I spent a lot of my time while in Zurich wandering. Strolling, walking, and letting my footsteps take me in whatever direction they leaned toward. It was all fun and discovery until hunger set in. At this point it was early evening and the last time I had something to eat was in the morning. I had been exploring so much that I didn’t realize how much time had passed and by then I needed something to carry me through the evening.
I did a few searches on my phone, but based on the area I was in, nothing looked like what I wanted. So, I kept walking in hopes that I would run into just what I needed. It turns out, after a few turns and a couple of blocks, I found exactly what I didn’t know I needed: Mexican food in Zurich.
It was La Taqueria. It was the only white building in the area and it caught my attention. Walking in, the restaurant looked like any other you would find in Los Angeles. Bright colors, loud music, and a feeling of being welcomed by absolute strangers. I needed that.
I grabbed a menu from the check-in table, was seated, and after scanning over the options I decided to go with something tried and true. I went with the Carne Asada and Al Pastor Tacos ($6.90 CHF, $8.66 each).
There’s something that feels really good when it comes to ordering food you know well when you’re far from home. Not because you aren’t open to trying new things (because I was), but because familiarity can feel like its own kind of adventure when you’re in a different country. That’s exactly what these tacos became.
The carne asada was tender and flavorful while the al pastor carried a subtle sweetness thanks to the pineapples that balanced nicely with the savory meat. Both were served simply, allowing the ingredients to do the work. No unnecessary flourishes. Just well-made tacos that delivered exactly what I needed after a long day of exploring.
As I sat there eating, I found myself looking around the dining room and appreciating what the restaurant had created. While Zurich and Los Angeles couldn’t feel more different on paper, La Taqueria managed to bridge that gap. The music, the energy, the atmosphere all reminded me of restaurants I enjoy back home.
La Taqueria wasn’t on my itinerary when I landed in Switzerland. I didn’t research it beforehand or add it to a list of must-visit restaurants. Instead, it found me at exactly the moment I needed it. Hungry, tired, and a little overwhelmed from a full day of wandering, I walked in looking for dinner and left feeling satisfied.
Sometimes the best meals aren’t the ones you spend months planning. They’re the ones you stumble across while following your curiosity through unfamiliar streets. And in Zurich, that path led me straight to tacos.
Follow Them.
Address: Badenerstrasse 138, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 43 543 20 10
Hours: Daily – 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
Social: Website, Instagram, and Facebook.
