Im not one to leave reviews but I was so delighted eating at Rafa’s today after seeing it online. I’m from Florida and have found it hard to find authentic good Mexican food in Glasgow but Rafa’s hits the spot. Will definitely be back and will become a staple for us!!
We had the Carney Asada and Chorizo tacos, and our minds were blown away. Extremely tasty and hot sauce compliments the tacos very nicely.
But then we had the king prawn tacos and the nachos. The king prawns missed some acidity, and had a bit too much batter. The cheese on the nachos was the liquid kind, which is unfortunate as it would've been a good opportunity to mix it with some awesome local cheeses.
I would definitely go again, but since we had 2/4 items as a miss it's hard to give it 5* and signal a guaranteed good eat.
Lovely little hatch down a hidden alleyway serving incredible tacos and burritos. Great flavours that pack a punch and you can get messy with. A real gem of Glasgow.
Follow your nose down the little alley to find some yummy tacos. Carnitas tacos had that juicy fatty vibe that is so good. Miss the crispy bits common to other versions but very tender. Get an extra napkin! Chorizo were also good but a bit looser than I usually see. But great flavor. Just messy.
Hidden gem in Glasgow's West End.
I had the Barbacoa taco, Fish taco and Carne Asada taco. My partner had a chorizo quesadilla. Food was fantastic. By far the best tacos in Glasgow.
They have a varied selection of Jarritos Mexican sodas very good.
Staff were also very friendly and welcoming. For such a small place it was very busy.
Highly recommend.
Post SWG3 experience:
My girlfriend and I went to SWG3 last weekend to try out Rafa's at the pop up event, however, we were thoroughly unimpressed. We put up a negative review and received a swift reply from a manager at Rafa's. To our surprise we received a voucher to try out Rafa's again, but this time at their original location at Finnieston.
Today we went to this location and ordered the following:
Carne Asado Burrito
Pollo Asado Taco
Carnitas Taco
Tortilla Chips with Salsa
Pollo Asado Quesidilla
Our entire dining experience was completely different to the one we had previously. The service was swift and friendly with quick response to the fact we had a voucher and that we had had a bad experience prior. The food tasted fresh, juicy and authentic with the highlight being the pollo asado taco. We completely understand why there are so many raving reviews and the line today was straight out the door. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and look forward to another visit soon!
I went to a Rafa’s pop-up at SWG3 and the food was some of the best Mexican I’ve ever tried.
The flavours and quality were just excellent - it’s got me really excited to visit actual Rafa’s!
The birria tacos were the best of the lot - that smoky dipping sauce was something else. Just everything was wonderful.
I won’t comment on the service, as it was in SWG3 but the food was great.
![5]( "Recensione")
First time trying Rafa’s and to be honest, we are thoroughly unimpressed and disappointed. Despite the raving reviews, we found the food to be cold, dry and completely overpriced. The idea of a pop up kitchen in SWG3 was good in theory, but we felt like this backfired.
Even though we are unsatisfied by this experience, we don’t want to truly believe this represents Rafa’s cuisine.
After coming back this weekend to the actual Rafa’s restaurant, thanks to a voucher they offered us, we are glad to be able to agree with the reviews read before going to the SWG3 event last weekend (first photo).
Today’s food (next 4 photos) was warm, fresh and very tasty, we had the opportunity to try pollo asado tacos - our favourite choice -, carnitas tacos, pollo asado quesadilla and an amazing burrito - highly recommended as well - with a portion of tortilla chips and salsa. The service has been lovely as well and we will definitely come back to try again other things! They had a Mexican horchata I want to try next time! Thank you very much!
Great hidden gem. Best tacos in Glasgow for an affordable price. They also have weekly limited time special dishes which are often delicious experimental combinations which you won't get anywhere else. Been here 3 times in last 2 weeks I've ordered tacos, quesadilla, and burrito. All of them impressed me and kept me coming back
YUM oh my, please please get the surf and turf taco, out of this world. Other stars were fish taco, the pickley cabbage was fab, and the queso (make sure to ask for chorizo added to it). Vibes are so nice I don’t think I’ve ever heard a live banjo player before ❤️
Best tacos in Glasgow! It’s a tiny little place off Finnieston road - the seating is very limited, especially if it’s raining. So be prepared to either wait or just grab it for takeaway. The highlights of the menu are the fish tacos and the chicken burritos.
The best tacos i’ve ever had!
Fish & king prawn tacos are amazing, definitely try those🌮
Also the nachos are loaded with guac, salsa, queso and sour cream and are delicious.
Don’t forget to try their hot sauce, it will make everything even better:)
As a mexican that loves his food I can say that this was authentically mexican and delicious. Probably the best in the UK. The people is really welcoming and now I see why the place is always so crowded. Recommended and I’ll defo be back.
We loved this place and as Americans living in Europe we rarely get to say that about Mexican food. I thought the grilled chicken nachos were the best I have ever had, no kidding, the chicken was just amazing. The tortilla chips were fresh cooked in house, hard enough to find in Europe, but these were perfect which is basically impossible to find. The carne asada was super tender and the barbacoa beef is the stuff dreams are made of. The family owned joint is a super cute space with a great father/daughter team running the place, the only thing better than the food was the fun conversation with the dad, a San Diego native just nailing California style Mexican food. Don’t miss this place! We can’t wait to come back.
Francisco Augusto Ornelas Gozalo
+5
If you're on the hunt for an authentic Mexican culinary experience in the heart of Glasgow, look no further than Rafa's Diner. Nestled in the bustling streets, this hidden gem is a haven for taco enthusiasts and lovers of mouthwatering flavors. Prepare yourself for a taste sensation that will transport you straight to the vibrant streets of Mexico.
However, it's important to note that Rafa's Diner tends to be in high demand, and their popularity is well-deserved. To avoid disappointment, it's best to arrive early, as they tend to run out of stock quickly due to their commitment to using fresh ingredients daily. Trust me, the wait is more than worth it!
Best tacos I've ever tasted. Pulled pork with blue corn tacos. Absolutely stunning flavours. Get a mango soft drink too. Burritos are jam packed with every flavour you expect and more.
Emily Arnold-Fernández
+5
Delicious!! 10 out of 10. Rafa's would hold its own in the Mission in San Francisco.
My husband is Mexican-American, while I grew up in Southern and Northern California with a grandmother in Tempe, Arizona. We both agreed this is a totally legit Mexican place -- something that is in short supply in UK! We HIGHLY recommend.
Great Tacos and flavours served in a cool of the beat location
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