The queues that snaked their way up to what used to be the iconic Recorded Music Salon have all but disappeared, but Mamasita remains a trusty go-to, particularly for those with sensitive stomachs who don’t want their Mexican with a side of a belly ache – there’s a dedicated FODMAP menu, and staff are well-versed at serving coeliacs and vegans. After all that time, we’re still digging the cochinita pibil tacos with meltingly soft, slow-roasted pork and burnt tomatillo salsa, the punchy tuna tartare tostaditas, and the perennial Mamasita bestseller of street corn slathered with chipotle mayo, salty queso and lime. The drinks offering has always been strong – the Tamarind Margarita alone is worth its salt (rim), but if the tartness of tamarind isn’t to your liking, take your pick from five other Margaritas, micheladas (Mexican beer with sangrita, lime and salt), wines and a healthy non-alcohol selection.

On Collins Street, hidden at the top of a flight of stairs, behind an inconspicuous door is a high-ceilinged, authentic Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, Mamasita. Using ingredients you’d never think of to make mouth-watering Mexican delights, you’ll be sure to be singing its praises as you walk out the door. This cosy tapas bar is a great place to come with a friend or three who love to share.

Mexican street food meets fine dining, it's a simple premise and one that Mamasita absolutely nails. The upstairs restaurant just off Spring Street is a chic open space, an ideal location for breezy long lunches and after-dark tacos. An easy contender for the best Mexican restaurant in Melbourne's CBD, Mamasita's continued excellence still sees a raft of new and old diners ascending to the second-level diner and bar and making their way through the curated menu of that famous fish taco, the roaster pork belly with Guajillo sauce and knocking things off with the tamarind cheesecake.

Since opening in early 2010, Mamasita has built a reputation as one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in Melbourne’s CBD. Located at the top end of Collins Street above an inconspicuous 7/11, the chefs at Mamasita have been cooking up some of the most exciting and innovative Mexican dishes in the city. Beer battered fried fish, mushroom tostadas and confit duck leg are just a taste of what’s on offer. Catering to a wide range of dietary requirements, guests can also pair their meal with a fantastic selection of Mexican spirits for a great night out with friends.

An ode to Mexico City dining, Mamasita has established itself as one of the go-to spots for compelling Mexican cuisine with a contemporary angle on what’s being served. The menu features refreshed classics like slow-cooked beef short ribs, Yucatán ceviche, and chargrilled corn, while for those keen to wet their whistle, the range of tequila and mezcal is almost peerless in the CBD. Address: Level 1/11 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000Contact: (03) 9650 3821Opening hours: Monday — Thursday (12 PM — 9 PM); Friday — Saturday (12 PM — 10 PM); Sunday (12 PM — 9 PM)

An oldie but a goodie, Mamasita is one of the OG players in Melbourne’s Mexican wave, first opening its doors back in 2010. That famous front staircase has seen many a lengthy queue as people scramble to get their food fix amid an atmosphere of a perpetual party. The menu at arguably the best Mexican restaurant in Melbourne is a broad-ranging one, with snacks like tostadas, ceviche and terrific tacos, plus a handful of heartier shared dishes of meat to stuff in Mamasita’s stretchy hand-pressed tortillas.

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.

Mamasita is often credited as starting the craze for modern Mexican restaurants in Melbourne, and has inspired dozens of imitators since opening in 2010. Argentinian Head Chef Martin Zozaya draws upon his childhood in Mexico and what’s current in the Mexican food scene, to deliver a modern and slightly experimental take on regional Mexican cuisine. My favourite dishes are the street style corn on the cob, the crab & prawn tostaditas and the fish tacos.

Like all good things, a table at Mamasita is worth the wait, so follow the crowd to this Collins Street tradition. This incredibly popular eatery has been labeled the first real taqueria in Melbourne, and its elegant hardwood chairs, banquettes, and bar stools are crowded from lunch till late. A personable staff adds to the restaurant’s lively atmosphere, and the food concentrates on real Mexican tastes that are both novel and far from cliche.

It's no surprise that one of Melbourne's first taquerias, Mamasita, is still serving up delicious Mexican food. The rockling ceviche with aj panca, pomelo, river mint, and fennel the mushroom tostadas poblano, cotija, and huitlacoche, and the lengua tacos with arbol salsa, braised ox tongue, and crema are all excellent places to start exploring the varied menu. Plus, that's just the start of it.

A pioneer of Melbourne's Mexican dining scene, and arguably the best Mexican restaurant Melbourne CBD can offer, Mamasita is a staple, just off Spring Street. It's chic, it's upstairs, and it mixes American diner aesthetics with Mexican flair. Perfect for an after-dark feast paired with cocktails, Mamasita runs weekday specials on tacos and margaritas— the ultimate excuse for some midweek fun.

When it opened in 2010, Mamasita was a Mexican marvel, but it’s had ups and downs over the years. The kitchen is on song right now under Colombian-born chef Miguel Guerrero. Climb the narrow stairway and grab a perch to try his vegan mushroom tostaditas with cashew cream, the delightfully drippy braised ox-tongue tacos, and charred mussels with house-made Clamato sauce and carrot chips.

As one of Melbourne’s original taquerias, Mamasita still brings it. We recommend eating your way through the vibrant menu starting with the rockling ceviche with ají panca, fennel, pomelo and river mint, moving onto the mushroom tostaditas with poblano, huitlacoche and cotija, and then the lengua tacos with braised ox tongue, arbol salsa and crema. And that’s only the beginning.

The well-known Mexican fine-dining spot at the very top of Street is indeed a hidden gem for those who need a safe place to eat out without gluten. Mamasita's menu is nearly exclusively GF, and the wait staff is well-versed in celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Tacos made from pork hock with chicharrón, blue cheese, and pineapple are served on a corn tortilla.

With an exciting menu and interior fit-out paying tribute to your traditional Mexico City restaurants, Mamasita is Melbourne’s first proper Taqueria. Indulge in their gourmet cocktails and tacos whilst looking out the grand old windows onto one of Melbourne’s highly desired locations, Collins Street. Where: Level 1 / 11 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

If lunch queues spend an hour at Mamasita in the Central Business District are any indication, this Mexican restaurant is the greatest in town. A few years ago, these guys raced into Melbourne on the coattails of an upswing in hip Mexican eateries. Their braised prawn tacos, mojo chicken tostadas, and bbq octopus are still among the best in the city.

If you like Mamasita, you’ll love its northside little brother, Hotel Jesus. Dishing up some of the city’s freshest Mexican fare, this 70s-style Mexi-themed diner offers vibrant, tangy and traditional flavours with a modern twist. Try: The authentic, Verucrus-style brisket mole (slow-cooked beef in a spicy chocolate sauce).

Professing to be Melbourne's first true 'taqueria', Mamasita Restaurant is a spicy CBD hotspot. If you can stand the wait for a table, the fresh, vibrant tacos and authentic Mexican share plates will definitely make it worth your while. If you're hungry, utter "feed me" for six courses of Mamasita's best at a great price.

A proud purveyor of authentic Mexican cuisine, Mamasita is also one of the first mainstream Melbourne restaurants to offer an almost entirely gluten free menu. Known throughout the city as one of the best gluten free restaurants, Mamasita is a must visit for street-style quesadillas that will have hungering for more.

Location: 1/11 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9650 3821. At the top end of Collins St, is one of Melbourne’s most popular Mexican venues. Taking pride in the simplicity of Mexican cuisine, head chef Andrew Logan and his team have created one of the most vibrant dining hotspots in the CBD.

Standing in a slow-moving queue on the narrow stairs at Mamasita is a Melbourne rite of passage. And it's completely worth it. Mamasita kick-started the craze for street corn (elotes callejeros) that has revolutionised the small yellow cobs, and nurtured a new love for tostaditos and ceviche.

Nestled at the top of an unassuming staircase, Mamasita is one of Melbourne’s original modern Mexican hotspots. Impress the most discerning foodies with mouth-watering tuna tartare, furikake, and avocado salsa tostadas. Or slow braised chicken tacos with jalapeno mayo and salsa macha.

Mamasite is a beautiful light and airy venue with high ceilings and bar sitting. Their tacos are on the large size portion-wise, so make sure to come with an appetite. They also serve some of the best cocktails in the city so this is a double win.

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.

Mamasita has been around for a few years and still has an hour-long lunch line. Their prawn tacos, BBQ octopus and roast pork belly are all absolute winners. The ‘little brother’ of this trendsetter can be found in Collingwood called Hotel Jesus.

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.

Check out the super cool Fonda in Flinders Lane and Mamasita in Collins St, although neither take bookings so you’ll need to wait at their bar, leave your name at the door or go early.

At the top of a dodgy-looking stairwell is Mamasita, a Melbourne favourite since opening in 2010. They keep things pretty simple here; the focus is on tacos and tequila.

Mamasita: This Mexican restaurant in the CBD has a gluten-free menu that includes tacos, tostadas, and other traditional dishes made with gluten-free ingredients.

For a meal, I like Mamasita in Collins Place – the wait can be long but the food is worth it.