You can barely swing a tortilla without hitting one of the next-gen Mexican Cantinas popping up in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Gone are the days of greasy minced meat, these eateries have upped the stakes with flavorsome dishes featuring bursts of fresh, tropical produce that showcase only the finest local ingredients.
Here’s our low-down on the go-to Mexican hits:
Sydney
Playa Takeria
Taking residence on what was previously known as Fish Face, Player Takeria is making it a home of its own and spicing things up!
The Takeria exudes artistic and creative flair, featuring a mural of Freda Kahlo by an Argentinean artist, Skullavera. Tuck into some fresh fish ceviche, chicken burritos or pork and pineapple tacos!
The plan is to jazz up the scope of artworks and implement a different array of International artworks every few months to keep things fun and fresh. So zip down to Darlinghurst and experience this cultural Mexican feast.
Playa Takeria
Where: 132 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
Contact: +61(2) 9332 4206
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday 11-3pm, 6pm-10pm
Friday 11am-3pm, 6pm-11.30pm
Sat 11am-11.30pm
Website: playa.net.au
El Loco
Mexicano with a healthy twist! Set to send you completely loco, enjoy a Raw Salmon Taco with Daikon and carrot salad, or go full steam ahead with the Famous El Loco Beef Burger with American cheese, roast chilli salsa and Jalapenos on a soft bun. You can even opt for a lettuce leaf instead of a taco for a healthy option. El Loco is the ultimate Mexican stopover where you can go as healthy, or as unhealthy as your heart desires.
El Loco
Where: Excelsior Hotel, 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills 2010
Contact: 02 9240 3000
Opening Hours:
Mon-Thurs 12pm till late
Friday & Sat 12pm-3am
Sun 12pm-10pm
Website: merivale.com.au/elloco
Melbourne
Fonda
“La Fonda” refers to a hotel or home in Mexico that serves food; this seems fitting as Fonda now resides in 4 “homes” scattered across the Melbourne Foodie scene. The locations include Richmond, Windsor, Flinders Lane and Hawthorn. Ditch the processed and oily Mexican food stereotype, Fonda is stepping things up a notch with fresh made corn tortillas and all ingredients sourced from the Queen Vic markets, rice is also substituted with quinoa to give a much welcomed healthy twist to the Mexican cuisine.
The restaurant fit outs take on a contemporary spin with Mexican Architecture, exuding cultural Mexican flair. The contemporary spin on traditional Mexican paired with top-notch fresh Mexican street food truly reins supreme; look no further.
Fonda Mexican
Where: 248 Swan Street, Richmond
Contact: 03 9429 0085
Opening Hours:
Mon- Wed 11.30am to 9.30pm
Thurs- Sat 11.30am to 10.00pm
Sun 11.30am-9.30pm
Website: fondamexican.com.au
Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria
With a founder born and raised in Mexico, it’s no surprise Bruno Carreto is responding to the Mexican culinary boom in truly authentic Mexican style food. Soak in the vast array of flavours and spices set to blow your taste buds away. We say try the slow cooked lamb dish cooked over an open fire, paired with Mescal and Tequila. Los Hermanos is authentic comfort Mexican food at its best!
Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria
Where: 339 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Contact: (03) 9939 3661
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat 5.30 pm – 11.00 pm
Website: los-hermanos.com.au
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