Yes, you can feast on Mexican vegan food in Melbourne. Refried beans, enchiladas, burritos, tacos and tortillas all punctuate the Mexican food that can be found in Melbourne, in vegan versions for vegan travellers. The key to good vegan Mexican food in Melbourne is how a restaurant can create colourful dishes that are bursting with well-rounded flavours and delectable textures. Here are just a few spots around Melbourne where you can sample vegan Mexican food.
Trippy Taco in Fitzroy and St Kilda
Thankfully for Melbourne, Trippy Taco can be experienced by the bay in St Kilda or in the inner-city vegan hotspot Fitzroy. Its founder discovered Mexican street food while on his travels in southern California. Upon returning to Australia, Simon continued making his favourite dishes before being inspired to open his own Mexican ‘locals’. Trippy Taco was thus born. Trippy Taco’s menu is all vegetarian with many vegan options to choose from. Though, its Trippy Taco’s breakfast menu items that sets Trippy Taco apart from other Mexican locales around town. Mexican food three meals a day – Trippy Taco is the ultimate Mexican food experience in Melbourne.
234 Gertrude Street Fitzroy Victoria 3065. Phone: +61 3 9415 7711. Open 12 noon to 9.00pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 12 noon to 10.00pm Friday and Saturday.
6 Acland Street St Kilda Victoria 3182. Phone: +61 401 530 509. Open 5.00pm to 9.00pm Monday to Thursday, 5.00pm to 9.30pm Friday, 12.30pm to 9.30pm Saturday and 12.30pm to 9.00pm Sunday.
Bay City Burrito in Hawthorn and St Kilda
Another popular Mexican spot that boasts more than one store is Bay City Burrito where travellers are fed signature burritos. Bay City Burrito’s founding roots also flourished in the U.S.A, this time in San Francisco in The Mission District; the “spiritual birthplace of the big burrito”. Bay City Burrito is an omnivorous location that serves up authentic burritos, with vegan options. Sample Bay City Burritos’ pulled jackfruit burrito, complete with vegan cheese, brown rice, corn, pineapple and fresh coriander. Or, you can craft your own signature vegan burrito with the fillings available.
838 Glenferrie Road Hawthorn Victoria 3122. Phone: +61 3 9818 1482. Open 7 days 12.00 noon to 9.00pm.
4-7 Shakespeare Grove St Kilda Victoria 3182. Phone: +61 3 9534 1582. Open 7 days 12.00 noon 9.00pm.
Paco’s Tacos in Melbourne CBD and Ringwood
A part of the Movida group, Paco’s Tacos is serving up fun and fresh Mexican food with craft beers, margaritas and sangria. Their general menu has vegetarian options, but vegan travellers can dine here from Paco’s Tacos separate vegan menu. Their creamy tomato enchilada is worth a try, best served as a dine-in meal within the restaurant’s colourful and contemporary surrounds.
1/500 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000. Open Monday and Tuesday 12.00 noon to 3.00pm, Wednesday and Thursday 12 noon to 9.00pm, Friday 12.00 noon to 10.00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.
Eastland Shopping Centre, R07/171-175 Maroondah Highway Ringwood Victoria 3134. Phone: +61 3 8820 8000. Open 12.00 noon to 9.00pm Monday to Thursday, Friday 12 noon to 10.00pm, Saturday 11.00am to 10.00pm and Sunday 11.00am to 9.00pm.
Taco Bill at various locations around Melbourne
It’s a wonderful story behind Taco Bill, a Mexican restaurant chain that’s been in Australia for over 50 years. Its founder ‘Taco Bill’ Chilcote, arrived in Queensland, in Australia’s north, in 1966 after travelling from the border of Mexico and California. Chilcote brought with him a corn grinder and tortilla machine to make tortillas and corn chips. What is beautiful about this travel story is that Australians were introduced to Mexican cuisine so many years ago. Without those like Chilcote, Melbourne would not have developed such a thriving penchant for Mexican food. Taco Bill claims to be the first Mexican establishment in Melbourne (and Australia, in fact), starting as a takeaway shop in Armadale then branching out with its dine-in locations. In more recent years, vegan options have been added to the menu so that vegan travellers can experience Chilcote’s authentic flavours in vegan versions. A number of Taco Bill franchises are now dotted around the country (including Melbourne).
Click here for a full list of Melbourne locations and operation hours.
Amor Mexico in Forest Hill
Forest Hill borders on Box Hill, which is known in Melbourne as a go-to precinct for traditional Chinese cuisine. While it may seem out of place for a Mexican restaurant to be located in a sea of Chinese restaurants, it’s an opportunity where Mexican-inspired food can flourish. Amor Mexico serves up delicious, Mexican cuisine with top-level service and dedication to its customers. Owners Alan and Amy To make customers feel at home with a warm shopfront and equally warm hospitality; connections are important here. They’ve started hosting vegan and vegetarian nights, and host a separate vegan menu outside these events. Their frijoles enchilada is a delicious choice.
13 Mahoneys Road Forest Hill Victoria 3131. Phone: + 61 3 9878 9508. Open Monday 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday 5.30pm to 10.00pm and Sunday 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
You can also find my tips in the GPSmyCity Self-Guided Walking Tours to Explore Melbourne, Australia.
