La Capital opened in 2015 with a clear ambition: to bring the flavours of Mexico City—and beyond—to the heart of Montreal’s Chinatown. The three partners behind it, Rafael Hernandez Vaillard, Paulino Martinez Cardenas, and Geoffrey Moreau, hail from Monterrey and the capital itself, and their approach blends regional diversity with street-food precision. Their tacos, anchored by homemade corn tortillas and vibrant house salsas, cover everything from confit carnitas to vertical-grilled al pastor and breaded shrimp Rosarito-style. Vegetarian options aren’t an afterthought either—garlic mushrooms and vegan tinga stand on their own. What began as a simple homage to CDMX taquerías has expanded into something more personal, especially during the pandemic, when tortas, quesabirria, and sides like papas con veneno were added. Housed in a former cathedral furniture store, with natural light and mezcal-fuelled cocktails, La Capital balances casual charm with serious flavour. It’s one of the few places where tacos and tacos actually feel like a meal.
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