Mexican restaurants in Paris

In a city that shies away from spice, and reveres a meal that consists of elaborate sauces, meat and potatoes, Mexican cuisine has never been very accessible nor very good. Yet this unfortunate situation seems to be changing as a handful of new taquerias crop up, adding to the city’s shortlist of not just edible, but inspiring Mexican restaurants.

Candelaria, which opened just a couple of months ago in the Marais, has already secured its place as Paris’ most authentic and delicious Mexican restaurant, with its hand crafted tortillas and fresh fillings tasty enough to elicit an exclamation of sheer surprise and pleasure. Situated on rue Saintonge, Candelaria appears to occupy a tiny storefront, with just enough

space for a communal table and taco bar. But wait, there’s more! The back room is a full-on cocktail lounge, which has garnered just as much attention as the restaurant itself.

El Nopal is another excellent option if one is craving a little dose of Mexican. Less than a year old, owners Alejandro and Claudia Escobar first envisioned opening their taqueria in the States, before settling for a tiny yet festive storefront on rue Eugène Varlin, just a stone’s throw from the Canal Saint-Martin. In addition to hand-made corn tortillas, El Nopal also offers burritos at a reasonable price and refreshing agua fresca for a hot day. Using produce mostly found in Parisian markets, the Escobars have artfully taken ingredients not generally used in Mexican cuisine to try to recreate traditional tastes - although the spicy salsa, which is made from peppers typically found in the Caribbean, has a distinctly West Indies flavour.

Anahuacalli has forever been a reference for the American ex-patriate community, in particular those from the West Coast of the United States, for whom Mexican food acts as a substitute for any real form of traditional regional cuisine. What the crepe is to France, the taco is to many in California. And while Anahuacalli remains a steadfast and reliable option to get a fix of mole or guacamole, it’s ceding ground to new rivals, whose prices aren’t as steep and atmosphere not quite as stiff.

Paris Mexican Restaurant - Anahuacalli

Tel: 33 08 26 10 05 72
Location: 30, Rue des Bernardins Paris 75005
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Website: anahuacalli.com
Paris Mexican Restaurant - Azteca

Average price: 35 USD
Tel: 33 1 4236 1116
Fax: 33 1 4221 3772
Location: 7 Rue Sauval, Paris 75001
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Website: www.azteca-mariachis.fr
Paris Mexican Restaurant - Barrio Latino

Tel: 33 1 5578 8475
Fax: 33 1 5535 3686
Location: 46-48 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine Paris 75011
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Email:
Website: www.buddhabar.com
Paris Mexican Restaurant - Hacienda Del Sol

Average price: 35 USD
Location: 157, Boulevard Montparnasse, Paris 75006
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Paris Mexican Restaurant - La Cucaracha

Average price: 32 USD
Location: 31, rue Tiquetonne, Paris 75002
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Paris Mexican Restaurant - La Lucha Libre

Average price: 25 USD
Location: 10 Rue De La Montagne Sainte Geneviève, Paris 75005
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Paris Mexican Restaurant - Mousquetaires (Les)

Tel: 33 1 4322 5046
Fax: 33 1 4047 6737
Location: 77 Avenue du Maine Paris, 75014 75014
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Paris Mexican Restaurant - Poco Loco

Average price: 30 USD
Location: 2 rue Dalpozzo, Nice 06000
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Paris Mexican Restaurant - Salsa Rumba Restaurant Latino

Tel: 33 1 43 29 56 00
Location: 10, Rue Boutebrie Paris 75005
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Website: www.salsayrumba.com
Paris Mexican Restaurant -Susan’s Place

Average price: 25 USD
Tel: 33 1 4354 2322
Location: 51 Rue des Écoles Paris 75005
Type of Cuisine: Mexican