It's Fiesta Time at the Best Mexican Restaurants in Adelaide
There's a lot to love about the best Mexican restaurants in Adelaide with plenty of tacos, nachos, guacamole and colourful cocktails.
There's something about a Mexican fiesta that always hits the spot. We don't know if it's the nachos loaded with cheese and salsa, the crunchy fish tacos or the salty margaritas - or perhaps a combination of them all that makes this cuisine so much fun.
The buzzing atmosphere of Mexican restaurants makes it perfect for a night out with friends, where you can start the evening with guacamole and dip and likely end it with a shot of tequila.
From Tex-Mex to traditional taquerias, read on for the best Mexican restaurants in Adelaide.
Hispanic Mechanic
Arguably one of the coolest spots for a Mexican fiesta in Adelaide, come for the food and stay for the vibrant atmosphere and funky interiors at Hispanic Mechanic.
Seamlessly blending flavours of Mexico, Latin America and Korea, the tacos, stews and meat dishes are given a jazzy makeover with house-made hot sauces and rubs. Look for starred menu items for dishes with a Korean-flavour twist!
The menu is also 90% gluten-free, and the banquet option is perfect for large groups, with entrees, mains and sweet desserts for all.
205 Glen Osmond Road, Frewville
La Chiva Taqueria
Gluten-free foodies, rejoice! The tacos at La Chiva Taqueria are all GF and oh-so-tasty. This food is best enjoyed with family and friends, with a short and sweet menu designed to be shared.
Order guacamole, corn ribs and a bowl (or two) of patatas bravas for the table, then choose your taco type. You can order 1 or 2, so you can try as many as you like - which is comforting, considering there is pulled pork, roast lamb, chimichurri chicken, Baja barramundi and Peking duck.
Our personal favourite - and the hero of La Chiva - is the Birria taco, with Birria beef, Oaxaca cheese, white onion, coriander and consume, it's hard to know when to stop with these flavour-packed bites.
42 Grote Street, Adelaide
Mexican Society
The spot where Mexico unexpectedly meets China in the heart of Adelaide, Mexican Society is the modern restaurant in Chinatown, serving bright and colourful dishes filled with traditional flavours.
The award-winning menu is simple - as Mexican usually is - with the usual suspects of tacos, fajitas and enchiladas. For something different, try the beef cheek with pico de Gallo and guacamole or the cauliflower taco with tangy sauce.
Our advice? Save room for dessert! Whether you order the churros and vanilla ice cream sandwich, the corn cake with pistachio crumb and ice cream or the banana Nutella chimichanga, your sweet tooth will thank you.
140 Gouger Street, Adelaide
Hecho en Mexico
Exciting news, Adelaide! Hecho en Mexico has arrived, bringing its beloved Mexican street food to town. The venue, designed by local talent Arc Two Architects and NCJ Projects, blends modern style with Mexican flair, creating a vibrant dining space.
Using fresh, locally sourced produce and meat, you can enjoy top-quality dishes like tortas, Al Pastor tacos, fajitas, and birria chilaquiles, all made on-site.
Don’t miss their famous salsas, guacamole, and marinades. Wine lovers will adore their extensive cocktail menu featuring ten margaritas, including the coveted guava margarita, plus dirty shots, mezcalitas, and mulled wine. Oh, and did we mention on Wednesdays from early August, kids eat free all day? Fun for the whole family awaits.
12 Peel Street, Adelaide
Mamacita Bar and Restaurant
Tucked inside TRYP by Wyhndam on Pulteney Street, Mamacita Bar & Restaurant brings modern Mexican to Adelaide. The sleek, modern dining room is a far cry from your run-of-the-mill Tex-Mex joint, providing diners with a more sophisticated way to dine on Central American cuisine.
The food is traditional and flavourful, starting with grilled corn on the cob with chipotle aioli or pulled pork empanadas before moving on to the mains. Whether it's the 12-hour slow roast carne asada with herb butter or the chargrilled pumpkin with avocado and pickled red onion, a feast awaits. Did we mention the frozen pineapple margaritas and all-you-can-eat Taco Tuesdays? Book us a table.
266 Pulteney Street, Adelaide
La Popular Taqueria
Prepare for a taco feast at the buzzing La Popular Taqueria in Port Adelaide. This authentic taqueria nails traditional Mexican eats, crafting their own tortillas with love and using local, free-range produce.
Start with the guacamole and chips, then dive into as many tacos as you can handle. Choose from carne asada, Baja-style fish, or slow-cooked beef cheek braised in a three-chilli salsa, all packed into handmade tortillas and topped with the likes of coriander and onion, cabbage slaw, salsa roja, pico de gallo, and creamy chipotle sauce.
You can even opt for the 'Let Us Feed You' menu at $65 per person (minimum two people) for an incredible deal. Pair your meal with refreshing Paloma cocktails and Mexican lagers that taste like sunshine in a bottle.
Trust us when we say, you'll want to make this your regular spot, even if you're not a Port Adelaide local.
226 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide
Mia Margarita
A high-energy venue in the heart of Henley Beach, Mia Margarita explodes with good vibes from the get-go. Pink neon lights welcome you through the arch doorway, with the neon theme continuing throughout the restaurant lighting up booths and every corner of this Mexican hangout.
Embrace the lively personality of Mia Margarita over tacos and taquitos, and make your way through the list of cocktails spanning practically every colour of the rainbow – margaritas included.
Taco Tuesdays and Birria Wednesdays are always a highlight, with tacos and margarita specials that will pull you out of any mid-week slump!
2/330 Seaview Road, Henley Beach
Sazón
Though this is a guide to the best Mexican restaurants in Adelaide, we feel Sazóns brunch offering deserves a shoutout. This quaint city shop flies under the radar, but we love it for a morning coffee or a Mexican feast come lunchtime.
Win the morning with a cuppa Joe and Mexican-style scrambled eggs with Spanish chorizo, cheese and pico de Gallo or a brekkie quesadilla with bacon, eggs, beans and avocado.
For lunch, think sandwiches and burgers with a Mexican twist, spicy salads and your classic tacos and quesadillas.
Sitchu Tip: Keep an eye on their socials, as Sazon often hosts themed Paint and Sip events in collaboration with Paintelaide.
19 Grenfell Sreet, Adelaide
Que Onda Wey!
Translating to 'what's up, dude?' Que Onda Wey! is one of Adelaide's newest hotspots for fuss-free Mexican fare. With no pretentious energy in sight, it's as though you have stepped into a cosy little shop in Mexico City, warmly welcomed by the friendly staff.
Open from breakfast to dinner, start your day the Mexican way with a breakfast Quesadilla filled with black beans and chorizo. For lunch or dinner, the tacos are a no-brainer, with chicken, chorizo, beef, rib, prawn and veggie options.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Adelaide for an authentic feed with friends, we suggest arriving hungry!
120 Goodwood Road, Goodwood
Lucky Lupitas
A North Adelaide favourite, Lucky Lupitas serves some of the best Mexican cuisine in town. With influence from Latin America peeking through on the menu, this is a brilliant spot to try some unique dishes.
Start with grilled octopus with smoky paprika seasoning and corn buñelos (corn fritters with cheese, potato and jalapenos) before digging into tacos, nachos, burritos and fajitas, all with the options for your favourite meat, guac, veg or tofu filling.
Catering to dietaries including vegan and gluten-free, we love Lucky Lupitas for a group dinner, where everyone will leave with a full tummy.
163 O'Connell Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
El Mexicano Kitchen & Bar
As the name suggests, it's all things Mexico at El Mexicano. Where flavour-packed street food meets casual dining in Adelaide, this is a top pick for an easy meal that won't break the bank.
With nightly specials ranging from Margarita Mondays to Birria Wednesdays, the real fun kicks off with Thursdays Margarita Towers, where you and your friends can get the party started with a tower of tasty cocktails to share - sombreros and all.
When hunger strikes on the weekend, the all-you-can-eat deal has you covered, with a 3-course Tex-Mex feed and bottomless margs, wine, beer and sangria available from 12 pm - 4 pm. Did someone say fiesta?
Adelaide and Glenelg
Did you love our guide to the best Mexican restaurants in Adelaide? If you need a sweet treat to finish your meal, check out the best dessert bars and donuts in town.
