Carlos Cantina - Blackburn — Restaurant in Melbourne

Recent Re-Review - April 2025

I try to be very objective and impartial with my reviews.

Carlos Blackburn has been a bit of a roller coaster ride re food quality in the past, but it is evident the managers are doing their best and have improved the food consistency and quality in the most recent 6 months.

Generally the food has been entirely very good. Very tasty, fresh and the servings are quite adequate.

Have had some of the best Chilli Con Carne Burritos ever. Lovely fresh real beef and with just a touch of genuine chilli bite. Corn chips were excellent in themselves, fresh and crispy. Nachos were notably fresh and with well balanced flavours.

I know my Mexican food and when it's good, not perfect, but as good as Melbourne gets. Unfortunately consistency and quality control issues need addressing in the longer term. I'm maintaining my rating at 4 stars overall and its a generous "4".

Some of the menu choices are just problematic. The potato skins comes with just three tiny slices of potato as a main. How much does a bloody potato cost??? Then the rest is just horrible canned re-fried beans and rice. Such a shame as the skins themselves are first rate.

Atmosphere is entirely satisfactory and overall cleanliness is very good. Cocktails do not have enough base spirits in them. In fact sometimes they would pass as alcohol free. On the odd occasion, ingredients are noticeably left out of requested cocktails. At $19 for a Margarita, that's absolutely inexcusable. Sell me an expensive BS Mocktail if I'm only going to get canned...

We recently attended a family birthday dinner at this restaurant, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed and made to feel right at home. The standout of the evening was our waiter, Rakeen, whose service was exceptional. He was not only incredibly attentive and professional, but also genuinely kind and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain menu items, made thoughtful recommendations, and ensured that every detail was taken care of throughout the night. His friendly and engaging manner truly elevated the entire evening.

The drinks menu was impressive, with a great selection of cocktails and plenty of specials to choose from. Each cocktail was beautifully presented and delicious - clearly crafted with care. The food was equally outstanding: every dish was full of flavour, well-portioned, and served promptly. Whether it was the starters, mains, or desserts, everything was fresh and satisfying.

To top it all off, the restaurant hosted a karaoke session that added a fun and festive vibe to the celebration. It was the perfect way to end the night, with lots of laughter, singing, and memorable moments shared among family and friends.

Overall, this restaurant delivered an unforgettable experience. Great atmosphere, amazing service, delicious food and drinks, and a touch of entertainment that made the celebration truly special. Highly recommended for...

Let’s talk Mex!

Carlos’ Cantina is one of not many Mexican restaurants that do not require bookings for great tasting Mexican dishes. Greeted with corn chips and salsa, we were impressed with the restaurant’s eccentric design and decor. It offers a fun, colourful and modern space to enjoy food and drinks with friends.

The Birria Tacos A really good option to start with. I have to start with saying that they offered a very good attempt at the Birria. It was a very safe option however did lack the flavours and vegetables usually added into the Birria. The consumé on the side did help add more flavour and texture to the taco. I greatly appreciate the effort however, would go somewhere else.

The Mains Supreme Quesadilla; Another safe and good option to try. Plenty of flavour carried with the chipotle sauce. Though, there was a re-heated food element to our dishes. I’m not certain that they do re-heat but the food did not taste completely fresh. In addition, our plates were piping hot which is always a sign of reheating or microwaving. To say the least, the food was worth the price and is a great local...