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20 Best Mexican Restaurants in Sydney: Authentic to Tex-Mex
By Lucy Stones - Guide Published: , Last Updated:
From Tacos to Taquitos, the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney has it all, and for good reason. With its bold flavours, delicious tacos and delightful tamales, Mexican food sits atop many people’s favourite cuisine list and is among the world’s most regionally diverse cuisines. When searching for the best Mexican Sydney has to offer, you’ve got to whittle down your craving. Fast-food or fine dining? Do you want an authentic spot steeped in traditions or a contemporary spot that pulls out all the stops? Whatever you’re looking for we bet you’ll find something to satisfy your belly on our list of the best Mexican food Sydney has on show.
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Image: Esteban
Traditional Mexican Food vs Tex Mex
First thing’s first, understanding the difference between traditional Mexican food and Tex Mex is a must. Emerging in America during the mid-20th century, Tex-Mex played an important role in gaining exposure for flavours that originate south of the border, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is authentic. In fact, many of the foods we’ve come to love as Mexican staples aren’t really Mexican at all. For example, burritos and nachos are two Tex Mex specials, inspired by Mexican cuisine, with a healthy pinch of Texan style.
Differentiating traditional Mexican food from Tex Mex can often be difficult, as the two share commonalities in taste and texture, but there is a trick and it starts at step one. Ingredients such as beef, yellow cheese, wheat flour, cumin, and vegetables are utilised in Tex-Mex food, whereas they aren’t typically used in authentic Mexican food because they aren’t common. You’ll also find the flavours of traditional Mexican food are a little smokier as most authentic eateries will make use of a parilla grill, an open-flame technique best utilised for lamb.
Best Mexican Sydney
With a crash course in Mexican cuisine now complete, it’s time to dive into the best Mexican restaurants Sydney has to offer. From traditional to Tex Mex, here are our top picks to put on your list.
Image: Rosa Cienfuegos Itacate
1. Rosa Cienfuegos Itacate
If you are looking for authentic Mexican food in Sydney, Rosa Cienfuegos is your best bet. What started as a food truck operation has since grown into two Inner West icons, with the Redfern establishment a bit more upmarket than its Dulwich Hill deli sibling. Famous for its handmade tamales, which feature a softened corn husk, shredded chicken and a healthy dose of salsa verde, this charming little hotspot looks straight out of Oaxaca. A must-visit for Sydney Mexican food fans.
Address: 129-133 Redfern Street, Redfern NSW, 2016
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-9pm
Image: Esteban
2. Esteban
While Mexican food often conjures up thoughts of tacos and burritos, Esteban is firmly grounded in the upscale dining market. Here, you’ll find a stunning array of mezcals and tequilas for sipping, alongside a series of dishes from across Mexico. Owners Mark Crawford and Michael Fegent, along with executive chef John Frid have put together an authentic journey through the region, highlighted by a 3.4-metre ironbark-fuelled parilla grill. The entire H&E Architects-designed venue is stunningly dark-lit and reeks of blackened meat cooked over an open flame. Be sure to check out the one-kilogram Wagyu delmonico rib eye
Service options: Dine-in · No takeaway · No delivery
Address: 1 Temperance Ln, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues: 5pm–12am, Thurs-Fri: 12pm–1am, Sat: 4pm-1am
Menu: estebanrestaurant.com.au
Phone: (02) 9062 8565
Image: Carbon Mexican Woodfire
3. Carbon Mexican Woodfire
A 60-person eatery that has become ingrained in the Bondi foodie culture, Carbon specialises in woodfired Mexican dishes by incorporating traditional Latin American parrilla grilling techniques. Inspired by the haciendas of the Mexican Caribbean, the diner has a unique atmosphere that capitalists on its traditional white walls and Mexican textiles. In terms of food, we recommend grabbing a few share plates, namely the Hampshire suckling pig and roasted lamb shoulder.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Address: 288 Bondi Rd, Bondi NSW 2026
Hours: Tues-Thurs: 5–11pm, Frid: 3–11pm, Sat: 12–11pm, Sun: 12–10pm
Menu: carbonmexican.com.au
Phone: (02) 9388 1451
Image: Chica Bonita Manly
4. Chica Bonita Manly
Chica Bonita Manly has piles of personality and Mexican fare for the hungry crowds. Its stools are often packed to the brim but well worth the wait. Start off with some of the tasty snack foods like the kingfish ceviche or guacamole and chips. Then get stuck into the tacos and tostadas like the cheeseburger taco or the brisket tostada.
Address: 9 The Corso, Manly NSW 2095
Hours: Tue-Fri 11:30am-3pm & 6pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-10pm
Phone: (02) 9976 5255
Image: Dos Senoritas
5. Dos Senoritas
Arriving straight from the streets of Guadalajara Mexico, Dos Senoritas is a truly authentic journey through flavour and texture. Located in Gladesville, the eatery is home to Chef Domingo, a man so proud of his heritage, he went and recreated it here in Sydney. Dos Senoritas is famous for its moles – Mole Poblano, chicken breast cooked slowly in green mole pepian or Mole Oaxaca, featuring chicken cooked in a dark chocolate sauce – or his tamales stuffed with chicken or beef and wrapped in a corn husk.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Address: Shop 2/3-7 Cowell St, Gladesville NSW 2111
Hours: Tues-Sun:10-3pm,5pm-9:30pm
Menu: dossenoritas.com.au
Phone: (02) 9817 3737
Image: Chula
6. Chula
Potts Points’ Chula offers a delicious range with some of the best Mexican in Sydney. The dishes and beverages highlight the menu in a modern contemporary style. Think Charcoal-grilled beef, zingy ceviche, fresh zesty salads, Mexican truffle quesadillas and more. And don’t forget the most popular Mexican dessert, Churros are also on the menu. For the drinks, try the Mexican cocktails or Michelada.
Address: 33 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011
Hours: Tue-Thu 5-11pm, Fri 5pm-12am, Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 5-11pm
Phone: (02) 9331 0126
Image: La Farmacia
7. La Farmacia Sydney
Dishing out authentic Mexican food in Sydney, complete with a near-endless list of margaritas to choose from, La Farmacia is a must-visit dining destination. Hidden behind a closed door in Stanley Street eatery Mrs Palmer Sandwich, the hidden tequila bar and restaurant isn’t to spot, but once you enter, you’ll never forget it. Of you’ve got the time, we highly recommend the bottomless brunch options on Saturdays and Sundays, which sees a set menu, mixed spirits, Mexican beer or wine and 1.5 hours of bottomless margaritas.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery
Located in: Mrs Palmer Sandwich
Address: 81 Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Hours: Tues-Fri: 5:30pm-Late, Sat: 11am-late Sun: 11am (lunch only)
Address: 81 Stanley St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Menu: lafarmaciasydney.com
Image: Maiz Mexican Street Food
8. Maiz Mexican Street Food
Sydney’s proverbial home of street plays host to a Mexican icon from head chef and co-owner Juan Carlo. Maiz Mexican Street Food opened in King Street in 2021 at the height of the lockdown and has been booming ever since. With a beautiful courtyard that feels equal parts familiar and foreign, the restaurant is renowned for its signature vegan hibiscus al pastor, spanner crab tinga and 16-hour slow-cooked beef barbacoa.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway
Address: 415 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Hours: Tues-Sat: 5pm-9pm
Menu: maizstreetfood.com
Phone: 0466 867 700
Image: Sinaloa Sydney
9. Sinaloa Sydney
With a contemporary Mexican menu curated by head Chef Axell Torres, this new restaurant features some of the best Mexican Sydney. Designed with an Australian twist, it’s the perfect spot to kick back and share some Tacos, Quesadillas, and Margs with good company. Our personal favourites include the pork belly tacos with crackling, guacamole and chips, and the awesome stone baked Quesadillas. This is the spot for Mexican street food with native ingredients and unique flavours.
Address: 37 Bay St, Double Bay NSW 2028
Hours: Wed-Thur 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-10pm
Contact: [email protected]
Image: Fonda Mexican
10. Fonda Mexican
With several restaurants throughout Melbourne, Fonda is now gracing the golden sands of Bondi beach, producing fresh and simple Mexican food made with love. ‘Fonda’ meaning a home that is open to the community as a restaurant is exactly what founders Tim McDonald and Dave Youl had in mind. Think crispy prawn tacos, fresh bright salads, tostadas and shared taco boards.
Address: 85 Hall Street, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Hours: Mon-Sun 12-9pm
Contact: [email protected]
Image: Merivale
11. El Loco at Excelsior
Check out El Loco at Excelsior for a bounty of the best Mexican Sydney. Located in trendy Surry Hills, make sure you get in early because this is Mexican restaurants in Sydney is packed on most nights. It’s no wonder since the food does the talking. Streetfood is the name of the game and the menu keeps things simple, like all the best things in life, flavourful and fresh.
Address: 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-12am, Thur 11am-1pm, Fri 11am-3am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12-10pm
Phone: (02) 9114 7339
Image: SoCal Sydney
12. SoCal Sydney
Perhaps a little less Mexican and a little more Cali, SoCal in beautiful Neutral Bay is the perfect spot for a bit of Golden State ambience. It’s packed with modern Southern Californian share-style Mexican street food with a heavy dose of Latin American spices. Dishes like the seared tuna tostadas, ocean trout ceviche or the Baja fish tacos will have you coming back for some of the best Mexican Sydney.
Address: 1 Young St, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Hours: Mon-Tue 5pm-12am, Wed-Thur 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-10pm
Phone: (02) 9904 5691
Image: El Gringo’s Tacos
13. El Gringo’s Tacos
There is nothing better than late-night tacos and that’s exactly what you can expect from El Gringo’s. The Crows Nest Mexican restaurant has a great vibe, amazing food and a delightful cocktail list to get you int he mood. Best of all, the restaurant also gives a chunk of every month’s profits back to its staff, so you can feel good about chowing down.
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery
Address: 16 Falcon St, Crows Nest NSW 2065
Hours: Tues-Wed: 5–9:30pm, Thurs; 12–10pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm–12am
Menu: elgringostacos.com.au
Phone: (02) 8959 3351
Image: Mejico Restaurant
14. Mejico Restaurant
This Mexican restaurant is right at the heart of Sydney’s CBD and has the largest selection of tequila in the city, need we say more? Not only that Mejico pumps out all the Mexican classics with a modern twist, like the Chipotle beer glazed pork ribs or the baked king trout taco with thyme and fennel mayo. For dessert, there are margarita cheesecake bites and crunchy fried banana.
Address: 105 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon -Fri 12-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm
Phone: (02) 9230 0119
Image: Flying Fajita Sistas
15. Flying Fajita Sistas
Flying Fajita Sistas in Glebe is all about fresh, seasonally available produce combined with authentic spices and flavours of Mexico. So if you’re on the hunt for the best Mexican in Sydney, this one is hard to walk by. The menu features all your favourite Mexican dishes like tamales, enchiladas, tacos and as the name suggests, a whole bunch of fajitas with every type of filling like, king prawns, mango and cheese, sweet chipotle chicken and more.
Address: 65 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037
Hours: Wed-Sun 5-10pm
Phone: (02) 9552 6522
Image: Calaveras Mexican Cantina & Tequila Bar
16. Calaveras Mexican Cantina & Tequila Bar
Ascend the stairs at Calaveras, past the twinkling fairy lights and art-filled walls, the atmosphere is set for a great Mexican dining experience. Tasty tacos filled with toppings and quesadillas stuffed with cheese…and then there are the drinks. With an impressive Tequila and Mezcal collection, you’ll probably find it a bit daunting on which to choose, but the knowledgeable staff are happy to give you recommendations.
Address: Level 1/324A King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Hours: Tue-Wed 6-10pm, Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12am, Sun 5:30-10pm
Phone: 0451 541 712
Calaveras Mexican Cantina & Tequila Bar
Image: Tequila Mockingbird
17. Tequila Mockingbird
Take a trip down to Paddington’s Five Ways for some of the best Mexican Sydney has on offer. Tequila Mockingbird’s cosy dining space and culinary prowess will have you wishing you’d found this place sooner. Combining the tastes of Latin America with the modern Australian kitchen provides a flavourful and inventive dining experience. Try the ceviche taco or the Wagyu Picanha with garlic jalapeno butter.
Address: 6 Heeley St, Paddington NSW 2021
Hours: Tue-Wed 5-10pm, Thu 5-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12-10pm
Phone: (02) 9062 8566
Image: Bad Hombres
18. Bad Hombres
There’s Good Food at Bad Hombres, not only good but 100 per cent vegan. There are small plates to share like the king mushroom Peruvian ceviche or the Nachos with cheddar “cheese” and Pico de Gallo. Or for something more substantial the mains include the Shiitake and sunflower seed chilli, Lomo Saltado (Peruvian style stir fry) or the veggie bowl with seasonal vegetables. Great for vegans but also those who want to try some of the different types of Mexican restaurants Sydney has to offer.
Address: 40 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Tue-Sun 5:30-9:30pm
Phone: 0410 191 441
Image: Merivale
19. El Loco at Slip Inn
Another El Loco popped up at Slip Inn after its successful takeover at Excelsior and offers the same delicious quality Mexican food Sydney has come to expect from its sister restaurant. Try one of the Mexican inspired burgers or snack and share some Jalapeno mayo chicken wings, salt and pepper squid or one of the many delicious tacos. The cocktail list is just as tasty with Margaritas galore, and a hefty wine list.
Address: 111 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-12am, Fri 11am-2am, Sat 5pm-2am
Phone: (02) 9114 7327
Image: Mexicano
20. Mexicano
Quality produce, sourced locally is what Mexicano does best. They’ve got tacos for days with every protein you can think of, share plates like the prawn ceviche, jalapeno croquettes or beef chimichangas. Try one of the banquet options for a little taste of everything and for dessert, you can’t go wrong with the salted caramel ancho chilli truffles.
Address: 2/209-211 Ocean St, Narrabeen NSW 2011
Hours: Tue-Thu 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-9:30pm
Phone: (02) 9970 8975
General FAQs
Where is the best Mexican Sydney?
Some of the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney are Bar Patron, Chula, Mejico, Tequila Mockingbird, Bad Hombres, and El Topo, to name a few.
What's the best Mexican restaurant in the Sydney CBD?
Not only is Mejico located in the heart of the CBD, but it has the city's widest tequila selection.
Where can you find the best tequila selection in Sydney?
Restaurants such as Mejico, Calaveras Mexican, and Barrio Cellar offer some of the best tequila and mezcal selections in Sydney.
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