Vibrant, rich in flavour and loaded with spices, Latin American food—Mexican and South American cuisine—has so much to offer. There are the familiar favourites: tacos topped with a multitude of fillings, guacamole and salsa served with tortilla chips, quesadillas oozing with cheese. But also on the table is a spectrum of lesser-known dishes, perhaps not as easily found in Singapore, but every bit as delightful. From the simple tlayuda, a variation of a tortilla from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, to the hearty arroz con mariscos, a Peruvian rice dish stewed in seafood broth, an array of culinary offerings from the region remains, to most Singaporeans, yet unexplored.
The culinary traditions of Latin America are incredibly diverse, but what these dishes have in common is their striking colours and complex flavours. Few regions boast as capable a touch when it comes to marrying salt, fat and acid. And with a frozen margarita on the side, a good meal is always a joyous occasion—ideal for both large, energetic gatherings and cosy, casual get-togethers.
In Singapore, the scene might not be the biggest—but its voice is always heard, constantly growing and adapting to the changing times. Here, representation comes in the form of more established dining concepts and restaurants eager to twist and turn your expectations of the cuisine. For the former, Margarita’s is Singapore’s oldest Mexican restaurant, and Papi’s Tacos is helmed by a true-blue Mexican chef, Jose Mauricio Espinoza Lara, whose tacos are just about as good as they come. The latter is home to innovation and ingenuity: Cudo attempts—and wholeheartedly succeeds—in distilling the vast expanse of Latin American gastronomy; on the other hand, Rodeo Table takes it for a fun spin, capably blending Japanese whimsy and Tex-Mex heart.
From charming eateries to upscale establishments, read below for Vogue Singapore’s round-up of some of the best Mexican and South American restaurants on the island.
1 / 8
Cudo
When it comes to Latin American cuisine, most people flock to Central America, to Mexican burritos, tacos and quesadillas—maybe elote, mole or pozole. But head south past the Yucatán Peninsula and you’ll discover an entire continent overflowing with jaw-dropping flavour. Or conversely, simply drop by Cudo, where the wide world of South American gastronomy is on full display—grounded enough to be inviting, but given a welcome touch of refinement.
The menu is a lot to take in, but trust us: it’s all worth checking out, starting with its astonishing collection of 17 appetisers. Make sure to try the titular Cudo Cado, a smashed avocado salsa packed with yuzu, cotija cheese and smoky chipotle, perfect for scooping up with plantain crisps, as well as the Warm Crab Queso, a cheesy dip comprised of melted scarmoza, sakura ebi and lump crab. Don’t fill up too much though, because the menu’s suitably named ‘Feast’ section—represented by dishes from both sea and land—is full of showstoppers. The Roast Lamb Rack comes tempered by a delicate balancing act of smoked chili yogurt and balsamic jus infused with the lamb’s meaty juices; and the Grilled Catch is seafood at its finest, boasting seabass either in fillet or whole form, paired with a red adobo sauce and parsley-lime rub.
Cudo, 13 Stanley St, Singapore 068732
2 / 8
Rodeo Table
What do you get when you combine the whimsy of Japanese fusion with the zesty flavours of Tex-Mex cuisine? You might just find the answer at Rodeo Table. It certainly helps that the restaurant is located just under the Mint Museum of Toys—both establishments are rooted in finding and savouring the little joys in life.
Lovers of Mexican food will find the menu familiar, at least on the surface. Fajitas—chicken, beef, pork and vegetable—served on a fiery skillet, with warm flour tortillas as accompaniment. Find every flavour of taco under the sun, including some truly zany outliers like Chicken Tinga, Yakitori Tsukune and Spicy Prawn Tempura. And while the ‘Mexican’ in Tex-Mex does the heavy lifting at Rodeo Table, those interested in staples of Americana can expect hearty satisfaction with a distinctly Japanese twist. The Beef Burger is topped with an unctuous demiglace sauce, a la Hamburg steak, and the Ribeye Steak comes with a side of fresh, palette-cleansing sweet corn. Drinks and desserts are fully on-brand, too, from fruity, frozen margaritas to churros with a positively healthy dose of hot chocolate sauce.
Rodeo Table, 26 Seah St, Basement, Singapore 188382
3 / 8
Tomatillo
At its heart, tacos embody an experience: that of community. Made to be shared with friends and savoured till bellies are full, Tomatillo’s Drinkable Tacos take this one step further—with tacos meant to be dipped and sipped. Think: (extremely!) generous fillings, slow-cooked meats, vibrant salsas, and filled with savoury broths for a new twist on the flavour-packed tradition.
Arrive at Tomatillo and you will be greeted with a smile. The taco joint has recently made its way to the shores of Marina Bay Sands, adding the iconic Singaporean skyline as the new backdrop to the taco joint’s characteristic warmth. While there, have a glorious bite of melt-in-your-mouth, Mexican Adobo style Pork Ribs—which are sure to put a hold on the conversation, even for a moment. The drinks, too, are certainly spirited—watch out for the frozen margarita with Corona beer (aptly titled Coronarita), and the restaurant’s in-house Mojito, which is sure to pack a punch.
Tomatillo, 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-11 Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
4 / 8
Margarita's
Nestled in the heart of historic Dempsey Hill is the oldest Mexican restaurant in Singapore. Margarita’s was founded in 1988 and continues to serve the real deal today—delicious Latin American cuisine built on a bedrock of farm-to-table ingredients.
The large space makes Margarita’s an excellent choice for gatherings both intimate and exuberant, fitting given its namesake offerings are winners on the beverage front through and through. The starting bites to pair with these drinks? You can’t go wrong with their Salsas en Totopos—tortilla chips accompanied by a salsa roja, guacamole and refried beans—or their Elote Asados—a sweet street corn snack slathered in tajín seasoning, mayo and crumbly cotija cheese. The mains are suitably filling, especially their sizeable Fajitas de Pollo, which comes with flour tortillas, grilled chicken and all the accoutrements you could ever want.
Margarita’s, 11 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249673
5 / 8
Nixta
With a deep respect for Mexican culture and cooking, Nixta takes pride in the way it embraces all the rich flavours that make up the essence of Mexican cuisine. Within the restaurant’s beautifully-designed space, you’ll find juicy meats roasting over a wood-fired rotisserie and salsas ground by hand in traditional volcanic stone molcajetes.
Look forward to stunning creations such as the unique Duck Barbacoa, a slow-roasted duck leg in hoja santa leaf, as well as the Tlayuda de la Casa, which features sweet roasted corn, fresh herbs and Mexican cheese over a crispy tortilla in a style reminiscent of a pizza. Accompanied by a refreshingly light Nixta Salad that perfectly balances out the heavier flavours on the table, the dishes here put an elevated twist on comforting Mexican fare while still staying true to the region’s abundant culinary traditions.
Nixta, 116 Amoy St, Singapore 069936
6 / 8
Canchita Peruvian Cuisine
Step into Canchita Peruvian Cuisine and you’ll find that the restaurant’s joyous salsa music, lush backdrop and diverse range of modern Peruvian dishes all reflect the vibrant energy of Latin America. Led by husband-and-wife chef-owner duo Daniel Chavez and Tamara Chavez, it’s one of the few places in Singapore which serves up authentic Peruvian cuisine.
When it comes to the country’s culinary specialties, you can’t miss out on the ceviches. Here, the Ceviche Clásico puts a spin on the classic dish with its use of white tiger’s milk alongside fresh fish and raw red onions. As for mains, go for the Sudado Amarillito, a moreish Peruvian fisherman soup, or the Arroz Con Mariscos, the restaurant’s signature seafood rice dish with perfectly balanced flavours—cooked similarly to a paella.
Canchita Peruvian Cuisine, Dempsey Road 9A/9B, Dempsey Hill
7 / 8
Lucha Loco
As an ever-growing list of contemporary new joints celebrate all the creative ways in which Mexican cuisine can be reimagined, Lucha Loco remains a beloved mainstay that’s long been known as one of the best Mexican restaurants on the island. Seated within the bustle of Duxton Hill, the restaurant—with its hidden garden and festive fairy lights—has been serving up the best of authentic Mexican fare for a decade now.
You can’t go wrong with the Baja Fish tacos, topped with crispy crumbed barramundi and brightened with chilli mango salsa and mint. Pair it with the Elotes—smokey cobs of barbequed, street-style corn served with chipotle mayo, cotija cheese and lime—and you’ll have yourself a winning combination.
Lucha Loco, 15 Duxton Hill, Tanjong Pagar Singapore 089598
8 / 8
Papi's Tacos
Bursting with exuberant character, Papi’s Tacos is the place to head to for reliable, unpretentious Mexican fare. Now boasting four locations, the warm service at each makes for the perfect setting for a lively get-together. The quaint taqueria is helmed by none other than chef Mauricio Espinoza, who melds his Mexican heritage with over a decade of international culinary experience to bring to life nostalgic recipes from his hometown.
His signature dish, the Tacos al Pastor, features tender marinated pork and house-made corn tortillas roasted on a traditional Mexican spinner with fresh pineapple, seamlessly blending sweet and spicy. For a lighter bite, the Tacos de Pescado remains a steadfast crowd favourite. With fried white dory, smoked chipotle aioli and fresh cabbage atop a flour tortilla, this humble dish packs a vibrant, flavourful punch. And to round off the night, the minty lime Agua Fresca proves a refreshing treat.
Papi’s Tacos, 33 Tg Pagar Rd, #01-01, Singapore 088456
