We may not be south of the border in Queensland but that doesn’t mean we don’t know tacos. From perfect, smoky corn tortillas with zesty lime-topped fish to slow-cooked birria beef with thick and rich consommé, go beyond the grilled chicken with the best tacos in Queensland as crowned in the delicious. 100.
Perhaps Queensland’s most authentic taqueria, this brightly coloured suburban favourite spins tacos just like you’d find on the streets of Mexico. Mexican-born co-owner Erick Martinez has been a taquero since he was 11, and uses traditional recipes for the range, including the venue’s signature Al Pastor tacos cooked on a classic Mexican grill known as a trompo. 290 Hawthorne Rd, Hawthorne; carteldeltaco.com.au.
Tacos are given a cheffy touch at this Cali-Mex restaurant where top ingredients and technique elevate classic street food. The open kitchen showcases chefs making mushroom croquettes to be stuffed inside tortillas, or maybe frying buttermilk chicken, ramped up by a Nashville hot spice. But it’s the battered fish tacos, using fresh local catch, that is the absolute must-order. 211 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley; bajamodernmexican.com.
Co-founder and chef Jason Jones ditched Melbourne and Singapore to bring his much loved tacos to Noosa and the locals cannot get enough. With his decade-plus of experience creating modern Mexican fare, the tacos here are built on the finest of local ingredients, from mushrooms to artichokes, that might form the base of the changing seasonal tortilla bites. 3/271 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville; bandita.com.au.
Cauliflower with medjool dates and romesco, or how about agave pork shoulder with oaxaca cheese? If you’re after tacos that are a little outside the ordinary, this modern Mexican is a favourite. Inspired by seasonal North Queensland ingredients, the team creates an ever-changing array of fillings that could be as wild as Davidson plum or as simple as gulf prawns. 1/120 Collins Ave, Edge Hill; guerrillacairns.com.au.
Inspired by the local abundance of limes, avocados and chillies, brothers Matt and Nick Stanley decided the Gold Coast was ideal for an authentic Mexican eatery. Learning intricate traditional recipes and using the best local ingredients, they serve just five tacos including their popular beef birria and a fish version with snapper caught just offshore. 1136 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach; costa-taco.com.
