© Carolina Reinertz
Pablito in Belair offers a casual, Latin-inspired lunch spot where tacos and small plates are the stars.
I recently revisited Pablito, a bar in Belair serving small plates inspired by Latin, Mexican, and Spanish cuisine. This wasn't my first time here, as we had previously checked Pablito out while looking for taco spots in town, but I wanted to switch it up and go for something more South American this time, and also see if anything had changed since my last visit. The menu, for the most part, looked pretty much the same as I remembered.
The food
I went by myself for lunch on a weekday and got a table quickly without needing a reservation. I went for the shrimp taco: deep-fried, seasoned shrimp topped with pico de gallo, coleslaw, beetroot, and chipotle sour cream (€18.80 for two tacos). The sauce and shrimp were really savoury, but the taco shell itself was quite soft and fell apart a bit while eating, something to keep in mind if you’re expecting a crisp, handheld taco.
Other taco options include slow-cooked beef cheeks with cilantro, white onions, radish, and chipotle sour cream, or a deep-fried avocado taco with pico de gallo, corn, chipotle sour cream, and queso fresco for a vegetarian twist. Beyond tacos, there are a few quesadillas, chicken barbacoa, chili con carne, and ceviche. Plates are generally meant to be shared, around 1–2 per person, but as someone who usually sticks to a single plate, one was perfectly enough for me.
The extras
It's also worth mentioning that Pablito has a 'plat du jour' for €16.80, which changes daily. On the day I visited, the special was a chicken burrito served with fries and chipotle sour cream, and it looked like a lot of people were going for that. The
atmosphere during my visit felt casual, with a mix of office workers on their lunch break and friends catching up over small plates.
Service was polite but somewhat brisk. The owner wasn't there, and the waitress mentioned she didn't have time to chat because there were only two staff members on duty. Something that I completely understand, but it did mean I couldn't get as much insight or background as I usually like for my reviews (or that extra warm personal touch), which of course makes this one a bit shorter than usual.
Final thoughts
Overall, Pablito seems like an alright choice for a casual lunch or quick bite. It's a dependable spot if you're in the area and want a tasty taco or small plate without fuss.
Food quality – 3.5/5
Family-friendly – 3/5
Budget friendly – 3/5
Date-friendly – 3/5
Veggie-friendly – 3.5/5
