I love Mexican food, but Australia is notoriously bad to try and find the good stuff. Most places serve Tex Mex or Baja style, and while I do like this when it’s done well, it’s a world away from the fresh, bright flavours of real Mexican food. A bright spot on the food scene in Melbourne is Mamasita, which claims to have “no hard shell tacos, nachos or cheesy burritos, this is Mexican, real Mexican”.
On my recent trip to Melbourne I visited Mamasita for the second time. After a fabulous first visit in June, I knew I had to come back with Steve. I can tell that this will be a regular Melbourne haunt whenever I’m in town. It only opened in February this year and is already hugely popular, I’ve seen the line go down the stairs and onto the street. On a Monday at lunchtime, the restaurant was still surprisingly busy but we are seated quickly near the window.
I started with a cocktail, Margarita de Sandia that was an interesting blend of Herradura Blanco tequila, Cointreau and watermelon, served on the rocks. I think I can safely say I’m not a huge tequila fan, I found the taste overpowering. But if you are a tequila lover, you’re in the right place, with the list of tequilas on offer longer than all the other drinks combined! Steve tried a tamarind drink, which I wished I’d ordered one myself! It was quite unique but delicious and very refreshing.
I couldn’t go past Mamasita’s signature dish. The corn is grilled and covered with smoky chipotle mayonnaise and cheese, sprinkled with paprika and served with a wedge of lime. Yes, it is definitely as good as it sounds. And I have to thank my gorgeous friend Betty for recommending both the restaurant and this dish because I think I would have overlooked it with all the other delicious things on the menu. It really is a must try. The recipe has recently been in both Masterchef and Delicious magazines so I’m looking forward to making it at home.
The menu has changed a little since my last visit but I’m happy to see that my favourite grilled pork taco with pineapple and coriander is still there. I really loved the sweetness of the pineapple with the delicious pulled pork. We order one of these each, with Steve also going for the grilled fish taco with lime, achiote paste and red onion salsa, and me for the braised beef and chorizo. I didn’t try the fish but Steve said it was delicious, and I loved the tender beef.
Of course we had to try dessert, I ordered the coconut flan with prune syrup and sesame brittle. I loved the flan itself, it was smooth and creamy with just a hint of coconut, but I felt that the taste of the prune was quite overpowering. The sesame brittle was an interesting textural contrast. Steve chose the chocolate and chilli pudding with chocolate and cinnamon sorbet, which was excellent. I love chocolate and chilli together and this was no exception. The pudding was rich and slightly gooey in the middle, and the ice cream was the perfect accompaniment.
Next time I’d really like to try the Chicken Mole and the chipotle-braised goat! The wait staff were very friendly but when the restaurant is busy, they are a little hard to track down and it’s hard not to feel rushed to eat and leave when there’s a line of people waiting at the door. And as a word of warning, Mamasita doesn’t take bookings for less than 8 people, so it’s a good idea to get there early and avoid the queues.
Mamasita – Level 1, 11 Collins St, Melbourne
11 Comments on “Mamasita, Melbourne”
Looks fabulous (more pulled pork!!) When I was in San Francisco we went to a mod Mexican place also called Mamasita. AMAZING.
the chocolate and chilli pudding looks fabulous!
I so want to go to Melbourne just to go to Mamasita!! I have seen the recipes in Delicious – if you make the elotes callejeros can you let us know where you get the chillies from – I'm sure there is somewhere in Sydney where you can get them from – I just haven't run across them recently. We here in Australia have not yet truly experienced all Mexican food has to offer!
Oh, I feel so torn! I just booked a trip to Melbourne in a month's time and I have no idea which restaurants to put at the top of the list! It's been forever since I've had quality Mexican and those desserts sounds amazing… and yet I don't know if my brother will be prepared to wait in line!
Amazing Mexican food. Totally agree with you that we need a good one in Sydney
I had so many Melbournites recommend Mamasita to me the last time I was in town. Those pulled pork tacos call for a return trip…
I love Mexican food too!! OMG that pudding looks to die for!! YUM!!
What Deliciousness, hah I am so predictable, but pulled pork is the food of the gods!
Suze, it was sooo good 🙂
Cate, I think Herbies Spices would be a good place to start to find the chillies, he has a massive range!
Hannah, if you get there earlyish there shouldn't be too much of a line! and they're also open for lunch. but I think they're definitely worth a visit!
Ellie, Sydney is so lacking in good Mexican food! Definitely need a Mamasita in Sydney, I'm sure it would be very popular here.
Zina, definitely worth a visit! I know I'll be back 🙂
Dainty Baker, mmm I want that pudding again now!
when i went to mexico is when i really tried mexican food, outside en here in the UK it's just a wannabee…anywaym this menu looks very apetising though, cheers from london
are there any places in sydney you would recommend for good mexican food?
great post!!
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