Mexican food has well and truly found its footing in Adelaide’s dining scene. The good news? You no longer have to fight through a crowd of twenty-somethings or shout over thumping music to get a decent taco. From the newest opening generating buzz to long-standing local favourites, here are eleven Adelaide Mexican restaurants worth putting on your list.
The new arrival
Taco José at Joe’s, McLaren Vale
133 Main Road, McLaren Vale
The newest name on this list, Taco José opened in November 2024 in a courtyard behind a century-old church. Co-owner Timmy Forster spent a year living and working in Mexico City, and it shows: no cheese, no flour tortillas, just corn, open fire and wood-grilled meats and vegetables off a parrilla grill, with house-made salsas and mezcal or margarita slushies. It’s a compact 40-seat kiosk rather than a sit-down restaurant, so it suits a relaxed lunch or early dinner while you’re wine touring. Three tacos for $20.
CBD options
Mexican Society
140 Gouger Street, Adelaide CBD
Tucked into the Chinatown end of Gouger Street, this award-winning spot offers ten different taco fillings alongside more substantial plates like duck nachos, grilled octopus and elote. The jalapeño margaritas have a following of their own. A reliable choice for a proper sit-down meal with a bit of theatre to it.
Sazón
3/19 Grenfell Street, Adelaide CBD (also Mount Barker)
If you’d rather do Mexican for lunch than a big night out, Sazón is worth knowing about. Open weekdays from 7am to 3.30pm, it’s a low-key cafe serving quesadillas, sweet potato fries and a well-priced three-taco lunch special, plus proper coffee. Quiet, daytime, and easy to get a table.
Hecho en Mexico
12 Peel Street, Adelaide CBD, and 101–103 Prospect Road, Prospect
A street-food-style menu built on fresh, locally sourced produce. Tortas, al pastor tacos and fajitas, with an extensive margarita list if you’re after something more festive. Two locations means you can pick whichever is closer, and both keep things simple and fresh rather than over-designed.
Mamacita Bar & Restaurant
266 Pulteney Street, Adelaide CBD
Set inside the TRYP hotel, Mamacita leans more upscale than most on this list. A good choice for a proper night out or a special occasion dinner. The 12-hour slow-roast carne asada is the dish to order.
El Mexicano Kitchen & Bar
92 Gawler Place, Adelaide CBD, and Level 1/42 Jetty Road, Glenelg
Casual street food with a couple of well-located venues. Handy if you’re already in the city or fancy combining dinner with a walk along the Glenelg foreshore. Straightforward Tex-Mex done reliably, with nightly specials.
Beyond the CBD
La Popular Taqueria, Port Adelaide
226 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide
An authentic taqueria worth the drive, using local, free-range ingredients in dishes like carne asada, fish tacos and braised beef cheek. There’s a solid range of Mexican beers, mezcals and tequilas too. Unpretentious and tasty. A good lunch destination if you’re already exploring the Port.
Cha Chi’s Mexican Cantina, Glenunga
493 Portrush Road, Glenunga
Running since the 1990s, Cha Chi’s is something of an Adelaide institution. The retro cantina styling and classic menu of nachos, flautas and jalapeño poppers make it an easy, familiar choice for comfort food done well. The flavoured margaritas (think Midori, kiwi, watermelon) are a novelty worth trying once.
Que Onda Wey!, Goodwood
120 Goodwood Road, Goodwood
A casual, fuss-free option open from breakfast through to dinner. Breakfast quesadillas are a nice point of difference, and the service is friendly without being try-hard. A good local option if you’re in the area and want something easy rather than an event.
Lucky Lupitas, North Adelaide
1/163 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide
Lucky Lupitas imports specialty ingredients directly from Mexico, which shows in dishes like the pork rice bowls and veggie nachos. The atmosphere is lively but manageable, and O’Connell Street makes for an easy pre- or post-dinner stroll.
Hispanic Mechanic, Frewville
205 Glen Osmond Road, Frewville
A fusion menu blending Mexican, Latin American and Korean flavours, with house-made hot sauces and rubs. Worth noting for anyone catering to dietary needs: close to 90 per cent of the menu is gluten-free, and there are banquet options for group bookings.
Whether you’re after authentic tacos in a McLaren Vale courtyard, a long lunch in Port Adelaide, or a special-occasion dinner in the city, Adelaide’s Mexican dining scene has something to suit. The hardest part is deciding where to start.
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