I can hardly describe the Tamarind restaurant as a hidden gem as it has been in full view on the Mt Hawthorn foodie strip for more than 20 years, but it is definitely a gem.
Alongside such luminaries as Spritz and Lupo Lab on Scarborough Beach road, Tamarind was a great find for my friends and me.
We booked early as we were heading to a North Perth concert for 7pm. We were the only customers in the restaurant at 5:30 on a Saturday night – do the locals not like this place? But not to worry, by the time we left at 6:30 the place was heaving!
Tamarind has a no-nonsense modern décor with wooden tables and chairs – pictures on the wall reflect Cambodian heritage and the staff were unobtrusive but friendly.
Although billed as Cambodian cuisine, the Tamarind has a lot of south East Asian dishes on the menu. The restaurant prides itself on serving authentic dishes made with fresh produce.
Seven of us enjoyed five plates of excellent food – Massaman beef curry (thick red curry with fried shallots and coconut $26.90), Chicken Pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodles with spring onions and vegetables $20.90), Cambodian sizzling prawns (spicy sweet and sour prawns with vegetables $29.90), Choo Chee fish (slow cooked coconut cream with steamed vegetables and cashew nuts $27.90) and Teriyaki chicken (fried chicken pieces tossed in home-made teriyaki sauce and topped with sesame seeds $24.90).
We couldn’t fault any of the dishes, they were all really good but my favourite was the Choo Chee fish – crispy fish and a heavenly sauce – I will be having that one to myself next time around!
The only sour note was the corkage charge of $10 per bottle. I get it that Tamarind is licensed and BYO can undercut the profits but $10 is high.
Address: 148 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn
Phone: 08 9242 2988
Reservations: Yes
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 4pm-9pm
Gluten-free options: Yes
Vegetarian options: Yes
Restrooms: Clean and accessible
Parking: No on-street parking but parking is available behind the local IGA or The Paddington.
Website: www.tamarindcambodian.com.au
