Ministry of Foodies Review
Cuisine: Mexican
Average price per person: 80€
Environment: 9/10
Food: 7.5/10
Service: 7.5/10
Other: Gluten-free options
Website: https://puntarenamadrid.com/
Puntarena is Madrid’s stylish gateway to the Pacific coast of Mexico. You can say it’s an unexpected but welcome detour from the usual taco trail. With a recommendation from the Michelin Guide under its belt and the fact that I enjoyed its sister restaurant, Ticui, I was looking forward to my visit.
I went with a friend on a Monday for dinner.
Location / Environment
Puntarena is located in the Chamberí district, offering an elegant but approachable setting. The décor is a mix between sleek and relaxed: wood-toned panels, modern lighting, and subtle Mexican touches that hint at beach-coast flair rather than sombreros. While the location is central, the high ceilings and smart layout give it a measured calm.
In general the service was polite, but I did not see any particular interest from the staff and everything felt more mechanic than anything. No one asked if we liked the food or anything that would indicate actual interest in our experience.
Puntarena – Menu
Puntarena’s menu zeroes in on sea-inspired Mexican cuisine with a contemporary edge. You’ll also find tacos and a selection of meats, but the focus remains on fresh produce and bold Mexican flavours. The drinks list is equally considered: expect mezcal, tequila and cocktails.
Puntarena – Food
We kicked things off with a green aguachile with the fish of the day, avocado cream, and habanero. The quality of the ingredients was good, but it lacked acidity or any depth in flavour, so I would not recommend it.
The soft-shell crab comes with tomato, onion and chili salad. It’s soft and crispy, while maintaining acidity and texture from the vegetables. There are also tortillas on the side, so you can eat it like a taco.
The pescado a la talla is a traditional Mexican dish with grilled fish covered in a chili paste. The fish is fresh and juicy, and the marinade is extremely flavourful with the right amount of heat. However, it was served closer to room temperature, so this could have been better.
Our last main was the braised short rib. The sweet and tangy sauce complemented the tender meat. A tasty dish, but also served at room temperature. Luckily, the tortillas accompanying the dish were piping hot, so the combination had the right temperature.
For dessert, we tried the classic corn cake with vanilla ice cream and toasted almonds. A decent execution of a classic Mexican dessert. For some people, corn in a dessert is not really something they are used to, but it works if you give it a chance.
Lastly, we tried the Nevado de Toluca (named after a peak in Mexico), chocolate with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and chili syrup. Again, a nice dessert for those who enjoy chocolate.
Conclusion
Puntarena brings a refined vision of Mexican coastal cuisine to Madrid, offering a menu that combines quality ingredients with contemporary presentation. The seafood focus is clear and well-executed on dishes like the softshell crab and pescado a la talla, both showing flavor awareness, though temperature consistency could be improved. Service was courteous yet distant, lacking the warmth expected at this level of dining. Overall, taking into account its price point, I am hesitant to recommend it even though the food was mostly decent. It might be worth one visit, but personally, I am not looking forward to returning, considering the numerous Mexican options in Madrid. At this price point, I would probably visit Can Chan Chan instead.
Visit: November 2025
Address: Calle de Alberto Aguilera, 20, Chamberí, 28015 Madrid