The Best Mexican Restaurants in Melbourne
Remember when Mexican food was a box of hard-shelled tacos, a block of cheddar and a packet of spice mix? We’ve well and truly moved on from those days. Not only are Melbourne’s next-generation cantinas importing the obscure chillies, corn varieties and cheeses required to make genuine south-of-the-border cuisine, they have the agave-based spirits to match. So do it like the Mexicans do: order a few rounds of tacos or tostadas, and pair them with a Michelada, tequila or smoky mezcal. These are some of the best places in the city to do just that.
Words by Nick Connellan
Updated on 13 July 2026
Restaurant
Mamasita
There were Mexican restaurants before Mamasita, but it was the first one to bring a faithful representation to Melbourne. The “hot babe” has been around since 2010, but its grilled corn and flavoursome tacos still attract queues.
Restaurant
Santito
Tortillas made from true scratch separate this lively Mexican restaurant from the pack.
Restaurant
Taqueria Sin Nombre
Find this hidden Mexican bolthole from the owners of Dingo Ate My Taco and you’ll be rewarded with top-tier birria and al pastor tacos, plus clever original creations for vegans.
Restaurant
Frankie’s Tortas and Tacos
A schmick Mexican-style taqueria serving up tacos, hulking tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches), imported Mexican beers and house-made horchata. There are banquettes and high tables to sit at, or you can get your lunch to take away.
Restaurant
Chabela
After struggling to find the food they loved when living in CDMX, a husband-and-wife duo opened their own spot to showcase food that feels like home.
Restaurant
Radio Mexico
This spot just off St Kilda Beach is one of Melbourne's original Mexican restaurants, and it's still one of its best. That's thanks to an uncompromising commitment to quality ingredients. The drinks list, which includes a handful of Margaritas, complements the fun, shareable food.
Restaurant
Superchido
A colourful suburban diner plating up a pan-Mexican menu of favourites. There are tacos al pastor (and plenty of other regional styles), Mexico City-style street snacks and a front bar stacked with mezcals and tequilas.
Restaurant
Maiz y Cacao
The aim here is not to reinvent Mexican cuisine but to showcase it to the uninitiated, of which there are still plenty. Chef and owner Miguel Rios says it takes time and care to communicate what Mexican food really is.
Restaurant
CDMX CBD
At this lively taqueria from the team behind Superchido, confit beef-brisket and birria tacos arrive on your table in about four minutes, warm and crisp. It’s speedy service – just like in Mexico City. Also in Brunswick East.
Restaurant
Mercadito
The sister venue to Los Hermanos is a considered counterpoint that intends not to showcase a history of Mexican cuisine, but to reflect it right now.
Restaurant
Tres a Cinco
This lively cantina is all about home-style Mexican. Expect beef tacos exactly how they’re served in Mexico, prawn-and-chorizo tamales and a jiggly chocolate flan. Plus: eight different Margaritas and hard-to-find agave spirits.
Restaurant
Mesa Verde
This bar and restaurant inside Curtin House is all about agave-based spirits – but the food's no afterthought. Baja-style rockling tacos, achiote chicken quesadillas and Mexican doughnuts with salted espresso dulce de leche all go dangerously well with a margarita or the spicy riff on a pina colada.
Restaurant
Bodega Underground
This dim, characterful basement serves a wide range of proper tacos till late every night of the week. Do you even need to know more? Okay – there are around 70 mezcals and 20 tequilas on the back bar, and plenty of vegan options.
Restaurant
Taquito
This Mexican eatery makes its own tortillas and grows its own chillies and herbs. To drink, there’s wine on tap or you can buy mezcal from the in-house bottle shop.
Restaurant
Mission District
This “Cali-style” Mexican joint takes inspiration from the San Francisco suburb it's named after. Come for hulking burritos filled with pork carnitas, saucy queso tacos and house-made horchata. You can’t miss it – look for the glowing, burrito-worshipping neon sign.
Restaurant
El Columpio
Cowboy boots line the wall and Latin music plays over the speakers at this laidback Mexican spot. Order the signature is pozole, a hearty hominy-based Mexican soup that’s hard to find in Melbourne.
Bar
Little Hop
This taqueria is a simple kind of place, with just two beers on tap and tunes spinning away on the turntables behind the bar. Local hospitality workers like to stick their heads in for a quick chat and a taco before their shift. It’s open until late on weekends, so many return for a wind-down drink after work too.
Restaurant
Benzina Cantina
Hit this neon-lit Mexican bar for tacos and burritos loaded with pork belly, spiced chicken or mixed veggies. Devour your tacos in the cactus-lined courtyard or spacious dining hall, or climb to the rooftop for easy-drinking Margaritas and cold Mexican beers.
Restaurant
The Black Toro
Garen Maskal and his cousins, Aret and Sasoon Arzadian, are best known for their modern Armenian restaurant, Sezar. But at the Black Toro, they prove they're not one-trick ponies. The menu here isn't especially authentic – e.g. fried chicken ribs with chipotle mayo – but it's not thoughtless fusion, either. Visit for creative spins on quesadillas, "tlayudas" (Mexican pizza, in effect) and achiote chicken.
Restaurant
Village Cantina
This bright, buttercup-yellow restaurant is inspired by owner Rob Wilson's travels through Central America. Entrees lean North American and include jalapeno poppers and chilli fries. Things get more serious at mains, where tacos, quesadillas, burritos and nachos are made with La Tortilleria tortillas.
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