Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of escapism?
Teleport yourself to somewhere far from home to the city filled with a rich, vibrant, and colourful culture. The country I’m thinking about is known for its spicy cuisine and festive drinks to match. Can you guess where?
Round up your amigos and let your mouth enjoy a palate full of flavour with every bite. You can thank me later when you’ve stuffed your face through the vibrant menu. Muchas Gracias.
Here’s 10 Mexican restaurants I’ve gotta TACO ‘bout.
Bodega Underground
55 Little Bourke St, Melbourne CBD
Tequila lovers, this one is definitely for you!
Like all great friendships, tequila was the first thing that brought the owners Julian Downing and Geoff Machirus together. Bodega is a mezcal bar and restaurant, open every day of the week. As you enter the basement, you’ll find a secret underground bar stocked with 70 mezcals, 20 tequilas and covered in movie posters from the golden age of Mexican cinema.
There is a wide variety of tacos to choose from that will delight everyone’s tastebuds. There is battered fish, pork, grilled octopus, fried potatoes, and mushrooms, just to name a few. Not to worry, there are many vegetarian and vegan options, you don’t have to pick between naked corn and fried potatoes, you can have it all.
There is an additional list of cocktails, which include concoctions of tequila and mezcal, along with a peripheral beer and wine list to complement the drinks list. But watch out for the mezcal because it’s the deadly, lethal relative of tequila, so approach with caution and awareness.
110 Greville St, Prahran
Here at Casa N.O.M their use of the agave plant will make you feel like you are in Mexico alongside their themed cocktails that blend in with the Latin ambience.
Influenced by South American culture and cuisine of a local mezcaleria, Casa N.O.M was created by the brothers Nicholas and Thomas Welch. Five different mezcals will be available to you, all of which emphasize and celebrate the authenticity of mezcal.
The beer is a blend of South American lagers and the wine comes from Latin America. In addition to serving Mexican food, Casa N.O.M also makes a fantastic choripan, a traditional Argentinian sandwich filled with chorizo, chimichurri, salsa criolla, mozzarella, and pico-de-gallo. Take advantage of hearty shared dishes like pulled pork quesadillas, and seasonal empanadas.
And to sweeten the deal, a show-stopping dessert like a frozen margarita pie can cap off your meal.
2 Railway Parade, Highett
There are five distinct kinds of margaritas to try at Hot Lips Hacienda, along with 25 bottles of mescal and tequila. The food is as authentically Mexican as it gets.
This contemporary Mexican fiesta offers a simple and joyous menu of shareable street food. Think of flavourful tacos, a bite-sized, crispy fried tortilla from La Tortilleria, slow-cooked pork flavoured with citrus and spices, pineapple salsa, jalapenos, and coriander. Additionally, there are Chilaquiles Negros, a more traditional kind of nachos and perhaps some churros for dessert. A variety of dishes without animal products are available to satisfy vegetarian and vegan Mexican cravings.
69 Chapel St, St Kilda
Jalisco Mexican is a tiny window into paradise, with pictures and artwork from the 70s and 80s adorning the walls. The beer garden is open all year-round and has a wall covered in graffiti and sparkling fairy lights at night.
The menu has a mix of share platters and individual portions. You must try their fish tacos, braised beef tacos, and the popular tequila-lime tiger prawn fajitas stuffed with fresh guacamole, and Mexican rice served on flour tortillas.
A variety of gluten-free and vegetarian alternatives are available on the menu, so allergy-afflicted foodies don’t have to miss out.
The restaurant also offers eight Mexican wines and beers and not to mention a 96-bottle-long-list of different tequila varieties. Tacos and booze. Excellent combo for any day of the week.
11 Collins St, Melbourne CBD
The Spanish word Mamasita translates to “hot babe”. Oh my goodness do Mamasita serve some sexy modern classic Mexican dishes and mezcals, you’ll leave feeling like a hot babe.
Every year, Mamasita travels back to their hometown in Mexico to eat more, learn more and bring back the flavours they believe you should be able to experience. This is evident with every dish as they only use genuine recipes and ingredients. You can be confident that what you’re indulging in is truly a representation of the best food and beverages Mexico has to offer.
There’s an in-house Mezcalier to discuss everything related to agave spirits, with traditional Mexican drinks to complement your food, and a wide selection of mezcals and tequilas to pick from.
Mesa Verde
Level 6, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
Australia’s largest collections of agave spirits are housed on the sixth level of Melbourne’s infamous and iconic Curtin House (Tequila, Mezcal, and Sotol). The love for everything agave. A selection of new and imaginative margaritas will get you into trouble. A variety of rare and intriguing spirits from all over the world are kept on the back bar, which is also equipped with a lot of firepower.
The kitchen pushes the limits while appreciating the beauty of time-honoured Mexican flavours and methods by using seasonal and local ingredients. A must-try at Mesa Verde is the crowd-favourite crispy prawn tostadas and the baja fish tacos. This is the fiesta of all fiestas.
11-13 Carlisle St, St Kilda
A cosy courtyard with a fireplace was once a former bicycle warehouse. One of Melbourne’s original Mexican restaurants, Radio Mexico is a cheery, warm taqueria that makes you feel right at home. I know you see that fireplace, looks pretty cosy and warm to me! What about some comfort food to put the cherry on top?
Your initial impression of the taqueria is their famous carros de tacos, a custom-built taco cart. The menu is a fusion of fine dining and food trucks, offering a variety of authentic Mexican street foods produced with high-quality ingredients. Full of succulent delicacies, including the essential tacos made with barbecued pork belly and pineapple, beer-battered fish, and guajillo-chili tofu with hibiscus mole. It’s a must to order a few nicely shaken margaritas to go with everything.
2-4 Cremorne St, Richmond
South of the Wall is a Mexican restaurant and margarita bar decorated in cheerful pastel colours with lots of cosy seating, including a few tiki-style lounges. This restaurant is described as full of life, colour and positive vibes. There’s something that has won over everyone’s hearts and it’s their never-ending margarita menu (TEN different margaritas to be specific).
Are you prepared to test your spice levels? There’s a “Fuck That’s Hot” taco and they’re not joking when they say it’s crazy hot. Something a little less hot is the El Diablo taco with luscious al pastor pulled pork, cilantro, onion, hot sauce mayo, flaming hot cheetos and salsa verde; this is the one you just must order!
The popular Taco Tuesday features $4 tacos, $12 margaritas, espresso martinis, sangria, and an assortment of beers and wines. The menu is vibrant, spicy, and full of flavours plus you get to enjoy your meal with a giant controversial Donald Trump mural peering over the wall.
312 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Si Señorita entices foodies into a taqueria that serves some of Melbourne’s most incredible Latin food. Tacos and quality tequila are for sure the main attractions at this cantina. They offer a Spanish and Peruvian cocktail list, as well as handcrafted margaritas and an extensive collection of small-batch, specialty tequilas and mezcals. Now that’s A LOT of alcohol!
For $5 tequilas, Tuesdays are the best days to go (nothing better than cheap tequila, am I right?). Order the spicy senorita roulette which includes five tacos that all look the same but one of which is seasoned with extra spicy sauce. Bring on the fire and flame. Who doesn’t love a game of roulette? The game offers suspense, fun and chuckles.
7/478 Chapel St, South Yarra
I saved the best for last.
It’s my director’s favourite Mexican restaurant.
Hecho en Mexico delivers a tiny piece of Mexico to the suburbs of Melbourne. A tailored menu is available to accommodate every age group and preference. You can customise your quesadilla, taco, enchilada, ensalada, and burrito however you desire. You have the option to change the filling, pick your salsa (if you can’t handle the spice, go with their mild tomatillo), add more guacamole, and, if you’re feeling daring, drown your meal with a splash of extra hot sauce!
Beverages to pair with your heated quesadilla include beer, wine, tequila, a jug of sangria, or one of their fantastic frozen margaritas. Throw on a sombrero because it’s party time!
