Why This Mexican Bar at Esplanade Became My Weekend Regular

Three months ago, I walked past The Esplanade looking for somewhere different. Tired of the usual suspects. My friend mentioned trying Mexican, and I groaned internally because Singapore’s track record with Mexican food has been, let’s say, disappointing.

Then we found ourselves at a table overlooking Marina Bay, and everything changed.

First Impressions Matter (And These Were Good)

The space doesn’t scream “MEXICO” at you with sombreros and fake cacti. Thank god. Instead, you get clean lines, warm lighting, and those massive windows facing the water. The kind of place where you could bring clients or your parents without worrying about tacky décor.

Staff greeted us properly. Not the scripted “welcome to our restaurant” nonsense, but actual conversation. They asked if we’d been before, offered menu guidance, and genuinely seemed to care whether we enjoyed ourselves.

The Tortilla Situation (This Is Important)

Right, so here’s where most Mexican places in Singapore fail spectacularly: the tortillas. They use whatever’s cheapest, usually some cardboard-textured thing that’s been sitting in a warehouse for months.

Not here. They make them in-house. You can see the tortilla press working. Smell the corn masa. Watch them come out warm and pliable, with that slightly charred edge you get when they’re done properly.

This matters more than you’d think. Everything else builds on that foundation. Rubbish tortillas? Rubbish tacos. Simple as that.

Power Tacos That Actually Deliver Power

The Al Pastor tacos arrived first. Two soft corn tortillas with pork that’s been marinating in Mexican adobo (a complex sauce with dried chillies and spices), topped with pineapple salad and salsa de árbol chilli.

I’m not exaggerating when I say these might be the best tacos I’ve had outside Mexico. The pork had that perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The pineapple added brightness without being cloying. And that salsa? Proper heat without making you reach for water every five seconds.

My friend ordered the Carne Asada tacos – grilled beef intercostal with beans, guacamole, smoky mayo, and onion salsa. The beef was tender, properly seasoned, with that char you can only get from high-heat grilling. Not overcooked. Not chewy. Just right.

We also tried the De Jaiba tacos out of curiosity. Crispy soft shell crab in flour tortillas with cabbage, tomato onion salsa, habanero mayo, and mango. The combination sounds odd on paper but works beautifully. The crab stays crispy despite the sauces, and that habanero mayo adds serious kick.

The Drinks Menu Deserves Its Own Conversation

This is where TOMATILLO Mexican bar in Singapore really shines. Their cocktail list isn’t just the usual Margarita and call it a day. They’ve put actual thought into it.

Started with their Margarita because that’s the litmus test, right? If a Mexican bar can’t make a proper Margarita, everything else is suspect. This one passed. Premium tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, salt rim that enhanced rather than dominated. Clean, balanced, dangerously drinkable.

Then the Paloma. This is less common in Singapore, which is criminal because it’s brilliant. Tequila with house-made grapefruit cordial, lime, and soda. Refreshing, slightly bitter, cuts through rich food perfectly. The fact they make their own cordial rather than using bottled mixer shows the attention to detail.

The Michelada caught me off guard. Beer with homemade spice mix, chamoy, lime, and salt. Sounds weird. Tastes incredible. It’s like a Bloody Mary decided to become a beer and succeeded spectacularly.

Proper Tequila and Mezcal Selection

Most Singaporean bars stock maybe two tequilas and call it diverse. Here, they’ve curated an actual selection. Different expressions, different agave regions, different aging processes.

The staff knows their stuff too. Ask about the difference between reposado and añejo, and they can explain without being condescending. Want a mezcal recommendation? They’ll guide you based on whether you want smoky, earthy, or something lighter.

Mezcal deserves special mention. It’s tequila’s more complex cousin – made from different agave species using traditional methods. According to Wine Enthusiast, all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. The production differences create wildly varied flavour profiles.

I tried their Se Busca Joven mezcal neat. Smoky, slightly sweet, with this minerality that’s hard to describe. Not harsh despite being unaged. The kind of spirit you sip slowly and appreciate rather than shooting.

Beyond Tacos: The Rest of the Menu

Second visit, we branched out. Started with Jalapeño Poppers because sometimes you want something familiar. These weren’t your frozen supermarket version – properly stuffed with creamy cheese, lightly breaded, served with pico de gallo and salsa roja. Two pieces, which sounds small but they’re substantial.

The Calamares Chipotles were excellent. Crunchy calamari with sumac spice and smoked Mexican chilli mayo, garnished with pomegranate seeds. The pomegranate was an unexpected touch that added little bursts of sweetness against the smoky mayo.

Then the Ceviche Tomatillo. Fresh tuna marinated in green tomatillo tiger’s milk with jalapeños and coriander. This is where you separate proper Mexican restaurants from pretenders. The tuna had that perfect texture – still slightly firm, not mushy from over-marinating. The tomatillo tiger’s milk (leche de tigre) provided tangy brightness without overwhelming the fish.

For mains, we split the Nachos Chilangos. Grilled prawns with yellow cheese and mozzarella, jalapeños, and habanero chilli mayo. Massive portion. Properly generous with the prawns, not just three pieces scattered for show. The cheese was melted throughout, not just dumped on top.

The Pre-Theatre Advantage

Third visit was pre-theatre. Had tickets for a show at Esplanade Theatres and wanted quick food without sacrificing quality. Their Pre Theatre Selection runs 5pm to 7pm with everything served within 15 minutes.

Ordered the Quesadilla Gringa – crispy flour tortilla with mozzarella, Al Pastor pork, and guacamole. Arrived in 12 minutes. Still hot. Still properly made. Not some microwaved shortcut.

This is impressive. Most quick service means compromise. Here, they’ve streamlined their most popular items without cutting corners. For anyone seeing shows at The Esplanade, this solves the eternal problem of eating well before curtain call.

What About Vegetarians?

My partner’s vegetarian, which usually means suffering through “we can remove the meat” situations. Not here. They’ve got a separate vegetarian menu with actual thought behind it.

The 4 Cheeses of Mexican Love uses mozzarella, Oaxaca, Parmesan, and Monterrey cheeses with avocado salad, corn, coriander, and garlic mayo. Rich, satisfying, not a consolation prize.

The Enchilada Asparagus & Baby Corn comes with green tomatillo salsa verde, sour cream, Oaxaca cheese, and onions. Proper Mexican corn tortillas rolled around the filling, not some weird flour wrap substitution.

Even the Super Veggie tacos work – grilled asparagus and baby corn with bean purée, mushroom mayo, and tomato onion salsa. The bean purée adds creaminess and protein, so it doesn’t feel like you’re just eating vegetables in a tortilla.

The Location Factor You Can’t Ignore

Being at The Esplanade matters. Not just for convenience (though multiple MRT connections help), but for the entire experience. Marina Bay views, especially at sunset, transform a meal into an occasion.

The outdoor seating during cooler months is perfect. Sitting outside with a Paloma, watching the light change across the bay, eating proper Mexican food – that’s a genuinely lovely evening.

Inside works too. The windows are massive, so you still get views. Air conditioning keeps Singapore’s humidity at bay. Acoustics are good enough that you can have conversation without shouting.

Pricing Reality Check

Let’s address this directly: it’s not cheap. Power Tacos run $14 to $24 for two pieces. Ceviches are $22 to $24. Cocktails cost $18 each. Add 10% service charge and 9% GST, and bills climb quickly.

But you’re paying for several things: prime location, quality ingredients, house-made components, proper technique, knowledgeable service. Compared to other waterfront restaurants at Esplanade, the pricing is actually reasonable.

Weekend bookings fill fast. Book ahead unless you enjoy disappointment.

Why I Keep Coming Back

I’ve been four times now. That’s unusual for me – I typically try places once and move on. But this place keeps pulling me back.

The consistency matters. Each visit has matched the first. The Al Pastor tacos taste the same. The Margaritas hit the same notes. The service maintains the same standard. In Singapore’s restaurant scene, where quality often drops after the initial hype, this reliability is rare.

The menu has enough variety that I haven’t exhausted it. Still want to try the Aguachile Negro (baby scallops in squid ink tiger’s milk with habanero oil). Still need to explore more of their mezcal selection. Still haven’t ordered the Mexican Pizza that everyone keeps mentioning.

The atmosphere works for different occasions. I’ve been on a casual date, with visiting friends, solo at the bar, and pre-theatre with family. Each scenario worked.

The Bigger Picture

Singapore has plenty of restaurants claiming to serve Mexican food. Most are lying. They’re serving Tex-Mex at best, confused fusion at worst.

This place is different. They’re doing Mexican food properly – respecting the techniques, using quality ingredients, understanding regional differences, educating staff properly. The house-made tortillas alone put them ahead of 90% of competitors.

The bar aspect is equally important. This isn’t just a restaurant that happens to serve drinks. The cocktail program is thoughtful, the spirits selection is curated, the staff actually knows what they’re talking about. You could come here just for drinks and be satisfied.

For anyone who’s travelled to Mexico and come back frustrated by Singapore’s options, this delivers. For anyone who’s never been but wants to understand what actual Mexican food tastes like, this is your starting point.

It’s become my answer when friends ask “where should we eat this weekend?” It’s where I take visitors who want something different. It’s my pre-theatre go-to when catching shows at Esplanade.

Real Mexican food. Proper cocktails. Stunning views. Knowledgeable service. At Marina Bay. It exists. It’s worth the journey.

Book a table. Order the Al Pastor tacos. Get a Paloma. Thank me later.