If you’ve ever typed “Mexican near me” into your phone while walking through Dublin, you’re not alone. The city has a growing scene of Mexican restaurants, from longtime fixtures like Acapulco — which has been perfecting its chili recipe for 25 years — to newer spots like El Grito.

4 related posts

Oldest Mexican restaurant in Dublin: Acapulco (25 years) ·
Mexican restaurant opened since 2015: El Grito ·
National chain with Irish locations: Boojum (since 2007)

Quick snapshot

1Mexican Restaurants in Dublin
2Other Irish Cities
3Digestive Health Tips
  • Why stomach hurts after spicy food (capsaicin irritation)
  • Why you need to poop (faster transit)
  • Drinks: milk, chamomile, ginger tea
4Celebrity Favorites
  • Ed Sheeran — The Stag’s Head pub
  • Conor McGregor — The Black Forge Inn
  • Cillian Murphy — residence in Dublin (no specific Mexican restaurant linked)

Dublin’s Mexican dining scene shows a clear pattern: the oldest and newest options are concentrated in the city center, while the rest of Ireland gets by with chains.

Key facts about Mexican dining in Ireland
Category Details
Oldest Mexican restaurant in Dublin Acapulco (25 years)
Mexican chain in Ireland Boojum (since 2007)
Conor McGregor’s restaurant The Black Forge Inn
Popular Mexican dish globally Tacos

Are there any Mexican restaurants in Ireland?

Mexican restaurants in Dublin

  • Acapulco Mexican Restaurant on South Great George’s Street — Dublin’s oldest, operating for 25 years and still perfecting its chili recipe (Acapulco Mexican Restaurant). It opens Tuesday to Sunday, with early evening hours midweek and lunch from Friday onwards.
  • El Grito moved from Temple Bar to Mountjoy Square in 2019 and has been sharing Mexican recipes in Dublin since 2015 (El Grito Mexican Food Restaurant; location history from The Irish Road Trip guide).
  • Boojum, a casual burrito chain, first opened in 2007 and now has locations across Ireland (The Irish Road Trip guide).
  • 777 on South Great George’s Street — a style- and quality-focused Mexican option (pronounced “triple seven”) (The Irish Road Trip guide).
  • Pablo Picante and El Grito rank among the top Mexican restaurants on TripAdvisor in Dublin (TripAdvisor Dublin Mexican restaurant rankings).
The takeaway

Dublin clearly dominates Ireland’s Mexican food scene. If you’re outside the capital, your best bet is a chain like Boojum or a local pub with Tex-Mex — but options are limited.

Mexican restaurants in Galway

While dedicated Mexican restaurants in Galway are fewer, Boojum has a location there, and some pubs offer Tex-Mex style dishes. Dedicated sit-down Mexican spots are less documented in sources primarily focused on Dublin.

Mexican restaurants in Ranelagh and Georges Street

  • Parrilla at 7-9 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, presents itself as serving “authentic Mexican cuisine” with small and large plates, plus cocktails and delivery (Parrilla Ranelagh; also described by Cookie FM).
  • Acapulco, 777, and Pablo Picante are all on or near South Great George’s Street, making it a hub for Mexican dining.
Bottom line: The implication: if you want variety, South Great George’s Street is your one-stop destination.

Why does my stomach hurt so bad after Mexican food?

Common causes of digestive distress after spicy food

The main culprit is capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. Capsaicin can irritate the stomach lining and speed up intestinal transit time — meaning food moves through your system faster than usual (Harvard Health medical research). The high fat content in many Mexican dishes (cheese, sour cream, fried tortillas) can also trigger digestive discomfort, especially for people with sensitive stomachs.

Why do I have to poop right after I eat Mexican food?

That urgent feeling is partly due to capsaicin’s effect on the gut. According to Harvard Health research, capsaicin can stimulate the gastrocolic reflex, causing the colon to contract and push waste out more quickly. Fatty foods also stimulate this reflex. So a spicy, fatty meal can create a double effect.

What this means

If you’re prone to digestive issues, the combination of capsaicin and fat in many Mexican dishes is a known trigger. Choosing leaner options (grilled fish tacos over fried ones) and moderating cheese can help.

What is the most popular Mexican meal?

Mexico’s famous dishes

Globally, tacos are the most recognized Mexican meal — a simple tortilla filled with meat, salsa, and toppings. Other iconic dishes include enchiladas, tamales, and pozole, a hearty hominy soup that is deeply rooted in Mexican tradition (according to Calista Luxury Resort Mexican culinary guide).

Popular Mexican meals in Ireland

In Ireland, burritos are the most common menu item at chains like Boojum and at many Dublin taquerias. Tacos appear on almost every menu, from El Grito’s offering to Parrilla’s small plates. Enchiladas and quesadillas are also widely available but less dominant.

The pattern: Ireland’s Mexican menu leans heavily toward burritos, while global Mexican cuisine is more diverse.

Where do celebrities eat in Dublin?

What pub does Ed Sheeran go to in Dublin?

Ed Sheeran has been spotted at The Stag’s Head, a historic Victorian pub on Dame Court. It’s a popular spot for musicians and actors visiting Dublin, though it’s not a Mexican restaurant — a reminder that celebrity sightings are more about atmosphere than cuisine type (Visit Dublin tourist guide).

What is Conor McGregor’s restaurant in Dublin?

Conor McGregor owns The Black Forge Inn in Drimnagh, Dublin. It’s a gastropub known for steaks and seafood rather than Mexican food — though its popularity has made it a destination for locals and tourists (The Black Forge Inn official website).

Best meal at McGregor’s Dublin restaurant

According to online reviews, the steak and seafood platter are the standout items. McGregor’s restaurant does not have a Mexican influence, but it’s a go-to for those wanting a celebrity experience with high-end pub fare.

The catch: celebrity-linked spots in Dublin are gastropubs, not Mexican restaurants — so if you’re craving tacos, look elsewhere.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Acapulco has operated for 25 years in Dublin (Acapulco Mexican Restaurant)
  • El Grito opened in 2015 and moved to Mountjoy Square in 2019 (El Grito Mexican Food Restaurant; The Irish Road Trip guide)
  • Boojum first opened in 2007 and has multiple Irish locations (The Irish Road Trip guide)
  • Parrilla in Ranelagh presents itself as authentic Mexican (Parrilla Ranelagh)

What’s unclear

  • Total number of Mexican restaurants across all of Ireland—sources focus on Dublin
  • Whether Cillian Murphy frequents any specific Mexican restaurant (his Dublin residence is known but not his dining habits)
  • Detailed menu and authenticity claims for some newer spots

Pros & Cons of Irish Mexican dining

Upsides

  • Dublin has a well-established Mexican scene with long-standing and new options
  • Several restaurants claim authenticity (Parrilla, El Grito) and have loyal followings
  • Casual chains like Boojum make Mexican food accessible outside the capital
  • Digestive tips (dairy drinks, ginger tea) are easy to apply after a meal

Downsides

  • Limited Mexican restaurants outside Dublin—Galway and other cities have fewer choices
  • Spicy and fatty meals can trigger digestive issues for some diners
  • Authenticity varies; some popular spots are more Tex-Mex than traditional Mexican
  • Celebrity-linked restaurants (like The Black Forge Inn) don’t offer Mexican cuisine

Quotes from the restaurants themselves

“Dublin’s oldest Mexican restaurant, perfecting our chili recipe for 25 years.”

— Acapulco Mexican Restaurant (longest-running Mexican spot in Dublin)

“Sharing Mexican recipes in Dublin since 2015.”

— El Grito Mexican Food Restaurant (Mountjoy Square taqueria)

Bottom line: Dublin offers the strongest Mexican dining scene in Ireland, anchored by Acapulco’s 25-year tradition and El Grito’s modern taqueria approach. For visitors: stick to South Great George’s Street or Ranelagh for the best choices. For locals outside Dublin: plan a trip or settle for a Boojum burrito — the capital remains Ireland’s true Mexican food hub.

Related reading: **Huaraches Near Me – Local Stores, Prices and Availability** · **IGA Near Me: Find Independent Grocer & Compare Price**

För fler tips om att navigera i stadens matscen kan du kolla in vår guide till Dublins bästa mexikanska ställen med användbara beställningstips.

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Frequently asked questions

Are there any Mexican restaurants in Ireland?

Yes, particularly in Dublin. Acapulco, El Grito, 777, and Parrilla are verified options. Boojum provides Mexican food in several cities across Ireland.

Why does my stomach hurt so bad after Mexican food?

Capsaicin in chili peppers irritates the stomach lining and speeds up digestion. High fat content can also contribute. Drinking milk or ginger tea can help.

How do you neutralize spicy food in the stomach and settle indigestion?

Dairy products like milk or yogurt contain casein, which binds to capsaicin. Chamomile and ginger teas have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the stomach.

Where do celebrities eat in Dublin?

Ed Sheeran has been seen at The Stag’s Head. Conor McGregor owns The Black Forge Inn. Cillian Murphy lives in Dublin but no specific Mexican restaurant is linked to him.

What is the most popular Mexican meal?

Globally, tacos are the most popular. In Ireland, burritos are the most common menu item, followed by tacos and enchiladas.

What drink calms down your stomach?

Milk and dairy drinks are effective because casein neutralizes capsaicin. Chamomile tea and ginger tea also help reduce digestive discomfort.

What is Conor McGregor’s restaurant in Dublin?

He owns The Black Forge Inn in Drimnagh, a gastropub known for steak and seafood, not Mexican food.