Baja

Nestled near the corner of Alfred and Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane’s best sources of Mexican-inspired cuisine. Baja, the brainchild of Daniel Quinn, serves a modern take on Mexican cuisine, showcasing flavours rooted in the principles of SoCal Mexican – think fresh seasonal produce, creative flavour combinations and skilful techniques. Groups can sit down to a feast featuring dishes like tostaditas with Urban Valley mushrooms, charred beet and chipotle crema, fried pork croquettes with pineapple-and-chilli relish, aguachile with coconut and ginger water, confit pork carnitas, battered Baja-style fish tacos, and the all-important guacamole. On the drinks front, few places in town do a better margarita. But if you’re after a different sip, Baja also serves a range of agave-infused cocktails, tap and bottled beers, and a selection of all-Australian wines. Baja’s aesthetic design and fit-out (conjured by Studio Lagom and Woodsters) is minimal but warm, with pops of green and terracotta scattered across the bar, large group tables and banquette seating on the fringe.