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    Mexican Cafe

    3.3 (56 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Mexican Cafe Photos

    MEXICAN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Classy
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Mexican Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Chimichanga, cheese dip, garlic bread, nachos, fried chicken tacos
    Aria M.

    If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, I wouldn't necessarily choose this place. As a hispanic woman traveling abroad, I will say that this is the CLOSEST you'll get to authentic Mexican food in Australia/New Zealand. Despite lacking authenticity, the food was very good. I don't think it's necessarily worth the price we paid for everything (everything pictured was $127 nzd all together). The waitress was very sweet and patient with our questions. Overall it was a good experience, but I don't think we'll be back any time soon

    The only Real Mexican food this San Dieagan has found in AU and NZ, Enjoy

    I would've given it five stars if they had C hili Relleno. The most Mexican food I found in Australia or New Zealand.

    Taco platter
    Skittle R.

    The drinks are strong and the waiters are very nice. We met up as part of a group of 6 people. It seemed to be a busy night and I'm not sure they were expecting that. The table salsa is bad....it isn't Mexican salsa...I ordered the taco platter: chicken, prawn, beef, and fish. The prawn with fajita seasoning was the best taco followed by the shredded beef one. The fish taco was okay. The chicken one is just pulled roast chicken with no seasoning. Each one had the same toppings which was cabbage with a sauce. My biggest complaint is the factory produced corn tortillas weren't cooked or warmed so they were falling apart as you ate them. Can I recommend this place...no I can't, not for the Mexican food. Was it a nice place to get some strong beverages with your friends? Yeah, it was.

    Nicole E.

    Can't go wrong with some Mexican in NZ, right? I was craving some familiar cuisine, nothing is more comfort food like than some nachos and tacos for me. Had a Sol beer with a lime, my friend had his Dos Equis. I got the extra special nachos with chicken, yes, that's exactly what I was craving with my beer. My friend had some beef tacos. The tacos and nachos weren't bad, served their purpose. The beers were so cold and refreshing.

    Strawberry Margarita
    Natalie D.

    I went there with my friend a few nights ago. I ordered a strawberry margarita and a chicken quesadilla. The margarita was a-ok only, given that it wasn't that fragrant or refreshing but it still tasted nice. Also, it had lots of small chunks of ice in it, making it taste slightly watery. The quesadilla was pretty good, which had flavour and quite delicious overall. It came with rice and beans, which made it good value. The atmosphere on that night was pretty good (admittedly not the best Mexican food though), almost full but we were pretty lucky to get a seat. Also the meals came with a small bowl of corn chips and salsa. Only minus thing was that one of the staff thought that I was not a customer and asked me to wait before being seated (after coming back from the toilet). I would be more cautious about ordering cocktails if I come back to this place.

    Isidora A.

    With this review I am going to be a bit bias due to my love of dancing social salsa (which happens every Friday at Mexican). But other than that, this place is always busy but for a reason. They offer the best nachos in town and have a range of the best drinks, especially their Sangria! If you haven't tried it, it's a must! Since I'm a regular, absolutely love this place!

    Phillipa P.

    The Mexican Café was one of the only Mexican places in Auckland for many years. It's always a good time, but I think it's may be a little behind the times now. However, they still do amazing margaritas and caiprioskas. And pretty damn good Mexican food. The enchiladas are great and the staff are always really friendly and charismatic. If you're up for a good night, you should go on Fridays. There's usually a bunch of Salsa dancers who strut their stuff on the dance floor. But beware, they might just pull you up there with them. I've been there with just a few people and also with a huge group. There are loads of tables, inside and out.

    Shsron F.

    We've been out of Texas for 2 months and craving Mexican food. This place did not satisfy the cravings. The chips were tasteless cardboard. Salsa just so so. Mussels sauce spicy hot but tasteless and mussels themselves tasted "fishy". Beans tasteless rice so so and chicken enchilada just a chicken breast in a tortilla with some non authentic cheese. Too bad as the atmosphere was great. As another reviewer said in USA this would rate a 1.

    Chicken Enchiladas

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    4 years ago

    I've been going here since I was little and it gets better and better everytime. I love the vege nachos!!!! 10/10

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    Mexican Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Mexican Cafe

    Ok I know it's not 'authentic' Mexican, but wow this place is goo

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Mexico - Strawberry & Guava Margarita

    Mexico

    3.5(80 reviews)
    0.7 kmViaduct
    $$

    While we tried this restaurant in the AKL airport, it was fire . We enjoyed the Burritos and bowl…read moreand they were packed with so much flavor! The peri peri chicken was amazing. You order and pick up your food at the counter. The salsa and hot sauce they provide was a great add. Ambiance was your typical airport restaurant. Honestly would go here again this food was fantastic.

    I visited the Sylvia park location but since it's not on Yelp I will write my review here…read more This is a fusion restaurant with Mexico as inspiration, but for me has more style than substance. The staff were friendly and the service was fast, the decor is brilliant, but the food is way off. A carne asada taco really only requires steak, onion, cilantro and salsa. The carne asada taco here had fried onion rings and chipotle mayo. The only thing I could taste when I bit into it was the mayo. The battered shrimp taco tasted like turmeric. With the lack of authentic mexican food in NZ, I really wonder why this restaurant chain thought it needed to change up on an amazing cuisine, and then to name the restaurant "Mexico". I can't tell if it's arrogance or a lack of confidence to reproduce the real flavors. It neither produced something special and new, nor reproduced the magic of the original. Fine for what it is though, but I had high hopes that a restaurant named "Mexico" would live up to its name.

    Photos
    Mexico - Pan Roasted Cauliflower Taco… it is vegan

    Pan Roasted Cauliflower Taco… it is vegan

    Mexico - Quesadilla!!!! Portobello Mushroom, with spinach, smoky queso and chili, served with a blackened onion crema

    Quesadilla!!!! Portobello Mushroom, with spinach, smoky queso and chili, served with a blackened onion crema

    Mexico - Crispy Chickpea and Pumpkin Salad with cucumber, lime & chipotle dressing and candied sesame

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    Crispy Chickpea and Pumpkin Salad with cucumber, lime & chipotle dressing and candied sesame

    The Lucky Taco - The truck on Ponsonby Road

    The Lucky Taco

    4.6(9 reviews)
    1.7 kmPonsonby
    $

    Oi my gosh, this was exactly what I needed today! I have had Lucky Taco's tacos many times, but…read moretoday was the first time I tried the De Sesos (lamb brains) and Lucky Lengua (beef tongue) tacos! One thing I have always appreciated was that fact that their tacos have an amazing balance of citrus, creamy (I think it's the avo cream/sour cream), spice, and savoury. And if it's not hot enough the jalapeño hot sauce will do the trick if it's not spicy enough! The beef was divine - whatever they marinated it in was amazing. Literally hit the nail on the head. It was juicy, tender, and slightly spicy. Honestly I didn't now what to expect anyway as I can't remember what beef tongue tastes like. If it were a blind tasting I probably wouldn't have guessed tongue! The brains were... Interesting. It was kind of yellowish-greenish in colour. It was swimming in all sorts of greenery and cabbage though so colour palette-wise it actually complimented well! However it had sort of a weird consistency (what do you expect it's brains!) and did not have as much flavour as the tongue. Love the Lucky Taco, love what they are doing. I'd go back for the tongue and Horchata (it's a must and dials down the spice), but I wouldn't run back for the brains. It's novel though, so I'd recommend trying it.

    Last year, I discovered The Lucky Taco at The Auckland Food Show and it is definitely one of my…read morefavourite foodie experiences to date! Delicious authentic tacos in either a corn or flour tortilla plus an agua de horchata (sweetened, iced rice milk infused with cinnamon) and you're all set for the day! The owners (Sarah and Otis Frizzell) are so lovely, that you will definitely want to go back! The second time I encountered The Lucky Taco was at The Auckland Food Show this year. They had a great set up at the show and their tacos were just as delicious as the year before. I was also really excited to see Sarah and Otis again and even more excited to try their Pulled Pork Taco. It is absolutely delicious, a bit spicy, but oh so good! They also have a great little set up along Ponsonby Road which I have taken a long time to visit, however, three weeks ago I did! It was the most beautiful sunny day and I just happened to be walking in the area. I tried the 'Breakfast Taco' - spicy chorizo sausage plus an egg (ohmygawd delicious!) and a Pulled Pork Taco, which has a great kick! It will forever be my favourite taco! Sarah and Otis were as friendly as ever and there were many people queuing up for their tacos - you will definitely find out why once you try one! (Or two or three in my case!)

    Photos
    The Lucky Taco - Auckland Food Show 2014 - love their truck!

    Auckland Food Show 2014 - love their truck!

    The Lucky Taco - Pulled Pork Taco - the best!

    Pulled Pork Taco - the best!

    The Lucky Taco - Chilli bowl

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    Chilli bowl

    Queens Head Tavern - Pork belly sliders

    Queens Head Tavern

    4.8(4 reviews)
    0.6 kmAuckland CBD

    Fantastic happy hour for Bonvoy members (which is free to join). I was able to score $10 glass of…read morewine and $10 bar bites! We had the pork belly sliders and the chicken bites. Both were delicious and great for the price. After HH, I stayed for a Margherita pizza and more wine. The pizza was thin crust and tasted fresh. Only thing that was interesting to me was the inability to order the same HH wines after HH. The selection switches out. Service was really great and friendly. It started off rather quiet for HH but began to fill as time went on. Plenty of seating options and trendy decor.

    VISIT: end of February 2020…read more This was a pleasant surprise as we ate here probably every day of the 3 that we were in town. I typically shy away from restaurants that are in the hotel because they tend to be pricey. We felt, for Americans, that this was decently priced and that each time we ate here, we got a different meal FOOD WE TRIED: - Chicken and vegetable dumplings - Prawn and chive Gyoza - Arancini - 55 day aged beef brisket sliders - Seafood Risotto - Spaghetti with mussels, snapper and prawns The sliders, gyoza and spaghetti with seafood was VERY good. I wouldn't order the dumplings again, but I always forget that chicken dumplings just aren't the same as pork and/or shrimp. The Arancini was a bit disappointing in flavor, maybe just a touch more salt would have been helpful and same thing with the flavor of the Risotto. The seafood was cooked perfectly, but the sauce on it just wasn't as flavorful as I would have liked, for a risotto. Service was always great with the staff always helpful with recommendations. We were very happy to have access to this restaurant during our stay the Four Points

    Photos
    Queens Head Tavern - Wine and pizza

    Wine and pizza

    Queens Head Tavern - Bar bites chicken

    Bar bites chicken

    Queens Head Tavern - Margherita pizza

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    Margherita pizza

    Mexican Cafe - bars - Updated May 2026

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