The best Mexican restaurants in London

What is it? Elevated Mexican dining in Marylebone.

Why we love it: Cavita is intimate, moody and quintessentially Mexican in everything from the interior’s warm, neutral colour palette of greens and pottery pink, to the candle-lit altar of La Virgen de Guadalupe with alebrijes – bright and vibrant Mexican folk art sculptures – placed on top. While you’ll find some phenomenal tacos on the menu like al pastor, pescado (fish/cod) and even okra, Cavita’s an excellent place to stray from the traditional eats and savour some of Mexico’s more unknown dishes. There’s pescado zarandeado, grilled fish inspired from the Pacific coast and marinated with a green chilli sauce; mole verde, a rich, earthy sauce of romaine, cilantro, epazote, chiles, seeds and other herbs and spices normally poured over a protein – in this case, chicken; and tetelas, corn masa (dough) that’s folded into a triangle-shaped pocket, normally filled with refried beans, cheeses, salsas and meat. Cavita’s head chef Adriana Cavita elevates the dish with chickpea puree, roasted bell peppers sauce, shiso leaves and chorizo. 

Time Out tip: Cavita’s the place to splurge on drinks – alcoholic or not. Toast with a round of palomas or spicy margs, or sip on refreshing aguas frescas like the agua de pepino, jamaica and the watermelonita.

Address: 56-60 Wigmore Street, W1U 2RZ.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11.30-3pm, 5:30-11.30pm, Sun 11.30am-3pm, 5.30-10:30pm.

Expect to pay: £13 to £18 for individual portions, £3 to £9 for sides and £19 to £96 for sharing plates.

What is it? London’s first spot for Sonoran cuisine.

Why we love it: Whoever thought that flour tortillas were strictly for Tex-Mex was greatly mistaken. Sonora Taqueria showcases how each Mexican region has its own local dishes and ingredients, and in Sonora, Mexico, it’s all about flour, baby. The tortilla delivery service turned market stall turned restaurant skyrocketed serves some incredible, affordable eats like tacos de cabeza (slow cooked ox tongue and cheek), tacos de barbacoa (slow cooked beef) and the caramelo, a grilled beef taco with crispy cheese crust, refried beans, cabbage, pickled onion and tatemate salsa – sweet and smokey – made with roasted or charred tomatoes, chiles, garlic and onions. 

Time Out Tip: Order in and head downstairs for extra seating, or take away and walk to Clissold Park for a nice taco picnic. And order the fresh lemonade.

Address: 208 Stoke Newington High Street, Hackney, N16 7HU.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed closed, Thu-Sun 12-5pm.

Expect to pay: £3.50 to £5.50 for tacos filled to the brim.

What is it? A fun, Guadalajara–focused restaurant in Stoke Newington. 

Why we love it: Guadalajara native, Daniel Carrillo, has been feeding Dalston locals Mexican food that goes above and beyond the taco since 2021 (though the tacos here are still extremely good). The menu is an ode to Guadalajara and offers regional dishes that are not easily found outside of Mexico. Try the guaraches – a handmade corn guajillo ‘flatbread’ (basically a thicker tortilla) topped with refried beans, salsa, onions, gualsa, aka guasacaca sauce – similar to salsa verde, but made with an avocado base, cream and your choice of either carnitas, beef asada or grilled cactus. Or have a go on the tortas – traditional Mexican sandwiches served on telera bread with cheese, avocado, tomato and your choice of either pork or black beans with portabello mushrooms al ajillo. For late nights and strong cocktails, head downstairs to Corrochio’s Cantina - or next door to Cinco – where you’ll find Mexican beers, mezcal and tequila cocktails, and a range of tasty botanas to help absorb the alcohol. 

Time Out tip: Visit for brunch and you’ll find the torta ahogada (Spanish for ‘drowned sandwich’) – Guadalajara’s famous sandwich – served on a crispy baguette with refried beans, avocado, pickled onions, your choice of pork or halloumi, then drowned in salsa.

Address: 70-74 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 6-10pm, Fri 6-10.30pm, Sat 12-3:30pm, 6-10.30pm, Sun 12-4pm.

Expect to pay: £5 to £13 for bar bites and starters, and £8 to £16 for tostadas, taco pairs and regional dishes.

What is it? Authentic Mexican restaurant that’s blossomed into a local treasure.

Why we love it: Santo Remedio started as a small, lively restaurant in London Bridge, and has now successfully expanded to two other locations in Shoreditch and Marylebone. And rightfully so. Owners Natalie and Edson Diaz-Fuentes source many of their ingredients straight out of Mexico, and designed their restaurants with the help and decor of Mexican artisans. Ready your appetite with tequila flights or mezcal flights, where you can savour each spirit’s flavours and aromas. As for food, the sea bass ceviche is a gorgeous celebration of Mexican seafood that’ll take you straight to the beach, and the venison quesabirria dipped in hot, savoury consome will cure anyone’s blues. Don’t forget the pork belly tacos, topped with crunchy chicharron, and finish with a dulce de leche and ancho chili tart. Ask for a little extra ancho chilli to bring out more flavour and spice.

Time Out tip: Visit Santo Remedio for brunch, where it’s £58 for 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks, two courses and dessert.

Address: 13-14 Thayer Street, Marylebone, W1U 3JR.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-10:30pm, Sun 12-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: Tasting menu is £37 per head, while a la carte dishes range from £5 to £85.

What is it? A ‘hands-only’ taqueria in Leytonstone. 

Why we love it: ‘No cutlery. No exceptions.’ That’s the motto at Homies on Donkeys, a Mexican joint covered in colourful street art and owned by Erik Bautista Fernandez, aka Chef Smokey, and Sandra Bello, who support the art of eating by hand (as one should with tacos). Get some practise in by ordering the guac and refried beans with a side of totopos for dipping, then level up with the chicken barbacoa tacos or the HOD special; the camaron enchilado taco – juicy king prawns cooked in chili, garlic and tomato. The only time utensils are acceptable is for scraping bone marrow and braised chuck onto the fresh corn tortillas, and topping it off with pico de gallo, guajillo salsa and crispy onions for extra texture

Time Out tip: Purchase a jar of HOD’s salsa adobada to take home a little bit of Mexico.

Address: 686 High Road Leytonstone, E11 3AA.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-4pm, 5-11pm.

Expect to pay: £5 for starters and £9 to £18 per pair of tacos.

What is it? Phenomenal Mexican kitchen with homemade classics and street food favourites. 

Why we love it: The most thrilling part about Comalera – aside from the food – is the anticipation. This little kitchen within Walthamstow venue Crate St James is only open Saturdays and Sundays, so when you’re holding onto your will to live during the week, you at least have the prospect of Comalera as a beacon of hope. The menu consists of five dishes, all made fresh and with love by founder Sarai, and each is as delicious as the next. Try the chilaquiles – tortilla chips smothered in red salsa with onions, sour cream and queso fresco, and yes, add the egg. If you want something a little less saucy, the quesadillas de comal are, as we Mexicans like to say, ‘lo maximo’.  

Time Out tip: Follow Comalera on Instagram to stay up to date on when there’s a tamales special, then immediately run to them.  

Address: Unit 31, Crate, 35 St James Street, E17 7FY.

Opening hours: Sat-Sun 12-4pm. 

Expect to pay: £5 to £8 per dish.

What is it? An Ode to Mexico City in the heart of Camden Town. 

Why we love it: Chef Daniel Sanchez brings all the pride and flavour of Mexico City to Camden Town at El Cenote, a vibrant restaurant with colourful murals and a banging menu of Mexican small plates, tacos, main dishes and stunning drinks. Teaming up with Sanchez is Aima Indigo, the British-Veracruzana ‘cocktail witch’ who can shake up a mean margarita. Start with a classic marg, fresh guac and a selection of salsas with totopos, then move to the tuna tostadas, served with red tuna marinated in their house sauce. As for tacos, you can’t go wrong with al pastor, a Mexico City staple, but the cochinita pibil is equally fab, juicy and tender. Add a plate of king prawns al tequila, and wash it all down with a glittery Frida margarita, sparkly and served with hibiscus. 

Time Out tip: The mushroom, sweet potato or nopales tacos, along with the enchiladas mole poblano, are all authentic vegan options that don’t hold back on flavour. 

Address: 2 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ.

Opening hours: Mon-Thur 1-11pm, Fri 1pm-1am, Sat 12pm-1am, Sun - 12-11pm.

Expect to pay: Food ranges from £7.50 to £24, with two for one tacos on Tuesday and bottomless food on weekends for £32.50. Add £17 if you want it boozy.

What is it? A MexiCali-style taqueria in south London. 

Why we love it: There’s something about reusing the cans of La Costeña’s black beans as silverware containers that makes Taca Tacos feel not only sustainable, but incredibly Mexican. Bringing some MexiCali culture to London, Taca slings incredible tacos, burritos and birria across its three locations in Deptford, Peckham and Brockley Market. Feast on baja fish tacos, plump and crispy, with jalapeño crema drizzle, or beef birria, braised for six hours and served as a taco, quesataco or mulita – similar to a quesadilla, but instead of one tortilla folded over, you use two like a sandwich, with the option of adding a rich birria bone broth on the side. Craving a burrito before noon? Head to the Brockley Market location for Taca’s breakfast burrito, a flour tortilla wrapped and packed with eggs, bacon (or mushrooms), cheese, hashbrowns and a side of jalapeño crema. 

Time Out tip: The branch by Deptford station is a great pit-stop for enjoying tacos al fresco with a margarita or Jarrito on the side. 

Address: Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4AR.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 6-9.30pm, Fri 12-3pm, 5-10pm, Sat 12-4pm, 6-10pm, Sun 12-5pm. 

Expect to pay: £5 to £6.50 per taco, £11.50 for burritos and £17 for the beef birria combo.

What is it? A roaming taco truck as well as a brick-and-mortar spot in Camden. 

Why we love it: Preserving family roots, brothers Eric and Christian Don Juan opened Taco Bros in honour of their grandmother, a badass quesadilla slinger in Mexico. Now, the brothers use her recipes to share incredible tacos, burritos and quesadillas across London while keeping their nan’s legacy alive. While Taco Bros have their own brick and mortar restaurant in Camden Town, there’s also a food truck that can be spotted from Friday to Sunday at the Southbank Centre Food Market. Tacos are served on corn tortillas, with the chicken tinga taco being especially tender and juicy, while quesadillas and burritos are flour-made and packed with phenomenal fare such as carne asada, chicken tinga, carnitas and chile mushroom. 

Time Out tip: They’re not always on the menu, but if the mole carnitas or chicharron tacos are available, immediately order them.  

Address: Unit 209 2nd Floor 6, Upper Lock, 141 Water Lane, London, NW1 8JZ

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 12-6pm, Wed 11am-6pm, Thur-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm.

Expect to pay: £4 to £5 for tacos, £10 to £12 for quesadillas, £12 to £14 for burritos and £9 for cocktails.

What is it? A taqueria, restaurant and cantina all under one roof. 

Why we love it: Inspired by the year of the Mexican Revolution, 1910 can be found in both Balham and Parson’s Green. This is traditional Mexican fare with an elevated twist; the duck confit tostadas are a must-order and are served with salsa macha and jalapenos for that extra kick. The flautas are crispy, comforting and potato-filled, a wonderful reminder of when my mother would fry up these rolled up tacos on a lazy night, and come with a pinto bean sauce and sour cream drizzle. Throw in the crispy avocado tacos and you’ll be lost in the sauce – whether it’s the red, green, mango habanero or diablo is up to you. 

Time Out tip: Head to the Parsons Green location on weekends for a Mexican brunch of enchiladas, chilaquiles and an insane cochinita pibil (slow cooked pork) croissant. Wash down with as many tequila-spiked Bloody Marias as needed. 

Address: 277 New Kings Road, Parsons Green, SW6 4RD. 3 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QX

Opening hours: Mon 6-10pm, Tue-Thur 6-11pm, Fri 5-11pm, Sat 11am-3.30pm, 5-11pm, Sun 11am-2pm, 3.30-10pm.

Expect to pay: £4 to £8 for starters and £12 to £13 for mains.

What is it? A Mexican kitchen at a chic Bermondsey cocktail bar. 

Why we love it: What started as taco kit delivery service has blossomed into a permanent kitchen within Bermondey’s Hacha; a sleek, contemporary space with neutral tones, a hint of brutalism, and rows of plants and cacti for a colour pop. Nopalito, owned by Paulina Dominguez and Rodrigo Garcia-Munos, slays with sharing plates, street and signature tacos that range from the typical tuna tostada, corn ribs and quesadillas to aubergine and halloumi tacos, chicken tinga and even enmoladas - shredded chicken in mole sauce with crumbled queso fresco, cream and sesame seeds. As for the cocktails, Hacha shakes up some fabulous mezcal and tequila bevvys such as the mezcal ‘mirror’ margarita with eucalyptus and cane sugar.

Time Out tip: Stop by on Tuesdays for 60 minutes of bottomless street tacos for £25. 

Address: 157 Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey, SE1 3LW.

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-11pm.

Expect to pay: £9 to £12.50 for starters, £12 for taco pairs, £6.50 for single tacos and £10 for desserts.

What is it? Contemporary and elegant Mexican restaurant.

Why we love it: Head to Kensal Rise and you’ll find Polanco, a modern Mexican restaurant by Luis Sanchez Luna, who named the place after the affluent neighbourhood in Mexico City. The facade is as green as the guac, but inside, the all-brick interior, neutral tones and framed photography that pays homage to Mexico’s people and campesinos (farmers) feels as elegant as Polanco itself. The esquites, a comforting street dish consisting of corn mixed with mayo, lime juice, cotija cheese, and chili powder, are the best way to start, followed by the chicharron pork belly. As for the tacos, the baja fish and beef birria are the best, but if you can’t decide, order the taco platter and feast upon three pairs of your choice. In some Mexican restaurants, dessert can fall short, but the churros here are not to miss and the tres leches tiramisu is a fantastic twist on the original.

Time Out tip: Stop by on Tuesdays for half-price tacos. 

Address: 43 Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3NB.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5.30-11pm, Fri 3.30pm-12am, Sat 12-3pm, 5:30-11pm, Sun 12-3 pm, 5.30-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: £5 to £13.50 for small plates, £10 to £19 for mains and £11 to £13 for cocktails.

What is it? London’s first Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant. 

Why we love it: Kol is an epic love story between Mexican cuisine and British ingredients cooked up by Mexican-born chef Santiago Lastra. Using traditional Mexican cooking styles with UK produce, Lastra created a fusion that gained global attention and a Michelin star. He wows guests of all palates at his sleek, Oaxaca-inspired, Marylebone restaurant, offering separate tasting menus for meat eaters, vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians. Order the corundas, a triangle-shaped tamale. Instead of corn husks for the wrapping, Lastra uses Welsh kelp. Inside these tasty parcels you’ll find a savoury masa mixed with guajillo chilies and filled with a sweetcorn salsa served with Cornish crab, lemon verbena and guajillo chillies bisque, corn cream, and kohlrabi. As for tacos, if you haven’t tried the langoustine taco, you have not lived. 

Time Out tip: Book well in advance, especially for a special occasion.

Address: 9 Seymour Street, Marylebone, London W1H 7BA.

Opening hours: Tue 5.45pm-midnight, Wed-Sat 12-4pm, 5.45pm-midnight. 

Expect to pay: It’s £185 per head for a dinner tasting menu, but the shorter lunch menu is £105 and holds nothing back on flavour.

What is it? A chic yet relaxed restaurant with global touches.

Why we love it: Caldera founder, Arya Razi, named this Hackney restaurant after the Spanish word for cauldron in order to depict a melting pot of ingredients. Think cochinita pibil tacos served with kewpie-yuzu lemon sauce or three lamb mole-miso cuts with a baba ghanoush base, mole and sesame seeds (but ask for extra mole to get the full, sweet and smokey flavour). As for drinks, there are margaritas ranging from the classic to the ‘chipotle tango’; a smokey paloma with mezcal. There’s also fresh limeade for non-drinkers. Even the wall murals, by Cardboard Skeleton, make for a thoughtful, contemporary ode to Mexican art, and bring life to the space. 

Time Out tip: Visit on Mondays and Thursdays from 5-9pm for £6 margaritas. 

Address: Unit 8, Monohaus, 143 Mare Street, E8 3FW.

Opening hours: Mon 5-10pm, Tues-Wed 5-11pm, Thu-Sat 12-11.30pm, Sun 12-10pm.

Expect to pay: £6 to £14 for starters and sides, £11 to £12 for taco trios and small plates, and £13 to £21 for main dishes.

What is it? A festive Mexican street food stall. 

Why we love it: Wander through Nag’s Head Market in Holloway, and once you see the festive pinata, you’ll know you’ve arrived at Proper Tacos, the people’s choice for the best spicy taco and traditional taco in the UK by Tacover UK. Teresa Lopez runs this excellent stall. Dressed head to toe in traditional Mexican attire, and with a big smile and a warm welcomes, she flips homemade tortillas and pours some seriously good micheladas. Order tacos, chilaquiles, quesadillas, gorditas or loaded nachos with your choice of fillings, such as chicken mole or tinga, beef suadero, birria, carnitas, cactus or spicy pork chicharon.

Time Out tip: Taco Tuesdays are in full effect here, with £3 tacos from noon to 8pm. 

Address: Unit 6, 22 Seven Sisters Road, N7 6AG.

Opening hours: Tue-Thur 12-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-5pm. 

Expect to pay: £10 to £15 per dish.

What is it? A flavourful and affordable taqueria in Peckham.

Why we love it: Manolo de la Torre, aka Taco Manny, and his wife, Gabriella, teamed up to create Guacamoles, a fire taqueria in Peckham’s Rye Lane Market that’s as authentic as it is accessible. Tortillas are made by hand, and topped with tender, juicy fillings such as birria, carnitas, prawn and beef tongue. But it’s the pozole – a traditional Mexican stew with hominy – that makes for the best comfort meal, and is a fab alternative for when you venture away from the traditional tacos. Finish with Manny’s tres leches-inspired ‘Abuela Victoria’ sponge cake and wash it all down with an agua fresca. 

Time Out tip: Gluten-free foodies will thrive here. Manny’s menu is entirely gluten-free! 

Address: Rye Lane Indoor Market, 48 Rye Lane, SE15 5BY.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10.30am-7pm. 

Expect to pay: Dishes range from £3.50 to £13, and tacos come in pairs.

What is it? Mexican street food-inspired eatery.  

Why we love it: With locations in Surrey Quays, Bermondsey, and Euston, La Chingada is a casual eatery that ticks all boxes for great Mexican street food. There’s tacos and quesadillas-a-plenty, chips and guac and classic drinks like Jarritos, Coronas, margaritas and even mezcalitas for an extra boozy visit. For larger plates, order the enchiladas served with four soft tortillas in a rich tomatillo and cream sauce and a side of chicken alambres for that extra protein boost. Vegans won’t miss out as the plant-based cochinita tostadas come with beans and oyster mushrooms marinated in achiote and citrus blend, and have every bit of flavour as the meatier parts of the menu. 

Time Out tip: End on a sweet note with the tequila-spiked flan.

Address: 10-12 Rotherhithe New Road, SE16 2AA.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10pm. 

Expect to pay: Dishes range from £6.50 to £16.

What is it? A creative taco joint in Borough Market.

Why we love it: Nick Fitzgerald worked at Pujol, one of the best restaurants in Mexico City and the world, before he branched out to create Tacos Padre. It started life as a pop-up before showcasing at Meatopia and travelling across London, Mexico City, Portugal and Berlin before landing in Borough Market. Now, Fitzgerald and his team bring a little piece of ‘El DF’ to hungry Londoners and tourists from their white-tiled kitchen. Start with the guac, totopos and salsas (which are actually pretty spicy compared to other restaurants that lighten the spice for British palates), then chow down on a carnitas taco topped with Xnipec salsa, derived from the Yucatan peninsula and made with habanero peppers, red onions, coriander, salt and sour orange juice. Vegans won’t miss out either as the cauliflower al pastor and crispy potato tacos are excellent for any taco lover. 

Time Out tip: Crowds in Borough Market are inevitable, but early Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings are your best bet to snag some counter space.

Address: Borough Market, Winchester Walk, Jubilee Place, SE1 9AG

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-4pm.

Expect to pay: £3.50 to £6 per taco, with £3 aguas frescas, £5 beers and £8 to £12 margs.

What is it? A neon-lit, sit-down Mexico City-inspired restaurant with locations across London

Why we love it: Run by a team who used to be in charge of a nightclub in Mexico City, the first El Pastor opened on Stoney Street, in the heart of Borough Market. There are now branches in Soho, Battersea and King;s Cross, but Stoney Street remains the best. Close your eyes as you take a bite of a tuna tostada, and the sounds, smells and flavours will transport you to Mercado de Coyoacan. Cheese lovers will relish the queso fundido, melted to gooey perfection, and served with red onion, pumpkin seeds, arbol chillies and a side of totopos, but for something more substantial, the gringa or steak quesadillas with a side of frijoles refritos will fill you right up.

Time Out tip: If you’re a large party, the short rib sharer is served with unlimited corn tortillas.

Address: 7A Stoney Street, London Bridge, SE1 9AA

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12-11pm.

Expect to pay: £5 to £14 for individual portions, and £27 to £44 for sharing platters.

What is it? A small but mighty outdoor taco shop.

Why we love it: Tacos MX Fulham is the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall joint: small and subtle, off the beaten path and so good, you’ll want to keep it to yourself. There’s no indoor dining – just place your order at the window and wait on one of the few benches as Aldo, Joel and their team make everything fresh. Choose between tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and even arepas, but the prawn tacos gobernador are the star of the show. Served in threes, the prawns are fried in sinaloa sauce before getting topped with costra cheese, onions, sweet corn and coriander with avocado, chipotle and hot garlic habanero sauces on the side. 

Time Out tip: Wash down your meal with an iced hibiscus water or agua de horchata, made from rice, nuts and cinnamon,

Address: 337 Lillie Road, Fulham, SW6 7NR.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm

Expect to pay: Prices range from £3.60 for a single taco to £32 for larger plates and taco combos.