11 Places For Vibrant, Spicy Mexican Food In Singapore

Mexican food combines vibrant freshness with bold spiciness, offering the perfect balance of both worlds. Its freshness comes from the heavy emphasis on fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and avocado (guacamole, anyone?), while its bold flavours stem from rich moles (which are akin to curries), sauces, and salsa that go into every dish. Singaporeans have also fallen head over heels for Mexican cuisine, be it tacos, burritos or margaritas, or Tex-Mex dishes such as fajitas and nachos. Ahead, we share 10 spots to tuck into delicious Mexican food in Singapore, from birria tacos to tamales and everything in between.

1. Mami’s Tamales

In case you haven't heard of a tamale, it is a Mexican staple made with nixtamalised and mashed corn known as masa. Masa is then formed into a dough, stuffed with a plethora of fillings, and wrapped in corn leaves (they use banana here). You can imagine it to be similar to bak zhang or otah, albeit with a more earthy flavour profile. Headed by Mexican chef Maribel Colmenares, Mami's Tamales is here to introduce the tamales she grew up eating to us here in Singapore. The pop-up is created in collaboration with chef Mauricio Espinoza of Papi's Tacos and is slated to run till Oct 2024.

On the menu are traditional tamales such as Cheese & Pepper ($13), a punchy Pork Salsa Verde ($18), and the vegetarian Guajillo & Jackfruit ($15). For those yearning for a familiar taste, there are also Asian-inspired flavours, ranging from Ayam Sambal Hijau ($15) and Curry Tempeh ($16) to Moo Ping Pork ($15) and Salmon Tom Yum ($20).

Mami’s Tamales is at 55 Keong Saik Road #01-02, Singapore 089158. Visit its website for more information.

2. Papi’s Tacos

Speaking of Papi's Tacos, the establishment was started by head chef Mauricio Espinoza, who brings the flavours of his heritage, shaped by his upbringing in the small central Mexican town of Papalotla. Various options of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas line the menu, with some favourites being the Tacos de Pescado ($15/$20) made with grilled white dory fish, Tacos de Chorizo ($15/$20), and Burrito de Suadero ($22) stuffed with slow-cooked beef brisket. Papi's Tacos is also equally proud of its frozen and shaken lime or flavoured margarita.

Papi’s Tacos has multiple locations in Singapore at Seah Street, Katong and Tanjong Pagar. Visit its website for more information.

3. Super Loco Group of restaurants

For Mexican food, the Super Loco group is hard to miss, with three brands under its umbrella: Super Loco, Lucha Loco and Chico Loco, all focused on serving its take on fresh, sustainable “familia” style Mexican fare inspired by the vibrant markets of Mexico. So, what's the difference between the three, you ask?

You can expect a repertoire of modern Mexican signatures like tacos, quesadillas and grilled meats at Super Loco (at Customs House and Robertson Quay) and Lucha Loco, but the latter spotlights coastal Mexican flavours. And Chico Loco, as its name suggests, specialises in Mexican-style polo asado, or spit-roasted chicken.

Super Loco is at #01-04 Customs House and 60 Robertson Quay, Lucha Loco is at 15 Duxton Hill, and Chico Loco is at 102 Amoy Street. Visit Super Loco Group's website for reservations and more information.

4. Los Tacos

Los Tacos is a Muslim-owned home-based business that specialises in beef birria tacos. ICYDK, birria tacos went viral a couple of years ago. Los Tacos makes its version by slow-cooking the beef for six hours in a spicy, sweet, tangy, and smoky sauce before placing it into handmade corn tortillas. For the final flourish, the Quesa Birria Tacos ($18) are dipped into the spiced oil from the stew before they are pan-fried. To best enjoy them, dip the tacos into the sauce also known as the consomme. For those who don't eat beef, Los Tacos also offers Chicken ($12) and Prawn Tacos ($16), alongside platters for bigger groups.

Los Tacos is available online. Visit its website to order.

5. Afterwit

Afterwit is a halal Mexican taqueria by The Black Hole Group, which was founded by Mustaffa Kamal and Calvin Seah. Located near Sultan Mosque, Afterwit is most proud of its tacos made with hand-pressed corn tortillas, featuring flavours such as Big Phish ($19) with crispy breaded blackened fish, BBQ Cola ($22) with pulled beef brisket, and Lamb Adobo Asador ($21) with roast lamb shoulder marinated with adobo chilli sauce. You will also find other familiar classics such as Birria Quesadilla ($18), Faijitas ($25), and Mockgaritas (from $7.90).

Afterwit is at 778 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198746. Visit its website for more information.

6. Huevos

If you and your group don't need to adhere to halal requirements, Huevos is another option along North Bridge Road. The popular Mexican restaurant recently unveiled a new location in New Bahru, too. Here, you will be spoilt for choice, as options range from the usual Guacamole ($6) and Habanero Hotwings ($9.90) to Loaded Nachos ($20) and many iterations of quesadillas, tacos, and burritos.

Huevos is at 803 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198771 and 46 Kim Yan Road, Singapore 239351. Visit its website for more information.

7. Kraft x Mexicana

Kraft x Mexicana is for Easties who are also looking for a halal Mexican option. Located near Temasek Polytechnic and Tampines West MRT station, the neighbourhood establishment focuses on Western food with several Mexican options These include Nacho Chips with Guacamole and Tomato Salsa ($8.40), Quesadilla (from $15.60), Tacos (from $10.40), and Faijitas ($16.90).

Kraft x Mexicana is at 820 Tampines Street 81, #01-526 Tampines Polyview, Singapore 520820. Visit its website for more information.

8. Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant

Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant has been at the same Holland Village location for over thirty years and touts itself as the oldest Mexican restaurant in Singapore. Despite its age, Cha Cha Cha's menu extends beyond the classic selection of nachos, burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. In fact, you will also find less well-known or available items such as Chimichanga with Pulled Pork ($16), or deep-fried burritos, Chile Con Queso ($9), a spicy cheese dip with red salsa, Sopa de Tortilla ($8), tomato soup made with tortillas, and Tequila Honey Wings ($15).

Cha Cha Cha Mexican Restaurant is at 32 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277690. Visit its Facebook for more information.

9. Nixta Mexican Grill & Bar

Nixta Mexican Grill & Bar is for those working in CBD who want to unwind after a long day. Chef Travis Masiero's restaurant prides itself on roasting meats over an open fire, making salsas by hand using volcanic molcajetes, and cooking corn tortillas made from fresh non-GMO Mexican corn masa on the traditional comal. The menu is a succinct list with options such as Aguachile Nixta ($32), Queso Fundido ($32), Duck Barbocoa ($17/$62), and Travis' Cadillac Faijtas ($98). There is also an extensive selection of margaritas and tequilas to pick from.

Nixta Mexican Grill & Bar is at 16 Amoy St, Singapore 069936. Visit its website for more information.

10. Chimi’s

Chimi's is the sister restaurant to Chimichanga. It first opened as a 20-foot container restaurant overlooking Marina Bay before expanding to 313@Somerset. The atmosphere at Chimi's is thus laidback and chill as you tuck into options such as the Chimichanga ($15), a deep-fried burrito, Tacos (from $12), Burritos (from $12), and Quesadilla (from $18). There are the usual starters too - Loaded Nachos (from $13), Guac & Chips ($8), and Elotes ($14), or corn-on-the-cob topped with aioli and cheese.

Chimi’s is at 1 Marina Boulevard, #01-01 NTUC Centre, Singapore 018989 and 313 Orchard Rd, #01-25B 313@Somerset, 313@Somerset 238895. Visit its website for more information.

11. Piedra Negra

Located along the vibrant Haji Lane, Piedra Negra has been a popular spot for youths to catch up over yummy Mexican fare and drinks while enjoying live music and people-watching. Start with Sopa de Tortillas ($5.90) and Guacamole ($11.90) before tucking into your choice of burritos (from $13.90), quesadillas (from $11.90), enchiladas ($13.90), and Baja tacos (from $12.90). Finally, wash it all down with frozen or shaken Margarita ($15/$60).

Piedra Negra is at 241 Beach Rd, Singapore 189753. Visit its Facebook for more information.