Cathy MerrittA year ago, I visited Colombia for the first time, and I immediately fell in love with the vibrant culture there. I fell even more in love with the delicious food, especially the arepas and empanadas, and even when I’m back in Toronto, I’m still craving them.
That’s why I made it a personal challenge to hunt as many Colombian restaurants in Toronto as I can. I asked around—both searching for recommendations on Google or talking to Colombian foodies—and I tried every single one they suggested.
So far, here are the Colombian restaurants that have made it to my favorites list!
Columbus Bakery
– From: marketodistrictbia
Address: 2931 Dufferin St, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—6 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14167824520
Technically, Columbus Bakery isn’t a restaurant, but I love it so much that I’m giving it a pass!
As you can gather from the title, this is a bakery that specializes in Colombian baked goods. My favorite is the alfajor, which is a traditional confection that’s made with flour, honey, and nuts. It’s so sweet and crumbly, and I can always finish several in a minute.
Of course, I can’t pass up on the empanada, which is crispy and savory. It’s even better when I get it fresh because the filling is still steaming inside!
| Pro Tip: This bakery also sells other Colombian products like imported snacks, cans of Malta, and Colombian sausages. Stock up on your favorite products while you’re here! |
Esto es Colombia
Address: 2848 Dufferin St, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—10 am to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—10 am to 2 am
- Sunday—10 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14167820058
Esto es Colombia is a restaurant owned by Diana Patricia Arizala, one of the most celebrated Colombian chefs. It’s no wonder that it’s such a popular spot among the local Colombian diaspora, and it’s also won my favor.
I personally love coming here for breakfast, and my go-to order is the tamales. The corn dough is well-seasoned and soft, and it’s jam-packed with so much filling (chicken, pork, vegetables, and more). To make it more filling, I eat my tamales with corn flatbread.
If I’m here for lunch or dinner, I usually order churrasco con chimichurri. The skirt steak is perfectly juicy and has that charred savory taste that I like. Plus, chimichurri adds a zesty flavor that elevates the dish.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant has a second floor where fun events like karaoke nights are held! Check this page to see if there’s something you’d like to attend. |
Colombian Street Food
Address: 1565 Dupont St
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Saturday—10 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16474256243
If you’re looking for a quick bite, I recommend stopping by Colombian Street Food. As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in popular street foods from Colombia, and they come in a wide variety of flavors—from savory to sweet!
The empanadas are the bestseller, so they’re the perfect place to start. You can choose your preferred fillings, and so far, I’ve enjoyed the chorizo and chicken ones. There are vegetable options as well if you don’t eat meat.
Aside from empanadas, I like getting the chicharron. The deep-fried pork belly is so crispy and addicting; hearing the crunch every time I bite is so satisfying! Of course, it tastes great as well (salty-savory perfection), and I like pairing it with a plain arepa.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant sells frozen products as well, like frozen plantain and frozen arepas. It’s a great idea to stock up on these so that you have a snack whenever you’re hungry at home. |
El Rancherito
Address: 1662 St Clair Ave W
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday—12 to 8 pm
- Tuesday—12:30 to 8 pm
- Wednesday and Thursday—12 to 8 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14166511612
El Rancherito is one of my go-to restaurants when I’m craving meals that will undoubtedly fill my stomach. While this place definitely serves the classic Colombian treats, it also carries rice meals!
One of my favorite dishes here is Bandeja Paisa, which is a plate of roasted beef steak, chorizo, chicharron, rice, and more. I like the combination of crunchy pork rind and tender steak, and the green salad makes the whole dish more balanced.
I also really like the Paella Mixta. The rice is cooked in a creamy lobster sauce, giving it a slight sweetness, and then topped with shrimp, mussels, sausages, calamari, and chicken. Squeeze a bit of lime to add some tangy flavors to the dish!
| Pro Tip: It’s best if you come here via public transportation because finding a parking spot is tough. |
Real Empanada Corporation
Address: 825 Dundas St W
Operating Hours: Thursday to Sunday—11 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14169368346
Real Empanada Corporation is best known for its authentic Colombian empanadas. But what makes this restaurant even better is the fact that they have gluten-free and halal options, so Muslim foodies and those with celiac disease can join in the fun!
I like getting six empanadas because the price is discounted (for context, one order includes three empanadas) and I also get two free salsas. I usually get the traditional flavor (beef), but I also love the cheese option because the filling’s stretchy and creamy.
When the weather is hot, I order some of their homemade popsicles, which are made with real fruits and milk. My favorite flavor is the passion fruit one because it’s sweet and citrusy at the same time.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant sells frozen packages of empanadas. So, if you like the empanadas here, you might want to buy a frozen bag so that you have some snacks to eat at home. |
Delicious Empanadas and Latin Food
Address: 2438 Dufferin St, York
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—11 am to 8 pm
- Thursday—11 am to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—9 am to 12 am
- Sunday—9 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16478272278
What I like about Delicious Empanadas and Latin Food is that the restaurant has a lovely, vibrant atmosphere. The murals on the walls brighten up the space, and the staff plays music that makes me want to dance every time.
Of course, the food is delicious as well. Empanadas are their most popular products, but they also have patacones (fried green plantains). I like getting the patacon chicharron because it’s a savory explosion. Plus, it’s so cheesy and crunchy!
For dessert, I recommend trying the cholado, which is shaved ice topped with blackberry syrup and different types of fruits. It’s a refreshing treat, and I like how it has a hint of sourness that undercuts all that sugar.
| Pro Tip: This place tends to become really busy on Saturday evenings, so come here on a weekday instead. If you really want to visit on a Saturday evening, you can reserve your seat in advance. |
Rincón Paisa
Address: 1885 Eglinton Ave W, York
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—10 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—9 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16475762572
Rincón Paisa is a Colombian restaurant with a cozy, homey vibe. That’s why I love coming here with my family and close friends; it just feels like a great place for some quality time.
My go-to order here is the Bandeja Paisa because it’s a filling meal. I like to get extra carne asada on it to make the meal even more satisfying.
If I just want a quick snack, I order the patacon with mixed meat (beef and chicken). The meat chunks are well-seasoned, while the flat plantain adds a crunchy texture to the dish. Sometimes, I wrap the whole thing up like a burrito.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant is pretty small, so I recommend avoiding peak hours because it can get very crowded. Sometime in the afternoon (before dinner hours) should work just fine. |
Sabor del Pacifico
Address: 2111 Jane St Unit 7, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +16473179010
Another underrated yet great Colombian spot is Sabor del Pacifico in North York. This restaurant is best known for Colombian-style soups, which is why I tend to go here when the weather is gloomy or rainy.
I’m personally a big fan of Sancocho de Cola, which is oxtail soup. The broth tastes incredibly rich, and the oxtail itself falls right off the bone! I like that there are some vegetables mixed in because the dish becomes even more nutritious.
Aside from soups, they have rice meals here. My go-to is Bandeja Colombia because it’s loaded with so many things: fried steak, Colombian sausage, beans, and more. There are even fried plantains that add sweetness to a mostly savory meal.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant is located right next to a Columbus Bakery branch. You can complete your Colombian-themed dining experience with a pastry from the bakery next door. |
Café Las Américas
Address: 2260 Keele St, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—1 to 8 pm
Contact Number: +14162469911
Café Las Américas has been around for more than 40 years now, so it’s not a surprise that it’s built such a strong following. I’m proud to say I’m part of their community now because I keep coming back here.
My ultimate favorite dish to order here is the burrito montañero. This burrito is so packed with beans, rice, and pulled beef that I can never finish the whole thing in one go. I have to bring the other half home and eat it for my next meal!
I also really like the arepas here. It tastes fresh, buttery, and savory, with slight notes of sweetness from the sweet corn.
| Pro Tip: If you’re interested in hosting a party here or hiring them as a caterer, you can send a query via email ([email protected]). |
La Costeñita Colombian Restaurant
Address: 2481 Finch Ave W, North York
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Wednesday—11 am to 8 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +16478083244
La Costeñita draws you in with its vibrant and inviting atmosphere, but it’s the food that makes you stay.
If you’re just looking for a nibble, you can’t go wrong with the empanadas, but you might also like their carimañolas. These are fried cassava dumplings filled with beef or cheese, and they taste both savory and sweet.
For something more filling, try the pechuga de pollo, which is basically a grilled chicken plate. The grilled chicken is well-seasoned and still juicy, and it comes with several sides (salad, beans, and plantains). You’ll immediately go into a food coma after finishing this!
| Pro Tip: This restaurant often sells packaged snacks from Colombia. These are hard to find in Toronto, so be sure to stock up when you can! |
