Wahaca

There seems to be a trend around London at the moment for market style street food, whether it’s the newly opened Hackney food market or the number of ‘make it yourself’ joints that have opened up around the capital over the past few years so when I first heard about Wahaca I knew I had to try it out.

Here’s what you need to know. Wahaca prides itself on offering great Mexican food in the same way you’d expect to eat it in the markets of Mexico. They have a no booking policy because they believe people should be able to eat whenever they want, no matter the time of day and the food arrives as and when it’s ready. There’s no waiting on ceremony here.

When myself and my dining partner visit the Soho branch there’s a queue out of the door, a good sign we mutually decide. After a short wait in their newly opened Azulito bar downstairs we’re seated at the back of the restaurant near the open plan kitchen, there are a variety of people eating in there, couples, large groups of friends taking their time over plates of food and jugs of cocktails and solo diners catching a quick bite to eat before dashing off again. The menu is divided into sections, street food, sides and platos fuertes (bigger plates) with choices ranging from what you’d expect (burritos, tacos et al) to things that might not necessarily spring to mind when thinking of Mexican food (steak, marinated chicken etc).

After making our way through several of their different types of Margarita, I finally opt for a selection of the street foods as well as sides of spicy coleslaw and sweet potato chunks while my fellow diner decided to try out one of the bigger plates, the British steak cooked in a Mexican way. The portions are generous even with the street food and after chowing down on the complimentary nachos and guacamole there was little room left for desert however after another Margarita there was still room to share Churros with melted chocolate.

As we left some of the larger groups were still in there enjoying the atmosphere and while many of them hadn’t ordered any new rounds of foods there didn’t seem to be that uncomfortable rush from the waiters that is often experienced in busy restaurants when they are eager to move you on. Well worth a visit if you’re looking to grab some filling food before a night out, for a spot of lunch or if you’re looking for the perfect location to while away a few hours with friends over some great cocktails and in an even better atmosphere.

* We visited the Soho chain but you can also find Wahaca in Canary Wharf, Stratford, Covent Garden and White City.

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