You hear the word ‘authentic’ bandied around a lot these days, particularly when it comes to certain national cuisines. What Australians think of a Mexican food is, in fact, Tex-Mex – all guac, sour cream and melty cheese.

To the increasingly populated Meyers Place comes Señoritas, and if any venue should have a decent stab at authenticity it’s this one. Head chef Hugo Reyes and owner Ricardo Amare both hail from the Central American nation, and are eager to bring the real deal to Melburnians.

It would be churlish not to begin with a margarita, and the jalapeño variety (tequila and agave nectar muddled with jalapeño chillies according to your capacity for heat) is one for the daredevils.

The menu – focussing on regional street food – is built for sharing. The panuchos de conchinita pibil (slow-roasted pork in a tortilla with refried black beans, pickled red onions and habanero salsa) come highly recommended, as do the chimichangas (prawn, scallop and cheese in a flour tortilla with spicy red salsa).

Having kicked off service last week, Señoritas is already pumping. It’s not a huge room, but the Día de Muertos ephemera on the walls and the red woven lights give it plenty of interest and, best of all, you can book a table.

16 Meyers Place Melbourne 3000
(03) 9639 7437