La Cantina
Queen Victoria Market
513 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC
Whenever I need something from Queen Victoria Market, I normally try to go during my one hour lunch break at work. It’s pretty rushed though – by the time I get there, I have to quickly grab what I need and then head back to work. It also means I can’t buy much because I have to carry it back home on the train. I really should go more on the weekend and drag hubby along to help carry stuff, but parking around the market is a nightmare.
We happened to be passing through the area on the way home on Sunday and I said to hubby, let’s go past the market and if we manage to find street parking, we’ll go! Lucky for us, there was a spare spot right in front! I call that meant to be! Hehe!
We were intending to grab a quick eat-on-the-run lunch of the delicious boreks in the food hall, but we walked past La Cantina near the Peel Street side of Victoria Market. There were a lot of people eating there so we decided to give it a go.
La Cantina is a small shop front, with a few bar seats inside the actual restaurant and more seats in the market across the walkway. It is Spanish tapas restaurant with a few Mexican dishes. Before this year, our only experience with Mexican food was the cheese and too much sauce stodgy slop you find at food courts and Mexican fast food joints. When we went to America in April, people were telling us we should try Mexican food in Los Angeles because it is so different to what we get here. And they were right! Mexican food in America is so fresh and flavoursome, even at the fast food places. It totally changed our view on Mexican food.
There is nothing on the La Cantina menu over $10. We started with the patatas bravas (fried potatoes) which was served with side of Mama Luka’s rice and a creamy bustamante mayonnaise and a salsa verde. I tried to Google what is bustamante but came up with nothing! The rice was a bit dry, like basmati, but when we mixed the salsa verde through the rice, it gave it a really nice flavour. The potatoes were to die for, so crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I wanted more!
We wanted to get the beef and pork tacos as our second dish, but unfortunately they had run out. We got a chicken burrito instead and it was HUGE! It was full of fresh ingredients, I probably should have opened it up and taken a photo of all the ingredients! This is what a chicken burrito should taste like.
Overall: La Cantina is a great, cheap place to make a pit stop for lunch before heading off to do your market shopping. If you love potatoes, you have to try their patatas bravas. We’ll definitely be back.
Over & Out, April xx
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hehee, the only thing I've ever eaten around the Queen Vic market is the bratwurst! That burrito looks fantastic – and massive!
Oh I always wondered what that place was like! I used to walk past on my way to work (at 7am) and think that I should come back at a more hospitable hour but never did. Glad to hear it's all good!
I remember this place but I usually go back to Rose Garden or Coconut house…
Hi Agnes: The burrito was pretty massive, I wouldn't have been able to finish it on my own!
Hi Jackie: Who says you can't have a burrito at 7am?!
But I think lunch time might be better!
Hi Penny: I'm yet to try Rose Garden or Coconut House. I must go!
Wow, that burrito is filled to the brim! And not just with lots of lettuce either. Such good value!
I'm the same with Agnes, although I only had said bratwurst on the weekend just gone!
Looks good though!
Used to walk past this heaps when I lived in the area. It looks like it's worth trying out!
That burrito looks like an awesome bargain! What a feast!
I think "bustamante" sounds very saucy indeed
What a great value snack lunch! Those potatoes look deliciously fluffy too.
Hi mademoiselle délicieuse: Yes, I love it when places are not stingy with ingredients!
Hi Shellie: I've only had the bratwurst once many years ago, will have to try it again!
Hi Gem: I think it's worth trying out! Prices are cheap too so nothing to lose!
Hi Conor: Yes, it was packed full of good ingredients!
Hi Forager: The potatoes were really the best!
You have used 9 exclamation marks in this article. Although, at the time of writing this that has been dwarfed by 22 in the comments. On a side note, just so you don’t think I’m a troll, I have had their burrito. And it was mighty fine.
Hahahaha, your comment made my day. I was going to put an exclamation mark at the end of that sentence and even though I think it’s an appropriately placed exclamation mark, I won’t make it 23 exclamation marks in my comments