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London's Mexican food has grown up, and the taco is at the heart of it, with a clutch of kitchens now making their own tortillas and treating the dish with real seriousness. This guide covers where to eat the best tacos in the city, from bustling taquerias to market stalls.
The taco destinations
El Pastor, from the team behind the Hart brothers' restaurants, is a Borough favourite for its namesake al pastor tacos carved from the spit. Breddos Tacos, which began as a shack, serves inventive, well-sourced tacos in Clerkenwell and Soho. For a taste of a real taqueria, Sonora Taqueria at Netil Market in the east makes its own tortillas from heirloom corn and has a cult following.
More Mexican flavours
Beyond the specialists, Taqueria in Notting Hill has long flown the flag for fresh, honest Mexican cooking, and for a plant-based take, Club Mexicana serves joyful vegan tacos across the city. Market stalls and the wider Mexican scene keep things lively, so a great taco is rarely far away.
What is al pastor?
Al pastor is marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, a Mexican technique with Lebanese roots, shaved into tacos and often finished with a slice of pineapple. El Pastor in Borough is the London name most associated with it, and it is one of the great taco fillings.
Where is the best Mexican food in London?
For tacos, El Pastor, Breddos and Sonora Taqueria lead the way, while Taqueria in Notting Hill is a long-standing all-rounder. The scene is centred on Borough, the East End markets and Soho, so those are the best areas to head for.
Where to go next
For plant-based Mexican and more, see our vegan and vegetarian restaurants guide, or browse the best restaurants in London.
