Dominique Koloamatangi
+5
Love coming here to satisfy my Mexican craving!! They never disappoint and the food is always so delicious!! Staff are friendly and the atmosphere is homely and fun!
Came in here late for dinner after a busy Friday. Such a delight. My chimichanga was hot, fresh and tasty. I'd say this is probably as Mexican you'd get. Comfortable outdoor seating area with good heating. Drinks are available too.
Exceptional service by the lovely waitress from Colombia, combine that with great salsa and complimentary chips. Dinner was good 👌
Grabbed the $10 lunch deal with my friends and ordered the devils nachos. The food was really yummy and I wished the portions were bigger, but I thought the portion size was appropriate for the $10 lunch deal. My only complaint was that the jalapenos added to the nachos weren't spicy enough.
Awesome place to get your margherita fix especially during happy hour. However, they need to specify which drinks are excluded for the special. I was only told when paying the frozen margherita wasn't included in the special. But its a margherita 😭. The other complaint is it can be quite slow and difficult to get a waiters attention when they are busy. However, if you manage to get some outdoor seating, drink in hand, you are guaranteed a good night. Think management just needs to be consistent. Would still come back for sure!
If you happen to be in Auckland CBD and craving for Mexican cuisine, Mexican cafe is the place to be in. It’s situated at the busy streets in main city area. The bar is trendy and the food is delicious. The sitting area embarks the sky towers view as well.
Come here especially at happy hours and enjoy tons of happy memories!
Cheers!
Fantastic place in Victoria street for after work drinks. The cheese dip selection is phenomenal
It never fails, great Mexican restaurant with amazing food! Love a good Taco Salad not to miss!
If you work in town, you have heard of this place. It is an institution. Came here for lunch and for $10, its pretty hard to go wrong. Service was friendly and quick and the food hit the spot. Beer and a lunch for under $20 is a rarity in town.
Of all the establishments I featured here at Ang Sarap there is only one place as of this date that I had visited more than three times and it is this Mexican restaurant called Mexican Cafe right in the middle of Auckland CBD. Visiting more than three times means one thing, they offer good food at a really affordable price.
Delicious Spinach and cheese enchilladas and Matcha Cocktails, will happily return here next time i'm in Auckland!
We came bang on the dot at 5pm for the happy hour specials. We ordered pineapple virgin margarita jug, a fish taco, prawn taco, two beef tacos, nachos, and a quesadilla, all to share between two. Great deals with the tacos coming it at $5-$6 each.
My favourites were the prawn taco and the nachos, although everything was rather delicious and filling. The atmosphere sitting outside was very enjoyable and relaxing, I loved the Latin pop blasting out the speakers. Service was friendly overall, although it was a bit difficult to be noticed as they started to get busy.
I love Nachos and Black beans with olives and cheese makes it an amazing dish to eat anytime either lunch or dinner.
And must mention sauces are always Soo good in taste. Have you tried one? Must try once.
Talk to staff for right order.
Value for money! Good size food portions, consistent service and quality. Great happy hour options and combos. Veg friendly. Used to have $5 parking options in CBD, not sure if they still have it.
Always tastes like what I think authentic Mexican would taste like. Good hearty sized meals with a lot of flavour and super tasty frozen cocktails too.
Always a good time here. Cheap food cheap drink just make sure you go during their happy hours. The nachos were great, we tried every option, beef, vego and chicken
Delicious Mexican food at affordable prices! Been coming here regularly for a couple of years now and their food, service and ambience haven't changed at all. Their $10 lunch deals are very filling and tasty. Staff are also friendly and approachable.
Great tasty food, excellent service & atmosphere, and great prices for the portion size! I suggesting getting a meal with rice and beans, it just makes the whole meal complete, and you leave feeling satisfied. Definitely a inner city go to.
The biggest asset of this food joint is the chef and his team. Food here is superb.
What drags them down in rating is their service - inconsistent, incorrect charges, cocktails in a water glass, picking up plates before everyone is finished, etc.
We have been there heaps of times just because we love the food which is the best Mexican we have been too. Will continue doing so
Food is always great here, and service is good too. Waitress was quick to seat us and take our food and drinks order. Devil nachos is my favourite and they do really good sangria.
Have to say the service here was very friendly and welcoming as soon as we walked in the door. Had the new years set menu and enjoyed every course. Made our new years one of the best #2019
Had the garlic bread, burrito, nachos and quisedilla! Really good value for money! Lunch menu is $10 each and a great portion! Ambience was nice, we ate outside which was lovely. The server was friendly. Only minor issue was the wait time which was about 30 minutes but that's not too bad considering the Sunday crowd. Would go again for the happy hour specials and to try their jug margaritas!
A nice Mexican restaurant in the heart of Auckland. The ambience gives you a feel of being in a typical Mexican restaurant. Service is excellent and the place is usually crowded for dinner.
The Monteiths Original (NZ) beer goes well with the Mexican cuisine. The complementary nachos for the starter is great and the salsa is mild and tasty.
For the main course I had the Chicken Enchilada with rice and I should say it was cooked to perfection. The chicken wrapped tortillas were soft and the beans and rice added to an excellent taste.
This place is great for lunch. We ordered the beef nachos and a salad bowl and both meals were only $10 each off the lunch menu and one of the meals were big enough to share between the 2 of us. Staff are attentive and friendly.
So damn good. I’ve gone here 5 times now, love it. Such great prices, not the most amazing tasting Mexican I’ve ever had but still super good. Their margarita jugs have never failed to get me drunk ❤️
If u love Nachos n alcohol so it is definitely your place! They have really cheap house wine, and incredible Margarita cocktails. Nice food & service. I like sitting on their balcony, enjoy the food n the view..
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+5
I think I found my favourite Mexican restaurant~ Delicious and affordable cocktails; and nice food, $10 lunch meals~ Glass roof with view of skytower~
honestly this place is my one of my favourites I've been coming here ever since I was a infant actually, the atmosphere is super nice. THERE complementary salsa and chips you get is soo good always order more, but the food is great really well made. drinks is always a classic margarita
Seriously recommend the chicken fajitas. this dish is so good not spicy but I always love pan fried onions and capsicum.
When you are in the CBD, you don't think that you can find such a great place with this very particular ambiance! The staff is absolutely lovely! My waitress gave me a faultless service. I ordered a prawn guacamole salad which was huge!! Top value, it was greediness in my palate and I dare anybody to find this kind of deal in the city! I tried a margarita, recommended shaken to keep the taste of the tequila, and I gotta admit, I have never tasted a drink as good as this one. Just a perfect afternoon, in the shade of the sky tower, out on the deck.
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I’ve always wondered if Mexican food in New Zealand had been fairly represented. Having conversed with traveling Americans and those who have been to the states the consensus was that Mexican cuisine is fresh, colorful and just taste amazing. However Mexican food in New Zealand has quite the way to go. So knowing that perhaps it is a little surprising that I dined at Mexican Cafe.
A number of colleagues have been wanting Mexican so we all headed off to Mexicali for their lunch specials and their seating capabilities. With the caveat knowing that Mexican cuisine isn’t the best in Auckland, the lunch specials here are actually quite the bang for buck, they have sauces for those are after something with a bit more kick and overall we all really had a godo time. I had the beef nachos, basic but really did the job. What I did find was that it was quite easy to share our food and that made for an fantastic experience. The layout of this place is massive so its great for groups of people.
Showstopper: Lunch special is awesome
Overall Grade: B+
I came here with my friends on the 24th of February celebrating my birthday. There were 5 of us there and all of us enjoyed the ambience of the restaurant.
Who wouldn’t love a $10 lunch meal? We are students who are regulars at Mexican Cafe and have nothing bad to say about the restaurant. We mostly ordered the vegetarian lasagna, Burrito and the taco salad. The food was superb.
The staff were super friendly and helpful. Constantly checking if we needed refills of our water, asking if everything was ok.
Overall Mexican Cafe is worth the visit.
W/ Isabel Chai
A nice place in the city to have mexican food. Staff are friendly and food was good as well. Would recommend the devils nachos with those jalapenos. A good place to spend evening with friends and enjoy some live music as well.
Mexican Cafe has $10 lunch specials. Each table gets a complimentary starter of corn chips with a fresh salsa - it's really good. I got the filling black bean lasagna. Very yummy and cost effective.
The decor is has a fiesta feel. It's quite an upbeat atmosphere, with the salsa music too. The bathrooms could do with some cleaning. Staff are friendly and fast.
On Friday and Saturday nights, Mexican Cafe goes from restaurant to a salsa club and bar where you can enjoy the music or dance.
Beware of having too many margaritas and falling down the long staircase..,
Great place to eat .love their food and service. It’s such a cute place love their drinks always get offers on my email.they always have something to offer their customer . Love it .
The restaurant is super cute!! Those long staircase adds the extra mysterious touch and the inside decor is yellow and red and blue wow it was a really nice atmosphere. The waiter was nice and approaches you immediately with a bowl and salsa chips. The food is nice, my burrito was cheesy, kind of too mushy I thought the stuffing would be very “solid”. But overall it was pretty good :)
Value for money. Cultural sometimes have sala dancing in the bar area.
Food is delicious and the cocktail margaritas are yum! Highly recommend if you have a large group and heading out on the town. Vibe is awesome.
A simple but decent place to grab a bite to eat. Staff were generally friendly, prompt and attentive.
I ordered one of the Taco Salad Bowls for lunch, which came out very promptly. The salad itself was decent, though the chicken content was woefully inadequate - something like 3-4 pieces of shredded chicken for the entire dish. This was the only let down of the dish, however, and could easily be improved by being less stingy with the meat!
The bathroom does not some improvement. It was very cramped and the cubicles were missing window panes on the windows.
The complimentary corn chips and salsa dip was a very nice touch!
I love this place! I think it's great that I never leave feeling hungry. The menu is great, and you can easily get some great offers on the daily. Their service is very quick and attentive. I always come here with friends, and like that it is a small restaurant with awesome views tucked away off the street, so you don't feel like you are in the city.
One of my favourite places to get Mexican and the food here for the prices are 10/10! I've visited this place on numerous occasions mainly for lunch and once for dinner. The service is great and very friendly!
Would definitely recommend this place if you're craving good food and a little on budget! They have awesome deals on Tuesday and it can get very crowded in the summer. The vegetarian lasagne was the best dish I had tried there and would definitely keep coming here if I'm prepared for the walk from uni but for sure worth the visit!
Really nice and good atmosphere. Does get quite busy after 6.30pm. Food was nice and good service. Would recommend for a nice meal. In photo: back dish is the chimichanga and front dish is the enchiladas.
My favorite of all time....we come here all the time for $10 lunches ...the devilled nachos are so nice ...the salsa they serve is the best ...staff are nice and helpful...I really like this place
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Went out for dinner with a large group of friends... for there being so many of us, service was reasonably fast. Had a vegetarian burrito for $15, a few drinks and some churros. All was... average? Not the most amazing Mexican I've had (particularly the churros - save your money there ☹️), but if you're looking for a lot of food for your $$$ this is the place! Big portions!
Mainly lowered the rating because of staff service.... we had one woman who was absolutely amazing, and another who seemed to not quite understand what we were saying in plain English ("Can we get the chocolate sauce without chilli oil in it").
Whilst we were checked up on, we were only asked once (a minute after we'd started eating... no one knows if the food is good when you've only taken one mouthful!) about our meal, and only had our water replaced once (although we could've gone and got more, I imagine).
Overall, good for those with a big appetite and happy to pay a lower cost knowing you're not having the most flavoursome Mexican food out there!
Went here for lunch today and got the beef burrito combination with pineapple juice for 15$. The burrito was really good but I was surprised it was spicy since i dont remember reading on the menu it was. They did list the ingredients but I didnt think it would still be spicy. Maybe they can include in the menu the word spicy since there are people like me who are trying to avoid spicy food.
It's simple yet tasty Mexican food. It's a decent joint , not too fancy when it comes to presentation, but typical Mexicsn food. I would go back for thier Chicken Extra Nachoes.
My friends and I came here during their $10 lunch special. The stairs lead up to an upstairs restaurant and bar. So the disabled might have trouble getting to this restaurant. The interior is very nice and the staff led us to a table out on their balcony. Staff were attentive and very friendly. I got beef nachos and the food came reasonably fast. The food tastes good and well presented. I would definitely come back here if given the chance :)
Came here for a lunch with my work. Lunch specials are great value, not sure how they compare to dinner prices etc.
I had the extra special nachos large. Should have gotten the small. They are huge! It was delicious though. I do like it when the meat has more flavour though. I should have used some of their hot sauce.
I will probably be back to try the enchiladas and other menu items. I think its a good place to go as a group!
Been here few times ! there chicken nachos are my fave ! such great size and awesome price for what you get could never get sick of there nachos lol .😁
This place is fantastic. Location is good if you don't need to worry about parking. I love the fact that it's so secluded and when you get upstairs it's lively and full of people. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, awesome Mexican food and fabulous margaritas 👌🏽🍹 also wide selection of tequila!
Had an awesome girls dinner out here the other night! The service is incredible and the atmosphere is great. All the decorations really spice this place up and the food was good, particularly considering the price you pay for a meal. Would definitely come here again for drinks and a meal!
I know the owner Bruce here. Mexican Cafe is his baby and a damn good one. My partner and I both enjoy coming here for an evening meal, their $10 value meals are exceptional. Our favourite dish was their cheese dip, which was also our guilty pleasure.
Good spot in town, basically across the road from sky tower.
Has $10 lunches! What a great price and food is yum! Also get free nachos chips.
Great Mexican food
Been here so much times in the last few months!
My favorite dish is the vegetarian lasagne - they give you so much and it fills you up! (So worth it for $10!)
Customer service is always 10/10 (all the people working have a smile on their face!)
Another cool thing is if you sign up for their mexclub you get awesome discounts and coupons every month or so!
It's very good specially when you go there during happy hour.Cheap but big size and also yummy.The atmosphere is very Mexican too.If you like Mexican you should try.
Based diagonally opposite the sky tower, this place has a very different kind of a vibe.
We went here for a work catch-up & had reserved a table of 12. Orders were pre-placed as we were short of time.
Everything was setup perfectly for us and the dishes were timed to perfection too. I had the chicken 🌯 burrito which was tasty and filling. The Mexican salsa sauce was a standout as my colleagues found it very yummy. I'll come back with my friends and family to try some other dishes.
Totally charming ambiance with great authentic Mexican food and to make it better...the happy hours! Must try - Chicken Quesadilla. I can not stress more on how great the Chicken Quesadillas were!
Mexican cafe has great ambience. The food is really good as well. Especially, their chimichanga with bacon is really the one I love to order quite often. The service is good and their complimentary nachos with salsa is a good way to tick the clock until your food arrives.
Great nachos. The only thing i've ever had here are the nachos for their $10 lunch. Excellent value, tasty and filling. Does well compared to other places of similar Mexican cuisine.
Lovely Mexican style deco and friendly staff. Quite busy at times but love their food. Especially their $10 lunch specials, great meals always 💛
Loved the ambience...
Food was authentic...
We went to this place on Saturday evening...
Extra Special Nachos starter was great...
Chicken Flauta from the mains was too good
It is must try restaurant for all...
I will definitely visit this place again
Hands down my fave Mexican restaurant in town! Being a student on a budget, the $10 menu is just the bomb! The portion is pretty big and can easily fill me up and most of the time I do not even finish my dish. My fave is the Taco Salad, very light but filling. I also like the fact that they serve you chips and salsa once you arrive. 👍🏼
I think this is the closest thing Auckland has to the real deal of Mexican food... comparing to my experiences of growing up in California which has a ton of amazing Mexican restaurants and also visiting Mexico. I love the ambiance, service, great portions, awesome price. The water, corn chips and salsa promptly delivered to tie you over as you peruse the menu. Wide range of Mexican dishes available (not just tacos/burritos), and LOVE the $10 lunch menu options. Despite being a little tight on finances before the Christmas holiday, I was able to shout lunch for my friend here... so thanks again for allowing affordable options on your menu. Margaritas are pretty darn good too! My favorite Mexican restaurant in Auckland!
I always go there with a friend or my sister for lunch , I love the $10 lunch special! My favourite dish is the taco salad, waiting staff need to improve a bit more, be more attentive ,always forgetting to bring water to the table !
Been a regular diner as long as I stayed in Auckland. Never had problem with their food or service, even during the busy hours of the weekend nights. Kudos to the team at Mexican Cafe.
Food was affordable and it was REALLY nice . loved every bit of my meal A+ Staff was super friendly. I am going back to this place for sure.
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Mexican Cafe is popular restaurant located upstairs in Victoria St West. Mexican Cafe is true to its name, providing a lively Mexican ambiance with an authentic traditional menu.
I recently returned to Mexican Cafe for lunch, as they have very good value lunch specials; only $10 for a good selection of dishes such as nachos, burritos, tacos, and chili con carne to name a few.
I walked up the stairs to Mexican Cafe, and was greeted quickly and shown to my seat. Corn chips with salsa are provided at each table which is a nice touch.
I ordered deviled nachos, which were nachos with some jalapeños to add spice. My food arrived quickly and the portion size was very generous for the $10 price tag.
All the essential ingredients were piled into the nachos and everything tasted fresh. The tomatoes in particular were very sweet adding good contrast to the jalapeños.
I look forward to returning to Mexican Cafe. The atmosphere is always fun and you get more than your money's worth with their specials.
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I have visited Mexican cafe a bunch of times but haven't had a chance to write a review. I dined here with my sister tonight, the place was pretty busy which it usually is but there were a few tables going. I like the fact that they have the options of indoor or outdoor seating. The decor is a little shabby however it does kind of fit with the Mexican vibe. The drinks menu is extensive, they have an awesome range of yummy & reasonable cocktails, sangria & cheap beer & wine. The food menu is also huge & extremely reasonable. They give you corn chips & salsa when you arrive which is a nice touch. I had the chicken fajitas & my sister had chimichanga. We shared the cheese dip between us also. The food was all served in good time, the dishes all had a good amount of heat which I was happy about. Everything was cooked well & we enjoyed our meals. This location of Mexican cafe is excellent in the heart of the CBD. I would definitely recommend visiting for a reasonably priced meal or a cheeky after work drink.
As always fresh simple mexican food. served quickly plenty of staff to take your orders and a great price
For the hungry person. Extra Special Nachos. Large plate. 10/10
Had a lovely dinner here with a friend and it was seriously good. Had some sort of chicken salad taco thing and it tasted delicious. We were greeted when we arrived and seated and immediately given chips with dip.
The staff are friendly, attentive and brilliant to deal with.
The food was yummy and we had margheritas which tasted delicious as well. Had a great time and enjoyed the food.
Dessert was perfect as well :)
Highly recommend.
Enjoyed the atmosphere, we were seated in the enclosed outside balcony which was still warm. I enjoyed my paradise margarita very much. I chose for my meal the chimichanga and asked the waitress for a recommendation between chicken or beef. She simply stated the chicken was the most popular but I would have preferred her personal opinion, she seemed rather blasé about helping me make the choice - the service in general was average. Although the meals were large I felt mine was lacking in some flavour, and was too spicy. I'd consider going back to try another choice from the menu but if I was in town again I'd probably want to visit many other places first.
First time trying authentic Mexican food! Their $10 lunch deals are definitely worth it, so I ordered the Chicken Tacos. The guy who served us was really funny and friendly, so thumbs up to service! It did take quite a while for the food to arrive, which is understandable as it was lunch hour. Just seeing the food on the table is such a great sight. The taco shell was very nice and crispy, the amount of salad on the plate was splendid! Very keen to try their other $10 lunch deals
I don’t think I will ever get sick of this place.
We ordered off the happy hour menu x2 chicken quesadilla and one vegetarian and veggie nachos to share.
The quesadillas never seem to disappoint, there always fresh and have so much flavour and the sides of salsa and sour cream complete the dish.
The nachos on the other hand were a bit bland and the beans lacked flavour.
The service was awesome, we had a young Thai (i believe she was Thai) lady serve us who was friendly and very attentive. She even came back to ask how everything was which sometimes doesn’t happen at such busy restaurants.
There is always a good vibe and the decor is amazing, if you want to escape to Mexico for the night then definitely come here!
P.s the salsa and corn chips that are served when you arrive are soooo good! We always fight it and have to order more. So fresh and so clean.
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Gotta love this place.
Since it is on the second floor, it is not the easiest place to find (though there is a sign outside). But once you reached the top of the stairs, the space is spacious, authentically decorated, with lively atmosphere.
Complimentary nachos with salsa were served before we have even ordered anything, which definitely left a good first impression.
Their lunch menu at $10 each were absolute steals. My absolute favourite is the vegetarian burrito. It is so hard to find decent vegetarian Mexican food in Auckland. The rice was cooked to perfection, and the guacamole was super creamy and flavourful. The best part was how generous the portion sizes were.
It was my sister's first time having Mexican food, she went for the lasagna, and she is an absolute fan now. It is different from traditional Italian lasagna - less structured, more cheesy, and made with hot chilli. Served with a side green salad and sour cream, it was the perfect balance.
The staffs were super friendly. Definitely the ideal place to catch up with friends over lunch or dinner!
Mexican cafe is an institution, don't think menu has changed in years but why change a good thing? Good food and atmosphere, you can't beat their $10 lunch specials either! My fav is the chilli con carne (see photo) and burrito is always a hit. Great place for big group too!
The Mexican Cafe looks abit iffy from the street entrance door but once you walk up those stairs you are in a completely different place. An outdoor balcony dining area overlooks part of the city allowing you to watch the hustle and bustle of the night life unfold below you whilst enjoying your dinner. My go to dish when I come to this restaurant is almost always the chicken chimichanga 👌🏻😍 the portion size is very generous, with some people not being able to finish it. The decor accentuates the authentic Mexican dining experience. I would recommend making a reservation before you come as it can get busy especially on Friday/Saturday nights in the city however it must be noted that only larger groups (8 or more) are allowed to do this as they claim they can sit 140 people so smaller groups may need to wait a little while. However it is worth the small wait, especially with a bar that you can relax and drink at until a table becomes free.
I love Mexican food and this cafe is definitely my recommendation!!
They have great variation of meals and alcohol beverages! They have $15 dinner menu. (the photo below)
Inside of cafe decorated very colourful, friendly waiters. Also I saw some guys were dancing and laughing in the kitchen lol. Very Mexican!! ❤️
Located just across the road from sky city. There are narrow stairs to the cafe so it might be hard to get up for injured person.
For more info:
http://www.mexicancafe.co.nz
Visited here on Saturday night before our film after a friend recommended it to us.
Atmosphere was wonderful and buzzing, reminded my partner and I of when we went to Mexico years ago!
Food was nice, and prices very reasonable (15 dollar dinners in Auckland City is a rare delight!).
We will definitely be back!
Been here lots of times and they never failed to disappoint, as they said consistency is key! their $10 lunches are a steal especially to university students who are on a budget like me. So far i had the chilli con carne (4-5 times actually), ranchero steak (really nice), and nachos. Their cocktails are really refreshing. Would always go back to the mexican cafe, and would recommend it people who haven't been yet.
This is the absolute best eatery in the world. It may not be authentic Mexican style food but it's still amazing. For the massive portion sizes the price are extremely cheap, especially for Auckland City. My partner and I have visited at least 30 times in the past year and never get tired of the food, atmosphere or service. We usually order the massive vegetarian/chicken and bacon chimichanga's which is excellent and never disappoint, although we have tried many other terrific items on the menu. The staff are always extremely friendly and the food arrives quick, fresh and hot. The refried beans are to die for, the rice is always great and the salad is fresh and delicious. We have recommended this place to literally countless people and will continue coming back for years to come. See you guys tomorrow night for date night!
Date night on a weeknight. This place always has a nice buzz to the atmosphere. We had a really nice and polite waiter, all the staff in general were attentive. We ordered a margarita, chicken quesdilla and the most divine prawn tacos!! I would go back again just for the Tacos. This place has a reasonably priced menu as well, good value for money. Would go again and highly recommend it to those who haven't been yet!
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+4
One of my favourite place to grab a quick lunch on a work day. The $10 lunch menu they offer is great value. The Margarita is always a nice treat on a Friday.
This place is always great for a quick and cheap bite, especially when you're a student and after some authentic Mexican with good portions! I had the chilli con carne and a pinapple juice (freshly made) which was a combo for $15. The food was very tasty and had a great amount of heat in it, I had to ask for extra guacamole though. Overall, very friendly service and I will keep coming back when I'm craving some good Mexican!
Considering the price you pay for the food, it is an absolute steal. The Mexican Cafe is a regular spot to grab a quick bite to eat with friends. The staff are a vivacious bunch and make sure to take care of you while you're there.
Our go to is always the taco salad, cheese dip and sangria to wash it all down. Beware of the cheese dip as it is seriously way too good!
This place has been my lunchtime favourite for a while now. The food is really homey, I'm always both satisfied and full when I leave, and i don't think I've ever been there when the place wasn't rammed full of people. Love it, so I keep coming back :)
Lively atmosphere and great staff. Came on a busy night and it did take a while to seat us, but the food came super fast. If you're rushed for time would recommend making a booking. The vegetarian chimichanga was divine- so fresh and crispy. Have to mention the great selection of drinks also!
My favourite Mexican restaurant! Great prices, amazing food, awesome sangria and margaritas!! Staff has always been polite! Been here multiple times and have never been disappointed. Chicken Chimichangas are amazing! The photo is of a taco salad and red wine sangria.
Love this place and I visit this place often!! Great customer service and the food is delicious. The 10$ lunch deal is such a great deal especially for students :) would definitely recommend this to friends and family.
If you consider the price and the food you get, this is one of the best places to eat in Auckland.
Tried some lunch there and for only ten dollars I got delicious nachos that came along with some great tomato sauce with fresh coriander.
The meal itself was a sea chowder, also gummy and well served.
A place to enjoy and comeback to, specially if you're into Tequila (they've heaps of it).
The only drawback is that the birds from the street love that place, but I can't blame them for trying free nachos. I'd just do the same.
Epic experiences every single time i visit. had quite a bit of the vegetarian food and it's really nice. Sometimes they miss one or two ingredients but it's alright - the atmosphere and fair pricing is very complimentary to the good service provided. Would definitely recommend for a solid Mexican experience.
I love this place, every time. Its fun decor, its taco salad bowls, its salsa night where you're likely to have an awesome night and even meet someone unlikely. My relationship with Mexican Cafe has been irregular but constant in all the years that I've been in Auckland, on and off. While Auckland is changing so much, Mexican Cafe has reassuringly stayed its ground. It's one of those few places that have been in Auckland for ages, and I hope will stay in place for many more years to come.
Had such a great experience at Mexican Cafe for a hens party with 20 people in the function room. The staff were super helpful leading up to and on the night. Thanks so much to the manager Jess and the rest of the team for making it such a great night.
The restaurant is awesome! Authentically decorated, and has a great vibe. I had the vege fajitas made vegan, which they were more than happy to adapt. The vegetables were a little spicy, and tasted a lot like chinese food, but it was still absolutely delicious.
For start they had a good and friendly customer service
For starter I had cheese dip and garlic bread
It was amazing. You go there decently try a cheese dip.
For main I had chiken flauta it was pretty good too.
They only annoying part was between our starter and main we waited an hour.
However food was delicious.
Reservations are definitely recommended at this very popular cafe. We had to wait for a while to get our seats but the wait at the bar was well worth it. The Michelada along with Sol beer was a perfect start to the evening. The place is busy, colorful and lively. As soon as you climb up you can feel you are right in the middle of a lot of bustle, boisterous laughter and gay abandon!! Nacho chips and salsa dip are served complimentary and make for good company till the food arrives. The service is pretty amazing, cheerful and quick. We ordered a chicken chimichanga and I think it was there in about 5-7 minutes. Food was tasteful and of a good portion size..definitely a place to visit if you like Mexican food.
We went here a few year back now and I've been here a few times for dinner. Love love the atmosphere and all the tequila (I'm a tequila fan). The food is nice. I'm not big on Mexican food but the vibe here is awesome! One night we were there there was live Mexican band!
The Mexican Cafe (or the Mex as it is often referred to) is an institution. Before franchises such as Mexicali, Mad Mex, Zambrero, etc. came along the Mex was one of the only places in the CBD that served consistently good mexican. These days it's more known for its ambience and Friday latin dancing nights, rather than its food.
Mains are $15 each in the evening (the only time I have ever been here). Their burritos are deceptively filling and their ceviche is pretty large too. I hear you can also get a decent lunch special here.
Service is good too, but somehow I find that the food lacks the flavour and quality that the atmosphere seems to promise.
This is one the best places for "value for money". The lunch menu is for $10 and dinner is around $15.
The food is great and almost every dish we tried was worth the penny.
Pros
Almost all their dishes are great - Fajitas, quesadilla, veg lasagna for the vegetarians.
Great service
Cons
Not much
Cheers!!
Went to have dinner here lastweek, first time trying a Mexican restaurant. Good service, friendly staff, lively atmosphere. Food tastes great 😄
Good tex mex food, with $10 and $15 lunch specials. Large portions, stock standard Mexican cuisine, burritos, enchiladas, tacos, nachos etc. nothing too gourmet and fancy but it's a good deal and suitable for everyone.
Always a favourite, one of the places we chose between before heading to a show in the city. Prompt service,delicious food and such a bargain, what more can you ask for!
I enjoy the food here, although they could work on their glass and cutlery polishing. competitive pricing of $10 lunch meals, I usually either get the nachos or burrito.
Great atmosphere. If you want to eat here it is advisable to either come early or make a booking as this place is very busy. Lots of waiter staff and the food is good and relatively cheap
Mexican Café is an absolute favourite of mine, their happy hour prices are unbeatable and the food is tried and true but always good. Best nachos in Auckland! I have been a regular here for the past 5 years and have not been disappointed yet. The original Mexican food destination, if you want a cheap fun night out with some good cheap eats I would highly recommend.
Been here a few times over the years... Hidden Mexican gem.... Good food... Good prices.... Great atmosphere ... A must to try if you like Mexican as it's quite an icon really.
You feel you in cancun or Cozumel when you enter
The ambience makes you feel welcomed, good Mexican music
We started with a pitcher of sangria
The prawn fajita were delicious
We had chicken flauta which was served with sour cream guacamole , truly Mexican
We loved it
Amazing atmosphere and lovely food! Thanks for the yum cocktails ! :) me and my partner ate the fajitas with prawns and the Plato Grande. Was so good and filling.
Love this place!! I tend to get the same thing each time.. Chicken and bacon chimichanga! The cocktails are also amazing - they have great specials which I take advantage off! I enjoy coming but I avoid a weekend night!
I love the Mexican Cafe! it is in an almost hidden spot on Victoria street up so many flights of stairs and if i weren't taken here for the $10 lunch specials i still might not know of it! they have amazing customer service and omg the food is good and so so so affordable!!! I normally order the chicken taco salad and it is amazing, its pretty much a salad in a house made taco bowl!!! What i really appreciate is that they handle special request so well!! i asked for no tomatoes and when my meal arrived they had made me my own guacamole with no tomatoes!!! The Fajita is also amazing and is presented so nicely on like this hot clay plate! I haven't tried the vegetarian lasagna but i have heard that it is super nice! This is an amazing, yum place and i recommend trying the Mexican Cafe because ill definitely be coming back!
Very nice environment! Their decorations and copious amounts of alcohol really set the mood!
Went there for their $10 lunch and ordered the nachos which were only alright, nothing amazing but definitely filling!
Really happy that there was more than 3 options for the $10 lunch unlike some other places and likely to come back to try some of their other options for lunch!
the taco salad was alright but felt a bit sick afterwards though the chicken taco salad was good the service was alright and the free nachos and dipping was very good
You would probably miss this place if you weren't paying much attention. Actually, you'd probably miss this rad cafe even if you were. Tucked away, led by a staircase, Mexican Cafe is a quirky colourful place that makes you feel like you're far from the hustle and bustle in Auckland city. I like the atmosphere here, especially in the evening. The portion is huge! Their dishes really fill you up. My chilli con carne I ordered was satisfying and had the perfect amount of kick. I would have liked it more if it had more flavour/seasoning. I look forward to coming here again though as I'd like to try more items off the menu.
Have not been here for years and years. Hasn't changed at all. Still the fun place that I remember.
Great meals really tastie, service was great - fantastic time was had.
The $10 lunches here are awesome and they also have specials if you go for an early dinner. They have the best margaritas!! Nachos, fajitas, chimichangas are all yummm :)
Such a fun place with alot of history. The ambience is so lively, pits you in a good mood! The perfect definition of good food and goos vibes!! What more can I say?
As a Christchurch local, the loss of the Mexican Cafe in the earthquake was indeed tragic. Having my favourite chicken nachos for lunch up in Auckland (while visiting for the Roxette concert) was a lovely treat.
Nachos Nachos Nachos..
I love their devil Nachos perfect for winter lunch and dinner!
On weekend night they get quite busy and they have salsa nights!
Great place for a casual bite. I love the mexican vibe everytime I got from this place. Chicken chimichanga- You always gave me a reason to visit this place.
A typical Mexican bar restaurant where the night is filled with customer and live performance (mostly music but occasionally Selsa dance groups). The dish I ordered was a Lamb meal on special which cost between $24 ~ $26 and I can still remember the taste when I day dream. The rice is cooked differently causing the colour to be yellowish due to the spice, the grilled Lamb Steak was juicy and not too old. It is covered with a sauce similar to plum sauce but I could not find any information on their main website…
I finally had the courage to try a different cuisine and randomly went for lunch to this cafe. I ordered the veg quesadillas. It was a decent portion for $14, but the food came after a long time. It would be great if you could serve your customers more efficiently.
Great place for a cheap, no fuss Mexican meal. It's not the most authentic or anything fancy at all, in fact it's probably a step up from a Mexican takeout. However atmosphere is fun and easygoing and service is decent. Come here more for the overall experience rather than the food.
I'm a mad Mexican fan and luckily every single Mexican place that I've been to has been 10/10 and the Mexican Cafe is not exception! I would definitely recommend anyone to come here for a group hangout, some yarns or just a good feed for either lunch or dinner! Their food portions are huge and the flavours are very authentic! I don't even need to talk about Quesadillas as it's such a go-to food of mine, but I did try something new here. The Enchiladas caught my eye as it sort of reminded me of the word "enchanting" and I was really glad that I ordered it! Baked tortillas were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The stuffed chicken and salads were sooo good and when mixed with the beans and rice---my tasting pallet just exploded!I would also recommend fruity Margaritas here, like both the mango and strawberry ones. They are light, sweet and again comes in big portions!
Came here for my hens night and we had the BEST time. Amazing atmosphere. Amazing staff. Amazing food. And ERMAHGERD amazing alcohol. Will always love me some Mexican Cafe 😁
An extremely compelling Mexican place to dine at. The ambience is outstanding. The staff is friendly and courteous. The food is overall great. Will visit again. Highly recommended.
I always have a good time here
maybe it was the drink Hahha
I had the martini glass of passion fruit blendedness
not so nice as it was just OJ plus passion fruit syrup with some alc and bam that's 14 bucks gone
then my friends drinks
they were delicious !! The bar tender truly showed her skills.
Caipirina -yes , fruit margarita passion fruit - no , flow how mule - maybe ? It had a bitterness to the end. Citrus sunrise = yes yes yes ! Tasted like candy
I love fruity tropical ness all of them were good
has a $10 lunch deal taco chicken salad. Was good for the price
I finally figured out what that she'll tasted like
a deep fried wonton skin !!
Love this cute place especially in summer!
We were greeted by lovely staff and was well looked after.
Meals were fast and efficient.
I had the chicken quesdilla and salad, quesdilla was jam packed with filling and nicely browned and crisp. Althoughy salad was a simple green salad it was perfectly seasoned and sat well with my quesdilla.
Great food and just a nice place to chill
Awesome cafe, gives you the feel you are really sitting in mexico. Amazing food, tacos, nachos, streaks and my friends couldn't get over the cocktails. Really big portions. Looking fwd to going again very soon.
Michael Ellmers Smith
+4.5
Staff: Always welcoming and friendly, sometimes they even remember my order after being away a couple of months!
Food: Have dined here during Lunch and Dinner hours, food always comes out hot. The seafood chowder here is absolutely amazing and if you dine during lunch its only a mere $10. Staff know their stuff about the food which also helps!
Venue: As you can see in the picture the bar has just about any type of Tequila you could ask for, the vibe of this place is always uplifting regardless of the day you have had and the balcony area is great for having those loud after work drinks and conversations.
Overall: Would recommend this place to any of my friends and family. Great staff, great food and great venue.
The main meals are large in quantity (I can never finish them)!! However, I would really say there's anything that really stands out from other Mexican restaurants.
The tacos however, ARE AMAZING! The prawns taco is number one!! And the scallops taco comes a very close second. On my last visit, I had 3 in one go. SO YUM!
I like the complimentary nachos. Went here with a few friends after work and it was pretty good. Ordered the seafood chowder. It was a huge portion so sharing could be optional. It was a tad salty for my liking but I suppose that's something they can fix if you ask. I didn't wanna be fussy. Overall. It's an a-okay place. Go during lunch. They have $10 lunch deals! :D
Great experience every time! Had the taco salad while the rest of the group ordered a combination of burritos and nachos. Extremely filling and lovely atmosphere. Would recommend to skip ordering the jug of anything as it's not that big and only serves 2 ppl max.
The vibe in this bustling restaurant is what keeps bringing me back. Great Mexican decor gives the place a real party atmosphere. Go during happy hour and take advantage of the cheap beers/wine. Food is pretty standard Mexican fare, nothing special but very satisfying and large portions. The dessert chimichangas are really quite special, both the banana chocolate and apple and cinnamon ones are off the chain. Don't leave without trying one. Great place for a celebration with friends or a fun date. Will be going again.
I have been to many different mexican restaurants, as it is my favourite cuisine do thought I would try out mexican cafe. Happy Hour is a great idea and the drinks and snacks off this menu were great. I then had the chicken taco salad for main which was very nice and surprisingly filling. The only negatives for me is that the decor inside is a bit outdated and could do either a change especially ye streamers hanging from the ceiling. And the presentation of the food especially quesadillas could be better. Overall though tasty food and drinks for a reasonable price and we had a lovely waitress so was happy to give recommendations
Mexican Cafe's burritos are amazing. A few friends and I regularly go here when we crave burritos! The best burritos we have tired.
Staff are great, most of the time our burritos taste superb but we have had the odd occasion where they are totally not on point.
Despite that we love how it's always a perfect temperature! Definitely prefer sitting outside on the balcony as the lighting is not great inside. Love their complimentary nachos and salsa.
Good wee place to have Mexican food at, we always leave quite bloated but so worth it!
I absolutely loved this place! Such an amazing atmosphere and incredible little space utilised really well, best time was happy hour between 5-7pm. Yummy food for such good prices, I had the Chicken Taco Salad it was fresh and delicious, also ordered a Cheese Dip for the table which was a hit! Defiantly will be back here ?
It's nice to find a Mexican place that actually offers good tasting Mexican food. Going in I was hesitant because my last few Mexican restaurant experiences left me disappointed. However, I went in with an open mind and Mexican Cafe did not disappoint. The flavours were amazing, the salsa had a kick to it, and the atmosphere was great.
What's not to like? It's Mexican!
Good food. Good vibem l. Good service - even in peak times. Love the $10 lunch menu. Burritos are superb. Love the beef but the chIcken burrito is to die for. Love the jalapeños and corona too.
Had a good lunch with mates at Mexican cafe and not once they failed. Cheap, affordable lunch deals, nice food and awesome casual atmosphere - is not always seen in eateries in the cbd. Have also been here for dinner several times and enjoyed it every single time. Always good experience :)
First time here. Came with a bunch of my colleagues. Great atmosphere. Got a complimentary serving of nachos and salsa dip as we were seated.
I ordered a "mojito 14" and the garlic bread for starters (and to share), the bread was amazing. Very crispy and good flavours. For main I ordered a chicken quesadilla -which tasted good but it looked more like a taco than the standard "pressed" quesadilla which was what I was expecting...
I also tried one of my colleagues meals, the prawn taco salad which was amazing! Very fresh and great flavours. Loved it. Chimichanga chicken & bacon was very nice too!
For dessert, had the Mexican flan. Seriously. No regrets. SUCH. AMAZING. FLAVOURS!! Tasted so good. I shared that around the table and everyone loved it!! But the chimichanga fruit dessert was average as. Not what I had imagined.
All in all, an awesome Mexican place to dine at! Would definitely come back again.
Good food. Used to have amazing alcoholic beverages but I find quality is lacking these days (maybe too watered down?). Also the happy hour food menu has been downgraded quality-wise. Still a good place but I don't go there as much as I used too.
Great Mexican food, authentic and well priced. Great atmosphere and were accommodating to us with a young child. Will be going back for sure.
Went here for lunch and my first impression when i entered was it's so authentic, atmosphere was great, i honestly felt like i was in a barrio in mexico, especially when you sit in the balcony during a fine day. The place was simple and looked very home-y, they truly captured the mexican feel :D the staff were very nice and accomodating.
The menu was simple and straightforward, food was worth the price. The serving and taste hits the affordable budget. Taste-wise, it was fantastic, flavourful and filling. Chicken on our nachos were nice and tender. They pack the right amount of ingredients in our burritos as well as toppings on our nachos. We will definitely be coming back. I love the simplicity of the whole cafe, unlike other mexican chains that are commercialised and fast paced where its just about food. Mexican cafe delivers a chill and natural vibe with its cultural means. Bonus points for happy hour and salsa dancing every friday :D
I can't remember what we ordered exactly but it was bloody good and well worth the price. wasn't dear at all good atmosphere friendly service only thing is when it gets busy you can't really hold a convo unless your trying to yell over other ppl haha :p
Can't beat free chips and salsa, although the chips were pretty bad. The burrito was pretty small as well, but good! A little expensive for their portions. Nice outdoor seating area.
It is always the best option when you are meeting with in the city and want a delicious but yet cheap lunch. The $10 lunch plates are not to be missed. Loved the chilli con carne. It's a lovely atmosfere and it doesn't feel like you are in the middle of the city
Old reliable, always delicious authentic food and an upbeat, festive vibe. The margarita jugs are a must-have, particularly during happy hour when they're half price. You can't go wrong with Mexican Cafe, the portion sizes are generous and the whole menu is affordable - ideal for celebratory nights with tequila shots as the restaurant is transformed into a club after dinner.
I have been there first time on day before yesterday. There I experienced Very good food, very good environment, and very good staff. Nachos is so delicious. :)
Never, ever fail to disappoint me with their delicious Mexican goodness. I love going for Happy Hour - and my favourite dish is definitely the chicken nachos! Loads of fresh cheese, refried beans and delicious shredded chicken. Bliss.
Awesome decorations, sweet music, great attentive staff (but not too attentive), the Capriosca's are phenomenal, as well as the jugs of original margarita. I love just sitting at the bar and looking at all the different bottles behind the bar staff.
The fact that you can get cheap $5 parking there if you dine is wicked too for such a central restaurant.
Always a pleasure to go back there.
Loved it, we've always walked past and dismissed it as a cheap rowdy bar. Decided to give it a chance and might be a new local favourite.
Good honest food, we got a taco salad and enchiladas off the $15 menu. great value for what you pay for, plus free corn chips and salsa to start.
Best part was the atmosphere and service, surprisingly chilled out and fun for a Monday night and everyone was friendly and polite. Only 'complaint' was they do try and upsell quite a bit, rice, sour cream etc are all extra and you may get caught out if not paying close attention. But a minor issue.
Definitely will be back!
A must try for Mexican fanatics. IT was frankly the best Mexican place in the whole of New Zealand on our vacation there. A must try, highly recommended.
Great location. Service was very attentive. Ordered chicken enchiladas, vegetarian enchiladas and beef fajitas. All dishes were good. Not exceptional but not too bad either. Portion sizes good too especially considering the enchiladas were $15. The Mexican flan was excellent. Not to be missed!
My partner and I visit Mexican Cafe in Auckland's CBD quite regularly as it is definitely one of our favourite restaurants. Their cheap $10 lunch and $15 dinner specials are very generous and have always been very delicious. Not once in the 10 or so times we have been have we had a bad experience. The place is always very busy but the waitresses cope amazingly well, meaning you don't have to wait too long. We usually get the chicken enchiladas or nachos, note the entree size nachos are a dinner plate size and definitely enough for a full meal! If there are two of you we recommend a jug of the strawberry Virgin Margherita which goes down well :)
Note: The photo of the chicken enchiladas also comes with beans and salad.
A perennial favourite, having been here now for 31 years! Has awesome character filled interior, and great upstairs deck. The lunch menu is superb, nice quick Mexican lunch options for $10 each. They also have a large bar so I expect evenings here would be alot of fun! Staff very friendly and the food came out really quick, and was tasty! Definitely recommended!
Hello Mexian Cafe :)
We'd like to share our deepest gratitude for hosting our wedding reception this year at your restaurant here in the Auckland CBD...you created wonderful memories with us on such a special evening.
We couldn't have asked for a more reliable manager and host like Orla. She met with us weeks prior to the event to go over details of the night and leave us feeling confident that the setup with guest seating, placements and cake was to the detail of our requirements.
To trust during times like these was amazing; Orla and the staff at Mexican Cafe supported us to relax and enjoy our special day, we highly recommend their expertise.
Thanks guys it was a fantastic night!
Ryan & Amy
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Mexican Cafe is a quaint, cheerfully decorated and popular restaurant located near the Sky Tower, and it's not hard to predict why it's been such a popular spot for so long!
I've been here twice and everyone loves this place- the atmosphere is really nice.
I had the taco salad this time, recommended by my friend who was raving on and on about it- it's like the inside of a taco sitting on a crunchy shell, with a lot of sour cream and avocado, which is SO GOOD. I say worth all the hype from my friend. LOVED IT. Big portion too and only $15- the best thing about Mexican Cafe are the prices are not bad for the meal- I couldn't finish mine (although I had been continuously eating throughout the day and so was not that hungry).
I also tried their original Margherita in a jug and was not too impressed though. I did not like how it only came blended (to skimp out on alcohol?) and I couldn't even taste much. I wasn't a fan and wouldn't get it again.
But lovely place! I want to go there and eat again!
service 4/5environment 4/5food 3/5cost performance 4/5drink 4/5My favorites: soft shell taco ( prawn), ceviche, fruit margarita, sangriaRecommend: Happy hour time 5 to 7 pm !!!
All these years, quality never drop! A little taste of Mexico. If you're craving for a good drink and good Mexican food, this place certainly won't disappoint you! Loved their home cooking style, stick to the basic and get it right each time! Also fun environment, friendly and helpful staffs!
I really enjoy going to the Mexican Cafe for dinner. It has a neat vibe. The food is delicious and the prices totally reasonable. Staff are always polite and keen to serve. The biggest down side to going out for dinner in Auckland cbd is the expensive parking. If it wasn't for Auckland's traffic issues and the rip off parking costs I would be going to the Mexican Cafe a lot more often.
One of my favourite restaurants, food is great, service is always good. The lunch menu is particularly good value.
Great food, absolutely amazing service and drinks that packed a punch while still tasting amazing. Good on ya :)
Only been here once. It was very good the service was very good. But I think other people might not think the service is adequate because it's so popular and busy all the time. The ten dollar lunch is great.
WOW this place was YUM YUM YUMMY! Thank god we found you little beauty. Fresh, tasty, authentic. Great start to a huge drive home. Would give 5 star, food, service was really good, coffee was possibly the worst I've had in my life...but i didn't care because the place was amazing! :D screw it i give you 5 star. Thanks. Go there!
Because some of the reviews not sounding very good about this place we nearly did not go .. . We saw someone had mentioned a Happy Hour 5-7pm and thought we would wander over.
Thank goodness we did !!!
GREAT atmosphere - GREAT food - GREAT service!!!
We have eaten at a vast amount of food places ( including eating in Mexico! ) and this place is worth going to.
Thanks for a delightful eating experience :-)
Lovely Service
Lovely Food ~ tabasco sauce.. T.D.FoR!
Lovely Lunch Specials Daily at $10 p/p
Great Seafood Chowder very creamy and rich.
The Burrito could have done a bit more work for the mince, like roasted garlic infused or something, hehe coming from a pasta queen here, it tasted pretty bland ay,
Kids aren't complaining though :-X
Will go back..
~Not for the Burrito mince plainly,
overall
^_^ high five Mex Café ஜ۩۞۩ஜ.
Went there on Fri 1st of June for dinner with 7 others. Ordered drinks which were very good and with complementary baskets on the table to help absorb some of the liquor. Our orders took a while to arrive but understandable with a full house. The wait was well worth it with everyone enjoying their meals *Special pork was amazing*.
Ambiance was wonderful, staff werent too bad compared to other reviews.
Hopefully visiting again real soon!
Some of the poor reviews here surprised me, we eat here regularly at lunch. Staff are friendly and know our orders off by heart, amazing margaritas (try the original or paradiso), can't go wrong with their cheese chip and taco salad. The lunch menu is priced very well.
I think some people here need to realise this is not a 5 star restaurant, if you're after fast tasty and cheap Mexican food Mexican Cafe is a great option
Great atmosphere, attentive staff, reasonably priced and yummy food. Need I say more?
I read a good review for this place in my university's student magazine (Craccum of UoA), and I was looking for a cosy restaurant with a good atmosphere to have my birthday dinner. Admittedly after reading some of the reviews on here and other websites, I was a little apprehensive about going to the Mexican Cafe but my curiosity got the better of me and we all gathered there on a blustery Monday night. Our chicken Devil's Nachoes were good as were the beef nachoes a friend ordered, though one of the guys in our group wasn't able to find any of the promised meat in his happy hour taco meal. The fruit margaritas were awesome (we preferred ours blended). Service-wise our waitress was very upbeat and pleasant, and remained very patient with us even though a few of us started messing up our orders after a few tequila shots lol. Even though it was a Monday night, it was completely full by six o'clock and it was a really fun experience. We're already making plans to come back soon.
A great atmosphere, friendly staff and good food. Would be back again especially for the mojitos and flauta yummy!!!
Regular place we love to dine - great food, great prices, great cocktails, great music!
I went in for lunch today and ummmmmmmmm yum yum yum. An absolute experience to remember. Whats more the staff were friendly, polite, very funny and made me feel like coming back soon. Would highly recommend this restaurant. What a great way to waste a friday afternoon.... Thanks Trish.....
Went to this cute little place this arvo and loved it!! the guy who took our order was very polite and relaxed.
i will be going back and will take my american friend with me as she dragged us there in the first place!
Great food, fantastic margaritas, friendly, happy service and awesome ambiance - really could you ask for more?
ooh and happy hour every day!
We had a meal here and thought it was awesome! A great atmosphere, seemed very authentic. We ordered drinks and had a complimentary snack. Meals came at a good time and were great. Can't wait to go back when up north again.
Great food. Long waiting times.
Just as a response to the previous reviews about service:
The Mexican Cafe is a busy restaurant and on most nights has a waitlist - often up to 45mins/1hr for patrons waiting for a table. The reason behind the tables for diners only is that the bar is cantina stlye and easily accomodates those wanting to have a drink and share snacks.
With a waitlist so long, policies such as these are in place so that everyone can have a place to eat and enjoy the experience.
None of the food is "pre made and popped in the microwave" - yes some of the dishes are prepared at lunch time so some ingredients can not be taken out, but any dish can be altered to suit the spicyness the customer wants.
Although the Mex gets very busy, the wait staff are very friendly and enjoy looking after the customers.
For those that were unhappy I would definately suggest giving it another try :)
We went to Mexican Cafe for a quick drink before dinner elsewhere and I have to say that I was impressed.
It was warm and inviting with a fantastic atmosphere. The decor was incredible and the staff were super friendly from the second we stepped in the door. We sat at the bar and while the stools weren't the most comfortable the bar staff were getting their Cocktail on! I had a peach margarita which came frozen and it was delicious.
I paid $9.50 for my drink which is much cheaper than the places I've been to up north that are comparable.
If we had time and weren't on our way to somewhere else, I would definitely have eaten there. All the food that passed us smelt amazing and there was a really up beat vibe to the place.
I can't wait to go back for a meal!
Went to Mexican cafe for a work lunch, I had the chicken fajita which was really reasonably priced for the amount you get, my workmates had nacho's from the $10 lunch special which was also very good, there's quite a selection of on their $10 lunch meal. We were a bigger group and tucked away in a corner so it was a but hard getting the attention of staff. It's also one bill per table which can be a hassle and drinks are to be ordered and paid for separately at the bar.
Really cool place! Good food and a reasonable price, will be going back! Recommend the chimichangas chicken & bacon dish.
Amanda @ Move Love Eat
+3.5
I'd heard of Mexican cafe well before I moved to Auckland through the joy of Social Media. When my ex-colleagues came up to Auckland to work for a few days we decided to give the cafe a go as one of them was really feeling like Nachos. My partner and I split a mango margarita which wasn't as strong as I thought it would be, in fact you could barely taste the alcohol, I wasn't too impressed with that at all! I had the chicken taco salad which was awesome and I really enjoyed. It was pretty big and I ended up giving my partner some of it as there was no way I'd be able to finish it! Overall I really enjoyed Mexican cafe and I can see that it would get pretty busy during peak hours as it was pretty busy on the wednesday evening we went in!
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Hello people!!! Are you planning to visit Latin America to taste authentic Mexican food while experiencing the Mexican lifestyle, you have an option right here in your neighborhood. Ducked in the heart of the Auckland CBD lies the Mexican cafe that offers a explicit range of Mexican food, served with utmost Mexican hospitality. Food tastes good, the atmosphere is fantastic, nice range of Mexican beers and wine to choose from and lovely staff who makes you feel that your choice today was worth it. I had the opportunity to visit the cafe for lunch on a sunny afternoon, and I bet it was one of the best evenings I have ever had.
Not only this, if you end up in the city and you want to dance on the Salsa beats, again Mexican cafe is up to it as they change their cafe to a salsa dance floor after 10 pm, and trust me you can see some really good salsa dancing professionals on the floor and some really friendly people who would want to dance with you, teach you Salsa on the floor or just hang around.
I would say, it's a complete package all together. Go for it guys.
I had Mexican cafe tonight for dinner for the umpteenth time. As always the atmosphere was great, music was pumping, people were drinking. Was great. The food was delicious as usual, I had the chimichanga and it was superb. The staff are very friendly and the choice of food and drink is huge. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.
We had a good experience at the Mexican Cafe in Auckland CBD! We arrived without a reservation on a bustling Saturday evening and were seated promptly with fast service. While the vegetarian options are somewhat limited, primarily offering beans or plain veggies as substitutes, the burrito and fajita we enjoyed were delicious and generously sized. Good food and great service! 🌮👍
Great lunch here today. Food was really flavourful, kids meals were great. Very vibrant and bright atmosphere.
Mexican Cafe is my go to when I visit Auckland. I've been a dozen times over the last 3 years and it's always good. I took my brothers and my dad for a meal Friday on their 40th birthday and it was awesome. The staff are great, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is second to none. You can guarantee I'll be there again this week when I come up for work and take my team out for dinner.
Delicious food, especially the cheese dip. Large amount of vegetarian dishes.
The drinks were also good, not many beer options but a few different cocktails and lots of tequila, and the frozen margaritas were tasty. Definitely recommend going for happy hour as they have some good deals.
Atmosphere was great and staff were friendly and attentive.
We found this place on the first night we landed in Auckland from Australia. Place looked amazing, fully decorated just like in Mexico, with a full bar and amazing looking baloney dining area. We didn’t get to sit in the balcony as it was full and we were also advised that the kitchen is very busy and will take a while for our food. When the food did come out it was great. Recommend this place if you looking for a great atmosphere and authentic Mexican food.
Came for the happy hour specials and was very pleased. I got the margarita and taco and my partner got the beer and nachos. Margarita was very refreshing, taco was very filled and the nachos were a good portion. Definitely reccomened to stop by and enjoy!
Food was delicious, we ordered a chicken Chimichunga with spicy cheese sauce to share between two women; with a nice kick of heat at the end of each mouthful.
The Mango Margarita Jug was perfect for us to enjoy a couple of glasses each from it. It was a busy Friday night and we hadn't booked but didn't have to wait longer than 10 minutes for our table.
Drinks & food are reasonably priced, $29 each which included everything.
Vibrant atmosphere & a great team, from the chefs to the wait staff and bar staff. They know what they're doing, efficient, friendly and bring the experience level up to a "loved it!"
My first time & definitely have a great first impression. I'll be sure to come again.
(The food & drinks looked delish-worthy too but didn't get a photo till afterwards....hence the empty Jug & glasses, and an almost clean plate.)
We stumbled upon this great restaurant and were extremely impressed with every aspect. The atmosphere, the service, were tops and the food was delectable.Complimentary corn chips and salsa on arrival were a nice touch. We shared the beef fajitas and the serving size was generous and the flavours were tops. Wish we were here longer to sample more of the gems on the menu. The Tuatara hazy ale was a great accompaniment. Thanks to all.
Great little Mexican restraunt slightly hidden away. The food was delicious and came very fast!! Highly recommend! Great sangria, the service could be better- a little slow
Love this cafe. So used to Taco Bill set menu it was nice to see chimichanga and different other choices. We got a table on the balcony no worries for dinner. Staff were wonderful and so kind. Saw families eating here but for us two it was great also. I eat here everytime I come to Auckland. My fave for good reason. Across the road from Sky City. Great CBD location. Chicken nachos to share were filling and my man appreciated the freshly made guacamole. Plenty of cheese!
My enchiladas with spicy beef were full of flavour and my man's chimichanga was massive and delicious he said. No room for dessert but we left there happy and satisfied.
Happy hour was great! The atmosphere was incredible. When you walk in you feel like you’ve been transported to a different country. Margarita jugs are tasty. Food is good but some of it not so much. Thanks for having us!
Great place, it’s awesome that it’s open until late and the waitress was lovely. Beautiful atmosphere and very tasty food.
Mexican cafe is an iconic Auckland restaurant and really famous one as well. It totally lives up to its reputation. The food is great. And the staff is lovey too. The menu is very wide and has loads of options to choose from. Love their $10 lunch specials. Great value for money. Also the cocktails are awesome. Must try this place if you are a fan of Mexican cuisine. Lots of activities here as well.
Really enjoyed a wonderful evening here with a great atmosphere. The food was very taste and good sizes. Prices were average. I would highly recommend to those who love Mexican food. note: try to a reserve or ask for seat on the balcony (closed in) as the fairy light and ambience out there is lovely!
Had an enjoyable experience in this restaurant. It is located on the second floor so take the narrow staircase up. The place is brightly decorated with pictures, paintings, photos and lots of colours. Food was of a good portion and they serve free chips and dip. Service was friendly as well. Overall, would recommend trying this place.
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