A review of Mississauga’s La Carnita
With a range of cocktail drinks and various taco options, La Carnita is the perfect Mexican-inspired restaurant for your next adventure.
Located in Square One Shopping Centre, La Carnita is a Mexican-inspired restaurant known for its vibrant food and lively atmosphere. The restaurant is only a 10-minute drive and a 37-minute bus ride from the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Nestled inside the busy mall, the restaurant offers an impressive range of stylish dishes and drinks. Whether you are looking to catch up with friends over some cocktails or indulge in a three-course meal, La Carnita has you covered.
A look inside La Carnita’s vibrant interior
Walking into the restaurant, the ambiance and modern vibe are perfect for young students. The restaurant features warm lighting and tones throughout, with graffiti and murals painted across the entire space. La Carnita combines Toronto’s street art culture with a cozy industrial design reminiscent of a colourful Mexican street.
Situated in downtown Mississauga, the ceiling of the restaurant is levelled high up from the main dining area with plants and light decorations hanging from the top. There is also a garage door that covers the entire side of the main dining area, giving the place a rustic, urban feel.
Inside the restaurant, visitors will hear a variety of Latin hits with the perfect volume—loud enough to dance to the beat and sing the lyrics, but quiet enough to talk with your friends.
In a single sentence, La Carnita is the ideal spot for Generation Z to capture the perfect Instagram post, with its colourful food and stylish drinks. It serves as a party-like atmosphere while still offering a relaxing and welcoming environment for all: couples, friend groups and even families.
A culinary escape
As you walk into the restaurant, the servers welcome you and walk you to your table. As you receive the menu, the server takes the time to explain each section of the restaurant and describe the meaning behind certain spaces.
Their friendly and accommodating nature soothes every guest, particularly first-time customers who are new to the restaurant’s unique food and drink options. While La Carnita has long wait times during its peak hours, especially during the weekends, the incredible quality of service remains the same.
Now the good stuff—what delicious items are featured on the menu? While La Carnita is known to offer Mexican food, its dishes are reflective of traditional Mexican cuisine. Rather, the restaurant offers a new mix of flavours and colours inspired by Mexican culture. The menu blends traditional Mexican staples and spices with modern culinary twists using various Western ingredients. The menu offers a range of appetizers, sides, main dishes and desserts, catering to different dietary preferences and restrictions.
Starting with appetizers and sides, the Tostada de Ceviche is a fan favourite. It is made with ahi tuna, watermelon, cucumber and crispy wonton, offering a light and refreshing start to a meal. This meal is a fusion of traditional Mexican tostadas and Asian-inspired flavours, combining fresh ingredients and vibrant spices for a unique culinary experience.
Another standout is the Mexican Street Corn— corn on the cob slathered in mayo, cheese and chilli powder. In Mexico, this snack is usually served with different spices, but La Carnita’s version combines the smoky, creamy and slightly spicy tastes well enough to resemble the original dish.
The restaurant also offers other classical appetizer options, such as guacamole bowls with chips on the side, along with a Mexican-inspired poutine, where vegetables and sauces are added to the original poutine dish with cheese for a spicy, flavorful kick.
The most popular choice of food at La Carnita, and what the restaurant is known for, is its tacos. Each taco is crafted with care, balancing the inside of the taco with colourful toppings and sauces. The tortillas are perfectly sized for the tacos and designed to be sturdy, ensuring they hold together and don’t break—a huge bonus as tacos can get messy and be easily snapped.
From sweet to sour, spicy to normal, meat to veggie, the range of tacos at the restaurant is the highlight of the menu. The tacos come individually, and most people need two or three to feel full, however, the price is reasonable which allows you to mix, match and share to get a full sample of the taco menu.
As much as they are fun to look at and capture in pictures, their craft cocktail selection is wide and delectable. Their margaritas, tequilas, and mescals come in a variety of different flavours including sweet or sour options. There is also a variety of beers and non-alcoholic beverages, like Jarritos—a classical Mexican pop drink.
La Carnita offers a memorable and indulgent experience for everyone. It is an amazing place for casual dining, celebrations or simply a fun night out if you are looking to explore a new combination of flavours, atmosphere and excitement with your meal. If you find yourself at Square One Shopping Centre, be sure to stop by the restaurant and review it for yourself!
