MexicanVegan OptionsAllergen FriendlyDairy Free OptionsDinnerOpen Late NightTake AwayVegetarian OptionsKnowledgeable StaffBeerCiderDessertsSushiTacosAsianDeliveryRestaurant
People are saying
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Elena Corso
All the food is vegan and gluten free. Set menu is very convenient and there is plenty of food. Definitely recommended if you have allergies or follow a vegetarian/vegan diet. Staff are nice and welcoming, definitely gonna go back!
MID
Overall, we had a mixed experience â some dishes were delicious, but several service and food issues kept the evening from being truly special.
⢠Tasty mains: The lamb (with potatoes) was absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly.
⢠Great gluten-free dessert: The gluten-free rhubarb dessert was a wonderful end to the meal â creative and flavorful.
Areas for Improvement
⢠Slow service for basics: Water service was slow, and one of our cocktails was forgotten until we reminded the staff.
⢠Service slip-ups: A waiter dropped cutlery near our table, and we were almost served a drink in a chipped glass (caught just in time).
⢠Table clutter: Unused wine glasses stayed on our table all night, which felt cluttered and unnecessary.
⢠No dish explanations: Each dish was delivered with no description or introduction, leaving us guessing what we were eating.
⢠Food quality issues: Some ingredients not fresh â the cauliflower salad had pomegranate seeds that tasted old, and a gluten-free zucchini flower appetizer had an off (fishy) taste.
⢠Burnt dessert: Unfortunately, the churros we ordered came out burnt, which was disappointing, especially for a special occasion.
Been going here for years now. Always a nice place to be. Tonight I took my little kids who also love it. (Their request in fact)
Mostly gluten free which is a huge win for me. Great selection of drinks.
Good for any occasion.
Love your work team (:
This is the best cafe for coeliacs in Nelson Bay. Best eggs Benedict Iâve ever had. Southern style chicken burger and wagyu burger were both amazing - just remove the fries as they arenât gluten free. Tons of gluten free options for Brekky and lunch on the menu. Staff is great / knowledgeable about coeliac restrictions and even better - the chef is coeliac. Also make sure to get any gluten free sweets they have - we tried the blueberry muffin, date & walnut bread, & coconut raspberry bread - all incredible and you canât even tell itâs gluten free. Canât wait to come back here!
We had a really nice meal here .
The brisket was really good and was also gluten free. So that was good .The service was good and the decor in the room was very good too .A good selection of music was playing when we were there .It looks like they have live music there too .Well worth a look .
I would have the pleasure of attending this restaurant before seeing a film at the Ritz. The service was lovely, i was treated like a Parisian elite who had just enough time to visit this boutique crepery. I ordered the La Bretonne, of which the creme fraiche highlighted a delicate combination of the sours from the sour cider that was tinged upon my tongue, and mushrooms that enriched a grandeur of which felt you were greeted with a hearty richness that was neither too heavy nor too bland.
Minus 1 star for being gluten free
Fantastic option for anyone looking for Gluten Free options. With a coeliac in the family, we struggle to find somewhere decent to eat to accommodate both adult and kids taste. Staff were knowledgeable of GF requirements and they confirmed they have a separate fryer for GF food.
Great location on the waterfront, service was lovely and the food was fantastic. My Cluck Norris burger was the best chicken burger I've had in a long time. My husband said the GF chicken schnitzel was great, and my son loved the Risk it for the Brisket burger too. My daughter polished off her kids meal in seconds, and said the fish batter was nice and crispy. Highly recommend and it will be our go to when down by the waterfront.
I had the most delicious falafel vegan bowl (and gluten-free) here! Fresh and tastyđđžThey also have some other great vegan and GF menu options. I highly recommend it!
Frequently visit this Grillâd and the food here is always spot on. The staff are great and the service is consistently good. They cater to gluten free diets and coeliacs as well and use separate grills for allergies which is great to see.
Mexicana Cantina in Toukley is a vibrant and authentic Mexican dining spot that perfectly captures the lively spirit of Baja Mexico and Southern USA cantinas. From the moment you step inside, the colourful Day of the Dead artwork, tiled bar, and neon signs create a warm, festive atmosphere thatâs perfect for a casual night out or a fun gathering with friends.
The menu is a delicious celebration of bold Mexican flavours, featuring standout dishes like chipotle mayo prawns with bacon tacos, smoky BBQ chicken wings, and a mouthwatering battered fish burrito with pineapple and guacamole. Thereâs something for everyone, including generous gluten-free options, and the staff are always happy to help with dietary needs to ensure a safe and enjoyable meal.
The cocktails deserve a special mentionâexpertly crafted Margaritas and other tequila-based drinks complement the food beautifully and add to the overall lively vibe of the cantina. The service is friendly and attentive, making you feel welcome whether itâs your first visit or youâre a regular.
Overall, Mexicana Cantina is a true gem on the Central Coast, offering authentic flavours, great drinks, and a fun atmosphere that keeps
locals coming back. If youâre in Toukley and craving genuine Mexican cuisine with a creative twist, this is the place to go.
Great service and friendly staff. Kitchen is great with diet needs eg Dairy or gluten free. They are happy to be pleasant and personal even with a difficult dietary restrictions order and an event on outside. The accommodation is pleasant and the amenities clean and attractive. The shower was terriffic by I might have been biased having had camp showers for the last 2 weeks! All in all a great experience
â Separate fryers for gluten-free items.
â Practise safe measures in the kitchen.
â Ask if youâre coeliac if you order gluten-free, so they can make a note for the kitchen.
â Nommy food!
Have been visiting this place for the menu choices. Low cal gluten free buns, fresh produce. The food tastes fresh. Expensive and usually comes out cold. The chips and sides are usually cold as well. Table service can be quite disappointing. Tables are not cleared when the staff are standing inside talking and dancing. The napkins in the holders are usually empty and not filled up until something is said. Most tables didn't get their drinks the day we visited.