The Mexican food scene has never been better in London - which means there are some quite amazing tacos out there. We've rounded up the best places for tacos right now..
Breddos
82 Goswell Rd, London EC1V 7DB
First opened in 2016, Breddos was at the forefront of London's new-wave taqueria offering. The original location in Clerkenwell is still a scene, with the masa fried chicken tacos and their Birria de Res (braised beef shin & short rib, guajillo chile, ancho chile) well worth a look. Sit at the bar if you can, sipping cocktails or something from their mezcal range.
La Chingada
206 Lower Rd, London SE8 5DJ
Somewhat out of nowhere, La Chingada launched to fantastic word of mouth in Surrey Quays, followed up by rave reviews. Mexico City born chef patron Walter Opitz was hyped up by his mates to open a restaurant off the back of the amazing food he cooked for them. And thank God they did, The tiny day-glo spot in SE8 features classics like the al-pastor, but Walter's chorizo tacos should really be top of your list.
Club Mexicana
Soho, Covent Garden
Club Mexicana is unique on this list because it's an all-vegan taqueria. Originally a street food spot, they since opened their own restaurant in Soho. They have vegan versions of taco classics, like a short-rib taco (with sticky glazed jackfruit ‘ribs’) or a beer-battered baja "to-fish" taco.
Del 74
129 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2PB
Del 74 started in Clapton before landing in their current Dalston space, launched by Jorge Felizardo who originally started Taberna Do Mercado with Nuno Mendes. Tacos to have include the Conchita Pibil (braised leg of pork, avocado, red pickled onions) while the Cauliflower Crackling makes a great vegan taco. Tostadas and quesadillas round out the menu.
El Pastor
Borough, Soho, King's Cross
El Pastor comes from the same people who brought London great tapas with Barrafina. They have now expanded across London from the Borough Market original. The 24-hour marinated pork shoulder Pastor taco is the obvious main draw but watch out for the softshell crab taco too. The newest El Pastor in Soho also has a basement bar that's worth a visit on its own, while the King's Cross restaurant has a huge alfresco space.
Homies on Donkeys
Unit 38 Wood Street Indoor Market, 98 Wood St, London E17 3HX
This Walthamstow taqueria is a tiny affair in the Wood Street Market, but it's been getting lots of attention. Camaron enchilado - king prawns in a chilli, garlic and tomato sauce - are well worth your attention but you should follow them on Instagram for information about their weekly specials.
Kol
9 Seymour Street, London W1H 5BT
Heading towards the high-end of London's taco scene is relative newcomer Kol, from chef Santiago Lastra. The tasting menu always features a single taco - the one on the menu now is lobster, smoked chilli and cucumber limes. They're very next-level. If the tasting menu is too much, head to their basement Mezcaleria for tostadas (including enoki mushroom, fermented gooseberries, habanero), quesadillas and more.
Santo Remedio
152 Tooley St, London SE1 2TU
Easily one of the best Mexican restaurants in London, its launch helped to redefine the kind of Mexican food we should aspire to here. The soft-shell taco is a deserved bestseller, but try the pork belly or chicken tinga tacos too. Stay for the sharing plates like the lamb barbacoa, and don't leave without trying many of their wonderful margaritas. The bottomless brunch is well worth a look.
Sonora Taquería
13-23 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
This was originally Pollo Feliz before morphing into Sonora, and with a renewed focus on pork and beef tacos. Expect tacos like beef barbecoa, carnitas, pork belly chicharrón, pulled beef and more in a menu that's always evolving. You can also add a cheese crust to any taco - and you'll want all your tacos like that once you try it.
Tacos Padre
Borough Market Kitchen, Winchester Walk, Jubilee Pl, London SE1 9AG
This Borough Market Kitchen stall comes from Nick Fitzgerald, previously at Breddos, Pujol in Mexico City and more. There's a shifting menu here that concentrates on tacos during the day and expands to a larger menu in the evening (with more seating in the market). Tacos include beef short-rib suadero with aged beef fat, cauliflower al pastor, lamb barbacoa and more. If the Coconut Tres Leche dessert is on, don't leave without having it.
Taqueria
141-145 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS (Exmouth Market soon)
One of London's older Mexican restaurants, Taqueria has been a Notting Hill mainstay for over sixteen years. Originally a street-food stall, the quality has been there from the beginning with a huge taco menu that includes slow-roasted pork belly, browned cheese rolled around chorizo, fried plantain, aubergine & halloumi.
Also see
Bake Street (Stoke Newington) - best known for their weekend brunch menu, their lamb birria tacos are the top taco draw.
Caldera (Hackney) - this indie neighbourhood spot draws inspiration from Mexico and does a great Taco Tuesdays offer .
Corazon (Soho) - Closed at the time of writing, this Soho Taqueria is due back soon (they're selling taco kits in the meantime).
Decimo (King's Cross) - The high-end Mexican restaurant in The Standard has two key tacos - cauliflower or chistorra and black bean.
Hacha (Dalston) - Primarily a bar that specialises in tequila and mezcal cocktails, there's a small menu to go alongside, with recent tacos including sweet potato cooked with Guajillo chilli.
Taco Queen (Peckham) - This Peckham taqueria features the classics, including baja fish, pork, steak & oxtail and cauliflower tacos.
Tigre Tacos (Clerkenwell) - Originally street food, they now have a residency in The Gunmakers. Watch out for the camarones tacos, made with grilled king prawns, habanero and roasted pineapple salsa.
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