The renowned Birmingham chef Matt Wilden—who made his name at the former pizzeria POLI and taco pop-up Piñata—has announced his newest restaurant. Continuing his ‘P’-theme, Perro opened last Thursday (July 3) with Mexican-influenced cuisine, cocktails and a creative community spirit.
Tucked into a cosy 12-cover space in Kings Court in Kings Heath, diners can expect small plates infused with the flavours of salsa, mole, and adobo that draw inspiration directly from Mexican traditions. But Perro will also wear many hats throughout the day.
By day, Perro will deliver a flavoursome grab-and-go experience for the working crowd. Expect a mix of stacked deli sandos, Vietnamese iced coffees, three delicious house-baked goods, and rotating seasonal agua frescas to go. Lunchtime will never be the same again in Birmingham’s Kings Heath.
But then, as night falls, Perro transforms into an intimate, low-lit 12-seater restaurant and bar. The mood is being described as ‘casual and fun’, but the food itself will take the complexity of Mexican cuisine very seriously. Expect a menu anchored in deep research and respect, over say ‘white people tacos’.
“This isn’t traditional Mexican food, and it’s not meant to be,” says Wilden. “It’s food built on real respect for the culture and cuisine. We’re not aiming for perfection, we’re aiming to grow, learn, and do it justice in our own way. Perro is a place for people who love making things, sharing ideas, and pushing boundaries. It’s about building a space where creativity, on the plate and off, can thrive.”
On weekends, Perro will stay open late, serving incredible cocktails and snacks into the night. Teaming up with the ‘Best Bartender of the Year’, Katie Rouse, from the ‘Best Bar in the Midlands & East Anglia’, Couch, expect an incredible cocktail menu, as well as a well-thought-out natural wine list.
Matt Wilden also hopes that Perro will be a platform for collaboration, with a rotating calendar of creative events each month: “At its heart, Perro is about creative people supporting creative people. Whether it’s food, music, fashion, or art – it will be a space to share, experiment, and celebrate.”
You can keep up to date here.