Ettalong has quickly become one of the foodie hotspots on the Central Coast with the arrival of many new hospitality venues flocking to the area. Opening in late 2021 was another gem by the name of Chica Chica.

Brought to you by a Central Coast couple, Chica Chica offers the perfect fusion of South American flavours and Aussie hospitality. Having always wanted to produce something of their own, Chica Chica is an extension of what the pair love about dining out themselves.

“Chica Chica is a relaxed ambiance with a menu designed to be as flexible as the guest’s dining requirements. It works beautifully as a simple pop-in for a drink and a bit to eat as equally as it does for a more formal meal or a special night out.”

The food and drinks are where the fun is really at with an incredible offering of share plates, both small and large, as well as some tasty sides and special kids meals so the whole family can enjoy a night out.

“Our menu has been designed to be flexible and provide a mountain of taste and quality. Flavour profiles are influenced with that mouth-watering South American feel, so you’ll find tequila, chilli, and all those beautiful spices used often.

“We like to call it ‘South American inspired’. Coupled with cocktails to complement and Margaritas to die for, our menu is designed for sharing but works just as well if you choose to pick dishes of your own. It equally suits those who have just stepped off the beach and fancy a quick Taco and a Cerveza as it does those who choose to dine more formally.”

Chica Chica’s small plates feature some delicious goods including the simple Spiced Chickpeas & Marinated Olives, Fried Squid served with spicy habanero and coffee salt, Garlic & Serrano Chilli Prawns flamed with tequila and lime, served with grilled sourdough.

Moving into the large plates, you can share these with a group or keep it all to yourself. The Whole Roasted Baby Snapper with roasted cashew, mezcal puree, burnt tomatillo salsa and finished with coriander, roasted bull horn chilli and Spanish onion, and the Sticky Drunken Pork Spare Ribs with sticky agave, cacao and tequila pork ribs served with a habanero, peach, and pineapple salsa are our two standouts.

It wouldn’t be South American cuisine without tacos! Chica Chica offers a delicious array of tacos with fillings including Coconut Prawn, Pork Belly, Beef Brisket, Spicy Chicken, Mushroom, and Baja Fish.

Going hand in hand with your delicious South American-inspired eats is the Chica Chica team’s dedicated Margarita menu. That’s right, a god damn dedicated Margarita menu with 12 delicious concoctions to fill your Margarita-loving needs.

From your classic Margarita with tequila, Cointreau, lime, and a salt rim, the Chilli & Cucumber Margarita with spicy habanero, tequila, Cointreau, cucumber, agave, lime, and a Tajin chilli salt rim, and Passionfruit & Elderflower Margarita with tequila, Cointreau, elderflower, lime, Passionfruit puree, and a sugar rim amongst our favourites.

“Our Margarita menu has quickly become our specialty with 12 different margaritas shaken or frozen and 25 different tequilas and mezcals. We run our $8 Margarita Madness special on Sunday evenings from 5pm.”

Not sure where to start? Well, the Chica Chica team informs me that the top three sellers are the Coconut Margarita, the Chilli & Cucumber Margarita, and Pineapple & Ginger Margarita!

“The essence of a good Margarita is the ingredients, one of the favourites of us all is the one aptly named the ‘Chica Chica Margarita’ – with the subtle hint of fresh pear and is complemented with a rosemary salt rim.”

The somewhat fresh-faced venue in Ettalong is excited to continue offering a welcoming space for all to enjoy, with long-term hopes to potentially bring their unique Chica Chica flavours further afar!