Radio Mexico

Overview

If you're looking for the perfect date night or group hangout spot near St Kilda Beach, don't look past Radio Mexico. Perpetually packed to the rafters, it seems that the line flows out of the venue no matter what the season. In summer it's understandably hectic, but even in winter it's hard to get a table on a Friday night, such is the versatility of this bayside bar and restaurant.

The interior creates a fun and fresh Mexican vibe; the walls are brightly coloured in pinks and oranges and Mexican paraphernalia hangs from the ceiling. The cosy lighting and timber furniture pair well with the indoor plants and pebble features that appear multiple times across the room. With too-cool bartenders mixing your drinks and friendly waitstaff doing their thing to a pretty great soundtrack, the general atmosphere is buzzing.

If you're a self-confessed taco lover like myself, this is the place for you. On our visit, we tried the fish with corn salsa, as well as the black bean and jalapeno tacos ($6.50 each) — all of which were tasty and moreish. Natural corn chips come as a side, alongside three complimentary Mexican dips. Perfect for snacking (or just while you're waiting for the rest of your food), they join other great tapas-style options listed as botanas. Potato and chorizo quesadillas and crabmeat tostadas offer something different to the humble taco, along with chilaquiles: a nacho-like dish that comes with your choice of tomato and black bean, chicken or spicy chilli salsa.

Despite tacos being as common as pizza in our current cuisine climate, Radio Mexico still does an amazing job of combining traditional Mexican with modern textures and flavours. Now into their third year of service, Radio Mexico is a St Kilda go-to rain, hail or shine — proving that it's always time for tacos.

Words by Bronte Ryan