Mela Mexicana: a Mexican food festival

SOCIAL is hosting Mela Mexicana, a month-long festival celebrating Mexico’s vibrant street food, culture and festive spirit across all its outlets in India until July 31. Organised in association with the Embassy of Mexico in India, the festival brings together a specially curated menu inspired by Mexican cuisine, tequila-led cocktails, colourful décor, salsa evenings, live performances, workshops and interactive community events.

The menu, curated by Chef Shamsul Wahid and Chef Ashish Sharma Diaz Del Castillo, reimagines classic Mexican dishes with flavours familiar to Indian diners. Guests can enjoy small plates such as Guac ‘n’ Roll Chips, Nacho Average Love Triangle, Corn Chivda Chaat, Gajar Tinga Tostada and Chicken Tikka Tinga Tostada, followed by Queso Fundido, empanadas, quesadillas and tacos including Mutton Seekh Taco, Al Pastor Chicken Taco and Taco ‘Bout Fish. Larger dishes include Barbacoa Chicken Chimichanga, Chicken Barbacoa Torta, Burrito and a Bowl and Birria Sando, while desserts feature Concha French Toast and The Impossible Cake. The drinks menu includes tequila-based cocktails such as Batanga, Hibshi Margarita, El Tamarindo and Pineapple Jalapeño Picante, along with zero-proof beverages.

“Mexican food and Indian food share a natural connection, both are generous, layered, spice-led and built around the joy of eating together. With Mela Mexicana, we wanted to honour that shared spirit through familiar Mexican formats, while giving the menu a SOCIAL twist with flavours like tikka, seekh, chivda, gajar and nihari, so every dish feels festive, rooted and full of character,” say Chef Shamsul Wahid and Chef Ashish Sharma Diaz Del Castillo.

Riyaaz Amlani, Founder and Managing Director, Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., says, “SOCIAL has always believed that culture is not something you observe from a distance; it is something you step into, share, and make your own. With Mela Mexicana, we are bringing the spirit of Mexico into the heart of India’s neighbourhoods through food, drinks, music, performance, play and community.”

Alongside the food and beverages, the festival features Mexican-inspired décor, live music, salsa evenings, workshops, themed game nights, interactive experiences such as Telenovela Table Read and Bingo Beats Club, as well as performances by New Delhi-based Latin band Abakorao at select outlets.

When: Until July 31

Where: All SOCIAL outlets across India