This new Mexican joint does everything right, from the sauces to its service.
€€
Rua da Moeda, 2
Cais do Sodré
308 804 040, website
Mon – Thu, 12h – 24h; Fri – Sat, 12h – 2h; Sun, 12h – 24h
Cais do Sodré now has several Mexican restaurants, but the new entrant, Guacamole, is going to give the old-timers a run for their money. This new restaurant seems to do everything right, from sitting you down quickly and with multiple menus, without you having to ask for them, to attentive but unobtrusive waiters anticipating your next drink order. The decor works too — just kitschy enough to remind you of your favorite little burrito joint in Guadalajara, and comfy enough that you don’t feel like you’re in a TV show about food. But it’s the food and the booze here that’ll bring us back again and again. Appetizers here include the Tex-Mex staple of cheese-stuffed jalapeños as well as the more authentic elotes — corn on a stick that’s a popular street-food option in Mexico proper. If you get appetizers, Guacamole’s burritos can then be satisfyingly split between two, which makes them a bargain in Lisbon already, but they also happen to be absolutely perfect, and without weird frills like crunchy apples in them. The house margaritas are top notch, particularly for the price (5€), and there are inventive cocktails to try if you don’t mind paying 8€ and up. And there’s a new IPA beer in town, people: Allende IPA is a contender for best of class.
