MAMASITA

Up a candlelit staircase at the top of Collins Street, this moody first-floor staple slings vibrant Mexican plates with zero gluten across the entire kitchen. Regulars climb the stairs for the cheese-dusted charred elote and pork belly chicharron tacos, backed by punchy salsas and tequila poured at the centrepiece bar. Banquets land quickly across cramped, lively tables where the noise runs loud and the energy rarely dips. It works just as well for an energetic double date as it does for a quick mezcal margarita before a show down the block.