El Mexicano Zapata Cantina
A vibrant cantina serving authentic Mexican snacks, street eats, and platters, complemented by delicious margaritas.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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El Mexicano Zapata Cantina
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant cantina serving authentic Mexican snacks, street eats, and platters, complemented by delicious margaritas.
Book in Advance
Tables are in high demand, especially on weekends. Booking ahead is highly recommended to secure your spot.
Share the Botanas
Consider sharing 'botanas' (snacks to share) like chips with dips for a delightful starter.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 7 213 1175
Address
1148 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
Website
elmexicanozapata.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Flavors & Award-Winning Street Food
Indulge in vibrant, authentic Mexican cuisine, from flavorful tacos to award-winning street eats.
Margaritas and Fiesta Vibes
Sip on refreshing margaritas and soak in the lively atmosphere with eclectic decorations and Mexican music.
Generous Portions and Great Value
Enjoy satisfying, flavorful dishes with generous portions that offer excellent value for money.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book in Advance
Tables are in high demand, especially on weekends. Booking ahead is highly recommended to secure your spot.
Share the Botanas
Consider sharing 'botanas' (snacks to share) like chips with dips for a delightful starter.
Ask Staff for Recommendations
Friendly staff can offer great recommendations for sauces and authentic taste experiences.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
For a quieter ambiance, try visiting during weekdays or outside of peak dining times.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book in Advance
Tables are in high demand, especially on weekends. Booking ahead is highly recommended to secure your spot.
Share the Botanas
Consider sharing 'botanas' (snacks to share) like chips with dips for a delightful starter.
Ask Staff for Recommendations
Friendly staff can offer great recommendations for sauces and authentic taste experiences.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
For a quieter ambiance, try visiting during weekdays or outside of peak dining times.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners rave about El Mexicano Zapata Cantina's delicious and authentic Mexican food, with many highlighting the vibrant atmosphere and friendly service. Portions are generous and offer great value, making it a must-visit spot for Mexican cuisine lovers. Some note the intimate space can get crowded, recommending reservations.
"The food was absolutely amazing. We had the El dip to start, I got a chimichanga for mains and it was completely filled with chicken. My friend got an enchilada and she loved it. The value for money is amazing. I would just book in advance to ensure you get a table"
eliza _rock
"Fantastic Mexican restaurant! We’ve dined at other Mexican restaurants before, but they were nothing like this! Fantastic range of food that is absolutely delicious, we wanted to try everything (we’ll be back). Highly recommended."
Nikki Tuapawa
"Lovely place. You must book especially if you are going there on the weekend. Friendly owner good service and nice food. Salsa was amazing among other things. Gracias amigos!"
Charles Misquitta
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially for weekend visits, as the restaurant is popular and has limited seating. [^M6]
Diners frequently praise the chimichangas, ceviche, queso dip, tacos, and margaritas. The 'botanas' (snacks to share) are also a great starter. [^M1]
Yes, the restaurant offers authentic Mexican dishes including vegetarian options and is noted as being great for gluten-free and coeliac travelers. [^M5]
The restaurant has a vibrant, festive, and lively atmosphere with eclectic decorations and chill Mexican music, making it a fun dining experience. [^M3]
Unique dishes mentioned include chimichangas and street food-style grilled corn, along with a range of botanas and tapas. [^datareason2][^M1]
The spicy mango margaritas and classic margaritas are highly recommended and pair perfectly with the food. [^datareason3]
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Featured in these publications
The Best Restaurants And Cafes In Rotorua
El Zapata is one of the best restaurants in Rotorua for a reason. Start with ‘botanas’ (snacks to share) with freshly fried corn chips and dips or street food-style grilled corn slathered in garlic aioli, cheese and chipotle, or porque no los dos?. Next up, throw yourself at the tapas wolfing down everything from fried chicken to burrito bowls—all of which pair perfectly with a margarita, conveniently.
Stuff Travel Go-To Guide: Rotorua
In fact, El Mexicano Zapata Cantina cheekily declares itself to be the ‘Best Mexican Restaurant Outside Mexico’. The claim may have substance: travellers visiting the region are in awe of the Cantina, which has amassed hundreds of rave reviews for its mouth-watering food. The superb ceviche de pescado, jalapeno poppers, calamari fritos and house speciality enchilada will have you coming back for more.
Rotorua's Top Restaurants for Family-Friendly Dining
El Mexicano Zapata Cantina is a vibrant and authentic Mexican restaurant that serves fresh and flavoursome food. The restaurant has a lively and festive atmosphere, with colourful decorations and music. Say hola to traditional Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and quesadillas, as well as salads, soups and desserts.
Family Weekend in Rotorua
**Try Eastwood Cafe in the Forest for some wood-fired pizza’s and a big area for the kids to run around or grab some takeaways from El Mexicana Zapata, the Rivers Catch or Ciabatta Bakery and enjoy back on the picnic tables at Aura. Check out the Aura information area for the latest and up-to-date recomendations from the team!
Rotorua, Family Restaurants » Kidz Go New Zealand
We only offer authentic Mexican dishes, including vegetarian menu and many more fresh choices. Chili peppers, tortillas, and fresh vegetables are hallmarks of this colorful, vibrant cuisine. So come taste our authentic Mexican Cuisine, It’s actually so beautiful, so fresh, so colorful and full of bright flavors.
Best Places to Eat in Rotorua
It’s got all the crowd favourites: burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tacos, empanadas, and of course, great margaritas and churros. The restaurant is small and intimate but bursting with vibrant décor. We highly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, as there is a limited number of tables.
Our 6 Favourite Places To Eat In Rotorua
If you’re after something with a bit more spice, head over to El Mexicano Zapata Cantina. This lively spot is a local favourite, including with our Zipline Guides, Samantha and Ash. The photo below shows our team celebrating Ash’s birthday – a reflection of the fun, vibrant atmosphere you can expect.
The Food Guide to Rotorua: Places to Eat & Food Tours 🍽️ [2025]
Some other international flavours to indulge in include the Mediterranean at Ali Baba’s Tunisian Cuisine (1146 Tutanekai Street), spicy El Mexicano Zapata Cantina (1148 Tutanekai Street) and the fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza of Giovanni’s (346 Te Ngae Road).
11 Rotorua Restaurants That Are Boiling-Hot Spots [2024 ]
A post shared by El Mexicano Zapata Cantina (@elmexicanozapatanz). El Mexicano Zapata Cantina. Address: 1148 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
The best Wings in Rotorua
We ordered the zapata steak and houmita empanadas, which were both very nicely prepared. Would highly recommend the mochachino zapata (coffee,...
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