Wahaca - Mexican Market Eating - UK Restaurant chain

I love Mexican food and I think this is the best British Mexican restaurant chain I've been to in a very long while. If the name already rings a bell, it's probably because you've seen Wahaca's co-founder, Cheltenham born Thomasina Miers on Channel 5's Mexican Food Made Simple tv cookery program or maybe you remember her as BBC 2's 2005 Masterchef winner.

We popped in for a light early evening meal and were instantly impressed. It has the cool buzz that I remember from Bob Payton's Chicago Pizza Pie Factory way back in the 80's. When we left it even had the matching hoards of people queuing down the stairs to get a table.

For under £20 we had the Wahaca Street Food Selection for 2 people: 3 pork pibil tacos, 3 winter vegetable tacos, 1 large huitlacoche quesadilla, 2 black bean tostadas and 2 chicken taquitos with green rice & black beans. My favourite way to eat, lots of little portions of different flavoured dishes, which you can eat with your fingers. Unlike some British Mexican restaurant offerings that appear to come straight from the microwave or the deep fat frier, these were cooked to order and packed with fresh vegetables. Oh and don't forget the mandatory selection of hot sauces on your table.

Facia - Wahaca, 66 Chandos St, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HG
Lobby / Reception area Wahaca Covent Garden
The Wahaca Mexican Mobile Eating van, under the trees, Canada Square Park
So light and airy, you would never know you were in the a basement
Not a book of matches, the complimentary packet of Serrano chilli seeds we were given as we left!
The South Bank Experiment
Built from 8 recycled shipping containers!

The decor was cleverly done, it was only as we left, I remembered we had actually been in a windowless basement. The service was impeccable and everyone was was extremely helpful. A very slick operation that has been replicated in 11 locations in the South East, 13 if you count the 2 Mexican Mobile Eating vans. Congratulations Tommi, I'm already planning another excuse to get back into London for another Mexican feast!

Update: In the short time since this article was written, we've been to even more Wahaca locations, every time the food and service has been exemplary. Our last visit, to the South bank Experiment, deserves a special mention. The restaurant overlooks the river, being situated on a the first floor terrace of the 1950's minimalist building, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, which sits between The Royal Festival Hall and The Hayward Gallery. The 'South Bank Experiment' is so named because of the restaurants unique construction materials. 8 recycled shipping containers! Now that's what I call recycling. It also affords wonderful views of the river and should you want to eat on the move, the mobile eating truck is at river level in front of the restaurant.

Geographic Locations

Wahaca Bluewater

The Plaza:, Bluewater

Greenhithe

Kent, DA9 9SG

T: +44 (0) 1322 380211

E: Mailto:bluewater@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Canary Wharf

The Park Pavilion

Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London, E14 5FW

T: +44 (0) 207 516 9145

E: Mailto:canarywharf@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Canary Wharf Mexican Street Kitchen

Under the trees

Canada Square Park

London, E14 5FW

Wahaca Charlotte Street

19 - 23 Charlotte Street

London, W1T 1RL

T: +44 (0) 20 7323 2342

E: Mailto:charlottestreet@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Covent Garden

66 Chandos Place

Covent Garden

London, WC2N 4HG

T: +44 (0) 207 240 1883

E: Mailto:coventgarden@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Islington

68 – 69 Upper Street

Islington

London, N1 0NY

T: +44 (0) 20 3697 7990

E: Mailto:Islington@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Soho

80 Wardour Street

Soho

London, W1F OTF

T: +44 (0) 207 734 0195

E: Mailto:soho@wahaca.co.uk

The Wahaca Southbank Experiment

Queen Elizabeth Hall

Southbank Centre

Belvedere Road

London, SE1 8XX

T: +44 (0) 207 928 1876

E: Mailto:southbank@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca St.Paul's

First Floor

One New Change

London, EC2V 6AG

T: +44 (0) 20 3002 2626

E: Mailto:stpauls@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Stratford

6 Chestnut Plaza

Westfield Stratford City

London, E20 1GL

T: +44 (0) 203 288 1025

E: Mailto:stratford@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Waterloo

119 Waterloo Road

London, SE1 8UL

t: +44 (0) 20 3697 4140

E: Mailto:waterloo@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca White City

White City

1074 Westfield Shopping Centre

Ariel Way

London, W12 7GB

T: +44 (0) 20 8749 4517

E: Mailto:whitecity@wahaca.co.uk

Wahaca Mexican Street Kitchen

Parked up next to the river

Queen Elizabeth Hall

Southbank Centre

London, SE1 8XX

Wahaca - Mexican Market Eating - UK Restaurant chain