Tacos with a twist: SEQ’s hottest Latin-fusion restaurants

There’s a new style of cuisine sweeping the South East and it’s set to entice with its kooky mix of bold flavours. SEE THE VIDEO

Tacos with a twist, restaurant-style street corn and nachos like you’ve never seen before – Latin-fusion fare is set to be the next big food trend sweeping Queensland.

After setting tastebuds alight in America, the UK and the UAE, the blending together of Mexican, Peruvian and Colombian flavours with influences from Asia and Europe has landed Down Under.

Pollo Asada. Picture: Richard Walker

The quirky cuisine is behind a series of new and upcoming restaurants across the state, including Casa Chow in Woolloongabba, Isla Cantina on the Gold Coast, and the soon-to-open Viva La Cali and Carmen in Fortitude Valley.

Marc Grey from Viva La Cali, which will launch in California Lane on June 1, said the cuisine was appealing because it was both affordable and fun.

Eggplant Cacao Mole. Picture: Richard Walker

“It’s not as expensive and prep heavy to do this in terms of a cuisine style and you can get so creative with it – you can do any type of taco and any type of nacho,” he said, with the venue set to roll out everything from gourmet tacos with mushrooms two ways to fancy street corn and Peruvian doughnuts made with pumpkin and sweet potato.

Cocktails using the likes of mezcal and tequila are also a huge part of the appeal of the cuisine, with Viva La Cali to serve up to seven margaritas including one made with carrot juice nicknamed the Bugs Bunny.

“We want to deliver fine dining but in a street food sense,” Mr Grey said.

Marc Grey and Steve Maiden from Viva La Cali. Picture: Richard Walker

Ross Ledingham from hospitality group Potentia Leisure opened Nikkei-style restaurant Soko in Fortitude Valley in November last year, which combines Peruvian and Japanese elements, and will launch Latin-fusion eatery Carmen Tequileria in James St in the same suburb this July.

He said he had watched the cuisine flourish overseas and believed it was Australia’s time to get behind it.

Pollo Taco at Viva La Cali. Picture: Richard Walker

“I think people embrace what they want to have elsewhere in the world,” Mr Ledingham said.

“The culture (of that style of food) is also a lot of fun – it’s a lot of enjoyable lifestyle elements. You come in and it talks to your soul without you even really realising it.”

Mr Ledingham said people were loving the Nikkei cuisine at Soko with thousands of people through the doors each week for fusion dishes such as edamame hummus and scallops in garlic butter with shaved parmesan. While he hoped to attract diners to Carmen with tacos topped with everything from grilled cactus to lobster and caviar.

Street Corn at Viva La Cali. Picture: Richard Walker

LATIN-FUSION RESTAURANTS TO WATCH

1. Soko, Fortitude Valley

2. Casa Chow, Woolloongabba

3. Fogata Latin Fusion, Brisbane City

4. Isla Cantina, Isle of Capri

5. Viva La Cali, Fortitude Valley

6. Carmen, Fortitude Valley

7. D’La Rosa, Mermaid Beach