Costa Taco, Palm Beach
If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of devouring your body weight in tacos at Costa Taco, you should rectify that, stat. Here’s the low-down – locally sourced seasonal ingredients piled high on a soft-corn tortilla. The refreshingly succinct menu features five street-style tacos as well as a couple of specials that will change depending on what the crew can source. The birria taco, which comes with a side of deliciously rich beef consomme for dipping and slurping, is an absolute must-try. Absolutely every single ingredient that makes its way onto a plate, from the soft-shell corn tortillas to the squeeze of lime on top, is designed to be as authentic as possible.
Clay Cantina, Coolangatta
Hidden down an unassuming Coolangatta laneway, Clay Cantina is the handiwork of Kristal Smith, who long-time locals may remember from Currumbin’s Pop Taco and as one of the original founders of Goodness Gracias in Palm Beach. Having spent more than 13 or so years travelling back and forth to Mexico, Kristal possesses an incredible love and deep-seated respect for the people of Latin America alongside the rich culinary traditions, and the unmistakable flavours and techniques of Mexican cooking. Clay Cantina is a way for Kristal to share her knowledge and experiences through regular cooking classes as well as a laneway cantina that opens from Wednesday to Saturday. If you’ve not yet had the pleasure, book a table here.
Hail Mary, Burleigh Heads
Tucked in about halfway down James Street, Hail Mary dishes up some seriously mouth-watering Mexican including tasty tacos, crispy quesadillas, nachos, salads, tortas and miscellaneous morsels like jalapeno poppers and chilli-lime squid. If a cheeky tipple is on the agenda, share a jug of sangria (or keep it all to yourself) or sip on one of the venue’s classic margaritas.
Panchos, Mudgeeraba
If you’ve been lingering around the coast long enough, it’s pretty likely you have a story that involves Panchos. The long-standing Mexican institution originally opened its doors in 1982 and quickly became the place for shredded chicken tacos, nachos and racks of ribs. Late last year, the colourful cantina turned the page on an exciting new chapter with locals Lachlan Cuskelly and Madeleine Norton at the helm. The menu puts a modern spin on some of the much-loved Mexican classics that are best enjoyed with a Pup’s Margy (tequila, agave, citrus) or No Faith in Paloma (mezcal, Aperol, grapefruit, rosemary and agave) in hand. Oh, and before you ask, yes, they have EFTPOS!
Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequilaria, Sanctuary Cove
From the team behind Tugun’s eternally adored Caracara Cantina comes this tequila-infused sip spot aptly called Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Taquiliaria. Born from an inherent love of tacos and tequila, the northern newcomer has settled snugly into its home at Sanctuary Cove’s The Marine Village. Offering a slight step up from its southern sibling, Pablito’s is designed to deliver an elevated dining experience that showcases authentic, quality modern-Mexican fare. Think oven-roasted jalapenos stuffed with cashew cream, red snapper ceviche and spiced fish tacos.
Isla Cantina, Isle of Capri
The newest addition to the list is Isla Cantina, which has assumed a primo waterfront perch at Capri on Via Roma neighbouring Edgewater Dining + Lounge. Isla Cantina delivers a casual-yet-cool waterfront dining experience and a seriously drool-inducing menu featuring a Cali-twist on Mexican faves. Seafood lovers can enjoy spanner crab tostadas with jalepeno-lime mayonnaise, snapper ceviche and snapper tacos. Carnivorous folk can feast on Adobo-barbecue chicken, eight-hour slow-roasted lamb barbacoa or flank steak with bone-marrow butter, fire-roasted onions and tomatillo salsa.
D’ La Rosa, Mermaid Beach
Okay, so it’s not exclusively Mexican, this snapper taco well and truly deserves a spot on your must-try list. Transforming the former Som Tam Gai Thai restaurant in Mermaid Beach, D ‘La Rosa features a scattering of Spanish tapas alongside classic Mexican morsels. Do yourself a solid and order a Cinderella Man cocktail, an unexpected-yet-delicious combination of watermelon and white chocolate, just trust us on this one.
Mexicali, Nobby Beach
From Baja-style fish tacos and chorizo quesadillas to street-style corn and glorious guac’, Mexicali’s menu is filled with fresh and delicious bites. Grab a spot in the sunshine, order a Jug’urita (yes to margis by the jug) and settle in for a rooftop Mexican feast. Hot tip – the Casamigos Blanco tequila shot served with a verdita chaser is a great digestive.
Tupe-Aloha, Kirra
Tacos and tiki vibes collide in spectacular fashion at this popular seaside eatery and bar. Described as ‘when Hawaii meets Mexico and has a holiday in Kirra’, Tupe-Aloha dishes up tacos, burritos, chicken wings and plenty of regular specials – all best washed down with a cocktail (or three) or an ice-cold beer. If you like your tacos with a side of live music, this is where you’ll want to park yourself.
California Tacos, Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach
As its name suggests, tacos are the hero at these beachside gems. Crafted with handmade tortillas and fresh ingredients, the tacos here are well worth going out of your way for. Lash out with other Cali-style Mexican eats like big-as-your-head nachos, burritos, quesadillas, loaded fries and more.
Agave Rosa, Kirra
When you think of Mexican fare, chances are you imagine plates piled high with nachos, fiery jalapeno poppers and cheesy quesadillas. The menu at Agave Rosa walks the line between Mexican-inspired fare with an Asian twist – think tuna sashimi-topped tostadas and hibachi-grilled wagyu with yuzu miso butter. The tacos, which are served in pairs, are undoubtedly a stand-out with flavours such as crispy-skin pork belly with pickled cabbage and melt-in-your-mouth beef. There’s also four different margaritas that range from mild to wild. Agave Rosa is modern Mexican, but not as you know it.
Caracara Cantina, Tugun
A staple for Southern Gold Coasters, Caracara has proven itself as a go-to for tasty tacos, quality margaritas and top-notch tequila and mezcal. With meat proteins built on a plant-based menu, there’s something for everyone – from plump roasted-pumpkin tacos to sizzling steak fajitas. Once you’ve finished dining, stroll down the back into Caracara’s moody tequila den to taste your way through the sizeable collection.
Bonita Bonita, Mermaid Beach
As one of the coast’s first modern-Mexican eateries, Bonita Bonita has earned a loyal following of locals. Taco Thursdays are always a hit, as are its empanadas, taquitos, chimichangas and moreish nachos. We’d highly recommend starting or finishing your feast at the tequila bar next door.
Frida Sol, Palm Beach
This is the younger, sassy sibling of Bonita Bonita. Enjoying an elevated position along the Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach (straight above The Scottish Prince), you can soak up Frida Sol’s Tulum-inspired digs while basking in the sunshine with a taco in one hand, and a margarita or beer (why not both?) in the other.
HolyJala, Coolangatta
Pronounced holy-ha-la, this neighbourhood noshery is a Coolangatta fave. The menu isn’t beholden to the limitations of any one cuisine – you’ll spy Greek-style fish-roe dip sitting happily alongside nachos, tostadas and, of course, plenty of tacos and tequila.
El Camino Cantina, Robina and Surfers Paradise
El Camino delights diners with a never-ending fiesta of comforting Tex-Mex eats. Start with complimentary bottomless baskets of tortilla chips and salsa, then tackle the giant nachos smothered in melted cheese, black beans, chilli con carne, pico de gallo and lashing of sour cream and guacamole. There’s also a tasty taco spread and fiery chargrilled fajitas to fill up on. A visit to El Camino won’t be complete without one (or two) of its signature giant margaritas, served shaken or frozen.
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, Burleigh Heads
It may not boast the flashiest fit-out in town but holy heck, anywhere that slings a solid feed with change from a $20 is our kind of place. The menu is bursting with hangover-curing classics including Cali fries, loaded burritos and spicy chicken tacos.
Montezuma’s, Burleigh Heads
Because sometimes you just really need a plate of San Antonio nachos in your life. As one of the Gold Coast originals (operating in Burleigh since 1978, in fact), Montezuma’s moved from the Old Burleigh Arcade to a new home on Park Avenue, but fret not friends, the menu stayed the same so you can soak up all of that cheesy, baked goodness.
Rosa Mexicano, Surfers Paradise
Nestled within the Chevron Renaissance precinct, Rosa Mexicano is inspired by the vibrancy and celebratory aspect of Mexican culture and cuisine rather than remaining steadfast to tradition. The end result is a spirited and light-hearted dining experience that is packed full of flavour and tailored to Australian tastes. Rosa Mexicano is intentionally casual in its approach, making it the perfect spot for an afternoon marg, dinner with the fam or dinner and cocktails with the crew.
Goodness Gracias, Palm Beach
If you love tacos and burritos but are a little short on time, this grab-and-go eatery will curb your cravings for street-style eats like tacos, burritos, tostadas and vibrant salads. The best part? Goodness Gracias is entirely plant-based!
South of the border: If you’re down to travel for tacos, definitely add Lolita’s Mexican Cantina in Casuarina and Mullumbimby’s La Familiá & Co. to the must-try list!
