Barcelona’s Best Mexican Restaurants

Barcelona’s Best Mexican Restaurants
(Updated 2022)

Barcelona has great Mexican restaurants. It came as a total surprise to me though it shouldn’t have. Mexican food is just what you need when you are hankering for a break from Catalan brown. The Mexican one-two visual punch of green guacamole and fuschia of pickled red onion. The inclusion of acid in everything. Lime to squeeze into your beer or on your taco.

There’s Mexican food to suit every taste and budget. I’m going to share some of my favourites. This is not an exhaustive list (you’ve got Tripadvisor for that) but a compilation of Mexican restaurants I’ve eaten at listed by what I think they do best.

Costa Pacifico – Plaça Sant Agustí Vell 13. 08003 El Born. (facebook.com/costapacificobcn) From the people behind Tlaxcal comes this Mexican restaurant inspired by the sea. The location is ideal, on a leafy pedestrian square if you can grab one of the outside seats you will be set. Inside is good too because you are here for the food.

Gallo Taco – C/ del Torrent de l’Olla, 64 08012 Gracia. (www.gallosantobarcelona.es) Entirely vegan, from the “cheese” to the cashew cream. It’s well placed in Gracia, which leads to sustainable, km0, organic and so on. There is a lot of flavour in the dishes, you might almost forget that everything you are eating is plant-based.

Gringa – C/ de la Lleialtat, 16. 08001 El Raval. (www.gringa.es) This started out as the Eureka street food truck before moving to a permanent location in the Raval barrio. This is Californian style Mexican with an interior to match the concept. Think fluorescent lights, cement floors and cactuses in terracotta pots to break it all up. They do an American / Mexican brunch that I love.

 

La Catrina – C/ Sardenya 196, 08013 El Fort Pienc (facebook.com/LaCatrinaDeBarcelona) There aren’t a lot of tacos on the menu here but every single one is worth having. They come with guacamole on one end, salsa on the other and a generous sprinkling of chicharrones to complete the package. For the more adventurous, there is beef tongue. I love the bright Mexican oilcloths on the table and that they leave the salsas on the table and you can help yourself. I just squirt them into my mouth with abandon.

Pikio Taco – C/ de Còrsega, 376. 08037 Gracia.  (www.pikiotaco.com) A hallway type of restaurant. Long and narrow with plenty of bright murals and lighting to keep it fun. Their tacos are small, two bites and you are done. All the better to try a selection. They come in plastic baskets lined with wax papers. The margaritas churn in a slushie machine at the bar so if you love them, have one here.

Oaxaca – Pla de Palau, 19, 08003. (oaxacacuinamexicana.com) Within the stunning arches of Pla del Palau. I’ve been told by friends visiting from Mexico that Oaxaca has better food than in their native country. Not surprising. The chef has a garden dedicated to growing ingredients exclusively for the restaurant. Everything is made from scratch, to order and viewable through the glass-encased kitchen. They go as far as to sprinkle the large kernelled corn on the cob with sour dried crickets.

Taco Alto – Portal Nou 62, o8003 El Raval. (tacoalto.es) This corner shop serves tacos by the piece. Ideal when you are feeling peckish between meals or if you are eating with friends.

Taqueria Tamarindo– C/ Arago 236. 08007 Eixample. (facebook.com/taqueriastamarindo/) A small place with a run-down look. Don’t let the looks dissuade you though, excellent tacos to be had here and good value to boot. The agua de tamarindo and homemade lemonade are a good accompaniment to the tacos. I always make sure to order the nachos too!

Tlaxacal– C/ Comerç, 27. 08003 El Born. (facebook.com/TlaxcalBcn) Recommended in American magazine Food & Wine, this white-tiled restaurant gets busy fast. Even during the week when their excellent value lunch menu is available. The tongue tacos come highly recommended but I always end up going for the tortilla soup and the green enchiladas.

This was a compilation of Barcelona’s Best Mexican Restaurants. For more compilations click on:
Best of Barcelona 2019
Best of Barcelona 2018
Barcelona Coffee Guide 
Barcelona Where To Eat
Barcelona Top 5