Fresh guacamole
The guacamole is prepared at the table, and several diners describe it as the standout order.
Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill (Sustainable City)
The Sustainable City
Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill is a traditional Mexican restaurant in The Sustainable City, with a choice of indoor and outdoor seating. Reviews especially point to freshly made guacamole, tacos and filling fajitas, though portion size and consistency can vary.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
305 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Taco choice
The menu includes well-liked birria, ribeye and pastor tacos, with soft or hard shells available.
Generous fajitas
Fajitas are repeatedly praised for flavour and, in some reviews, generous portions.
Outdoor setting
The outdoor seating has a relaxed community feel, with one review also noting free EV chargers.
Family friendly
Diners describe it as a family-friendly restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and helpful staff.
What to Eat at Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill (Sustainable City) How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill (Sustainable City), this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill (Sustainable City), ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 6
-
Fajitas Net +2
“Employees are very welcoming and the food amazing , especially the fajitas! .”
Positive 3Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Employees are very welcoming and the food amazing , especially the fajitas! .”May 2023
“Everything was delicious - we had guacamole, fajitas and tacos. Definitely the best Mexican meal we’ve had in dubai. Super fresh. Highly recommend”May 2025
-
Beef taco Net +2
“Loved the beef tacos too.”
Positive 2Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Loved the beef tacos too.”August 2021
“The Sustainability City branch is no less, and in fact the food was served much faster! The wait staff are all great and the food was faultless. We had the chicken quesadilla, beef taco (best dish) and chicken nachos.”June 2018
-
Chicken quesadilla Net +2
“The Sustainability City branch is no less, and in fact the food was served much faster! The wait staff are all great and the food was faultless. We had the chicken quesadilla, beef taco (best dish) and chicken nachos.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Sustainability City branch is no less, and in fact the food was served much faster! The wait staff are all great and the food was faultless. We had the chicken quesadilla, beef taco (best dish) and chicken nachos.”June 2018
“Food was good, Chicken Quesadillas were great, beef fajitas as well were tasty.”December 2024
-
Nachos Net +2
“Good quality Mexican food. The guacamole and nachos were the stars.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Good quality Mexican food. The guacamole and nachos were the stars.”September 2023
“Good quality. Nachos no comercial type, more like home made.”November 2019
-
Pastor tacos Net +2
“Loved this Mexican spot! 🌮 Tamales, ribeye tacos, pastor tacos—all so good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Loved this Mexican spot! 🌮 Tamales, ribeye tacos, pastor tacos—all so good.”August 2025
“Tacos al pastor good plate tacos in enough quality, tortillas are like homemade but not the best of the place.”November 2019
-
Ribeye tacos Net +2
“The Tacos Ribeye were delicious, the corn tortillas are made fresh in house!”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Tacos Ribeye were delicious, the corn tortillas are made fresh in house!”January 2019
“Loved this Mexican spot! 🌮 Tamales, ribeye tacos, pastor tacos—all so good.”August 2025
Honorable mentions (20)
-
Beef fajitas Net +1
“Food was good, Chicken Quesadillas were great, beef fajitas as well were tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was good, Chicken Quesadillas were great, beef fajitas as well were tasty.”December 2024
-
Chicken enchiladas with green sauce Net +1
“My husband had chicken enchiladas with green sauce and he enjoyed them very much.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My husband had chicken enchiladas with green sauce and he enjoyed them very much.”March 2023
-
Chicken nachos Net +1
“The Sustainability City branch is no less, and in fact the food was served much faster! The wait staff are all great and the food was faultless. We had the chicken quesadilla, beef taco (best dish) and chicken nachos.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Sustainability City branch is no less, and in fact the food was served much faster! The wait staff are all great and the food was faultless. We had the chicken quesadilla, beef taco (best dish) and chicken nachos.”June 2018
-
Chicken tamales Net +1
“However, they made up for that with their quality of food. Beef tacos and chicken tamales were lovely.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“However, they made up for that with their quality of food. Beef tacos and chicken tamales were lovely.”December 2018
-
Chips and salsa Net +1
“The chips and salsa was fresh and delicious. They were so good I ordered Nachos with the works for my dinner.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The chips and salsa was fresh and delicious. They were so good I ordered Nachos with the works for my dinner.”March 2023
-
Complimentary nachos Net +1
“Loved the complimentary nachos ❤️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Loved the complimentary nachos ❤️”August 2021
-
Jumbo chicken quesadilla Net +1
“I ordered jumbo chicken quesadilla, it was very good, the portion was also generous.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered jumbo chicken quesadilla, it was very good, the portion was also generous.”February 2021
-
Jumbo quesadilla Net +1
“I really like Maria Bonita 😍 is one of my favorite restaurants 😊 I recommend the jumbo quesadilla”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I really like Maria Bonita 😍 is one of my favorite restaurants 😊 I recommend the jumbo quesadilla”April 2025
-
Mini burritos Net +1
“We visited the restaurant we ordered birria tacos and mini burritos and it an Mexican food it was delicious highly recommend 😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We visited the restaurant we ordered birria tacos and mini burritos and it an Mexican food it was delicious highly recommend 😋”May 2026
-
Nachos with the works Net +1
“They were so good I ordered Nachos with the works for my dinner. It was a huge plate full of chips, fresh guacamole, sour cream, pico de Gallo, beans, cheese and jalapeños.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“They were so good I ordered Nachos with the works for my dinner. It was a huge plate full of chips, fresh guacamole, sour cream, pico de Gallo, beans, cheese and jalapeños.”March 2023
-
Queso fundido Net +1
“Queso FUNDIDO was the best and we enjoyed it so much.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Queso FUNDIDO was the best and we enjoyed it so much.”August 2021
-
Spicy sauce Net +1
“Sauce was tomato without spicy soft and fresh, I asked for some spicy sauce and they bring a really hot sauce well made and an amazing kind o mole.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sauce was tomato without spicy soft and fresh, I asked for some spicy sauce and they bring a really hot sauce well made and an amazing kind o mole.”November 2019
-
Tamales Net +1
“Loved this Mexican spot! 🌮 Tamales, ribeye tacos, pastor tacos—all so good.”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Loved this Mexican spot! 🌮 Tamales, ribeye tacos, pastor tacos—all so good.”August 2025
-
Birria tacos Net 0
Mixed feedback
“We visited the restaurant we ordered birria tacos and mini burritos and it an Mexican food it was delicious highly recommend 😋”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We visited the restaurant we ordered birria tacos and mini burritos and it an Mexican food it was delicious highly recommend 😋”May 2026
-
Beef chimichangas Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The food is just about average. We wanted to really try majority of their dishes so we placed orders for their nachos machos, chicken fajitas, jumbo quesadillas, beef and shrimp tacos, beef chimichangas and tamales. The presentation and portion sizes were nice but nothing really stood out in flavor or heat.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Chicken burrito Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“My partner said the chicken burrito was just ‘ok’, nothing special at all.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Jumbo quesadillas Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The food is just about average. We wanted to really try majority of their dishes so we placed orders for their nachos machos, chicken fajitas, jumbo quesadillas, beef and shrimp tacos, beef chimichangas and tamales. The presentation and portion sizes were nice but nothing really stood out in flavor or heat.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Kids’ meal Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“We also ordered the kids’ meal (chicken tenders and fries). While it was fine, we found the price of 42 AED a bit high for what seemed like a standard offering.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Nachos machos Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The food is just about average. We wanted to really try majority of their dishes so we placed orders for their nachos machos, chicken fajitas, jumbo quesadillas, beef and shrimp tacos, beef chimichangas and tamales. The presentation and portion sizes were nice but nothing really stood out in flavor or heat.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
-
Shrimp tacos Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The food is just about average. We wanted to really try majority of their dishes so we placed orders for their nachos machos, chicken fajitas, jumbo quesadillas, beef and shrimp tacos, beef chimichangas and tamales. The presentation and portion sizes were nice but nothing really stood out in flavor or heat.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
What to Avoid (9)
Food 9
-
Beef burrito Net −1
“Felt the beef Burrito had too much meat and less of the other stuff. A bit pricey too overall.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Felt the beef Burrito had too much meat and less of the other stuff. A bit pricey too overall.”September 2023
-
Beef quesadilla Net −1
“However, on their own, the dishes didn’t quite meet our expectations. We were hoping for more of the bold, signature Mexican flavors, but the food felt a bit mild and simple compared to what we’re used to. The burrito bowl tasted quite basic, and the beef quesadilla only consisted of beef and mozzarella cheese, which made it feel slightly plain without additional fillings or seasoning.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“However, on their own, the dishes didn’t quite meet our expectations. We were hoping for more of the bold, signature Mexican flavors, but the food felt a bit mild and simple compared to what we’re used to. The burrito bowl tasted quite basic, and the beef quesadilla only consisted of beef and mozzarella cheese, which made it feel slightly plain without additional fillings or seasoning.”February 2026
-
Burrito bowl Net −1
“However, on their own, the dishes didn’t quite meet our expectations. We were hoping for more of the bold, signature Mexican flavors, but the food felt a bit mild and simple compared to what we’re used to. The burrito bowl tasted quite basic, and the beef quesadilla only consisted of beef and mozzarella cheese, which made it feel slightly plain without additional fillings or seasoning.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“However, on their own, the dishes didn’t quite meet our expectations. We were hoping for more of the bold, signature Mexican flavors, but the food felt a bit mild and simple compared to what we’re used to. The burrito bowl tasted quite basic, and the beef quesadilla only consisted of beef and mozzarella cheese, which made it feel slightly plain without additional fillings or seasoning.”February 2026
-
Carne asada Net −1
“I've had the Flautas and Carne Asada, both lacked the flavor I'm used to in the United States - especially the flautas (literally tastes like chicken from a can rolled up in a tortilla with no other spices and fried).”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I've had the Flautas and Carne Asada, both lacked the flavor I'm used to in the United States - especially the flautas (literally tastes like chicken from a can rolled up in a tortilla with no other spices and fried).”June 2024
-
Chicken borrito Net −1
“Such such sad guacmole...chicken borrito was also so so basic.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Such such sad guacmole...chicken borrito was also so so basic.”January 2024
-
Enchiladas Net −1
“Extremely overpriced for extremely dissappinting food. Got the Enchiladas and tacos for take-aways. It comes as a prepacked meal that tasted and looked like old food that was reheated.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Extremely overpriced for extremely dissappinting food. Got the Enchiladas and tacos for take-aways. It comes as a prepacked meal that tasted and looked like old food that was reheated.”June 2025
-
Flautas Net −1
“I've had the Flautas and Carne Asada, both lacked the flavor I'm used to in the United States - especially the flautas (literally tastes like chicken from a can rolled up in a tortilla with no other spices and fried).”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I've had the Flautas and Carne Asada, both lacked the flavor I'm used to in the United States - especially the flautas (literally tastes like chicken from a can rolled up in a tortilla with no other spices and fried).”June 2024
-
Chicken fajitas Net −2
“My children had the chicken fajitas and they were mediocre.”
Positive 0Negative 2Neutral 1
Critical review excerpts
“My children had the chicken fajitas and they were mediocre.”February 2023
“The food was freshly prepared. We ordered chicken fajitas, burrito and fish tacos Baja style. The quantity of fajitas was very less in comparison to its price.”April 2025
-
Fish tacos baja style Net −2
“The food was freshly prepared. We ordered chicken fajitas, burrito and fish tacos Baja style. The quantity of fajitas was very less in comparison to its price. The taco only had fried fish and cabbage completely bland inside.”
Positive 0Negative 2
Critical review excerpts
“The food was freshly prepared. We ordered chicken fajitas, burrito and fish tacos Baja style. The quantity of fajitas was very less in comparison to its price. The taco only had fried fish and cabbage completely bland inside.”April 2025
“Everything lacked seasoning, colour and freshness, the fish in the baja tacos was dry and tasteless, no longer resembling fish.”April 2021
Tips for a Better Visit
Choose weather. Use the outdoor seating in cooler weather; a reviewer specifically recommended it for winter evenings.
Add heat. Ask for the spicy salsa if the main dish tastes mild; reviewers say it supplies the kick some dishes lack.
Arrive early. Come early for dinner: one review says the restaurant closes at 22h, with last orders at 21:50.
Check parking. If you are driving to this tucked-away branch, reviews note that there is plenty of car parking.
Plan the visit
Practical details
La Plaza Mall, Shop 2E
Wadi Al Safa 7 - The Sustainable City, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Price concerns
Several diners consider the food expensive, particularly when portions feel starter-sized or extras are limited.
Uneven flavour
Some dishes have been described as bland or less bold than expected, including a basic burrito bowl and quesadilla.
Inconsistent quality
Reviews range from fresh and flavoursome meals to reports of dry chicken, soggy takeaway tortillas and reheated food.
Service pressure
At busy times, reviewers have encountered too few servers, long waits and distracted or unhelpful service.
Hot outdoors
The outdoor area may be uncomfortable in warm weather; one diner specifically noted that the venue has no AC.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
49dhs
Maria guacamole
“Their ‘famous’ guacamole (priced at 49dhs!) wasn’t made at the table like they used to do, it came suspiciously fast and it tasted and looked like the ready made guacamole you can buy in supermarkets”Google review · April 2021
65dhs
guacamole
“And the guacamole can’t cost 65dhs”Google review · June 2023
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Maria Bonita is a Mexican restaurant in The Sustainable City that suits a casual family meal, especially if you are coming for tacos, fajitas or the table-made guacamole. Reviews mention birria, ribeye and pastor tacos, while the jumbo quesadilla and nachos also have loyal fans. The guacamole is the clearest recurring highlight: diners enjoy watching it being prepared in front of them, and one portion was described as enough for three or four people to share.
The setting is a big part of the appeal. There is indoor and outdoor seating, a relaxed community atmosphere and, according to one review, free EV chargers. The location can be easy to miss if you do not live nearby, but another diner noted plenty of parking.
Families are welcome, although outdoor comfort depends heavily on the weather and one review specifically complained that there is no AC. Expect some inconsistency. Many customers report fresh, generous and flavoursome food, but others found dishes bland, portions small for the price, or takeaway enchiladas and tacos soggy.
Service can also slow down when the restaurant is packed. Arrive early, ask for spicy salsa if you want more heat, and check that your order is right before leaving.