El Camino
El Camino offers a hip, underground vibe with contemporary Mexican plates and unique tacos, perfect for a lively night out.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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El Camino
Highlights
Must-see attractions
El Camino offers a hip, underground vibe with contemporary Mexican plates and unique tacos, perfect for a lively night out.
"This restaurant is serious about tacos, offering an arsenal of flavors that will make you want to go back again."
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for busy periods, to guarantee your table.
Dietary Needs
Vegan and gluten-free options may be limited; check ahead if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Unique Taco Creations
Explore adventurous tacos like ox tongue and tuna tartare, alongside classics. A true taco lover's paradise!
Vibrant Atmosphere
Experience an energetic, underground vibe perfect for socializing, with colorful art and a lively bar scene.
Signature Cocktails
Sip on expertly crafted cocktails like El Fuego and piña colada, known for their exceptional taste and presentation.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for busy periods, to guarantee your table.
Dietary Needs
Vegan and gluten-free options may be limited; check ahead if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Taco Exploration
Don't shy away from unique offerings! Try a variety of tacos to discover your new favorite.
Off-Peak Visits
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy hours to avoid crowds.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for busy periods, to guarantee your table.
Dietary Needs
Vegan and gluten-free options may be limited; check ahead if you have specific dietary restrictions.
Taco Exploration
Don't shy away from unique offerings! Try a variety of tacos to discover your new favorite.
Off-Peak Visits
For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting during less busy hours to avoid crowds.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
El Camino is celebrated for its delicious and inventive tacos, alongside a vibrant atmosphere and creative cocktails. While many praise the food and lively ambiance, some diners have encountered issues with service, particularly during busy periods, and occasional concerns about menu clarity or pricing. The restaurant is a popular spot for those seeking a dynamic dining experience with unique flavors, though consistency in service can sometimes be a challenge.
"Are you serious about tacos? This restaurant is.
The restaurant has a very laid back feel, the drinks bar dominates the restaurant. I like that. You should have a margarita or a cervesa with your tacos. There were no issues reserving a table right through the Google maps app. Our table was waiting.
The open kitchen lets us peek into the secrets of their delicious food, revealing chefs are having a good time, laughing and preparing food with smiles and comradery, like you would expect from a kitchen proud of their food.
The wait staff are fantastic, busy refilling waters, making sure that everything is good and that you have no wants left.
But all of this is just an elaborate backdrop to their magnificent arsenal of tacos. I must confess that I can't have more than 5 or 6 in one go... I haven't done the full menu challenge. Each taco having its own distinct characteristics and each bundle brimming with to-die-for contents. As I'm browsing my memories of the food and trying to select the accurate descriptors right now - and it's triggering me to want to go back and eat again.
How serious are you about tacos? Because this restaurant is."
Dick Wong
"Came to Ottawa on a work trip and this was within walking distance to where I was and I was very impressed.
The tacos were great. They were a bit busy so I felt like they took a bit longer to arrive but it was worth the wait. The drinks were also good but again it was busy so they did forget one of my drinks in the middle of my dinner.
I believe my favourite one was the pig head taco. Amazing. If you see it on the menu - get it. Quite pleased overall with the restaurant as a first timer in the city and was worried that there wouldn’t be great spots but this is a good hidden gem."
May Inthason
"Tacos were yummy, we each had 2 and felt it was filling enough along with chips and guac to start. 2 veggie taco options. Pretty pricey for what you get at ~$9/taco, also $16 for guac is very steep. Service was ok. We went on a Thursday night and it was pretty dark and loud."
Fiona Haugen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Diners rave about the ox tongue and tuna tartare crispy tacos, as well as the crispy fish and pork belly pastor.
Yes, they offer vegetarian options like cauliflower and Japanese eggplant tacos. Vegan modifications might be possible, but it's best to confirm.
Yes, while not always listed, mocktails can be created upon request by speaking with your server.
The vibrant atmosphere makes it a great spot for groups and lively dates. Consider a booth for smaller, more intimate seating.
The ambiance is described as vibrant, energetic, and hip, with an underground feel and colorful decor. It can get loud.
Yes, making reservations in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak times, to ensure you get a table.
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Best restaurants Ottawa, Eastern Ontario
With a hip industrial aesthetic underscored by Day of the Dead references, El Camino is either praised as Ottawa's taco joint of the hour or derided as…
best mexican restaurants in ottawa
Why You Need To Go: The El Camino Group has become synonymous in this city with elevating classics, and of course, El Camino is the restaurant that started it all. Their individualistic take on tacos has made them a hotspot to enjoy great food and a solid cocktail in more than one location in the city. I personally love their cochinita pig head taco and would recommend it to everyone looking to try something new to satisfy their taco cravings.
Where to find mocktails and alcohol-free drinks in Ottawa
With two restaurants in two of Ottawa’s trendiest areas, the ByWard Market and Elgin Street, El Camino is a premier destination for taco and cocktail enthusiasts, offering a diverse selection of unique foods like ox tongue and tuna tartare crispy tacos. While the menu may not feature the available mocktails, speak to your server about it!. They can easily re-create their tastiest and most aesthetically pleasing drinks sans the alcohol.
The 12 Most Famous Restaurants In Ottawa, Canada
El Camino’s bustling atmosphere and electrifying flavors have earned it a spot among Ottawa’s most famous restaurants. The windows open to the street give diners a prime view of the vibrant Elgin Street as they enjoy some of the city’s best tacos and Asian-inspired street food. The fusion of Mexican and Eastern cuisine in tapas-style service means guests can sample a wide array of dishes, all while soaking in the energetic ambiance.
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380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M9 (613) 422-2800 It’s gotten pricier and pricier, but damn they make good tacos. Price: Used to be $$, but now it’s leaning towards $$$ Rating: 8/10. Okay so the only vegan option is their fried eggplant taco (hold the mayo, and I actually didn’t ask if they fry it separate from their meat, but I don’t imagine they do. You decide if you’re up for that), and you have to order the tacos individually.
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Address: B-81 Clarence St, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5P5 CanadaPhone:+1 (613) 422-5918Website:eatelcamino.comDetails: $$ – $$$, Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. El Camino, a Mexican restaurant located in Ottawa, offers a vibrant and lively atmosphere that sets the stage for a delightful dining experience. The staff members are attentive and provide excellent service, making guests feel welcome and well taken care of.
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On the other hand, if you are looking for something lively, then this spot, also located in the ByWard Market, is the place for you. This funky, street-facing patio boasts a buzzing yet casual vibe that will keep you coming back for more. Famous for their tacos, tequila and margaritas, you will be in for a colourful and loud night in the best way possible.
PlantKind Restaurant Guide #ottawavegan
El Camino needs a little more coaxing to get fully onboard with vegan options but they know how to make their eggplant tacos vegan as well as their gourmet salsa and some other appetizers. I wager the more vegans who frequent this super popular spot, the more demand for vegan items there will be. We are out and about and demand delicious tacos!.
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El Camino arguably has some of the best tacos in the city and their veggie options are a taste buds dream. Definitely check out their Japanese eggplant and cauliflower tacos, they’re super delicious and you’d never guess that eggplant, cauliflower and tacos would be used in the same sentence. You definitely can’t have just one.
The Top 5 Best Mexican Restaurants in Ottawa You Must Try
Last but not least, El Camino rounds out our list of the best Mexican restaurants in Ottawa. Contemporary Mexican plates pair with assorted shots at this hip spot with a take-out window. This cozy spot is perfect for a casual night out with friends or family, and the food is guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.
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Website: https://eatelcamino.comAddress: 380 Elgin StContact details: +1 613-422-2800Operating hours:. El Camino’s exciting menu is filled with modern Mexican plates that will spark a newfound love for the traditional flavors. However, you can be assured that you’ll taste the classic robust notes we all know and love.
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Look no further than El Camino.The restaurant has a full raw bar with Mexican-style cocktails, and the tacos are some of the best in Ottawa. If you’re looking for a night out with friends, this is the perfect place to go. The atmosphere is lively and fun, and the staff are always so accommodating.
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Datsun and El Camino are both owned by Chef Matthew Carmichael and Chef Jordan Holley but the menus are quite different. Datsun serves Asian Fusion bar food to a young, late night crowd while El Camino dishes up great tacos and tasty small plates that stray from the taco offerings.
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El Camino has two locations, one on Elgin Street and the other in the ByWard Market, and both serve the same great flavour. Both locations are hip and unique in their own ways. When moving to the Elgin or ByWard area, you are almost always asked, “have you been to El Camino yet?
12 Best Mexican Food Restaurants in Ottawa: Juicy Tacos & More
El Camino in Ottawa is a place you really need to check out if you love tasty Mexican food with a modern twist. It's like a hidden treasure, full of energy and delicious dishes that keep people coming back. The relaxed atmosphere makes it great for any kind of outing.
Where to Eat in Ottawa
They are right next door to each other and it would make for a great eating night to sample both restaurants on any given night. El Camino is just as lively as Datsun but with a slightly darker ambiance. The food is casual Mexican and tacos start at 5$.
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However, if you are going to eat at both on the same evening, start with Datsun since it closes earlier (insider tip since no closing hours are specified on either website). El Camino is just as lively as Datsun but with a slightly darker ambiance.
Best Restaurants in Ottawa for a Flavourful Bite
El Camino was on my list of places to eat in Ottawa if we had the time. We didn’t intend on coming here, but since our chosen restaurant was under renovations, we decided to check out Byward Market for a bite to eat. El Camino is the place to be.
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Addresses: 380 Elgin St, Ottawa, 81 Clarence Street, Ottawa (Byward Market). If you are looking for the best tacos in Ottawa, then you’ll want to head down to El Camino. You’ll notice that there are two locations on the map for El Camino.
A hipster weekend in Ottawa. Ottawa might be a government town, but… | by Vanessa King
El Camino — Ottawa’s hippest restaurant serving tacos and tequila. If you’re set on eating before 8:00 p.m., get there when they open at 5:30 p.m. Otherwise, the host will take your phone number and text you when a table is ready.
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It’s not necessarily surprising, either, since Riviera comes from successful roots: one of its chefs, Matthew Carmichael, operates El Camino, which was named one of Canada’s best restaurants by Air Canada in 2014.
Highest-rated Mexican Restaurants in Ottawa, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (59 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (3.5/5), Value (3.0/5)- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: B-81 Clarence St, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5P5 Canada- Read more on Tripadvisor
Looking for recommendations on the best tacos in Ottawa : ottawa
Their tacos are good but I doubt they are the best in Ottawa. I enjoy the eggplant taco and the fish taco there though!
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