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Mejlgade 17, 8000 Aarhus

A small place with big flavors

A green tangle of plants covers the counter, but behind them your menu awaits. With colorful pictures and dishes with names like Ensalada Bowl, Crunchy Cerdo, and Tempurareje, it's clear that this is not just your average takeaway. It's VACA, Aarhus' answer to Mexican comfort food made from scratch, in the middle of Mejlgade's cobblestone flow.

Lunch specials and happy guests at VACA
VACA bowl with chips and a view of Mejlgade

→ Homemade Mexican food with fresh ingredients

→ Bowls, tacos and takeaway in Mejlgade

→ Few seats – atmospheric and informal

→ Jarritos, Corona and lots of flavors

An intimate corner with a view of life outside

There are only a few seats in the small space, but that's part of the charm. The space is narrow and bright, furnished with bar stools and high tables, and the location in the atmospheric Latin Quarter means that there is life outside the window, no matter the time of day. From here you can follow the passersby, while the aroma of spicy meat and freshly made guacamole spreads from the kitchen.

VACA's menu overview and colorful wall posters

Food made from scratch and you can taste it

“All the food, especially the meat, is made here. We put the beef in the oven overnight, and the next day we mix it with spices,” says one of the employees.

VACA is not just another place where you grab a burrito on the go. Most of the food at VACA is made from scratch and the rest is carefully selected to match the quality. The guacamole is homemade, and the tortillas are specially made for restaurants, thicker and more flavorful than the ones you usually get in the supermarket.

Taco or bowl – or the best-selling burrito?

On the menu you'll find everything from burritos, bowls and tacos to quesadillas and salads, with meat, jackfruit, falafel and pea protein as options. But it's the burrito in particular that has made a name for itself. It's one of VACA's absolute bestsellers and for good reason. It's packed to the brim with flavor, made from scratch and surprisingly filling.

The colorful bowls and trays speak their own language. There are pickled red onions, corn salsa, braised pork and tangy coleslaw, and not least the opportunity to build your own taco with tempura shrimp and other delicious toppings. The portions are generous, the flavor is intense and you really get a lot for your money without compromising on quality.

Taco kit with toppings and dips from VACA

Takeaway with regulars and adaptations

Although VACA is intended as a takeaway concept, the small place also has its regulars. According to the staff, it is a mix of locals, tourists and people who just drop by. Many return with regular requests and some even order takeaway with additions written in the comments box: “without cheese, extra lime”.

“Most of it is takeaway, but we actually have quite a few people who eat here too,” it sounds from behind the counter.

Atmosphere, rhythm and calm amidst the hustle and bustle

The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Despite the hustle and bustle, there is no stress. “We are used to it,” says the employee with a smile as he reaches for another burrito shell. It all runs in routine and you can feel it.

VACA employee behind the counter with Corona beer

Jarritos, Corona and window seat

With your meal, you can have Jarritos, the Mexican soda with flavors like pineapple or cola, or a Corona if the day calls for a beer. Both are served cold, preferably by the window seat, where you can watch people cross Mejlgade or hear bicycles roll by.

More than takeaway

And maybe that's what makes VACA more than just a quick stop. The atmosphere. The feeling of something handmade. And a dining experience that is both colorful and down to earth.

Dining at VACA

take-away

Dining on site

Opening hours VACA

Monday 10.30–21 p.m
Tuesday 10.30–21 p.m
Wednesday 10.30–21 p.m
Thursday 10.30–21 p.m
Friday 10.30–21.30
Saturday 10.30–21.30
Sunday 10.30–21.30

Contact VACA

Phone : 2869 2814

Meeting rooms

Cozy little place. Tables by the window.

Parking

Parking at Hotel Royal
Parking in Dokk1

Public transport

All buses stop in the city centre.

VACA in pictures

VACA taco kit by window with a view
Burrito bowl and Jarritos soda at VACA
Couple enjoying food at window seat at VACA
Smiling employee serves food at VACA
Christina Hazelden - Photographer: Wyrle Studio -
Published on 06.07.2025