When the second ‘Mexican wave’ hit the Gold Coast a couple of years ago, the best taquerias brought some love to the cuisine.
While Mexican food has long been maligned by the pseudo-Mexican tidal wave of the ‘70s; sloppy burritos and packet corn chips smothered in cheesy sauce and refried beans, this is smarter food with fresh light flavours – far more suited to the modern palate.
Nowadays, Mexican food is fun and it ticks all our casual dining boxes – shared plates, great value, big on flavour, tasty and fresh.
Recently, we’ve even realised that Mexican food can be healthy. With a little tweaking, it’s suitable fare for those with gluten intolerance, and, if your budget is a bit tight, this is some of the best value food you will find.
Below are some of the top Mexican restaurants on the Gold Coast
Bonita Bonita
If the spirit of Frida Kahlo descended onto the Gold Coast, I am sure that she would come to rest in Bonita Bonita.
By night the interior is awe-inspiring; as the sun sets, the rouge of tealights bounce off the blonde wood tables. It’s Day of the Dead meets a Latino shrine. No, we’re not in a converted church. The only homage here is to the fresh authentic street food of Mexico, adapted to the Gold Coast locale.
Although compact, the menu is full of treasures. Divided into five sections (Empezar – to begin, Especialidades – house specialties, Lados – sides, Tacos and Postre – dessert), it’s a feast of choices meant to be shared.
Each dish brings fresh clean tastes and one of the favourites is a rich and almost smoky snapper and scallop ceviche bathed in chilli coconut milk accompanied by excellent tortilla chips.
Meanwhile, leek quesadillas have a modern twist of beetroot and slivers of fennel, tacos are filled with crispy snapper or pulled pork topped with slaw and fresh salsa, and you can order two soft chorizo croquettes lying on a bed of lettuce.
With many dishes under $20, it’s affordably close to an authentic street food experience. You can also complement your food with a jug of sangria or choose one of the many cocktails on offer.
Bonita Bonita is in many ways far too interesting to be cute or pretty, as its name implies. Instead, it reminds us of a Frida Kahlo painting: Que bonita es la vida… How beautiful is life! There’s a surprise around every corner.
Bonita Bonita – 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach | 07 5575 2669.
MexiCali Bar Y Taqueria
Good street food is also good drinking food. At least it seems that way at MexiCali!
Perched above a loudly displayed sushi joint, the tables and chairs on MexiCali’s veranda stand to attention like twisted hair braids, however, ascend the stairway and you’ll find yourself in a funky joint filled by thirsty patrons.
Fortunately, the gorgeous bar is the centrepiece of the restaurant. Fronted with a handmade mural by Byron bay ceramic artist Jai Visecik, each tile is a work of art in itself.
At this beach bar you’re in good company, with the two queens of Mexico; artist Frida Kahlo and the Virgin of Guadeloupe, sitting beside you among the pineapples and banana fronds.
You’ll see some of Jai’s crucifixes on the wall as well, overlooking yellow and pale blue seating booths. The whole place carries an air of freshness and exuberant cheerfulness. Hard to tear yourself away!
Out back, Gustavo, the Mexican chef, and his staff slave away in the kitchen. The menu holds Baja-styled Mexican dishes to suit the Aussie palate including tacos filled with slow-cooked meats and fish topped with chipotle, red onion, jalapeno, guacamole, cilantro, pico de gallo, fresh chutney and lime.
They also serve battered cheese-stuffed jalapeno poppers, kingfish ceviche marinated in lime with fennel and mint, tostadas and MexiCali quinoa salad. It’s absolutely yummy casual food – light, fresh, tangy and well suited to health-conscious beachgoers who love a good time.
There’s a real attempt to be true to the flavours and ingredients of this Mexican-Californian fusion cuisine, and service is pretty snappy. Out back on the veranda, looking over the cactus, chillies and lantern-hooded tomatillos, the Nobby skyline ain’t a Mexican beach, but life sure can be!
MexiCali Bar Y Taqueria – level 1, 2223 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach | 07 5572 0588.
MexiCali Gold Coast
Goodness Gracias Gold Coast
Goodness Gracias Gold Coast
Beach Burrito - Blackened salmon
Beach Burrito Gold Coast
Bonita Bonita Gold Coast
Bonita Bonita Gold Coast
Siguenos Gold Coast
Goodness Gracias
At Goodness Gracias, a ‘grab and go cocina’, you’ll find healthy Mexican food with the addition of superfoods. It’s the labour of love of goodness chicas Kristal Smith (ex-pop taco) and Leila Milnes, whose mix of experience and enthusiasm is a winning combination.
Described on their website as ‘Food for all tribes – vegan, vegetarian + conscious carnivore’, the fare is summed up in a simple menu divided into sections: burritos, taqueria, salad, grains, shakes, as well as a ‘grab and go’ fridge. We’re really pleased to see vegetarian, vegan, dairy and gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu, a practice we’d love to see more of.
There’s some of the Latin cuisine we’d expect including the burritos and tacos Kristal learned to make during her years in Mexico, with added clout from the addition of some fabulous salad and grain bowls.
“There was a gap in the market for really good, healthy salads,” says Kristal.
“Sure, we’re Latin influenced with traditional fillings, but we’ve used superfoods in the sauce.
“All of our meat is pulled the traditional way by hand, and we don’t take any shortcuts. Actually, these salads are fully balanced meals – the best lunch you can have. Ring to order and we’ll have it ready for you to pick up.”
There are treats as well including classic and pimped shakes, chicken mole, and horchata.
With many Latin Americans being lactose intolerant, this mixture of rice milk, cinnamon and agave – reminiscent of a sweet rice pudding milkshake – provides a really refreshing drink. It is the Mexican answer to the Indian lassi and perfectly complements spicy Mexican food, softening the touch of habanero and cooling the body.
Horchata is a favourite drink in beach towns; a perfect fit for our Gold Coast lifestyle. Hola!
Goodness Gracias – 1114-1116 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach | 07 5534 4941.
Miss Margarita
Tucked around a corner off Surf Parade, Miss Margarita is well placed to cater for both locals and tourists alike.
It’s casually decked out, with Byron artist Jai Vasicek’s eight-metre-long floral tiled wall making a huge contribution to the ‘Frida Kahlo meets Our Lady of Guadeloupe’ theming.
It is always good to start with the slightly bitey crunchy jalapeno poppers and hip dips – a platter of three dips and corn chips to share – and includes fresh guacamole, chilli salsa and house black beans with a retro plastic dish of corn chips.
The chips are a constant throughout the menu in nachos, under naked burritos and, of course, to accompany sides. House made, super fresh and crunchy with a good dose of salt, they make us realise that it’s not rocket science to get such a staple right.
There’s little trouble choosing from the menu, neatly divided into sections, most suitable to share. We have enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, burritos and house salads, with vegan and gluten-free clearly indicated.
Just $20 would fill up many diners, making this a great family-friendly place to grab a meal any night of the week.
Lunch is a few dollars cheaper and offers the same made-to-order freshness and same punchy flavour.
Of course, margaritas are mandatory and these ones pack a punch. Ranging from the classics to top shelf Patrón and 100 per cent Blue Agave Tequila, a great one to try is the chipotle chilli and lime margarita. There are also some Mexican favourite beers on offer, as well as locals, cheaper during happy hour – 5-6pm daily, when specials include drink and food combos.
Miss Margarita – Shop 101, The Wave, Albert Avenue, Broadbeach | : 07 5538 4463.
Siguenos food truck Gold Coast
Miss Margarita naked burrito
Miss Margarita Gold Coast
Goodness Gracias salads
Beach Burrito
With both a casual restaurant and takeaway bar, Beach Burrito rides the popularity of the Mexican wave in a fresh new style.
Feeling like some soft shell tacos and a jug of margarita to share on a laid back beach afternoon? We’re with you, and the grand baja barra taco is one of our favourite dishes. We also love the coconut shrimp or the pulled pork taco.
With choices of burritos, nachos, taquitos, fajitas and quesadillas, plus churros for dessert and reasonable prices, Beach Burrito is proving to have a fresh and breezy take on Mexican fare and is perfect for the Cooly lifestyle.
Beach Burrito – Shop 25-26 The Strand, 72-80 Marine Parade, Coolangatta | 07 5536 4192.
Siguenos
One of our longest serving food trucks, Siguenos is operated by Reanna and Rodney Anlezark, and has developed a cult following, choosing a few regular spots and advertising their whereabouts on Facebook and Twitter.
Keep it simple and do it well! It’s a case of great fresh food at the right price.
The standard two taco combo with a few tortilla chips and salsa costs just $12. While the sign carries reminders of an airline menu – fish, chicken or beef – it’s far from it!
The marinades and spices lift the game, as well as the fresh fillings of lettuce or slaw, salsa fresco and citrus sour cream.
The corn tortillas are lightly pan fried but still soft, and the filling is full of texture, and fairly simple, honest tasty flavours. Grab a $2 side of guacamole, slosh on a hot Mexicali sauce of your choice and, with a Jarritos Mexican soda, your meal is complete.
Watch out for daily specials, such as the pulled pork or shrimp and Mexican cheese tacos, corn with slaw and queso fresco, California hot wings, chorizo quesadilla or Burritos. This is some of the tastiest, healthy takeaway you’ll find, so follow that truck!
Siguenos – Various locations | 0407 797 909
*You may also like: Little Wahaca food truck. AND, watch out for Burrito Bar, opening in Southport in the next few weeks.
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