Coyote Mexican Bar & Grill has been around Bangkok in several different locations for awhile, but their latest incarnation is a stylish and happening spot located on Sukhumvit Soi 11, which has become one of the city's party central spots. Getting in line with this, Coyote has over 75 different types of margaritas flowing out of the bar, from chocolate to butterscotch to frozen fruit, with giant pitchers available for the thirsty. Entrees are just as big, ranging from humongous burritos to giant chimichangas and nacho plates. It's not exactly cheap here, but the generous portions and proximity to the nightlife ensure a hungry crowd night in and night out.
Recommended for Mexican because: For Mexican food on Sukhumvit's most happening street, Coyote Bar & Grill is a happening place.
Dave's expert tip: Head down Soi 11 about halfway, the restaurant is out in front of The Prime Condominium, on the lefthand side of the street.
Some swear by Sunrise, others are far less enamoured, but this chain of Mexican restaurants has been around Bangkok for awhile, and has a wide selection of standard Mexican favourites at reasonable prices, not to mention a slew of restaurants in convenient locations, making the quite popular and accessible. The menu is large, with various types of burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas topping the selections. Many dishes are served with Mexican rice and refried beans, the guacamole is made with imported Haas avocados, the tortillas are fresh, and Kobe beef is available as a filling for many of the options. Visitors are sure to find at least one or two of their Mexican faves on the menu, and the restaurant does a passable margarita and other drinks as well to accompany the food. There are now almost a dozen branches scattered throughout Bangkok, but the central Sukhumvit location between sois 10 and 12 is the original and probably most popular spot.
Recommended for Mexican because: For a wide array of Mexican food with a similar array of locations, Sunrise Tacos is easy to find.
Dave's expert tip: This Sukhumvit branch is most easily accessed by taking the BTS Skytrain to the Asok station and walking 5 minutes from there. The restaurant is open 24 hours.
Charley Brown's serves up Mexican food and makes it easy for the whole family to enjoy. While their margaritas and daiquiris will keep mom and dad busy and happy, there is a kid's menu to go along with the larger sized portions of quesadillas, nachos, tacos, and other Mexican specialties. The kid's menu offers mini burritos, chicken nuggets, and plenty more at bite and wallet sized appropriate portions. The prime reason to come here are for the many specials, especially Tuesday night when Charley Brown serves up half priced margaritas and sangria.
Recommended for Mexican because: For Bangkok's best margarita night specials, head to Charley Browns.
Dave's expert tip: Best to get here by taking the BTS Skytrain to Nana, then walking down Soi 11. Charley Brown's is in the small alley on the left across from Cheap Charlie's Bar.
Senor Pico tries to rival La Monita for style points, with an elegant dining room in the Rembrandt Hotel. It's bright, warm, and they even have a live band to accompany the food. While there are plenty of dressed up versions of Mexican food on the menu, such as tacos with duck and foie gras, it doesn't come anywhere close to replicating the authenticity that La Monita does. Still, they do a decent guacamole, and it is a comfortable spot for a sit down dinner. The drink menu is headed by 40 or so different types of tequilas, and there is a dance floor that gets busy on the weekends. Given that the restaurant has been around for several decades, it is a popular hangout amongst longterm expats, even if it has been upstaged by all the newer openings serving Mexican fare.
Recommended for Mexican because: For Mexican food with a live band and dance floor, Señor Pico is a hit.
Dave's expert tip: It's actually easier to come down Sukhumvit Soi 20 and use the back entrance of the Rembrandt Hotel to come in.
Where else can you find the unique combination of an American deli with a tapas bar? Only at Osito-Unique Spanish. The former El Osito has rebranded and this new launch, headed by chef Daniel Kucher, now does amazing breakfasts, brunches, and continues on to dinners with lots of Spanish touches. Dig into old treats like the Reuben deli sandwich, which vaulted Osito into CNN's top 10 restaurants in Bangkok list, or try some of the new touches, like the Spanish hotdog, a 10-inch homemade chorizo bratwurst packed with smoked Spanish peppers and organic local pork. The restaurant now has a charcoal smoker, which elevates the meats and tastes to a whole new level, and with a list of signature cocktails, craft beers, and more, there is even more reason to come linger here throughout the day and evening.
Recommended for Mexican because: For great tapas and paella and more, head to Osito-Unique Spanish.
Dave's expert tip: Take the BTS Skytrain to Ploenchit and walk into the Mahatun Plaza from here.
La Monita is already a well known Bangkok name, famed for their Mexican taqueria that has gotten accolades for being the real deal, at least as far as Bangkok goes. They have now added to their repertoire by opening up a traditional San Francisco style taco truck which one doesn't need to look around for, as it is permanently parked down in the food area of the Siam Paragon Mall, right near the Gourmet Market. You can find burritos, quesadillas, carne asada, and all the essentials of a good Mexican food truck meal, without the inconvenience of having to line up or sit out in the humidity. The truck has stool seating right at the truck counter, or else more relaxing tables that have been set up around it. Street signs let you know that you are about as close to San Fran as you are going to get in this part of the world.
Recommended for Mexican because: For Bangkok's best Mexican food truck, La Monita rocks!
Dave's expert tip: The easiest way to get here is to take the BTS Skytrain to Siam station, and go right in to Siam Paragon Mall. The truck is on the ground floor, right out in front of the Gourmet Market on its lefthand side (facing the market).
This cute little eatery isn't as glamorous as some of Bangkok's newest Mexican offerings, but it is far cheaper, homier, and has a nice vibe to it. Popular as a neighbourhood easy going dining spot, the small interior here has closely spaced tables where, if you're having more than a pitcher of margarita, you'll most certainly get to know your neighbours. For food, the menu is quite extensive, and this is one of the only Mexican spots in Bangkok thats got both ceviche and tamales on offer. The burritos, tacos, and enchiladas are all tasty, and if the food isn't enough, try out a margochela, which is a bowl of your favourite flavour margarita topped with a cold Corona beer.
Recommended for Mexican because: For homey Mexican food with some wicked drink concoctions, Tacos N Salsa is a real hit.
Dave's expert tip: Located a fair ways down Sukhumvit Soi 18, it's probably best to grab a motorcycle taxi from the top of the soi to get here.
It's tough to find authentic Mexican food in Bangkok, and there really aren't more than a handful of places that are the real deal, and Sabroso is certainly one of them. Run by a Mexican chef, this cozy bistro serves up tapas sized portions of Mexican favourites like taquitos, alambres, chicken tinga tostadas, quesadillas, tacos, and more. There are also sangrias and margaritas to go with the food, as well as cold bottles of cerveza. There are 10 different types of taco fillings here, along with special nights like all you can eat tacos, and Chef Jorge Bernal goes out of his way to make diners feel like they are his guests back in his home town of Mexico City.
Recommended for Mexican because: For authentic Mexican in a cozy spot, Sabroso is a great choice.
Dave's expert tip: The best way to get here is to take the MRT subway to the Sukhumvit station, exit into the Interchange 21 Tower, walk through it and downstairs, exiting onto Soi 23, and then walk up a few blocks.
For those missing Mexican food in Bangkok, La Monita is all the rage. While most folks do head over for tacos and burritos for lunch and dinner, La Monita also does some of the best breakfasts in the city, with big plates of huevos rancheros on tap, served with plenty of guacamole, salsa, and chorizo, guaranteed to jump start your day. La Monita also does an excellent breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs. An added bonus here as well in that breakfast is served all day, for those who want to sleep in or decide that their jet lag has not yet left, and that 8pm is the breakfast hour.
Recommended for Mexican because: For Bangkok's longest running original taqueria, head to La Monita
Dave's expert tip: Take the BTS Skytrain to Ploenchit to get here. If you have a hangover, try La Monita's michelada, which is beer, lime juice, and hot sauce, guaranteed to burn out just about anything!
While La Monita is already known around Bangkok for its excellent Mexican food, with a San Francisco style taco truck and a sit down Mexican restaurant already local favourites, the new La Monita in the luxurious new Emquartier Mall seeks to take Mexican food to a new level, or as chef and owner Billy Bautista says, "to put Mexican food on par with French or Japanese cuisines, to show it is much more than just greasy fast food." Not only is the upscale new eatery a happening trendy new spot, complete with a master mixologist cocktail bar whipping up homemade sangritas, a wide selection of tequilas, and even making their own horchata, but the food rivals the surroundings. Burritos and tamales are not on the menu here, rather, this La Monita wants to showcase harder to find Mexican dishes done with fresh ingredients and with superb artistic presentation. The menu is long and full of options, but standouts include the longanizaqueso, a homemade sausage and cheese dip, the alambra mar y tierra, which uses New Zealand rib eye steak and shrimp, and the divine ceviche, served with Peruvian leche de tigre and wasabi, or in several other forms. This is the only place in Thailand with their own tortilla press making fresh tortillas with every dish as if one were on the streets of Guadalajara or Acapulco. It's as authentic as it looks, the staff take time to explain and educate about Mexican cuisine, the food and surroundings are superb, and it's a real gourmet addition to the expanding Bangkok ethnic food scene.
Recommended for Mexican because: For authentic and upscale Mexican dining, nobody else in Bangkok comes close to La Monita at EmQuartier.
Dave's expert tip: To get here take the skytrain to the Phrom Phong Station and use the exit directly into the Emquartier. Head for the Helix Quartier (building on the left, and take the elevator up to floor 7 and walk left slightly down the ramp.