The Best Mexican Restaurants in Cape Town

Everybody loves Mexican food! And since Cape Town is a lamentably long way from the Americas, enchiladas and empanadas have taken off in the Mother City via a wide range of casual, colourful, warm and wonderful cantinas.These are the places to go in search of the best of Mex. But if you know something, or somewhere, we have overlooked, please let us know in the comments below.

1. El Burro

Image Credit: Ellerman
This trendy, loud and lively first-floor Mexican restaurant is much acclaimed for its décor and service, as well as its great food. At street level there’s the popular Cabrito bar, serving bar meals, but the best (and quietest) place in the restaurant upstairs is on the deep balcony overlooking all the action on Somerset Road… urban decadence at its best. The restaurant is always busy, so book well in advance to avoid disappointment. And, incidentally, if you crave morning-after Mexican with live music laid on, El Burro has a mobile food van at The House of Machines in Shortmarket Street for brunch between 9am and 3pm every Sunday.
Where Green Point
The food Whether or not it is authentic Mexican food, as the owners claim, is debatable, but fans consider it the healthiest Mexican food around – a long way from cheesier, greasier Tex-Mex options in town. Veg lovers will be well satisfied.
You must try The linefish tacos (R74) – once eaten, never forgotten, say the aficionados. The butternut and goat’s cheese quesadilla (R70) is a vegetarian feast. And then there’s the chicken mole poblano (R80) – deservedly the national dish of Mexico with its delicious sauce flavoured with chocolate, nuts, herbs and spices and served with green rice. Tequila is the essential complement, and the choice is enormous, priced from R18 to R100 a shot. The list of craft beers is tempting, too.
Contact 021 433 2364
Where to find it 81 Main Road, Greenpoint, Cape Town

2. Fat Cactus

A firm favourite among locals, who frequent it in noisy groups, secure in the knowledge that everyone who dines here loves a party. Regulars revel in the choice of 10 kinds of tequila, a choice of five margaritas and the extensive beer, and trust the simple menu to be consistently satisfying.
Where Take your pick of Mowbray, Gardens, Woodstock.
The food Unashamedly Tex-Mex, loved for its extra spice and generous portions.
You must try the acclaimed Amazeballs – delicious chorizo risotto balls (R40) – and the robust trio of burgettes (cheese, mushroom and BBQ) known as Three Amigos (R62).
Contact 021 685 1920, mowbray@fatcactus.co.za
Where to find it 47 Durban Road, Mowbray, Cape Town

3. Zapata

Situated in an attractive cottage in buzzy 2nd Avenue, Harfield, Zapata inspires loyalty and is justifiably always full. The pretty courtyard is the perfect place to share a jug of margaritas with a group of friends, and the food is interesting and varied enough to keep you coming back for more.
Where Harfield Village
The food All the favourites are here, well put together and flavoured to die for.
You must try The frozen margaritas (R120 for a litre jug) are legendary (and pack quite a punch) and the chilli poppers are widely considered the best in town – which is saying something. (It could be the delicious chilli mayo they are served with?) If you want to try everything, go for the Zapata Remembrance Platter for two, including tortilla rolls, baked cheese nachos, spicy meatballs, chilli poppers, and a lot more (R230).
Contact 021 671 2393, bookings@zapata.co.za
Where to find it 2nd Avenue, Harfield Village

4. Pancho’s

A well-known and much-loved Mexican restaurant in Observatory with a warm, relaxed vibe and a very mixed clientele.
Where Observatory
The food There are so many options on this Tex-Mex menu that you simply have to return for more. Main courses are offered in standard and smaller “Mexican” portion sizes at a price difference of around R10 a dish.
You must try the best nachos in town draped in your choice of mild, chilli or “macho” toppings and served in extremely generous portions (small, R68; large, R80). Don’t miss the flautas: delicious deep-fried flour tortillas filled with salsa, cheese and one of many vegetarian or meat fillings (R85). If you can, finish off with the Mexican chocolate cake (R40) – a rich chocolate fruitcake to die for.
Contact 021 447 4854, panchosadmin@gmail.com
Where to find it 127 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town

We also enjoy eating at these casual cantinas

Cantina Tequila

A laid-back restaurant with a great outdoor area for relaxed meals with all the rich flavours you expect from Mexico.
Where Tygervalley
The food Fabulously flavoursome and filling.
You must try The restaurant’s signature Mexican chilli tequila with a dish of the memorable, moreish nachos. If you get there before 3pm with a huge appetite, you can’t do better than the Breakfast Quesadillas filled with cheese, jalapeno chillies, scrambled eggs, bacon and mushrooms and served with fries (R36) … but you may need a siesta afterwards.
Contact 021 919 1556, info@cantinatequila.co.za
Where to find it 86 Edward Street, Tygervalley, Bellville

Tacoways Mexican Café

An unassuming but much-loved takeaway café with a few tables for quick meals on the spot and a rare children’s menu, so you can introduce the kids to tacos and tortillas, spicy mince and salsa.
Where Durbanville
The food Delicious, freshly made meals that threaten to become addictive.
You must try the crispy chicken wings served with chipotle mayo (R29 or R69) and the yummy burritos: soft tortillas with irresistible fillings, such black bean and chocolate and pulled pork (R55 each).
Contact 021 975 5606, info@tacoways.co.za
Where to find it Corner of Wellington Road and Oxford Street, Durbanville, Cape Town