A smart crop of stylish Mexican eateries are adding flavor to London’s dining scene.
Kol
Kol
With one Michelin star, Kol is the first spot to come to mind for high-end Mexican fare in London. Stationed just off Marble Arch, this is a well-curated hub of creativity, fusing British ingredients and Mexican flair. The menu changes with the seasons (the Langoustine Taco, theatrically served with the head, steals the show off the current menu); and the knock-out bar menu doesn’t miss a beat with agave spirits that go beyond the basic tequila and mezcals, with hard-to-find gems and limited edition runs of the unmatched Clase Azul.
Cavita
Cavita
Cavita comes to London care of Mexican star chef and El Bulli alum Adriana Cavita. A chic sanctuary of zeitgeisty design and stellar cuisine in Marylebone, this new hotspot is at the top of the list. Don’t miss the Bone Marrow Esquites, Smoked Beef Shin Quesabirria or the Pan de Elote for dessert. End the night with a few cool cocktails at the restaurant’s cutting edge cocktail bar Mayahuel, hidden on the lower level.
Los Mochis
Los Mochis
Based on a pretty street in Notting Hill, just a few steps from the Notting Hill tube station, Los Mochis bills itself as a “pan-pacific pairing of Mexican & Japanese cuisine.” Expect fun, fusion mash-ups like Spicy Vegetable Tempura served with habanero gochujang and jalapeño-pineapple salsa, and signature Pato Carnitas, teriyaki duck drizzled with hot hoisin infused with habanero and cumin.
Mestizo Chelsea
Mestizo
Mestizo Restaurant & Margarita Bar is a new addition to Kings Road in Chelsea. The airy and style-forward restaurant is the second outpost of the brand, which first launched in Camden in 2005. The vast menu is focused on the classics—try the house special Molcajete Mestizo for sharing or a generous self-assembly Taco Tray. And it’s not just about the food. Mestizo claims to have the largest selection of mezcal and tequila on display in the UK with over 260 bottles. They also offer masterclasses to learn more about the spirits. The cocktails are unbeatable and incredibly photogenic: margarita fans have plenty of options, and it’s impossible to choose wrong—they’re all delicious, though for something special try the lychee or cucumber margarita.