The Best Mexican Restaurants in Perth for a Flavoursome Fiesta

From dusk till dawn, you probably won’t find yourself trapped in the Quentin Tarantino cult film, but you will happily devour tacos and tequila at some of the best Mexican restaurants in Perth. In typical Western Australian fashion, we’ve combined classic Mexican flavours with our outstanding produce for a modern take on slow-cooked meats, gooey cheese and zesty garnishes wrapped up in tortillas, tacos and quesadillas.

You also can’t have a Mexican fiesta without tequila and smoky mezcal. The options are extensive, whether you’re hovering at a taqueria or settling in for a session at a cantina, especially in Mt Lawley and Fremantle.

These are our top picks of Perth’s best Mexican restaurants, with a serving of ceviche and margaritas on the side.

El Grotto

Head to El Grotto in Scarborough for some of the best Mexican in Perth. Tuck into barbacoa octopus empanadas that are rolled, pressed, filled and fried one by one in house; cerveza battered cuttlefish tostadas served with guacamole and a peanut salsa macha and fresh coriander; bowls of queso, guacamole and chips, beef birria burritos and tasty tacos that run the gamut of cauliflower through to carnitas. Be sure to also say 'salud' with glasses of sangria, spicy margs and mandarin spritz; it's the ultimate spot to ring in the weekend with friends. 

Sitchu Tip: Did you know that El Grotto can accommodate groups of up to 60 people. If you've got a celebration or even coming up, grab the crew and come through for lunch or an evening of hot Mex tacos and all the margaritas. Hola! 

Shop 5/148 The Esplanade, Scarborough 

Jalisco

Doubleview’s newest local tequila bar and taqueria, Jalisco, is dishing up some of the best birria in town, with mouthwatering beef, heaps of melted cheese, locally sourced corn tortillas and one of the most delicious little dipping sauces you’ve ever had. Equally importantly, the margaritas are on point, and the rest of the menu is hard to fault. Honourable mentions have to go to the elotes (charred corn with manchego cheese) and the baja tacos. So good. 

197b Scarborough Beach Road, Doubleview

La Cholita

Situated on the corner of William and Aberdeen streets in Northbridge, La Cholita is a spicy spot for a bite before a night out or a lengthier sojourn through 100+ tequilas. Baja fish tacos, scallop ceviche tostadas, three cheese jalapeno and barramundi wings are just a few of our favourites. Secure a spot in the front bar perfect for people watching over chilli-infused Margaritas and Mole Old Fashioneds, and don’t forget to look down at the glass floor inserts for a birds-eye into the basement, aka the naughty corner; just kidding, or are we?

279 William Street, Northbridge

La Condesa

Let’s head south of the border, like way south to Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula, famed for its ridiculously white beaches, bottomless cenotes and a cuisine deeply rooted in the Mayan culture. You won’t need your passport for a journey to La Condesa for their expertly crafted dishes of pork belly taco with orange and chilli salsa, 12-hour beef short rib, or sticky twice-cooked pork hock with agave and ancho tamarind caramel. Wash down such deliciousness with a Cerveza beer on tap, a tequila-based Dragon Fruit Samba or Mexican-style from their long list of tequilas and mezcals.

483 Hay Street, Subiaco

Piggy Food Co

Piggy Food Co is the dream-child of every food and beer lover looking for the perfect casual place to eat good food and drink delicious beer. Their pouring the freshest and best of both local and international craft brews on ten rotating taps, and slinging out a simple, delicious menu with a fresh, local take on Southern Californian cuisine. Meaning it's very Mexican-inspired, and there's plenty of delicious tacos to be devoured with your favourite brew. These hand-pressed corn tortillas are filled with slaw, salsa fresca and smoked chipotle mayo, and your choice of pulled pork, chicken, halloumi or fried avocado. There are also a battered WA baby snapper or Shark Bay tiger prawn taco to sink your teeth into. Charred corn tossed in paprika and garlic, chorizo burgers, pulled pork or Mexican bean loaded fries with cheese, salsa fresca and sour cream, and even quesadillas round out this absurdly tasty menu. 

229A Queen Victoria Street, North Fremantle 

Caballitos

On a quiet back street of Perth’s CBD, you’d never guess the level of debauchery playing out in this basement bar. You’ll want to round up your besties for a night out at Caballitos, a hidden taqueria where the mariachis play and the tacos and tequila flow freely. To set the scene, there’s also a resident tattoo artist and a pole for the uninhibited. Loosely translating to merry-go-round (hence the pole) or little horse, Caballitos is all that and more, with an added touch of grunginess-meets-Vegas vibes.

Basement, 26 Queen Street, Perth

La Cabana

An aromatic Coffee Ancho Negroni, zesty Pisco Sour and oak-aged tequila crafted from agave provide all the makings of a good time. Embracing its coastal location in Fremantle, and using locally-caught seafood, La Cabana serves up freshly shucked oysters, and tacos starring Baja fish and spit-roasted chicken with orange adobo. Share plates like burnt eggplant dip and roasted cauliflower almost sound healthy enough to warrant a linger over the warm chocolate fruit and nut brownie with mezcal.

400 South Terrace, South Fremantle

Al Pastor Taqueria and Tequila Bar

It wouldn’t be hard to imagine you’d driven down a dusty Mexican road to reach the rustic Al Pastor Taqueria and Tequila Bar. We’re loving their take on building your own tacos, burritos and quesadillas, especially if they feature their signature beef short ribs or rotisserie pork shoulder with pineapple. Add a side of street corn with flaming hot Cheetos soothed with a frozen margarita or two, porque deliciosa! 

The Sunshine Harvester Works, 1 James Street, Fremantle

Frida Mexicana

Take the train out to Fremantle's Frida Mexicana - you won't want to miss out on the Paloma's, Mexican Martini's and classic Margaritas that are free-flowing and guaranteed to have the good times rolling. Authentic Mexican food, made entirely from scratch is slinging out from this casual eatery, from lunch through dinner. Start with the street corn elote and ceviche tostadas, then do yourself a favour and order up the 'Feed Me' tacos. The Baja fish tacos are particularly good, perfectly aligned with the inherent coastal vibes of the bustling port city in which it sits. 

97 Market Street, Fremantle 

Hermanos En Cantina

There aren’t many dishes in Perth costing less than $10, which is why Hermanos En Cantina have outdone themselves with their $8.50 tacos and toasties and $9.50 quesadillas. Our picks include anything with the 12-hour slow-cooked beef brisket, the Booker T tacos with garlic king prawns and the chicken quesadillas.

Open daily from 8am to 9.30pm, start the day at this Tex-Mex diner with huevos (eggs) scrambled or fried and toasted bagels piled high with guacamole with bacon.

Next door to The Astor Theatre in Mt Lawley, this tasty gem opened just before the pandemic hit and lived to tell the tale.

663 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley

El Publico

Since opening in 2012, El Publico has done a brilliant job perfecting its menu over the last decade. Their dedication makes it challenging to choose between the 16-hour slow-cooked short beef rib tacos, ceviche or empanadas. If you order the mixed grill or the Feed Me menu, you won’t need to choose anything except whether you should order a flight of tequila or mezcal (side note: we vote yes). While you’re making up your mind though, sample a Mexican beer or the uplifting Exxpresso Loco margarita with coconut, coffee and tequila. 

511 Beaufort Street, Highgate

Mexican Kitchen

Dishing up authentic Mexican food since 1980, this family-owned Mexican restaurant on Fremantle’s iconic cappuccino strip is a local favourite. It looks like a tiny restaurant from the street, but there’s a hidden underground dining area and bar with plenty of space. It may not be the trendiest Mexican restaurant in Perth, but it’s by far the quirkiest. Come for the delicious food and stay for the weekly drink specials; Margarita Sundays has our name all over it. 

19 South Terrace, Fremantle

Don Birria

There’s only one thing better than a taco, and that’s dipping your taco in a rich broth developed during the meat marination process! Unlike the complexity involved in creating a dish often reserved for special occasions, Don Birria has kept the rest of the menu simple with tacos and quesadillas aplenty. Mind you, it’s hard to resist the rolled tortillas filled with beef birria that have been deep-fried into crispy goodness. Beware, they regularly (and understandably) sell out, so place your pick-up order early and dip away in the privacy of your home.

3/80 Walcott Street, Mount Lawley

Now your tastebuds have travelled to Mexico with these best Mexican restaurants in Perth, check out where to find the best pizza and finest Asian restaurants in Perth for a flavour explosion.