Mesa Verde

THE VERDICT

If you dare climb Swanston Street’s Curtin House stairs or simply take the lift, you'll find Mexican tequila bar and kitchen Mesa Verde sitting high on the sixth floor, just underneath Rooftop Bar.

Mesa Verde boasts one of Australia’s largest tequila and mezcal collections with over 200 variations, so you know the cocktails will be good. Go the Holy Mountain with Habanero mezcal, curacao, strawberry and bay leaf shrub, lime, and curry salt. But if you find yourself staring at the 16+ options with zero idea of what to get, chat to the friendly staff and they'll find the cocktail to match your liking.

Moving onto tacos, their menu is absolutely drool-worthy. Executive chef Jacob Green has managed to put Mexico on a plate with five taco flavours, serving up roast pumpkin, beer battered fish, braised ox-tongue, chargrilled achiote chicken, and fried green tomato tacos. Other superb dishes include quesadillas filled with smoked ancho-spiced adobo, kingfish ceviche, kangaroo loin skewers, and the O'Connor ribeye.

After loving this venue consistently throughout the years, Mesa Verde has rightfully earned the official-unofficial institution stamp from us.

TL;DR: Go to Mesa Verde. Like, now.

​Image credit: Mesa Verde | Annika Kafcaloudis