Perro — Restaurant in Birmingham

My wife and I chose Perro in Kings Heath, Birmingham, to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and it turned out to be a memorable evening of bold, inventive Mexican-inspired flavours in a cosy, vibrant setting. Tucked away in this lively neighbourhood, the restaurant has a casual yet sophisticated vibe, with an open kitchen that lets you watch the magic happen and a menu that emphasises seasonal, high-quality ingredients. I started with the Micheldada oyster, which was a revelation for me (my wife doesn't like raw oysters). Having had a truly awful first oyster experience nine years ago, I approached this one with caution—but it was fresh, briny, and perfectly balanced with a zesty Michelada twist. It set a high bar for the rest of the meal. From there, we dove into a selection of small plates that showcased the kitchen's creativity. I don't like beetroot but I thought I would try it again, given the mindset change from the oyster. I still don't like beetroot but my wife absolutely loved it. I did enjoy the crema and fermented chillies of the dish. Next up, the cod carnitas were a standout—an unexpected fusion that worked brilliantly, delivering rich, savoury bites without overwhelming the delicate fish. Cod cooked to perfection! We couldn't resist the roasted cauliflower, a hearty vegetarian option. Another diner had ordered before we arrived and we were witness to theirs being prepared. The char on the cauliflower gave it a smoky edge, while the black beans added creaminess and the salsa brought just the right heat—visually stunning and packed with texture.For something more indulgent, the roasted bone marrow was pure comfort food elevated to fine dining. The marrow was unctuous and flavourful, the birria tender and spiced to perfection, all wrapped up in soft tortillas with that bright salsa verde cutting through the richness. To cap off the night, we splurged on the burnt vanilla cheesecake topped with Imperial Oscietra caviar. It sounds eccentric, but the salty pop of the caviar against the creamy, caramelised cheesecake was a genius contrast—decadent, surprising, and utterly delicious.

As for the atmosphere and service, Perro is very intimate, sitting only a few covers at a time, so do book in advance! We were lucky to have our seat at the kitchen surface right by chef Matt to witness his craft. He explained in detail each dish that was served up and like his food, we ate every word. The other staff were also attentive and engaging. It was a very personal and intimate experience. Not sure he was a fan of my dad jokes, but that's what you get for playing Craig David all night! If you're in Birmingham and craving adventurous tacos and more, Perro is a gem. We'd happily return for another...

Have been a fan of the trio that make up Perro for years now and was so excited when I heard the news of Perro coming to Kings Heath.

I’ve since been twice and safe to say I’m a big fan. Small plates of Mexican inspired dishes - from elotes to roasted prawns, pork carnitas to bone marrow and ox birria tacos, and everything in between. So far I’ve seen a subtly changing menu, but I would say you can’t go wrong with any of the dishes.

Loving the drink selection too, including strong Mezcal mixes or a ice cold Modelo; perfect accompaniments to the gentle heat and flavours of the food.

You can tell there’s been a lot of thought into both the food menu and the drinks menu.

Perro is also open during the day for cobs, Vietnamese coffee, and some...

Perro from Matt Wilden is just what Birmingham’s food scene needs. The Mexican cuisine is divine. The space though intimate with 12 covers inside (a couple of outdoor seating available) is full of personality. The 3 staff are on it like a car bonnet. They made this Canadian gal who misses her Mexican fix daily shed a tear of pure nostalgia when she bit into the best taco she has had on UK soil. Think mushroom parfait, deep fried oyster mushrooms, mole on a corn tortilla. I wish I had two stomachs cuz the food was that delicious. From the starter salad to the mushroom taco to the basque cheesecake, everything packs a punch of flavour, creativity, and just pure joy. I would highly recommend this place and really want it to become a fixture of...