el PÚBLICO - Highgate

Easy location to get to/access. Compact menu which reduces the challenge to pick one of the yummy options, but provides good variety and flavours. Wonderfully fresh and tasty (the street corn ahhh! and the pizza yum). Prompt service with the drinks and cocktails (the Paloma a fave) as well.Only small distraction is the same issue that applies to all eateries that have hard floors/walls - limited sound absorption and with lots and lots of people can get a little hard to hear your friends.Otherwise, more than happy to return:)

Everything about this place was fantastic, from the friendly and attentive staff to the delicious food! Let's hope they open up on the east coast of Aus!

This restaurant specialises in Mexican Tapas. All the food is made on the premises and the menu is varied and interesting. The tacos were all good. We tried the duck, chicken and fish versions and they were all delicious. We also had a great tequila cocktail as well as an aged tequila shot to end the meal. The fish marinated in Citrus was particularly good. Overall the price was very reasonable. We paid around $50 each and that included a number of drinks. Would recommend for a group of friends or even a good date night.

Wemt here on a Wednesday night and couldn't get a table as it was so busy! However we sat in the bar area and were quite happy. The menu is a bit confusing but fortunately we were with friends who had been before so we let them order. Had amazing homemade massive tortilla chips with guacamole and an order of street corn to start- my husband hates sweet corn and yet loved it. Also an order of chorizo and the beef meatballs- easily one of the best things I have ever eaten. Then we shared a mixed grill. Not too expensive and every mouth full was a taste sensation. Absolutely loved it and the food all came really quickly.

So we were looking at our local restaurants online today and found an interesting review of El Publico that didn't quite hit the mark. I'm not usually one to post an online opinion outside the hidden confines and ceiling-height privacy settings of my Facebook page but I feel it warrants an alternate viewpoint.We are what you would consider the 'tragic regulars' of hospitality patrons; The quintessential (and unashamed) creatures of habit. We tend to find places that we absolutely fall in love with and repeatedly consume every menu and cocktail option with complete disregard for the law of diminishing marginal utility. We do this because we know what we like and hence find ourselves at El Publico more often that we would prefer to admit.El Publico is (without a doubt) our favourite Perth venue for food and drinks. We've been patrons of 'The Church of The Neon Donkey' (as we call it) for around 2 years now and have sought comfort either by ourselves after a hideous weekday at work (It's cheaper than psychotherapy) or shared with friends on the weekend taking in that vibrant 'cantina' feel.The edgy Mexican street art on the walls combined with the warmth of the friendly staff are a perfect complement to their authentic (and often unexpected) Mexican offerings. The recent addition of the 'Chicken Diablo' taco sees the surprising use of peanut brittle presenting a delightful take on more traditional Mexican flavours. My personal favourite is the Baha fish taco. Fresh, tangy and satisfying; Ultimately paired with either a Tommy’s Margarita or Negra Modelo beer. It’s no surprise that the fish tacos are often the first menu item to run out. Do consider the words 'Mogo-Mogo' as we now see them an opening prayer.Of particular appeal is now knowing that every ingredient is made on site, from scratch! Their corn chips, soft tortillas, soured cream and even their ice cream is made by the kitchen team. If you get a chance, look up El Publico on the SBS website to get a better idea of their vision and the efforts they have made to ensure their staff are exposed to REAL Mexican food and hospitality. Ensure to have a napkin at the ready as there will be much drooling!The team (Chef and all) are extremely passionate about Mexican food, drink and great service. If only the rest of Perth’s many venues could be as warm and inviting, we might eat elsewhere! As far as drinks go, you won’t finder a wider selection of tequila in Perth, nor a group of people who know more about their product and origins. We highly recommend El Publico to you. PS - All hail The Neon Donkey!