The team behind Ophelia and Monarca has launched their latest venture, Barra Gitano, in Vancouver’s West End.
Located at 1202 Davie Street, this new eatery brings Mexican-inspired cuisine to the heart of Davie Village.
Barra Gitano opens its doors from Wednesday to Sunday at 4 p.m., offering dinner and late-night drinks. With seating for 100, the restaurant features both indoor and outdoor dining options. The menu boasts a variety of Mexican and Latin American-inspired small plates, entrées, and tacos, accompanied by a full bar serving handcrafted cocktails, artisanal spirits, craft beers, and wines.
Erik Heck, John Crook, and Chef Francisco Higareda, who also operate The Flying Pig and Ophelia Cocina Mexicana, are behind this new project.
The restaurant’s menu includes appetizers like guacamole, Salsa Quemada, and Tiradito de Atun, as well as entrées such as Guajillo prawns, Birria noodle soup, and arroz tumbado. Taco offerings include pork belly, beef tongue, vegan, and fish varieties. Desserts like churros and Gansito with ice cream round out the food options.
The drink menu features unique cocktails like Catching Feelings and Black Forest Sour, alongside various margaritas, including the Gitano and Spicy Pineapple Mezcalita.
Chef Francisco Higareda, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, has curated the menu to reflect bold, vibrant flavors while paying homage to his culinary roots. Higareda’s extensive culinary background includes training in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and working with Michelin-starred chefs in Spain and France.
Barra Gitano aims to offer a more casual dining experience compared to Ophelia and Monarca, providing a laid-back yet flavorful addition to Vancouver’s vibrant dining scene.
Barra Gitano – Vancouver
PA’ EMPAZAR (appetizers)
- Guacamole (fresh avocado, cilantro, roasted garlic + jalapeño, white onion, lime juice, cheese, corn tortilla chips), 12.5;
- Salsa Quemada (roasted tomatoes + chilis, corn tortilla chips), 10.5;
- Chipotle Fries (French fries, chipotle salt, serrano + garlic aioli), 10;
- Tiradito de Atun (tempura tuna tataki, shiso, nori, pineapple ponzu jus, avocado, red onion, cucumber, fried leeks), 18;
- Scallops + Prawn Tostadas (scallops + prawn, mango, avocado, spicy garlic aioli, piquillo salsa), 17.5;
- Roasted Cauliflower (paprika aioli, serrano lime soy, toasted pumpkin seeds), 17.75;
- Tomato + Burrata (fresh burrata, pistachio + cilantro pesto, serrano ham, roasted peaches, heirloom tomatoes), 22.5.
LOS FUERTES (entrées)
- Guajillo Prawns (garlic guajillo prawns, wine chorizo, truffle mashed potatoes), 26;
- Birria Noodle Soup (Mexican chili braised beef brisket, beef + pork broth, ramen noodles, corn, marinated bean sprouts + onion, cilantro, egg, bamboo shoots), 24;
- Hamburguesa Gitano (Wagyu beef, cheddar cheese, caramelized onion + jalapeño, avocado, lettuce, serrano + garlic aioli, brioche bun, chipotle fries), 26;
- Arroz Tumbado (roasted chicken, Spanish chorizo, prawns, peas, spicy tomato rice), 30;
- Buñuelo de Barbacoa (beef barbacoa, guacamole, black beans, cheddar cheese, pickled red onions, iceberg lettuce, habanero sauce, flour tortilla), 27.5.
TACOS (three per order)
- Pork Belly (confit pork belly, salsa macha, avocado purée, cured red onion, corn tortilla, spicy aioli), 22;
- Lengua (parral style beef tongue barbacoa, corn tortilla, cilantro + onion chile arbol, tomatillo sauce), 25;
- Vegan (tempura broccolini, salsa verde, avocado, pickled onions, cilantro, flour tortilla), 25;
- Fish (battered ling cod, cheese, pickled habanero cabbage + onions, cucumber, guacamole, manzano chili aioli, flour tortilla, jalapeño salsa), 25.
PA’ ACABAR (dessert)
- Gansito + Ice Cream (tempura chocolate + strawberry vanilla cake, praline ice cream), 12.5;
- Churros (cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce), 15.
Hours:
Where: 1202 Davie St., Vancouver BC V6E 1N3