Tacos. Nachos. Margaritas. The perfect date night cuisine.
Mexican food is always a good pick me up no matter the day of the week, with a delicious combination of sweet, spicy and salty.
The trick is to find the ones that don’t break the bank, but leave you satisfied and coming back time and time again.
While mainly situated in the inner north of Melbourne, there are many fantastic authentic Mexican experiences to be had all around town. For your snacking pleasure, we’ve out together a list of all of our favourite cheap eats for when you need something a little more classy than the old G&G.
Cheap and delicious Mexican restaurants in Melbourne
- Mexican food is tasty and fresh and pairs fantastically with ice-cold cocktails
- It is the perfect food date night or a casual evening
- The options on this list are affordable and suitable for a student’s budget
Check out Beat Eats for the latest Melbourne food and booze news.
Tortas and Tacos
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- 30 Johnston St, Fitzroy
After expanding from a food truck into a full-fledged bar and restaurant, Tortas and Tacos has authenticity and freshness at its core. Delivering some truly spicy and delicious sandwiches and tacos, this Fitzroy joint makes for a great lunch or dinner spot without breaking the bank.
With marinades from local suppliers and salsas made in-house, Tortas and Tacos has some of the tastiest fresh Mexican in town.
Check out their website and head on down here.
La Tortilleria
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- 72 Stubbs St Kensington
- 2 Railway Pde, Highett
Featuring possibly the best Birria tacos I have ever tried, La Tortilleria’s menu is amazing. Simple but delicious smokey margaritas, classic fish tacos, delightful flan and affordable beverages – the Kensington eatery is almost always my go-to Mexican when I feel the craving coming. Don’t forget to take home one of their amazing pineapple salsa bottles on the way out!
Try their world-class birria here.
El Camino Cantina
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- 222 Brunswick St Fitzroy
Serving up Tex-Mex with an emphasis on the Tex, El Camino Cantina is famous for their weeknight deals. A warehouse restaurant, El Camino can host anything from a date-night dinner to a larger birthday celebration. Dynamic cocktails with all sorts of tropical flavours are available and pair perfectly with the tacos.
Check out their menu, book a table and taste their amazing margaritas here.
Bar Tobalá
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- 237 Melville Rd Pascoe Vale South
Located on the corner of Melville Rd and Bell St (just at the end of the 58 tram line), Bar Tobalá is a brand-new Mexican restaurant. One of the only places to eat and drink in style in Pascoe Vale South, Bar Tobalá offers a tight menu with simple but amazing beverages.
Slowly expanding their offerings, Tobalá’s Agave-based cocktails and natural wine are all an outstanding match with tacos or carnitas. With great options for vegetarians and vegans to boot, Bar Tobalá guarantees an intimate date night. Make sure to keep an eye on their Instagram as their menu is growing constantly.
Visit Bar Tobalá here to book a table.
Rosa Mexicano
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- 293 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
- 187 Nelson Place, Williamstown
- 70 Middleborough Rd, Burwood East
- 399 Melton Hwy, Taylors Lakes
- 37 Degraves St, Melbourne
Inspired by a love of Mexican culture and artist Frida Kahlo, Rosa Mexicano is a beautiful pink and blue establishment. With several locations to choose from in and around greater Melbourne, Rosa features an expansive but affordable menu stacked with options for all tastes. Key favourites include stuffed jalapenos, street corn, and paella.
With great options for all diets and a kids’ menu, Rosa Mexicano is perfect for hosting an event or party with any and all.
Make a booking and find out more here.
Fonda Mexican
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- 144 Chapel St, Windsor
- 248 Swan St, Richmond
- 236 Smith St, Collingwood
- 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
- 651 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn
- 425 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South
- 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone
Supplying Melbourne with their fix of gourmet Mexican street food, Fonda has possibly the best Elotes (Mexican street corn) I’ve ever tried. Cheap margaritas, fantastic share plates and killer style are all available at their six different locations around greater Melbourne.
Nothing is better than a takeaway treat or two and a picnic in the park. Pick a takeaway marg, share some nachos, add a few quesadillas on the side and you’re good to go.
Find your local and book a table here.
Taquito
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- 350 Drummond St, Carlton
Cantina, bottle shop, bar and eatery Tacuito is just off Lygon St and serves up some of the best quality Mexican on this side of the Yarra. With hand-made tortillas, lunch and dinner menus and housemade tequilas, mezcales and raicillas, Tacuito delivers a brilliant take on Mexican cuisine with a focus on authenticity.
Secure a table and browse their menu here.
Trippy Taco
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- 234 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Serving up a vegetarian and vegan answer to Mexican style street food, Trippy Taco is situated near the corner of Gertrude St and Smith St in Collingwood, right next to Northside records. Inspired by Southern California, Trippy Taco’s philosophy is community minded and about letting the food stand on its own.
With its orange awning contrasting on the blue record store it shares a wall with, you can’t miss Trippy Taco even in the bustle and colour of Collingwood/Fitzroy life.
Make sure to check out this local street food icon here.
Hotel Jesus
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- 174 Smith St, Collingwood
Offering up no-frills, market inspired snacks with mezcal and tequila, Hotel Jesus is hidden in a heritage post office on Smith St in the centre of Collingwood, right in the heart of northside culture. With a menu full of re-imagined classics, slow cooked meats and seasonal dishes, Hotel Jesus aims to please.
Featuring a gorgeous tiled interior along with a fantastic retro design, it’s the perfect place to waste the afternoon away. For the full Hotel Jesus experience, don’t miss their lovely bottomless brunch options.
Mamasita
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- 11 Collins St, Melbourne
Featuring modern Mexican and rare mezcals, Mamasita sits in the centre of Melbourne’s CBD. A bar at heart, Mamasita is an exquisite experience for enthusiasts of cuisine. Many favourites are to be found at this edgy, street-style city restaurant.
CDMX
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- 211 La Trobe St, Melbourne
We understand if you’re a little sceptical about good Mexican food being served up at the mall – we were too. But this Melbourne Central restaurant is as authentic as it is unassuming.
Serving up the (self-proclaimed) best birria taco in the city with unlimited free birria consome refills, this humble joint is a must-try for Mexican fanatics. Plus, word on the street is that they have a Brunswick location opening soon.
To try the acclaimed birria tacos, head here.
Radio Mexico
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- 11-13 Carlisle St, St Kilda
Come on the weekend and you’ll be faced with a line that runs around the block, but don’t you worry – it moves fast and it’ll be worth the wait. With an open-air design and a huge patio, this St Kilda restaurant is the perfect choice for when the weather gets warm.
On the menu, find a wide range of tacos, large plates and snacks. Make sure you don’t miss the Hibiscus Mezcalrita – the zesty, vibrant pink drink goes down a little too easily.
To see the full selection of offerings, head here.
