El Bajío, the Mexican restaurant that captivated Ferran Adrià, opens its first European branch in Madrid

Last November, a new temple of Mexican gastronomy landed in the capital, spearheaded by the charismatic Mexican chef Titita Ramírez, who, at eighty-four years old, continues to be a global reference.

Located at number ten on Madrid’s Españoleto Street, in the heart of Chamberí, crossing the threshold of El Bajío means embarking on an unforgettable journey to Mexico through the palate. With around twenty restaurants spread across Mexico City and under the supervision of the indefatigable Titita, it can be said with certainty that El Bajío is more than just a restaurant; it is an institution. Its striking facade, adorned with flowers and dry leaves, stands out on Españoleto Street, inviting us to step inside and indulge in its seductive culinary offering that transports us to Mexico’s bustling and lively alleyways through our taste buds.

Following its great success in Mexico, El Bajío now begins its adventure across the pond with its first European opening in Madrid. It is a true pride that our city has been chosen as the European enclave for the first inauguration outside of Mexico for what, according to Ferran Adrià, “is one of the best places I have eaten in the world.”

The charming El Bajío venue in Madrid is spacious and welcoming. Spread over two floors, it features several dining rooms and different ambiences suitable for any occasion. Its simple and bright aesthetic is dominated by wood and pleasant neutral tones, with various shades of brown prevailing. It is a place where the small details take centre stage, and its great team of professionals warmly guides us through an unforgettable evening composed of the genuine flavours of Mexico.

We began, as one should, with a sensational margarita, accompanied by homemade totopos baked daily, paired with delicious tomatillo verde and roasted red tomato sauces, both with a touch of chili and a pleasant hint of spiciness that welcomed us in the best possible way. We continued with an impressive traditional guacamole served with irresistible artisanal chicharrones, adding a perfect crunchy and salty touch that we found absolutely addictive.

To beat the high temperatures of these dates, we ordered the cantinero cocktail. A light and refreshing recipe made with diced octopus, shrimp, and avocado, which pleasantly surprised us before moving on to try the original plantain empanada filled with refried beans and served with an exquisite chipotle sauce that will delight unconditional spice lovers. This daring and suggestive dish led us to formidable shrimp tacos with a chipotle sauce base, topped with pickled red cabbage and pico de gallo. This tasty dish led us to exquisite Yucatecan panuchos made with cochinita pibil, a true spectacle. We finished with wonderful pastor mushroom sopes, leading to the sweet moment of dessert. We opted for the homemade cajeta flan, a delicate, smooth, and delicious sweet that made us scrape every last spoonful.

El Bajío, an authentic piece of Mexico in the heart of Almagro, where you can savour the impeccable cuisine of the indomitable Mexican chef Titita Ramírez. A cuisine with soul and essence, and those authentic Mexican street food dishes that managed to enchant none other than Ferran Adrià… and with good reason!