrito, but we warned... they are HUGE! It's more of a Knife & Fork Burrito. I got the Pollo Milanesa which is breaded chicken. It was pretty good but again I would go for the Braised Beef options. If you are still hungry after all this great food, opt for the Churro Poutine! Yummmmy! Whatever you end up getting, please get one braised beef crunchy taco on the side... TRUST me, you won't regret it. Keep Eating, Angela

    George K.

    Outstanding food and ambiance. Been here a few times. Have to try the corn. Anything with their skirt steak is delicious. The taco selection and ingredients may be the best in the city. Why not a 5? A bit pricey. $14 for a margarita that comes in a small tumbler glass is too much. But the food is worth the premium price. PS. Best guacamole anywhere. And I mean anywhere!

    Pollo Al Carbon and Carnitas Surtidas Tacos

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    Atmosphere was great service was great food is amazing Blake was great so was jocelynthe best.

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    Playa Cabana

    Playa Cabana

    3.9
    (503 reviews)
    5.3 km
    $$

    The food was awful. I ordered the vegetarian enchiladas, and I've never had enchiladas served with…read moreraw zucchini and carrots. On top of that, the entire meal arrived cold. It got worse. When I went to the basement washroom, I swear I saw what looked like the end of a mouse's tail sticking out from under the door. Needless to say, I completely lost my appetite. When the waiter asked how everything was, I told him honestly that it was terrible. I had only taken two bites, and there was really no response. I wouldn't have wanted a replacement anyway after that experience. I also had some fruit bites, and about 10 minutes later my stomach started gurgling. By the time I got home, I felt awful. I was shivering, felt like I was going to throw up, and had to rush to the bathroom. It honestly felt like food poisoning. And I still paid for my meal Unfortunately, I can't recommend this place.

    Visited this spot as its close to the museum and Casa Loma. The strong reviews looked promising so…read moreI decided to book a reservation here. The place is a bit small so it can be a bit tight so I would highly recommend having reservations if you have a large group. Tacos: The soft and the crispy tacos were both delicious. The tinga chicken and the beef barbacoa were juicy and full of flavour. The portions was fair, the quality was a standout and tasted quite authentic. Overall, I really had a great experience at Playa Cabana, totally would come here again to try out their other dishes.

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    Inside of restaurant
    Inside of restaurant
    Tacos
    Tacos
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    Quetzal

    Quetzal

    4.3
    (149 reviews)
    4.8 km
    $$$$

    Quetzal delivered an exceptional Michelin-star dining experience from start to finish. We opted for…read morethe tasting menu, and every course showcased incredible technique while allowing the ingredients to shine. The bluefin tuna was pristine, buttery, and incredibly fresh, while the char-grilled octopus was perfectly tender with a beautiful smoky depth of flavor. The ensalada verde was bright, crisp, and refreshing, offering a perfect contrast between courses. The standout for me was the hanger steak, cooked beautifully and paired with a rich peppercorn sauce that elevated every bite. Beyond the outstanding food, the service was impeccable--attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced without ever feeling intrusive. Quetzal is a Michelin star experience that lives up to the acclaim, delivering bold flavors, refined execution, and genuine hospitality. An unforgettable meal and a restaurant I would gladly return to.

    I've been wanting to try Quetzal for years because my brother has raved about it nonstop, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to the hype. We got lucky and they were able to squeeze us into seats at the bar area, which ended up being the best possible spot because we had a front-row view of the live fire cooking the entire night. The ambiance was lively and hip, with a great energy that made the whole experience feel exciting. This was my first time watching each main courses get cooked over live fire in real time, which added to our amazement given that all the dishes came out cooked to the right doneness. Every bite of meat and seafood was perfectly kissed with flame -- the char, the subtle smoke, the texture. Beyond the fire element, you can really taste how fresh everything is. Nothing felt heavy or muddled. Each dish was well thought out with balanced flavors, but the ingredients and that fire/smoke magic were always the main event. Service was also superb. All the staff were attentive and high-energy. Different servers checked up on us throughout the meal, our water was always kept full, and dishes were cleared in a timely manner. Only drawback: the heat. Sitting by the fire is incredible for the show, but it definitely started to feel like a sauna at times. Still, I'd do it again and choose to sit at the bar without hesitation. If you're in Toronto and you love a tasting menu, this is a must. Just make sure you book at least a month in advance - it's popular for a reason.

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    Quetzal
    Bone marrow & wild Argentinian shrimp
    Bone marrow & wild Argentinian shrimp
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    La Carnita

    La Carnita

    3.3
    (498 reviews)
    6.4 km
    $$

    I came here for a last min dinner on a Thursday and it exceeded my expectations…read more There were a few empty seats when we got there at around 6:30 but it started to fill up shortly after. The inside was nice, it was dark with ambient lighting and decorated with a modern and Mexican theme. The waitress was super nice, and the staff were fairly attentive. We got the chips and guac to start. I do wish they gave a little bit more walk because it came in this really small cup so we had to go light on the guac to chip ratio. But overall the guac was yummy and the chips were very crunchy with a nice seasoning. They have a special every day of the week and Thursdays are there crunch tacos, which are hard shell tacos, wrapped in a soft shell taco with some sauce in between, and you can choose between their chorizo or chicken. We got one of each. I liked the chicken more but my partner liked the Chorizo. And all the toppings the perfect Fixin's. They only had three washroom stalls, which were gender neutral, and I thought they were relatively clean.

    I've been checking out Mexican restaurants lately and I feel like La Carnita is the best that I've…read morehad in downtown Toronto! First, La Carnita isn't perfect. You enter the restaurant from a set of stairs outside and the restaurant doesn't look too appealing from outside. Also, the restaurant always seems busy and/or small, so it's always loud and service is slow. With the negatives out of the way, let me explain why I love La Carnita! The food is amazing! Their tacos are on point, and with so many to choose from I can go back multiple times can never get bored. Each of their tacos has something different to offer and each has relatively good balance to them. The balance of freshness and savory (and sometimes sweet) toppings is well done, making me come back for more. The one item that pushes La Carnita over the top is their nachos! Homemade nacho chips with gooey cheese and a generous amount of toppings makes them my favorite nachos in Toronto! One last observation is that the service is always friendly. They may be (very) slow at times but they seem like they always try their best and are always quite pleasant. Overall, I love La Carnita and when I get a craving for tacos and nachos, I'm heading straight here!

    Photos
    La Carnita
    Nachos with guacamole, corn, and tomatillo salsa
    Nachos with guacamole, corn, and tomatillo salsa
    Daily Specials Menu | August 2022

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    Daily Specials Menu | August 2022

    Playa Cabana Cantina - mexican - Updated August 2026

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