TL; DR | Summary
Craving a taste of Mexico? Maiz takes you on a journey of traditional Mexican dishes made from rare ingredients. Each dish blends authentic flavours from tostadas with cactus ceviche to braised hibiscus flower tacos. This restaurant is my top Mexican restaurant pick for its use of truly authentic ingredients, lovely service, and its must-try horchata drink special. Overall, Maiz is at the forefront of proper Mexican cuisine right here in Sydney!
Maiz Review
@bestspots.com.au Craving a taste of Mexico? ⬇️ Maiz takes you on a journey of traditional Mexican 🇲🇽 dishes made from rare 🔍 ingredients. Each dish blends authentic flavours from tostadas with cactus ceviche to braised hibiscus flower tacos 🌮 This restaurant is my top 💯 Mexican restaurant pick for its use of truly authentic ingredients, lovely service 👌, and its must-try horchata drink special 🤤. Overall, Maiz is at the forefront of proper Mexican cuisine 🌯 right here in Sydney! 🔥 RECOMMENDATIONS 🔥 - Hurache de Cachete (beef tortilla main) - Emnolate de Pato (duck tortilla main) - Esquites - Horchata – when available - Trying out their desserts and digestive menu range 📕 For the entire range from entrees to desserts, find it at bestspots.com.au @ #maiz #mexicancuisine🇲🇽 #newtowneats #authenticmexicanfood #newtownsydney ♬ HATE YOUR GUTS - INJI
Conveniently close to the train station along one of Newtown's main streets, Maiz welcomes diners with its emphasis on natural lighting and hanging greenery. As you step in, you will notice the two-level dining space decorated with light green walls and hanging plants that bask in natural light. You'll feel like you're in a little Mexican eatery without having to leave Sydney.
In particular, this quaint seating huddled within a large arching window is the perfect seat for a couple or those after a view.
As for the dishes, Maiz Newtown's menu is filled with inventive takes on Mexican cuisine, catering well to vegetarians and anyone ready to be delighted by the flavours Mexico offers to the world.
You can choose from the Set Menu or A La Carte options, making it great for those who want to try a bit of everything or can't decide what to order.
I found it hard to resist ordering many dishes, with tempting options like burrata, molotes (a pastry snack), and a range of tortillas and tostadas prepared in delicious ways you wouldn't think of.
Expect to pay about $65 per person for your meal, including starter bites, dessert, and drinks. However, the portions are pretty big and deliver fantastic flavour profiles. The standout feature for me is undoubtedly the daring combinations that truly showcase the best of Mexican cuisine.
This restaurant is popular for a reason, so I recommend making a reservation on the Maiz Newtown booking page so you don't miss out on a spot.
I'll need to explore more of their menu to check for consistency and see how they continue to evolve. For now, I’m giving Maiz a solid 9/10.
Great Mexican Food In Sydney
The service at Maiz is thoughtful, with staff who genuinely know their way around the menu. Although it can get busy during peak hours, affecting the speed, the food is well worth the wait. I recommend ordering a drink or two to go with your meal. I opted for a Capi Cola and the special menu item, a cup of horchata (a Mexican rice-based drink).
Iced Horchata
This is a special menu item and one of my all-time favourite drinks. Its creamy, lightly infused cinnamon flavour provides some soothing to your mouth if your meal becomes too spicy for you to handle. This refreshing drink is a must-try and perfectly complements the bold flavours of Mexican dishes.
Now, let's talk about the rest of the menu:
Esquites
This drink features slow-cooked corn kernels in an epazote broth, mixed with 7 chilli mayo, queso fresco, lime, and piquin. Each gulp is a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy, making it a standout start to your meal. To this day, I've yet to come across Esquites anywhere else!
Tostada de Ceviche de Nopales
This cactus ceviche tostada is topped with charred avocado, salted cheese, and a Morita chilli leche de tigre. If you're like me and never had a cactus before, think of it as a capsicum or bell pepper but in a tangier form. While it's not my kind of plant to eat, it does add a unique crunch and somewhat sharp flavour, offering a fresh, bold taste.
Braised Hibiscus Flower
Cooked Al Pastor style, this dish is filled with braised hibiscus flower, pineapple chilli jam, coriander, and onion. Despite the unusual ingredients (and ones I typically don't like), it's prepared in a succulent slow-cooked method that even picky eaters will appreciate. While I wouldn't order it, those who enjoy pineapple, onion, and coriander will surely appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into this dish.
Free Range Pork Green Chorizo Molotes
This is a must-try menu item. These molotes are stuffed with a rich, flavourful pork filling and Mexican spices. Then, served on top of homemade 7-chilli mayo and pickled onions, each bite guarantees a proper mouthful of balanced flavours.
Never tried chorizo before? Read more about it in my blog post: What Is Chorizo? A Simple Guide to This Spicy Sausage.
Huarache de Cachete
This is a hearty main dish you can't go wrong with. It's a thick pressed tortilla topped with tomatillo salsa, grass-fed beef cheek birria, burnt avocado, and mezcal borracha salsa. You can imagine a deep, smoky flavour that's incredibly satisfying from the presentation alone.
Emnolate de Pato
I recommend this dish if you enjoy duck with lots of sauce. Similar to the beef main, this is a hand-pressed tortilla, but this time, it is filled with confit duck, ancho-cacao-macadamia mole sauce, and toasted sesame seeds. Each bite is a blissful mix of rich, savoury notes and a fulfilling dish in general.
RECOMMENDED
- Hurache de Cachete (beef tortilla main)
- Emnolate de Pato (duck tortilla main)
- Esquites
- Horchata – when available
- Trying out their desserts and digestive menu range
Final Words
Maiz stands out among Sydney's Mexican restaurants for its inventive take on Mexican cuisine, especially considering the challenge of sourcing native ingredients in Australia. The rare ingredients, exceptional service, and a lovely ambience make it a must-visit. Perfect for seasoned foodies seeking an authentic Mexican feast or someone looking for a unique dining experience, Maiz delivers from its menu alone. I can't wait to return and explore more of its fantastic menu!
Where To Find Maiz Newtown
Address
Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: Closed
Website
Phone
+61 466 077 804
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I definitely have to try that Emnolate De Pato dish at Maiz on my next visit.
Maiz is definitely a place worth re-visiting