A taste of Mexico in Portimão, offering a sensory dive into the country’s tradition
– July 15, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio
Bringing the flavours and traditions of Mexico to the Algarve, Mezcaleria opened in March near Praia da Rocha, in Portimão.
Created by the Gallo family, who now live in the region, the project reflects their passion for their roots and their desire to share a piece of their home country through one of its oldest and most symbolic drinks: Mezcal, also known as “the elixir of the gods”.
More than just a bar, Mezcaleria aims to offer a cultural experience centred around this traditional drink made from agave, a plant native to Mexico. The venue has been designed with this in mind.
“Every detail has been thought of with care, from the wooden counters handmade in the family to the decorative pieces from Mexico, handmade by Mexicans. The locals are also responsible for the entire manual Mezcal process, from harvesting to distillation in small stills,” explains Silves-native Teresa Silva.
With a degree in Political Science and International Relations, and more than a decade of experience in the retail sector, she had long admired Mexico. That connection deepened when she fell in love with Jhasua Gallo and became more involved in the country’s culture, which she now sees as a second home.
“We want those who enter Mezcaleria to feel transported to Mexican lands. The colours, the smells, the flavours, and the energy are intended to engage visitors in an immersive experience.
Our commitment is to offer true cultural involvement: a piece of Mexico in Portimão,” she says.
The drinks menu was carefully curated through extensive testing and tasting, made up only of authentic Mezcal that “respect traditional methods and offer superior quality and a genuinely original smoked flavour. Each sip is a plunge into an ancient heritage that tells a story about the country, its people, and its culture and, consequently, a journey into its heart and essence,” Teresa emphasises.
Seven cocktails make up the core drinks list, all of them based on Mezcal and each keeping this drink’s strong, original flavour whilst also incorporating ingredients that add new and sometimes unexpected notes. These include coffee or the more popular tropical options like passion fruit and pineapple; tamarind for a “striking and surprising” fusion; and even Portuguese olive oil, which represents a connection between cultures.
“The combination of these two elements creates an unexpected but harmonious blending, where Mexico and Portugal, tradition and innovation, meet in a single drink,” says Teresa.
For those who prefer to experience Mezcal in its purest form, it’s also served neat.
Each month, Mezcaleria introduces a new cocktail to reflect the season and to bring a different flavour into focus. The goal is to create “a true sensory journey, authentic, passionate and memorable, through Mezcal”.
After a positive start, the team now plans to expand their offer with traditional Mexican snacks, with simple and recognisable dishes such as burritos, nachos, and guacamole. The hope is to turn Mezcaleria into a more complete destination for a true Mexican experience.
In fact, the name Mezcaleria comes from the traditional bars in Mexico where this drink is served, and its use here is a way to honour that tradition. “For everything bad: Mezcal. For everything good: Mezcal too!” is the motto here, a well-known saying in Mexico that reflects the drink’s place in everyday life and celebration.
Although the project is still young, there are already plans for the future. Their ambition is to eventually bring Mezcaleria to other parts of Portugal, “always maintaining the artisanal essence and the link with Mexican tradition,” states Teresa.
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