When you are craving something hot and spicy, it’s time to find the best Mexican restaurant Cape Town has to offer. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to find a full-on food fiesta in the Mother City, where there are loads of places where you can enjoy authentic Mexican flavours and drinks. You can also visit one of the many quick-food outlets and food trucks that sell great Mexican food, but there is nothing like dining out once in a while.
If you have a craving for nachos or tacos, burritos or frijoles (refried beans), and a refreshing margarita, then Cape Town’s restaurants will not disappoint. I enjoy meals with a bit of a bite, and the best part is when they come with loads of cheese. Join me on my quest to find some of the best Mexican restaurants in this vibrant city!
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Best For Casual Dining: El Burro Green Point
- 2 2. Best For Lively Atmosphere: Pancho’s
- 3 3. Best For Central American Cuisine: The Fat Cactus Gardens
- 4 4. Best For MesoAmerican-Inspired Dishes: Hacienda Coastal Mexican
- 5 5. Best Value For Money: Peppa Jack’s Tex-Mex Grill And Bar
- 6 6. Best For Vegetarian And Vegan Meals: Una Mas – Mezcaleria
- 7 7. Best For Frozen Margaritas (By The Jug): Mexicola Locale
- 8 8. Best For A Friendly Vibe: Mamacitas
- 9 9. Best For Families: Señor Onion Mexican Cafe
- 10 FAQs
1. Best For Casual Dining: El Burro Green Point
Address: 79 Main Road, Green Point (3.2km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 021 433 2364
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 pm – 11:30 pm
Head on over to the El Burro restaurant in Green Point for a real treat – a menu filled with traditional, zesty, and spicy Mexican dishes. You can turn up the heat with these meals because, when it comes to tacos and enchiladas, quesadillas, and churros, El Burro knows just how to do it.
They use only the freshest ingredients to prepare their spicy creations and they make their own tortillas daily, so you can experience the finest Mexican dining in Cape Town. I highly recommend the fish tacos. There are vegetarian options available, which are also very tasty.
El Burro is perfect for casual dining with a fun vibe where you will feel right at home. El Burro doesn’t take reservations for dining but does accept walk-ins.
2. Best For Lively Atmosphere: Pancho’s
Address: 127 Lower Main Road, Observatory (6.1km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 021 447 4854
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 5 pm – 10 pm; Friday and Saturday 5 pm – 11 pm
Reservations: You can book on the website, email res@panchos.capetown, or call 021 447 4854 for larger bookings.
Pancho’s is one of those lively restaurants that will get your pulse pounding with the vibe. The place’s atmosphere is fantastic, as are their dishes.
The chilli con carne is one of the best options if you are in the mood for Mexican. Topped with cheese and sour cream, this meal will leave you absolutely delighted.
If you are a cheese lover like me, then I highly recommend their enchiladas. Creamy, spicy, filled with cheese, and served with sour cream – these are a must. And do yourself a favour – order their chilli poppers as well. They have the best poppers in the Mother City and you can enjoy them with cheese or refried beans.
To turn this into a true Mexican dinner, you need to have tequila. After dinner, I suggest you try the Panchos coffee – the perfect end to a perfect meal.
3. Best For Central American Cuisine: The Fat Cactus Gardens
Address: 5 Park Road, Gardens (1.9km from Cape Town CBD). They also have outlets in Mowbray, Woodstock, Eden, and Sea Point
Contact: 021 422 5022
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 12 pm – 11 pm
The Fat Cactus in Gardens is one of the best restaurants in Cape Town for tacos and nachos. It is a vibey and busy restaurant, and for good reason. They serve delicious Mexican and Central American food that will keep you coming back for more and more.
The fajitas, which are Tex-Mex wraps, are highly popular. Served with salsa on the side, you can choose your favourite – pulled pork is my go-to. It is a literal taste sensation. If you opt for the quesadillas, you get six tortilla wedges stuffed with tasty fillings. Try their CH CH CH, which features cheese, chipotle, and chorizo, and it is totally worth it.
Something a little different that they offer is very Texas-like meals as well, such as refried beans and Texan burgers.
4. Best For MesoAmerican-Inspired Dishes: Hacienda Coastal Mexican
Address: 92 Bree Street (1.1km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 021 422 0128
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 12 pm – 10:30 pm
Reservations: You can book your table on Dineplan.
I always look forward to a meal at Hacienda Coastal Mexican Restaurant on Bree Street. They are pet-friendly, so your fur babies are welcome, and they are a great place to take the family for authentic Mexican food. Their tacos and tortillas are freshly made, and they cultivate their own mole sauce.
They have great vegan and vegetarian options, such as the Oaxaca adobo rice and mole hacienda with warm tortillas. Non-vegetarians can enjoy meats and seafood prepared on a grill, which adds a delicious, smokey flavour.
Their meals are paired with a selection of tequilas and mezcals. They offer a tequila tasting session, which gives you an opportunity to experience the different fruity agave flavours. To top it off, they run a daily half-price special to enjoy these Mexican drinks between 4 pm and 5:30 pm. The only day this doesn’t happen is on the first Thursday of the month.
You can order the set menu for two, which is crafted for a couple to enjoy the delights of the finest Mexican cuisine. If it is a special occasion, you may want to add tequila pairing to the set menu, where each dish is complemented with a different tequila.
5. Best Value For Money: Peppa Jack’s Tex-Mex Grill And Bar
Address: 19 Thaba Park, Hooggelegen Road, Durbanville (30.7km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 021 975 5606
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 11 am – 10 pm; Friday – Saturday 11 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11 am – 4 pm
Reservations: You can send an email to book your table at bookings@peppajacks.co.za
Peppa Jack’s is one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in Cape Town when it comes to generous portion sizes at great prices.
After a long, hard day, I find a visit to Peppa Jack’s to be soul-satisfying. They serve craft beer, wine, and cocktails. So, I can settle back and let the day wash over me while sipping away or nibbling at a delicious meal.
The Tex-Mex food is made with a South African influence. Their “boerrito and chips” consists of a juicy piece of South African boerewors with a Mexican salsa relish, wrapped in a tortilla. For a real treat, though, get the chilli poppers for starters and then try the BBQ pulled pork tacos. You cannot go wrong with guacamole, cheddar, mozzarella, and sour cream. It’s a tasty fiesta of flavours.
As another point in their favour, they also cater to vegans and vegetarians. If you suffer from allergies, are lactose intolerant, or require gluten-free options, these are also available.
6. Best For Vegetarian And Vegan Meals: Una Mas – Mezcaleria
Address: Shop 2, 77 Regent Road, Sea Point (5.5km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 087 470 0296
Opening Hours: Monday – 5 pm to late; Tuesday – Sunday 12 pm to late
Reservations: There is a booking option on the website.
Una Mas’ menu offers a modern take on traditional Mexican dishes, adding new tastes to old-time favourites. They are not scared to be bold with their flavours, which gives their dishes extra oomph.
This eatery has a great selection of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. Their loaded nachos are incredibly tasty, and if you are not vegetarian, you can add beef or chicken to the meal.
For pescatarians, the crispy fish is a must-try. It is hake with a tequila batter, and you will love it. They offer a delicacy called crunchy crickets, which is a freshly made blue corn, air-roasted taco with edible crickets.
7. Best For Frozen Margaritas (By The Jug): Mexicola Locale
Address: 4 The Promenade Road, Hout Bay (23.8km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 066 152 9757
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 5 pm – 10 pm; Friday – Saturday 12 pm – 11 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 10 pm
Reservations: You can book via email at reservations@mexicolalocale.co.za
Mexicola Locale is a fun and friendly modern Mexican restaurant on the promenade in Hout Bay. Their dishes are perfectly presented, and they give you a modern take on authentic Mexican flavours. If you are looking for Mexican food that tastes like the name, then this is the place to go!
Some like it hot. Mexicola Locale likes it fiery! The charred jalapeno peppers are a tasty delight – a must-have if you love hot food.
Their nachos are to die for, with a medley of colours, textures, and flavours – I can never say no to them! They have a vegetarian nacho as well, so everyone can enjoy this delicious treat.
If you love frozen margaritas, then this is the restaurant for you. You can enjoy classic or raspberry frozen margaritas, which are perfect, especially on balmy summer evenings. Best of all, you can get your cocktails by the jug!
8. Best For A Friendly Vibe: Mamacitas
Address: 75 Harrington Street, District Six (550m from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 083 660 5515
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 11 am to late
Reservations: You can book your table on the website.
This delightful Tex-Mex restaurant has a friendly and casual atmosphere, and their meal presentation is superb. The food is prepared on a wood-fired grill, making it extra tasty.
The menu offers a range of meals, from juicy street-style burgers to crispy tacos. You will want to try everything on the menu. Their pulled pork burrito is one of my favourite dishes, and you can make it hot! Very hot – which just makes it extra yummy.
For dessert, you should try the ice-cream taco. It has a Mexican twist, but if that is too sweet for your liking, then the cheesecake churros may be just what you need. The fusion of flavours in this dessert will have you returning to Mamacitas again and again.
Mamacitas also offers great platters, which you can pre-order for Sundays. While you are nibbling away at their flavour-packed food, you can also enjoy their signature cocktails. Mamacitas is definitely one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city.
9. Best For Families: Señor Onion Mexican Cafe
Address: Shop 13, Fountain Square, 136 Main Road, Somerset West (46.6km from Cape Town CBD)
Contact: 021 851 7777
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday 11:30 am – 8:30 pm; Thursday 11 am to 8:30 pm; Friday – Saturday 11:30 am – 9 pm
Senor Onion is currently under new management, but the tastes and flavours of Mexico are all ablaze in their meals. They bring you scrumptious food at reasonable prices.
If you are on the hunt for the best chilli poppers in the Mother City, then you are in for a treat. Their chilli poppers come with a lime coriander mayo or sweet chilli sauce. There are also options for the children, with quesadillas and nachos in kiddie portions.
Personally, I love their chimichangas. If you’ve never had these, then head on over to the best Mexican cafe for this deep-fried tortilla wrap and relish the flavours.
FAQs
Where can I get great Mexican takeout in Cape Town?
If you love good tacos and shawarmas, then head over to Tacowama in Table Bay Mall (21.9 km from the city centre). They have some of the best tacos in the city. Mochachos, Didis Mexican (1.8 km), and Mexicanos (11.8 km) are also takeout outlets where you can get tasty Mexican food.
What are some of the best things to order at Mexican restaurants in Cape Town?
Burritos, tacos, and nachos are always popular, and they’re often enjoyed with a side of guacamole. Nachos, however, are generally the tastiest, especially when served with a side of margaritas.
Some of Cape Town’s best Mexican restaurants hand-make their own tortillas and tacos, so your Mexican food comes freshly made and tasty. Tex-Mex is another popular favourite.
What are some of the best Mexican restaurants in Cape Town with outdoor seating?
Pancho’s and The Fat Cactus are both great places where you can enjoy Mexican food outdoors. The Fat Cactus also has gorgeous views of the city from the terrace.
