NOW EXPERIENCING:Rodolfos

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 10 Jul 2024

By
Tomas Telegramma


Entrance to Rodolfo's in Melbourne

Go Margarita mad at this low-key rooftop tequilería where there are nearly a dozen to choose from – classic to spicy to coconut-spiked – backed up by tasty Mexican snacks.

The rooftop at Rodolfo's in Melbourne
Why you goIf you’re passing through Ormond train station or cruising down North Road – a busy strip in the city’s southeast – you might see a bit of a commotion on a corner rooftop. Chances are it’s Rodolfos, a tequilería that brings a bit of Mexico to the ’burbs, much to the delight of locals, now with a new al fresco watering hole. Look for the signage around the corner on Newham Grove, scale the stairs and be greeted by a bar that’s all about Mexican agave spirits like mezcal and tequila – and cocktails made with them. This means the team is shaking up Margaritas for days. Pick your poison, then secure a spot among other Margarita fans on that sun- and plant-filled rooftop. There are huge umbrellas to shade it in summer and a blazing fireplace to keep it warm in winter, so either way you’re gonna wanna stick around for the entire afternoon.
Why you stayBecause the vibe picks up even more from 8:00pm on Friday nights. That’s thanks to a rotating weekly roster of local musicians, who play acoustic sets out on the rooftop. Get in early and get your dinner sorted beforehand, then stick around for the live set. Check out the Rodolfos Instagram page to keep up-to-date on all the latest artists and events.
What drink to orderIn case it’s at all unclear, Margaritas are the main event here. So much so that you can choose from at least 11 variations. Sure, you can go classic and be served something simple but executed excellently. If there’s anywhere to venture off the beaten track, however, it’s here. Why not double the fun with one that’s made from tequila infused in house with Mexican chillies? Or you can keep it fresh and fruity with one of the frozen versions (think pomegranate, passionfruit or pineapple) to help you beat the heat in the summertime.
Cocktails served at Rodolfo's in Melbourne
Trays of Mexican-inspired food at Rodolfo's in Melbourne
What to pair it withThe food menu is no afterthought at Rodolfos and there’s a heap to choose from. Most of the offering keeps with the Mexican theme of the drinks, so you’ll find tacos stuffed with flame-grilled chicken and crushed pineapple, slow-cooked beef spiked with chilli, and crisp-fried cauliflower, along with cheesy quesadillas and zingy salsa. You’ll also find pub classics, so all your parma, pizza and schnitty needs are sorted.
Why we love itIf you get chatting to your bartender, they might tell you about a special connection Rodolfos has to a certain mezcal on the back bar. One of the owners of Rodolfos, Steve Kingi, is also the co-founder of Metoro Mezcal, a Melbourne-owned, Mexican-made agave spirit that takes pride of place on the top of the list. It’s crafted by hand in small batches from a type of agave called espadín in the Oaxacan village of San Dionisio Ocotepec. Try it neat, on the rocks, or as the star ingredient in a number of the mezcal Margaritas.
Regular’s tipThe cost of living is, well, costly. But it shouldn’t stop you from leaning in to your hankering for a well-made cocktail. If you time your visit to Rodolfos to coincide with one of its weekly specials, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck. On Thursday nights the Margs are $12 a pop; on weekends there are five-course Mexican feasts – with bottomless drinks – for $69; and the weekday happy hour from 5:00pm to 6:00pm means $8 wines and $10 pints.
Don’t leave withoutLoving to drink mezcal is an important first step. But at Rodolfos you can gain an understanding of what exactly agave spirits are, how they’re made, and even how they came about – if you’re just starting to get acquainted with them. The friendly team is more than willing to give you a crash course. Or you can spend a few minutes reading up on the process thanks to a fun (but by no means fun-sized) info sheet that takes up a good portion of the white wall in the main bar area.
Looking at that bar at Rodolfo's in Melbourne