Baja

Baja is a cool subterranean Mexican bar eatery that brings a delectable taste of Baja California to Fortitude Valley.

Tucked away underneath FV Pepper Hotel at the top end of Brunswick St, Baja is the go-to for creative cocktails and contemporary Mexican cuisine.

With pale pink and green feature walls, window boxes of sand and cacti and a stunning central bar, the cool minimalist decor is a match for the concise menu, which is next-level Mexican.

Botanas (snacks) include guacamole (avocado puree with citurs salsa verde, cherry tomatoes, goats feta and serrano chile) accompanied by house-made corn chips; Mexican fruit stand or Esquites (sweet corn salad with corn broth, lemon garlic aioli, grated parmesan & ancho chile powder).

Entradas include melt-in-the-mouth boneless chicken wings (slow-roasted wings with pomegranate molasses, red onion escabache with buttermilk and coriander dressing), ceviche (raw king fish with habanero coconut milk, chile oil, cucumber and fried shallots) and house special octopus (twice-cooked octopus tentacles with citrus, chile oil and squid ink burnt jalapeno soy sauce).

Not to be missed are the tacos - try the al pastor (spicy marinated pork shoulder served with salsa tatemada, pineapple, white onion and coriander or the baja fish (beer battered king fish with chipotle slaw).

Desserts are every bit as delicious, with a choice of salted milk panna cotta or spiced chocolate mousse.

As well as a top place for a bite to eat, Baja is the spot for creative tequila and mezcal-based cocktails such as the Baja Margarita, Milkbox martini (tromba tequila, house coco miox and cold brew coffee) or Day of the Dead (two tequilas, one mezcal, pineapple, grenadine and lime).

Wine drinkers will find plenty to like here with a carefully curated list of boutique wines, while beer-wise, there's Baja's own Pale Ale or Lager on tap.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

Check out the guide to all of Brisbane's best Mexican cafes & restaurants HERE