LOLO Taco Bar arrives in Madrid with a proposal that goes beyond gastronomy to become a complete exercise in identity and design. Under the concept MAD MEX / Mexico in motion, the project reinterprets Mexican culture through a contemporary lens, moving away from traditional codes to build a language that feels more urban, dynamic and connected to the present.

Led by Manuel Álvarez, the project is driven by a clear intention: to present a vision of Mexico experienced from within—more authentic, precise and current. This perspective is reflected not only in the culinary proposal, developed alongside Jorge Bustamante, but also in every spatial decision, where design plays a key role in shaping the overall experience.

The architectural framework, designed by Pablo Ledo, establishes a clear and functional base. Building upon it, the studio CARNE estudio creativo, led by Esther Mengual, develops a cohesive universe where branding, narrative, graphic design and interior architecture operate as a unified system.

The space is structured around two main atmospheres that, while different in intensity, share a consistent material and conceptual language. On one side, a more direct and functional area where materials are expressed with honesty and clarity, designed for intensive use and a fast-paced experience. On the other, a more immersive space where the project reaches its highest expressive level.

It is within this second environment that color becomes the defining element. A vibrant and luminous blue extends continuously across floors, walls and built elements, creating an immersive atmosphere that transforms spatial perception. Rather than acting as a purely aesthetic resource, color functions as a conceptual tool, reinforcing identity and connecting all elements under a single narrative.

In this context, ceramic surfaces play a central role. Beyond their technical function, they contribute to rhythm, texture and depth. Their modular repetition and interaction with light generate dynamic surfaces that structure the space and enhance its visual continuity.

Lighting is carefully integrated to support this material reading. Continuous surfaces and backlit elements help create a homogeneous, almost scenographic atmosphere, fully enveloping the user within the environment.

The project also incorporates decisions that reinforce its authenticity, such as the integration of pre-existing elements and the use of hand-crafted graphic interventions, adding a more human and tactile dimension to the space.

LOLO Taco Bar ultimately demonstrates how a well-conceived project can go beyond functionality to become a complete experience, where space, materiality and concept work together to create a strong and recognizable identity.

Technical details: 

• Location: Madrid
• Interior design, identity and graphics: Carne/ Esther Mengual somoscarne.es
• Architecture: Ledo Arquitectura
• Developer: Manuel Álvarez lolotacobar.com
• Ceramic surfaces: Cevica cevica.es Equipe equipeceramicas.com
• Photography: Javier de Paz García estudioballoon.es