Pablo Honey

The Verdict

If you haven’t met our friend Pablo Honey yet, sort yourself out and get there toot suit. 

We’ll admit it—a busy corner on Acland Street, St Kilda isn’t where we’d expect to find one of the best tequila bars and a South American fare extraordinaire either, but there you have it.

Pop inside for some seriously upbeat vibes and incredible tiki artwork and get comfy. Like, really comfy because we predict you’re going to want to stay a while. There’s plenty of seating options, from sit-down dining to bucket bar stools, but it’s the leather couches that called our names.

While tequila is very much the tipple of choice at Pablo Honey (more on that later) the food menu is more than reason enough to lock in Pablo Honey for your next night out.

You can expect to find a finger lickin’ selection of small and large share plates. While we’re not inclined to recommend one dish over another because they’re all so flippin’ delicious, that’s what you came here for. So here goes. On the small plate front, the bone marrow is at the top of our list. It’s served wood roasted with piquillo peppers and charred rye toast. The Chargrilled squid with chorizo, pickled onions smoked chilli, and chicharron is also totally to die for. On the large plate front, you’d have to be bonkers to not get your mitts on the cumin-roasted lamb rib rack with aii amarillo (a South American chilli) and peanut sauce.

Leave room for dessert—all of the options are next level. Chocolate lovers rejoice, because we’ve got your ideal plate: the smoothest chocolate mousse with chilli, Ibarra sponge, and roasted chocolate granite. Pro tip, pare it with an espresso martini—Pablo Honey’s version of the classic comes with chocolate shavings and chilli. 

If you’re a fan of tequila (or any great cocktails really) Pablo Honey is going to tick your box. While you can certainly get all your standard favourite cocktails at Pablo Honey, we beg you to branch out and get one of the stunning tequila-based house creations. The bar staff are masters and have created a tequila cocktail selection to rival any of the best bars in town.

Pablo Honey will completely wipe away any preconceived ideas you had about tequila being a filthy spirit that you last had pre your 21st birthday. The tequila at this St Kilda gem is top notch. Smooth, quality and the sort of thing you savour (not gulp in one go) there’s something for all budgets. With around 45 different tequilas to choose from, ranging from $9 a shot to $200 a shot (!!) you’re in tequila maestro hands.

Image credit: Michelle Jarni for The Urban List