For many of us, the ultimate Mexican dream usually takes the form of some delicious tacos al pastor eaten standing up, getting our hands messy in front of a food cart on the bustling streets of Mexico City. But did you know that the true longing of many Mexicans is something quite different? Their fantasy of a perfect vacation involves eating a shrimp aguachile with their feet buried in the sand on some Pacific beach. All of this, of course, while sitting on the classic plastic chairs at a beachside shack that cooks—using just lemon and chili peppers—seafood that’s just been caught from the ocean crashing right in front of them. That same fresh, carefree essence is what La Joyita, Barcelona’s first 100% Mexican seafood restaurant, has captured.
As soon as you walk through its doors, the Barcelona streets fade away. Here, cold dishes reign almost exclusively, because at the beach, my friend, it’s hot. Get ready to cry with joy (and a little bit from the intensity of the citrus) over their impressive shrimp aguachiles—something like the rebellious first cousin of ceviche. The menu is an ode to coastal snacks: tostadas (that is, crispy fried corn tortillas) topped with a delicate tuna tartare, and spectacular shrimp cocktails. Forget the boring shrimp cocktail from ’90s weddings; the Mexican version is a refreshing and addictive pool of seafood and secret sauces that they serve here unapologetically in a balloon glass. And even though cold dishes reign supreme, there’s always room for a hot gem: the Baja taco. This fried fish taco, in the style of the Baja California Peninsula, was undoubtedly one of our absolute favorites. The crispiness of the batter is, quite simply, out of this world.
But since no beach day is complete without something refreshing in hand, the experience wouldn’t be complete without its drinks. La Joyita’s micheladas are in a league of their own (one of our favorites here—and, honestly, in life). And when the sun goes down, the place brings out its roguish side with a menu of Mexican shots and mezcal-based cocktails. Because yes, La Joyita has the misfortune of not being located on the Sinaloa coast, but it has the immense good fortune of being tucked away right in the heart of Gràcia. The perfect refuge for a brief escape—with a drink and a bite—to that summer dream we so long for in the city.
📍 Location: Carrer de l’Alegre de Dalt, 11 (Gràcia).
🗓️ Hours: Wednesday through Sunday (afternoons and evenings—perfect for a late afternoon hangout).
💸 Average price: Around 20–25 € per person.
Dining and Cooking