North Island
El Camino Mexican Bar & Cafe
Cuisine: Mexican, South American, Tapas
480 New North Rd
Kingsland
Auckland City 09-815 1025
Kingsland
Auckland City 09-815 1025
Hours:
- Tue – Fri 4pm – Late
- Sat & Sun 3pm – Late
-
Facilities/Features:
- Private Functions
- Private Parties
- Payment Types: EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard
- Price Range: Moderate, $15 - $25
- Dress Code: Casual
- Alcohol: Beer, Wine, Spirits, Cocktails
- Seating for: 20 seated, 35 standing (indoors & out)
- BYO/Corkage: No BYO
- Parking: Free On-Street
- Good For Groups: Yes
- Good For Children: Yes
- Takeaways: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, Gluten-free
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Meals: Dinner, Late Night, Dessert
EL CAMINO
HEATING UP KINGSLAND
El Camino Mexican Bar & Cafe is an awesome little restaurant with the food, atmosphere & service to match. If you want quality Mexican food & not the sad excuse for it, devoid of passion & love, that Auckland has had so far, come to El Camino & you won’t be disappointed.
We’ve got a wide range of Mexican beers, tequilas & cocktails that will compliment your burrito, taco or the highly recommended chicken nachos perfectly for that real Mexican experience you’ve been itching for.
Forget the passionless impostors. Come to El Camino Mexican Bar & Cafe & reignite your love for Mexican food.
Reservations absolutely essential!
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36 Reviews for El Camino Mexican Bar & Cafe
3rd April 2012
El Camino is unbeatable. The scrumptious Mexican fare will have you wishing you had two stomachs in order to put away more food. Everything on the menu is tantalising. The Margaritas are superb, one is never enough. The staff are friendly and the intimate yet arty setting is perfect for any occasion. Make sure you book ahead because this is one popular place, and once you dine there, you will understand why.
4
30th January 2012
Great little cafe in Kingsland Auckland- excellent ambiance, food, drink and service – we’re going back, for sure! The portions are large and the food is made right in front of you as the place is so small but that means you get preferential treatment – delicioso!!!
13th January 2012
As other reviewers have said, it is very small but there were just two of us, we took our chances and got the last table. Food was delicious – really really good, and the cocktail menu was really interesting. Service was good too, no complaints at all. Would definitely recommend for a couple, or for a group of eight or less with a booking.
5th August 2011
A group of us from work went here last night after a recommendation. They warned us it was really small and luckily said we should book a table.
Yes the place is extremely small but it has to be one of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve been to. Don’t know how they do it cos the kitchen is so tiny, but they cooked the yummiest Chimichungas!!! Plus the Margaritas are really good and come in a huge glass.
We had a great night and great service, very friendly and accommodating people. We’ll be Back, Thank You.
Yes the place is extremely small but it has to be one of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve been to. Don’t know how they do it cos the kitchen is so tiny, but they cooked the yummiest Chimichungas!!! Plus the Margaritas are really good and come in a huge glass.
We had a great night and great service, very friendly and accommodating people. We’ll be Back, Thank You.
1
28th June 2011
Been two years since my last visit, went last week as I was craving Tacos. I have Taco cravings every now and then and love it when they serve rice on the side like in Mexican Cafe.
Anyways, I somehow got it wrong [I don't know how, maybe poor menu description...] and ordered Nachos, which I dislike. I know it’s similar but without the fresh lettuce & tomatoes, it’s a complete different dish for me.
My partner told the waiter that I had ordered Tacos and not Nachos, and I promptly got told in my face, “No, you definitely ordered Nachos” with a sneer on his face and walked away.
Really bad service in my opinion. Maybe I’m too used to good service or maybe their margins are too low? I would have been offered replacement Tacos in a better establishment. I wouldn’t even mind having to pay for the Nachos for takeaway and getting a fresh plate of Tacos. But no, I didn’t want to give them another cent. And I won’t be going back ever.
Anyways, I somehow got it wrong [I don't know how, maybe poor menu description...] and ordered Nachos, which I dislike. I know it’s similar but without the fresh lettuce & tomatoes, it’s a complete different dish for me.
My partner told the waiter that I had ordered Tacos and not Nachos, and I promptly got told in my face, “No, you definitely ordered Nachos” with a sneer on his face and walked away.
Really bad service in my opinion. Maybe I’m too used to good service or maybe their margins are too low? I would have been offered replacement Tacos in a better establishment. I wouldn’t even mind having to pay for the Nachos for takeaway and getting a fresh plate of Tacos. But no, I didn’t want to give them another cent. And I won’t be going back ever.
13th June 2011
The food was good
The price was great
The place however was a little crammed
All-in-all, a good experience for my first mexican meal
The price was great
The place however was a little crammed
All-in-all, a good experience for my first mexican meal
1
22nd May 2011
This Place is AMAZING. best place around for yummy Mexican food and gorgeous cocktails. I’m very lucky that i live in kingsland and work next door ( neighbourhood bar) so always going for food and takeaway!! u really wont regret trying this awesome restaurant out!!!!
4
9th April 2011
I went here with my partner a few weekends ago, we went on a Saturday afternoon around 5ish. We didn’t book, luckily there was some available tables as it was early! The food was amazing! The first time i’ve had Mexican and wow! Yummy! Just wish the place was closer to home 
Defo recommended, although I would suggest to book if you do as they were fully booked from 7 onwards!
Defo recommended, although I would suggest to book if you do as they were fully booked from 7 onwards!
27th February 2011
The food was and great and the servings are large. It was some of the freshest salad that I have had in a restaurant.
Service was quick and we were served drinks straight away. A good place to have something to eat with a good vibe.
Service was quick and we were served drinks straight away. A good place to have something to eat with a good vibe.
14th February 2011
Man I tried to keep this place a secret after I started going here more than a year ago – yes, I am that selfish. It is just SO GOOD. The chicken nachos are my absolute fav, the staff are all chilled out and helpful, the prices are great, the atmosphere is out of this world, and the beer is cold. LOVE. IT.
And Sidney.C who posted a review below…you don’t come to El Camino for freakin’ Tex Mex!! I think you have your restaurants confused dude.
And Sidney.C who posted a review below…you don’t come to El Camino for freakin’ Tex Mex!! I think you have your restaurants confused dude.
39
23rd January 2011
the food was good in this quaint little place but the waitress we had was rude. what a shame
21st January 2011
We celebrated our younger son’s birthday at El Camino on the recomendation of a friend. Believe me, we didn’t regret our decision at all. Nice cosy little place with awesome food complimented by the music. I would recommend to anyone.
21st January 2011
Great food and really cheap if you go on a Sunday night. The restaurant is a bit small and gets really busy, but it has real character and the staff are really nice.
15th December 2010
We went there on a quiet sunday night, but it was not so quiet at the restaurant! Very popular and food and service was awesome, small restaurant but very welcoming and friendly, have really enjoyed it and our meal
Will definitely go again as i live just down the road!
Will definitely go again as i live just down the road!
27th November 2010
Your prices are a little steep from what we have been paying for Tex-Mex
27th November 2010
Very good food.Service and presentation top class.But you could learn a trick or two from eating tex-mex food…That is TEXAS at its very best….
3
23rd August 2010
Great place, great food and great service!
Just one thing – when we went there the owner had obviously come in to view the staff and she was constantly shaking her head and rolling her eyes muttering to herself – just generally disrupting the atmosphere. We also got the awkward ‘nod’ from other customers who were also clearly aware of the owner and her behavior. At one point she swore loudly and abused a member of staff until he walked out. She then spoke rudely and loudly at other members of staff in front of us all in the restaurant. It was awkward and just plain disrespectful to her employees.
This is no reflection on the staff or food, and the waitresses did a fantastic job at holding the fort and carrying on as usual. Great service! Owner: Sort yourself out! Your letting the team down.
Just one thing – when we went there the owner had obviously come in to view the staff and she was constantly shaking her head and rolling her eyes muttering to herself – just generally disrupting the atmosphere. We also got the awkward ‘nod’ from other customers who were also clearly aware of the owner and her behavior. At one point she swore loudly and abused a member of staff until he walked out. She then spoke rudely and loudly at other members of staff in front of us all in the restaurant. It was awkward and just plain disrespectful to her employees.
This is no reflection on the staff or food, and the waitresses did a fantastic job at holding the fort and carrying on as usual. Great service! Owner: Sort yourself out! Your letting the team down.
4
9th August 2010
This is a great place for mexican food. The atmosphere is really nice and the food is really good. I would have given it 5 stars if the Quesadilla I had wouldn’t have gotten soggy because of the Guacemole and Sour Cream dropped right in the middle. But that will be only a minor issue to most.
1
6th June 2010
Really wonderful atmosphere and excellent food! Saw a photo of an El Camino GM truck on the wall and asked if that is how the restaurant got it’s name – yes, indeed!! Our party of 6 enjoyed the special chicken quesadilla as well as burritos and taco salad with of course margaritas which were the real thing!!! Kudos to the owner who has provided the Cal/Mex experience that we have been missing all of these years in Auckland.
1
4th May 2010
I was looking for a Mexican Restaurant in town and came across El Camino Mexican Bar with almost perfect review. Tried it and they did not disappoint us.
9 of us went there for my birthday. We tried almost all their dishes and indeed, the reviews are right! Prices are reasonable and the attendants are very accommodating too! Will definitely go back there again, soon!!!
9 of us went there for my birthday. We tried almost all their dishes and indeed, the reviews are right! Prices are reasonable and the attendants are very accommodating too! Will definitely go back there again, soon!!!
2
13th April 2010
Went here for dinner last Friday.
The food was delicious and the staff were extraordinarily friendly. I will definitely be going back.
It is a little small but I found that it just added to the fun atmosphere.
I would highly recommend!
The food was delicious and the staff were extraordinarily friendly. I will definitely be going back.
It is a little small but I found that it just added to the fun atmosphere.
I would highly recommend!
1
31st December 2009
We have lived in Singapore and visited Southern California extensively – both excellent places for good Mexican food & well-made tequilas!
In our view El Camino rivals the best of these in value, quality and really nice kiwi service
Can’t recommend more highly.
Terry & Ro Cox
In our view El Camino rivals the best of these in value, quality and really nice kiwi service
Can’t recommend more highly.
Terry & Ro Cox
3
19th September 2009
best Mexican I had so far..loved the cheesy garlic bread and the calamari salad–>very special sauce!everything was very appetizing:)
1
18th September 2009
My girlfriend and I ate there last night. Best mexican I have ever eaten! Try the chimichangas. It was so good half way through the meal a genuine feeling of fear came over me that the experience was coming to and end. However, by the time I took my last bite I was spot on satisfied.
Atmosphere was awesome too. A review I read in the herald complemented them on their choice of music to accompany the meal, and I have to agree. It was excellent.
Atmosphere was awesome too. A review I read in the herald complemented them on their choice of music to accompany the meal, and I have to agree. It was excellent.
17th September 2009
Well after reading all the good feedback I just had to try it… It was great – smaller than I expected but the service was good and the food tasted awesome. Will def be back.
28th July 2009
Yum yum yum went there ONCE ….
KEEP GOING BACK !
yum yum yum !
KEEP GOING BACK !
yum yum yum !
1
14th June 2009
Fabulous food, efficient service, great atmosphere a real find
4th January 2009
Go to El Camino. The privilege of a table in this fantastic restaurant is well worth it (and if there isn’t a table straightaway sit at the bar and soak up the atmosphere: you definitely won’t regret the wait)
Every time we’ve been we’ve had _outstanding_ service: the food is fabulous, the decor and ambiance brilliant – the value is fantastic. (Our favourites are the quesadilla and burritos.. )
Fresh quality ingredients, vegetarian friendly. The best Mexican dining experience in Auckland.
Every time we’ve been we’ve had _outstanding_ service: the food is fabulous, the decor and ambiance brilliant – the value is fantastic. (Our favourites are the quesadilla and burritos.. )
Fresh quality ingredients, vegetarian friendly. The best Mexican dining experience in Auckland.
1
14th November 2008
found this place last night by accident and being a mexican food lover decided to chance it. so glad i did. everthing was superb, from the corn chips to the salsa to the burrito, to the service & ambience. i could go on and on …. Highly recommended.
1
15th October 2008
I love this place! The food is awesome and made with love. Friendly staff and cosy.
1
5th August 2008
This is a great place for dinner or a few snacks and drinks to share with friends, my fav was the chicken enchiladas, the chicken has a really nice flavour and spiciness to it. And the staff are always really friendly.
1
28th July 2008
Excellent food, friendly staff, great music and decor as well – definitely going to make this a regular haunt! Even with all the competition for restaurants in Kingsland, this place is one of the best around
6
27th July 2008
Fantastic service fantastic food best Mexican food in Auckland, sit back relax and enjoy the great service
Just like every other review said FANTASTIC
Just like every other review said FANTASTIC
12th July 2008
have been to this awesome place twice now most certainly going to make it a regular haunt .. the food is great, the drinks superb and the service excellent
Would recommend it to everyone!
Would recommend it to everyone!
16th June 2008
This place is excellent. My brother and I ate there a couple of months ago when it first opened. The squid salad was outstanding! Will definitely go back!
18th May 2008
Mate.. this place rocks! My wife and i dine out hugely and we tend to go up market. Lately we decided to drive around and find something quaint and cool. Great friendly owners, nice cosy environment with cool atmosphere and amazing food! Good beers and great Tequila. I never do mexican because i am seldom impressed, but these guys i rate!
Dean C
Dean C
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