This tiny taco house lives next door to owner Frank Camorra’s MoVida, and is named after the two street numbers it occupies. Mexican chef Sarai Castillo’s taco menu values quality over quantity, with four fillings available. The battered rockling and jalapeño cream taco cradles a fillet almost too big for the tortilla; the juicy pulled pork shoulder, braised in orange juice and spices, is finger-lickin’ good. Castillo’s kingfish ceviche is zest at its best, cured in aguachile and topped with cucumbers, whipped avocado and red onion. For something larger, there’s roasted pumpkin with almond chocolate sauce or beef stew quesadillas. 3-5 Hosier Lane, Melbourne; tresacinco.com.au.

The Happy Mexican food truck is also now a bricks-and mortar taqueria. The menu of nachos, tacos and burritos isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s messy fun with fail-safe favourites. For the more adventurous diners, try the oxtongue taco or chicharron de queso – like a pulled pork quesadilla but with cheese instead of a tortilla. The kitchen runs at a fast pace, with taco platters and margaritas delivered to tables in quick succession. The platters let you pick from seven varieties, and the hefty serves include a giant nacho bowl, which could easily feed a family of four, while thick rolled burritos will be hard to finish solo. 108 Hoddle St, Abbotsford; thehappymexican.com.au.

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. Level 1/11 Collins St, Melbourne; mamasita.com.au.

It’s referred to as a no-frills Mexican bar and diner, and while it’s not frilly (think white and blue tiles and Coca-Cola signs), it’s definitely filling. For a relatively small venue, the menu is big, so we recommend going for “feed me” – a chef’s selection of the restaurant’s favourite dishes, designed to share. 174 Smith St, Fitzroy; hoteljesus.com.au.

Fonda Mexican is an ideal entry point to casual, Mexican street food. This is pick-it-up and put-it-in-your-mouth-immediately kind of food – from the chargrilled corn with chipotle aioli and the fried green tomato tacos, to the pasilla chicken quesadilla with pico de gallo, there’s everything to love about this colourful, bustling eatery. 248 Swan St, Richmond; fondamexican.com.au.

This two-level cantina serves some of the most authentic Mexican food you can find in Melbourne. We love the blue and white-corn tortillas, but can’t go past the El Cielo (home favourites), particularly the chicken sopes – handmade thick corn tortillas with tender chicken. 500 Victoria St, North Melbourne; elsabor.com.au.

For authentic Mexican dishes served well into the night, head to Los Hermanos. The de barbacoa (if that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the origins of the word “barbeque”) is a stand out – slow cooked leg of lamb served on an open tortilla. 339 Victoria St, Brunswick; los-hermanos.com.au.

Yes way Jose. It’s a small but perfectly formed menu that walks you happily through the land of (mostly meat) tacos. Zingy, fresh and bright flavours that match perfectly with the range of tequilas on offer. 85 Peel St, West Melbourne; hellojose.com.au.

Si Senor is a relatively undiscovered little gem in Balaclava, a suburb not known for it’s Mexican prowess. Follow the neon pink “Eat Drink Love Tacos” inside and order the pulled beef brisket taco with caramelised onion. You won’t be disappointed. 193 Carlisle St, Balaclava; sisenor.com.au.

The state of Jalisco in Mexico is the birthplace of Tequila. So it’s fitting that there are over 100 bottles of the good stuff in this colourful little restaurant. The punchy food matches the décor – we love the tiger prawn taco and stuffed jalapeños with chipotle mayo. 69 Chapel Street, Windsor; jaliscomexican.com.au.