Six Local Mexican Restaurants Everyone’s Talking About

From tasty tacos to fabulous fajitas – here’s a list of the top recommended Mexican restaurants in the local area with delicious menus to explore.  

It’s always been a bit hard to find delicious Mexican food on the lower North Shore. But in the last year, several new eateries have sprung up serving everything from tacos to tamales, and margaritas to mezcal. Here’s the best in our neighbourhood as voted by you!

El Guapo Cantina, Neutral Bay

El Guapo Cantina stays true to traditional Mexican style, serving deliciously simple food that’s just as good as a “Mexican mom’s home cooking”.  The family-owned cantina invites you to try their smoky grilled meats, freshly made tortillas and beautifully roasted grilled vegetables.

The menu covers all the Mexican food groups, including quesadilla, empanadas, albondigas (meatballs), tostados, ceviche, enchiladas, fajitas, eight different types of tacos, churros – and xangos (house-made, deep-fried strawberry cheesecake flavoured chimichanga).

Those who like a bit of heat might dare to try the ”Prawns of the Devil – Plump tender prawns seared in a skillet, tossed in a rich fiery sauce made from dried chillies.” There are gluten-free and vegan alternatives as well so everyone will find something to enjoy!

Address: Shop 2/24 Young Street, Neutral Bay, 2089

Phone: 1300 548 275

Opening Hours: Wed-Thur 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-9pm

Website: https://elguapo.com.au/nb/

Taqueria, Cammeray

Cammeray Square just scored itself a go-to Mexican eatery for date nights, friendly catch-ups, and celebrations. Taqueria draws inspiration from the taco trucks and hole-in-the-wall taquerias that are scattered across Mexico.

The menu is stylish but still authentic to its Mexican roots. Choose between traditional slow-cooked meats, fresh-cooked seafood, vegan ceviche, tostadas, tacos, and larger plates to share.

Book in for Bottomless Margaritas paired with a 6-course meal on the weekend or stop by for happy hour every Friday and Saturday from 2:30-5pm with 2 for 1 margaritas and tacos/bontanas from $5.

Address: 405 Miller Street, Cammeray, 2062

Phone: (02) 7202 0045

Opening Hours: Tue 5-9pm, Wed-Fri 12-2:30pm & 5-9pm, Sat-Sun 12-3pm & 5-9pm

Website: https://www.taqueria.com.au

Sayulita, Lane Cove

Say hola to Sayulita, Lane Cove’s favourite Mexican eatery which has joined their famous Eat Street in the Canopy precinct. There’s a really great vibe here with the buzz from outdoor dining for all the restaurants and a lovely grassed area and children’s playground in the centre.

Sayulita is one of the newer restaurants but is fast gaining a reputation for its modern menu, curated by Mexican-born chef Luis Zaleto. The menu has some stand out mouth- watering items to try such as the Chicharrones: salted pork crackling with a trio of salsas, and the Salmon Carpaccio: salmon, avocado mousse, blood orange, soy sauce, chipotle aioli, onion, coriander, sesame seeds.

Mains include steak, beef, chicken and prawns in various delicious sounding marinades, herbs and spices. And there’s a variety of quesadillas and tacos to try as well. Dessert is a tough pick with items such as the Mexicano Affogato: Kahula, burnt caramel ice cream and churros bites or the Chocolate Flan served with mixed berry Tequila sauce.

There’s a fun kids (“Ninos”) menu too – if you can get them off the amazing play structure. It includes cheese quesadilla, fish and chips, and churritos with dulche de leche.

Those who enjoy a Mexican tipple will be thrilled with the extensive Tequila, Mezcal and Margarita menu!

Address: The Canopy, 3/2 Rosenthal Avenue, Lane Cove, 2066

Phone: (02) 7202 0042

Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 12-3pm & 5-8:30pm

Website: https://www.sayulita.com.au

El Javes, Castlecrag

Café by day, Mexican bar by night, meet Castlecrag’s secret late-night joint, El Javes!

It’s a stroke of genius that Castlecrag’s beloved Back & Forth café serves up Mexican fare of an evening, and this bar and restaurant is the perfect place for a family dinner or night out with your friends.

The menu is simple but has something to please everyone, with guacamole loaded fries and spicy chicken wings for starters, and build-your-own burrito bowls for mains. There’s also fish, chicken, beef and vegie tacos, plus small plates of charred corn and chilli mayo, calamari with jalapeno and lime butter, a prawn ceviche quesadilla and more.

For sweets you can opt for the Nutella and strawberry quesadilla or traditional churros.

Address: 20-22/100 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag, 2068

Phone: (02) 9958 0333

Opening Hours: Wed-Sat 5-12pm

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ElJavesCastlecrag/?ref=page_internal

SoCal, Neutral Bay

Bringing A Mexican fiesta to the North Shore with endless tacos and flowing margaritas is SoCal Sydney. Their menu features fresh and modern Southern Californian ‘share-style’ street food, packed with Latin American spices alongside ‘low’n’slow’ smoked meats, house-made sauces and freshly indulgent sides.

You can score $3.50 tacos on Taco Tuesday, drop by for Happy Hour on weekdays from 5-6:30pm, or book in for a bottomless rosé weekend banquet.

Keep an eye on their socials as well for fun events such as Comedy Nights, Chilli Eating competitions, and live music.

Address: 1 Young Street, Neutral Bay, 2089

Phone: +61 2 9904 5691

Opening Hours: Mon-Thur 5pm-late, Fri-Sun 12pm-late

Website: https://socalsydney.com.au

El Gringos Tacos, Crows Nest

Rich and full of flavour, El Gringos tacos is a friendly little cantina where you can take friends, family or even your fur friend (they’re super dog friendly) .

This late-night Mexican bar makes their tacos fresh to order from a special mix of blue and yellow corn. Fillings include 48 hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder, tempura eggplant and chicken tinga poblano.

Be sure to save room for the sweet stuff, including the guava, lime and mescal sorbet or pasilla chilli and cocoa ice cream.

A house cocktail or frozen margarita from their Gingo’s bar will finish the night.

Check in on Tuesdays for $3 tacos, Wednesdays for $10 frozen margies, and Thursday for Ladies Night!

Address: 16 Falcon Street, Crows Nest, 2065

Phone: (02) 8959 3351

Opening Hours: Tue-Wed 5-late, Thur-Sat 12pm-late

Website: https://elgringostacos.com.au