Mexican food is truly the gift that keeps on giving. With so many types of dishes – burritos, fajitas, nachos, tacos – it can be hard to narrow down to the style of plate you’re after. And even once you’ve settled on one, there are still plenty of questions remaining. Will you go traditional? Add extra toppings? Meat-free? The possibilities are endless.
When it comes to tacos, it’s no less easy to decide on what form you want your taco to take and, most importantly, what will be inside it (or, if you’re anything like us, what will start inside it but then fall out all over your plate…). For us, the best tacos are small soft tortillas that can be gobbled up in just a few bites, and topped with something delicious that balances flavours and textures perfectly. With so much taco diversity out there, and the ability to customise your fillings and flavours, there really is something for everyone when it comes to these little Mexican delights.
Choosing the best tacos in London (or anywhere) is a difficult feat, and your decision might ultimately come down to personal taste. However, we’ve rounded up a whole host of options that should hit the spot, whether you’re a purist looking for traditional style tacos, or something with a more modern twist and plenty of trimmings.
Take a look at our London taco guide, where we’ve listed diners, high-end restaurants, and street-food style pop-ups, to help narrow down your search for the perfect tacos. Take a friend, your mum, or your work bestie (maybe just avoid tacos for a first date – they can get messy quite quickly).
Sonora Taqueria, Stoke Newington
What: After making waves at Netil Market and facing down a nonsense legal challenge from a fellow Mexican restaurant, Sonora Taqueria has moved into its first permanent bricks-and-morter restaurant in Stoke Newington. Judging from the queues out of the door and the huddled masses scoffing tacos in the alleyway next door, Sonora’s golden touch is still alive and well. Jump into the queue early for carne asada tacos, chorizo quesadillas and more.
Where: 208 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU
Book now: Sonora Taqueria
Homies on Donkeys, Leytonstone
What: Sandra Bello and chef Erik ‘Smokey’ Bautista’s riotous taco shop is well worth the trip out to Leytonstone. Nineties hip hop rocks from the speakers as the pair sling out tacos carnitas, chicken barbacoa and roasted broccoli with refried beans. All the tacos are made fresh from masa, of course, and there are always a couple of excellent specials on the menu too.
Where: 686 Leytonstone High Road, E11 3AA
Book now: Homies on Donkeys
Taco Taco, Spitalfields
What: With a mantra of ‘anything can taco’ you know you’re in for a treat at Taco Taco, located just along the road from the Spitalfields Market. Putting their own twist on this Mexican classic, you can try out a number of unusual flavours that sound like they shouldn’t work but absolutely do – don’t miss the teriyaki salmon or maple syrup miso aubergine tacos. Unable to wait until lunch? They’ve got you covered with their breakfast tacos – the perfect way to start your weekend.
Where: 141 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ
Book now: Taco Taco
1910 Cantina, Parsons Green
What: Tacos and quesadillas at 1910 Cantina are all inspired by chef and co-owner Mauricio Rico’s family recipes, from the beef birria quesadilla right down to his cochinita pibil tacos. Married with co-owner Jose’s expertise in all things mezcal and tequila, it’s no wonder 1910 is always busy.
Where: 277 New Kings Road, SW6 4RD
Book now: 1910 Cantina
Mexa at Arcade Food Hall, Tottenham Court Road
What: Mexa at Arcade Food Hall brings a little slice of Mexico to Tottenham Court Road. Kick off with zesty guac and chips before moving through to the main event. Pick between beef, pork or veggie tacos, and add a cheese crust to any for an extra £1. Don’t miss a quesadilla while you’re there. The lamb birria are pretty special – made with braised shoulder and accompanied by a rich consommé for dipping.
Where: 03-105 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DB
Book now: Arcade Food Hall
Taca Tacos, Deptford
What: The menu at Taca Tacos offers up a whole host of Mexican deliciousness. Soft shell tacos, quesatacos (grilled cheese tortillas), and mulita (a sandwich-style taco made with two tortillas) are all up for grabs to fulfil your taco cravings. We particularly recommend the beef birria filling for a cheesy beef dream, and don’t forget to dip your tacos into the sauces provided. If you’re still hungry after your tacos, you can order a nachos sharing plate, or some classic tortilla chips with dip.
Where: Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX
Book now: Taca Tacos
Tacos Padre, London Bridge
What: With an impressive CV behind him, Nick Fitzgerald – who heads up the kitchen here – used to work at Pujol in Mexico City, did a stint at The Mexican Restaurant at Annabel’s, and has experience at both Breddos and El Pastor. Combining this experience in both Mexico and London, Nick pays particular attention to using authentic ingredients and traditional techniques to get bold, flavour-packed fillings that appeal to meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Pick between meltingly-soft pork cochinita, rich beef short-rib suadero, smoky cauliflower al pastor and crowd-pleasing chicken asado – and if you’re still hungry there are a few sides like corn and guacamole too, which are perfect for enjoying alongside a frozen Margarita or a cold beer.
Where: Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG
Book now: Tacos Padre
Temper, Shoreditch
What: With the name referring to the tempering of meats, expect a lot of meat-filled dishes here. Claiming to have the world’s biggest restaurant fire-pits, this restaurant is popular for its barbequed meats and steaks. But we’re here to talk about the tacos. With lots of quirky variations on the classic Mexican dish which include the likes of cheeseburger tacos and drunken pig tacos, it is worth ordering a few of these guys to accompany your slabs of meat. Other fillings include smoked goat and salmon with miso and pineapple.
Where: 78 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3JL
Book now: Temper
El Pastór, London Bridge
What: With a whole section of its menu dedicated to some of the best tacos in London we couldn’t create a list of such Mexican magnitude without including El Pastor. In fact, this restaurant is named after its signature dish, tacos al pastor, so the team takes these delicious bites pretty seriously. The namesake, the taco al pastor, is made up of two soft tortillas, 24 hour marinated sweet, sticky pork shoulder, caramelised pineapple grilled alongside the pork, freshly made guacamole, punchy white onion and the citrusy hit of lime and coriander. Other offerings on the menu include fish tacos with caramelised onions and a refried beans veggie option with cheese and sweetcorn.
Where: 7A Stoney Street, SE1 9AA
Book now: El Pastor
La Bodega Negra, Soho
What: Dining at La Bodega Negra’s restaurant (as oppose to the adjoined café) is certainly an experience. Tucked away behind the façade of a sex shop, this might not be for everyone, but the dimly lit basement dining has a certain appeal that is hard to find elsewhere. If we had to choose, the soft shell tacos are our favourite, from a list of five choices. The sweet crab is coated in a contrasting savoury squid ink tempura and served up with smoky chipotle aioli and a classic pico de gallo to freshen things up at the end. Our suggestion would be to order a few and share between the table, accompanied by a margarita or two, of course.
Where: 9 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JF
Book now: La Bodega Negra
El Camion, Soho
What: This late night diner serves up tacos alongside plenty of delicious drinks for those looking to fuel themselves through to the early hours. Tacos are tasty and hit the spot if you’re looking for something decent before or after the theatre, or after a night of drinking in Soho. While the main ingredient differs, the toppings for all tacos at El Camion remain the same – a tried and tested combination of guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce and homemade salsa. The main elements vary from pork carnitas to chicken tinga. The Margaritas are good too, but you can always ask about the Pink Chihuahua bar downstairs.
Where: 25-27 Brewer Street, W1F 0RR
Book now: El Camion
Breddos Tacos, Clerkenwell
What: Using best-of-British produce and giving it a hit of Tex-Mex love somewhere along the way, our favourite Breddos tacos include the Baja fried fish with pickled red cabbage and flank steak topped with miso and macha salsa. As you might expect with a restaurant nearly entirely dedicated to this simple foodstuff, there are options. Pick between meat, veggie or sharing – where they bring salsa, pickles, limes, tortillas and your chosen toppings to the table and you build them yourself.
Where: 82 Goswell Road, EC1V 7DB
Book now: Breddos Tacos
Café Pacifico, Covent Garden
What: If its claim to the best Margarita in London can’t tempt you, then add to that some of the tastiest tacos and we think we’ve given you a pretty solid excuse to visit Café Pacifico. Having been a Covent Garden stalwart since the 80s, this is a well-oiled machine where the slightly scuffy, diner vibe adds to the ambiance. The duck taco is the first thing you should order – breast strips are rubbed with a mole mixture and topped with crispy skin bits then finished off with caramelised onion chipotle salsa, avocado, rocket, blackberry, goat’s cheese and balsamic glaze.
Where: 5 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA
Book now: Cafe Pacifico
Santo Remedio, London Bridge
What: Starting its life as a pop up and supper club, Santo Remedio’s first bricks and mortar restaurant in-between London Bridge and Bermondsey is inspired by traditional Mexican taquerias. Using both local produce and products sourced from Mexico, authenticity is key here. On the menu you can expect to find the likes of beer battered Baja fish tacos with a morita mayo and jalapeno and cucumber slaw, pork belly tacos with chicharron and tomato salsa and braised beef barbacoa tacos with pasilla and pickled radish.
Where: 152 Tooley Street, SE1 2TU
Book now: Santo Remedio
Taquería, Kensington
What: After a stint as a street food vendor in Portobello market, the dreary London weather pushed Taquería to open its first restaurant in Westbourne Grove. If it’s a wide selection of tacos you are after, Taquería has 18 different variations to choose from. Go for something classic like the steak tacos with avocado cream and pico de gallo or the soft shell crab tacos with guacamole and pickled jalapeño mayonnaise, or try the slightly less traditional Milanesa tacos with fried breaded chicken and chipotle mayonnaise.
Where: 141-145 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RS
Book now: Taqueria
Del 74 Bar & Tacos, Dalston
What: This quirky taqueria in Dalston is the perfect spot for a quick margherita and a bite to eat. The dimly lit counter seating and industrial distressed décor is reminiscent of traditional Mexican taquerias while still incorporating aspects of its trendy Dalston location. Try the veggie tinga with roasted tomato and crispy sweet potatoes, or go for the pork ribeye with pico de gallo. Just a warning though, tequila shots are strongly encouraged at Del 74.
Where: 129 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB
Book now: Del 74 Dalston
Fancy a different Mexican dish? Try one of our top Mexican restaurants in London
