The closest thing to ‘real Mexican food’ you can find in Zurich: Restaurant El Alebrije (8. July 2020)

The El Alebrije had been recommended to me by a friend – and I must say I was super sceptical as usually ‘Mexican’ food outside of Mexico isn’t really all that great. But I was more than happy to be proven wrong that evening! They have very typical local beverages like “Modelo Especial” (CHF 7.50) or “Agua de Jamaica” (CHF 6.50) which were perfect to start. Once you’re seated and have placed your order – our waiter was jovial and did a great job – you’re served a small bite as an amuse-bouche.

As a starter we went for “molcajete de guacamole con chapulines (avocado, tomatoes, coriander, onions, spices, chile Serrano, grasshoppers, totopos)” (CHF 21.00) which was great – the guacamole was delicious, the totopos (the chips) were good, and the grasshoppers were actually also not that bad. Frankly, I prefer the small ones I had in Oaxaca a couple of years back. What I personally consider a pity is the fact that the guacamole is not prepared in the molcajete but served ‘already done’. Else, a great way to start.

Then, the idea is pretty much that you pick two courses for a “two course menu” (CHF 69.00), especially since there are no prices for the individual dishes on the menu. We decided to basically share all of it and went for “tacos al pastor (home-made blue corn tortillas, pork meat, Chile Guajillo, onions, coriander, pineapple, cheese, three sauces)” which were surprisingly close to the original ones I’ve tried in Mexico. Only the pineapple was a bit out of place.

We were served not only three sauces but four. And the fourth, I tell you, is the one which is really spicy! The habanero sauce is the one which you will only put too much of it on a dish once! As it is just too damn spicy! But it was also mouth-watering!

The second course was “tacos de pescado (fried shrimps, coleslaw salad, three sauces)” which were good too. I especially liked the combination of the coleslaw with the fried element. To be fair though, while the way it’s served is rather typical for ‘traditional Mexican food’, I’m not sure the fried shripms are.

Next in line was “carnitas de pato (confined duck, nopales salad, spring onions, rice, served with coriander, onions, tortillas)” which was quite a portion. But more importantly, it was absolutely eye-watering when it comes to the flavour. The duck basically just peeled off the bone and was more like ‘pulled duck’. But frankly, the flavours were out of this world – I absolutely loved it!

The “mixiote de cordero (lamb, adobado, consomé, tortillas)” was the second main course which was not a lesser portion in terms of size – and it wasn’t much lesser either in terms of taste. Personally, I’m more into duck than into lamb but I must say, the lamb was absolutely exquisite too!

The “rice and tortillas” which were served to eat the meat with were good – I like that they serve the small tortillas and not what we know as ‘tortilla’ in Europe.

In terms of food, I must say that it was absolutely great – and so was the service! We spent quite some time talking to and laughing with the waiter! That’s how service should be! He was very professional while maintaining a certain degree of jovialness!

While the interior decoration is lovely and nice, the fact that you’re located right next to a rather busy street is the only thing which is ‘negative’ about the El Alebrije! Other than that, it’s definitely one of my new favourite restaurants in Zurich and very definitely worth trying!

Just keep in mind to book a table in advance as it is rather full – even though it isn’t very central!

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Contact Details:

Restaurant El Alebrije

Weinbergstrasse 107

8006 Zürich (CH)

Tel.: +41 44 370 33 44

Cell: +41 76 544 31 16

Homepage: http://www.elalebrije.ch

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.