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Mexicali Rosa's

2.6 (70 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

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MEXICALI ROSA'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Mexicali Rosa's

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Reviews With Photos

Lacey H.

This new Mexicali location is colorful and fresh, with seats and tables a plenty, completed with a cozy windowed nook at the far back of the space. My sister and I ventured in for a night cap and nibbles last evening, and found ourselves at a sweet candlelit table, perfect for conversation and catching up. Our server was smiley and friendly, providing us with menus, special details, and ample time to come to some decisions. I opted for a tradition slush lime Margarita while my sister chose the Mango variation. We also ordered their supreme nachos, with guacamole and salsa on the side. Our server was very clear that there would only be a single layer of chips, so as to curb expectations of bounty. Our impressive looking cocktails arrived and we sipped away. I was not privy to the abundance of salt included in the traditional and found my drink to be a little too much of a sodium overload. However, the mango was tasty and I stole a few straw fulls! The nachos arrived and we dove right in. They were fine, nothing to write home about, and for the high cost (coming in at close to $15 with the added dips), they definitely were overpriced for both the quantity and quality. Nevertheless, we had a lovely time chitchatting away and enjoying the great service and comfortable space. I wouldn't advocate it as an economical late night noshery, but the space was inviting and the service hospitable. Besides, who needs anything else when you have great company!?

Mexicali Rosa's New Location at Dusk
Bethany J.

Mexicali Rosa's, we hardly knew ye. At least, if things continue the way they are, that's what we'll be saying in all too short of a time. I'm a die-hard Mexi's fan; when they were located by Your Father's Moustache we would visit at least once every couple of months. For mexican food in Halifax, your options are really limited. That's enough said about that. Seems to me that when they moved premises to their current location upstairs at 5472 Spring Garden Rd, they lost the heart that used to be in their food and service. We entered about 5pm on a Saturday; meal-time but not outrageously so. The new Mexi's is "seat yourself" - so we did. It took 15 minutes for us to be noticed. It took another 15 minutes and some firm-yet-pleasant words with our new waiter to actually get drinks served. (Did I mention that our original waitress had disappeared? Yeah.) Our new waiter was attentive and on the ball; I can't fault him for anything having to do with service. The food, however. Just ... sigh. My boyfriend and not-father-in-law's dishes were to have been served with beans and rice as a side. Boyfriend got both - but the rice was cold and undercooked. Not-father-in-law only got a double portion of rice which was also undercooked. I had the Mexican Flag with fries, all of which was lovely and hot. During the meal, my boyfriend and his father both ordered another drink. Same story - it took ten minutes to bring my boyfriend his beer and almost 20 minutes for his father's drink. They're certainly not going to be turning over tables at that rate! All in all, I really struggled with the rating for this visit. I truly do love Mexicali Rosa's and they've stepped up the decor at this new location - terracotta and turquoise on the walls with clever lizards (fake!) distributed throughout the restaurant make a pleasant change from the dated southwestern atmosphere at the old restaurant. I have to give Mexicali Rosa's a 3-star rating this time, because I believe they can turn this around. I'll be back next month to see!

Sangria pitcher
Hilary G.

2.5 stars. This review is solely for the sangria at Mexicali's. I am forever searching for good sangria and after studying in Spain for a semester, I am a bit picky about my sangria. A pitcher of sangria is $17 and includes wine, grape juice, some other juices, triple sec, and brandy. First off, I was excited to hear that they make a "real sangria" with liquor added (most places don't do that in the US/Canada). However, the fact that the bartender mentioned grape juice should have been a red flag.... The sangria did it's job and gave my friend and I a decent buzz but it tasted like GRAPE JUICE. I think sangria should taste like overly alcoholic wine, not grape juice. I like the decor of Mexicali's and would love to see the patio some day, but I don't think I would order the sangria again. On top of tasting like grape juice, the ratio of juice to wine was way too juicy so we had to stop by Shoppers to get some Zantac. That's never a good sign....

Veggie fajitas.
Sizuku Y.

I used to think it was great, but no more now. I am so frustrated by the quality of food and service. I came in, there was a sign saying "please wait to be seated" so I waited. For 2 minutes. It was just awkward! Then finally, a waiter came and got me seated. Then I was about to order my food. I decided to try something special, I mean, something that can only be found there. So I ordered veggie fajitas with lettuce leaves. I really should have just ordered a burrito, it might have been better. I thought it should be tasty, but I was completely wrong After waiting for an infinite amount of time, the waiter finally came with my food. Everything just looked so plain, and the taste was even worse. I started eating. Then I suddenly realized... OMG, they didn't even wash the lettuce! I still saw dirts on the leaf! That was absolutely not okay! That was disgusting! Now I am feeling sick. I think I have a diarrhea. I will never go there.

Ang M.

I like Tex-Mex, so I go to Mexicali Rosa's a couple of times a year to satisfy that craving, but I have to say, I've probably never left there feeling entirely satisfied with the food. What I try to find on the menu every time I go there is a great big enchilada, stuffed with fresh shredded chicken and cheese, maybe a few nice beans ...but I always leave after having had some measly little tortilla with overly-salted chicken (processed?) and a side of cold black beans. I should really learn. Even the fajitas, which of course make a big show as they go sizzling by, don't really live up to all that flash. The chips and salsa they offer as an appetizer are pretty good, though.

Krista L.

Mexicali Rosa's specializes in Mexican cuisine and creates a unique experience with lively Mexican music and decor. The spacious restaurant offers warm service and a tantalizing menu that includes enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos and much more - with different specials every night of the week. Personal favorites are Margarita Mondays where you get one of many flavored Margaritas for $5, and Fajita Wednesdays where you save $5 off a single fajita meal, and $10 off a double. Mexi's has also built a reputation on its deep-fried ice cream. The restaurant also offers a cute little patio that overlooks busy Spring Garden Road. So if you haven't been there yet, you'll want to check it out. And when you do, Disfrute su visita (enjoy your visit)!

chili con carne
Rachelle B.

Came here for lunch on a drizzly Tuesday in January with two coworkers and were seated right away at a table by the window. The overall layout is the same as it was when La Cucina was here prior, but obviously now with some nice Mexican decor. Large mural on the exterior is a nice touch. I'd say seating capacity for 50 or 60, including a few chairs at the bar. Friendly, attentive service. Free homemade chips & salsa brought to the table to tide you over. For the meal, I tried the Lunch Mexican Flag ("choice of two chicken vera cruz, braised pork, or cheese & onion enchiladas finished with jack cheese, enchilada sauce, jalapeno crema, avocado crema, topped with green onion, served with rice & beans" $14). It was a satisfying portion and not bad. It doesn't have the homemade feel to it, but overall was decent. One coworker had the Lunch Burrito Bowl ("rice, beans, shredded cabbage, sweet pickled onion, jack cheese, charred corn, guacamole fresco, pico de gallo, jalapeno crema, warm seasoned house chips with choice of protein" $15). She got the vegetarian chili as the protein and was happy with the dish and its size. The other coworker got the Chili Con Carne ("ground sirloin, tomatoes, corn, green pepper, kidney beans, onion, jack cheese, topped with sour cream & green onion, served with house chips" $14). When it arrived, it was presented with all the chips in a circle around the plate, mostly covering the chili, so at first glance looked like there was hardly any chili at all. But underneath there was more and it was a good lunch size. He could've eaten twice that, but this would be a healthier portion for sure. Didn't notice any kidney beans, but found the flavor overall to be good and a nice warming meal on a damp winter day. I'd definitely go back and try other things, including some of the frozen cocktails.

Dry, overcooked beans that taste like they come out of a can.

Sigh. I had such hopes to have something close to Mexican food. Alas. Foiled again. Went for lunch. Ordered cheese Mexican Flag Enchiladas with rice and beans. Where to start. The enchiladas were more tortilla than cheese. The onions were raw inside and the enchilada "sauce" tasted like spaghetti sauce with a little kick. Beans? Overcooked and nothing close to made on site. Pretty sure they came out of a can. The rice- bland. The only good thing I had was a Corona and it was imported. Pretty sure no one in that kitchen has ever been to Mexico or they would be ashamed of themselves.

Strawberry Daiquiri ...$8.99

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Cafe Aroma Latino

Cafe Aroma Latino

(30 reviews)

$$

North End

Stumbled upon this quaint restaurant / shop while looking for brunch but unfortunately left hungry…read more As other reviewers have pointed out, the menu is chock full of Latin American eats but the portions are miniscule. For instance, tostadas are pictured in the menu resembling the size of a large fist but arrive closer to the size of a two bite brownie. The plate in my picture costs nearly $35! This place has potential, but you'll have to be sure to order lots if you want to leave full.

After having been in the west end of Halifax for a few years now, I've been meaning to try out this…read morequaint Latin American restaurant for even longer, and recently righted my past indiscretions and came by on a warm winter day. The interior is split between a small grocery section, and seating for the restaurant. The grocery section has a respectable spread of canned and packaged Latin American staples, as well as dried whole peppers like the ancho and chipotle peppers I purchased here once before. Looking for some Mexican sodas? Get your Jarritos fix here! The restaurant area sits around 25 at a selection of small, but cool, little tables that have glass-covered insets filled with different dried beans in each of four quarters. Lots of plants and Latino art gave the place a cozy feel. Their menu is pretty small, with nine non-dessert items to chose from. There's signs on the tables and windows with some other options like tostadas, their Mexican breakfast, and Argentinian empanadas, so figuring out what you can order is a bit haphazard. For what is on the menu, their are very helpful descriptions of the ingredients and pictures to match, with items coming from all across Central and South America. Everything is quite shareable and priced at $2-4 each, that seems to be encouraged here. As such, for our first round my wife and I ordered two Colombian empanadas, a doblada, an arepa, and a chuchito, as well as guava and mango juices to drink. Our plate of new-to-us foods was soon before us, and we eagerly split up the spoils. My favourite of the day were the Colombian empanadas - their cornmeal shells were wonderfully crispy on the outside, and the chicken, onions and olives had a mild but enjoyable flavour. Not being a fan of olives, I was a little worried at first, but they aren't over done and added just a bit of saltiness and olive-y funk. They came with chimichurri, a parsley-based sauce, which lent some herby tang to them as well. I found the doblada to be quite similar to the empanadas, but filled with beef and topped with salsa and onions. The flavour was nice, but I preferred the crispiness of the empanadas. A bit less flashy than the other items, the unassuming arepa is effectively a white cornmeal and cheese pancake. It had a somewhat gooey consistency like solidified porridge, but it wasn't as bad as that sounds. With a nice char from the flat top, I enjoyed it, but wasn't wowed. The churchito is another dumpling-like item, with chicken in a corn flour dough that's cooked in a corn husk, and topped with tomato sauce and a sprinkling of cheese. I wasn't a huge fan of the dough's grainy consistency, which is good in good ol' cornbread, but less so for something like this that just falls apart when you get into it. That said, it was tasty. We needed just a couple more things to get a filling lunch in, so we ordered two Argentinian empanadas, as well as a black bean pupusa - a refried bean patty topped with pickled cabbage and a tomato sauce. These empanadas were quite different from their Colombian cousins that we just had. The neatly braided dough was wheat flour-based instead of corn meal, and the filling had a much more pronounced flavour that made them my wife's favourite item of the meal. I was fairly indifferent on the pupusal; it had a bit of tartness from the pickled cabbage and tomato sauce, and the refried bean patty was fine, but not nearly as noteworthy as some of the other items we had tried. Oh, and trying all these cool foods put me back a mere $30. Cafe Aroma is an under-appreciated purveyor of some great food that is truly unique to Halifax, and really adds to its cultural diversity. I may not be able to come back with my limited time left in the city, but you definitely need to come here and load up on empanadas.

El Gallo Mexican Food

El Gallo Mexican Food

(6 reviews)

$

Waterfront, South End

Obviously, I love this city. Are we Toronto or Vancouver? No, but that's okay. We've got just about…read moreanything you could need or want but with better harbour views and less traffic. Suck on *that*, big cities. But, every now and then I'm reminded of one thing that we lack that hurts me to my very core: great Mexican food that isn't North-Americanized to death. Short of moving into Mexico Lindo in Fairview, I often times find myself in great need of a Mexican feed. And that's why the folks at El Gallo at the Seaport Market deserve a big giant hug. Their tostadas and tamales bring me to a whole new level of happiness every time I decide to indulge and a healthy selection of fresh salsas and sauces take my vision from black-and-white to rainbows of peppers, tomatos, avocados, and more. I'm serious about my love for Mexican, you guys. Can't find 'em? They're upstairs in their own lovely little corner so that you can enjoy your feast in peace without having to worry about someone knocking your tostada on the ground. Because, let's face it, that should be a punishable offense.

One of my favorite Farmers Market vendors…read more Not only will they make you a delicious burrito to eat while you're out - you can also buy their products to take home! I really like their corn tortillas and I can't get enough of their guacamole and cilantro sour cream. Actually, I think it was their sour cream that finally turned me on to cilantro. While I'm still a huge fan of Burrito Jax - I think El Gallo is giving them a good run for their money.

Bar Sofia - Brussel sprouts

Bar Sofia

(20 reviews)

Waterfront

Our first time at Bar Sofia had us swinging by for a friend's birthday. There was a good dinner…read morecrowd although it ebbed before a switchover to the late night crowd. The interior design is fun and bright, with splashes of colour and fake plants, and on-brand for their target audience of millennial and Gen-Z women. The fully open kitchen is a nice touch, and I regret not having a view of it, but that's what happens when you show up last! The menu has an assortment of Latin American dishes like yucca fries, empanadas and tacos, as well as local/contemporary fare that gets a Latin touch like aguachile oysters, bravas Brussels sprouts and adobo-roasted cauliflower. My wife and I went for a mix of big and small plates, ordering the beef empanadas, Brussels sprouts, and the cauliflower. For an adult beverage, I had the Oaxaca old fashioned. It was adequate cocktail, although a smokier mezcal would have made it more memorable. Someone who I assume was a manager had spotted the gifts on the table and not only brought over a shot for the birthday girl and her partner, but for the whole table! While it was a low ABV liqueur, it was a lovely gesture and savvy business move. We must have arrived in between seatings, as despite a fairly full dining room, all our dishes came out surprisingly quickly and all together. I started out with the smaller plates. Some variation of fried Brussels sprouts has been a common sight on restaurant menus for a decade, but hey, it works! Bar Sofia's iteration gets a dose of savoury and tomato-y bravas sauce, and also gets topped with a colourful assortment of thinly sliced veg - radish, carrot, pickled red onion, jalapeno, and some sprigs of cilantro. The sauced-up sprouts lost a good bit of their crispness, but the bravas sauce was undeniably tasty, with a balance of richness and acidity. The veg accoutrements added welcome splashes of colour and texture. The empanadas come two to an order, so perfect for sharing with my wife! The hearty beef was cooked to perfection, and the olives and egg completed the traditional filling. The pastry itself was supple and flaky, with a golden brown and crisp exterior. When we swapped dishes, I was glad to get my hands on the cauliflower. The generous portion of half a head of roasted brassica came with rice, a cashew crema and the aforementioned veg toppings. The char of the cauliflower played well with the nutty sauce, and although a bit repetitive, the veg accoutrements brightened up the flavour profile. While Bar Sofia's origins as a Toronto-based restaurant company's idea to fill the commercial space at Queen's Marque isn't exactly a stamp of authenticity, they are bringing some dishes that aren't common in Halifax (other than the Brussels sprouts). I enjoyed my meal there and it's a fun vibe, but there was no 'wow' factor for me. I'm sure I'll tackle more of the menu and patio some day, but as I continue to catch up on the Halifax food scene, I'm not rushing back either.

Staff seemed very stressed and management was incredibly rude. Would not recommend. Long wait times…read moreand disorganized proccess.

Mexicali Rosa's - mexican - Updated May 2026

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