El Camino in Ottawa

380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M9, Canada

★★★★☆
(2218 reviews)
Categories: Taco restaurant Mexican restaurant Spanish restaurant

About

Contemporary Mexican plates pair with assorted shots at this hip spot with a take-out window.

Website
eatelcamino.com
Address
380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M9, Canada
Plus Code
C876+WR Somerset, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Sunday
5:30–11 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
5:30–11 PM
Wednesday
5:30–11 PM
Thursday
5:30–11 PM
Friday
5:30 PM–1 AM
Saturday
5:30 PM–1 AM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Healthy options Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed

Photos

Reviews

4.4
★★★★☆
2218 reviews

Most Mentioned

cocktails (94) ox tongue (82) take out (71) eggplant (50) margaritas (36) churros (36) pig (23) cochinita (8) ox tail (6) tuna tartare (5)
5 stars
1446
4 stars
478
3 stars
132
2 stars
67
1 stars
95
★★★
December 15, 2024

Overall Review: Great food as usual, but the service was absolutely atrocious. We had two reservations—one for 5 people and another for 2—made over a week in advance. Initially, we had a reservation for 5 but needed to add 2 more people. Despite multiple attempts to contact the restaurant to adjust the booking, no one answered our calls or returned our messages. To ensure space, we booked a second table for 2, hoping the staff could simply combine the tables upon arrival. When we got there, the dining room clearly had space, yet the staff made no effort to move tables to accommodate our group. Instead, they left the group completely separated, even though it was obvious they could have rearranged some tables to make it work. The attitude from the staff was dismissive, as if they didn’t care at all. To make matters worse, the table for 2 was placed right by the door—arguably the worst spot in the restaurant. This lack of effort and disregard for guest experience was incredibly disappointing and soured an otherwise great meal.

★★★★★
September 27, 2024

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.

★★★★
September 17, 2024

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.

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

So glad we stumbled across this little hidden gem whilst visiting Ottawa! The tacos were absolutely delicious & the special Corn on the Cob (recommended to us by our Server, Tom) was phenomenal. The cocktails were gorgeously presented and tasted amazing. We were sat at a bar table which had a lovely atmosphere, as did the entire restaurant! Tom was a brilliant server who served us with plenty of recommendations, made sure we always had drinks and water & even gave us recommendations for the next City on our trip! Couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough - if you are ever in Ottawa it’s a must!

★★★★★
July 19, 2024

I finally went to El Camino on Elgin, but enjoyed the open air patio at the back. Played it safe with the Crispy Fish taco, but took a chance on the Pork Belly Pastor. Fantastic. I loved the addition of the chopped pineapple.

★★★★★
June 19, 2024

Stumbled across this little bar and i loved it!!! The bar setup was unique and intimate, very cute and creative. Servers Shelby and Stephanie made our experience a good one by giving us a bunch of tasters in order for us to decide on what cider or beer to have. Most cocktails were riffs of classics so nothing special, but still super good and made well. I tried their one signature that was not reminiscent of a classic, the Camino Club, and it was an amazing and very well balanced drink! Would definitely recommend. Also tried their pig head taco and loved it. The tacos were decently sized and price is ok. Not the cheapest but i would say 3 tacos would be enough for 1 sitting tbh. Regardless i had a great time, staff were so nice and patient with us so thank you!!!! Last call was at 1145 so definitely a good spot for a late night !

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Another little hidden gem in the City. It had a fabulous reputation of being the best Tacos in the city. I was not disappointed. We had a mix of fish and chicken. The guacamole was fabulous and offset the green chili sauce. We didn't venture near the habanero sauce as the green packed a lovely punch. Averaging 9 bucks a Taco, it was a great experience. Servers were very welcoming and responsive. Highly recommended.

★★★★★
February 14, 2024

Had a delicious dinner here to celebrate Valentine's day. We had 8 tacos total! We tried most of the meat options and did the fish tacos twice! Probably one of the best crispy fish taco I've had. The portion of fish was so hefty and nicely battered. We also enjoyed the tuna tartare crispy taco! Everything was good overall and we left feeling stuffed. I certainly recommend making a reservation as this place fills up quick.

★★
December 21, 2024

It has really gone down hill in the past couple years. The food and drink is mediocre, the tacos are simply not worth the $8+ cost and the service is slow and inattentive.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 19, 2024

El Camino will always be my favourite place to eat- It s a no-brainer. If you haven t tried the Cochinita Roasted Pig Head Taco, do it. Great staff and music too!

December 16, 2024

This is the worst place ever, ruuuuuuun, the waitress was so rude and racist ( stephanie ) was yelling at me and my boyfriend and ask us to get out of the restaurant because we wanted to sit next to each other me and my boyfriend. The worst experience ever

December 16, 2024

Even one star is a lot for this place. This is the worst experience I ever had with the rudest staff. A young lady her name was Stephanie was the worst server and she didn t even care about how we felt.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

It was a cozy place with welcoming people.

★★★★
October 22, 2024

Taste of food was unique and very good. Tacos are tiny: appetizer size, so if you want to feel full order 3 straight up. Overall way too expensive for the portions you are getting. They increased the price of alcoholic drinks by $3 each so be prepared to pay $16-18 for your drink.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

One of the best taco places ever, if not one of my favourite restaurants in general. The tacos are always fresh and taste amazing. Great atmosphere. Servers are nice. Food comes out quickly and prices are reasonable. Definitely highly recommend

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Omg the tacos were so delicious. We tried the chorizo, crispy fish, carne, lamb, pork belly, and barbacoa tacos. Honestly, they were all amazing, but the crispy fish was a shining star. We had to sit on the patio cause there wasn t enough room inside -I m not even mad about it. Had a margarita, amazing of course. Service was top notch. Such a great little spot for expanding your palate and trying new things. 10/10 recommend.

★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

The tacos are good, but WAY overpriced. they are not out of this world kind of tacos to justify $10 a taco which you need 4 of to put a dent in your hunger. Cocktails are almost $20 now. And they keep on hiking the prices to the point where it doesnt make sense to eat there anymore. We have been coming to this place for over 10 years, I think last time will be our last. Owners are getting greedy in our opinion.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

El Camino stands out as one of Ottawa s top spots for tacos. With a diverse menu featuring fresh, flavorful ingredients and perfectly grilled meats, it offers a satisfying and vibrant dining experience. The casual atmosphere and friendly staff make it a great choice for a relaxed meal.

★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Very good food. Beautiful decor, good service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Awesome menu of tacos. The menu is small which I think is usually a sign of a top notch menu. They do these few dishes perfectly. We would definitely go again! The tuna tartare taco was my favorite, but its difficult to pick just one fave. Everything was delicious.

★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Good quality, limited option on menu , over-price

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

delicious as always!!! best tacos in the city

★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Food is above average but nothing special. Service is ok. Tacos very expensive ($9-10) each Wont try again Food : 3/5

★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Never disappointed! It s beautiful, it s good and it s fresh! Very good service.

★★★
September 22, 2024

It was good but way to expense for tacos that are not nearly as good as the ones in Mexico that are actually more affordable

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

No joke the BEST TACOS I have had since Miami !!!! I have tired so many taco places all over Ontario and Quebec and nothing compares to El Camino! I literally rave and recommend this place to everyone

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Delicious tacos! My favorites are fish, pigs head and pork belly!! My wifes are ox tongue, chicken and fish.

August 22, 2024

Rude hostess, everything extremely expensive

★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Tacos were delicious but the restaurant was so loud we could hardly hear each other across the table.

★★★
August 22, 2024

Living in Mexico for almost ten years, I eagerly anticipated trying El Caminos tacos. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find wheat tortillas instead of the traditional corn variety. Given my gluten intolerance, I could only enjoy two of the twelve options, and even then, I had to forgo the tortilla altogether for lettuce wraps. The cost per taco was also steeper than anticipated. While the cocktails were excellent, the music was excessively loud, making conversation difficult for our group. Overall, the experience fell short of expectations. Dietary restrictions: Gluten-intolerant: only 2 of the twelve taco options are available for gluten-intolerant people. Tortillas are replaced by lettuce wraps.

★★★★
July 22, 2024

Very good tacos and good music.

★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Overpriced, small portions, service was really not great. Would not recommend.

★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Second visit after inflation ouch! Margaritas are very good, made with fresh juice they say but $18 is quite pricey. Had the chips/salsa good but small portion & pricey. We enjoyed beef, chicken and the crispy fish, they were all delicious but again $9.5/$9 for a taco is up there. 6 tacos, an app and 2 margaritas w/ 15% tip came to $137 and we werent even full. Great service and the restaurant is full of atmosphere though so... Would recommend for a wealthy family lol Vegetarian options: Lots of options Dietary restrictions: Plenty of options for all types Kid-friendliness: Informal setting

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

I have been to El Camino countless times over the years, they are definitely my top taco joint, and a must go to spot when I m visiting Ottawa. I ve been here with friends, for date nights, for work outings, and even for dinner during my bachelorette weekend. It s great for all occasions. The hidden gem for me is absolutely the pig head taco, think outside the box and give it a try. And don t forget to ask for hot sauce.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

The steak tacos were awesome!!! Pork belly and fish tacos were good too. That salsa - you should bottle it and sell it. It was good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Was staying close by and wandered in to this little gem. The tacos were amazing! Great little patio as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

A very busy spot. Its best to book a table in advance if you are going on a weekend. We were a group of 6 and had to wait 45 minutes for a table. I can say it was worth while the wait

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Bit noisy of a restaurant but very fun and casual place. Tacos are the best - love the fish, eggplant and cauliflower tacos.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

The food was so good and tasted fresh! I recommend the lamb birria tacos they are the best

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Tacos tacos tacos! Best in town... Everything is fresh.. they have an open kitchen. Their cocktails are great .. love their bourbon sour. Wait times during the weekend is around 30-40 minutes...

★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Love their tacos, but it took an hour to get take out, with multiple people getting their food ahead of us because the guy at the window didn t see us . We were at a table right by the window, and he took our names, so we figured he d call us over, and he said the food would take 5-10. A huge group of people comes, orders and eats without us getting served. When we go to ask about our tacos he tells us they re out of chicken so we can only have 4, and hands us a bag from a shelf that had clearly been there a while. So we order 2 other tacos and eat the 4 cold tacos. We then see him pack a bag and leave it on the shelf same shelf. I went to the window he passed it to me and I asked why he put it on the shelf when we re here. That was when he realized we were sitting right there the whole time, which was weird because he looked our way several times, and again had our name which he could have called. Dude seemed a bit out of it or maybe is near sighted which isn t his fault, they should just have someone better on the window so people don t waste a ton of time and money on cold food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Best tacos in Ottawa, salt and pepper squid also yummy, and salted caramel churros are delicious and probably the best churros Ive had in Ottawa so far (havent tried many here yet so still checking out options ). Fridays to Sundays gets pretty busy, so booking a table is advisable.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Best fish tacos ever! And dont get me started on their margueritas!!!! Out of this world.

★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Friday night El Camino seemed like the only logical explanation the food here is always fire and it was again tonight. The one thing I will say is there gluten-free options need to make more sense. we had gluten-free tortillas offered but only for the vegan options and we were not allowed to substitute so my wife had to have her tacos on a lettuce wrap. I m a chef I get it. You make what you need to order that day and no substitutes no substitutes. But I d suggest making a few more corn tortillas just to satisfy those customers.

★★
May 22, 2024

Very simple..... 9$ for a mini taco that might be about 75 gr. For a normal person, 5 tacos is nothing. At a cocktail (20$) and a beer (10$) and for 2 persons, without desert and starter, you are at 120$. With taxes and tip, you are at 165$.... this is simple TACO street food! Yes, they are good, but I had better in touristy playa del carmen and the whole meal would cost about 25$

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

stopped here on my way home from Montreal and have to say this place makes some of THE BEST tacos i ve ever had!!!! Every single one I tried was absolutely outstanding, I have to come back but it s unfortunately 7 hours away from me:( I recommend this place to anyone who lives in or is passing through Ottawa, it s so worth it!!!

★★
May 22, 2024

Overrated and expensive taco place. We had the pighead taco, the crispy fish taco, and lamb quesebirria. The meat in all of these were dry and unseasoned. This was especially shocking for pig cheek and lamb which are naturally tender. We also ordered chips and guac and some of the chips were stale. Tacos are 9$ or more for one and the drinks are about 17$ each. I will say the service and atmosphere of the restaurant is nice but the food was nothing special especially how expensive it is.

★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Super small portions. 10$ per tiny taco. 20$ cocktails. Rushed us to pay and leave. Servers are untrained. In total... high prices for little food and sub par service. I dont know why people go there. Used to like it before greedflation took over their menu and portions. Im done going there.

★★★★
April 22, 2024

The best tacos in the city

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Delicious..loved the tacos and drinks

★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Still a solid restaurant, but unfortunately the quality has been deteriorating, the menu hasn t really changed, and the prices keep going up. The food are drinks are still good, but I m nervous if there s no change in the next year it ll lose its place.

Local Guide
April 22, 2024

The general manager is extremely rude and has an attitude like weve never seen before in management. All other saff were very kind. The fish tacos are $9 now as well which is shocking looking back and remembering when they were $3.50 and much larger.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Came here as a recommendation for dinner on my first trip to Ottawa. We overall liked the restaurant, staff was friendly & the food was good. On a Sunday night, it was not super busy but there were enough people that it didn t feel empty inside. A bit pricy but we also got drinks, and most trendy Mexican restaurants are like this these days. To start, I shared guac & chips - no complaints, we enjoyed and it was very fresh. The added tomatoes were nice. I ordered 3 tacos - the beef barbacoa was fine but the portion of dipping jus was tiny for 3 beef tacos. The best taco for me was the tuna tartare crispy taco. Loved the flavours and the fish was just delicious! My friends had the chicken tacos and said they were spicy but they liked them a lot. However, I did not enjoy the ox tongue taco and didn t finish it. I ordered it because all the reviews about it were so positive, but I didn t like how they just put two huge pieces of meat in a taco. It tasted very gamey and I didn t like the spongy texture either. The piña colada cocktail was yummy - I could taste fresh pineapple and it was very creamy.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Amazing tacos and quick turnaround would highly recommend

★★★
April 22, 2024

Overpriced and they messed up my order, but food was good

★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Ordered takeout we order 8 tacos ox tongue fish beef - ox tongue was bitter not what were used to none came with the sauces . Really small and just not worth the price . I used to crave these tacos . Was really disappointed

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Beautiful restaurant, phenomenal food

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Must try the Betel Leaves!! This place is super yum and the vibe is right. We will definitley be back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Their crispy fish tacos are absolutely irresistible, and their cocktails are also quite delightful!

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Food is definitely good but perhaps a little pricey. Service can be slow but they get very busy so no fault on them. Its a vibe and the cocktails are solid. No amex though which is a shame at this price point.

★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Not worth for money.

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

No one does better fish tacos than El Camino. Top marks for awesome food, atmosphere and service. Their bartenders make amazing cocktails. They have a good tequila selection as well. By far the best fusion mexican restaurant in Ottawa. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Good was great both times I went Prepare to spend! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Great music to go with the great food

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Cocktails as good as youd hope, servers who are good vibes, and seriously good food. Just a quality good vibes spot in a dope location. They didnt have olives for a martini when I ordered but hey what can you do. This place is worth adding to the hopping list. The pork belly tacos are too blessed.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Classy place for tacos and drinks. Great beer, especially their house lager. Beer is well priced. Cocktails are a little more pricy but well worth it Vegetarian options: They have several vegetarian tacos Dietary restrictions: They will accommodate any allergy or food restrictions

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

BEST TACOS IVE EVER HAD.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Amazing drinks.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

I usually leave reviews if something is bad, but I have to give this place credit because it really is due. Margaritas here are top notch, services is great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Great atmosphere

★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Kinda price for one taco, but the food Id good. I had the beef taco and pork belly. I honestly didnt care for the latter since it has a good chunk of fat, but my partner loved it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Recommend but some Tacos are kinda pricey

★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

The best Taco Joint in all of Canada! A must try if youre in the area!

★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

The food was amazing and is worth 5 stars! The reason for the 3 stars is that the volume is way too loud and having any conversation is extremely difficult. Also they totally missed my wife allergies which was mentioned during the online booking.

★★
January 22, 2024

Most definitely *not* worth it. I will admit, generally, the tacos are good. However, when the price is nearly $10 for a taco, the quality needs to be much better. The size is maybe 5inches diameter. To their credit, there is a good amount of fillings inside the taco itself, but most people I think will need 3 or 4 tacos to be comfortable. Do not go here expecting to eat until you re full, because in that case you re looking at 6 or more. For reference I had 4 tacos + 1 lamb Birria and still could have eaten more. In terms of the tacos themselves, I think the best one I had was the chicken. I also had the pork belly which was very disappointing. Pork belly is a very fatty cut of meat and should be extremely tender and juicy. Unfortunately mine came out dry. The flavour profile itself was good, but again, for $10 a taco, the dish itself needs to be executed properly and drying out pork belly is inexcusable. The lamb was ok, but not truly Birria; the beef was good, same with the pig head. The service left much to be desired, which again, needs to be contextualised to the prices you are paying at this restaurant. When you order, your server will probably tell you they will serve the food family style meaning whenever the kitchen has a taco ready they send it out. Really, this is an excuse for a severely disorganized kitchen. These are small dishes, and for $10 a taco, the kitchen should be able to coordinate sending out orders at the same time. At the very least, I would expect a little bit of planning so they don t send out all of one person s order at the same time and have the rest of the table wait 10minutes before anyone else s food arrives (which was my experience). I think it s very important to evaluate restaurants in the context of their price. If you order one drink (almost $20 each!), and three tacos (roughly $30), and maybe some chips for the table ($5 if you re splitting), you will be paying upwards of $50 a person. This price is not worth the quality of food and service at this restaurant. Some of my favourite restaurants fit into this price area, but they make the meal worth it with consistently excellent dishes and strong service. Unfortunately, this place fails in that regard. You work hard for your money, and when going to an expensive restaurant you should expect value for your dollar. This is not that place.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Great tacos and vibes. A little on the pricey side but def worth it for how delicious the tacos and cocktails are. Our bartender Steph was very friendly, knowledgeable, and provided excellent suggestions.

★★★★★
January 22, 2024

Lil pricey but got us in well it was busy and the tacos are amazing

Local Guide
January 22, 2024

We came all the way from Orleans and even had a reservation but the server didn t allow us to dine in because we were a few minutes late. Worst service ever! I don t recommend this place to anyone! Their google website says they close at 12am and we got there at 9:40pm and she said NO! I don t understand why they accept reservations if they don t want to allow people to dine in? Very disappointed!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

I recently visited El Camino for dinner with a friend, and we had a great dining experience. I was excited to see the vintage hockey masks on the wall, I hope it was intentional, putting a local flair on the aztec masks of Mexico. The food was incredible, I had 7 or 8 different tacos and each had a unique flavour profile and presentation method. The slow roasting process of the meats was evident with layers of flavour throughout each taco. My favorite was the hard shelled Chorizo, and the Beef Birria was a close second. The staff was friendly and the food service was very quick and efficient. Every good dining experience comes at a cost, and the quality of the food here comes at a premium, be aware, that a good sampling of the tacos, a shot of tequila and a couple of beers could be groceries for a week. I have been told by several locals that the quality of the food and service has not wavered over the years, I believe this is a testimate to true professionals in the kitchen and front of the house. Thanks all.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Wow. The MOST incredible crispy fish tacos!! The beef tacos are also really good!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Excellent tacos. Very satisfied. Good service and short wait at the take out window. Thanks.

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Tuna tartar taco is literally amazing. Chips and salsa/chips and guacamole are fantastic but a little expensive. The churros are pretty good as well. Staff is always great. My only complaint is that the chairs are impossible, they are so high you can t adjust them when you re in them and often wobbly.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The music was a little too loud, but the food was good.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

El fuego cocktail was beyond my imagination it was amazing and their tacos was delicious. We loved it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Had a craving for some tasty tacos and I wasnt disappointed. Great atmosphere with some vinyls spinning and cozy lighting.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I was pleasantly surprised by vegetarian options in tacos! They were delicious! Great ambiance too. My daughter had fish tacos and she loved it.

December 22, 2023

This place used to be the SPOT back in the day. But I can totally see what people are saying when they say it s gone down hill. I ve been in the industry myself for many years and the horrible attitude from the host had me and my friend giggling in disbelief. They told us very quickly they do not accommodate for allergies or do slight modifications for their food no matter what. Awkward, embarrassing and kind of funny. Wish I could give 0/5 stars tbh looool

December 22, 2023

Bad hospitality, bad neighbours. They dispose of their cooking oil by just throwing it out on the street, I live around the corner its been smelling for weeks, not to mention dirty. The tacos are way overpriced, and not that delicious. They served me an insanely spicy cauliflower taco which I couldnt eat. I had tipped 20% after tax (at the truck, not resto). They said they normally tell patrons about the spice level but didnt warn me, and it was inedible. And they didnt offer another taco, just a glass of water. Very bad hospitality.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Amazing tacos

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Would like to see more vegan options - I think the sauce on the cauliflower taco has dairy? But I didn t ask and just ordered it. That being said, I had the cauliflower taco and the eggplant taco, and the cauliflower one was INCREDIBLE!!! The flavours were unreal. And a nice kick to it to. The eggplant taco seemed kind of bland in comparison but I would give it another chance bc of all the other rave reviews.

★★★★
December 22, 2023

Food itself is great, each taco is very unique in ingredients and flavor. Just a bit expensive.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Fish and Chorizo tacos were amazing

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

It took forever for the folks to take out orders only for us to be served these small and rather ordinary tacos

December 22, 2023

The tacos are very good but they are overpriced at 10 dollars each! Youll need at least 3 to feel like youve eaten a small meal! Really a shame!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Always good. Drinks are amazing but definitely a little overpriced. $16.50 for a cocktail? Yikes.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Pretty expensive 10$/Taco but really good taco. Drinks are pretty falvorfull and well balanced. Cauliflower taco, definitively recommend for people who like it spicy!

★★
December 22, 2023

We arrived at the restaurant and asked the host for a table on the rooftop, he said that it was full and that there was no specific list just for that área. So we sat at the first floor . I went to the bathroom upstairs and saw that there were several tables free, so when I returned, I explained this to the waitress and asked her to check if we could change tables. The same person who welcomed us came to our table to say no, that it would be a disturbance to move our glasses and food, a disregard for customers. A pity because the food is very nice, we wont be back tgh because of the staff.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great taco options, but pricey! Service has been so slow the few times I have been. In 2023, tacos are over $8 for one. They do taste great, so its worth the treat. Id come here more often if prices were more reasonable. The menu is quite creative.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Fire emoji Vegetarian options: Some good veggie/vegan options too Food : 5/5 |

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Dietary restrictions: Vegan options Food

★★
December 22, 2023

I went to El Caminos yesterday for a friends birthday. I am 5 months pregnant and requested a booth since it s problematic for me to use their high top seating. They said no, I sat uncomfortably in their high top chairs, barley fitting in them the entire night. The first round of Taccos took nearly 25 minutes to get to us. My husband ordered a lemonade and that took 15 minutes to get to us. No parking. The music was so loud I couldn t communicate with my friends. The bathrooms are not pregnant friendly, very small. The food was good although my husband and I got sick from their beef Taccos. All and all - it s fun for a younger, nimble crowed. I wouldn t say it s a great time for people who want to enjoy their company and be comfortable sitting.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

If youre looking for a great taco place, El Camino is a must-visit spot! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with colorful decor and a friendly staff that will make you feel right at home. But the real star of the show is the food every taco is bursting with flavor and authentic spices that will leave your taste buds dancing.

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

My friends & I went on a taco tour around Ottawa this last Saturday and made sure to try this location. The server was super friendly & very helpful regarding the menu. & the overall service was pretty quick for a busy Saturday night. However, as someone with a gluten (& dairy) allergy I was pretty disappointed in my lack of options. I choose to do a taco tour as it s normally one of the most allergen friendly meals but of all the places (6) we tried, El Camino was the only place without corn shells of any kind. I was given a lettuce wrap with only two filling choices to accommodate the allergy. Considering the price, I d go back for the guac and drinks, but id leave out the tacos. Dietary restrictions: Gluten & dairy - not many options.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing tasting tacos at a beautiful little outdoor patio! The server brought us extra chips free of charge to go with our leftover salsa!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Had a great time here the other night! We were served by Tonali and he was awesome!!! Delicious food and drinks, great vibes and overall an amazing experience here!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I would fight 89 geese with my bare hands to have these tacos again. So good. My favourite would be the pig head tacos (don t let the name put you off), they re super tender and flavourful! My only issue is that the pricing is pretty steep ($8/taco average), and seems to have gone up drastically in the past few years (to be expected I guess).

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Are bill was a lot but drinks cost to much these days. Food was amazing! And bill reasonable considering the prep those meats must take.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Busy place! Delicious tacos and cocktails. Really creative flavours. Fun atmosphere. Didn t like the communal serving style of putting all the tacos the table ordered on the same two plates. Had to figure out which tacos were which, and who they were for. Pretty expensive.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Their ox tongue and fish tacos used to be my absolute favorites. However, the taste has not been as enjoyable as it used to be recently. their guacamole and chips continue to impress with exceptional flavors. The margaritas deserve a perfect 5 out of 5 rating for their outstanding quality. Poor customer service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Best tacos in Ottawa..hands down!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

1st time here. Great food and drinks with selections not readily seen elsewhere. My first time having fish tacos, loved it. Will definitely go back next time I visit Ottawa

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The best tacos this side of Mexico hands down! (Actually as good as and even better than some of the tacos I had in Mexico!) El Camino is a must stop when visiting Ottawa... Sooo Good!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

So this is a redo, after 6 years I finally came back.. wasnt sure, but to be honest I am glad they are still here and the food was beyond fantastic. The servers outside happy and pleasant, food quality was great and overall I will say if you get a chance drop in and see them anytime

Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Horrible service, incompetent staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Some of the best tacos we ve had in Ottawa. The chorizo was a real standout and the cauliflower and chicken asada were also great. A bit on the pricey side, but I will certainly be back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great food, great staff! If you havent already, give it a try! You wont be disappointed!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Great and fast service, drinks were strong, and the chicken and beef tacos were phenomenal! Definitely going back soon!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Absolutely delicious. I am not a veggie taco guy but there cauliflower taco definitely changed my perspective, I would eat that again. For drinks we got the El fumigo(spicy chilly drink) and wow I would come back just for that drink, it definitely had a kick to it. Loved the place, would highly recommend it Vegetarian options: Cauliflower tacos, eggplant tacos

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Their Tacos are so good! They have many delicious options and to top it all off they salt the rim of the cans of their house Mexican lager! This place will leave you saying Muy Bien!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Best tacos in Ottawa. Vibes are just as excellent.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Except for the seating options which was not very comfortable everything else was good. The fav taco was the pork belly with a good balance between the flavour and texture

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing tacos!! One of the best I have had. The lamb is the go to. Very juicy and lots of tasty sauce. Had a great time there. It s a little pricy and worth it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Friendly service and great Tacos. Recommend.

December 22, 2023

Food had distinctive taste of being old or reheated several times

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Best tacos in ottawa and some of past I ve had around world. Great every time. Also great cocktails and service

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Taste of food was amazing but fish tacos were not crispy. Friendly staff 100%. Cute little tiny place but wish there were more space in between tables

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Highly recommend - ox tongue taco - fish taco - eggplants taco Pig-head and chorizo are also worth to try! Normally two of them fill me up. I literally tried all the menu since I love this place. Its one of my go to restaurant for the feeling lazy for cooking day. Frankly a bit pricy, but worth it to go. No parking. Reservation recommend for the weekend dinner time. They open cute patio in summer.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This place has some amazing food choices and even later at night. Get the salad and prawns and skip the typical tacos. You wont regret the taste sensations from this combo! So delicious! Remember to add the dressing to your plate from the salad as it makes the dish.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Outdoors at food truck is the best vibe. Every flavour of taco is delicious! My personal favourites are the Crispy Fish taco and the Pig Head taco. So good!! Dont forget a Whisky Sour for a perfect summertime patio experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Iwow so good food must go.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Im really happy to have late night eats available at the Elgin St location. super convenient and insanely delicious tacos that are packed with flavour. Cant wait for my next visit. These guys are special.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Fish and eggplant tacos great

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Music was a bit too loud but the food and service is amazing!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great fish tacos

★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great churros, tacos are very expensive. $8+ per taco

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Love this place and I wish I lived closer to downtown. Fish tacos all the way.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great discovery, varied choices and flavors. The cocktails are excellent! To recommend

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

We ordered online and initially did not want the peanut sauce on the cauliflower tacos. I got a phone call from who I think was the owner explaining how the taco works best with this sauce, and I agreed to give it a go. I am so glad she called to tell me this, all 4 of our tacos were amazing. Highly recommend and will definitely be back :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

There are really good tacos here. Ive never had tacos this good and special before. The location is also very cool and the staff is very nice. Theres just something fresh in the store. The pork tacos with pork belly and pineapple are an absolute recommendation.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Food and service is awesome but prices are getting a little pricey. We re talking $10 tacos now.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Excellent service and food. Loved the steak tacos. Will visit again for sure.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Food & drinks are great. Fish Taco was absolutely delicious.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Had a wonderful meal here last night, with our 6-month old baby. The staff were incredibly accommodating, and provided prompt, friendly service. We thoroughly enjoyed the fish, pork belly, pig s head, beef, cauliflower, and chicken tacos. Each taco is loaded with the protein/filling of choice, making them well worth the price per. The flavours were all spot on, and well balanced. My only qualm would be flour over corn tortillas, but in this case they were nice and soft, not chewy, and did the trick nicely. We finished the meal off with an order of churros, which were fried perfectly (super crispy on the outside, soft on the inside) and complimented with a lovely, warm caramel. The decor was really cool and atmosphere was great for a Saturday night out.

December 22, 2023

I went to eat with my family, the food is good but the attention given by a waiter with a beard and a cap was the worst, first he treats you very well but then because of his personal things I suppose about him, when paying for our food we were treated in a bad way, if you read this to you who waited on us at the table thank you very much for nothing you ruined our dinner time

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

We went last night for a date night and were so impressed how great everything was . The food was exceptional as always , but what is truly worth mentioning is the staff and service from start to finish . our server was so on point the entire evening and so tentative to our needs . Tables were being cleared and cleaned up quickly and as we were leaving , so many friendly staff were saying goodbye/good night to us .

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Best tacos in Ottawa!

December 22, 2023

flavourless and expensive go support real Mexican establishments instead!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Can t beat their tacos so delicious great vibe

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The ambience and the food never disappoints

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Best taco place in Ottawa! Please bring a location to Toronto! Food

★★★
December 22, 2023

If youre hungry youd better also be rich. For the prices I was expecting these to be substantial tacos. Theyre barely appetizer sized. 3 tacos and 2 beers ran me $60. The food was good but it wasnt even close to worth the price. Not sure what theyre spending the money on but it isnt the decor or staff training.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very tasty tacos, the eggplant one is a must try. Nice cocktails. Food

★★
December 22, 2023

The tacos are extremely overpriced. Not worth it for what you pay!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Loved it everything was perfect! Except that I ordered a drink and they didnt have all the ingredients to make it... So I ordered a bottle of orange wine and they were out too. THIS IS THE ONLY negative thing I can say. Beside that the food was marvelous and the staff awesome.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Excellent spot for tacos and beer!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Best tacos and tequilla drinks in town!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Really good tacos that are a little pricey but that s to be expected with the quality.

★★★
December 22, 2023

Love love love their tacos! However when we order take out most of the time there is a missing item. We even asked if everything is on the bag and we get home and we are missing things. Would recommend opening your bag before you leave their location!