9 Mexican Food Spots in KL That Are Nacho Average Restaurants!
Who said you had to leave the country just to enjoy Mexico’s fiery and flavourful cuisine? All your Mexican food cravings can be found in Kuala Lumpur and quite frankly, they’re just as good as the real ones you’ll find in El Tricolor!
As an avid fan of Mexican cuisine myself, I’m happy to announce that sizzling fajitas, mouthwatering tacos and more are abundant in the city and even in the Golden Triangle alone! With this, you could say that I’ve had my fair share of Mexican restaurants.
Forget gatekeeping! These amazing Mexican joints deserve the spotlight so feel free to explore our list below to discover your next destination when you get the Mexican food munchies.
Chica Bonita
— Media credit: chicabonita.my
Address: Lot 34, Level G2, Block C5 Publika Shopping Gallery
Contact details: +60 17-405 2279
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Cost: $$
Chica Bonita is an absolute must-visit if you’re looking for Mexican food that is both authentic and delicious. It features a menu that boasts all the staples of Mexico’s rich cuisine, from crunchy tacos to sizzling fajitas and everything in between.
The vibrant and colourful interior also adds to the overall dining experience, as it makes you feel like you’re part of a fiesta rather than eating in a restaurant.
It also features one of the liveliest atmospheres we’ve ever seen in a Mexican joint or a restaurant period. This is especially true come sundown when they’ll start blasting fun and upbeat music and patrons will begin ordering their favourite margaritas.
Pro tip:
If their location in the Publika Shopping Gallery is too far from your itinerary or if it’s already full, you can also check out their branches at The Exchange TRX and the Republik Damansara Heights.
Loco Mexican Bar and Restaurant
— Media credit: loco_kl
Address: 22, Changkat Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 3-2856 9285
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
If you’re looking for a place where you can wind down with your friends over a couple of beers and Mexican food, then Loco Mexican Bar and Restaurant Bar is your place! This lively spot comes alive at night but don’t be fooled because it’s just as jam-packed during the day.
Their popularity among locals and tourists alike can be attributed to their selection of authentic Mexican food. These fishes include fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, and when sundown comes, margaritas!
Pro tip:
While you’re here, make sure to explore Changkat Bukit Bintang to see all of its hidden bars, restaurants, cafes and stores!
Thyme Out
— Media credit: thymeoutkl
Address: 10, Jalan Dato Onn
Contact details: +60 3-2602 4200
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $$
Thyme Out is a culinary gem that’s beloved by locals and tourists alike because it brings the authentic fiery flavours of Mexico to the country. For instance, they serve classic tacos that are bursting with flavours, from the meat to the salsa, queso and more.
You can either choose to get fish, chicken or beef tacos, but regardless, you can expect your mouth to be treated to amazing flavours.
They also serve a mean version of a burrito that’s just packed with ingredients making it perfect for someone looking for a hearty meal. Before ordering this dish, however, we recommend getting a plate of their marvellous nachos to share with the table!
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting with kids who aren’t particularly fond of Mexican food yet, we recommend ordering them some chicken tenders! They’re huge and flavourful, and they come with an amazing sauce that every kid will surely love.
Curbside Cantina
— Media credit: curbsidecantina
Address: 71 Jalan SS 20/11
Contact details: +60 19-613 7970
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $
Curbside Cantina is one of those places that put their own twist into a classic dish and somehow make it work! One of the perfect examples of this is when they’re using Indian papadum instead of the more traditional tortilla chips for their chilli con carne.
Aside from being innovative, this restaurant is also known for being cheap! Don’t worry though, because this adjective doesn’t describe the quality of their food—in fact, it’s the opposite!
This food truck may always be on the go, but the ingredients they use retain the same high quality. From their avocados to their mangos, meat, fish and more, you can expect everything they use on their dishes to be fresh!
Pro tip:
You can also contact Curbside Cantina and let them have the pleasure of catering your special events! They feature the updated catering rates on their Facebook page and you can connect with them via WhatsApp.
Poblano KL
— Media credit: poblanokl
Address: Old Malaya, Lot 4, Lorong Raja Chulan
Contact details: +60 12-731 7336
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
If you want to explore the vibrant food hubs of Latin America but don’t want to leave the country, then Poblano KL should be on your radar! You can’t miss it, as it’s located in the historical Old Malaya Building, which instantly gives this restaurant additional stylish points.
Aside from being a looker, this restaurant is flocked by patrons because of how it modernises classic and authentic Mexican dishes. For instance, we love how they use Argentinian meat for their beef tacos—talk about premium quality!
We also love how they’re able to maintain a pork-free menu, which is an amazing feat to have considering Mexico’s meat-heavy cuisine.
Pro tip:
The best way to commute to Poblano KL is by riding the bus and dropping off at the KL 17 KL Tower (Selatan), Jalan Raja Chulan Bus Stop. From there, you only have to walk for a couple of minutes before reaching the restaurant.
La Chica Mexican Grill Changkat
— Media credit: lachica_kl
Address: 20-2, Changkat Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 11-6230 3369
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 3:00 PM to 2:30 AM
- Wednesday to Sunday: 4:30 PM to 5:00 AM
Cost: $$
With a claim as bold as having the best tacos in Changkat, it’s a no-brainer to include La Chica Mexican Grill on this list, especially if they can back it up! Their tacos are exceptionally prepared, featuring an overload of tender beef and salsa that are to die for.
You can’t go wrong with anything from their menu, but if we can offer a recommendation, we suggest you order their quesadillas. Instead of just being full of melted cheese, their version of this dish features beef brisket and mushrooms—yum!
Lastly, it offers a more sophisticated dining experience than your typical cantina, but don’t worry, as you’ll still enjoy a vibrant ambience. It becomes more alive as soon as nightfall comes, as it becomes one of the best nightlife spots in Kuala Lumpur.
Pro tip:
If you want to continue your happy hour elsewhere, you can drop by the next-door bar, The Rabbit Hole!
La Boca Latino Bar & Grill, Pavilion KL
— Media credit: labocalatinobar
Address: Lot C3.10. 03, 168, Jln Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 3-2148 9977
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Cost: $$
La Boca Latino Bar is another spot that doesn’t just spoil you with Mexico’s fiery delights, but also with amazing dishes from Latin America. From Cuba to Brazil, Argentina, Peru and more, you can find a wide variety of cuisines being served in this bustling bar and grill.
One of the things we love about this place is its diverse menu, boasting both spicy and mild dishes, allowing every type of customer to find what they’re looking for. Their menu consists of classics like fajitas, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, all of which are nailed to perfection.
Lastly, we recommend coming here with your friends if you want to be treated to a good time. This is because aside from offering amazing food, they also feature amazing live acts that will get you up and dancing!
Pro tip:
While you’re here, make sure to explore everything that the Pavilion offers! From arcades to restaurants, cafes and more, this premier shopping centre virtually has it all!
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant & Bar
— Media credit: lascarretasmalaysia
Address: 22, Persiaran Ampang, Desa Pahlawan
Contact details: +60 3-4257 1668
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday: 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Cost: $$
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant & Bar is definitely up there when it comes to beautifully presented dishes. You wouldn’t typically think of Mexican dishes like tacos and quesadillas to be pretty, but this restaurant manages to pull it off!
Of course, they’re more than just a spectacle, as all of them taste spectacular! More specifically, we love their beef fajitas, as they have the perfect tender texture.
The place also does a great job of making you feel like you’ve stepped into a Mexican cantina as opposed to a local restaurant with its warm and rustic interior. Plus, the lively atmosphere is unmatched, especially when people start ordering their margaritas!
Pro tip:
This place is almost always packed during peak hours so be sure to make a reservation or visit ahead of time to secure your slot!
Nick’s Tikkas And Tacos
— Media credit: nickstikkasandtacos
Address: Holiday Inn Express, Menara Goldstone, G02, 84, Jalan Raja Chulan
Contact details: +60 3-2181 4545
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 2:45 PM, 5:30 PM to 10:45 PM
Cost: $$
Nick’s Tikkas and Tacos immediately earned a spot on our list because of how they perfectly blend Indian and Mexican cuisine together. It’s not always that you can feast on grilled Mexican prawns and chicken biryani at the same time, right?
Of course, you can still expect the classic proven and tested Mexican dishes here like tacos and quesadillas but at the same time, you can also find butter chicken and naan! Not only that, but they also serve a wide variety of pizzas and pasta—what more could you ask for?
If we’re going to strictly stick to Mexican food, however, we highly recommend getting their tikki fish tacos!
Pro tip:
If you want to blend in a touch of Indian food in your Mexican fast, we recommend ordering their cheese naan instead of quesadillas!