GBA Lifestyle News
We can’t get enough of nachos, burritos, tacos and quesadillas — but all tacos are not created equally. Finding great Mexican food and drinks in Hong Kong is not easy, but we’ve done the legwork for you by rounding up some of the best Mexican restaurants in the city.
Hidden down an alley in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong, Brickhouse has all the makings of an authentic Mexican experience thanks to its open-air space, lively atmosphere, colorful decor and strong cocktails. While the prices may not exactly match Mexico’s standards, at least your dollars buy delicious food, like the crowd-pleasing Molcajete nachos. Made with homemade tortilla chips, the signature nachos come topped with jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream, black beans, delicious shrimp and even rib eye skewers. From DIY bone marrow tacos to oxtail croquetas, Brickhouse takes the country’s typically casual street eats up a notch. Don’t leave without trying the cocktails — we highly recommend the spicy yet fresh Diabla and the smoky Cubano.
20A D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2810-0560.
When it comes to comida Mexicana, Verde Mar stands out from the pack. For starters, the menu is unique in Hong Kong, featuring innovative dishes like char-grilled cactus. Then there’s the fact that the Executive Chef Eligio Escobedo, a native Mexican with over 25 years of experience specializing in Mexican and Cuban cuisine, prepares all of his dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients flown in from Mexico. The restaurant is notably very veggie-friendly, with several vegetarian dishes as well as flexible solutions throughout the menu whether you’re ordering tacos, nachos or enchiladas. If you’re a seafood lover, try the seafood paella or the Seven Sea Soup, which combines all your favorite crustaceans into one boiling cauldron.
24 Tai Wong Street East, Wan Chai, 2810-0888.
If you happen to be in Discovery Bay and suddenly get hit with a craving for some good Mexican food, then snag a seat at Coyote Mexican Cantina. Not only is the food up to scratch but so is the location, which offers a front-row seat to the lovely coastline. Be sure to try their spicy jalapeño poppers, tacos and chocolate molten cake. The menu might be a bit predictable but, hey, there’s nothing wrong with a few crowdpleasers.
Shop G08A, D’Deck, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, 2987-2848.
A smart spot for Cyberport worker bees, El Charro serves Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine that focuses on using fresh and natural ingredients. Some Tex-Mex dishes that are worth a try include the smothered burritos, which are covered in roasted tomatoes and melted cheese alongside sour cream, lettuce and fresh tomatoes. For those who crave a spicy kick, go for the pulled pork burrito, which packs a punch, or take it up a notch with a plate of enchiladas. El Charro also serves some Mexican dishes that are house specialties including costillitas — aka pork ribs that have been marinated for 96 hours, slow-cooked and basted with chipotle and honey. Make sure to save some room for the churros!
Shop 208, The Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Aberdeen, 2793-2522.
Located just above Assembly Gastrobar is Caliente, a cool hangout on a Friday night, especially for those who want to avoid the masses on Knutsford Terrace below. Caliente offers a great variety of Mexican dishes including enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, chimichangas and, yes, even Mexican fried ice cream. So much temptation, so little time? Going with a big group will solve all your ordering conundrums — get some frozen margarita pitchers, plates to share, and chill out with a shisha session on the spacious outdoor terrace. The fish tacos, in particular, come highly recommended as do the giant mountain of nachos.
3/F, 6 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2723-5968.
Decked out in stainless steal and tiny tables, Taco Chaca is a budget-friendly taqueria in Sai Ying Pun with an American-Mexican menu that gets straight to the point. One of the restaurant’s signatures, the quesadillas come stuffed with meat, cheese and veggie goodness. As you might expect, the tacos are also quite popular and we can see why: They’re wrapped in tortillas made in California and your choice of chicken pollo, beef carne, pulled pork carnitas or fish pesca tacos.
119 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2559-9519.
It’s not technically Mexican but for a quick grab-and go lunch or snack, you’ll want to head to Little Burro, which specializes in Mission-style burritos. The burritos are stuffed with your choice of fillings; meat, rice, beans and salsa, along with cheese, lettuce and sour cream. For the meat, you can select between pork carnitas, smokey chipotle chicken and barbacoa beef. Vegetarians can go for the black bean and guacamole option or a satisfying rice bowl. If you want your burrito to have an extra spicy kick, then get the salsa verde. Aside from burritos, you’ll also find a handful of locally made treats such as frozen pops, cookies and even cold-brew coffee.
Several locations including UG/F 30 Hollywood Road, Central, 2336-0505.
