melbourne south-american

San Telmo

MELBOURNE

An Argentinean restaurant and wine bar that features a traditional parrilla barbeque.

The Black Toro

GLEN WAVERLEY

The menu here isn't especially authentic – e.g. fried chicken ribs with chipotle mayo – but it's not thoughtless fusion, either. Visit for creative spins on quesadillas, "tlayudas" (Mexican pizza, in effect) and achiote chicken.

Casa Iberica Deli

FITZROY

Authentic Hispanic ingredients and smallgoods since 1975.

Pastuso

MELBOURNE

Pastuso brings Peruvian flair with a menu of ceviche, grilled meat and plenty of pisco. The dining room is a riot of colour, but we say grab a seat at the marble-clad bar and take in all the action, Pisco Sour in hand.

Acustico

BRUNSWICK

A sustainable eatery that embraces Melbourne’s artistic community.

Palermo

MELBOURNE

An Italian-influenced Argentinian spot from the team behind San Telmo and Pastuso. Expect meat and fish cooked over the asado firepit – a specialty here. The layout is a nod to a classic steakhouse, plus there are private rooms for special occasions.

Asado Bar and Grill

SOUTHBANK

Asado is Spanish for roast. And that’s exactly the focus at this tan-leather-filled restaurant, which showcases grilled meats and big flavours. From the team behind San Telmo, Pastuso and Palermo, Asado encourages you to share a spread of tapas as well as meat, seafood and vegetables charred on the parrilla.

Arepa Days

PRESTON

An arepa cafe serving the Colombian flatbread snack with spiced hot chocolate, sugarcane juice and Aussie-style coffee.

Repeat Offender

ELWOOD

At this vibrant all-day Latin American eatery, the entire menu is gluten free and most dishes are vego or vegan. Swing by for cheesy cheesy empanadas and crisp patatas bravas, and a happy hour with cheap frozen Margaritas and tacos.

Little Drop of Poison

ELTHAM

A Spanish tapas bar. A Mexican taqueria. A Chilean picada. This Latin American oasis in the suburbs is a mash-up of all three. Come for classic pintxos and raciones, backed up by a thoughtful drinks list heavy on sour cocktails.

Papelón

FOOTSCRAY

This Venezulean spot graduated from ghost kitchen to full-fledged diner. It shows that South American food is more than just tacos – from Venezuelan empanadas and arepas to platters of rice, beans and sweet fried plantains.

Morena

MELBOURNE

This slick restaurant and wine bar, by the Farmer’s Daughters chef, was decades in the making. Come for ceviche with a spicy Peruvian citrus-based marinade and Venezuelan spanner crab arepas served in a Tulum-inspired space.