The Best Mexican Restaurants in Sydney for More Than Guac

As we all know, when a Mexican craving sets in there is very little one can do to stop it. A morsel of jalapeño somehow manages to hit spots that no pepperoni pizza could, and there is no way on earth that a burrito could be outdone by a sushi roll. 

With that in mind, your best bet is to succumb to the will of your stubborn appetite and pay a visit to one of these Mexican restaurants in Sydney—and lucky for us, we're spoilt for choice. So, get ready to savour the rich, savoury, and spicy delights that the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney have to offer. Get ready for a fiesta of flavours!

Comedor (Image Credits: Dexter Kim) 

Comedor 

The recent arrival of Comedor in Newtown's cosy Australia Street has brought something fresh to Sydney's Mexican scene. The narrow yet deep restaurant, complete with plenty of bar seating overlooking the kitchen, feels very New York. The understated and sleek interiors set the scene for punchy flavours and unique combinations of Australian native ingredients, cutting-edge techniques and traditional Mexican home cooking. Think scallop, corn miso vinaigrette, wattle seed and saltbush, and persimmon and Manchego tart. An incredible agave-based spirit menu and a wine list popping with chilled reds rounds out the offering.

182 Australia Street, Newtown 

Maíz Mexican

Maíz's story began at the Summer Hill Flour Mill Markets, where they introduced Sydney to sopes – thick, hearty corn tortillas with inventive toppings, a rarity outside Mexico.

Each dish at Maiz is a corn-centric masterpiece, as tortillas are hand-pressed and prepared to order, keeping the tradition alive. Forget tacos, Maíz focuses on other delicious Mexican handhelds, including molotes, corn pastries brimming with free-range pork chorizo. 

Elevate your experience with agave spirits, Mexican wines, or inventive libations like nixtamal corn whisky. The Margarita lineup offers five delightful renditions that’ll round out your corn odyssey at Maíz.

33 Enmore Road, Newtown

El Primo Sanchez  

El Primo Sanchez is full of delights from the moment you enter. Brought to us from the good people behind Maybe Sammy, this tequila and street food bar has left no stone unturned when it comes to detail. The deliciously retro interiors, block colours and disco balls suspended from the ceiling are a visual feast that just keeps giving with each nook channelling 1940s Mexico.

Start your night with the creative drink menu and the iconic guacamole before moving onto some larger share plates. Don't miss the Brussel Sprout Tacos, Tuna Tostada and Roast Corn. For drinks, try the Gimlet El Maiz, that uses a cordial made from leftover toasted tortillas, and the Sanchez Paloma made with mandarin soda, agave and lime, before delving into the extensive tequila menu. 

End with a session in the venue's petite soundproof karaoke booth that boasts an on-demand tequila button. Quesadillas with a side of Britney? Heaven. 

27-33 Oxford Street, Paddington 

Alegre Bar and Dining (Image Credit: Leigh Griffiths) 

Alegre Bar and Dining 

The glorious, cobbled sandstone walls, abundance of greenery, rope swings and moody open flames of Alegre Bar and Dining are a Tulum fever dream come to life. Despite the iconic interiors, the menu is the real star with a fusion of traditional Mexican and Australian native ingredients. 14-hour slowed cooked lamb barbacoa and salsas taqueras sits pretty alongside kangaroo tartare with jalapeno chimichurri. Perfect for a weekend lunch, three resident DJs and over 150 tequila and mezcal options complete the impeccable vibes.

King Street Wharf. 21 Lime Street, Sydney 

Rosa

Rosa brings chill Mexican vibes to Mona Vale with their modern take on Mexican classics. Brought to you by the team behind Palm Beach favourite, Dunes, the focus is on fresh produce, packed full of flavour. The tequila pasta with tomato & chilli cream is an unexpected but delightful take on the viral vodka pasta, the Jungle Kingfish Ceviche with fermented pineapple, cucumber and herbs is light and bright but the whole BBQ Snapper Verde & Roja Salsa is a real showstopper. 

18 Barrenjoey Road, Mona Vale 

Nativo Mexican

A tiny taqueria that’s small in size but big on flavour, Nativo Mexican offers a concise street food-inspired menu. The venue offers seating for just 14 customers with a focus on takeaway and a colourful, playful design that echoes the streets of Mexico. The innovative menu from this Sydney restaurant pays homage to Chef Diaz's history by using traditional native Australian ingredients such as Al Pastor pork shoulder tacos with saltbush morita salsa and guac with lemon myrtle oil.

Shop 6 / 45-55 Harris St, Pyrmont NSW (above John St Square Rail Station)

St. Alma

It was a very good day indeed when the team behind Avalon favourite Mexican eatery, Alma, opened a sister venue in nearby Freshwater. With beachside charm, casual fine dining and Mexican dishes with a modern twist, St. Alma plays host to visiting chefs from Mexico and features a range of share plates alongside a seasonal cocktail menu. 

20 Albert Street, Freshwater

Tequila Mockingbird

The lovely and literary named Tequila Mockingbird is our favourite Mexican restaurant in Paddington. Offering much more than the traditional burritos and fajitas, Tequila Mockingbird specialises in the likes of ceviche tacos, fried tapioca, whole snapper and mote and miso glazed eggplant steak. Wash it all down with signature tequila-based cocktails and mescal pours.

6 Heeley Street, Paddington

Esteban

From street vendor-inspired bites to large asado share plates, Esteban delivers an innovative dining menu showcasing authentic Mexican dishes. Across the split-level venue, you can get comfy in the upper-tier restaurant, basement taqueria, tequila and mezcal bar or the alfresco dining laneway. The choice is yours!

1 Temperance Lane, Sydney

Sonora

From the brains behind Bondi’s Taqiza and Carbon comes upmarket Mezcal bar and Mexican restaurant Sonora. Far from your cheap and cheerful Mexican street food, the dishes rolling out of the kitchen at Sonora push the envelope, taking Mexican cuisine into fine-dining territory. The food is fresh with a market-to-table vibe, and the bar focuses on Tequila and Mezcal: from top-shelf drops to boutique tipples.

37 Bayswater Road, Potts Point

No. 92

This neighbourhood wine bar serves delicate dishes inspired by Mexican flavours and traditions. Their ‘made for sharing’ menu includes kingfish tepache, casarecce with mushrooms, brown butter, XO and pangrattato, Mexican fried chicken with habanero mayo and scotch fillet with mole and charred choko.

92 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Una Màs, Coogee Pavilion

Taking pride of place on Coogee Pavilion’s middle floor, Una Más, is a local wine and tapas bar with a Mediterranean soul. A place where locals can walk off the beach and stop by for a quick bite or get lost for a few hours, the menu is uncomplicated and recognisable, with influences from both Spain and Australia –freshly shucked oysters and eating plancha style.

Level 1, 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee

El Loco Excelsior

Providing Surry Hills with their very own local cantina, El Loco offers a punchy list of margaritas, tequilas and Mexican fare that will put a fire in your belly. Get amongst their chicken or chorizo quesadillas or the house favourite El Loco Hotdog  with fries, pico de gallo, mustard relish, jalapeños, mayo and queso fresca. The grilled market fish with fries, salad, and habanero sauce is a lighter option for those thinking of their waistline.

El Loco, Excelsior Hotel, 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

Chica Bonita

When the bronzed, beach-faring folk of Manly are in need of some buenos tiempos, Chica Bonita has it covered. This is one of those places where it’s easy to get carried away with the ordering. With plantain chips, carne fries and chimichanga all making for strong nibbles, we’d continue with the Kale Quesadilla for a fresh take on the Mexcian staple. The kingfish and prawn ceviche tostada with guacamole, jalapeno salsa and fresh pomegranate is bliss.

9A/B, 9 The Corso, Manly

Baja Cantina

If burritos are your calling, there is no better place to frequent than Baja Cantina. Sangria, wine, cocktails and margaritas abound (very reasonably priced might we add) however, with such an extensive tequila and mescal list you’d be crazy not to dabble in a few nips. This Glebe institution is also famed for its Burrito Grande; giant tortillas lovingly stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, your choice of meat and salsa before being lightly fried and served with guacamole and a side salad. Trust us, you won’t need to eat again for 48 hours.

43-45 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Enjoyed this edit of the best Mexican restaurants in Sydney and keen to indulge in more Mexican food and drinks? A margarita maybe? Or if you're looking for a different cuisine? Head to our Eat & Drink pillar to explore the best of the Sydney restaurant scene.