Toronto may be home to numerous Mexican restaurants, but most focus on casual fare, such as tacos and tortillas. If you’re searching for an upscale experience that showcases bold, vibrant flavors and beautifully composed dishes with layered textures, the options are surprisingly limited. That changed in December 2024 with the opening of Casa Morales in Kensington Market.
Located at 152 Augusta Avenue, Casa Morales is easily the most eye-catching spot on this bohemian stretch. Created by the family behind the popular Gus Tacos just up the street, the Morales family set out to offer a more refined and authentic dining experience—and they’ve delivered.
The space is sleek and modern, featuring glazed stone floors, an open kitchen, black furnishings, exposed industrial ceilings, and moody, ambient lighting. It seats about 50 indoors, with an additional 20 on the patio. Guests are welcomed with housemade toasted tostadas and a trio of salsas ranging from mild to spicy—a lovely introduction to what’s to come.
The menu includes eight entradas (appetizers), five Mexican classics, and four larger plates. Our server was kind and knowledgeable, offering excellent recommendations tailored to our heat tolerance. We began with the Sopes de Hongos, a thick, crispy masa base topped with pickled oyster and cremini mushrooms, queso fresco, sliced avocado, and Serrano chilies. Earthy, fresh, and full of depth.
We debated between the shrimp aguachile, the soft-shell crab, and the rockfish ceviche. In the end, we chose the ceviche for its milder spice and the intriguing combination of pineapple and toasted coconut. It was excellent. From the classics section, we ordered the Mole Rojo, a sweet and spicy chicken dish with what may be the best mole sauce I’ve ever had.
For our main, we shared the Pulpo al Pastor—tender octopus in a smoky chipotle glaze. Every dish was cooked to order, beautifully presented, and bursting with fresh, complex flavors. All ingredients are made from scratch in-house, and the staff refreshes silverware and plates between courses—an elegant and appreciated detail.
The cocktail menu is just as inventive, crafted with housemade juices, jams, and extracts, paired with premium tequilas, mezcals, and liqueurs. I especially enjoyed the Pepino Mi Amor, a refreshing blend of gin, cucumber, and lime. The drinks menu also includes Mexican beers, wines, soft drinks, and mocktails.
Dessert options include a tres leches with rhubarb and a warm tamal dulce with peanuts and chocolate sauce. We chose the latter.
The kitchen is led by Chef Felipe Kwon, whose background includes El Rey Mezcal, Alma, and Bar Isabel. His approach is rooted in traditional Mexican cuisine, but he weaves in global flavors and modern techniques, creating a thoughtful balance of authenticity and innovation.
Casa Morales is a welcome addition to Toronto’s dining scene. I’m already looking forward to my next visit. Recommended.
Happy dining,
Shanea
08/14/2025
