Guide to Cantinas in Mexico City / La Perla, a traditional snack cantina.
In this cantina, Emiliano Zapata didn't drink any tequila, nor was the assassination of Álvaro Obregón cunningly planned. There are no old photos of Francisco I. Madero. No Plan de San Luis, no Plan de Ayala.
By Anna Lagos / Photos Food Police
There are no revolutionary villains, no inexperienced spiritualists, not even myths of ranchera music, but what we can promise you is that, at La Perla, there is generous snack service and well-served Cuban drinks.
On its melamine tables that emulate a piece of marble, this authentic snack cantina, offering up to six rounds of snacks and with more than 84 years of history, features the classics: pork shank, shrimp broth, liver with onions, bone marrow soup, chicken in adobo, and cheese in broth. Don't let its modest facade intimidate you; crossing the threshold of the wooden doors, you're welcomed with peanuts as soon as you sit down, and from there, it doesn't stop, nor are you limited. They keep offering food and drink, with no time limit.
Although the details of its history are a mystery, from Thursday to Saturday, there are singers performing the classics to entertain, and if you arrive a bit later, the atmosphere becomes lively for dancing.
The menu changes every day, and all you have to do to try it is, of course, to drink. If you buy four beers or three glasses of spirits, the snacks come completely free. The bar has everything: brandy, rum, vodka, whisky, tequila, and even mezcal. Don't forget to order their special Toronja Yellow soda, which goes well with white Bacardi, vodka, gin, or wine.
To go to La Perla, you don't need to be a revolutionary or have a nationalist spirit to enjoy. Who needs old photos when you can make new memories with every visit? Cheers to that, and may the only conspiracy be against thirst!
- Address: C. Eligio Ancona 283, Sta María la Ribera, Cuauhtémoc, 06400 Mexico City
- Phone: 55 5547 2485
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Ideal for: Starting an exploration of the rich cantina culture of Mexico City
- Type of food: Traditional Mexican cuisine
- Payment: cash and cards
- Accessibility: wheelchair accessible
- Parking: no.
- Beer price: $50
- Reservations: no
- Nearby public transport: Metro San Cosme
- Pet friendly: no
- Suitable for children: Yes, the atmosphere is family-friendly.
