Review: Mexican eatery Fuego Mesa, which sits under an HDB block, is one worth queuing for

Singapore’s appetite for Mexican food has been growing steadily over the past few years, though mostly in the neighbourhoods you’d expect: Bugis (Rodeo Table), the CBD (Los Amigos and the freshly minted 11 Westside), and Tanjong Pagar (Lavi Tapas Bar). 

Farrer Park, however, is not one of those neighbourhoods.

So when Fuego Mesa opened beneath an HDB block along Race Course Road last July, it immediately stood out.

It looked and felt almost out of place, but it was precisely this trait, coupled with its delicious fare, that propelled it to virality, proving that good Mexican food doesn’t need a trendy postcode.

The backstory

The two founders, Andre and Gerald, first met in primary school before reconnecting years later when Andre married Gerald’s cousin. 

At that time, Andre had spent years behind the wok at the now-shuttered YouFu Fried Hokkien Prawn Noodle, while Gerald was juggling university and work as a financial adviser. 

One day, Andre called Gerald with an idea that he had been mulling over for a while: Going into business together. He even had a cuisine in mind— Mexican. 

After a birthday meal together at a Mexican restaurant, Andre realised how naturally the simple yet flavourful Mexican food brought people around a table. 

Though new to F&B, Gerald was keen to explore, learn, and create something similarly welcoming — and the rest is history. 

In July 2025, Fuego Mesa opened beneath a HDB block in Farrer Park, turning the space formerly occupied by Japanese fusion spot Cafe Ren into a bright, colourful venue — complete with sombrero lampshades and bold murals — serving approachable Mexican fare. 

The space, which seats about 50, isn’t very large, so tables are placed relatively close together. It probably isn’t the sort of place that you’d come with a big group, or else you might find yourselves banging elbows quite a bit.  

The menu here focuses on the familiar hallmarks of Mexican dining: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and rice bowls alongside speciality coffee and agua fresca (a light, refreshing non-alcoholic drink typically made from ingredients such as fruit, grain, seeds or flowers).

There’s decent variety, with the four to five options for each dish being different enough, yet doesn’t give one decision fatigue. 

Prices here are relatively wallet-friendly, too. The cheapest tacos — chipotle chicken and beer-battered fish — start at S$16 for two, and there’s even a lunch promotion where prices drop to S$9.90 for a taco, nacho chips, and a drink. 

Oh, did we mention CDC vouchers are also accepted at Fuego Mesa? 

Our verdict

With its striking interiors, lively vibes, and price tags that don’t break the bank, Fuego Mesa feels exactly like the sort of neighbourhood restaurant Farrer Park deserves.

It’s homely, unpretentious, and somewhere you’d be able to easily slip in and out of when you crave a little bit of Mexican but don’t want to dress up and head into town just to get some. 

The space is loud and buzzy, and sometimes feels a little tight, but somewhere in between the music, good food, and chatter, your need for comfort takes a back seat without you realising. 

I first came across Fuego Mesa on my social feed and wondered why the concept drew so much attention, both in real life — on weekends, like when we went, there can be a little bit of a queue — and on the algorithms. 

After a meal there, it’s easy to see why the concept has resonated: The food is generous, the pricing fair, and while there are still some small areas to refine — particularly dessert — the dishes land with a confidence and flair you don’t quite expect from first-time Mexican restaurateurs.

What it’s good for

The beer-battered fish tacos (S$15 for two) is the dish everyone should order if they’re here for the first time. If there are more of you, there’s the option to add tacos for S$3 a piece.

Each dory fillet stretches almost the length of my hand, and it is piled into the tortilla with purple cabbage, chipotle mayonnaise, and mango salsa. 

The fish is flaky and properly juicy, and the mango-salsa sauce provides an edgy tang that holds this dish together so deliciously. 

At this price and portion, there’s very little to complain about. And yes, it does get messy to eat, but that’s part of the charm. 

If you’ve ordered a few tacos for the table, I’d suggest tackling one in particular first, before the batter has time to go soggy, and especially if you love a good crunch. 

From the moment I saw it on the menu, I knew the birria beef tacos with beef consomme (S$16) were always going to end up on my table — I have a soft spot for birria after all, and I’m glad they lived up to expectations. 

Slow-cooked beef short rib and chuck come tucked inside a tortilla grilled with cheese, onion salsa, and pickled onion, with the cheese forming a crisp seal that locks the juices in where they belong. 

Dip it into the side of rich beef consomme, and every bite turns into a gloriously indulgent combination of chewy tortilla, tender beef, and deeply savoury broth. 

The sink nearby hints at how messy things might get, but that’s exactly how birria should be enjoyed. 

The biggest surprise of my meal, though, was the tomyum de Fuego (S$21) quesadilla, by Fuego’s chef Ratt, who hails from the Thai coastal town of Rayong. 

It barely gets mentioned online besides the tacos and is easy to miss if you just rely on what’s trending — but it’s still worthy of your attention and order. 

The chef clearly knows his way around a good tom yum. The paste coating the prawns tastes freshly made — the hand-ground galangal, lemongrass, and shallots all come together nicely, imparting an unmistakable aroma that makes you just want to dig right in. 

Couple this with the plump, bouncy prawns and a spice level that excites but doesn’t overwhelm, and you get quite the sleeper hit, even if it’s a tad pricier than the other two earlier tacos.

If you’ve already worked your way through the more popular and obligatory fish and birria tacos, the tom yum quesadilla is reason enough to return. 

A heavy Mexican meal deserves equally refreshing drinks, and Fuego Mesa’s agua frescas are well worth ordering alongside your meal rather than as an afterthought.

We went with the blue berries tamarind drink (S$8.90) and the peach orange punch (S$8.90), which were exactly what the meal called for.

Tamarind isn’t usually my first pick, but its sweet-and-sour complexity paired particularly well with the savoury dishes, while the peach-orange punch was clean, citrusy, and cut through the richness of the meal from start to finish.

What it could improve on

Desserts, however, seem to be the one area where Fuego Mesa’s otherwise confident hand falters slightly.

Of its three available options, the tiramisu (S$10.90), made from Andre’s wife’s recipe, is an obvious choice owing to its lovely backstory and my penchant for the Italian dessert. 

Yet, the execution didn’t quite win me over. (The inclusion of this on a Mexican menu is also mildly puzzling, though it is not a sticking point) 

The savoiardi could have done with a more generous coffee soak, while the mascarpone filling leaned a touch sweeter and lacked the richness and depth I’d have preferred — but it was by no means a bad tiramisu. 

In fact, had it arrived with almost any other meal, I’d probably have enjoyed it well enough. It simply had the misfortune of following a savoury menu that set such a high benchmark.

We didn’t try the other two desserts — the churros (S$10) and the chocolate banana ($12), a warm tortilla with banana and melted chocolate topped with crisp tortilla chips — as they seemed pretty standard on paper, but maybe we’ll give them a shot next time. 

That said, where Fuego Mesa truly comes into its own is at the savoury end of the menu. The fish tacos, birria, and tom yum prawn quesadilla all feel thoughtfully put together, each bringing something distinct to the table while remaining approachable enough that I’d happily order them again. 

Desserts seem to be where Fuego Mesa hasn’t quite caught up yet, but it’s a minor blemish on an otherwise satisfying meal — and one that’s certainly not enough to stop me from coming back for another round of those tacos.

Our quick takes

Is it conducive to conversation? It gets a little lively, especially once the hip-hop and R&B playlist gets going. I wouldn’t pick this place for an intimate date night or when I’m after a long, hushed conversation, but it’s great for a fun meal with friends or family. 

Is a reservation necessary? Yes, particularly for groups of four or more. The restaurant isn’t large, there’s no outdoor seating, and the closely spaced tables mean it fills up quickly, especially on weekends.

How to get there? Fuego Mesa is a two-minute walk from Farrer Park MRT Exit B.

HungryGoWhere paid for its meal at this restaurant for this review.

For the latest eats, read our story on The Artisan’s Table, a grocer-cafe at Rail Mall and our list of places to dine at Plaza Singapura.