Mezcalita Bandra: The Mexican Cantina Mumbai Has Been Waiting For

Mezcalita Bandra is Mumbai’s newest Mexican restaurant where food, cocktails, and culture collide in a colourful, high-energy cantina at Pali Hill. Expect big flavours, bold drinks, and interiors that feel handcrafted with heart.

Stepping Into Mezcalita Bandra: Where Mumbai Meets Mexico

The first thing you notice about Mezcalita Bandra is the warmth. Not the Mumbai kind - the Mexican kind, the sort that glows from walls painted in coral and cobalt, from hummingbirds that flutter across murals, from cane lights that cast a honeyed haze over tables. It feels like Pali Hill has opened a portal to Oaxaca, and no one bothered to shut it.

The Churchgate original had already shown Mumbai what an authentic Mexican cantina could feel like. But here in Bandra, the energy is louder, brighter, more cinematic. As you walk through the Trajinera Archway, inspired by Mexico City’s floating boats, the sound of chatter settles around you like a welcome.

It is easy to understand, even in those first few steps, why this opening has become one of Pali Hill’s most anticipated.

A Menu That Reads Like A Road Trip Through Mexico

Why the food hits differently

Eating at Mezcalita Bandra feels like being guided through regional Mexico by someone who has lived the stories. There is no attempt to make things overly sleek or familiar - the food is bold, messy, vibrant, and deeply human.

The Chip and Dip Mexicana arrives first, a spread of colours and crunch that feels like a table invitation. The Real Deal Loaded Nachos (a nod to Chilaquiles) are unapologetically comforting, the kind of dish you order for the table and then quietly keep returning to.

The Antojitos menu is where the kitchen’s personality shows: the heat of Habanero Muerte, the smoky sweetness of Street Cart Corn, the indulgent joy of Poncho Potatoes. There is spice, yes, but also restraint and balance — flavours layered rather than loud for the sake of being loud.

The ritual of choosing your taco

Then come the tacos. Fresh-pressed masa, soft flour, or old-school hard shell, each carrying fillings that feel crafted, not copied. One taco per order is intentional — an invitation to wander across the menu, to treat each one like a stop on a culinary map.

Hearty plates that linger

The burritos are generous, warm bundles that travel from Baja to Bandra without losing soul. The Tortas, made with in-house Telera bread (the only place in India doing it), are lush, saucy, and unforgettable.

The mains bring comfort:Fideo Seco, a tangle of Mexican-style pasta;Flautas Ahogadas, crisp rolls drenched in salsa;the 24-hour BBQ Pork Ribs, smoky and rich, softened by creamy dips and loaded potatoes.

And then, the sweet finale: Tres Leches de Cereza, soft enough to feel nostalgic, and golden churros that whisper cinnamon every time you take a bite.

It is all vibrant but familiar, bold but never heavy-handed.

The Cocktails: A Playful, Smart Tribute To Agave

Why it matters

Mezcalita’s cocktail menu isn’t just clever - it’s deeply rooted in Mexico’s spirit. Instead of throwing mezcal and tequila into a shaker and calling it a day, the team builds a storyline.

Each drink represents a stage in the tequila-making journey. It sounds niche on paper but feels intuitive the moment you take a sip.

The Black Rice de Horchata is silky and earthy, the kind of cocktail you linger over. Aguamiel has this subtle sweetness from honey water and a hint of char from bell pepper. Vamos Bananas, peanut butter–washed and smoky, is unexpectedly addictive.

The classics still shine: the fiery Cha-Chinga, the sparkling Oaxaca to Osaka, and the sunny, easy-to-love La Pomela.

Groups inevitably order the Margarita Towers, a table spectacle that embodies Mezcalita’s spirit — loud, communal, joyfully chaotic.

Design That Tells A Story, Not A Theme

Walking through the space is a reminder that design can be emotional, not just aesthetic.

The Milagros Wall glimmers with tiny metal hearts symbolising hope. Table tops are hand-painted with rótulo-style phrases that feel cheeky and warm. Vintage lotería cards hide under glass. Upstairs, a serene Mayan deity watches over the room.

There is no corner untouched by narrative. No element without intention. It is Mexico told through memory, craft, and mood - never caricature.

The Team Behind The Magic

At the heart of Mezcalita Bandra are the familiar faces that shaped the first outpost:

• Rizwan Amlani, Brand Head

• Chef Pablo Benitez, who lends authenticity without rigidity

• Mixologist Sachin Yadav, who builds cocktails that feel playful but disciplined

Their work together shows - food, drink, and space flowing with the same warmth.

The Full Mezcalita Bandra Experience

It is easy to see why this space has already slipped into Bandra’s weekend vocabulary. It has the comfort of a neighbourhood spot and the energy of a night out.

It pulls families in with the Nachos for Ninos, keeps date nights cosy with warm lighting, and gives groups exactly what they came for - food that sparks conversation and cocktails that keep it going.

Most importantly, it never feels like a theme restaurant. It feels alive.

Essential Details: Mezcalita Bandra

Address: 320 Madhu Milan Building, Dr Ambedkar Road, Pali Hill Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai 400051

Timings: 12 pm to 1.30 am

Phone: +91 91520 17980

Cost for Two: INR 1700 without alcohol, INR 2400 with alcohol

Instagram: instagram.com/mezcalita

People Also Ask: Mezcalita Bandra FAQs

Is Mezcalita Bandra worth visiting?

Yes. It offers some of Mumbai’s most authentic Mexican food and a standout agave-forward cocktail menu.

What are the best dishes at Mezcalita Bandra?

The Chilaquiles-inspired nachos, tacos, Tortas with in-house Telera bread, and the 24-hour BBQ Pork Ribs.

Are the cocktails at Mezcalita Bandra good?

They’re exceptional, rooted in the tequila-making process with drinks like Black Rice de Horchata and Aguamiel.

Is Mezcalita Bandra vegetarian-friendly?

Very. They offer multiple vegetarian tacos, bowls, burritos, and a standout Cottage Cheese Torta.

Mezcalita Bandra is vibrant, intentional, and full of heart - a cantina that celebrates Mexico through flavours, textures, and stories. It is exactly the kind of restaurant that makes Mumbai dining exciting again, where every plate and every pour feels personal.

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