Authentic Mexican Food... à Paris?
It is a Parisian dream of many to bask in Paris’ beautiful architecture, the culture, the art, and, most admirably, the food. Authentic French onion soup and macarons are to die for, and don’t forget the baguette and rose on summer evenings. But what happens when, godforbid, you have gotten your fill of red wine and escargot? The thought of dining off another menu in the Latin Quarter is almost exhausting, especially if you’re traveling for an extended period of time. You begin contemplating, place after place, which spot has the best spaghetti bolognese or the cheapest, yet best, glass of wine. A questioning crave begins to present itself for the authentic mom-and-pop taqueria around the corner from your house in the states. Hell, even just a can of refried beans might hit the spot, but the only “Mexican” food present among the Parisian streets is a frightening battle between dining at a Chipotle or a Bocamexa. What is the move then? On a mission to satisfy this craving, I have gathered some of my favorite Mexican restaurants among Paris, hidden or in clear sight, that bring me back home for an evening and leave me feeling warm and complete.
El Guacamole: Tu Taqueria en Paris
El Guacamole is a small Mexican restaurant located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris next to the Saint-Martin canal. Seating is mostly outside under heat lamps and consequently is the first place that restored my faith in Mexican cuisine existing in Paris. After months of unsatisfactory Chipotle burritos that left a taco-shaped hole in my heart, I stumbled upon El Guacamole and it brought a light back into the gray, cloudy Parisian day that perfectly symbolized my life without Mexican food. The first time (I have returned an uncountable amount of times since) I went to El Guacamole, I ordered their 18$ menu option complete with 3 tacos, a mix-and-match meat option with either pork, chicken, or beef, flavored with options of your choice (which just melt in your mouth) paired alongside a paloma margarita. However, the most important items to order are their nachos. Merely thinking about them makes my mouth water and when you return to the states, you will be missing these more than anything else. The perfect amount of feta, melted cheese, jalapenos, and pico de gallo you will always have El Guacamole on your mind.
37 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris
Tacos and nachos. Image Credit: Sophia Scalzo
El Nopal:
With two locations -a sit down restaurant in Pigalle and a takeaway spot near Canal Saint Martin El Nopal successfully fulfills their mission of trying to transport people back to Mexico through their food. I feel like a Mexican restaurant can truly be judged based on the simple bare necessities: their margaritas, ingredients, and corn tortillas. El Nopal checks all of these boxes. It is a tiny hole-in-the-wall with Mexican street tacos ( you can get 3 for about 9 euro) and the best frijoles I’ve had in Paris so far. Along with that, it also happens to be one of the only places in Paris that I have found that is brave enough to serve real heat and spice in a city where few have the guts to cross that line. I always leave feeling satisfied, content, as though I just ate a real home cooked meal, and already planning my next visit back.
5 rue Dupérre, 75009 Paris 3 rue Eugene Varlin, 75010 Paris
Tacos. Image Credit: Sophia Scalzo
Candelaria:
Candelaria is a small, cozy, and friendly mexican restaurant located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. The smell of tacos travelled down the streets on a wild Taco Tuesday with mini street tacos priced at 2 euro a piece. The filling is a choice between pork or beef, and appetizers include one of the best quesadillas you will find in Paris. They are the most affordable mexican restaurants, with prices that don’t go above 15 euros. It is a perfect spot if you are traveling alone, as the workers are incredibly friendly and conversational about your experience in the city. The company and Coronas are a comforting refresher, Spanish music lightening the room and enhancing the experience, as well as the taste, of this delicious taqueria. Lastly, Candelaria may be known for their chips and dip, but what they are most notorious for is their speakeasy bar that has an entrance straight through the taqueria. I was unable to enter the bar as I visited at a poor time, but the few couples slipping in and out were regulars with smiles across their faces and ready for a night in one of Paris’ most lavish and well-known hidden bars.
52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
For more information check out Vogue's recommendations and why not try cooking authentic Mexican food at home (I know you've got the time).
