From smoky mezcal cocktails to slow-braised birria tacos dripping with consommé, Melbourne's Mexican food scene is hotter than a habanero right now.
We've scoured the city to bring you the must-try taquerias, cantinas and modern Mexican kitchens that'll transport your taste buds straight to Mexico City.
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So munch on authentic street tacos and gulp your margaritas, because our 2025 guide on Melbourne’s best Mexican food has you covered:
Street Taste
Carlton, Preston & CBD
This popular eatery is all the rage, nailing the fiery, fun spirit of Mexican street food in Melbourne. Think birria tacos soaked in rich consommé, dynamite shrimp with a kick and loaded fries smothered in chili caramel and spiced beef. Street Taste's $10 margaritas (hello, Taco Tuesday!) and creative mocktails (Oceans Breeze or Yakult Probiotic Lychee drink, anyone?) pair perfectly with the feast-worthy platters—like the Mexican Feast (tacos + corn + tres leches). Don’t miss the short rib sandwich or the grilled cheese burger with blue cheese. With neon lights and shareable vibes, it’s a fiesta for groups and solo taco crusaders alike.
Sam's Cali Cantina
760 Chapel Street, South Yarra
South Yarra’s go-to for Californian-Mexican fusion brings the heat (and the sweet). Their pork carnitas tacos—slow-cooked in citrus broth and topped with habanero hot sauce—are fabled, but don’t sleep on the birria nachos (beef or mushroom-jackfruit) dripping with three cheeses. For something fried-and-fancy, the Hot Honey Fried Chicken or corn ribs (tossed in tajín and lime crema) are instant mood-lifters. Pair it all with a Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita or a Mango Habanero Sour for maximum vibes. One thing to know about Sam’s is that the plant-based options (like mushroom birria tacos) rival the meaty mains—no compromises.
Si Señorita Bar
312 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Si Señorita is a agave-fueled love letter to Latin America, where bottomless fiestas (90 minutes of quesadillas, mimosas and rotating cocktail jugs!) and $12 margarita happy hours (Tues-Thurs) reign supreme. The vibe? Intimate and spirited—this place offers smoky mezcal, birria tacos and chicharron crackling with authenticity. Don’t miss their Micheladas (Mexican beer cocktails) or the vegan-friendly quesadillas. With rare tequilas and bar staff who geek out on Tecate beer, it’s a celebration disguised as a bar.
“Head there on Wednesday’s for torta ahogadas, Guadalajara’s saucy drowned sandwich, the special you didn’t know you needed,” Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says.
Bar Mexico
39 High Street, Preston
Image credit: Bar Mexico | Instagram
Bar Mexico is Melbourne’s ultimate fiesta spot for tequila appreciators, with 50+ agave spirits (sippable in flights or margaritas) and a live DJ spinnin’ records. The Spicy Marg (green habanero kick) and Mexican Paradise highball (coconut, pineapple and yuzu) will make you all warm, but the real star is the Birria Quesadilla—a molten masterpiece of braised beef, cheese and consommé for sinking. Go all-in with the DIY Taco Feast (slow-cooked meats, fresh tortillas) or keep it classic with elote (grilled corn dripping with queso). End with the Dulce Azteca—dulce de leche and ice cream in a waffle cup—because why only stick to tacos?
Hotel Nacional
23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
Gluten-free and unapologetically bold? This Hardware Lane favourite—from the minds behind Repeat Offender and Rufio—is Melbourne’s answer to worry-free Mexican feasting. Dive into Hotel Nacional's birria beef tacos with consommé for dunking, or surprise your palate with the cauliflower tofu escabeche (a textural slam dunk of silk, crunch and salsa macha heat). The barramundi with achiote and pickled cactus is a showstopper, but the $75 set menu is a gluten-free haven—featuring croquetas, duck taquitos and dulce de leche flan included.
“Save room for bottomless brunch margs on the rooftop bars (yes, there are two),” Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says.
Little Hop
77 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Housed amidst Brunswick Street’s bustle, Little Hop is where craft beer nerds, late-night taco cravers and vinyl enthusiasts make contact. The team behind the beloved (but departed) B’Stilla Cantina teamed up with Los Hermanos to create this effortlessly cool spot—where NZ brews (8 Wired, Epic) and $8 tacos (try the smoky al pastor or beer-battered fish) share the stage with bluesy turntable spins. The menu is brief but mighty: stacked with gooey quesadillas, beef empanadas and churros submerged in dulce de leche. Open ‘til 1am on weekends, it’s the ideal post-shift unwind for hospo crews—or anyone who believes tacos taste better with a margarita and a side of nostalgia.
Hello José
85 Peel Street, West Melbourne
This cheeky Mexican haunt isn’t just about tacos—it’s about José, the elusive spirit (literal and metaphorical) who left behind life-changing green salsa, delicious margaritas and a vibe so lively, you’ll swear by it. The 6 Taco Tuesday deal (paired with 6 tequila shots) is a no-brainer, but keep space for the birria quesadilla—oozing with slow-cooked beef and cheese. Need some liquid therapy? $14 mid-week margs (spicy or orange + passionfruit) will do the trick. The DIY Taco Feast is your squad’s ticket to the mess (in the best way). Just don’t ask where José went.
“Keep an eye out for their bottomless boozy brunches (tacos + sangria for $69pp),” Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says.
Taquito
350 Drummond Street, Carlton
Carlton’s unsung hero of Mexican cuisine rolls out handmade tortillas, $5 Monday tacos (Monday, you didn’t read that wrong) and a devotion to Mexico City’s soulful flavours. Chef Paul Clarke and owner Alec Villarreal (a Mexico City native) craft dishes like kangaroo tail quesabirria (pan-fried in consommé) and woodfired lamb rump with tomatillo salsa, all served on stone-ground corn tortillas pressed daily. Wednesdays at Taquito bring a vegan menu takeover, while mezcal lovers can wolf down some Oaxacan tastings paired with chilli grasshoppers. Be sure to try the Snow Pea Margarita—a herbaceous twist on the classic—or the alambre tacos, loaded with BBQ steak, chorizo and bacon.
Frankie’s Tortas & Tacos
30 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
From its humble beginning at Smith Street caravan to its now-iconic Johnston Street home, Frankie’s has cemented itself as Melbourne’s go-to for CDMX-style tortas (Yes, those glorious, overstuffed Mexican sandwiches). The Al Pastor torta (marinated beef with pineapple) and Pollo Milanesa (crispy chicken) are the stars, but don’t snooze on the carnitas tacos or their special sea bream aguachile. The interiors are a bright white-and-red paint job, tiny stools and a Fitzroy crowd sipping watermelon-mint agua fresca between bites. Grab a booth, order a side of chicharron (pork crackling) and lean into the bites—this is anti-pretentious Mexican at its best.
Holy Guacamole
320 Smith Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
The part Mexican cantina, part Latin grocer (El Mercadito), Holy Guacamole is a vibrant eatery bringing authentic flavors to Collingwood. Specializing in bold Latin flavors, the menu features handcrafted street tacos, Colombian arepa nachos, juicy ricotta-coated corn ribs and their very own açai bar. Don't miss their signature guacamole (their grandma’s recipe) or the micheladas—spicy, refreshing and dangerously drinkable. Holy Guacamole is our way of sharing that love with each other, with our heritage, and with everyone who walks through our doors,” say founders Laurent and Leidy. The team has teased their upcoming classic birria tacos, made with the freshest ingredients.
“Visit soon to enjoy their grand opening specials: $5 tacos, $6 sangria and $11 palomas, as well as a daily happy hour from 12-6pm with discounted drinks," Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says.
The Black Toro
79 Kingsway, Glen Waverley
The Black Toro is a smoke-kissed gem that has been serving modern Hispanic flavors since 2012. The Mibrasa charcoal oven is the star here, pumping out 12-hour lamb barbacoa (fall-apart tender with three sauces) and crispy pork hock drizzled in guajillo chilli caramel. Smaller plates? Try their special agave roasted carrot with chimichurri and labne, kingfish tostada (topped with peanut slaw) and lemongrass beef tacos are musts. Don’t leave without trying the chocolate brownie taquitos—deep-fried to perfection. Wash it all down with their refreshing Watermelon Margarita for a wholesome meal.
Tres a Cinco
3-5 Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Trust Tres a Cinco to elevate Mexican street food with modern flavors. The quesa birria (three cheese-crusted beef quesadillas with rich consommé) and kingfish aguachile ceviche (with jalapeño and cucumber) captures their flair for fresh, vibrant dishes. Don't miss the taco de pancita—crispy pork belly with smoky chili sauce and pickled cactus. Standout veggie options include brocoli con mole (charred broccoli with almond mole) and corn esquite (off-the-cob street corn with feta and chili). End with moist mostachón de frutos rojos, a airy meringue with berries.
Mamasita
Level 1/11 Collins Street, Melbourne
Melbourne's OG contemporary Mexican since 2010 still delivers the goods. Mamacita's famed elote (chargrilled corn slathered in chipotle mayo and queso) remains unbeatable, while the tuna tostada (with ponzu and jalapeño mousse) showcases their creative side. The $59 banquet is the way to go—featuring crispy sweet potato tacos, rich overnight beer-brisket tacos, and their signature twice-cooked pork belly with black salsa. Their house margaritas—refined over 15 years—are essential; the Fuego Margarita with Tequila Reposed and chilli will have you exclaiming ¡Ay, mamacita!
Mesa Verde
Level 6/252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Perched atop Curtin House, this sixth-floor sanctuary reimagines Mexican cuisine through Melbourne’s seasonal lens. The kitchen—sourced by produce from their rooftop garden—brings dishes like kangaroo skewers with sour cherry chamoy and O’Connor brisket quesadillas with grilled cactus. Raw bar standouts include kingfish crudo in pineapple aguachile and smoked mussel tostadas atop macadamia-coconut mole—chase it down with the Portrait Of Maria, made with sugar snap pea, Geraldton wax and citrus. For the full experience at Mesa Verde, sample their highlights like pork cochinita pibil tacos and ribeye with guajillo butter. Something sweet? The Oaxacan chocolate crème brûlée is perfectly delectable.
"Trust us—let Chef Jake blow your mind with his $89 tasting menu. The agave pairings? Non-negotiable," Urban List Melbourne Editor Navarone Farrell says.
Head here if you're looking for more about Mesa Verde which has claimed our coveted Institution Status.
Dingo Ate My Taco
417 St Kilda Road, Melbourne (Wednesdays & Thursdays) / The Bendigo Hotel, 125 Johnston Street, Collingwood (Wednesday-Sunday)
This cheeky taco slinger puts a wild Aussie spin on Tex-Mex street food. Dingo Ate My Taco's smoked Texas brisket taco (on handmade flour tortillas) is a carnivore’s dream, while the huitlacoche taco (featuring rare Mexican corn fungus) is a vegan favourite. Don’t miss the Birria Quesatacos—three cheese-crusted beef tacos with consommé for dipping—or the loaded ¡Un Chingo De Birria!, which includes 16 Birria Quesatacos and consomé to share with 3 salsas. Had a big night? Buy their Hangover Special (chorizo, egg, and Oaxacan cheese tacos with a Dirty Horchata chaser)
If you're looking for more around Bendigo, try Dingo's food partner The Mill Brewery .
Los Amantes Del Agave
339 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Los Amantes Del Agave, FKA Los Hermanos, brings Mexico City's soul to Melbourne, housing 150+ agave spirits and late-night Cumbia vibes. Los Amantes' lamb barbacoa tacos—slow-cooked in beer (Yes, beer!) and cactus salad (with lime-marinated nopales) showcase authentic flavors, while the mezcal margarita (with chilli salt rim) packs a smoky punch. Don't skip on the Pork Morita—cinnamon-spiked slow-cooked pork on mini tortillas. The jasmine-scented courtyard transforms into a summer fiesta, perfect for sharing flautas (crispy rolled tacos) with the hermanos and working your way through their Mexpresso Martini, with Herradura reposado, Kahlua and cold drip coffee.
Main image credit: Mesa Verde | Annika Kafcaloudis
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