Review Fonda - Hawthorn

Had lunch today with friends at Fonda.Beautiful venue. Love they have a different seating area. The food was delicious and the drinks awesome. The way of digital ordering and paying before we eat that good. We had made mistake online with ordering but the staff happily change the Food for us that was appreciated. Great Brilliant service & highly recommended . We will be back soon ….

What can I say, when all the festivities of Glenferrie Road were a bit much, Fonda's delightful outdoor area was a great place to rest up with some chips, quesadillas and churros. I wish you could swap caramel dip with white chocolate for the churros, but other than that it was perfect.

Nice venue, good food and lovely refreshing drinks…. However, they use far too much coriander for their meals. Overall, recommended.

Beautiful and wholesome Mexican food, tastes great and not greasy like the usual tex mex Edit feb2022: something bad happened where I ordered takeaway and there appeared to be mold spores on the tortilla:( disappointed as previously great quality. Hope they resolve ASAP otherwise won't be coming back anytime soon.

Usually it's great. But do not bother going on a public holiday. A number of times we've done this and regretted it, never again. 15% surcharge for a substandard version of the usually good portions and quality. We paid $10.35 for this measly box of chips which was barely half filled. Insulting. And the sweetcorn in bimbap was cheap and nasty too and not the usual standard. Pull up your public holiday standards Fonda, just like you do with public holiday pricing.

Everyone in our group enjoyed their food and drinks. We ordered different bowls and cocktails, all turned out to be tasty and fresh. I specifically liked the fact that the salad bowls weren’t greasy as they can be in most other places. Staff were friendly and polite.

We had a good experience. I like nachos . Wow Customer service is really good 😊 I love it. Recommended

Just ordered house nachos for lunch, drove through lunch hour traffic from work to go pick it up. Was extremely disappointed to find that the nachos had no guac, no sour cream , no Pico De gallo and no cheese. Just dry nachos with dry chicken and pickled jalapenos. We had to buy sauces from la Cabra which is closer. (In the picture)

For a solo diner the place is comfortable to sit in without standing out you r alone. Service is friendly but once a business becomes a chain the staff are expected to follow a script and put on the smile and this one could sense. Perplexed as to the popularity of the eatery as the prices are up there for the small portions but it is hawthorn and the private school belt. Food was interesting, bland not really fresh, uninspired and catered to a formulaic menu that one sees when a business turns to a chain. It seems popular in that there is only one othe r Mexican lace in the area, it’s new, very comfortable to sit in, nice relaxed decor, privacy, friendly service and quick service, good for a younger cashed up crowd looking for an uninsured date or a Sunday evening meal, but the portions are small, over priced and bland,.<br/>This is not a bad thing in that it is a chain restaurant but I have had a lot better Mexican and fairer prices from authentic restaurants run by hard working owners that know their Mexican ingredients <br/>

Fonda has a few outlets now (its original in nearby Richmond). The Glenferrie Rd locale is in a good position and the interior is big and trendy. The food is said to be Mexican street food and it is definitely a step up from the cheesey-corn chip chains. The food is deliciously fresh and healthy and the sizes are dainty, which lets you try a few options without getting too full. Lunch time specials are great to share. Corn chips are delicious, as are the enchiladas and the green salad with sweet potato. The staff are fun and friendly and the atmosphere casual.

I visited this restaurant with a couple of friends for a simple and casual dinner. We all ordered various types of tacos and my favourite was the prawn taco which has pineapple and guacamole. I just wish they were a bit more filling and bigger in size so I recommend ordering more dishes or choosing the more filling items on the menu if you are hungry. The restaurant itself is spacious and has cool seating areas so its a nice place to have lunch or dinner. It is also located in a very convenient spot along Glenferrie road especially if you go to Swinburne Uni just across the road.

Fonda is pretty decent for quick and casual Mexican. It's better in quality and nutrition than other similar chains (namely Guzman y Gomez or Mad Med). The ambiance is also much nicer than those spots, although I wouldn't rank it as high as a place like Hotel Jesus. Either way, I appreciate the many veg options and healthier dishes like the falafel burrito and pumpkin bounty bowl.

Fonda is now a well-established chain of restaurants in Melbourne’s trendier inner suburbs, serving happy Mexican fare, cocktails and a lively atmosphere. Whilst the clientele at the Hawthorn location may be more relaxed in their dress, and conversations than those at the Chapel Street venue on a Saturday night, the principles are the same: clean,

Fonda where can I start it is the best restaurant ever. My favourite meal to have is the chicken tacos. Another one of my favourites are the tortilla crisps. To finish it off the waiters are so nice

Personally, this is my favorite place to go for dinner, like if I was asked to give 1 recommendation this would certainly be what I recommend. I would advise the chicken tacos and also the tortilla chips and salsa with guacamole but they have an amazing menu, so you really could not go wrong.

Cute restaurant and yummy Mexican food! <br/><br/>The mushroom quesadillas here are to die for! Always get extra guac on the side, and the chips to start and you won’t be disappointed! <br/><br/>Healthy Mexican with cocktails... how could you go wrong? <br/><br/>MM

My partner and I called in for some dinner. I’ve wanted to visit Fonda for such a long time now so I was really excited about this visit. <br/><br/>We initially ordered some Tortilla Chips, which were white and blue tortilla chips topped with guacamole and pick de gallo (fresh tomato). The guacamole and the tomato was ok but it didn’t taste fresh. The tortilla chips were good. <br/><br/>Then we had a Mexico City Pulled Pork Quesadilla which was nice but it contained a lot of baby spinach.<br/><br/>We thank had a rock ling which was ok but it was 3/4 full of red cabbage and not much fish. <br/><br/>The grilled chicken burrito was good, and it was packed with salad.<br/><br/>Drink wise I had a lychee and elderflower frozen margarita which was great at first. <br/><br/>My partner had a home made soda w ginger passionfruit and gin. I tried this and for me, my drink was the winner lol<br/><br/>Overall this visit was ok.

Recently tried the new vegan menu at Fonda hawthorn. Was legitimately blown away with how good everything was! All tacos were a delicious flavour explosion 💥 the jackfruit quesadilla also fantastic for non meat eaters after something substantial. Topped the food off with a delicious berry cocktail that was equal parts fruity & fresh. 10/10 experience for food & service 🤩

📍Location: 651 Glenferrie Rd,Hawthorn<br/>🖼Ambience: Spacious, Dim lights and Calm Environment with open kitchen in the Centre.<br/>👩🏻‍🍳👨🏻‍🍳Staffs: Friendly and Approachable<br/>🌮🌯🍷 Food: It was pure Mexican Cuisine and this was my second try and totally loved it!<br/>We had ordered the following items:<br/>1.Crispy Prawn Tacos with guacamole,pineapple salsa and chipotle aioli which tasted heaven but was little disappointed with the quantity.It smelled lovely prawns if your a seafood lover go for it! <br/>2.Mexico City Pulled Pork Quesadilla with guajillo chilli,baby spinach,pineapple salsa and Fonda salsa, i liked it and it was totally juicy in flavour.<br/>3.Chopped Beef Burritos with shredded cabbage,caramelised onion,Fonda salsa,chipotle aioli,quinoa and black beans. Trust me this was the show stopper and loved the taste,its aroma and the crispy touch in each bite which was a twist to the dish.Would try them again for sure!<br/>4.Jalapeño Kombucha Margarita and Mint Ginger with Passionfruit house made soda: Both tasted just the way it should taste and would recommend to try the Jalapeño Margarita.<br/>✅Overall:5/5 rating,Would definitely recommend this place to experience the taste of Mexico.

In many opinion, this is the best of the Fonda restaurants in Melbourne. I’ve found the food to be of a far better quality than the other ones, as it tastes much fresher than I’ve experienced elsewhere. Particularly recommend the corn chips with guacamole.

Came to Fonda the other day and had the Chicken Quesadilla and the Pork Nachos. Some elements of the dishes are seasonal - in summer the quesadillas came with a delicious mango salsa, however this time it was pineapple salsa instead (which my friend couldn’t have as she’s allergic).<br/><br/>The quesadillas come with a really nice dipping sauce - like a green mayo with coriander - which complimented the flavour well! The pork nachos were amazing - the pork was so well-cooked, and goes well with the guac, sour cream and salsa. You really can’t go wrong! Just be careful as the plate is served extremely hot!<br/><br/>Service is good and staff are also very friendly. It’s a nice place for some casual Mexican food!

Fonda has fresh, flavoursome and fabulous food. I went here with some friends on a night out and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals.<br/><br/>I got the Grilled Chicken and Chipotle BBQ Beef Tacos which were both light and delicious. The drinks were also really refreshing - I shared a Lychee & Elderflower Frozen Margherita and a Paloma Cocktail. <br/><br/>The seating out the back is really nice because it’s quieter and open air - perfect on a hot night.

The food was cheap and good. The staff was very polite. The best thing was quickness. I ordered a variety of quesadillas. I didn't like menu though. It didn't have a few things in it.

We are regulars here & it never disappoints! We are a bit boring & order the same thing every time - chipotle chips (to die for), chicken burrito & pork quesadilla! All are always fresh & tasty!

Came here on a weekday evening with tourists. And it was amazing! The prawn tacos was delicious and I am not the biggest fan of pulled pork, but the pulled pork was absolutely delicious, and not too dry (which is the common issue with pulled pork). Service was excellent as well. Would return when I have Mexican cravings

Fonda is like the Mardis Gras of Mexican cuisine - bright, fun and FABULOUS. The wash of pastels and smell of fresh corn and lime incite the senses (*cue Mexican dancing bean*). LA-based chef, Gery Lopez, worked his magic on all four Fonda restaurants, located in Richmond, Hawthorn, Windsor and Flinders Lane, giving them a much-need rainbow facelift. Gone are the days of cheap, greasy street food. Fonda represents a revolution of HEALTHY (yes, you read correctly) Mexican which doesn't compromise on taste. All ingredients are sourced from the Queen Vic Market and here, quinoa is hailed as the new rice. Just as the Aztecs and Mayans traditionally consumed them, the taco tortillas are made fresh daily from corn, so you know you're getting the real deal here.

Great place to come for a meal or just a drink or two during happy hour. The courtyard is super nice to sit in when the weather’s good. Came at 4pm when their happy hour started and wanted to sit down, kill some time and relax, so I had a beer and a glass of Rosé while my sister had a ginger and passion fruit soda. Service was efficient and very friendly and the staff kept coming over to check if everything was okay. Would like to come and try their food some time!

Good place for a casual meal! Quesadilla with the pork and mango salsa is my favourite, however no large chunks of mango, which was what I remembered from the city store? Kingfish cerviche was fresh and yummy! The house made sodad are all super refreshing and delicious! definitely down to try some other items on the menu next time

Fantastic gluten free options!!! Great food and fanatic customer service. Would highly recommend and will definitely come back <br/><br/>Highly recommend the burrito bowels

Had the Feed me option on the menu with tortilla crisps, two grilled corns on a stick, two fish tacos and a grilled quesadilla. We also ordered drinks of a lychee margarita and a strawberry mint soda. Food was full of flavour and fresh. We will be back to try the burritos after having a bit of food envy with the table next to us!

What a great little place! Have come here multiple times and tried almost everything on the menu... nothing ever disappoints! I would say my favourite is the fish tacos but all the food on the menu is of high quality and presented really well. Also a cool little place to just sit and eat.

A great Fonda! <br/>Favourites here are the corn,<br/>Kingfish ceviche and the fish taco <br/>Stars deducted for the lacklustre mojitos which must have been mocktails watered down

A great place for a light, tasty lunch.<br/><br/>I had lunch at this food chain mid week with a group of people.<br/><br/>I entered expecting it to be delivering average food to students as part of a fast food chain. These assumptions were incorrect about the food.<br/><br/>The service was a bit snippy when we made the arrived early in error and tried to enter before the opening time of noon.  <br/><br/>When they had opened officially we were seated in a lovely sunny spot at the rear of the restaurant.<br/><br/>It’s not cheap but the quality for the food was really good. <br/><br/>Despite us being a group of seven people the food arrived quickly and each person at the table was very happy with what they had ordered.<br/><br/>The food was fresh and very tasty. <br/><br/>Food 4.0* very tasty <br/><br/>Service 2.5 * ok. <br/><br/>Ambience 3.0 a sunny space for lunch

For mains, we shared the rock ling burrito. This was my pick of the bunch. It was substantial - filled with quinoa and black bean; cabbage and pickled carrot with the ubiquitous salsa and aioli. Kiddo liked the grilled chicken quesadilla, particularly its side of jalapeno and basil aioli, which incidentally went very well with the burrito also.<br/><br/>I loved the decor of this place - it was strewn with interesting desert plants - cacti and euphorbias. Love.<br/>  The service was attentive and prompt too - ideal for a mid week dinner when its all about expediency.

This mamasita’s mind was blown tonight upon trying Fonda’s take on a beef brisket taco..this experience has reshaped my understanding of what a soft shell taco can be entirely. At first I thought “gee, $9 for a taco, that’s highway robbery”, BUT it’s worth it. This is no disappointing Taco Bell!! The beef brisket is peppery, rich, exploding with flavour, dripping with moisture and leaves you salivating for more. I also tried the fish taco, which was highly enjoyable but I feel would have benefited from not being fried. I topped my meal off with a homemade basil and strawberry soda, and left a very happy, very full, very satisfied mamasita. Thankyou Fonda!

Fonda has been one of my longtime favourites as I used to visit the Richmond Fonda regularly during my lunchbreaks at work. I've also been to the one on Flinders Lane. In comparison, I thought the Hawthorn restaurant was a great contender, especially for those travelling from the Northern Suburbs.<br/><br/>Service - warm and friendly<br/>Food - Corn was the highlight<br/>Ambience - much quieter than the other restaurants<br/><br/>I would return again :)

Super crispy and stylish interior. Visited a few times for a light lunch. Staff are always friendly & the horchata and tacos are always delicious.

Went to Fonda in Hawthorn for the first time on Friday for a friend's birthday.  Wow, really nice food and very friendly and efficient service.  Really enjoyed the veggie tacos I had: mushroom and sweet potato.  Only suggestion I have for improvement is the seating near the 'traffic areas' in the restaurant - there wasn't a lot of room to relax and spread out a bit, even through we had a table in a corner and table was quite small for 6 seats (we were only 4 people and we still didn't have a heap of room)

FOOD: 7/10<br/>SERVICE/ AMBIENCE: 8/10 <br/><br/><br/>FOOD: food is pretty standard- not really a fan of their tortilla chips but they do serve a nice guac salsa that goes with this. <br/>I had the mex bim bamp salad- the combination of flavours was super yummy, especially the charred corn and I surprisingly enjoyed the radish as it added crunch to the dish. It was a decent-ish size for $15, could be a tad bigger though in my opinion but I think I just have a large appetite 😛. Value for money I would definitely get the quesadilla or the burritos as they are more filling, their tacos are quite small so you need a few of them to fill you up :)) <br/>AMBIENCE/SERVICE: Big open space with a really nice outdoor area out the back. They have changed from ordering at a counter (self service) to table service. Compared to other Fonda’s, the service at hawthorn is definitely the best. The waitress who served us was really good despite us taking soooo long to order- also they were more than happy to accomodate with menu changes 😊 <br/>RECOMMENDATION: A quick easy option to go with a flavourful menu that will please many. Not my first choice place to go but wouldn’t be mad if it was suggested as a place to dine out.

I have officially fallen in love with the pulled beef salad from Fonda. It looks small but it’s deceiving as I walked away feeling quite full. Loads of ingredients, quinoa, black beans, avocado, spinach , sweet potato etc etc etc loads of flavour. Great vibes in the place and staff were happy to split the bill 7 ways which is a huge plus when going out with friends for dinner. Definitely want to come back really soon!

I love this place! The decor is awesome. Sitting in the back outside area is really nice on a warm breezy day. The drinks are delicious and the food is tasty as hell! Will definitely be coming back here regularly

With many Fonda branches to choose from, I really enjoy the Hawthorn one, particularly the big, airy, spacious outdoor seating out back. Great in summer, kick back and enjoy some fresh air and sunlight!<br/>Service here is prompt and friendly as well. <br/>I quite liked the fish tacos and grilled chicken quesadilla.<br/>Fresh flavours with both and light meals that don't leave you feeling heavy inside!!<br/>I can't wait to increase my eating capacity and go for the Feed Me option!

Amazing food, amazing ambience!<br/>Have even got a pack delivered by UberEATS <br/>Different style!<br/>Great service!<br/>Over all ratings 4<br/>Colours of the restaurant are really soothing to the eyes

Fonda is a Mexican restaurant with many branches all over Melbourne. It was started in 2011 by two friends, Tim McDonald and Dave Youl, with a vision to develop Mexican street food dishes designed to share using Australian produce, Fonda has grown into one of the biggest names of Mexican food in Melbourne, with 7 restaurants currently open.

Fantastic now that they are doing table service. Great atmosphere. Some complain about the price but I think they are wanting fast food which this place isn't. My favourite it anything with the.pork! Yummm.

Absolutely love Fonda! They really have the complete package when it comes to casual dining. The atmosphere is buzzing, the staff are fun & friendly and the food is served promptly. Being on a bit of a health kick, I opted for the deconstructed salad with beef. I am such a fan of that style of dish where your plate is full of about seven different smaller things and then some sort of protein on top. It was fantastic! There were beans, there was quinoa, cabbage, spinach, corn, avocado etc and they were all prepared differently so there was a lot going on flavour-wise. Will definitely be coming back to Fonda and ordering this again... Not you’re average salad, that’s for sure!!

Waaayyyyy overpriced with average food. Their burritos are nothing special - in fact, the chicken burrito that I ordered lacked flavour and I tasted more flour than anything else. With so many great Mexican joints like Bay City Burrito and Guzman around the corner, I don't know why anyone would go to Fonda.<br/><br/>Their agua frescas are yum though!

Great night out for a group of people who like to share food. The DIY tostada platter is great, we also had gluten free chicken quesadillas, pork burrito bowl and fish tacos all fresh and delicious, but my favourite menu item is the bloody spritz and I don't drink! Overall this is a great casual night out, my only criticism is the order at the bar situation, not good if you are splitting bills.

Fonda is one of my favourite Mexican Places! My friends and I were so lucky to be invited to the tasting event for the new menu items that will be coming out on 28th July.<br/><br/>We started off the night with a delicious Berry & lavender frozen margarita 🍸 it was refreshing and one of my favourite drinks from the night. We were then offered chips with the 3 new dips pumpkin & garlic aioli, vegan chipotle and avo salsa 💃🏽 My favourite was the pumpkin! <br/><br/>The new menu offers a great range of vegetarian options such as the sweet potato taco, sweet potato quesadilla (my fave) and falafel burrito 🌯<br/><br/>In addition to the new menu even a kangaroo burrito is coming! Are you game enough to try it?<br/><br/>We ended the night with the 2 final cocktails, the paloma a sour yet refreshing cocktail and the coconut margarita perfect for a Friday night 💃🏽 <br/><br/> It was great to meet the owner Tim and the rest of the Fonda team for such a fun Thursday night ! <br/><br/>Thank you

I recommend Fonda to all guys there who wants "not so boring" Mexican food. This place is so bubbling and busy. Great for friends catch up and gossip over the table. Love the backyard terrace where we seat down. Great potion and music are loud but we loved it!

I dined with three friends, we felt the food was quite nice but value for money is a bit questionable. It can be quite costly for what you get. I had 3 tacos and one small piece of corn and it was $27. For $5 for the corn I'd expect two pieces, and three tacos for $22 is pretty ridiculous in my opinion. Staff were friendly and the space is nice.

What a lovely place to go and spend a night. Extremely affordable and the food quality doesn't disappoint either. Everything on the menu is well thought out and has flavour plus! Would recommend this eatery to everyone

Fonda is super popular Mexican food bar, this one in Hawthorn is the OG, but they are popping up left right and centre! Fonda has a very modern Mexican menu, and is reasonably priced. However, we really don't like their food. We might be a bit biased because we are not big fans of Mexican food, but we found the food to not taste quite fresh and sorta like its pre-made and reheated... <br/><br/>TIP: Do try their Lychee and Elderflower Margarita- super yummy!

Been here multiple times. Love everything on the menu. Fresh, tasty and delicious Mexican food and cocktails. Fun place for a group of people

The best Fonda of all I've been to! The lovely lady serving me (think she was a manager) was so helpful in guiding me about what to order to accomodate my fructose and coeliac dietaries. I was able to enjoy a super delicious lunch. Totally going back for more fish tacos this weekend!! 🌮🌮🌮

I regularly visit this cafe and last night I had a beef taco, chicken burrito and pork taco then I washed it down it a juice which had pineapple ginger and mint. I am never disappointed, this place is amazing and I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance

I went here last night and to be honest I am not the greatest fan of Mexican food but that changed! I got 3 tacos, a chicken, pork and beef one which were all so good. My friends got the ''Feed Me" option and they got so much for only $24.50! you can't go wrong with that. Definitely going to try that option next time I visit Fonda :)

It was actually a rather good experience. I have been wanting to try Mexican style food for long and finally, wen there today. We ordered the chicken quesadillas with the chicken salad, both of them tasted quite nice yet quesadilla reached our expectation and the salad was beyond. All foods are around 15 dollars and we had a great time there. Falling in love with Mexican food. I'll definitely order the other sort of quesadilla next time the cheese really tastes awesome.

Great atmosphere. <br/>Sit down, order at the counter. <br/>Service is quick and great. <br/>We had the $49 feed me for two. <br/>Swapped the fish tacos for pulled beef. <br/>Delicious food. <br/>Not much of a variety but was nice and easy!

Fonda is the place where all your Mexican dreams come true. I first went to the Windsor branch years ago and there are now 7 of them serving up delights across Melbourne. My most recent trip to the Hawthorn Fonda for a friends birthday was the perfect choice as you order at the bar therefore it's easy to organise the bill for a large group. I always order the same thing, I've found a winner and I'm sticking to it. Aqua fresca after aqua fresca, a house made Mexican beverage with watermelon, strawberry and basil or pineapple, ginger and mint. SUPER REFRESHING, I wish someone had made me one of those when I was sweating to death in Mexico. <br/>We start with the DIY pulled beef brisket tostada board which is phenomenal and the meet super tender and perfectly marinated. I then do the chicken quesadilla and finish with a prawn taco which had the interesting addition of Japanese mayo, pineapple and betel leaf that makes the palate sing. If I wasn't bursting at this point I'd keep eating..<br/><br/>

This place is pretty much always busy and getting a table on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night is always a battle. Depending which time of the night there could be a wait of 30 mins to 40 mins. Personally I've only ever waited 30 mins for a table here. I've been to the Fonda in Richmond I definitely like the Hawthorn one better. Easier to get to, with the train and tram. Also if you drive it's easier to find parking in Hawthorn than it is in Richmond. Love the atmosphere of the place. It can get loud when it's packed but that just means it's a good place to eat when people are just queuing up to sit. I actually prefer Fonda than Mamasita. Love coming here!

The partner never really fancied Mexican - the food, not the girls or beers; he definitely fancy those - so we very rarely try Mexican cuisines together. It was by sheer luck that he agreed to indulge in my request for Mexican as our original plan fell through. Walking into Fonda on a sunny afternoon, we had no problems getting a seat. The super friendly waitress even jokingly told us "seat anywhere you want, and if you don't like your seat, just move to a new table". There's booths, tables (high, long, normal), kerbside and courtyard seating. You sure don't get service like that everyday. After ordering at the counter, drinks and food came in quick succession. But what made my day was how much my partner enjoyed the food. He wolfed down the pork quesadilla and beef burrito, while exclaiming how tasty they were. The quesadilla was definitely the highlight - lightly toasted, crispy outside, soft inside and filled with flavoursome pork, tangy picked onions and creamy avocado salsa. The meats here are cooked exceptionally well; despite not looking much, the beef was tender and moist. The only dish that didn't knock our socks off was the tortilla chips. It wasn't bad per say, it was merely run of the mill. Drinks-wise, the Horchata was beautifully spiced and surprisingly light, but the Pineapple & Mint tasted somewhat store-bought. Still, we thoroughly enjoyed everything and I'm especially stoked that I now have a new dining buddy when I crave Mexican.

Can't say I'm too fond of Fonda. My $15 Beef Burrito was mostly cabbage (see photo) I did like my Smokey Rose Margarita though. They have an extensive bar and lots of seating here. Would give them another try.

Really fun Mexican food. Service was fast and food was really tasty. Really lovely staff. My daughter spilt her drink and they quickly brought her another one. So thoughtful! Thanks we will be back!

Had dinner here and really enjoyed the flavours. We got some tacos， a grilled chicken quesadilla， nachos and some corn. <br/><br/>Apart from the corn， everything was really good. Looking forward to returning.

Great food! <br/>The tacos were great my favourite being chicken and seafood. Great flavours and the meats cooked to perfection. <br/>The tacos are definitely the best option.

We went around 1:30 on a weekday and it wasn't busy at all, but the place is actually pretty spacious and the whole ambiance is so calming -definitely sit outside if the weather is nice! The servers were so friendly and helpful! We ended up getting the feed me menu. You could easily finish if you were hungry but they offer take away boxes too, which is always nice :) <br/><br/>TOP TIP: you can swap out the tacos and quesadillas for different "flavours" if you were eyeing something else on the menu!

DO: The Feed Me Menu. No thinking required. <br/><br/>DON'T: Forget to enjoy the yummy cocktails and/or frozen margaritas. <br/><br/>TIP: Place gets busy on weekends, so best you either go early or brave the crowds (which wasn't too bad since it was an awesome atmosphere on a sunny Sunday afternoon).

The food was good and the restaurant had an Instagram worthy feel. I was expecting more from the rooftop view tho, because I thought it was open space, but it was not.

Food is always a winner at Fonda, tried different options and never let down. Staff are friendly and the atmosphere is great. Gluten free options are available which is great.

I always enjoy the food here, always tasty and worth it! Pineapple and mint with vodka is always a good drink to have there. They have also extended to having an outside courtyard at the back!

This place has a lively atmosphere and great outdoor seating at the back. The burritos and quesadillas tend to be popular menu choices but I found the mex-bim-bap and chicken salad good value for money, with lots of fresh, healthy (and brightly coloured) ingredients chucked in.

I went there for my best friends daughters birthday and not being a huge Mexican fan I was skeptical.. For me Fonda was a pleasant surprise, I had the chipotle chips and a chicken burrito and both were great!! Can't wait to go back

Trendy spot with friendly service, quick food and a cool vibe. Came in at around 8pm on a Friday night and had a half hour wait. But was able to leave our name and head to bar for drinks first. Had a bunch of tacos, the corn and chips - all good just not mind blowing. We bumped into friends and they were able/happy to accommodate a booth to fit 5 of us. Would recommend.

This place was accomodating from the decor right down to the service from the staff. As someone who goes on Tumblr a lot, Chipotle chips were a craze for a short amount of time and I wanted to try out how they were here. I would go again for these chips, the beef burrito was small in proportion and I wanted something else to fill me up more. The chipotle chips did that for me and the sauce that came with it too, it felt like heaven. 😌

I have to come clean and admit I love Fonda. Maybe not the best Mexican food in Melbourne (OK definitely not the best) but by the same token it's definitely bloody good. But when you add the great vibe they create, the excellent service, the simple but lively menu, a couple of drinks and the simplicity of the whole experience, it's no surprise that these guys have always got a queue out the door.

My wife and love eating at Fonda. For a quick bite or lunch/dinner Fonda have something for everyone. <br/>My favourite dish is the fish tacos! <br/>Great value for money, quick service.

I love the fish and pulled pork tacos - absolutely delicious! The corn is lovely , too. It is a little pricey and servings are small, but the food is good. Great in summer!

Ticks all the boxes - friendly fun staff, quick service, fresh and delicious Mexican! Dislike ordering at the counter or waiting out the front for a Table.. But you can't have everything can you?

Surprising it's reaaaally good am not usually a fan of Mexican food cus it's just bake beans to me :) but the falafel black beans was filling and very yummy!! Healthy was just a bonus! :) oh the F you sauce?? U have to try if ur a chillie fan. Not too chillie but enough to get a reaction :)

I bumped up the score because hubby adores this place, but as a vegan there are few options and those they have are not filling enough for me.

We had great expectations for the restaurant as we have heard man great reviews. <br/><br/>The venue itself was nice-light, bright and airy. The staff friendly and service fast.<br/><br/>We ordered: <br/>Mex-bim-bap with fish. Salad itself was good. Flavours fresh and satisfying. The fish was minimal and fried (and tough) with little seasoning.<br/><br/>Tacos- Mexico City pork: delicious. Chicken Adobo: especially delicious with a little kick.<br/><br/>Overall the lunch was good.

Compared to the Fonda in Richmond this isn't as good, only because the atmosphere just isn't there like the other. The food is exact same, fresh and delicious!! The decor is very cool and bright! Service is good. I'd still recommend this Fonda if it is more convenient for you, the difference is much of a muchness :)

....not the best....mind you not the worst. I'm finding more and more that Mexican places are popping up and are missing the whole point of Mexican. Fresh and simple or are franchising to the point of cheap. This place is the latter. Sausage meat in the burrito, sold as beef, not for that price?? The portions for the tacos remind me of the protein serves at Subway all a little stale and sad looking. <br/> The pluses are that the vegetables used seem reasonably fresh but this place should be doing fresh to order proteins with 6 kitchen staff. To be honest the decor is the biggest plus very kitschy (not so mexican) but that's not why I came for dinner. Bum bow👎<br/>2/5

I saw a huge rat near the end of the night it completely ruined my tinder date. Also the lights were to close to the table I hit my head was so awks. Food was fine.

Went here a little while ago and was not impressed. Food was overpriced and not very flavoursome. Portions were small and drinks were really expensive! As other people have mentioned there is a wait usually so I would use that time to find another place to eat that has more authentic Mexican food. If you do stay the decor is funky and the service is fine.

All the horrible myths you've heard about law school is true, hence the lack of posts for the last month, I never thought I was all that bad at time management, but that's before law entered into my life. But that's for another post, today's one is going to be a long awaited restaurant review. Fonda is a Mexican restaurant, its interior does not scream Mexican at all though. It's got the industrial vibe going on with the use of pipes, and the yellow and black stripe which is reminiscent of those DANGER tapes that are thrown around construction site. However, there is also splashes of pastel colours throughout the restaurant. The high ceilings ensured that the place was filled with light, and overall, it felt inviting and spacious.

Pretty satisfying <br/><br/>No reservations so had to try our luck just rocking up. Luckily only had to wait 5 mins for a table. Food was great. Fell in love with the fish tacos. They are amazing! Service was really good and front of house was first class. The only downer was that we were right next to the open kitchen so it was a bit noisy but the fresh aromas kind of made up for it. <br/><br/>Overall a great experience and will be returning again soon.

Love this place. Delicious food and great space. It's not authentic Mexican food but that's what's great about it. The food is fresh with quality ingredients and you feel good about eating it. Their Richmond store is also great.

If you're looking for a mean fish burrito that will ruin other fish burritos for you. Then look no further. Fonda gives off some funky fresh vibes can be pricey but when you're thinking of splurging it's definitely worth a look

A restaurant with a fabulous and lively atmosphere, fun design and decor! I was excited to try another Mexican restaurant, and was not disappointed.<br/><br/>An important thing to firstly note is the long wait times, even later in the night and on the weekdays. Fonda has a calling system to let you know when your table is available, but we waited for about 25 minutes from 7:45pm on a Thursday night.<br/><br/>We tried the chips, chicken tacos and the cinnamon drink, and all of them were quite good! The chips came with a really tasty, slightly chilli flavoured sauce that was an interesting change from the usual dips.<br/><br/>The tacos also had nice salad toppings and the chicken was cooked well, and the drink was fresh (though quite sweet - reminded us of chai)<br/><br/>Unfortunately, the wait is a bit of a put off from going back to Fonda again.

Impressed with the quick service & great music. Had the Mexico City pork quesadilla and the mex-bim-bap ensalada both were great modern takes on traditional Mexican dishes.

Very fun place to go with friends. It has a great decor with lots of different size tables for groups or couples. Can't book ahead so be ready to wait or go for a drink down the road. I'm not a fan of ordering up at the register, but it's the same at all the Fonda restaurants. Very reasonably priced for fresh Mexican. Just a bit on the small side, so we normally order a burrito/quesadilla each and a salad to share. I prefer the quesadillas hands down! So yum! The menu could use a tiny refresh, though. The salads could be a little bit more exciting. I do have to say that the staff and chefs are always nice to accommodate changing the meats in a burrito or quesadilla. Chicken Quesadilla with Pork instead is the winner!

Fonda is by no means authentic but they do serve fresh flavoured Mexican inspired food. The restaurant is a bright and airy space, modern for Hawthorn. Not a restaurant/outlet to rush to, but worth a try if you're in the area and have a bit more to spend.

This seems to be where all the cool kids are headed these days. Hard to get a table after 6.30<br/>even on a weeknight. The food is decent with tasty tacos (pretty small portion size) but the burritos are better value.

I love Fonda, everything about it is fantastic. Love the decor and the restaurant is roomy and bright. <br/><br/>I haven't tried all the food as I can't get past the Mex Bim Bap which is a mix of pretty much all my favourite things! The ingredients feel fresh and clean. <br/><br/>The staff are friendly and accommodating, definitely worth a visit!

I have always found Fonda to be tasty but pricey for what it is. The food is OK, tacos are tasty but at $7- $7.50 each, they are a bit expensive, as is the corn at $4.50 for 1 small cob. I'm sorry Fonda, I just can't justify paying that much for Mexican food.

When everyone is talking about their burrito n tortilla crisp, don't miss their drinkS. My personal favourite is their non-alcoholic watermelon n strawberry :)

Love Fonda. I used to go to their Richmond branch a lot. This Hawthorn one keeps their standards high. Fresh ingredients. Funky decor. Friendly staff. A bit pricy.

Tasty Mexican food, with no sour cream or giant pools of cheese in sight! The pulled pork taco was my personal favorite. Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable, although at times a tad slow. Was not too costly, and great if you want a light meal out.

Came here for lunch with a large group. The service was great - super friendly and accommodating. Thats probably the highlight for me. The food was very bland, had the chicken and pork taco with some corn chips and guac. There was no real flavour to any of it. The corn chips and the saltiness was the nicest part. My tacos were bland and small - though they cost $7 each.<br/><br/>One to miss.

Good service, great atmosphere and tasty food at a very reasonable price. We ordered corn, chipotle chips, G&T salad with prawns, 4 tacos (fish, pork and 2x beef brisket) + 2 beers which all came to $77, which I think is pretty great value. Standout dishes were the corn, chipotle chips, fish taco and the prawns (but only 4) that were in the salad. Fonda be great with a group of 4+ but they also do a very well priced "feed me menu" which is only $49 for two, which represents great value and a good way to sample some of the 'crowd pleaser' items on the menu.

My husband and I have eaten here a few times now and it's reliably tasty, quick and good value with friendly service. Our favourite dishes are are the beef and pork tacos.

I love Fonda! First time at the Hawthorn restaurant and it didn't disappoint. Had the chicken quesadilla with guacamole - hot, flavoursome and really filling. Love their corn chips with salsa and guacamole as well. I think the food is really good value for money - don't have to spend much and it's super tasty and filling. Food comes out really quick and it's easy if you're eating with a big group as you can each order and pay separately. Service was fine, nothing special. They do really tasty margaritas and other cocktails, and my partner is a fan of the Fonda-branded beer. Recommended.

Modern Mexican..Great atmosphere..Cool music and lots of zen Y staff wearing ultra skinny jeans.., main prob is the waiting time for food, took over 30min for 2 dishes on a wed night at 9pm...not sure how efficient their system is...food was pretty good though..highly recommend the ensaladas and portobello quesadillas!