Michelin Guide-recommended Mexico City taqueria El Vilsito is coming to Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane and Manly Wharf in Sydney for Margarita Week.

Margarita Week is being held alongside La Mexicana, a bespoke Mexican food festival, which will see two chefs from El Vilsito work alongside local culinary teams to prepare the taqueria’s celebrated tacos exactly as they are served in Mexico City.

The precincts will come alive with margaritas and Mexican cocktails across participating venues, immersive styling and entertainment designed to capture the energy of contemporary Mexican street culture.

El Vilsito is recommended by the Michelin Guide and has been widely recognised internationally, recently featuring in The New York Times’ 36 Hours in Mexico City guide, alongside its appearance in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. The taqueria is renowned for its tacos al pastor, a beloved Mexican street food of marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, thinly sliced and served in corn tortillas. By day, El Vilsito operates out of a mechanic’s workshop in Mexico City, transforming each night into one of the city’s most vibrant and sought-after taco destinations.

The Australian collaboration was sparked after Howard Smith Wharves Brand Director Katie Moubarak visited Mexico City on a culinary research trip last year and experienced El Vilsito firsthand.

“El Vilsito was one of those places that stays with you,” Moubarak said. “From the moment I stepped inside, the energy, the generosity and the food felt completely alive. Being able to bring their chefs and their way of cooking to Australia felt like a natural next step after experiencing it firsthand.”

Moubarak has since formed a close connection with Sandra Blanco, daughter of El Vilsito owner Juan Carlos Blanco, who will travel to Australia for the festival alongside the visiting chefs.

“We’ve welcomed so many Australians to El Vilsito over the years, and their love for our tacos has always stayed with us,” Blanco said. “Our family has been making food here for nearly forty years, so being able to bring our chefs and recipes to Australia and cook them in the same way we do at home feels incredibly special. We’re proud to share something that already means so much to so many Australians.”

Margarita Week will be an 11-day celebration of the much-loved cocktail across participating venues. In partnership with Patrón, guests can expect a range of margaritas spanning sweet, smoky, spicy and savoury interpretations, including Tommy’s margaritas and venue-specific twists.

Artemus Group co-founder and director Adam Flaskas said: “We’ve always believed the best food experiences are grounded in culture and connection.

“Having Sandra travel with the El Vilsito chefs to Australia and share not just the food, but the story behind it, allows us to celebrate Mexican culture in a way that feels honest, generous and true to where it comes from.”

Margarita Week will be celebrated at Howard Smith Wharves every day across participating venues from 5-15 March. La Mexicana will be held from 5-8 March and the following weekend from 12-15 March.

Margarita Week will be celebrated at Manly Wharf every day across participating venues from 19-29 March. La Mexicana will be held from 19-22 March and the following weekend from 26-29 March.