London seems like a strange place for a good Mexican restaurant, but the truth is that it’s home to a lot of terrific Mexican restaurants. If you’re in the mood for Mexican cuisine, then do yourself a favor and visit these London hangouts: 

La Bodega Negra 

The place has this fun vibe that’s hard to deny, and that goes for their take on Mexican food as their overall attitude. It all starts with their fake entrance, with a sign promising the dubious delights of a peep show and adult video. But go down the stairs, and you’ll find a cozy taqueria that takes things more seriously than it appears to. 

The fun goes in a more delicious direction, as you can order some queso here with a bit of truffle fries on the side. Sample the various plates with the delicately soft shell crab tacos with some super-strong agave cocktail, and you’re on your way. Try the mezcal and tequila as well, along with any of the items on the menu. 

El Pastor

El Pastor has numerous locations, so try to find one of them as best you can. There’s one under a nook right next to the Borough Market, right under a railway arch. 

Once you’re there, start with the tacos al pastor, which is a popular option all across central Mexico. It’s similar to shawarma, as it involves roasting lamb on a rotating spit. But the truth is that everything is terrific here. 

You can go with the tortillas which they make in-house, using heritage Mexican corn for a truly authentic taste. If you’re brave, you can dare the El Diablo salsa, which they make using the spiciest chillies in the world. This is so monstrously spicy that your face just might melt. 

Amigos Mexican Food

This is another brand with plenty of different locations in the UK, and they have a location in Islington. They offer a wide range of Mexican fare, the prices for Amigos Mexican Food are all very reasonable. 

The most notable feature of the menu is the huge number of pizzas available, which isn’t something you normally find in your regular Mexican restaurant. You have lots of versions to try out, like their margherita pizza, Quattro Formaggi (4-cheese), and the Caprico pizza with mozzarella, bacon, chicken, peppers, onions, and BBQ sauce. 

These pizzas include the Mexican Special Pizza, with spicy beef, pepperoni, meatballs, mozzarella cheese, onions, jalapeños, and peppers. You should also try the Hot Shot Peppe, with pepperoni combined with chilies and peppers along with the mozzarella cheese. 

Add the fajitas, burritos, chili, tacos, chimichangas, enchiladas, wraps, kebabs, and even burgers, and you can have yourself one heck of a feast. 

Café Pacifico

This is an old Langley Street institution for Tex-Mex, with the menu featuring chili con carne, quesadillas, and fajitas. The food is good, mind you, but it’s actually the vibe of the place that invites people to come back again and again. 

It’s simply a very relaxing place to hang out in, where you can get yourself some comfort food like everyone else. Get some margaritas with a large plate of nachos, and just enjoy. 

Mestizo

This is a tequila-bar slash restaurant that really offers a truly potent combination. This place offers the real thing, so you won’t have to tolerate a limp burrito topped with some lukewarm Velveeta. Instead, you will have the genuine ceviche de Camaron you deserve. 

Or you can go with the arrachera, which is as real as they come. This is beef marinated in beef and spices, and then served with a side of nopales cactus leaves and sautéed potatoes. 

With a nod to modern sensibilities, they even offer separate menus for vegans, along with those who are lactose-intolerant. Try everything with the tequila, and you’ll have fun. 

Breddos Tacos

Many say that the tacos in this place are the very best tacos that you can possibly find in the entirely of London. It seems like a bit of an exaggeration, until you try these tacos. They will cause your heart to palpitate, your eyes to tear, and you might imagine the angels singing nearby. Yes, they’re really that good. 

They make their tortillas in-house and fresh each day, giving you the pliably soft tacos with huge amounts of tender toppings and zesty salsa. And if you’re not sure which taco to try, you just have to go with the Puebla-style lamb shoulder taco. And while you’re at it, you also can’t miss the baja fish taco, either. 

Santo Remedio

This is another chain restaurant for Mexican cuisine in London, though it started out as a series of pop-ups and supper clubs. Santo Remedio’s roots are definitely Mexican, with their specialties including the antojitos, along with excellent street food options like their tacos and flautas. 

But the place also cares enough to use ingredients from local sources. They get all their Mexican-style cheeses from Peckham’s Gringa Dairy, and it’s this sort of thing that really elevates the food here. 

So, what should you get? With the tortillas, get the house-made salsas as well. Also, order the octopus tikin xik with achiote and pineapple pico de gallo and chuletas al carbon. You’re off to a great meal! 

Breddos Tacos