The best Mexican restaurants in Perth

If you’re chasing a West Australian take on coastal Mexican cuisine, this South Freo joint is where it’s at. Grab your amigos and venture to this historic port city because we’re talking Margaritas, Iced Tea-Quila, the Bloody Maria or the Native Negroni. Dishes are designed to be shared, and menu items include the famous fish tacos, ceviche and braised beef shin with beans and chorizo. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available. And make sure you get the guacamole – it is damn good here. 

There are many reasons why we love El Grotto, one of which is the Spicy Marg, made with jalapeño blanco, apricot
lemon and orgeat. The tacos here come in vegan and vegetarian options alongside fish, pork belly and chicken – the staff favourite are the fried cauliflower with salsa macha, roasted pepitas, ricotta salata and coriander. The bar is only a stone's throw from the sapphire sea and sandy paradise of Scarborough Beach, so if you sit outside you'll be able to drink in the salty sea air along with your Mexican Standoff (mezcal, Aperol, lime, passionfruit and pineapple) or Bloody Maria (like a Bloody Mary, with tequila in place of vodka). If you're after something more substantial than tacos, you can also get quesadillas, seafood ceviche, burritos and tostadas. Fire up the group chat for a night of beachside Mexican-infused fun and mosey over for drinks and a feed after a day spent by the water.

Hold on to your hats – and by hats, we mean sombreros – because you’re in for a treat. Caballitos is a late-night tequila bar, nightclub and Mexican cantina, right in the heart of Perth. It's always a party in this Mexican bar, with DJs, mariachi bands, pole dancing and pinata parties – what more could you want? There’s even the resident tattoo artist inking free, custom flash tats. 

Spanish for “little horse,” Caballitos has more than 200 tequilas and mezcals, loads of loco cocktails, beers, vino and twists on authentic Mexican tipples. There are of course Margaritas and Sangria, but the venue also has a load of house special cocktails as well as classics. The food list isn’t massive, but it does the job. With fillings of roasted pork belly, smoky black beans, char-grilled chicken and pulled beef, soft tacos are the hero of the small but delicious menu. And everything can be made gluten free.

Fusing the modern with the traditional, El Publico is one of Perth’s best Mexican joints. With a menu featuring the likes of mushroom quesadillas and chicken, pork, fish and cauliflower tacos, you won’t be going home unsatisfied. If decision-making isn’t your forte, and picking one thing is proving too strenuous a task, El Publico offers a Feed Me menu, where for just $55 you'll get four courses, including pork crackling, empanadas, a mixed grill and Mexican chocolate cake. 

Clint Nolan might not be the most Spanish name in the phonebook, but don’t let that put you off the hombre’s loud, no-holds-barred and – most important of all – fun homage to Mexican food and drink.

As you’d expect, tequila gets star billing. If you’re a purist, working your way through the bar’s 70 or so bottles – give or take a Mezcal or six – will keep you busy.

In the kitchen, the red-shirted team keep it similarly real. While booze-friendly entradas in the vein of grilled octopus and zesty pico de gallo keep those at the bar merry, those seated in the restaurant section have the whole proverbial enchilada to choose from: we’re partial to the tostadas, particularly the avocado and crab configuration.

Tuck into the tacos and tequila or a beer and burrito at Mexican Kitchen. Since 1980, the family-owned, traditional Mexican joint has been nestled in the heart of Freo’s famous cappuccino strip. Vibrant with colour and quirkiness, the venue is deceiving in size. From the street, it gives off a tiny hole-in-the-wall vibe, but when you walk in, you'll discover an underground dining area and bar. Mexican Kitchen is open from Tuesday till Sunday for dinner and lunch on weekends. Looking for a bargain? We’re tempted by half-price nacho Tuesdays and $10 taco trios, $30 fishbowl Fridays and $12 Margarita Sundays.

Only five minutes from the Perth CBD, Pancho’s has been known for more than 40 years as the place to go for laid-back Mexican dining. You’ll want to come extra hungry, because the servings are generous and you won't want to let something so tasty go to waste. The menu boasts all the favourites and some new ones, including nachos baked to perfection, chilli con queso, enchiladas, tacos and burritos, coupled with loaded fries and jalapeno poppers. The team at Pancho’s know how to pack a punch and a good deal, with loads of weekly specials to take advantage of. On Monday there's half-price nachos, $20 meal combos on Tuesday and Wednesday, $6 Thursday (we’re talking tacos, dessert, frozen cocktails and house tequila), and kids under 12 eat free every day.

To take away the guess work, there’s a very handy meal code on the menu that clearly illustrates chef recommendations, gluten-free and vegetarian options, as well as the meals likely to take a little longer to prepare and the ones containing nuts, alcohol and seafood – super useful. There’s also a separate (and very large) vegan menu, so those with dietary requirements or preferences won’t be missing out. And most meals can also be ordered as mild, medium or hot.

Residing inside the Sunshine Harvester Works in Fremantle, Al Pastor Taqueria is a Mexican street food diner dishing up all the favourites. We’re talking tacos, burritos, quesadillas, street corn, nachos and loaded fries. You’ll be sipping on a cocktail from their tequila-based cocktail list and transported to the gorgeous coasts of Mexico. There are vegan options available, too.