Sierra Madre Taquería — Vigo, Spain

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A former bar and cafeteria in a nondescript building in central Vigo has been reworked by Erbalunga
(Image credit: TBC)

It’s almost a case of gastronomic reverse engineering when a taqueria opens in Spain, its MO an unabashed homage to Mexican street food.

Here, a former bar and cafeteria in a nondescript building in central Vigo has been reworked into Sierra Madre Taquería by Erbalunga. Taking its cue from the port city’s newfound buzzy vibe, especially in its haul of concert halls and lively bars, the Galicia-based studio applied layers of volumes over the relatively small space. The colour scheme is pure Mexico in the vibrant hues of burnt orange and sand which subliminally enlarge the scale, while translucency is achieved by way of geometric breeze bricks, hollow grid ceiling fixtures, and cut-out room dividers that lead the eye into a sequence of bijoux zones.

Executive chef Jose Fernández Cerqueira channels the slow food movement while adding contemporary touches to familiar Mexican standards. Nachos de la Sierra, for instance, may have its foundations in tortilla chips, guacamole and melted cheese, but pico de gallo, jalapeños and the smoky notes of barbecued meat add an unexpected depth. Meanwhile, tacos are rendered campechas-style with a mix of arrachera (a cut favoured in Mexico) and Spanish chorizo that’s finished with avocado cream spiked with lime, cilantro, radish and cheese.

Layers of volumes have been applied over the relatively small space

(Image credit: TBC)

he colour scheme is pure Mexico in the vibrant hues of burnt orange

(Image credit: TBC)

Translucency is achieved by way of hollow grid ceiling fixtures

(Image credit: TBC)

Translucency is achieved by way of geometric breeze bricks

(Image credit: TBC)

ADDRESS

Alfonso XII Street number 13

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Daven Wu

Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.