Cartel Del Taco, Hawthorne: If you’re wondering what the specialty is at this Hawthorne haunt, it’s all in the name. This Mexican-inspired street taqueria is all about doing tacos (and a few other bites) the right way. Seven kinds of tacos are up for grabs, including TROMPO spit-grilled pork al pastor, beef brisket suadero, slow-cooked beef birria, carne asada, beer-battered prawn and a jackfruit pastor taco. That’s not all – Cartel Del Taco also serves snacks like chargrilled corn, prawn agua chile, octopus tostadas and slow-cooked pork ribs, plus tequila and mescal-infused cocktails available at the bar.
El Planta, South Brisbane: Blossoming from humble Wandering Cooks-based upstart into a bona fide culinary star in its own right, El Planta has been knocking it out of the park with its menu of plant-based Mexican eats. The South Brisbane bar and eatery’s menu has something even die-hard carnivores will enjoy, with the menu morphing weekly. Highlights include carne asada tacos made with braised shiitake mushroom stems, tacos topped with beer-braised jackfruit and roasted pineapple, and corn charred and cut off the cob that has been lathered in crema and smoked oil. Spare a thought for the beverage list too – the mezcal-laced margaritas and negronis are seriously great sips.
Baja, Fortitude Valley: If Mexican food makes you think of layers of cheese and sour cream, allow Baja to take you down a fresher route. The modern Cali-Mex eatery focuses on health and quality, showcasing local ingredients interpreted into classic dishes inspired by the culinary scene of its geographical namesake. Chow down on the signature Baja fish taco with beer-battered kingfish and chipotle slaw, roasted pork belly adobada with mole manchamanteles, and achiote-roasted cauliflower doused in chipotle brown butter.
Mama Taco, West End: In early 2020, Hardgrave Road in West End welcomed a colourful bar and eatery that pays homage to the taquerias and mezcalerias of Mexico. Mama Taco seeks to shine a spotlight on Mexican cuisine, showcasing the depth and history of some of the country’s diverse culinary regions. The menu encompasses tacos, platos (larger plates), en el lado (sides) and postre (desserts), with standout dishes including caramelised miso eggplant tacos with queso fresco, king prawn tacos with chipotle mayo and salsa verde, yellowtail aguachile with habanero, merkén and avocado, and the signature Mama Burrito with saffron arroz, frijoles and more. Additionally, Mama Taco’s libation list is part deep-dive exploration and part educational experience on all things agave – think flights of mezcal and tequila and agave-infused cocktails, as well as Mexican cerveza and new wave Australian wines.
Los Felix, Woolloongabba: Those small in stature, this old-school, hole-in-the-wall taqueria is dishing out some huge flavours. Owned and operated by the team behind Sasso Italiano and Casa Chow, this taco joint takes inspiration from the Southern California-style of Mexican cuisine – think carne asada, barbacoa and phenomenal Baja-style fish tacos. Tacos aren’t all that’s available here, either – guacamole with chips (an essential starter), tuna aguachile tostadas, loaded fries and elotes (grilled Mexican-style street corn) also feature, as do crunchy churros lightly dusted in sugar, for a sweet finish.
MAYA Mexican, Fortitude Valley: The crew behind Fortitude Valley’s Eleven Rooftop Bar revitalised the venue in 2020, transforming it into pop-up Mexican restaurant MAYA. Mexico’s gorgeous coastal regions, the space was given breezy makeover, while the menu was overhauled from top to bottom to spotlight colour, fresh produce and light flavours – think flame-grilled prawns coated in tequila, Dos Equis-battered snapper tacos, kingfish ceviche, chargrilled flank steak and roast butternut pumpkin. The bar copped a similarly substantial shake up – now amply stocked with artisanal tequilas, mezcals and sotols (that means the margaritas are top notch) as well as a host of Australian and international wines and draught and bottled beers.
Rita’s Tequila and Taqueria, Teneriffe: From the team behind Siffredi’s, Rita’s takes a purposefully unconventional approach to Mexico’s most iconic culinary item. The team’s free-wheeling non-conformist take on tacos has resulted in a delightfully quirky and ever-changing roster of fillings, featuring the likes of crispy barramundi coated in Korean sauce, ancho-crusted wagyu steak, pibil pork, zucchini felafel and buffalo crispy squid. Throw in snacks like chorizo and black-garlic empanadas and truffled mushroom tostadas and you’ve got all the makings of a Mexican-inspired feast (with a few tasty tweaks).
La Patrona Mexican Cuisine, Teneriffe: Giving diners a taste of quintessential central-Mexican cuisine is La Patrona – a spacious eatery that sits on Florence Street in Teneriffe. Here you’ll find dishes that originated in the Bajío region – a large swathe of the country that stretches from the rocky interior to the western coast, whose cuisine encompasses rich slow-cooked dishes and soups as well as fresh seafood-focused fare. Folks are raving about dishes such as the agave-infused ancho chillies stuffed with traditional beef mince, lime-cured prawn ceviche, chargrilled achiote-marinated chicken tacos and tender pork calf glazed in guajillo sauce with cactus salsa that can be carved and divvied up onto tortillas as well. Add to that a drinks list boasting Mexican beer, wine and cocktails, and you’ve got an authentic Mexican dining experience worth checking out.
Pepe’s, Newmarket: When it comes to claiming the mantle of Brisbane’s best Mexican restaurant, ask any local and they’ll let you know that Pepe’s is a contender. The beloved institution has been pumping out authentic Mexican eats since 2006 – we’re talking flautas, enchiladas and empanadas stuffed with the freshest ingredients going, all washed down with perfectly blended margaritas. The kitchen is also extremely accommodating for people with dietary requirements – so your vegan and gluten-free mates will enjoy it just as much.
MAO Latin Dining, Paddington: While not exclusively a Mexican restaurant, MAO Latin Dining boasts enough influence from Mexican cuisine to warrant a mention. MAO’s menu kicks off with an assortment of tacos, with fillings including Baja fish, beef brisket and pork (the latter two slow cooked for 24 hours) before continuing with blue-tortilla totopos served with guacamole, pico de gallo and chipotle cream.
Mama de Luna, Wilston: Located on Kedron Brook Road, Mama de Luna is a cafe and restaurant that specialises in traditional Mexican food served with the kind of welcoming atmosphere you’d expect when dining in Mexico itself. Folks can stop by at breakfast for chilaquiles, breakfast burritos and the signature Huevos Divorciados, or pop in later for a taste of Mama de Luna’s soft tacos, tostadas, huaraches, red-rice bowls and cheesy quesadillas.
El Torito, West End: Those seeking a truly homemade Mexican experience best make tracks to El Torito, a family-run restaurant that has been feeding West Enders since 1996. Built on a foundation of traditional Mexican dishes like chilaquiles and chochinita pibil, eventually more well-known eats like burritos, chimichangas and fajitas came to join the menu – meaning there is something for everyone. As for the drinks, the authenticity carries over – margaritas, micheladas and horchata can be found flowing here.
California Native, Coorparoo: Considering they share a border (and a penchant for amazing food), the fusion of Californian and Mexican cuisine was pretty much inevitable – and one spot where you can get your hands on the fruits of this union is California Native. Starters like empanadas, beef taquitos and charred elotes make way for mains of Baja fish tacos, wagyu japaleno cheeseburgers and seared salmon with romesco sauce.
Comuna Cantina, Brisbane City and Everton Park: While it might not be a straight-up Mexican eatery, don’t dismiss Comuna Cantina – this lively eatery draws inspiration from all over South and Central America. Starters like grilled corn, guacamole and tacos hint to the menu’s Mexican influence, while heartier options like nachos, quesadillas and burritos have all been given a pan-Latin spin. Be sure to check out the crazy cocktails – there’s a dedicated section for margs, of course.
Honourable mentions: Other stalwarts of the Mexican-cuisine scene include El Camino Cantina, which boasts locations at South Bank, Bowen Hills and Chermside, as well as Mucho Mexicano over in South Bank and Hawthorne, La Mexicana at Howard Smith Wharves, La Carmela on Caxton Street, Hungry Jose in Milton, and Miss Mexicana in Wynnum.
