A trip to Mexico may be off the cards, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t eat tacos and drink frozen margaritas by the pool this summer.

And best of all, you don’t even have to make them yourself. The Terrace Bar at Bannisters in Port Stephens is set to transform into Julio’s this summer – a sexy Mexy pop-up that channels the luxe resort life of the Riviera Maya.

The pop-up cantina will be headed up by Mitch Turner, who has worked alongside Rick Stein for over a decade.

As one would expect from a restaurant owned by the fish whisperer himself, Julio’s will boast a fresh, seafood-heavy menu, designed for eating in the sun.

Get the fiesta started with ceviche and tomatillos, or tuck straight into the tacos, which are made on house tortillas and come filled with slow-roasted pork, lamb, fish and eggplant.  For something more substantial, there’s the carne asado, a chargrilled steak slathered with chimichurri, and fish wrapped in banana leaf with coriander salsa. And of course, no one leaves until they try the churros with dulce de leche for dessert (that’s our rule anyway).

Beyond the usual beers and wine, you can also toast the start of summer with a margarita – either classic or frozen – by the pool.

Julio’s joins other eateries, including Rick Stein’s modern seafood restaurant, Rick’s, and Cheeky Dog Bistro at Bannisters, Port Stephens. For more details, head to bannisters.com.au/julios.