10 Mexican Restaurants in Spain Favored by Locals

Mexican cuisine in Spain enjoys enormous popularity, which has grown over the years and continues thanks to the flavors, textures, and colors of its dishes. The offerings are increasingly diverse due to the availability of original ingredients in the market and the arrival of chefs who ensure authentic Mexican flavors with their proposals. As a result, menus are becoming more varied, not just in Madrid. Cities like Barcelona, Vigo, Mallorca, Valencia, Bilbao, and Gijón have top-tier restaurants offering authentic Mexican food, which has become part of the country’s gastronomic scene. From the traditional guacamole (with or without chapulines) from Oaxaca to the tacos al pastor enjoyed on every corner of Mexico City, as well as the finest seafood in true Sinaloan style, northern beef as found in Sonora, or the Maya delights of Yucatán cuisine.

Its blend of flavors makes Mexican cuisine one of the tastiest in the world, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and showcasing the cultural diversity present in the country. Acidic, salty, and smoky flavors mix with a wide variety of chilies, corn, nuts, vegetables, and spices, leading to moles, pipianes, soups, and stews of all types. Some have pre-Hispanic origins, others have Spanish influence, and still others have deep roots in the Middle East.

For the past three years, Mexican cuisine in Spain has been overseen by the Copil seal, awarded by the House of Mexico, which ensures diners “a true Mexican culinary experience” with original ingredients and authentic preparations. This year, 98 restaurants hold this recognition in our country. “The key is maintaining fidelity to traditional techniques and offering proposals that clearly convey Mexican identity, even when there are innovations or influences from other cuisines,” says Ximena Caraza, director of the Fundación Casa de México.

Mexican cuisine is much more than spicy. Perhaps that is one of the biggest challenges it faces worldwide: simplified versions, stereotypes, and Tex-Mex. Here is a selection of 10 of these restaurants—suitable for all budgets—so you can enjoy as if you were in Mexico. You can check the complete list for all of Spain, here.

1.

Trompo

In a corner of the San Leopoldo Market, in the Tetuán neighborhood, chef Marcela Zamudio and her partner, Zenén Jaimes, decided to open a taquería. They named it Trompo, and it quickly became one of the most popular places for a good taco al pastor in Madrid (€6.95 for an order of two tacos). The trompo refers to the block of marinated meat cooked over the fire, which will then be expertly sliced thinly by the taquero— or taquera in this case—to place the meat on a steaming corn tortilla. For those who like their taco “with everything,” there is also pineapple and the ‘jardín’ (a mix of finely chopped onion and cilantro). Just add a good squeeze of lime [lemon for Mexicans] and your preferred salsa, though some prefer to add the salsa first and then the lime.

One of the successes of Trompo is its concise yet thoughtful menu. All orders come in pairs. There are also tacos of confit carnitas from Michoacán (€7.95). Golden tacos, a popular Mexican snack filled with potato or crispy meat and drenched in green salsa (€6.95), or a northern taco made with beef brisket cooked at low temperature (€8.95). Guacamole with totopos for dipping or frijoles puercos (€7.50), typical from northern Mexico, cannot be missed. These are beans prepared with house chorizo, cheese, and jalapeños. A delight. For drinks, they offer fresh horchata or jamaica water, Mexican beers, micheladas, and a variety of mezcals, tequilas, and sotol, a maguey distillate typical of Durango, Chihuahua, and Coahuila. Next month, they will open a new location at Gaztambide 35. Address: San Leopoldo 8, stall 3, Madrid. Tel: 657 90 10 61.

2.

Puntarena

Opened in 2018, Puntarena offers a culinary proposal inspired by the Pacific coast of Mexico. Specializing in seafood with a tropical soul, it also provides options for meat lovers. Federico Rigoletti, its chef, highlights the aguachile made with fish and citrus (€22), the tiradito of sea bass with serrano chili and yuzu (€23), the tuna tostada with fried leek and chili dressing (€16), and the grilled fish with chili adobo for two (€55). With a sophisticated yet relaxed touch, Puntarena bets on a cuisine made with few ingredients and excellent raw materials. Its handmade salsas made in a molcajete stand out. For example, the tatemada with a hint of marrow is a delicacy to enhance tacos or eat on its own with guacamole. Address: Alberto Aguilera 20, Madrid. Tel: 619 17 48 71.

3.

Come

Come is a high-end Mexican culinary project in the heart of Barcelona directed by chef Paco Méndez. Inspired by traditional flavors, the chef has reinvented each dish using cutting-edge techniques, offering a tasting menu that blends indigenous roots with contemporary techniques and traditional preparations with original ingredients. The menu ranges from €105 to €155 per person, featuring specialties like the Yuca gordita, Caesar salad, pork mogote al pastor, cochinita pibil infladita, or lobster with Pipián. Address: Avinguda de Mistral 54, Barcelona. Tel: 630 08 82 48.

4.

Bronco Moreno

For those seeking genuine Mexican cuisine, free of clichés and with a homestyle touch. Its owners opened in 2024, and in a short time, the place has become a reference point. Located in the Poblenou neighborhood, its menu is divided into brunch (€20 per person, complete with a drink), dinners, and a carefully curated list of mezcals, tequilas, and very creative cocktails. For breakfast, as a good Mexican, there are green chilaquiles, huitlacoche quesadillas—a delicious fungus that grows on corn—pozole, and tacos made with beef tongue in green sauce or barbacoa, which have quickly become public favorites. The project by Chiara, Chefo, and chef Ceci aims to prepare authentic food that you would eat in a market in Mexico without much artifice. They achieve this thanks to ingredients from Mexican suppliers and their creativity to make you feel as if you were there. Individual tacos range from €4 to €6, and the rest of the dishes cost between €10 and €14. Address: Carrer de Fluvià 33, Barcelona. Tel: 935 99 22 25.

5.

Costera MX

This Mexican restaurant in Vigo won the award for the best taco in Galicia in 2023. Costera MX’s proposal combines the freshness of local products with the tradition and flavor of Mexico. Behind it is Manuel Antón, a Mexican chef with Galician immigrant parents who decided to return to Spain and created this homage to both of his origins. The menu features devil oysters, tatemado black aguachile, baja tacos, tuna carnitas, and grilled octopus. Octopus in Galicia that isn’t a feira? You heard that right. Individual tacos vary between €4 and €6, and ceviches and seafood dishes range between €12 and €18. Costera MX can also be the place to enjoy a good margarita, prepared with tequila, lime, and a little salt on the rim. Address: Teófilo Llorente 53, Vigo. Tel: 666 87 19 35.

6.

Rinconcito Mexicano

In downtown Gijón, we find this hidden treasure featuring a range of dishes not typically seen outside of Mexico. From traditional mole served alongside bull tail tacos (€19) to chiles en nogada (€16.50), one of the most labor-intensive dishes of the cuisine and typical for celebrating national holidays on September 15. Rinconcito Mexicano also offers tacos al pastor (€19), cochinita pibil gorditas (€16.50), ceviche (€19), and huitlacoche quesadillas (€17). The venue doesn’t have many tables, so its owners recommend making a reservation. Address: Emilio Tuya 46, Gijón. Tel: 984 03 28 92.

7.

Can Simoneta Gastronómico

Situated on a cliff near Canyamel (Mallorca), Can Simoneta Gastronómico is within the hotel of the same name. A place amidst nature surrounded by spectacular views, hiding the project of chef David Moreno. Can Simoneta offers a culinary experience at the crossroads of Mallorcan and Mexican gastronomy, which he has dubbed “mexiterranean” cuisine. Moreno’s proposal has been recognized by the Michelin Guide and now by the Copil seal certification. For several years, Moreno explains that alongside the restaurant, they plant chili, green tomato (known as tomatillo), and corn to make handmade tortillas. Among the highlighted dishes in Can Simoneta’s kitchen are the black aguachile with scallops and Beluga caviar (€25), the Baja California taco with fried San Pedro rooster (€28), the pibil made with Mallorcan porc negre (€32), or the beef ribs in almond mole (€34). There is also a tasting menu for €100 featuring an 11-step journey through the gastronomy of both countries. Address: Carretera Artà-Canyamel, Km 8, Canyamel, Mallorca. Tel: 971 81 61 10.

8.

Ajonegro

The project by Mexican chef Mariana Sánchez and Spanish chef Gonzalo Baquedano, called Ajonegro, is considered a reference for fusion cuisine in La Rioja. This high-end restaurant masterfully combines gastronomic techniques from both countries and offers a creative culinary experience focused on seasonal products and artisanal techniques. In 2022, Ajonegro was awarded a Michelin star. Among its highlighted dishes are black ceviche of cured sea bass (€23), duck quesadillas with mole (€16.80), Baja California-style corvina tacos (€16.80), sirloin with huitlacoche and mushrooms (€29), cod confit with poblano chili pil pil (€30), and guava foam with ice cream and tequila aire (€10). It also offers tasting menus, one shorter for €80 and a complete one for €100. Address: Hermanos Moroy 1, Logroño. Tel: 941 54 51 41.

9.

Surfin Tacos

This taquería by Mexican chef Edgardo Martínez is located in the old town of Bilbao and has won over tourists and locals with its 100% street-style proposal. Its menu is concise but authentic: tacos al pastor, cochinita pibil, and carnitas (between €4 and €6 each). There are also vegetarian and vegan options. The quesadillas are made with squash blossoms and huitlacoche. To drink, Martínez offers Mexican beers like Piedra Lisa or Colimita, margaritas, and fresh waters. Address: Barrenkale 12, Bilbao. Tel: 944 97 92 67.

10.

La Llorona

La Llorona is located in the Ruzafa neighborhood and is a taquería with a modern touch. While inspired by the food of the city, this place offers interesting blends with ingredients from both countries. For example, standout items include lamb or tongue tacos (between €4 and €6), guacamole with colored totopos (€14), acapulco-style ceviche (€19), and homemade flan (€5). It’s also a good place to enjoy a well-chilled michelada, the Mexican cocktail that triumphs in bars, made with beer, clamato, lime, and sauces. Address: Pintor Salvador Abril 35, Valencia. Tel: 963 28 73 97.