Portugal’s capital – the land of so many different types of cuisine! Today, we continue our trend started with Italian and African cuisine and move on to the best Mexican restaurants in Lisbon. Tantalizing tacos, banging burritos, and gratifying guacamole are yours for the taking if you know where to go in the City of Light. While it may take some effort to reach a few of the locations, these seven Mexican restaurants in Lisbon promise a fiesta for your taste buds. Vamos!
1. La Malquerida
Address – Tv. do Marquês de Sampaio 14, 1200-192
Opening Hours – Monday – Thursday, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Friday – Saturday, 6:00 pm – 12:00 am, Sunday, closed
Located in the Cais do Sodré area, La Malquerida has become a popular stop in Lisbon’s Mexican scene. While there is often a line and only a few seats inside, the wait will be worth it when you sink your teeth into one of their delicious tacos, especially if you arrive during one of their Happy Hour specials when they serve €1 pork and mushroom tacos. We love the birria and al pastor tacos with a shot of mezcal to start our Lisbon night off right.
They also serve quesadillas, tortas, and delicious frozen margaritas. These tacos are not going to set your world on fire, but your mouth may disagree after you add enough sauce of your choice. Come early or be prepared to stand in line because, as we said, seating is limited. You might just meet your future taco partner while you wait.
2. Cantina Flores
Address – Praça das Flores 59, 1200-250
Opening Hours – Monday – Thursday, 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm, Friday, 5:00 pm – 1:00 am, Saturday, 12:00 pm – 1:00 am, Sunday, 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Would you like some wine with your tacos? Cantina Flores brings the energy and flavor of Mexican street food to Lisbon’s Princípe Real neighborhood, right next to one of Lisbon’s best wine bars (Black Sheep). This restaurant offers a much wider variety of dishes compared to La Malquerida including a Portugal.com favorite – the cochinita pibil from the Yucatán region of Mexico. Try this braised pulled pork taco paired with pickled red onions and it might just become your favorite as well. We also love the arrachera taco with grilled cilantro chimichurri marinated steak.
On sunny days, sit outside next to the Jardim Fialho de Almeida and sip on a refreshing horchata or michelada before crunching down a churro.
3. Duro de Matar
Address – Av. Infante Dom Henrique 151, 1959-012
Opening Hours – Sunday – Thursday, 12:00 pm – 12:00 am, Friday – Saturday, 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
Let’s head east now to the edge of the Tejo River for our next Mexican feast at Duro de Matar, a name inspired by the Spanish for “Die Hard.” In this case, we think it will be hard to kill your delight with the vibes and delectable corn tortillas from this Lisbon take on Mexican food.
Duro de Matar is all about the industrial vibes combined with authentic Mexican fare. Music fills the air as you savor delicious cocktails and marvel at the quality of the execution and service at this unique location in the Beato Innovation Center. There is even a fabulous DJ sound system with a window into an adjacent recording studio. Try the brownie with chili for dessert!
Hot Tip: After sunset, the space’s red lighting can be quite intense. Come prepared for it or you may find yourself wanting to make a quick exit.
4. Tláloc – Un Rincón Mexicano
Address – R. de Campolide 122 C, 1070-037
Opening Hours – Monday – Saturday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Sunday, closed
Named after the Aztec rain deity, Tláloc offers a journey through Mexico’s diverse regional cuisines, and we can confirm that the chef is Mexican – hence the authentic flavors. Come for lunch and order a set that comes with sides like fries, salad, rice, and a drink of your choice – all with decent portions. The house guacamole and birria tacos are delicious along with the churros made from condensed milk.
Order a spicy margarita and thank us later!
5. RePotzalia
Address – Av. Duque de Loulé 1E, 1050-120
Opening Hours – Monday – Thursday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Friday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Sunday, closed
Open for both lunch and dinner, RePotzalia is a great stop for Mexican lovers not far from Picoas metro station. Treat yourself to quick service, superb drinks, amazing wall art, and authentic Mexican cuisine. Try some enchiladas that you won’t find elsewhere in the city, such as enchiladas michoacanas, chicken tortillas coated in sweet chili guajillo sauce, or the enmoladas, chicken tortillas topped with a rich mole poblano sauce. You can also opt for three different types of chilaquiles. Finish your meal with one of their interesting desserts including spicy guava pudding or the classic Tres Leches.
6. Paco Bigotes Lisboa
Address – R. da Misericórdia 139, 1200-365
Opening Hours – Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm, Monday, 1:00 pm -11:30 pm
Paco Bigotes Lisboa is a sister restaurant to the original location in São Pedro do Estoril (R. Nunes dos Santos Lote C) and it brings the same mouth-watering goodness to its tacos and tostadas inspired by the Pacific side of Mexico. As previously mentioned, we praise any take on Mexican that includes the cochinita pibil, but here you can enjoy a combination of Portugal and Mexico with a shrimp + octopus tostada. Ceviches also make their first appearance on our Mexican list. Try “La Torre” with tuna, shrimp, octopus, and avocado or the “Tropical” with fresh sea bass. There is a long list of tacos to choose from including flavors popular in Baja. We love the chocolate cake with peanuts and lime ice cream or the corn cake with guava sauce.
7. Las Dos Manos de Kiko Martins
Address – R. de São Pedro de Alcântara 59, 1200-459
Opening Hours – Every Day, 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Renowned Portuguese chef Kiko Martins brings his culinary expertise to an intriguing fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisine at Las Dos Manos, our most upscale night out on this list. Please be advised – this is not standard Mexican fare, so do not come expecting the usual tacos and burritos. With unique fusion from a famous chef also comes higher prices. Like any experimental higher-end cuisine, it may not be to everyone’s taste, but we wanted to include this one-of-a-kind option for you.
The menu showcases high-quality ingredients in creative preparations, such as tacos with black tiger shrimp served with passion fruit sauce or an oxtail taco served with shimeji mushrooms and bok choy. You can also choose from six different aguachiles infused with a variety of Japanese and Mexican ingredients. This is truly an experimental blend of flavors so come with an open mind and an open wallet.
Final Thoughts
Mexican culinary traditions have found a welcoming home in Lisbon, adding another delicious dimension to the city’s always changing restaurant scene. From the high-end of Las Dos Manos de Kiko Martins to the industrial edge of Duro de Matar, you can’t leave the Mexican Lisbon scene without saying that it isn’t diverse. Share your favorites from this list with us in the comments!
