Señoritas

This place has great ambiance and service. The food is delicious. Drinks are expensive (like everywhere in Melbourne) but yummy. The three of us sat at the bar and had an amazing time talking and laughing with the bartenders :)

I wish I could remember what I ordered eating here, but unfortunately it was a few months ago. I still wanted to write a review as I really loved the experience of dining here, it had such a nice atmosphere, and I do remember being impressed by both the food and the cocktails on offer.
I regularly see here and Mamasitas being rated the two best Mexican’s in the city, and the only reason I chose here over Mamasitas is that we could reserve a table, which if you are dining on a weekend night is a pretty big deal.
HIghly recommended!

a side street mexican restaurant with a bit of class. señoritas does mexican well and has some great items that you may not see elsewhere in melbourne. the cocktails and mexican beers are a good choice to wash down the spice!

We went down to Melbourne for a weekend getaway, and I’d made plans for dinner Sunday because it was an anniversary and needed to be special. But Saturday dinner was more of a last-​minute deal. GF loves Mexican, so chucked Mexican into the ‘ol Unilocal app and this is what came up.
It was pretty busy, so we had to sit at the bar, but that was fine. Service was a little slow because they were busy, but not so slow it felt like we were waiting around doing nothing. And the bar staff were really friendly and helpful, so it all felt really relaxing. All things considered, the service was excellent.
The food was… a little weird. I really liked it, but it wasn’t what I would call «traditional Mexican» (or perhaps that should be «traditional American Mexican» because I think most of our Mexican food isn’t particularly authentic). And my gf, who I think just wanted normal Mexican food, was a little disappointed.
But definitely nice food, and very glad we went to the effort of walking the couple of hundred metres (in the rain, no less!) from our hotel to check it out.

It’s probably relevant that I live in a country next to Mexico.
The drinks: I ordered a Tommy’s margerita. Having just gotten off a 15 hour plane ride with little sleep, I should’ve been buzzzzing. Nope. Nothing. I’m pretty convinced my $ 17 drink had almost no tequila in it. It tasted mostly like water.
The food: The salsa de dia was very similar to a salsa you’d get out of a can in a US grocery store. I was expecting freshly chopped tomatoes and onions when paying $ 8 for a small plate of chips and salsa. Oh and the chips were stale.
I had two tacos — beef and pork shoulder. There were tasty. However, they were very similar in quality to tacos I get from a food truck in Seattle. The only difference is that the Seattle taco’s are $ 1.50 each and these were $ 7.
The décor: I like the day of the dead theme. It creates a cool atmosphere without being over the top cheesy.

I don’t know how this place has such good reviews, perhaps its gotten better since I went the second week it opened but the food is dry, flavorless, and overpriced. If you want delicious latin flavor at much more reasonable prices take a hike out of the city to los latinos, your stomach will thank you.

Went with a group of 4 friends on a Saturday night recently and we had a great time. Our waiter was perhaps new (?) and a little reserved, but he had good support from a more senior member of staff and they really looked after us. The air con was a bit drafty where we were sitting so they happily moved us to another table. We asked for recommendations on what to order and the waitress checked on our preferences before ordering for us. She is obviously very good at her job.
The food was delicious, the waitress checked how we were going to make sure not to over or under order, and the bill at the end of the night was so reasonable we double checked to make sure it was right. Will definitely go back again.
And how good is it, going to a great restaurant where you can actually book and don’t have to stand in a line for an hour?!

My sister is back on holiday from her travels which included a lengthy period in Oaxaca. As such I’ve dragged her pillar to post to proudly display Melbourne’s new found Mexican madness. We’ve hit Fonda, Mamasita I’ve bought tortilla and chorizo from Casa Iberica and tried home style — all have been met with a slight disinterested shrug of the shoulders, ‘it’s nice but where is the queso oaxaca?’ A family meal to Senoritas and she was declaring ‘the best Mexican outside of Mexico’ her critical eye and taste appeased finally!
Warning tips: Book, it’s loud, it’s squishy, my parents (just past 60) were a little taken back but all that ended when the food, food glorious food arrived. We chose four tacos and ordered four each of these. Service was exceptional (parent’s words) with each group of tacos brought out in slow succession, about 15 minutes between each serve. Cocktails refreshed and cooled the strong flavours and spices — palate cleanser with a bonus tequila shot. There’s a thought! My sister and I ordered for all of us and tried to mix up modest tastes with some punch. Parents started to rave, tears fell (during the chicken taco — so spicy), choirs sang etc etc.
In the interest of research I ordered all to rank their tacos 1 – 4. Unanimously the chicken habanero with pico de gallo was first and the chorizo special second. Battling it out for third and fourth were the tacos oaxaqueos with sweet potato and the grilled fish with piquillo pepper. (Realistically this is like trying to name who is the hottest from Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Channing Tatum — there are no losers here).
We shared the mixed patter for dessert and with these, drinks and tacos we fell under $ 180 for four people. As we leave my mum thoughtfully ponders ‘what’s the name of this place again?’ We spend 4 minutes paused outside while she types it into her Samsung Galaxy s… e…n…and muses ‘I think I might come back’. Watch out Senoritas, the seniors are coming.

I’d been to Senoritas a while back for an Elite event and I remember it being a great experience so I couldn’t wait to return.
I was catching up with a friend of mine and we couldn’t decide what to have — Japanese? Italian? or Mexican? We decided to go for the 3^rd option. She’d just come back from Toronto after a 2 year stint and she was quite keen on experiencing Mexican food the Melbourne way.
We couldn’t only get a spot at the bar and, to be honest, we were not really fussed — I love to seat at the bat generally. It’s pretty cool however I will say that it can get pretty loud especially when the guys were mixing drinks. Other than that, it was ok.
We had the Grilled Fish Taco w/​piquillo pepper and spicy corn salsa, the guajillo chilli marinated pork w/​pineapple pico de gallo & flamed peanut arbol salsa and the chicken w/​achote, lime juice, habanero chilli, pico de gallo & queso fresco — all really nice and tasty however the pork was the winner hands down. It’s a little bit spicy but so good though.
A great overall dining experience — the noise was disturbing at times but ok nonetheless and, before I forget, make sure you try the Hills Pear Cider — it’s really nice! I remembered it from the Elite event and that’s all I wanted to have again!

As not to fall victim to the rubbish in the press, I rang Senoritas and made a booking for two at the bar last night. Perhaps because I had read other reviews of the place and have experienced the phenomenon of Mamasita and the enigma that is Fonda, my expectations were quite low.
A meagre portion of tortilla chips are placed in front of you with three different salsas after you sit down. This vexed the people next to me as they never expected something to come out complimentary or understand that it is customary that «Mexican» restaurants provide chips and salsa as standard to tide you over whilst you order and chat. In the case of Senoritas, the three salsas that you are given are effectively mild, medium and hot. The hot habenero salsa does not match the intensity that I can make at home but it does pack a bit of a punch.
I immediately ordered a Bohemia beer and Tacos Al Pastor, which is a mixture of pork marinated in pineapple and it is classically one of my favourite parcels of Mexican food. I was very disappointed when I was at Mamasita as the earlier reviews stated that they were serving Tacos Al Pastor however when I visited they were no longer on the menu. Senoritas pretty much hits the mark with them. The meat was tender and no one flavour overpowered one another. One can easily tell someone in the kitchen knew how to prepare «authentic» Mexican recipes. As the tacos are served in approximately 5″ corn tortillas that are made on-​site, you are left wanting more after you stuff your face. I tried the spicy chicken tacos next which were the special of the evening and was just as impressed.
Getting into my second Bohemia beer, with great trepidation, I ordered the fish tacos. I was having such a good experience at this point, I didn’t want it to end as I was scared that the fish tacos would disappoint, like they did at Mamasita and Fonda. When they were served, I tasted the fish and although a tad dry, it was not bastardised by any sauces, oils or other rubbish to distract from it. I added some salsa verde (the mild salsa) and shoved it down my gob and the end result was a smile on my face.
The great authentic food made me wanting more, so I ordered more Tacos Al Pastor, a repeat performance of the chicken taco special and followed up with another round of fish tacos. I also tried their pork and bean taco combination which was different, however worked well when paired with the habenero chilli salsa and the Tapatio tequila that I started to take an interest in. About the only thing I would pass on next time is the side of guacamole as it was too citric but not overtly offensive.
We were getting fairly prompt service from three people including the barman. After my second 40ml glass of the demon tequila, I looked around whilst sitting on my perch and noticed that the place had filled up with happy patrons in a matter of thirty minutes. I was surprised that the noise did not begin to overwhelm, which it never did, considering the restaurant is small.
There were a few skeletons and skulls about but they were all pretty whimsical and fit in with the art and colours of the place. The mood is set by not having to dine under bright lights but with candles littered throughout the place to cause an effective mood.
After retiring to the toilets, I was shocked to discover they were so clean. I suppose after eating authentic food in Mexico where you must relieve yourself on the ground out back of some places or in the sink, the petty first world conveniences are sometimes unexpected when you experience something as authentic in the kitchen that Senoritas is providing.
I thought the food, service and ambiance was great and the food did remind me of «proper» Mexican food so I will be back and I could not stop raving about the experience as I left. It is great having your expectations defied. I certainly look forward to returning.
The Showdown — Senoritas vs Mamasita vs Fonda
* I found Senoritas to be the most authentic and best value for money,
* Fonda is different especially if you are keen for a kangaroo burrito, but has a café feeling instead of a restaurant feeling like the other two,
* Mamasita would probably have the best «vibe» but considering the foot traffic, how smaller tables can not be reserved and the noise around the bar detracts from the overall food and beverage experience a bit.
* Most importantly after benchmarking all three places using their fish tacos as a selection criteria, I would return to Senoritas for what they have on offer in a heartbeat.

I love Mexican. I love that Melbourne is riding the Mexican train and hope that it doesn’t stop.
I have been here many times, both with groups, as a couple and also for their Tequila tastings.
The food is brilliant and I manage to try something new every time I go in. My favourite would have to be the Kingfish Ceviche it has the perfect amount of chilli and lime and just tastes amazing!
Their wine list and drinks menus is also amazing. They have an excellent selection of Tequila i suggest that you try all off the Partida range, especially the Partida Elegante it will not disappoint.
The greatest part of Señoritas is that is inexpensive. You can have dinner there as a couple for less that $ 100 with out wine or less than $ 150 with wine. as a group it is also extremely well priced.
Would go here for any occasion!

I have been here a couple of times now and I would say I am a fan.
The first time was in a group of 5 on a Saturday night and the second was a Wednesday night with just 2 of us. Both times I have had a great experience.
In a group we pretty much left our food selections up to the waiter who did a great job of giving us a little bit of everything. We also sampled a whole lot of tequila.
Going as a couple the second time was a lot more casual. We took our time and selected things on the menu that we were keen to eat. I am a fan of the middle sauce on the little plate of 3 they give you to start the night off.
Of the current options for Mexican in inner Melbourne right now, I would have to say that Senoritas is probably the classiest of the lot.

The food was ok, and the wine good. Ambient noise was a bit loud but it was a busy Friday lunch. Lighting was dim enough to make the menu a bit difficult to read.

Great as always. If you take the time and sit at the bar you will learn a lot about drinks and the food. You can do a lot with Tequila!

Yes, yes yes!
I’m not having a Harry-​Met-​Sally moment here, I am checking off the list in my head from what I want in a restaurant. Great food, great service and a fun atmosphere.
Senoritas hit the mark on all counts. Yet I see a few reviews around the place that show that people have been disappointed with this place. I would say — stop comparing! Take each restaurant with its own merit. If I were to list every Mexican restaurant in Melbourne, this wouldn’t come first but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t love every minute of our dining experience here.
They have just released a new menu and the staff are eager to hear thoughts on each dish. Our enthusiasm for everything presented gave that one away. The menu is choc-​full of tasty morsels that kept us very satisfied. There was a bit of food envy going on in the surrounding tables and we chuckled with our neighbouring diners about eyeing off each other’s plates and ordering matching dishes.
Each meal accompanies three types of complimentary salsa which you are encouraged to try with any dish, a fun way to vary up the flavours on anything that you don’t feel is *just right*.
All in all a really fun night and very much satisfied my post-​Texas trip Mexican cravings!