Wahaca has been serving up Mexican street-food in multiple locations across the country since 2007. Older London Girl millennials and Gen X-ers will likely remember its beginnings in Covent Garden, Westfield, Canary Wharf and Soho; followed by the opening of their “Southbank Experiment” overlooking the river in shipping containers in 2012. I certainly remember Wahaca being a hotspot on my London map whenever I visited the capital – and that feeling of pure joy when they started popping up across the country in 2015.

Fun fact - it was created by Thomasina (Tommi) Miers won Masterchef in 2005 and her business partner, Mark Selby, to take their love of Mexican food to London. Tommi was inspired by the street food vendors of Oaxaca – phonetically spelt “Wahaca”.

Wahaca Paddington is a relatively new edition to this street-food conglomerate’s family, opening in 2024 at the new Paddington Square Development. Paddington itself is a lovely part of the city to visit, with the canal nearby and the famous marmalade-loving bear statue on Platform 1.

It’s also a station I’ve visited often over the years for trips to visit our South West communities (hello Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport). On this occasion, I was meeting my Bristol-based colleague, Steph, to travel over to Heathrow for a press trip to Estonia. But first, we took a much-needed stop to fuel our bodies with tortillas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas – and tell you all about it.

Allergies

Before I get into the food, I wanted to provide some context with allergies. I have a wheat intolerance and an allergy to cow’s milk. Though I’m thankfully ok with cross-contamination, Wahaca were very clear on any risks. For example, they have a complete sealed option for gluten free tortilla chips. I also loved that they had allergy flags as it reduced by frequent “is this definitely for me?” anxiety.

The Food

We kicked things off with two classic entradas that highlight Wahaca’s knack for nailing the basics: tortilla chips and dips.

Steph went for the Pico de Gallo with tortilla chips (£6.50), a zingy, fresh mix of tomato, onion, lime and herbs that tasted like sunshine in a bowl. I opted for the Guacamole option (£6.95), a generous portion of creamy, limey, and full of ripe avocado goodness that was very quickly devoured. We’re both in very strong agreement that the tortilla chips are some of the best we’ve ever had and 100% worth the price.

For mains, I kept things street-style with Grilled Chicken & Avocado Tacos (£7.95), loaded with free-range meat and a warming Yucatecan salsa, plus the Beef Gringa Tacos (£8.50), which featured tender grass-fed beef and salsa fresca—classic comfort food with a Mexican twist.

The Beef tacos usually have cheese, and the lovely manager insisted that it was usually prettier with it sprinkled on top (another downside of a cheese allergy) but I loved it nonetheless. It was the perfect mix of zest and smokiness intertwined in tender shredded beef. Personally, I felt that there was too much Yucatecan salsa in the Grilled Chicken and Avocado tacos. It overpowered the grilled chicken and avocado combo with its acidity. However, a simple “scrape half of it off” method was a quick fix to reveal the talented cookery of the grilled chicken – chef, please share your secrets.

Steph went with the heartier, meatiest of the meaty options - with a main of the Slow-Cooked Beef Burrito (£16.50) - a generous plate with rich chipotle flavours balanced with filling, flavourful rice. She added a side of the Grilled Bridisa Chorizo (£7.95) which stole the show! So sweet, smokey, crunchy and oozing with delicious cheese. Every bite was a sensation.

We shared the Grilled Tenderstem Broccoli (£5.95) too, served with a garlic herb oil and a sprinkle of toasted seeds and nuts. It was crunchy, nutty, and delicious—a great example of how Wahaca elevates even the sides.

Some of the new seasonal additions also deserve a shoutout. The Griddled Cactus & Courgette Tacos (£6.95) are a must-try for adventurous eaters—light, tangy, and a clever plant-based star. And the Hibiscus Glazed Aubergine (£15.95) is a vegetarian showstopper—zesty, smoky, and packed with umami thanks to its salsa macha and dressed quinoa base. One to come back for.

The Drinks

With the sun still shining, we leaned into mocktails for something fruity and refreshing.

I chose the Strawberry & Mint Cooler (£5.95), which was tall, sweet and summer-in-a-glass. Steph went for the Passion Fruit & Hibiscus Fizz (£5.95), which was tangy, bubbly and beautifully balanced—tropical but not too sweet.

Both drinks felt like the perfect non-alcoholic companions to a flavour-packed meal.

The Sustainability

Wahaca continues to lead the way when it comes to eco-conscious dining. They've been carbon neutral since 2016, with ingredients sourced as locally and ethically as possible—from regenerative British beef to free-range pork and chicken, and MSC-certified fish.

More than half of the menu is meat-free, and with the arrival of their Sunshine Bowls—featuring up to 30 plant varieties—they’re making planet-friendly eating both delicious and filling. Their new summer dishes are light, bright, and perfectly designed for sunny lunches, picnics or guilt-free dinners.

The Vibe

The interior is a delight—sunny colours, lush greenery and playful design elements make it feel like you’ve stepped into a modern Mexican hideaway. There’s a relaxed energy that works for casual lunch breaks just as well as long, mezcal-fuelled dinners. It’s stylish without trying too hard—and the service was spot-on from start to finish.

Accessibility

You’ll find the restaurant outside the WH Smith’s exit from the station (you can actually see it from the end of Platform 5). The restaurant itself is accessible on the first and second floor of the building, with the first floor door giving you a choice of a slightly spiralled staircase or a list to the main seating area on the floor above.

The Verdict

As frequent Paddington travellers, we’re both in agreement that we’ve found the perfect lunch meeting spot. A special shout out needs to be given to the staff, who took care with all of their customers and were particularly compassionate about my allergies. Whether you're travelling through Paddington, planning a lovely walk along the canal, longing for a Mexican street food fix or trying to find a great meeting spot, this Wahaca will tick all of the boxes. And leave you writing a public plea to the chef to give you grilled chicken tips.

Book now over on the Wahaca Website.

Written with delicious foodie gratitude by Pippa, Founder of the City Girl Network, on a flight to Estonia.

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