Food Guide
Best Mexican Restaurants in Geelong
A curated guide to the best Mexican restaurants in Geelong, from CBD tacos to waterfront margaritas, after the closure of long-time favourite Mexican Graffiti.
Where to eat Mexican in Geelong now
The closure of Mexican Graffiti left a real gap in the Geelong CBD dining scene. It was, for a long time, the default answer when someone asked where to find tacos, a proper margarita and a sit-down Mexican dinner in town. There is no single successor yet, but a mix of quick-service chains, shopping centre venues and one long-running Tex-Mex sit-down still covers most cravings across Geelong, Waurn Ponds and Belmont.
The list below is a working guide, not a ranking. We focus on venues that are open now, easy to find and consistent across visits. Menus, trading hours and prices change regularly, so check each venue's own site before you head out.
The shortlist
No. 1
Zambrero Geelong
Fast, reliable burritos and bowls in the middle of the city, with the Plate 4 Plate meal donation on every order.
No. 2
Guzman y Gomez Waurn Ponds
Drive-thru Mex-fast for the western suburbs and Deakin students, open late and consistent across the network.
No. 3
Mad Mex Waurn Ponds
Naked burritos and grain bowls with a build-your-own line, popular for a quick weekday lunch.
No. 4
Salsa's Fresh Mex Grill Geelong
Centre-court Mexican for shoppers and families, with a wide kids menu and mild-to-hot heat options.
No. 5
Taco Bill Belmont
Sit-down Tex-Mex on the south side, the closest thing left to an old-school Mexican night out in Geelong.
What we lost when Mexican Graffiti closed
Mexican Graffiti ran for years as one of the few full sit-down Mexican rooms in the Geelong CBD. Its closure removed a mid-price, licensed, walk-in venue that could handle a work lunch, a birthday table of ten and a Friday night margarita run in the same week. None of the venues above replace that room on their own. Between them, though, they cover the everyday needs: fast burritos in the CBD, a family Mex meal at Westfield, a proper Tex-Mex dinner in Belmont and drive-thru Mex out at Waurn Ponds.
Tips for eating Mexican in Geelong
- →Book ahead on Friday and Saturday nights, especially at Taco Bill Belmont.
- →For groups, the CBD chains handle walk-ins better than smaller venues.
- →Vegan and gluten-free eaters are best served at Zambrero and Mad Mex, which mark options clearly.
- →Know something new opening in Geelong? Send tips via our contact page and we will update this guide.