About Us
Where Latin Soul Comes to Life
A space to gather, taste, laugh, and feel the rhythm of Latin America.
About us
El Manglar was born from a dream to bring the vibrant soul of Latin America to the heart of Melbourne. Inspired by the mangrove forests — ecosystems where land and sea, roots and tides meet — we created a space that blends culture, community, flavour, and emotion.
Behind the concept are passionate people who wanted to reimagine the traditional dining experience — not just through food and drink, but through shared moments, music, stories, and play. With roots in Colombia and deep respect for the diversity of Latin America, El Manglar celebrates what it means to come together at the table: loud, warm, joyful, and unapologetically authentic.
From ceviche, steaks and cocktails to games of rana, a game of precision and luck, and Tejo, Colombia’s explosive national sport, and private rooms for intimate gatherings, every corner of El Manglar is designed to spark connection — to bring people into the moment, into the flavour, into the soul of the tropics.
Welcome to our mangrove — where cultures meet, rhythms flow, and good times grow.
Our Story
We created El Manglar because we felt something was missing.
As Latin Americans living in Melbourne, we craved a place that truly felt like home — not just through flavours, but through the warmth, the music, the laughter, the stories, and the chaos we call joy. We weren’t looking for a cliché or a themed restaurant. We wanted something real. Something alive.
El Manglar was born from this longing — a love letter to where we come from and a gift to the city we now call home.
Inspired by the mangrove forests, where land and sea meet, we envisioned a space that connects people through shared moments. A space where you can eat with your hands, dance if you feel like it, play a game of rana or tejo, and taste food that awakens both memory and curiosity.
We don’t believe in watered-down culture. At El Manglar, culture isn’t the background — it’s the main ingredient.
This is not just a restaurant or a bar. It’s an experience. It’s a place where stories are told through cocktails, where tradition meets creativity on every plate, and where the sounds of Latin America — from salsa to laughter — fill the air.
What makes us different? We go beyond the plate. Every dish, every drink, every corner of El Manglar is designed to make you feel: to spark emotion, connection, and joy.
We honour our roots while imagining a new way forward. We serve bold, soulful food with a modern twist. We play our music loud. We celebrate imperfection. And we welcome everyone who walks through our doors with open arms and full hearts.
At El Manglar, you don’t just eat Latin America — you become part of it.
