Retro Cronulla: The Best of Mexican & Italian
Retro Cronulla is a unique new restaurant that serves up two distinct menus under the one roof.
The venue celebrates the best of both Mexican and Italian cuisine and comes from the team behind acclaimed Sydney tequila bar Run Dos Run (which was nominated as one of Australia’s Top 10 Tequila Bars in 2025).
Founded by Gerardo “Gerry” and Harriet Macip, the venue draws on Gerry’s Mexican heritage and love of Italian food, bringing together bold Mexican flavours, Neapolitan-style pizza and an extensive tequila and mezcal offering, all centred around good food, great drinks and bringing people together.
Spanning an indoor dining room and two outdoor balconies, Retro accommodates 150 guests, creating a lively setting for everything from family dinners and casual catch-ups to long lunches and nights out with friends.
Gerry’s connection to Mexican food and culture runs deep, having grown up in Mexico City before emigrating to Australia and building a portfolio of nine venues over the years. For the Macips, the Shire was the natural next step. Both locals, the pair wanted to bring the spirit of Run Dos Run to Cronulla while creating something distinctly its own, with tequila and mezcal at the heart of the concept.
Complementing the tequila and mezcal offering is a menu made for sharing, bringing together the bold flavours of Mexico and Italy. The Quesabirria Tacos are a standout, with slow-cooked beef folded into crisp, cheesy tortillas and served with a rich birria consommé made with imported Mexican chillies and traditional spices.
Other highlights include Wood-Fired Bread, Guacamole with lime and pico de gallo served with chilli-salted corn chips, Corn Ribs topped with chipotle mayo, parmesan and parsley, and the outstanding Taquitos filled with pulled chicken and spices, topped with ranchera, pico, coriander and grated ricotta. A must-try!
On the Italian side, there are a variety of pizzas and pastas to enjoy. The Neapolitan-style pizzas were developed alongside Italian chef Alberto Facci, using 48-hour fermented Biga dough cooked in a custom red MAMforni rotating pizza oven, imported from Italy and built onsite, with the range spanning Margherita and Diavola through to Tequila BBQ Chicken.
The bar keeps things playful with classic cocktails and signatures including the Spicy Mango, made with tequila, agave, lime, fresh mango, mango gelato and a dash of habanero; the Messina Espresso Martini, made with Messina dulce de leche; and the Apple Pie, a playful spin on the apple-tini finished with a Fireball twist.
When the weekend rolls around, Retro turns up the energy with a 90-minute bottomless lunch for $99 per person, featuring crowd-favourite dishes and flowing drinks. There’s even an ‘Italian’ or ‘Mexican’ set menu option giving you the chance to taste some of the menu’s highlights – perfect for those that struggle to make a choice.
With elevator and ramp access, Retro is designed to be welcoming to all, with kids aged 12 and under dining free every Sunday. For the Macips, it’s a chance to bring together the influences that have shaped their hospitality journey under one roof.
Mexican at heart, Italian by influence and tequila-led at the bar, Retro brings a distinctly personal touch to Cronulla. An exciting new addition to the Shire’s dining scene.
Retro Cronulla
1 McDonald St, Cronulla NSW 2230
Website: https://www.retrocronulla.com.au/