Mexico in London
London is home to the largest and most diverse Mexican community in the UK, with a population of over 10,000. A significant proportion are students, many of whom go on to settle permanently and build their lives here. The Mexican community in London is often described as low-visibility but high-impact, not concentrated in a single neighbourhood, yet deeply present across culture, food, academia, and the arts.
Mexico has always been close to my heart since visiting as part as of a solo journey through Central America many years ago. I remember the vibrancy of the culture, the kindness of the people, and freshness of the food. While staying in Tulum, the hotel chef was keen to practise his English and clearly delighted by my enthusiasm for local dishes. He would seek me out after his shift (or during if the restaurant was quiet) with something new for me to try, and we’d chat about our lives in our respective countries.
The spirit of generosity, curiosity, and shared food has stayed with me ever since, and it’s something I’ve been quietly looking for again while exploring Mexico in London.
Taste the Flavours of Mexico
London has a wonderfully wide array of Mexican food, from casual taquerias like La Chingada, CDMX Tacos, and Taco Bros, through to more high-end dining at KOL, Decimo, and Fonda.
There’s a real mix of Mexican-owned and run restaurants alongside places created by people who fell in love with the cuisine while travelling through, or living in, Mexico. I’ve tried my best to seek out spots that are either Mexican-owned or come highly recommended by the Mexican diaspora.
There so many restaurants and taquerias to choose from that I could easily have spent a lifetime eating my way through them all, but eventually I had to move on to the next culture.
Here are some of the highlights from my Mexican food adventures across London;
Los Gordos
📍 Seven Dials Market WC2H 9AU
🍴Mexican and Columbian fusion; tacos and burritos
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰££
Los Gordos serves Latin American street food with a Mexican-Columbian twist. Think tacos and burritos carrying Mexican heat, layered with Columbian flavours.
I was pleased to see they cater well for vegetarians, I went for the burnt citrus mushroom tacos and the corn ribs, both absolutely delicious. To drink, I had the sugarcane lemonade. I’m not entirely sure how I felt about it at the time, but it’s definitely softened me to sugarcane drinks in general, so I’m calling that personal growth.
I tried Los Gordos at Seven Dial Market (my go-to lunch spot in the West End), but you can also find them at West Norwood Picturehouse and Boxpark Shoreditch.
Taco Bros
📍 Southbank Centre Market SE1 8XX or 212 High Street N2 9AY
🍴Traditional: tacos, quesadillas, burritos
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
Taco Bros is where my love for Mexican cola began (they sell the Jarritos version). I tolerate Coca-Cola; it’s not my go-to (I’m more of a Pepsi person); but Mexican cola won me over immediately. It has a smoother, almost vanilla-like flavour, and I didn’t find it overly sweet. I think part of the job is the nostalgia too; cola in a glass bottle, just like when we were kids.
So, what can you expect from Taco Bros? Inspired by their Mexican grandmother, who sold quesadillas on the streets of Hidalgo to support her family, the menu centres around quesadillas, tacos, and burritos, all served with fresh salsa made to her original recipe. You’ll also find agua fresca, traditional Latin America drinks made from fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water.
I ordered the chile mushroom quesadilla and took it to sit in the park by the London Eye, watching the world go by along the Southbank – until work messaged me to ask where I was. The quesadilla was divine and left me wondering why it had taken me so long to visit Taco Bros in the first place.
You’ll find Taco Bros at their restaurant in East Finchley or at the Southbank Centre Market.
La Chingada
📍 10-12 Rotherhithe SE16 2AA / 182 Jamaica Road SE16 4RT / 160 Eversholt Road NW1 1BL
🍴A wide variety of dishes including; tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, chilaquiles, pozole, carnitas, flan, tres leche cake
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
La Chingada was a happy accident I stumbled upon while out shopping at Surrey Quays, and I’m very glad I did. Its German-Mexican owners have clearly got something right, growing from a small food stall in Surrey Quays to three locations across London.
I ordered the vegan cochinita tostadas, piled high with beans, mushrooms, pickled red onions, coriander, and habanero chilli. They were packed with flavour and hit just the right level of heat. I also added the nopal tacos, which (like the tostadas) came loaded with guacamole, cheese, and mushrooms. I finished my meal feeling full and very content.
The staff were also incredibly kind, genuinely pleased to see me, happy to help me choose, and even serving me a drink, a Jarritos mango, while I waited for my takeaway.
I’ll absolutely be paying La Chingada a return visit next time I’m in Surrey Quays, or anywhere near one of their other branches.
Los Tacos
📍 Lower Marsh Market SE1 7RG
🍴Burritos and tacos
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
Los Tacos may have tacos in the name, but I ordered one of their delicious burritos. I chose the black bean burrito and, naturally turned up the heat with my salsa choice.
Then, back in the office, I proceeded to loudly yum my way through it, to the point my desk neighbour commented and asked where on earth I’d brought such a delicious burrito.
You’ll find Los Tacos at Lower Marsh Market, near Waterloo Station.
CDMX Tacos
📍 1 Green’s Court W1F 0HA
🍴Tacos, quesadillas, and chips
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰££
CDMX is a Mexican-style taqueria based in Soho, and one I was very happy to discover. It’s the brainchild of Billy Sengupta, formerly head of luxury tequila for Diageo in Mexico City, who wanted to bring a little piece of Mexico back to London with him.
This is exactly what you want from a taqueria; tacos and quesadillas with fillings such as al pastor ((marinated port), chicharrón (crispy pork belly), and asada (grilled beef). But the real moment of joy for me was spotting nopal (grilled cactus) on the menu. I ordered it immediately! Cactus might sound like an odd choice if you’ve never tried it before, but it’s absolutely delicious; fresh, slightly tangy, and deeply satisfying. I highly recommend you give it a go.
They also ticked another important box; proper corn chips with fresh salsa, which I had been craving since starting my exploration of Mexico in London. I was genuinely so sad when I demolished them all. Everything was washed down with a Mexican cola, though if you are in the mood for something stronger, there’s Mexican beer on offer too.
If you’re in Soho and craving tacos, put CDMX at the very top of your list. And if you’re not in Soho? You’ll also find them in Market Halls, with locations in Victoria and Canary Wharf.
Mojo
📍18 Knights Hill SE27 0HY
🍴Tacos, quesadillas, and burritos
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰££
I have to give a special shoutout to Mojo – my local Mexican takeaway in West Norwood. Mojo is run by husband and wife team Matt (British) and Lit (Mexican), who met while Matt was studying Spanish in Mexico.
I’ve tried both their seitan and cauliflower burritos and can confidently say they are the best vegetarian burritos I’ve ever had! Their chips and fresh salsa are also to die for, the kind you keep going back to just one more time until they’re suddenly gone. There is never enough chips and salsa as far as I’m concerned.
Mojo serves traditional Mexican dishes alongside their own creation twists, and it’s honestly worth the trip to South East London alone. Matt and Lit are truly lovely, so show them some love by paying them a visit.
Immerse Yourself in Mexican Culture
Mexican culture in London may be relatively small, it’s quietly growing. Increasingly, museum, cultural institutions, and community groups weaving Mexican traditions such as Día de los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo into their programmes, bringing colourful celebrations, music, and storytelling to the city.
If you’re curious to experience more than just the food, there are plenty of ways to step into Mexican culture while in London.
MexiBrit
Your first stop for Mexican events in London should be MexiBrit. Run by Mexicans now living in the UK, MexiBrit promotes Mexican culture and traditions cross the country.
Their website lists upcoming cultural events, festivals, and community celebrations throughout the year. They also maintain a useful directory of Mexican-owned businesses across the UK, making it a great starting point if you want to explore Mexican culture more deeply.
Mexican Cooking Classes
If you want to go beyond eating Mexican food and learn hot to cook it yourself, Mexican Food Memories offers a range of cooking classes in London.
Owner Karla, originally from Baja California, hosts small group classes in her home in East Finchley, sharing traditional recipes and techniques. She also runs regular Mexican supper clubs, where guests can enjoy home-cooked regional dishes in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
La Linea Festival
Running for more than 25 years, La Linea is London’s annual Latin America music festival, with concerts held across venues such as the Barbican Centre, Union Chapel, and Electric Ballroom.
The programme features artists from across Latin America, but Mexican performers are regularly part of the line-up. The 2026 festival, for example, included Mexican singer Silvana Estrada and legendary rock band Caifanes.
The festival is organised by Como No, who also promote Latin American concerts throughout the year. Check out their website for upcoming events and details of the next La Linea festival.
British Mexican Society
Another organisation worth keeping an eye on is the British Mexican Society. Founded in 1942, this UK-based charity was created to strengthen cultural, historical, and social connections between Mexico and the UK.
They host talks, cultural events, and community gatherings while also supporting small charitable projects in Mexico.
Step Into History and Culture
Mexican culture in London isn’t only found in cafes and markets, it’s woven quietly into the city’s museums and galleries too. Some of these exhibitions are permanent fixtures; others come and go, so it’s always worth checking what’s on.
In 2025 alone:
- The Horniman Museum and Gardens hosted a Día de las Muertos weekend in partnership with MexiBrit, bringing traditional altars, workshops, and celebration to South East London
- The National Gallery presented A View of Mexico, showcasing the sweeping landscapes of Mexican artist José Maria Velasco
Beyond the the temporary exhibitions, there are permanent spaces where Mexico’s history and artistic legacy are always present.
British Museum – Mexico Gallery
📍Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
🕰️Daily: 10am – 5pm (Late opening Fridays until 8:30pm).
🎟️Free entry (some exhibitions and events ticketed – check website)
Of course, the British Museum has a Mexican gallery – I think you would be hard-pressed to find a country or region they don’t have a galleries dedicated to.
Room 27 traces Mexico’s history from around 2000 BC through to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521. You’ll find objects from the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Mixtec cultures.
They occasionally run after-hours “torchlight” tours of the Mexico gallery, which are hugely popular and tend to sell out quickly.
Tate Modern – Frida: The Making of an Icon
📍Bankside, SE1 9TG
🕰️ 25th June 2026 – 3rd January 2027 (lates every Friday and Saturday)
🎟️ From £25 (check website for concessions and ticket options)
From June 2026, Tate Modern host a major exhibition dedicated to one of Mexico’s most celebrated artists, Frida Kahlo.
Frida: The Making of an Icon will showcase over 30 works alongside garments, jewellery photographs, and personal memorabilia, offering insight into both her artistic practice and the carefully constructed visual identity that made her a global symbol.
Cecilia Brunson Projects
📍3G Royal Oak Yard, SE1 3GE
🕰️ Wednesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm
🎟️ Check website for current exhibitions and ticketing
Cecilia Brunson Projects is a London gallery which champions Latin American art. While not exclusively Mexican, they regularly feature artists from across the region and occasionally showcase Mexican artists. They also curate collections and exhibitions across London and Europe, helping Latin American artists gain visibility in the UK art scene.
Shop the Culture
If you want to bring a little Mexico home with you, London has a handful of excellent shops selling authentic ingredients and treats. I’ve listed the places I’ve personally shop at, but it’s also worth checking the shopping directory on MexiBrit for more Mexican-owned businesses across the UK.
Mexican Mama
📍232 Rye Lane, SE15 4NL
I’m a big fan of Mexican Mama. It’s a bit of a trek to Peckham from where I live in South East London but I’d happily walk miles to visit them.
I stop by regularly to stock up on authentic Mexican ingredients, along with essentials like Abuelita hot chocolate and Takis. It was thanks to Mexican Mama that I first discovered horchata, which I am now completely obsessed with!
The shop started life online before opening its tiny Peckham store, and it’s easily one of my favourite shops in London. The owners are always welcoming and happy to offer cooking tips or explain unfamiliar ingredients.
Mestizo Market
📍Camden: 101 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EL. Chelsea: 396 King’s Road, SW10 0LN
Established in London in 2004, Mestizo was my first introduction to Mexican food in London.
After travelling through Mexico, I wanted to recreate some of the dishes I’d fallen in love with, and my search for authentic ingredients eventually led me to Mestizo; which, at the time, was conveniently within walking distance of my office.
The markets are an extension of the Mestizo restaurants and tequila bars, so if you’re visiting to shop, it’s well worth staying for a meal as well.
Sweet Nibbles
📍Online bakery
Sweet Nibbles is an online Mexican bakery, though you’ll often find them at Mexican pop-up markets around London, which is how I discovered them.
While I was tempted to buy one of everything, I restrained myself and chose a concha, which was simply divine.
Final Thoughts
One of the things I love most about living in London, and one of the reasons I never quite manage to leave, is the number of cultures that call this city home. It allows you to travel without ever leaving. I fell in love with proper Mexican cuisine while travelling (having previously eaten plenty of Tex-Mex and thinking that was the same thing) and returned to discover that London had everything I needed to keep exploring and enjoying those flavours.
The Mexican diaspora here are clearly proud of their heritage and wonderfully generous in sharing it. I’ve always felt incredibly welcome, whether in restaurants, shops, markets, or cultural events.
So do yourself a favour; go to that Mexican celebration, visit that Mexican-owned restaurant or shop, try the dish you’ve never heard of before. You might just discover something new to fall in love with.
In many ways, exploring Mexico in London brought back the same feeling I had in Tulum all those years ago; curiosity, generosity, and the joy of discovering something new through food.
Happy exploring!
L x 🩴
