Los Amates Mexican Kitchen

Established in 2004, Los Amates Mexican Kitchen on Johnston Street has become a fixture in Melbourne’s Latin American dining scene. Unlike many of the Tex-Mex eateries throughout the city claiming to serve authentic Mexican cuisine, Los Amates is the real deal. Recognising that the culture and cuisine of a country as large as Mexico is far from uniform, the folks behind this Fitzroy restaurant aim to showcase a selection of the very best dishes, with specialities picked from throughout the country.

From El Paso in the north way down to Campeche on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico’s many regions offer their own unique culinary creations. At Los Amates Mexican Kitchen on Johnston Street in Melbourne’s Fitzroy, the focus is on serving the country’s best comfort foods, using family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. The menu is chock-full of traditional Mexican specialities, and thankfully Los Amates provides guests with a menu glossary for those unfamiliar Spanish terms.

Open for breakfast, Los Amates makes waking up early worth your while. Go for the huevos con nopales y pico de gallo – you’ll never look at cactus the same again – or take the desayuno grande, a giant Mexican breakfast spread including corn tortillas, bacon, chorizo, and frijoles bayos. Lunch and dinner means it’s time for platos fuertes: enchiladas, tacos de barbacoa Texcoco style, homemade tamales, and carne asada, for starters. An important accompaniment to any good Mexican meal, the premium mezcales and tequilas are highly recommended. Because the amazing food at Los Amates is no longer a secret, reservations are advised.