Cantina Bar Balmain

Cantina Bar Balmain is an intimate Latin-Mex street food restaurant and bar on Darling Street in Balmain, Sydney. Its food takes inspiration from street vendors in Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Cuba, with the kitchen focused on fresh daily produce and bold flavours. The menu ranges from shareable starters and tacos to larger plates, desserts and a selection of drinks.

The taco list includes Lamb Barbacoa with house slaw and pickled red onion, Chipotle Beef, Chicken Fajita, Baja California Crispy Fish, Yucatan Mushroom and a Wagyu Taco. There are plenty of other options for building a meal, including guacamole or salsa roja with corn chips, chipotle prawns anticuchos, duck carnitas tostadas, tuna ceviche and quesadillas with a choice of fillings. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes are marked on the menu, with vegan alternatives also available for some burritos and nachos.

For something more substantial, the menu includes Cantina Burritos, a Torta Cubana with slow-cooked beef cheek, and a Burrito Bowl with chicken fajita, coriander-lime rice, black beans, avocado and pickled vegetables. There are also several non-Mexican-influenced mains, including scotch fillet, salmon with cauliflower and tahini yoghurt, duck breast and prawn risotto. Churros with chocolate ganache and dulce de leche provide a straightforward finish, while Mexican horchata is available as a non-alcoholic drink.

The room is described as intimate, with the bar arranged over 44-gallon drums. Its drinks offering includes imported tequilas, beers and wines, alongside cocktails such as margaritas and mojitos. Cantina also promotes bottomless brunch and online ordering, although the available brunch menu is not shown on the website. With tacos, tostadas, burritos and shareable starters, the format can work for a relaxed meal with friends, while the bar setting and broad drinks list also suit a casual drink or a solo visit. The venue lists service from Monday to Sunday, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday.