Reviews of El Mexicano Zapata Express. (Restaurant) in Rotorua (Bay of Plenty).

El Mexicano Zapata Express

184 Reviews

160 Comments

Restaurant

Mexican restaurant

1211 Amohau Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

Description

Information of El Mexicano Zapata Express, Restaurant in Rotorua (Bay of Plenty)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

Map

Open hours of El Mexicano Zapata Express

Popular times

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

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Friday

Saturday

Reviews of El Mexicano Zapata Express

D.

Was super tasty!!! I would highly recommend 👌 was definitely worth every cent. My sister has said this is the best Mexican restaurant in town and definitely did not disappoint. We will be back 😁

R.

My cousin and I were in Rotorua for my birthday trip and we had dinner here after Hell's Gate. I wish I had come here for my birthday dinner rather than the place we ended up going to the next night. As you can see from the photo of my burrito we would've been fine sharing one rather than having one each. It is huge (not to mention tasty) and very filling. Loved my chocolate cocktail shake as well. Looking forward to going back when I'm in Rotorua again!

T.

Delicious food, generous servings, and efficient service. We ate a bit too hungrily so I only snapped photos of dessert! The restaurant manager offered great bants, and the staff were all friendly. Definitely the preferred El Mexicano venue in Rotorua :D

M.

This is by far the best Mexican restaurant we have ever tried in New Zealand. Everything is like an explosion of taste and flavors. I love the paella, empanadas, tacos, chicken wings and all the handmade sauces. Delicious foods that filled our tummy and intrigued our taste buds. Portions were also generous. The owner Cristina went the extra mile of making us feel welcome in this new restaurant in the heart of Rotorua. Nice to meet you Cristina! Thank you for the lovely food.

N.

Very welcoming, friendly restaurant. The service was very good. Beautiful Mexican food, and it all came out very quickly too. A little hotspot tonight, so probably a good idea to book. We really enjoyed our meals.

C.

Such a vibrant place to come to! Not just the colours but the atmosphere as well. Some very cool decorations that I might just have to find out where they came from. The team here are all friendly & welcoming. Delicious food, I am a firm favourite of the Empanadas & am also trying different options from the menu to further my culinary knowledge. So far all have been an A+ from me!!! Great dining experience!

P.

Best service ever will remember this restaurant for what they did. They made a drink thats main ingredient was lemon and took it out because I was allergic and it was yummy. This was the first time I was able to have a cocktail and it was a special moment on my trip. The fact they played a song for my girlfriend and did a birthday 🎂 surprise and said its on the house was amazing 👏. Recommend this restaurant and it is the best would rate more stars 🌟 then 5 thank you so much.

T.

1st time experience with my son who loves Mexican food, great service, loved the atmosphere and hospitality and the food was just delicious! We're coming back for sure 👌🏼🙌🏼😊

J.

This little gem ranks #3 restaurant in Rotorua on Tripadvisor - for good reason it seems. We had dinner at El Mexicano Zapata (Tutanekai) and it was outstanding. We shared guacamole with fresh fried corn chips, pulled beef tacos, pulled pork tacos and finished with a few cheeky churros. The meat was incredibly flavour-packed and so so tender, topped with fresh vibrant salads and herbs. The house-made sauces are a delight. I recommend the Zapato extra hot sauce if you like things a little more fiery. The servings are generous, but save room for the churros - a super light, sweet treat to finish - they are delish and perfect to share. Wonderful staff, brilliant service.

T.

Staff here are super friendly and inviting! The wait for our food was not very long at all! Everything that we ordered was just, so filling! The food and flavors were mouth watering. And everything was fresh They were sooo super generous with the serving of meat! Everybite we had with our food was just purely filled with meat. They did not hold back on how much they put in, and because of this ill be coming back as a loyal customer! If your looking for something quick and super delicious and filling. And won't break the bank, Come this place! Its so worth your money 💰 😁

K.

Took my son here for the first time. Amazing!!!! Staff welcoming on entrance. Kai suggestions from other dinners and staff was spot on! We both had the Jalapeño poppers and the enchiladas each. Could not fault their service, their food quality and the atmosphere was perfect too. Received our orders really quickly as well. Would definitely recommend trying whether you aroha spicy food or not. Their menu has something for everyone. Don’t normally bother with reviews for places but felt this place is well worth making the effort for. Big thumbs up 👍

L.

Amazing food. Very friendly staff. I'm tempted to go back tomorrow night for dinner. 10/10 👍

T.

Went here with my work to celebrate the year. And honestly they could not have picked a better place, food was amazing! Especially the Jalapeno bombers. Customer service was friendly and the restaurant was very tidy and colorful!

H.

The food is a symphony of flavors! And the portion-for-price ratio adds to the overall joyful experience. Extremely satisfying on all fronts 👍👍

T.

I ordered muchos nachos wow! Very tasty great value for money. It was a huge serving enough to feed 3 people! Pleasant service. GRACIAS EL MEXICANO

M.

This place proved to be a great find. The food was excellent. The pulled pork tacos and quesedilla we ordered were delicious and packed with flavour.

C.

Great food, owner and team do themselves proud with great service. Burrito and nachos were tasty good size too

S.

Best Mexican food I have had in my whole life! There slogan matches the restaurant perfectly! Best Mexican restaurant outside of Mexico! 😉 delicious! Totally recommended to anyone! We will certainly be back for more!! 😍

A.

Amazing food!! We love their tacos, great price, amazing flavour. The staff are always so kind and helpful. You won't regret going here for a meal! 😁 Lovely relaxed atmosphere too.

Y.

The best authentic Mexican food I've found in three years being in New Zealand. The staff is super friendly and helpful, the food is on another level of taste that you'll only understand by tasting it. I would give this a review of 10 stars if I could. I recommend the pork enchiladas.

M.

The most yummilicious, Mexican food I devoured in New Zealand The Chicken Tacos and Calamari Fritos washed down with a Mandarin beverage was sublime. El Mexicano Zapata restaurant....World famous in Rotarua.

A.

Beautiful food, value for money, friendly staff and owner. Recommended!

J.

Wow! Amazing service and the food is an explosion of flavours! Love it! Oh and the sangria is a 10 out of 10.

S.

Delicious and authentic casual Mexican kai. We are so glad we found this gem of a restaurant when little else was open on a wintry Monday night. The food was delicious and great value for money at $46 for two adults and a toddler. The tortilla chips are delicious!

p.

Food is deliciously fantastically awesome tasty.... The Owner is so friendly and welcoming. Thank you...

M.

Amazing food and friendly staff would give 6 stars if possible ☆☆☆☆☆☆

E.

Had the most amazing meal and service last night. My boyfriend and I were really impressed with the service and highly recommend. Large meal and great value. I wish I had taken pics but was to busy enjoying the food and company.

M.

Absolutely delicious food&lovely margaritas! Highly recommend eating here. Excellent service as well.

L.

Vthe vegetarian tacos are very good? Just wish there was more guacamole.

K.

Nice food and great service. Sauces are delicious and care is taken. Will be back.

G.

Super delicious food, wonderful staff. Would definitely go again next time I'm in Rotorua

A.

Just outta level 4 and was hungry for calamari fritos. Added a few other dishes to feed us all. Ordered online for dinner time tonight. Bang on presented nicely all recyclable containers, delivered exact time. And.....scrumdiddlyumcious highly recommend.

M.

Incredible food and great service. I am definitely coming back :)

L.

Great place and so friendly staff. I love it. 🥑💯

T.

Great food and lots of it Good service with a smile Will come back again

A.

These guys are super friendly and their food is amazing! Muchos Nachos was too Muchos for me to finish! Better go there really hungry or otherwise be ready to take some food home with you. Yes, their portions are quite big! They make everything fresh and it shows. Would definitely go there again and would recommend anyone who wants to have a decent meal while in Rotorua!

R.

I have been to Mexico and the food at El Mexicano was even better!! Hands down have the best Mexican food I have ever had! Not only was the food delicious and very generous servings (you will get full) the staff and owners were so incredibly friendly they made our whole trip! I will definitely be back and highly recommend this place.

R.

Omg best experience, friendly, fast, customer service, best authentic Mexican food I've tried to date, no more driving to Auckland for Mexican food now. Big portions came away full. They told us about their future renovations to come, can't wait. Go check it out guys. Thank you.

J.

Amazing food The homemade chorizo was hands down the best sausage I’ve eaten in New Zealand! Great service! Would highly recommend to anyone stopping over in Rotorua! Thank you for a great evening! 💚

M.

Such an amazing experience! After a quick Google search I stumbled upon this restaurant as a well reccomend place to go, with no idea what we were in for my partner and I headed over to get some takeaway to eat back at the hotel. My girlfriend opted for the Muchos Nachos and I wasn't too sure, so I asked a man who seemed to be the owner or manager for his favorite. He reccomend the Enchilada, when we got back to try our food we were blown away. Every bite is a burst of flavour that leaves you wanting more and more. The portions are big so make sure you're hungry, and be prepared to be treated like family by the awesome staff. Would highly recommend

K.

Feeling like some Mexican cuisine I chose 🇲🇽 El Mexicano Zapata to dine at because its a nice & small, & it's location although on a main street it was quiet & private, something I needed when I just wanted to dine in peace. On to the food,... The food is made fresh on order & is reasonably priced. This night I ordered soft shell tacos🌮 & for the first time, grilled🌽 cobs, they were on point👌, flavoursome & juicy😋. I enjoyed the food & I will return here for my mexicana fix. 🗣️📣UPDATE I've returned here three more times for a meal, & 4 other times just for some churros

M.

Wow,customer service is really awesome here. Food is delicious. Thanks Christina.

A.

Awesome authentic good quality food. Great staff, friendly and great service. This place has a good vibe.

A.

I have never had Mexican food that was so delicious! The restaurant is warm and inviting and the chef is so friendly, will definitely visit again if we come back go NZ!!

J.

Great coconut margarita! Food is exceptional, with great flavours

k.

Delicious and stomach filling food. Felt that Maxican vibes in place and in cuisine. Loved it. Definitely, we are going next time and many more.

R.

Ok, so don't know where to start, because I'm still in a food coma. The service here is extremely homely, and the atmosphere is super chilled. And the food portions are gigantic. Highlight was the hot sauce (ask for a special request, you won't regret it).

J.

Absolutely amazing Mexican food! The portion sizes are very generous and the staff are really professional and hospitable! You will be hard pressed to find better Mexican food in Aotearoa in my opinion!

L.

Excelente! We stepped off a rainy street in Rotorua and into what felt like an authentic restaurant of the Yukutan Peninsula. I haven't had food this good since I was actually in Mexico. The mains are large and we completely overdid it ordering tapas and chips to start with but couldn't help ourselves, it was all delicious and we left stuffed full. Pollo mole, Virgin mojitos and chimmichurri.... I'm one happy lady! Think we will be side tripping to Rotorua to get our Mexican food fix when we are next up this way. Thank you!!!

C.

Delicious food every time. THE BEST MOJITO EVER! Must try with the corona in it. Topped by great service. We never go to Rotorua without stopping in for a feed :)

L.

Wow .... amazing food in Rotorua. Loved the flavours and everything about this laid back and down to earth place. Portions are generous and the Jalapeño poppers were delicious. We will be back!

C.

I was greeted with an "Ola" I felt was pretty cool... staff are friendly, food was mint, thanks for the service 👌

L.

Amazing Mexican food . We cant get Mexican food like this in Auckland. Generous portions and absolutely amazing flavors. Staff professional and service was with a smile. We will be back for sure.Dont go past this place. You will not be disappointed.

D.

The is amazing and the people are so friendly. We absolutely love to eat here and recommended to anyone that loves Mexican food! Prices are very good too, good job team!

A.

Unassuming and amazing. We went here on recommendation and was really impressed. Delicious food, good value for money and friendly staff. Thanks!

J.

Absolutely delicious. We had takeaway Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Chimi Changa. I'm a 6'4 big eater and the Enchilada was a perfect serving size for me, full of meat, so flavorsome, it came with an assortment of different little sauces, nacho chips that they've made themselves. I'm making a point of coming back just to try the other dishes!

B.

Delicious burrito. Fantastic corn chips and yum sauces.

F.

Stoked to have stumbled across this on our first night in Rotorua! Really, really good meat free options. I wish they were my local Mexican

R.

We would like to Thank Ewardo and his Staff for a beautiful meal we had this evening the whole family enjoyed the food was fresh and delicious at affordable price We will be definently be coming back and recommending their food thanks much

D.

Friendly staff, service and food. Recommend this place for anyone keen.

c.

Best Mexican food I've eaten in NZ. The ambience is great and the people are lovely. Will visit again for sure.

T.

Nice food at very reasonable prices. Will be great when they get a liquor license.

R.

Very nice Good food good place

a.

Excellent food & service. Only place we went for dinner in Rotorua, 3 nights in a row. Love this place. Best to book

T.

Beautiful Food... Staff are Awesome

C.

Amazing food and friendly staff

M.

Very nice staff, you get your food real quick. Absolutely delicious mexican food.

L.

Delicious food, friendly staff, great service. My daughter said her dinner was the most delicious food she'd ever tried.

C.

Fun friendly place with awesome fresh high quality food. Massive range very friendly peeps

C.

Best Mexican food ever! Superb costumer service too! Thank you very much. :)

H.

Great place to eat with a unique flavour and taste from Mexico Gracias

S.

I had the paella. Beautifully cooked and a very filling meal. Staff very helpful and cheerful.

R.

Great food. Friendly staff. Nice music and ambience. Pepper poppers are amazing !

J.

Quick service, friendly server, nice food. Cook asked how we liked the food. Only negative,not easy to spot from the busy highway, even with these colourful surrounds.

g.

Lovely staff and amazing food

C.

The best Mexican food in New Zealand. Probably the world.

P.

Loved the variety of food and very reasonable price.

U.

No lies whanau. The best mexican food to get in the country! The portions are decent and the fish tacos are just perfect 👌🏽

G.

Excellent food and great service. We had the calamari and paella - both meals were delicious

N.

A really nice selection of authentic Mexican food. Really welcoming and generous staff. Thanks!

P.

Great food and atmosphere, very friendly staff too

M.

Amazing Food :)

V.

Excellent hearty satisfying good value mexican food. Nice vegetarian and vegan options..

J.

Best Mexican I have ever had and the portion sizes were amazing.

D.

Great portions, fast and good service. Nice atmosphere.

S.

Yum! We just had a takeaway dinner from here, and it was delicious. So many vegetarian options and lovely staff :)

R.

Really great authentic central and south american food!

N.

Amazing atmosphere, delicious food, lovely owners and great service. Excellent value for money.

K.

Lovely people and great food 👌🏽 fresh and with lots of flavour 🙌🏽 especially like the environmentally friendly packaging

A.

Excellent food, excellent service. Never disappoints 😍

a.

Take advantage of the grabone vouchers! Food delicious, busy week place, very friendly. Def coming back😊

T.

My mokos love it, a great variety of Mexican food. Just a little on the expensive side but worth it.

T.

Food tasted great and was large portions for decent value

R.

Great tasting food and brilliant service. Will definitely go back.

B.

Tasty large servings.Very friendly and attentive.Good value.

n.

For me is the best Mexican food in nz!!!

T.

Busy little place. Lovely food, great staff.

m.

Great service and food

C.

Amazing customer service and they have a super yummy food 🤤

C.

Excellent food and service, great prices too

M.

Best Mexican in New Zealand! Blown away to be honest.

G.

Amazing people and food!!!

C.

Awesome food!!! Definitely recommend

D.

Food is awesome, service is great.

R.

Great food. great service.

d.

Great service yummy quality good value food

G.

Amazing food and great drinks!

C.

Great food very authentic.

G.

Delicious and flavoursome

A.

Best Mexican food I have ever eaten

L.

Delicious!

K.

Great food and service.

N.

Authentic wonderful great priced Mexican

T.

Great food & service

T.

The pollo al mole was 🔥

D.

Awesome

M.

Great food, recommended

J.

Try the deep fried jalapeno

B.

Favourite Mexican food byfar

K.

amazing food great service

L.

Awesome. Love it..

P.

Best Mexican food in NZ

G.

Gotta be my favorite in Rotorua. Consistently brilliant.

R.

Excellent staff and an excellent experience

K.

Grabone $10 meal deal is the bomb

D.

Good proportions. Tasty food

N.

Got food

H.

Best beef burrito!

K.

Awesome food.

R.

Amazing churros!!

M.

One of my favourites

S.

Best Mexican Eva

B.

Food was great

L.

Great food

D.

Absolutely fantastic

G.

Yummy

T.

Great food

T.

Off the chain

A.

What great vegan options and the service was fantastic.

H.

Amazing food and get service 👍🏼 Huge menu and don't forget to get the churros!

B.

A big thank you to Cristina for helping our family out. You are a wonderful human being. Absolutely next level customer service, we were treated like royalty. Very attentive, helpful and patient. The food was next level! The flavours were incredible. If you like mexican I highly recommend this place.

V.

Beautiful food, really nice flavors, and great price for the amount you get. Great experience!

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