London Hotels Insight provides up-to-date, independent advice for your perfect stay in London. We research guest feedback, meet management and identify hotels at the top of their game.
A new Mexican wave sweeps through London.
Delicious burritos at Chilango where proper Mexican food is served under the motto "Fresh Mexican Kitchen" (image credit below)
A colourful cuisine craze is sweeping London at the moment and its arrival is long overdue. Anyone who has been to Mexico knows the local food is a delicious riot of tacos, tortillas, spicy salsas and chocolatey mole sauces.
Sadly for us Europeans, so-called Mexican food here too often consists of limp tortilla chips drowned in lukewarm cheese and topped with a few token slices of soggy chilli pepper. “Tex Mex” mediocrity seems to have hijacked the true taste of Mexico and it’s a sad thing to witness.
Help is now at hand from Wahaca and Chilango, whose cantina empires are introducing fresh, authentic Mexican recipes to customers across the city.
First up is Chilango, with locations on Upper Street in vibrant Islington and also Fleet Street. It’s ideal for lunch stops, with orders taken along a fast but friendly production line counter where you customise your meal.
The limited menu is a good thing as it keeps the process quick and easy.
Step one – choose burrito, taco or salad. Step two – choose chicken, steak, pork or vegetarian. Step three – choose mild, medium or hot salsa. Then add in some guacamole, lettuce, refried beans, coriander-lime rice, have your burrito wrapped like a swaddled baby and you’re good to go.
The chips and guacamole at Chilango are also a far cry from London high street pubs or even decent gastro-pubs. You can actually taste the Hass avocados and the creamy mixture is easily scooped into oven warm, crunchy chips sprinkled with just the right amount of salt. Delicious.
If you have any room left, you can wash it all down with a Mexican beer or agua fresca whilst taking in the loud luchador artwork.
Wahaca’s restaurants can be found in buzzy Covent Garden, avant-garde Canary Wharf and Westfield Shopping Centre, each one an organised chaos of the Mexican market eating it purports to recreate.
Wahaca doesn’t take reservations but turnaround is usually pretty fast. The laissez-faire attitude has a certain charm to it and their bar is a good place to pass the time with a shot of pure blue agave tequila.
Guests are encouraged to share “market food” dishes tapas-style, which is a great way to try less familiar plates such as chicken in Oaxacan mole sauce, shrimp and scallop ceviche and cactus taco.
Wahaca was opened by Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers after she was inspired by her travels in Mexico to bring real Mexican street food to London (image credit below)
Even the seating – which is set out in long rows – is reminiscent of a market stall grid, all adding to the “outdoor-eating-indoors” ambience.
There are also plenty of menu options for those who need a bit of a spice kick. But if that’s not enough, you can pick up a packet of their neatly packaged Serrano chilli seeds and try growing your own at home!
Last but not least, for those looking for a taco treat in West London near Notting Hill, you should check out Taqueria, which bills itself the “taco café”.
Don’t be put off by the modest surroundings – this place is personally recommended by Mexicans in London as the genuine article! It’s also near lots of other great international eating out options on cosmopolitan Westbourne Grove including an amazing Lebanese restaurant.
Recommended hotels near London’s top Mexico eateries
At the time of writing, all the hotels mentioned below are in the TripAdvisor top 100 London hotels or at worst right on its borders.
Near Wahaca Covent Garden: Covent Garden Hotel
Why? Exquisite service and a hip, inspiring atmosphere near one of our favourite brunch restaurants. You may spot the odd celebrity too!
Check best rate for Covent Garden Hotel from 30+ hotel booking sites
The Covent Garden Hotel offers a stylish stay near Wahaca Covent Garden
Near Wahaca Canary Wharf: Hilton Canary Wharf
Why? One of the best Hiltons in London – modern and a lot cheaper than central London in an area with its own unexpected charm.
Check the best rate for Hilton Canary Wharf from 30+ hotel booking sites
Near Wahaca White City: Ramada Encore London West
Why? A well-rated hotel on the main Western route into London. Offers reasonable value though it’s a fair bit outside the centre.
Check the best rate for Ramada Encore London West from 30+ hotel booking sites
Near Chilango Upper Street: The Zetter
Why? The Zetter is a fun and environmentally-conscious London hotel offering a decent breakfast and free WiFi to boot.
Check the best rate for the Zetter Hotel from 30+ hotel booking sites
The Zetter is handy for Chilango in Islington and also has its own excellent hotel restaurant
Near Chilango Fleet Street: Apex City of London
Why? This is simply one of London’s best mid-price hotels.
Check the best rate for Apex City of London from 30+ hotel booking sites
Near Taqueria Westbourne Grove: Miller’s Residence
Why? Quirky surroundings if you’d like a hotel near Notting Hill with an antiquey, homely, English feel to it – though not to everyone’s taste.
Check the best rate for Miller’s Residence from 30+ hotel booking sites
Millers Residence on Westbourne Grove is perfect for Taqueria (Mexican), Al Waha (Lebanese) and many more exotic restaurant options on the same street
The above article was contributed by guest writer Sara Revell.
Get the best-value London hotel deal from 30+ booking sites in 1 click
Photo credits: Miller’s Residence, Zetter Hotel, Covent Garden Hotel, ZagatBuzz’s photostream, skene’s photostream.
Previous post: The best London hotel “freebies”.
Next post: London’s drive for accessible hotels.
