The Best Mexican Restaurants in Melbourne for a Fiesta
From authentic regional fare to buzzy Tex-Mex joints, these are the best Mexican restaurants in Melbourne to get your spicy fiesta fix.
Melbourne has long raced ahead of the pack when it comes to authentic, cooked-from-the-heart Mexican cuisine. And on top of traditional offerings, Melbourne also boasts refreshing modern margaritas and cheesy Tex-Mex.
From big, buzzing cantinas to tiny taquerias, these are our top picks for the best Mexican restaurants in Melbourne, guaranteed to add spice and a whole heap of flavour to your night.
Best Mexican Restaurants in Melbourne: Traditional & Authentic
Hacienda
Hacienda is taking authentic Mexican gastronomy to new heights. Offering an elevated dining experience, this Mexican restaurant in Melbourne is a must-visit with friends and family, especially if you have cause for celebration. You can’t go past the grilled oysters, and tuna tostada, as well as the pescado, for larger plates. Showcasing authentic Mexican through bold flavours harmonised with creativity, this is one to add to your hitlist.
28/3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank
Tres a Cinco
Tres a Cinco is an authentic Mexican cantina tucked away in Hosier Lane. Here, you’ll find small bites like flavourful Kingfish ceviche, crab tostadas, tuna bomba, and of course, their corn esquite. You’ll also have the opportunity to try their tacos and larger dishes, so we recommend coming with a group in order to have a little bit of everything. Alongside one of their many margaritas to choose from (we recommend the coconut margarita for a refreshing kick in summer), you’re in for some of the best Mexican in Melbourne.
3-5 Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Superchido
Seddon has scored itself another vibey spot to drink and dine with Superchido, a Mexican joint with plenty of flavour and flair.
At Superchido, the kitchen is creating dishes from across Mexico’s regions, like slow-cooked lamb barbacoa of Hidalgo to the saucy birria tacos of Jalisco. Make your way through the five house salsas on offer and wash it all down with a glass of rum-spiked horchata.
82 Charles Street, Seddon
Frankie’s Tortas and Tacos
Over the last few years, Frankie’s Tortas and Tacos has transformed a ramshackle former kebab stand into one of the hottest destinations in Melbourne.
Now, they finally have a bricks-and-mortar eatery on busy Johnston Street, meaning more space and longer opening hours – but the same delicious Mexican food.
Devotees come from near and far for the tortas, a beloved Mexican street food sandwich. Cheese is grilled into the bread before being layered with black beans, avocado and lettuce, and then juicy pork, crumbed and fried beef or mushrooms. We guarantee you won’t be hungry after one of these!
30 Johnston Street. Fitzroy
Best Mexican Restaurants in Melbourne: Modern Mexican
Sam’s Cali Cantina
Skip on down to Sam’s Cali Cantina — South Yarra’s sun-soaked slice of California cool. This isn’t just food, it’s a full-blown mood. Think hot honey fried chicken burgers, lamb barbacoa tacos that seriously slap, crispy fried prawns with chipotle crema, and plant-based bites so tasty you’ll forget they’re vegan (mushroom birria tacos, we see you).
Wash it all down with a punchy margarita or an ice-cold Mexican soda — and just like that, you’re living the Cali dream.
760 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Holy Guacamole
Holy Guacamole isn’t just another Mexican cantina — it’s a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture. Co-founded by cousins Laurent Linares and Leidy Avila, this Collingwood spot blends the bold flavours of Mexico and Colombia with serious flair. Think tacos, Arepa Nachos, and rich, slow-cooked Birria. There’s also El Mercadito, an in-house grocer filled with Latin goodies, and a drinks list packed with handcrafted cocktails.
Our tip? Order a zesty Paloma and don’t skip the churros with dulce de leche.
320 Smith Street, Collingwood
Hotel Nacional
If gluten intolerance has kept you from indulging in delicious tacos and burritos, Hotel Nacional is here to change the game. This gorgeous new Mexican spot on Hardware Lane serves 100% gluten-free dishes with a fresh, modern twist. Set in a stunning open-air rooftop, it’s the perfect place to savour everything from zingy tajín-coated corn ribs and house-made potato croquetas to hearty slow-cooked Barbacoa lamb.
Finally, gluten-free Mexican dining that’s as fearless and flavour-packed as it is beautiful — a true treat for your taste buds and your peace of mind.
23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
Bar Mexico
Tacos and Oaxaca Old Fashioneds are calling your name. Bar Mexico has brought the vibrant spirit of Mexico straight to Melbourne’s north, transforming the old High Street Northside Food Hall into a lively hotspot packed with bold street food, refreshing cocktails, and nonstop entertainment. With over 50 tequilas to sample and a soundtrack of pulsating Latin beats and Mexican-inspired DJs, this buzzing venue is set to deliver a fiesta that never quits.
39 High Street, Preston
Hotel Jesus
Bold, fast-paced, and decked out with one of Smith Street’s coolest fit-outs, Hotel Jesus channels nostalgic kitsch with a fiercely modern edge. Think fold-out chairs, gleaming tiled walls, and ceiling fans whisking you straight to a Mexico City backstreet. The kitchen fires up spicy delights like Kingfish tostadas and a tempting array of tacos.
Come Friday and Saturday, their bottomless brunch is a total knockout—think frozen margaritas and micheladas flowing freely to fuel your weekend vibes.
174 Smith Street, Collingwood
Mesa Verde
This CBD gem, high up inside Melbourne’s iconic Curtin House, is your go-to for tipples and tortillas. Snack on salsa macha-dipped school prawns and crave-worthy, saucy chilaquiles, all washed down with jugs of sangria and bold house cocktails.
Freshness and flavour take centre stage here, thanks to a rooftop garden supplying ripe, off-the-vine produce straight to the kitchen. As the weekend rolls in, Mesa Verde turns up the energy—drinks flow freely and music pumps, setting the scene for a vibrant night out.
Level 6/252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Mamasita
Widely hailed as Melbourne’s OG trailblazer in Mexican cuisine, Mamasita’s shine hasn’t faded over the years. This iconic CBD taqueria and bar consistently draws crowds with its authentic yet modern take on Mexican flavours — from zesty oysters with mango habanero salsa to rich pork belly tacos.
Don’t miss the chance to wash it all down with arguably the best Palomas in the Hoddle Grid, perfectly balancing tangy, refreshing, and punchy notes in every sip.
11 Collins Street, Melbourne
Best Mexican in Melbourne: Tex-Mex
Mission District
Named after the iconic San Francisco neighbourhood that made burritos famous, Mission District is a love letter to all things Tex-Mex. The star of the show? Their hefty Mission burrito—a two-hander stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, salsa and your pick of pork carnitas, beef brisket, rockling or mushroom. It’s bold, fresh and anything but greasy. With house-made salsas, coconut horchata and vibrant, flavour-packed plates, this spot proves Tex-Mex can be both craveable and seriously quality.
76 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea
Radio Mexico
For a post-beach feed, perch in Radio Mexico’s al fresco area for ‘lageritas’ (margs served tall with beer) and casual street eats.
The St Kilda favourite doesn’t pretend to be super authentic, but it hardly matters when you’ve got delicious snacks like panko-crumbed, cheese-stuffed jalapenos and spanner crab tostaditas to eat as you soak up the last of the afternoon sun.
11-13 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Best Mexican Restaurants Melbourne: Taco Mania & Casual Eats
Hotel Mexico
Hotel Mexico in Yarraville is where Mexican street food swagger meets laid-back Aussie vibes. With a sun-drenched rooftop, buzzing beer garden, and games to keep the crowd entertained, it’s a spot that doesn’t take itself too seriously — except when it comes to the food and drinks. Think smoky mezcal, zesty yuzu Palomas, and tacos loaded with slow-cooked beef or adobo chicken. Perfect for day drinkers, night owls, and anyone chasing bold flavours with a side of fun.
238 Whitehall Street, Yarraville
CDMX
CDMX is a fast favourite for taco lovers chasing bold flavours and breezy vibes in the heart of Melbourne Central and Brunswick East. From the team behind Seddon’s Superchido, this sleek taqueria celebrates the vibrant spirit of Mexico City with a menu focused on artisanal tacos and punchy sides. Expect crisp tortilla chips with zesty guac, citrus-zing fish tacos, and standout dishes like achiote-marinated pork belly or deep-fried potato tacos with smoky tomato-chipotle onions — a winning vegetarian option. Quick, cool, and endlessly tasty, CDMX is Melbourne’s go-to for street food done right.
315 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Ella Precinct, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
El Columpio
Packed with flavour and easy on the wallet — that’s precisely how we like our tacos, and El Columpio delivers every time. This Fitzroy favourite serves up some of the best tacos in Melbourne, hands down. The menu also features authentic pozole, a rich and spicy Mexican soup made with hominy and tender meat, plus a standout shrimp soup that hits all the right notes. If you’re after a vibrant, no-fail feast, this spot is calling.
52 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Taquito
Tortillas take centre stage at Taquito, where they’re hand-pressed daily from freshly ground corn and loaded with bold toppings like grilled ox tongue or smoky eggplant achiote. Made on-site, the tortillas and corn chips are crafted for maximum flavour and perfect texture—more than just a base, they’re the heart of every dish. With house-grown habaneros, vibrant salsas, punchy cocktails and playful sodas, it’s no wonder this place is a neighbourhood favourite.
350 Drummond Street, Carlton
Hello José
Bringing breezy Tulum energy to the heart of the city, Hello José is a cheerful taco joint that doesn’t take itself too seriously—except when it comes to flavour. Beach umbrellas, fairy lights and colourful flags give the place a festive, carefree vibe, with milk crates for chairs and wooden pallets as tables. Tortillas are pressed fresh daily, tacos are stacked with bold, vibrant fillings, and the cocktail list keeps things short, sharp and mezcal-laced. Don’t skip the churros.
85 Peel Street, West Melbourne
Los Amantos
Tucked away in Brunswick’s industrial heartland, Los Amantes has become every Northsider’s go-to for authentic Mexican eats and killer cocktails. It’s packed from Thursday to Saturday, and once you taste the goods, you’ll know why. The street food hits hard — crispy fish tacos, cactus salad, peppery potatoes with queso fresco — and the drinks are just as punchy. Think mezcal spritzes and Mexpresso martinis laced with tequila and chilli. Come for the tacos, stay for the vibes. This spot seriously delivers as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Melbourne.
339 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Dingo Ate My Taco
Dingo Ate My Taco might just be a humble food truck, but don’t let that fool you—the tacos are some of the best in Melbourne. Their legendary quesabirria is the star: corn tortillas fried in rich braising liquid, loaded with brisket, melty Oaxaca cheese, onion, and cilantro, then dipped in a deeply savoury consommé.
You’ll also find classic tacos, cheesy quesadillas, top-tier vegetarian options, and a horchata cold brew that’s worth the trip alone.
417 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Bodega Underground
Where else can you score killer tacos until 1am? This underground taqueria-meets-bar has everything you need to keep the good vibes rolling after dark.
Think juicy braised pork, spicy chorizo, or vegan sweet potato tacos topped with pickled onion and toasted pepitas. With mezcal flowing and music pumping, it’s no wonder Bodega Underground remains one of Melbourne’s favourite late-night haunts.
Sitchu Tip: Planning a daytime adventure? Bodega Underground serves up a seriously killer bottomless brunch worth clearing your weekend for.
55 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Now that you’ve conquered the best Mexican restaurants in Melbourne, check out our picks for the most delicious Japanese food, Greek mezze and Italian eats in town.