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 aguachile, octopus tostadas and slow-cooked pork ribs, plus tequila and mescal-infused cocktails available at the bar.

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.

Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria, Bulimba: Earlier this year beloved Gold Coast hotspot Mexicali opened a Bulimba location, to the general delight of many Brisbanites. This colourful rooftop bar and eatery anchors its offerings around the original’s best-selling items – think beef birria quesatacos, crispy snapper pescadillas, tacos al pastor, Moreton Bay bug tacos, jalapeno poppers, and chilli-salt squid with chipotle mayonesa, while its cadre of Mexican-born and chefs keep things interesting with a host of new dishes to watch out for. Plus, Mexicali’s bar serves eight kinds of margarita (infused with 100-percent blue agave tequila) alongside a suite of mezcals, cervezas, sangrias and micheladas. Can you say salud?

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.

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.

La Bodega, East Brisbane: Mexican cuisine by way of Los Angeles is the focus at La Bodega, with nods to the LA food-truck scene shaping its menu of approachable fare, which, as you might expect, is big on tacos. In the kitchen, a slowly spinning vertical TROMPO grill lovingly cooks La Bodega’s adobe pork al pastor, which is carved and served on tortillas with grilled pineapple salsa and a sprinkling of slaw. Though a must-try option, you’d be remiss to skip La Bodega’s other taco selections, which include Yucatan chicken with chipotle crema, grilled rump steak asada with chimichurri, Tecate-battered barramundi and slow-cooked Mojo jackfruit with grilled queso. As for the larger gear, be sure to keep an eye out for the enchilada – a layered number reminiscent of a Mexican-style lasagna. 

Carmen Tequileria, Fortitude Valley: A welcome addition to James Street’s selection of top notch nosheries Carmen Tequileria opts for a breezy, beach aesthetic inspired by the coastal town of Tulum with curved archways, whitewashed walls and neutral tones. Fresh, sustainably sourced seafood is a focus with poached lobster tacos, kingfish ceviche and fresh Sydney rock oysters gracing the menu, alongside crowd pleasers including guacamole, charred corn ribs and irresistible Mexican-inspired desserts. As the name suggests, Carmen Tequileria is a temple for tequila lovers and Mecca for mezcal aficionados with a collection that ranges from artisanal small batches to party-starting staples. 

California Tacos, West End: You may have spied California Tacos’ eye-popping share-style nachos on your Instagram feed. This mountainous serve – boasting layers of corn chips, cheese, black beans, avo-peño cream, guac, salsa fresca and protein – is notorious for its hunger-busting qualities, but it’s only the tip of California Taco’s offering. The Gold Coast-born franchise’s neon-lit Brisbane outpost on Boundary Streets serves everything from cheesy quesadillas and chargrilled steak and shrimp tacos, to frozen daiquiris and giant 3-L margarita towers.

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.

MAYA Mexican, Fortitude Valley: The crew behind Fortitude Valley’s Eleven Rooftop Bar revitalised the venue in 2020, transforming it into 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: 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).

Pepe’s, various locations: 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.

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, and La Carmela on Caxton Street.