Pepitos

Pepito's brings a bold slice of Peru to Sydney’s Inner West. Founded in 2020 by Peruvian-born Jose Alkon as a tribute to his father, it’s his way of sharing the edgier, more local side of Peru that never makes the postcards. The kitchen walks a fine line between tradition and invention, channelling classic techniques while championing seasonal Australian produce. It’s Peru refracted through a Sydney lens, vivid with citrus, spice and smoke.

From the sea come bright, clean flavours: conchitas a la parmesana gilds scallops with butter and grana padano, while tiradito de trucha sets cured trout against escabeche mussels and amarillo leche de tigre. The cantina spirit shows in calamares pucusana with lime aioli and the comforting papa a la huancaina. On the grill, lomo carries a lick of chilli salsa and saltado reduction, and corazon skewers get the panca chilli and anticuchera treatment.

Streetwise sanguches anchor the mood, with pan con chicharron layered in salsa criolla and sweet potato crunch, and pan con halloumi offering a playful counterpoint with grilled pineapple. It’s a confident edit of classics and reimagined staples, made for leisurely sharing and spirited conversation.

Refreshment comes in the form of bright non-alcoholic sips like the zesty virgin chilcano and the deep purple chicha spritz. Consider this a quiet invitation to book, sip and savour - mischief in the marinade included!