Holy guacamole there are some seriously good Mexican restaurants in Brisbane/Meanjin these days. If your idea of a mouth-watering Mexican fiesta involves nothing more than a whole mess of nachos, you're doing it wrong (kind of). Put down the Doritos and step away from the 'medium' intensity salsa, gringo—we're going to do this the right way.
Mexican food is a divisive and delicate subject matter. After all, one person's tor-till-ah may be another's tor-tee-ah. When Mexican food is good, it's really really good. When it's bad… well, it doesn't earn a coveted position on OB真人视讯's list of the best Mexican restaurants Brisbane has to offer. From sit-down affairs to flavour-mobiles on the move, here are some of Brisbane's top picks for dining south-of-the-border.
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Baja
211 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Without a doubt Brisbane’s most sophisticated Mexican restaurant, there’s not a hint of a sombrero at Baja—instead, you’ll find pastel interiors with wicker lamp shades casting a patterned shade over panelled bench seating, tiled high tables and polished concrete floors. The menu is equally as different from your usual—think roasted pork belly adobada with mole manchamanteles, pear, radish and kohlrabi and lamb shoulder with pea mole, beans and mexcal jus. Taco aficionados need not despair, however, as there’s more than a few of those on the menu too, along with plenty of tequila-filled tipples—the Coco Loco is a must try.
La Patrona
11 Florence Street, Teneriffe
This colourful and relaxed Mexican spot will have you drooling from the beginning to end of your stay. With cosy interiors decked out in wood and an amazing flowering cactus mural, will be your new favourite spot for all things Mexican. They’ve got a delicious array of street food and share dishes, making it the perfect spot to hit up with a group of friends or your date. Think slow cooked shredded beef enchiladas, mushroom stuffed gorditas, rib fillet tacos, and plenty of tequila if you feel like living la vida loca.
El Planta
58 Hope Street, South Brisbane
Image credit: El Planta | Facebook
For all you vegan, vegetarian and plant-based enthusiasts, don’t think that good Mexican food excludes you—El Planta haa got your back. Their full plant-based menu dishes up a fine selection of all the classics: tacos with housemade tortillas, grilled corn rolled in chipotle mayo and ‘parmesan’, and of course, guacamole. Wash these delights down with a margarita that will have you doing the salsa all night.
Cartel Del Taco
290 Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne
Word of warning—you will want literally everything on Cartel Del Taco's menu, so come hungry and preferably with a gang. This fire engine red eatery looks casual but the flavours coming out of the kitchen are anything but, thanks to the dedication of its two Mexican ex-pat owners. Fill your table with starters like slow-cooked pork ribs, chargilled corn and deep-fried quesadillas stuffed with red snapper and guacamole, then move on to tacos topped with lamb barbacoa, jackfruit or beer battered snapper. The birria tacos are a must, as is the layered vanilla flan and chocolate mudcake for dessert.
California Native
321 Chatsworth Road, Coorparoo
California Native in Coorparoo serves their Mexican with a laidback Cali-style menu that includes jalapeno poppers, taquitos, fajitas, enchiladas and heavenly soft fried tacos. For those up to the challenge, nachos are offered in a grande size with your choice of chipotle steak, braised ancho chicken or spiced vegetables.
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La Bodega Taqueria
1/53 Lytton Road, East Brisbane
Image credit: La Bodega Taqueria | Instagram
East Brisbane got buzzing when the terracotta-hued opened its doors in late 2023. They're all about that laid-back Mexican vibe straight from Los Angeles, taking cues from the city's food truck scene. What’s on offer? Well, you guessed it—tacos take centre stage among their easygoing menu options. Adobe pork al pastor rotates slowly in the kitchen, alongside chefs painstakingly crafting handmade corn tortillas. Don't miss out on La Bodega’s other mouthwatering taco offerings, including Yucatan chicken with chipotle crema, grilled rump steak asada with chimichurri, tecate-battered barramundi, and slow-cooked mojo jackfruit with grilled queso.
Mama Taco
4/59 Hardgrave Road, West End
West End’s Mama Taco celebrates authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Everything on the menu is made from scratch using traditional Mexican preparation and cooking techniques, so you know that everything is made with love. Wood fire grilled meats, house made hot sauces, and tortillas made from only the best organic corns—let Mama Taco introduce you to flavour like you’ve never experienced before. The food, drinks, and picture-perfect pink walls will make you never want to leave.
El Torito
146 Boundary Street, West End
El Torito has been holding court on the benchmark for authentic Mexican food in Brisbane since before the taco trend took hold. From their digs on Boundary Street they’ve set the standard for Brisbane’s most rustic Mexican, and you can be sure there is a helluva lot more going on than just corn chips and guac. Check out the chicken mole if you don’t believe us.
Mexicali
142 Oxford Street, Bulimba
Image credit: Mexicali | Ranyhyn Laine
Mexicali is the stuff of South East Queensland legend. With homes in both Nobby Beach and Brisbane, if you’re serious about Mexican food chances are you’re going to love this place. This bar and taqueria’s menu draws from local ingredients and traditional Mexican recipes to deliver punchy, zesty plates. Think crispy battered coral trout tacos heaped with pineapple chutney and dripping in lime or there’s the grilled Bangalow al pastor melt in your mouth pork with salsa verde and fresh corriander. Pro tip: do the banquet with bottomless drinks to make the most of their menu.
Poca Madre
15 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
Poca Madre literally translates to 'awesome' which pretty aptly foreshadows what’s in store for you. Here, the team promises a dining experience that’s as memorable, punchy, vibrant, and as cool as a trip to Mexico itself—but in the middle of South Brisbane. The menu packs a punch with a colourful ode to Mexican tradition. Like all good Mexican spots, these guys also do a killer taco Tuesday and a margarita menu that truly deserves a visit.
Mama De Luna
83 Kedron Brook Road, Wilston
Wilston's serves up Mexican eats in a colourfu setting for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes, breakfast—if you've never had huevos divorciadas (two fried eggs and refried beans on a crisp tortilla with salsa verde on one side and salsa roja on the other) you haven't lived. The PM menu is equally worth a visit though, featuring the classics of tacos, tostadas, fajitas, enchiladas, nachos and cheesy quesadillas.
Carmen Tequileria
70 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Carmen Tequileria | Facebook
Carmen Tequileria, by Potentia Leisure (the team behind Lina and Soko), is a chic Mexican-inspired restaurant and bar on James Street beneath Sage Hotel. With Tulum-inspired decor, it’s perfect for enjoying tequila and agave cocktails. The menu features elevated Mexican fare like watermelon with goat cheese, Mexican halloumi, and kingfish ceviche, alongside creative cocktails like the Puerto Escondido and Tijuana. Don’t miss their dinner deals: Tuesdays offer a four-course set menu with a drink for $49 per person and Thursdays include a three-course shared menu and a one-litre jug of margarita for $59 per couple.
El Camino Cantina
153 Stanley Street, South Brisbane | 2/45 King Street, Bowen Hills | Gympie Road, Chermside West
Serving up strong party vibes with larger than life sombreros, an explosion of neon lights and jukeboxes blasting music, is a must-visit for you and your crew. Food-wise think fresh tacos, sizzling fajitas and bulk burritos which pair perfectly with their gigantic margaritas, made shaken or frozen. To make things even better there are also spicy mid-week deals that change regularly, so head to their website to check them out.
La Carmela Mexican
25 Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace
Nestled among the speakeasies and brewpubs of Caxton Street, makes its presence known with hand-painted mosaic tiles and full-wall murals. Their food stands out too, with a menu offering up the likes of traditional birria tacos with slow cooked marinated beef filling, queso fresco and consommé as well as their tostada prawn ceviche. Enjoy these plates in their high-ceilinged, Mexican paraphernalia-littered interior or take it out to the garden bar where you can relax with a corona. Don’t forget the lime.
MAYA
757 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Maya Mexican | Instagram
takes the Mexican dining experience to new heights at their rooftop restaurant and bar. The alabaster-white, stone and timber-adorned space instantly transports you to the balmy coastal regions of Mexico. Pair that with a marg made from an artisanal selection of tequila and you have yourself an excelente evening. We are here to talk about the food though, and MAYA have come through with the goods. Chargrilled stone axe wagyu steak. Western Australian lobster. Jalapeño agave butter. Stop that. They’ve got all the classics too. A range of exquisitely stuffed tacos, homemade guac and quesadillas should cover all the bases. Get down—or up—to MAYA, ASAP.
Pepe’s
184 Enoggera Rd, Newmarket | 5/21 Goggs Rd, Jindalee | 3/89 Bay Terrace, Wynnum
Since opening Brisbane’s first Mexican restaurant in 1972, Pepe’s has remained a staple of the Brisbane Mexican restaurant scene for a reason. Their Newmarket and Jindalee locations have been around for yonks, but they also just opened vibrant new spot in Wynnum that's perfect for big family dinners. The menu at all the locations boasts an extensive list of authentic Mexican dishes from tacos, burritos to enchiladas and chimichanga—and a good margarita or two of course.
Comuna Cantina
12 Creek Street, Brisbane CBD | 1/791 Stafford Road, Everton Park
menu covers all things South American, but there are enough tacos, burritos and quesadillas to satisfy any Brisbane Mexican food lover, along with energetic music and a viva la vida attitude. Serving up Latin inspired food with a healthy modern twist, tasty highlights include the grilled corn topped with shaved ricotta and chipotle aioli as well as no less than four different types of nachos. Oh, and did we mention there’s a cocktail menu that includes the likes of Mamasita mojitos and watermelon margaritas? Enough said.
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Image credit: Baja Brisbane | Facebook
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