The true heroes of Mexican cuisine though, are beans and corn. Black beans feature in everything from Chilli Con Carne, to Mole and corn hides in just about everything, from corn tortillas, to tortilla soup. While the west is well versed in nachos, tacos and burritos, there are actually six Mexican regions of traditional food that all vary significantly. In the north, goat, ostrich and beef are the protein staples, while the Yucatan favours sweeter, less spicy food compared to Oaxaca’s savoury tamales and mole sauces.
Whether you’re craving a simple burrito, or an authentic food tour of Mexico, below you’ll find the best spots in Perth City to explore all of the above.
Yes, it’s a Mexican food chain, but with a slightly different offering. Mad Mex are a more health focused takeaway joint, with a mission to supply their customers with a super-fast meal that they can trust is genuinely healthy. They even have a nutritional calculator so you can check on how nutritious it is, if math's if your thing. Claiming to have the best Baja-style burrito this style of the pacific, theirs comes with brown rice, black beans, pico de gallo, lettuce and your choice of meat, tofu or vegetables; making it a quick complete-protein meal for vegetarians or plant-based eaters.
This timeless, yet on-trend restaurant has been a fixture in Northbridge for some time now and it’s one of the city’s only authentic Mexican restaurants. Expect to find traditional Mexican fare like Baja Fish tacos, on the menu, spicy duck taquitos and guacamole with handmade crispy tortillas. Darkly lit and laid-back, La Cholita also makes for a great spot to just go and have a beer, a cocktail and sample their extensive tequila menu.
La Cholita Australia’s fascination with Mexico could be no more apparent, than in the launch of one of its favourite burrito chains. If you haven’t yet been to Guzman y Gomez, it’s a good one to have in your repertoire for those days where you’re too hungry to go home and cook. Some saving graces on their menu include; the classic burrito (which you can try for free if you download their app) and if you think gluten is the devil, then there’s the option of their burrito bowls, which are filled with rice, beans, veggies, and no tortilla to speak of.
Meaning little horse in Spanish, Caballitos is a late night underground tequila bar tucked away on Queen Street in the heart of the CBD. With over 200 tequilas and mezcals on their menu, $5 taco Tuesdays and a penchant for partying until 4am, they've won a lot of friends.
Caballitos 