The best tacos in London

Setlist, a relaxed bar and restaurant by the Thames, is home to a powerhouse quartet of female chefs, each adding her own distinct culinary personality to the varied menu. The Masafina concept draws on Mexico's diverse flavour profile to serve authentic tacos made in the most sustainable way possible. The tortillas and salsas are made from scratch daily and filled with a variety of heirloom ingredients, from veggie options like cauliflower and sweet potatoes to a steak and chorizo mix.

Chef Manny is the heart and soul of Guacamoles, serving up authentic tacos made with the flavours of home. If it doesn't meet that standard, it doesn't make the menu. Everything is freshly prepared in-house daily and served at affordable prices. For Manny, bringing proper fast-food tacos to London is more than a passion, it's his calling. Every meal also helps support the building of Church XYZ in Mexico, with a portion of every transaction donated to the project.

Despite starting out in a relatively remote part of London and working within a cramped space with only a few seats at the counter, Homies on Donkeys rose to the top of the taco heap thanks to the chef Smokey's creative blending of authentic ingredients. They've since moved to a bigger, brighter venue in Leytonstone, serving lunch and dinner in a space adorned with graffiti, pumping out a banging hip-hop soundtrack as they go about their business.

After years of market stalls and food trucks, Taco Bros landed a permanent home in East Finchley. This family-run taqueria, born from the recipes of their grandmother in Mexico City, serves up corn tortilla tacos, flour tortilla quesadillas, and burritos packed with chicken tinga, carne asada, carnitas, or chile mushrooms. The chicken tinga, shredded chicken cooked in a rich, flavorful chilli sauce is a standout. With walls full of family photos, lucha libre masks, and Mexican trinkets, Taco Bros nails both the vibe and the flavours of authentic Mexican street food.

Tacos Padre, located in Borough Market, is a Mexican eatery and taqueria that draws inspiration from chef Nicholas Fitzgerald's extensive travels across Mexico. The establishment strives to deliver authentic tastes to London, with a straightforward menu that includes an assortment of tacos, snacks, small plates, and sharable platters. Anticipate an array of mouth-watering flavours such as roasted sweet potato, guacamole, and carne asada.

For fast, loud, fun tacos, Two Twins Tacos delivers in Notting Hill and Brixton. Both tiny taquerias run counter service with just a few communal seats, so expect a quick in-and-out or easy takeaway. The draw is West Coast fillings packed into authentic soft-shell Mexican tacos, like pineapple jerk chicken and cali crunch. There's even an option for “my girl ain't hungry”, which includes fries and an OG taco.

Taqueria, as many remember it, was a solid authentic Mexican restaurant on Westbourne Grove. Now, the menu has been reimagined by the head chef behind viral Soho taco spot CDMX, with help from acclaimed restaurateur Jackson Boxer. Even Boxer's famous sharing burger from Dove has made its way to Taq, alongside a range of standout tacos. It may have had a touch of celebrity magic, but it remains a very good taco spot on Westbourne Grove.

For an authentic Mexican dining experience with a lively ambiance, Mestizo is the go-to destination for many a Londoner. The fine selection of Mexican cuisine on offer here includes tacos with a wide range of fillings, with different beef, lamb, chicken, pork and veggie options all available. If you're having a hard time choosing or you're very particular about your tacos, you can order the DIY taco tray, which comes with four fillings and an array of salsas, guacamole and other condiments.

Serving food in a vibrant, authentic atmosphere, complete with live mariachi music on select days, Mezcalito is the place to go to get your fill of tacos, thanks to their Bottomless Taco Tuesday offer. For a fixed price, you get two hours to stuff as many of these delicious bites into your mouth as you can, choosing between five different fillings – chicken, beef, pork, prawn or mushroom. For added indulgence, there's a 2-for-1 offer on frozen margaritas all night as well.

Yucca is an authentic and award-winning Tex-Mex restaurant in Fulham that offers a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere with traditional flavours. The menu includes classic starters, street food bites, main courses, and plant-based options. The drinks list offers a variety of signature cocktails, Mexican beers, and wines from different regions. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining and is decorated with murals and authentic touches. 

Café Pacifico offers a broad menu of classic Mexican dishes in a traditional cantina setting. Their taco menu features fillings like grilled pork, sea bass, duck, and chorizo, among others. They also offer vegan, gluten-free, and children's menus. The restaurant has a concise wine list, but customers can also choose from classic cocktails, margaritas, and cocktail pitchers with tequila or rum. Café Pacifico is a great destination for families and larger groups and has a strong focus on Mexican cuisine and culture.

Decimo is a sought-after destination for sophisticated Mexican fare that incorporates Spanish influences. There aren't many different tacos to choose from at this luxurious restaurant ten floors above King's Cross, but the premium tacos are sure to satisfy even the most demanding of patrons. They're part of the late-night and Saturday brunch menus as well.

La Chingada is a vibrant and relaxed Mexican eatery that prides itself on using only the freshest local and organic ingredients to create its delicious food. Many claim that they serve the best tacos in London. Their menu features a selection of classic Mexican dishes, including cheesy quesadillas, hearty burritos, and an array of authentic tacos. Don't forget to sample their imported soft drinks from Mexico to complete your dining experience.

El Pastor is made up of several London-based taquerias that specialise in serving up delectable bites on fresh, house-made tortillas. This relaxed establishment even welcomes dogs, creating a laid-back atmosphere for all. The menu boasts an abundance of classic taco fillings, such as mushroom, chicken, and al pastor. The bar offers a selection of wine, cocktails, and mezcal to perfectly complement your meal.

Offering authentic Mexican street food, this lively spot specialises in tacos, available with an assortment of meat, veg, and fish fillings, including options such as pork, lamb, cauliflower, or sweet potatoes. Other delectable snacks include melty quesadillas and crunchy tortilla chips with fresh guacamole, and refreshing margaritas to wash it all down. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, especially on Taco Tuesdays.

Caldera is an independent restaurant and bar in Hackney that offers a unique take on Mexican cuisine by infusing it with global influences, while also challenging stereotypes with innovative twists and signature dishes. There are different tacos to choose from, for example grilled king prawns with guacamole and gochujang, rib-eye steak with padron pepper and chargrilled tomato salsa. The bar can also mix you up a proper margarita.

The 1910 restaurants are vibrant Mexican joints offering a range of taco fillings to choose from, including tuna tartare, pulled pork, and slow-cooked birria. Most of the food on the menu is gluten-free, and there's a whole range of margaritas, Mexican wines and other fine drinks to choose from – the group boasts one of the largest agave spirit collections in the area. Don't be surprised to come upon a live mariachi band here, either.

Taca, a popular pop-up that had been moving around for several years, has found permanent homes in Deptford Market, Peckham and appears at Brockley market on Saturdays from 10 - 2 pm. The easy-going establishment serves up authentic Mexican tacos and burritos, with a Californian twist that is inspired by the founder's travels along the Pacific Coast. Customers can choose from a variety of tacos such as chicken pibil or baja fish. On weekends, Taca also offers breakfast burritos and tacos for brunch. 

Located on Bermondsey Street, Nine Lives is an underground cocktail bar situated in a Victorian basement that focuses on sustainability. The bar features tiki-style furnishings and tropical potted plants, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The food truck parked out front is run by El Tigre, a Guadalajaran chef who makes sustainable, seasonal seafood tacos with the sun-kissed flavours of 1970s SoCal. Vegan and veggie options are also available.

Breddos Tacos began as a pop-up establishment but now has a permanent fixture in Clerkenwell. The trendy taqueria is influenced by the founders' journeys across Mexico and the United States, and utilises top-notch British ingredients to create an array of Mexican favourites, including tacos and burritos. You can enjoy your meal to the backdrop of a vinyl soundtrack, complemented by an impressive selection of beer, tequila, cocktails, and mezcal.

Ta-ko in Stoke Newington boasts a polished wood interior with a touch of glamour and was refurbished in 2024. This intimate neighbourhood bar and restaurant features skilled bartenders who can concoct unique cocktails, and a kitchen that serves takos - a creative fusion of Asian and Mexican cuisine. On Saturdays, brunch is served with an option for bottomless takos and spritz.

Hidden behind a discreet King's Road façade, Chelsea's Ixchel is a polished Mexican powerhouse. Inside, a colourful contemporary dining room sets the stage for elevated Mexican cooking, from standout tacos to vibrant ceviches, tostadas, and quesadillas. With an experienced kitchen team and a bar showcasing a thoughtful collection of Latin American spirits, Ixchel brings a refined edge to London's taco scene.

The Temper steakhouses are known for their prime cuts of meat, butchered in-house, but they can also throw together a delicious taco or two. As you might expect, meat is at the forefront on the taco menu as well, with filling options such as cheeseburger, drunken pig, and smoked goat. Additional Mexican flavours can be found throughout the menu, as well as on the cocktail list.

For a fun taco fix in Soho, El Camion hits the spot with lively plates and classic Mexican staples. The energy is big and the vibe is cheerfully kitsch, vivid walls and pin‑up photos included. After tacos, slip upstairs to The Pink Chihuahua for serious agave know‑how and a strong tequila lineup.

Although modest in size, Sonora Taquería never fails to catch the eye due to the prominent line that often forms outside its doors. Transitioning from a market stall, the permanent location has quickly gained recognition for its authentic northern Mexican cuisine, for example, the spicy beef barbacoa. The joint itself is simple, just a few seats and a counter – the perfect taco pit stop.

Mexican Seoul emerged during lockdown as a travelling pop-up venture, offering a salacious blend of Korean and Mexican street food – think inventive tacos and award-winning wings. Now they've established their inaugural taco bar next to Victoria Park. Here, guests can enjoy the popular fusion cuisine alongside signature cocktails and other refreshing beverages, in a bustling, dynamic setting with weekend DJ sets and outdoor seating.

With its chain of outposts across the city, Wahaca is a reliable standby for when you need a quick taco fix. That's not to say you'll get short-changed on quality or taste, however. There's a range of authentic Mexican fare to choose from, including a varied assortment of tacos. This restaurant group was also the first in the UK to become carbon neutral, and remains dedicated to sustainability just as much as delivering delicious cuisine.