The best Mexican restaurants in Lisbon

The best Mexican restaurants in Lisbon

Nothing turns me into a self-proclaimed Gordon Ramsay food critic quite like bad Mexican food can. This cuisine is so easy to get right, and yet in my exploration of Lisbon I am still encountering those getting it very wrong.

by Victor Garcia – Unsplash

Surprisingly there is a lot of Mexican cuisine on offer in and around the Portuguese capital. I suppose it gives travelers access to a familiar cuisine in between their new experience of the local ones.

Here are a few of my tried (many times) and tested favorites around the city center.

Mez Cais Lx in Lisbon

Mez Cais Lx is my personal favorite Mexican restaurant in Lisbon. The food is great, but not necessarily the best; it’s the hospitality and ambiance that keeps me so loyal to this eatery.

Mez Cais Lx is situated inside of Lisbon’s Lx Factory; the abandoned factory grounds on the shore of the Tagus river that has been transformed into a co-op space filled with galleries, bookstores, concept shops, bars and restaurants.

Mez Cais Lx in Lisbon – by Mez Cais Lx – Uploaded by them

You’ll need a reservation at Mez Cais Lx, especially for dinner service. As you are seated you’ll be treated to complimentary chips and fresh Mexican salsa to snack on while you wait.

They have vegan options as well as all the usual meat based dishes you’d expect on an authentic Mexican menu. I highly recommend their cauliflower tacos with lime mayonnaise — out of this world good.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 12pm to 1am

ADDRESS: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Alcantara-Mar

Pistola y Corazon Taqueria in Lisbon

Pistola y Corazon is not far from the Lx Factory, also near the Tagus coast but closer to the Alfama .

The concept is a taqueria, which in authentic Mexican cuisine is an eatery in which each taco or food option is ordered and served individually, with sides and toppings along the way.

Pistola y Corazon Taqueria in Lisbon – by Pistola y Corazon Taqueria – Uploaded by them

Pistola y Corazon is dedicated to the authenticity of the Mexican cuisine and it shows in their food. The flavors between their tacos and grilled dishes are impeccable and always topped with the freshest garnish. Like Mez Cais, they do chips and salsa as a starter as well. 

This is the only Mexican restaurant in Lisbon where I’ve encountered actual Mexican expats every time I’ve visited — just goes to show…

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Rua da Boavista 16, 1200-275 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Cais do Sodré

El Clandestino in Lisbon

El Clandestino is just north of Bairro Alto, you can get to it by foot if you are already walking this district.

The menu takes traditional Mexican and incorporates a few creative spins on some of the dishes. Everything is delicious, authentic or not. Be sure to order a side of fresh limes to squeeze over your mains.

El Clandestino in Lisbon – by El Clandestino – Uploaded by them

They also do ceviche! This traditional dish isn’t easy to find around Lisbon; here you can have it as a starter or as a taco main which is a treat.

El Clandestino is slightly pricier than other Mexican spots in Lisbon. They are also a cocktail bar and are open until late. Booking is essential on weekends!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 7pm to 12am

ADDRESS: R. da Rosa 321, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Rossio – Lisboa

Izcalli Antojeria in Lisbon

Izcalli Antojeria is another Mexican restaurant where you’ll pay significantly more for the experience, but it’s worth it.

For starters you’ll be glad you ordered the guacamole and margaritas. I’m not one for cocktails but they make the nicest margarita in town, you can taste that nothing synthetic has been used at all.

Izcalli Antojeria in Lisbon – by Izcalli Antojeria – Uploaded by them

As far as I know Izcalli Antojeria is the only Mexican restaurant in Lisbon that offers traditional casserole dishes on their menu in addition to all the classics you’d expect, like tacos, burritos and enchiladas.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Saturday – Various Times

ADDRESS: R. Cardeal Saraiva 1070-045, 1070-075 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Praça de Espanha

Coyo Taco in Lisbon

I once took a free guided walking tour outside of Bairro Alto and someone mentioned that they had found Mexican churros nearby a few nights prior. Needless to say it became my next mission to track them down.

Coyo Taco was a pleasant surprise; a gem tucked away in the north of the district.

They keep their menu simple; guac & chips, tacos, burritos, margaritas and the beloved churro dessert.

You order taqueria style, one taco at a time. If you can visit with a friend I would recommend doing so and getting guac to start, a bunch of different tacos and a burrito to share and then a churro dessert each (don’t even try share these, you’ll regret it).

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Saturday – 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: R. Dom Pedro V nº 65, 1250-093 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Rossio – Lisboa

Chérie Paloma in Lisbon

I actually came to Chérie Paloma one morning because I’d been told about their beautiful space and healthy açaí fruit bowls, only to read the menu properly and learn that this turns into a full on Mexican eatery later in the day.

Between lunch and 8pm you can dine on some really tasty tacos and burritos made by the in house chef. The fillings won’t be the traditional meats you’d expect from Mexican food but they are creative and delicious nonetheless.

Chérie Paloma in Lisbon – by Chérie Paloma – Uploaded by them

I believe the term is “modern Mexican”, and Chérie Paloma does it well. They even have Mezcal in house imported straight from Mexico. The Mezcal Margarita is great!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 9am to 8pm

ADDRESS: Calçada Marquês Abrantes 148, 1200-720 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Santos