Bacalar in Noordelijke IJ-oevers West

An incredible restaurant, awarded numerous times by Gault & Millau, and you'll immediately understand why after tasting the food and cocktails. The concept is truly delightful and authentically Mexican. They offer different types of tacos and tostadas. I recommend the tacos de lengua (a type of Mexican taco), which were excellent, but everything was truly delicious. It's a refreshing change from your usual fare. Use the two sauces and the fleur de sel they provide to accompany your tacos and tostadas. You can also ask for refills if needed. It's highly recommended to make a reservation before coming, as the restaurant is so popular that it fills up quickly. Take your time and savor your tacos. You can order small portions to enjoy them with your drinks. The desserts were also excellent; the special Jalisco crème brûlée was truly surprising. The combination of chili, sugar, and kumquat is perfectly executed and will transport you to another world, ending your meal on a high note! If you're ever in Amsterdam, this is definitely a place to visit. It's well worth the detour, and be sure to book well in advance!

10/10. Best Mexican in Amsterdam! We were surprised by every taste explosion. Service was top-notch, music was cool, old-school hip hop for the vibes, and the general atmosphere was good too.

What a lovely place this is. The atmosphere in the restaurant is incredibly pleasant and welcoming. We recently had a fantastic evening here where everything was just right. The octopus taco, in particular, was a real taste sensation; perfectly prepared and beautifully served in a wicker basket. The cocktails, too, with those lovely rims on the glass, tasted exactly as they looked. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a special dining experience. We will certainly be back soon.

Absolutely amazing from start to finish. The food was so flavorful! We are from New York and hands down one of the best meals we have ever had.

It was an amazing experience. The food and staffs were really awesome

I liked the restaurant. It has an atmosphere. The food is good, but I go once every six months. We spent €134 for two. I didn't have dinner after that lunch. Prices are moderate. Very tasty cocktails. Interesting coffee. Reservation - deposit €10 per person.

Terribly delicious food, enjoyed it immensely, definitely recommended

Food was amazing and staff was very well informed about F&B served!

Top experience in Bacalar our waiter Illberto was really great. He made super good recommendations connected to the menu and our choices. He was super friendly and made it such a nice experience a big thank you! The food was flavourful and bursting delicious, and the extensive drink selection means there is a drink for everyone. I 100% recommend a visit.

Unfortunately, there is very little vegetarian options on the menu. We indicated at the beginning that some of the guests were vegetarians and others meat-eaters, but they brought one vegetarian dish followed by four meat dishes. It also took quite a long time (it was pretty busy, too). When we asked after at least an hour if it was possible to get one of the ordered vegetarian dishes, we received a snap that basically amounted to us needing to make it clearer. Additionally, it was absolutely impossible to change anything at all on the menu, such as removing the coconut water from the margarita or adding tequila to the virgin margarita. Those seem like minor adjustments to me. The portions were small, but very tasty. The space looks cozy, though.

It was amazing! Flavours like we have never had before. So many flavours to explore and taste in every bite. Completely outstanding. Drinks were also amazing and so so good. Top notch.

Otherwordly food, wonderful service, authentic atmosphere

Hey, that was flavour Disco with the nicest Service 🥰

Really great food, one of the best Mexican food places I've ever been. Service is kind and fun, fast and very helpful. Atmosphere is great, 90s hip hop, reggaeton, feels like your sitting in a garage and about to see some lowriders bounce 😁😁

Excellent all round. Excellent tacos, an excellent margarita, and excellent service. 100% recommend. I came here as a solo traveller, and they were great. The restaurant was busy, packed, I didn't have a reservation. They found me a table and also let me mix and match from the menu (the tacos usually come in 3s). Awesome food. Probably best tacos I've had. Thanks.

Magic, an absolute 10 !!!! What amazing dishes and flavors I haven't been this surprised in 10 years You have to go here as soon as possible How amazing Hats off

I used to love this place, but its lost a bit of its magic to me. The tacos are nice, though nowadays a bit on the expensive and boring side. The atmosphere is loud, extremely loud. Don’t go here if you expect to have a decent conversation, or if you’re easily overstimulated. Drinks are a bit overpriced also.

Beautiful place, staff and vibe We ordered 4 options for 2 people which was plenty Roasted pork was amazing, lamb was ok ish, veal tongue was great but a bit heavy Drinks were divine, best margaritas we had in a while

The food was top-notch, really nothing to complain about. However, the service was unfortunately not at its best. Our questions were answered in a rather condescending manner, which made the overall atmosphere a bit less pleasant.

I love Mexican food and this place knows how to handle it all too well. My favorites were the Fake oyster tostada and tostada de atun. Deliciously high in acidity, crispy, fresh, and complex in flavor. We had the cider of the day; also particularly fresh and tart, with a lovely aroma. We didn't have a cocktail, but it looked like they knew their stuff there too. The surroundings could be a bit more inspiring, but once inside, you feel like you're somewhere else entirely, Amsterdam!

Incredible restaurant, unbelievable service, awesome food. Recommend: Cauliflower, Veal,Pork, Tuna and Burnt Custard dessert. Thanks for making the birthday special ❤️ Cant wait to go back!

Acting smart when I asked a simple question about what kind of business it was, after standing and waiting for 10 minutes, was reason enough for me to turn my back on this business immediately. Good luck!

Best tacos I have eaten in Amsterdam! Very good quality taqueria with well seasoned and well cooked meat. The atmosphere was a bit industrial which is not to my liking but the taste of the food overweighs that very much. Definitely give it a try

Unique! An explosion of flavors. Warm, comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Excellent cocktails and incredible taco quality! Well done 🇲🇽

A bit too trendy, but delicious food.

Heerlijk gegeten. Goede bediening. Echt Mexicaans.

By far the best tacos I have had in my life

I have been wanting to go here for while and was a bit disappointed. The food was decent, cocktails not worth the prices but the service was the main issue that we had. The person who seated us came back later and needed to move us, never shared the specials and pretty much disappeared. Personally I think there are better Mexican food spots in Amsterdam so for me it’s not worth the hike to Noord.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The most authentic Mexican experience in Amsterdam I came here on a Sunday night with friends visiting from Prague, New York, and Barcelona and left genuinely impressed. People who eat well across a lot of cities, and every single one of them agreed: this is the best Mexican food in Amsterdam. The octopus ceviche was one of the best things on the table. Bright, precise, the kind of dish that makes you stop mid-conversation. My favourite of the night though were the tuna tacos, which were just excellent from start to finish. And then there were the fake oysters, which I honestly wasn’t expecting much from and ended up being one of the most pleasant surprises of the whole meal. I ordered the veal tongue too, and the beef itself was genuinely well cooked. If that’s your thing you’ll be happy. It only sat lower on my personal list because everything else around it was so strong. I did find myself eyeing my sister’s shredded pork by the end, which I managed to try a bite of and was absolutely stunning. Next time that’s mine. One small note on the octopus tacos: mine felt cooked just a touch too long on this visit. My sister had them on a previous occasion and called them the best thing on the entire menu, so I think it was just an off moment. I’ll absolutely be going back to try them again properly. The service was something else entirely. Our server Gerardo was funny, warm, genuinely passionate about the food, and exactly the kind of person who makes a dinner feel like a real occasion rather than just a transaction. He was a big part of why the night felt so special. The space itself feels authentically Mexican in a way that’s hard to fake. Atmospheric without trying too hard. And the margaritas, almost forgot: a perfect ten. I’ll be back, without question.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The atmosphere, food, and staff are all amazing. When sitting outside, we really appreciated that the staff kept smokers away from us, since smelling smoke while eating is very unpleasant. Try the tuna tostada, and thank me later. The only downside is that it’s very noisy inside, making it almost impossible to chat

Best Mexican food I have ever had

Great place, great staff, amazing food❤️ We keep coming back 😆

Amazing experience, I loved everything! The Palo Santo margarita is truly unique, top notch 🍸 The food is incredibly good, with a balanced and never boring combination of flavors. The atmosphere is street-style, perfectly Mexican, super authentic. Highly recommended, absolutely worth a try!

This was our fourth visit to Bacalar! We always book a table here, before booking flights or accommodation 😂 It's soooo good atmosphere and perfect food! We will come back again..and again...and again 🤩🤤❤️

Open kitchen, dishes prepared and served with true dedication. Wide selection of agave spirits. Welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

We had a really great experience at Taberna Bacalar. We were treated wonderfully from the very beginning, the manager was especially kind, and the overall hospitality was fantastic. It is always a pleasure to find a place that combines genuine warmth, great energy, and a concept that is truly enjoyable. The food was absolutely delicious, and the margaritas were simply perfect. It is clear that there is real care behind what you do, and a strong intention to create a memorable and enjoyable experience. As a small constructive suggestion, the octopus tostada might work even better as an individual portion, so guests do not need to divide it at the table and risk ending up with uneven servings. It is only a small detail, but one that could make the experience even better. And my most important suggestion, without question, would be to find a location in Amsterdam Zuid or Amstelveen one day, so we could have you much closer. Wishing you all the very best, and I hope to return again soon.

Beest tacos we have had. They have nothing regular, everything was extraordinary and super delicious

We had a great night! The service was 12/10 ❤️❤️

I totally understand why this place is so hot and popular: the vintage garage setting has atmosphere and the tacos are undoubtedly tasty. Personally, I thought they were good, but not wow. What didn't work as well for me is how uncomfortable and disorganized the seating is, especially when you have to cram more than four people onto a small 2.5-person table. Additionally, it is so noisy that you can barely hear each other during a conversation, which makes the experience less relaxed. The service is friendly and relaxed. But if you come to really fill your stomach, this isn't the ideal hotspot, unless you go all-in on the tacos.

Had a lovely lunch today! Great grub and a cracking margarita

Amazing place Real mexican food Good service 10/10

Amazing place. The food is perfect, the staff is lovely. I was alone, so they suggested I order smaller portions of the dishes from the menu to explore different tastes. And every dish was just unbelievable. It’s definitely the restaurant to recommend in Amsterdam.

Tasty tostadas. Service quasi-hip. Acoustics terrible

So good! Service was fantastic and the food was brilliant.

If Ula is working, ask for ula‘s special menu! She‘ll give you her favourite dishes and we cab all confirm it all tasted super good. We loved the service and had a good time. Cocktails also a ten out of ten. Coming back soon!

Great place next to a garage. Everything is prepared with passion, from the tacos to the salsa and the cocktails. Every bite and sip is a bomb of flavor. I will definitely be back!!

Delicious tacos and cocktails in a cool atmosphere! The prices are a bit high but it’s definitely worth to try!

Great food!! You can order anything on the menu with peace of mind. The decor is nice and down-to-earth; it's all about good food and drink here, without any fuss. The staff are clearly enjoying their work and are very attentive. The micheladas are delicious too!

Taco lovers, this is your moment! Bacalar is a hidden gem tucked away in the industrial side of Amsterdam Noord, the kind of place you'd never find by accident, but once you do, you'll keep coming back! Sit down, take a breath… and let the taco game begin! The only rule? Order as much as you can and share everything. Trust the process: it's honestly hard to go wrong here. Every taco is crafted with serious attention to detail and flavor. Standouts? The tuna taco, the grilled octopus, and a mind-blowing off-menu veal tongue taco that completely stole the show. The vibe is super laid-back, almost effortlessly cool, yet the food is anything but casual: it's bold, creative, and seriously good. Prices are fair, especially considering the quality. Fun, unexpected, and packed with flavor, Bacalar is one of those spots that turns a simple meal into a full-on experience. Go hungry, bring friends, and thank me later! Taco lovers, this is the place for you! Bacalar is a little gem hidden in the industrial area of ​​Amsterdam Noord, a place that surprises and captivates from the first bite. Once you're seated, the advice is simple: order, share, and let yourself be guided. Here, the taco game is taken very seriously, and every offering is meticulously crafted. It's hard to go wrong, but some stand out more than others: the tuna tacos, the grilled octopus, and an incredible off-menu veal tongue: truly memorable. The atmosphere is informal, relaxed, and very pleasant, a perfect contrast to the quality and sophistication of the dishes. Prices are in line with the offerings. A fun, surprising restaurant, definitely recommended for those seeking a different experience.

A true delight!!! The best tacos in PB, spectacular service, the octopus, carnitas, and shrimp tacos are the best! Congratulations!

Tops. The food. The staff. The vibe. Not central if you are visiting Amsterdam but sooo worth it

Noisy and unexpected in the area, but absolutely excellent food + very friendly staff.

Food was amazing and service was great. Lovely staff and cool interiors. Definitely recommend, one of the best spots in town.

This was our second visit and we're delighted to be back. We noticed once again the authenticity and attention to detail on everything, from the cocktails to the tacos and salsas. The pulpo, al pastor and tinga were our favorites. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. The price is on the higher end, but well worth it 👌🏻

D E L I C I O S O !!! 🌮 I had the pleasure to have dinner in this lovely venue. The food is great, we tried practically all dishes and we loved each dish. What surprised me the most was the kindness and friendly approach of every single waiter who has been attending us at our table. The service is not the one you find in a 5 stars restaurant, nevertheless this is place is a pearl in Amsterdam where owners of other restaurants should have a dinner to learn how to treat a customer. The dishes are very nice, rich of good quality ingredients. Maybe overall a bit pricey but i will certain come back!

Food was top-notch Incredibly tasty combinations, top cocktails and wine Also good vegetarian options Service is attentive and sweet Great for lunch and dinner Lovely atmosphere

Good food, great staff, nice atmosphere. It can get a bit too noisy tho

Fantastic overall experience, and everything was super tasty. Don't go here, let's keep it to ourselves. The cocktails were truly amazing. Rarely have I met such a nice atmosphere and such fun people. The toilets are bossy, but they do enhance the retro feel.

one of the best dinners ive had in amsterdam. the flavor is so creative, complex but not overwhelming. the vibe is amazing, the staff is super lively and helpful and the service is so fast. love it would totally come back again and again

Fantastic food, delicious cocktails, and a great atmosphere!

Best dining experience ever, ate things I will never order, everything was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect, service top-notch.

It doesn't get more Mexican than this. What a lovely atmosphere, the food is so good… Arriba!

Very nice place to eat, high quality ingredients and very good service! Atmosphere is great. Can be a bit loud because it’s so popular. We took the chefs menu and got served great food without having to pick ourselves. Octopus was lovely. I love the cookie they serve with the coffee.

Best tacos in Amsterdam. Delicious cocktails. Upon entering, I heard some good old-school hip-hop. Highly recommended.

Fantastic! Go there. Give Niels my regards.

Incredible! I have been here several times and each time we thought each dish was great. Rich Mexican flavours in a fancy modern presentation

Best Mexican in Ams hands down.

Delicious food and very friendly service. We will definitely come back again.

The food was insane... I ate a lot of tacos but these ones are definitely the best I've had for now. Especially the slow-cooked beef and pork ones (also the poulpo was beautiful). What a great discovery! See you soon 🕺🫶🏻

Had a great evening, really delicious food&drinks, the service is excellent, the staff is always friendly, fun and professional. Love the atmosphere. One of my favourites in Amsterdam.

Why the loud music festival! All we heard was pounding bass and couldn't hear each other!! The food was absolutely delicious, that's what Bacalar is all about. The service was attentive but took a very long time, so after over an hour we only received two dishes, but we were told to leave in 5 minutes! Don't let more than an hour pass between dishes! We arrived well in advance!! We'd eaten at Bacalar before in the summer. This time it was a huge disappointment. We didn't eat much and left half deaf!

Excellent Mexican restaurant bar. We went 2 people without a reservation and were served immediately. Our final orders were taken by Fani, who comes from Greece. A very lively person who raised the atmosphere and her colleagues. She helped us choose the right food and the right wine. Well done, keep up the great work you are doing.

Delicious Mexican food and excellent cocktails (try the mezcal and jalapeño ones!). It feels like being in a warehouse, but it's still cozy, and the staff is always friendly.

I really love the tacos and the tostadas, 5 stars to the Margaritas and to the team. The place ia nice but really really noisy and it is hard to have a nice conversation.

Bacalar in Amsterdam Noord is an absolute must for anyone craving next-level Mexican food. Tucked inside a cool, industrial garage, this spot delivers handmade tortillas, inventive tacos, and a mezcal selection that’ll turn any skeptic into a true believer. Every dish pops with unexpected flavors, think octopus or veal tongue tacos with salsas that bring real heat and freshness. The staff are super friendly and know the menu inside-out, making recommendations if you’re lost among all the delicious options. There’s a fun, laid-back vibe and you can tell everything’s made with real passion. Highly recommended for sharing plates, strong drinks, and a little taste adventure!

Tuna toast and river prawn toast, both delicious! The place is very nice and the staff is great too!

The tacos are amazing. Whilst the menu didn’t have a lot of options, everything they did offer was amazing. The pork and beef tacos were succulent and tasty. The prices weren’t bad either. I would recommend sharing a variety of dishes and experience them all.

Delicious food and excellent service; I've recommended it to all my friends. Keep it up, we'll be back!

+ tasty food. Kudos to chef. - Noisy, overcrowded, poor service, uncomfortable and small seats

Attentive service, delicious food, and surprising cocktails. Just what you'd hope for.

Very good tacos and very good service! They explained all the options to us and helped us choose. The cocktails are also great. I would definitely go again!

Truly one of my favorite restaurants in Amsterdam! The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is delicious, and the cocktails are fantastic. They truly elevate Mexican food. Everything feels sophisticated yet incredibly relaxed. A place with a great vibe that I love coming back to again and again!

Great atmosphere and even greater food!!! Super chill, lots of chillies ahah

Great food, great service and great atmosphere. It is not the food that will make you full but it the food to say "hmm thats nice!"

Super delicious tacos. Nice and juicy just like in CDMX. Excellent mescal selection as well. Only note that is missing like in mexico is that they dont serve mexican beer like corona or modelo.. only local hipster craft beer.

Mindblowing!😍 Can't wait to come back! Amazing hospitality from the whole staff, they all made us feel so welcome, they were super friendly and kind, especially the Gree girl was rocking it! We had the chance to meet the Greek sous-chef as well, that her touxhes on the dishes were crazy tasty! Exceptional hospitality, I totally recommend it!

Amazing tacos in a buzzing environment, with nice people working there.

The food is delicious with great vegan options. When I have gone they had a vegan habanero squash taco which wasn’t listed on the menu, plus all of the vegetarian options can be made vegan if you ask, even though this isn’t explained on the menu. The Tinga Tinga is my favourite but the pumpkin is also amazing! Of the tostadas I prefer the ceviche to the fake oyster, though both are really nice.

Flawless. First rate food: meaty taqueria stalwarts such as lengua and carnitas were pitch perfect, while novel vegan options such as the cauliflower 'ceviche' were very clever indeed. Charming service, morish (and giant!) cocktails, great atmosphere. We were a party of 4, and they happily adjusted tacos that came as a plate of three, which some other taco joints won't do.

Bacalar became my favorite restaurant in Amsterdam! The food and the service were incredible! My favorite dish was the Marinated Octopus Torta - truly unbelievable how good it was! The Tongue Tacos were also my favorites but everything we tried was AMAZING! For what you pay you truly get the value! We left the place really full and happy! Also our waiter was lovely and the cocktails super good!

food is next level, drinks are next level, service is next level!

We had a delicious meal, and we'll definitely be back. Favorites: pulpo taco, pork belly, veal tongue, and tuna tostadas.

Celebrated a birthday with 8 people. Full restaurant, cozy atmosphere, friendly staff.

Truly one of the best restaurants I’ve been to recently. From the engaged an attentive service (getting us some tea because I wa cold) and the amazing and well-timed food (still waiting for the secret recipe of the fake oyster tostada). It was amazing! Higly recommended, can’t wait to come back!

Amazing food, great vibe and service. Will definetely come back.

WOW! I feel in love again. I absolutely loved this restaurant. The most delicious food but more importantly, the sweetest staff!!! Such a cozy atmosphere with lots of lit candles, nice music and drinks that make you wanna stay a bit longer ;) Highly recommend 🥰🌯🍸🕯️💟

Just genuine great food and vegan options. Love love love

It was delicious again! The dishes arrived so quickly this time that we'd already finished three after half an hour... from now on, we'll just order in pairs to give ourselves a little breathing room. Nothing but praise for the variety, taste, experience, and hospitality. Fantastic!

A cosy restaurant with delicious food and great service! Would definitely recommend

Exceptional taco spot with creative vegetarian options that go well beyond typical cactus fillings. We sampled most of their vegetarian selection plus the veal tongue tacos - though the latter was quite rich, with the large meat portion dominating the flavour profile. The standout was definitely the fake oyster tostadas, which had an incredible smoky depth that made it memorable. Their cocktails are thoughtfully crafted and pair beautifully with the tacos. What impressed us most was how they adjust taco quantities based on your group size - a small but brilliant touch that made sharing effortless. Don't skip the spicy dessert if you're feeling adventurous; it's a clever Mexican twist on crème brûlée that caps off the meal perfectly.