
Salsa and Spice: Premier Mexican Restaurants of Adelaide
Taco ’bout a fiesta for your taste buds! Adelaide’s Mexican food scene is spicier than a salsa dance-off, with restaurants like Lucky Lupitas and Beach Burrito Co.
The best part is the Mex food fest doesn’t end with these dos restaurantes. All the info you need is in this article!
Hispanic Mechanic
Address: 205 Glen Osmond Rd, Frewville, SA 5063
Contact Details: (08) 8338 6435
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Fri – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sat – 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Hispanic Mechanic combines Mexican dishes with Korean flavors.
For just $11.49, they’re dishing out tortillas loaded with Korean fried cauliflower, a dollop of wasabi mayonesa, some tangy pickled veggies, a kick of gochujang, and more.
They also have shareable platos grandes, with the Dirty Duck ($34.90) as our go-to.
This slow-cooked dish has a boneless duck leg with pulled duck rice, black beans, and rocket (arugula) drizzled with cilantro pesto—a spiced chow best paired with their coconut rice pudding!
Tip: Their semi-heated rooms and alfresco spots are perfect for large parties and intimate gatherings. |
Guzman y Gomez – King William St
Address: 33 King William St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8200 5762
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 11 pm
- Sat to Sun – 11 am to 11 pm
The traditional snacks of the award-winning Guzman y Gomez will grace your taste buds with unadulterated Mexican magic.
It’s hard to beat their crowd-pleasing burrito. This dish’s soft tortilla has fluffy rice, succulent meat or veggies of your choice, a fresh pico de gallo salsa, and their top-secret sauce.
Their quesadillas are also total knockouts—often ordered with their classic tacos. Guac and sour cream take these Mex nibbles to another level, but you can further enhance the meal with a bottle (or two) of Corona or Modelo.
Tips: Check their informative nutritional allergen guide if you have specific dietary requirements. For those who want to avail of their catering services, it’s ideal to provide 48 to 72 hours’ notice. You have the option to place an online order if you are located within a 10-kilometer radius of any of their multiple branches. |
La Adelita Mexican Cantina
Address: 6 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore, SA 5019
Contact Details: (08) 8353 3533
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm
- Tue to Fri – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
La Adelita Mexican Cantina offers a picturesque seaside setting and an impressive lineup of Mexican classics—a combo that practically shouts “vacation.”
They have all the heavy-hitters—hearty burritos, fiery fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, crispy chimichangas, creamy quesadillas, savory chili con carne, and juicy Mexican burgers.
Their churros with luscious Bailey’s chocolate sauce should be your dessert after trying one or two of their savory chow. They have your beverage needs covered too, from margaritas to piña coladas.
Tip: Booking a table is required. You can also request a Mexican feast if you’re dining with a large group. |
Lucky Lupitas
Address: 1/163 O’Connell St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8267 3082
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
The street food and grande meals of Lucky Lupitas are their biggest hits.
For the appetizer, we suggest going with the guacamole con totopos, homemade guac with crispy corn tortilla chips. Another popular starter is the street-style salty fried squid rings packed with smokiness and the flavors of paprika.
We also love the grandes selection’s burrito bowl. Take your pick between slow-cooked lamb, juicy chicken, flavorful tofu, or the divine pork belly, and mix it up with rice, pico de gallo, jalapeno slaw, and more.
Tip: Check their Feed Me menu if dining with a crew of 10 or more people, as you’ll be required to order from this selection. |
Mexican Society
Address: 140 Gouger St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8231 2626
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – Closed
Mexican Society is famous for jazzing up traditional Mexican street and pub food. Diners can go wild with duck nachos covered in a fiery mix of habanero sauce, creamy corn crema, and melted cheese.
If you’re in the mood for something pub-style, try the grilled octopus and chorizo or salmon tostadillas. Both are a mouthful of smoky and buttery nosh that taste more heavenly with a glass of the Santa Rosa cocktail—a blend of gin, lemon, and egg white.
You better save room for dessert, though, because the banana Nutella chimichanga is an absolute must-try.
Tip: Save time by ordering online. |
La Popular Taqueria
Address: 226 St Vincent St, Port Adelaide, SA 5015
Contact Details: 0466 105 004
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Fri – 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 9 pm
La Popular Taqueria has the taco holy trinity down pat: handmade tortillas, homemade fillings, and salsa.
Their Baja-style cauliflower taco is a best-seller. It’s a bowl of battered cauliflower, crunchy shredded cabbage, and a drizzle of creamy chipotle mayo.
The earthy hongos taco, on the other hand, brims with mushrooms, onion, and the magic of epazote herb, topped with salsa roja. If you want something umami-filled, order the fishy calabacitas taco bathed in tomato and onion sauce.
Tips: It’s better to dine outdoors, especially during the night when Port Adelaide’s lights come to life. Don’t forget your jacket; it’s cold here. Don’t expect tacos overflowing with cheese, vegetables, or sour cream. This resto embraces the simplicity of Mexican taqueria tacos. |
El Mexicano Kitchen & Bar
Address: 92 Gawler Pl, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: 0439 539 530
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 11:30 am to 9 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
El Mexicano Kitchen & Bar combines street-style cooking with a fine dining experience. Their best entree is a 6-inch tortilla filled with your choice of protein, rolled up and fried to a golden crisp, and dipped in salsa and sour cream.
For the main, their smoky and savory Spanish paella is a fiesta on a plate. It has saffron-infused rice, succulent seafood, tender chicken, and a medley of fresh veggies.
And don’t even think about leaving without trying their churros chips. These are sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, crowned with a scoop of ice cream, and drizzled with dulce de leche sauce.
Tip: Visit during events like taco Tuesdays and weekend fiestas for better deals. |
Sazón
Address: 3/19 Grenfell St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8221 6966
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 3:30 pm
- Sat to Sun – Closed
If you want to gobble highly-rated Mexican brekky and lunch grub, Sazón is where it’s at. Imagine starting your day with their quinoa brekky bowl, a mouthwatering blend of guac-covered quinoa, grilled halloumi, and a perfectly poached egg.
Sazón’s smashed aguacate is also a highlight. This bowl has a mouthful of poached eggs, oven-dried tomatoes, and grilled corn salsa, finished with a sprinkling of Mexican spices and nuts.
But if you want something simple, give their chili scrambled eggs a try. This meal is a morning hug with fresh pecorino cheese and fried shallots.
Tip: Give their catering services a try for your upcoming breakfast or brunch gatherings. |
Beach Burrito Co. Glenelg
Address: 56 Jetty Rd, Glenelg, SA 5045
Contact Details: (08) 8376 3772
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 10 pm
Beach Burrito Co. in Glenelg specializes in, you guessed it, burritos!
Their Flying Pig burrito is jam-packed with all the good stuff, like chicken and pork coated with rich chipotle aioli. For vegans, the jackfruit burrito is the way to go; it has smoky tomato salsa, charred corn salsa, and pico de gallo.
You might have a hard time picking the brews for your burritos, though. They have Mexican big names, like Tecate and Don Equis, and South Australian craft beer classics, such as Stone and Wood and Pirate Life.
Tip: You can book this beachside venue for fun events like birthdays and Christmas parties! |
Cha Chi’s Mexican Cantina
Address: 493 Portrush Rd, Glenunga, SA 5064
Contact Details: (08) 8379 7171
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm
- Sun – Closed
It’s hard to pass on Cha Chi’s lush indoor garden and delectable Mexican cuisine.
For the little amigos, they have a children’s menu that’ll make the kids’ hearts skip a beat with curly fries and cheese-covered corn chips. The fries and chips also come with tomato sauce and sour cream and are best eaten with a slice of apple chimichanga.
But the real fiesta begins with their house specialty, the pollo en mole poblano. It has grilled marinated chicken drenched and simmered in a chocolaty mole sauce.
Tip: Schedule your visit during days with special deals, like Fajitas Mondays or All-You-Can-Eat Tuesdays. |
Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant
Address: 42 Melbourne St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8267 4653
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Thu – 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sun – Closed
Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant brings elegance and delicious Mexican specialties to the table.
When it comes to their best-sellers, the chile Colorado is pure Mexican goodness. Every foodie must try this dish’s hearty beef chunks dancing in a spicy red chili sauce.
Then there’s El Bandido—a dish with frijoles as bold as its name. It’s served alongside beef and cheese enchilada and a chili relleno.
Tip: The closest and most convenient parking spot is on Dunn St. |
Montezuma’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Address: 134 Melbourne St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8239 0949
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 9 pm
Montezuma’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar’s Aztec-themed interior is a head-turner, but it’s their Mexican staples that’ll make you stay and come back.
One of their specialties is the Montezuma’s Delight, a corn tortilla smothered with frijoles and drenched in ranchero sauce. If you’re up for some meaty magic, their Albondigas dish serves four Mexican meatballs accompanied by Spanish rice.
Another outstanding meal is their oven-baked enchilada with cheese and chorizo. The spiciness and savoriness might overwhelm you, so remember to end on a sweet note by having the chocolate mouse.
Tip: See what their vibrant functions offer. They’re best for large parties, like birthdays or beer nights. |
Zambrero North Adelaide
Address: Unit 5/132 O’Connell St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8267 3924
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 10 am to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 10 am to 11 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 9 pm
Zambrero is all about picking your own style of Mexican staples. You can rock the classic burrito with all your faves, like white tortillas, pinto beans, sour cream, and more.
You can also experiment with their quesadillas and nachos. You have tons of options, but our top choices include barbacoa beef for protein, onion salsa, and a dash of BBQ sauce.
If you find decision-making challenging, simply enjoy their selection of hard and soft tacos, generously topped with sour cream and cheese. Finish your meal with a chocolate ice cream sandwich, and you’ll probably leave the resto with a smile.
Tips: Zambrero can bring the Mexican party to you with their catering services. If Melbourne St is a bit out of your way, explore their other locations in areas such as Hindley St, O’Connell St, and Rundle St. |
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