Epsom, Mexican Restaurant Guide

These “lively, colourful” Mexican street-food joints are, say fans, “great for a quick bite” – “the food remains pretty good (if not where it was several years ago)” and “you can’t complain at the prices”. That’s the majority view anyway, although there is a small minority who feel it’s “very average” now (and its ratings risk heading that way). Founded by MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers in 2007, the group hit the buffers during the pandemic and halved in size to 10 sites in London. (It was wrongly reported at the time that control of the business changed hands at this time, but actually it remains in the same ownership now as it has for the last 17 years).

“Fun and interesting” (if sometimes “very noisy and exhausting”), is the verdict on this “buzzy” Notting Hill Gate hang out, complete with bold Mexican-inspired wall hangings (and soon to acquire a rooftop offshoot at 100 Liverpool Street in the City, scheduled to open in autumn 2023). “The menu is less fusion, more Mexican with a nod to Japan”: “flavour-packed mouthfuls” dubbed ‘Baja-Nihon cuisine’ by founder Markus Thesleff.

“Really tasty Mexican food in a fairly spartan setting” established this Notting Hill venue as one of London’s original taco specialists, and 20 years on it remains on some accounts “possibly the best”. Now with an offshoot in Exmouth Market, it continues to serve “excellent mojitos” which makes it “a good choice for lunch… if one has nothing else planned for the afternoon”.

“A revelation: I don’t think I really understood the beauty of chillies until I went to Kol, where they complement different ingredients in each dish… a gentle burn… never overpowering but genius!” – Santiago Lastra’s smart and well-spaced dining room, just off Portman Square, is justifiably hailed by its fans as “one of the more interesting restaurants in the capital”. “Top- quality, seasonal British produce is turned into amazing, refined Mexican food” and it “constantly surprises with its journey around Mexican spicing and cuisine, with many wonderful twists on traditional Latin flavours”. To accompany the menu there is a list of mezcals (and indeed an adjoining ‘mezcaleria’ and cocktail bar) and “many unusual wines which explore the less well known parts of the globe”. “Some of the cooking is clever, some beautifully presented, and it’s all excellent”.

These “lively, colourful” Mexican street-food joints are, say fans, “great for a quick bite” – “the food remains pretty good (if not where it was several years ago)” and “you can’t complain at the prices”. That’s the majority view anyway, although there is a small minority who feel it’s “very average” now (and its ratings risk heading that way). Founded by MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers in 2007, the group hit the buffers during the pandemic and halved in size to 10 sites in London. (It was wrongly reported at the time that control of the business changed hands at this time, but actually it remains in the same ownership now as it has for the last 17 years).

“Properly authentic tortillas and tacos transport you to Mexico City” with their “spicy but very delicious” flavours, at this Mexican duo from the Hart Brothers, whose original venue in a “great location” on the edge of Borough Market is deservedly “very busy”. The Soho branch has a late-night basement bar, ‘Mezcaleria Colmillo’, while ‘big sister’ Casa Pastor at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross (see also) features live music.

“Properly authentic tortillas and tacos transport you to Mexico City” with their “spicy but very delicious” flavours, at this Mexican duo from the Hart Brothers, whose original venue in a “great location” on the edge of Borough Market is deservedly “very busy”. The Soho branch has a late-night basement bar, ‘Mezcaleria Colmillo’, while ‘big sister’ Casa Pastor at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross (see also) features live music.

“Proper home-made nachos” backed up by “awesome margaritas” top the “short but focused menu” at Edson & Natalie Diaz-Fuentes’s authentic Mexican cantina in Bermondsey (with an offshoot in Shoreditch). Top Tip – “the reasonably priced pre-theatre menu is perfect before going to the Bridge Theatre”.

This “surprisingly good Mexican café in the back of nowhere” – well, deepest Surrey Quays – even imports soft drinks from Mexico for added authenticity. Top Menu Tip – “the prawn tacos are great – crispy, juicy and they come with a fiery salsa”.

“Reliable, generously proportioned burritos with a great range of extra fillings” keeps ’em coming to this fast-food café/takeaway, on a corner amidst Leather Lane Market.

“A spectacular room with spectacular views (including from the loos!)” sets a high-octane scene at Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s dramatic Mexican venue: a high-ceilinged space on the top of King’s Cross’s über-hip Standard Hotel, with a breathtaking outlook over St Pancras station next door, and accessed via an exterior, red, glass-walled lift. “It seems less busy at lunch – it looks more like one for the cool kids after dark”. Most reporters are “pleasantly surprised by the food” which majors in ribs, steaks and seafood from the grill “(I thought it was going to be yet another celebrity rip-off)”. It’s far from a cheap experience, though, and one or two dud meals were also reported.

“Really tasty Mexican food in a fairly spartan setting” established this Notting Hill venue as one of London’s original taco specialists, and 20 years on it remains on some accounts “possibly the best”. Now with an offshoot in Exmouth Market, it continues to serve “excellent mojitos” which makes it “a good choice for lunch… if one has nothing else planned for the afternoon”.