Barracuda MX

The story

Barracuda MX in Madrid – Mexican Pacific Cuisine by Chef Roberto Ruiz | Michelin Recommended

Chef Roberto Ruiz

Roberto Ruiz arrived in Madrid in 2005 and quickly fell for the quality of Spanish produce. He merged it with his vision of Mexican cooking, founding Punto MX in 2012 – the first Mexican restaurant in Europe to earn a Michelin star. With Barracuda MX, opened in 2021 near Puerta de Alcalá, Ruiz created his most personal project. The restaurant describes itself as a showcase of the cocina del Pacífico mexicano, and it has been recognized with a Sol Repsol and a Michelin Recommended distinction.

The Space

The restaurant is a bright, modern space that feels both welcoming and refined. Its location just steps from one of Madrid’s landmarks makes it an easy destination for a relaxed lunch or a lively dinner. The large windows and warm tones set the stage for the food – unfussy, direct, and built on the interplay of chiles, citrus, and seafood.

The Food

The menu reads like a tour of the Pacific coast. Start with a guacamole con totopos or a ceviche de corvina with maracuyá marinade, salsa macha, and tropical fruit. The vuelve a la vida – scallops, octopus, and prawns macerated in chiltepín, cilantro, and lime – is a standout. For mains, a taco al pastor de cerdo ibérico with chipotle and grilled pineapple sits alongside a taco de txuleta with morita chile salsa and creamy avocado. The charcoal-grilled lubina a la talla – sea bass with two adobos – is a direct nod to the coastal grills of Mexico.

The menu also includes a lunch-only Selección Pacífico (39 €) and two group menus – Menú Pacífico (70 €) and Menú Barracuda MX (75 €) – that feature dishes like ostra Yucatán (oyster with recado negro and habanero), quesadilla de huitlacoche, and tuétano a la brasa with tostadas and serrano emulsion. Desserts lean to the sweet side: a tres leches with croissant sponge and vanilla from Papantla, or a chocolate oaxaqueño with pasilla caramel and coffee ice cream. A liquid menu of cocktails, micheladas, and mezcales rounds out the experience.

The Recognition

Barracuda MX’s inclusion in the Michelin Guide (Recommended 2026) and its Sol Repsol are a natural fit. This is a restaurant that knows its ingredients – the briny hit of a good oyster, the smoky depth of a dried chile – and lets them speak without overcomplication. For anyone seeking authentic Mexican food in Madrid, it’s a clear first stop.