Wahaca South Bank Experiment in Lambeth

⭐️“We walked in for a quick bite and walked out as taco experts.”⭐️ 1/365 – Wahaca London Southbank It’s a rainy day. The first day of the year spent in a metropolis. The metropolis in question is London—where a night of rain transforms into a tangle of lights, shadows, and reflections, as if stepping into an oil pastel painting, one of those Dutch masterpieces. The city is alive; those who didn’t exhaust themselves celebrating the night before are out on the streets, taking advantage of the still-sleepy avenues to snap touristy photos—without the tourists. Hunger strikes, and the colorful windows of Wahaca, their hues intensified by the rain’s reflections, act as the perfect advertisement. Climbing the stairs, the darkness and emptiness of the restaurant’s exterior seating area almost convince you to turn back—there must be better places nearby. But if, like me, you choose to ignore that fleeting doubt and push forward, you’ll be greeted by a captivating wave of spices. The lights are dim, the staff is warm and welcoming, letting you choose your own table. Service is fast; within moments, the menu is in your hands, and your drink order is taken. We’re not too hungry, so we settle on tacos. The waiter advises ordering at least three since they’re quite small. He gestures toward the counter, where freshly prepared tacos are being plated. As I follow his finger, the tacos—perfectly arranged—seem to glow under the lights. I can almost hear a drumroll, like a scene straight out of The Fairly OddParents. Even with my nearsighted vision, the presentation is a solid 10/10. We order Ancho Mushroom and Gringas Beef. The latter catches my attention—its name feels Brazilian, yet somehow girly, matching my mood perfectly. As we chat, surrounded by the background sizzle of frying oil, our tacos arrive. The plating is simple, contrasting with the vibrant colors of the dish. Gringas Beef is the first to land on the table. A playful mix of bold flavors with a citrusy kick—unexpected yet intriguing. The balance of coriander, lime, and the tender beef creates an exciting contrast, like a melody with a surprising key change. 7/10—a touch more juiciness and spice would have elevated it. But the real reason for the 7? It wouldn’t be fair to the tacos we ordered next. Because, of course, we couldn’t stop at just two. We walked in for a quick bite and walked out as taco experts. Our second choice? Ancho Mushroom. A bold explosion of greens and purples. I loved the contrast of the raw mushrooms, the sweetness and crunch of the beetroot chip on top, all tied together by an avocado sauce. 9/10. And the last taco? No spoilers, but let’s just say we had to order a second round. It was the Buttermilk Chicken Taco, a recommendation straight from our waitress—whom we now trusted completely. The chicken was fried to perfection, with an almost sacred balance between spice, the crisp freshness of the slaw, and the tang of pickled red onions. Beautifully plated, once again. If you're looking for a flavorful trip with no strings attached, blending the spices of the East with the portions of the West, Wahaca is the perfect place. Xoxo, Critic Girl

Amazing food and even better service Sahbi was amazing and super helpful!

This was our first visit. The service was brilliant. They took time to explain the menu and help us decide the best dishes for us. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. I would highly recommend the starters, the cauliflower bites and the meal for 1

Great experience at Wahaca South Bank yesterday. Our server - Laura C - was friendly, helpful and always ready when we needed something. Great suggestions as well

Staff were great and attentive. Amazing service!

Exceptional Experience at Wahaca Southbank! I never usually write Google reviews, but I just had to after my visit to Wahaca Southbank. Everything about this place was exceptional! The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we walked in. Their warmth and professionalism truly stood out. The food was absolutely amazing – every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly executed. You can tell there’s real passion in the kitchen. The atmosphere was vibrant and inviting, with a great buzz that added to the overall experience. The unique setting along the Southbank just made it even more special. If you're looking for great food, a lively ambiance, and fantastic service, Wahaca Southbank is the place to go. Highly recommend – can't wait to return!

Food came so fast and our waitress Klaudia was so nice. We will definitely be back!

Really good food, excellent team and a relaxed atmosphere. Try the blackberry sour alcohol free cocktail, it was a revelation to me.

Didn’t feel that the food was up to the usual Wahaca standard, tasted like things had just been warmed through. Cutlery and glasses were dirty.

Sabhi was amazing, what a fun guy, had such a great time here with him. Coming again !

The food was amazing, plenty of vegetarian options too. Katalin was outstanding, thank you!

Food is usually good here, but this night it was great! Fantastic service as well. So friendly - Katalin is a gem!

Ruben served us and he was so nice … smile and easy way about him. Thank you Ruben!

Amazing service. Very passionate and informative about the menu and cocktails. Felt very welcome and enjoyed every minute!! Sahib B was a fantastic host to this wonderful experience xxx we will be back!

Spontaneous trip on a busy Thursday. Food was unbelievable as always - the beef croquettes? Unreal. Klaudia went above and beyond in looking after us and having fun with us, thank you you’re the best Klaudia!

Food was lovely and Ruben was great 👍

I had been meaning to visit Wahaca for a while, unable to get a table at the branch near to where we were staying we took a glorious walk across the river to Southbank how glad I am we did. From the moment we set foot in the place the service was impeccable, lovely location, great views across the Thames. Went with the set menu to try a range of dishes - everything amazing, lots of little plates. The vegetables especially were amazing. Looking forward to my next visit.

Waiter (Ruben) was amazing and the food was really great. Tacos, burrito and churros as you were in Mexico

I really appreciated the great length the staff went for my allergies as they not that common and ensured I still enjoyed my food.

Lots of veggie/vegan options! Had a great meal with some nice Mexican (inspired) drinks!

Food was divine...staff were amazing.... Alex and Charu were so lovely...definitely will be back....

The server Momo was so friendly and kind:) I had a good time in Wahaca! Thanks

We got a great service today, very accommodating and friendly Brana made sure we had everything we needed for a great outing. People do make the difference and we will come back any time!

Great views and excellent food, which all arrived a bit too fast for us. But, excellent value!

Great place, with great atmosphere and delicious food. Super good service from the whole house, but especially from Carlota

Cosy place next to the river just a few minutes walk from Waterloo station. Appart from meat dishes there is a great selection of vegetarian dishes. I picked a signature dish with roasted butternut squash and it was delicious. The service was great. Visited the place for pre theatre meal as only a short walk across Waterloo bridge to Lyceum Theatre for Lion King.

Far exceeded my expectations. Every dish is a unique flavour explosion. The nicest Mexican food I’ve ever had.

Wonderful birthday meal with super friendly Ruben. Speedy service + incredible food. Great location by the river 🌞🌞

been here a few times, never disappoints. the servers are very cheery and helpful. was not busy when we came in so food came very fast and was delish 😋 definitely will be back again for the (i don’t know how many-th) time!!!!!!!!!

Fabulous service from Katalin P who was very helpful & friendly

The waiter made the Atmosphere a plus

The place was wonderful and the food was amazing and quite cheap! The service was super and Momo in particular! It was a really good experience and me and my girlfriend will definetly come again. From Roma with Love!

Very nice place on the banks of the Thames, the food is very good but be careful not for big eaters it's more tapas style.

Great food including small bites and sharing plates. Margaritas are great, we love the spicy ones! Always super and very fast service despite being really busy at the weekend

Very nice discovery, with attentive and pleasant waiters 😇 excellent cuisine 🧑‍🍳 I recommend 👌

Ruben helped me find the most similar mex dish I long for from California Mexican food. It was late night after a performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and he was so welcoming and recommended the pork belly with tortillas. I was almost transported to San Diego authentic Mexican food - still need a cheese enchilada but overall great relaxing dinner and I appreciated Ruben’s cheerful competent service :)))

You know what you're getting with Wahaca. Mexican based good with a modern British twist. This is not the best Wahaca though. Service was good but we were in a dark corner, so dark we couldn't see what we were eating. Unable to use the toilets as they were blocked all the time we were there and hand dryers weren't working

Came for a catch up with a friend, had such a nice time! Food was amazing, and the service was great. Momo was the best server!! Would come again!

Awesome as always. Super helpful and friendly staff; great food and not too long to wait but heated tables outside helped time fly by.

Alex A was a really good server, gave us a great experience at the restaurant!

Lovely food, very quick service. Excellent service from our waiter Alex. Thank you

Fabulous service from Alex.., fresh food and served in plenty of time for the theatre

The food was amazing and there is a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Our waiter Alex was very nice and we were absolutely happy with the service. We enjoyed our visit and will definitely come back.

A fantastic experience! The food was simply excellent, with tasty and well presented dishes. The whole team was very welcoming, and we particularly appreciated the impeccable service from Alex, who knew how to make our lunch even more pleasant. An address not to be missed, we will come back with pleasure!

Gorgeous meal for our daughters 13th birthday. Fresh, zingy and as delicious as always. Alex was brilliant and super friendly. Thanks Wahaca!

Service and food were fantastic - thank you!

We dropped in for a quick bite and some cocktails. The margaritas here are excellent! The veggie nachos and guacamole were delicious too. We'd definitely go back for a larger meal.

Enjoyable experience with a table on the South bank overlooking the Thames. The food and vfm was good, however particularly impressed by the attentive service and in particular the effort made regarding the complex dietary issues in our party.

Food was amazing, atmosphere cozy and Sahbi was LOVELY!!

Our waiter Sahbi was brilliant 🤩

Sahbi was ace! Great service to match the food.

Thank you Momo, for a warm friendly welcome and considerate service which made our visit extremely enjoyable! Lovely food and perfect margaritas as ever!

Amazing food as always. Johan was also fantastic and really added to our lovely evening. Thank you!

Lovely dinner experience - great gluten free options! Yummy cocktails and quick and friendly service. Thanks guys!

Momo K was great. Perfect lunch.

Really good food. Wide range of selection of food, cozy seating, right by the river.

Klaudia was amazing. Great vegan menu! Thanks for looking after us

Thank you Sahbi for the great service ! Food was great as always.

I visited today with my friends from work and it was an excellent experience. Momo, our server made sure that I was aware of the vegan options and was kindly attentive during our meal. The atmosphere was lovely, but nice, although the music over our table was a little loud for me.

Johan was attentive and kind server. The food was fantastic

A very enjoyable lunch and very friendly staff.

The place is ideal, with beautiful views of the river and Waterloo Bridge. Excellent service and delicious food. Good price, and good service. We will return!

Great meal with a huge group of friends and they managed us all really well

Sahib B was amazing and added to an already great atmosphere during our visit!!!

Amazing food! Really friendly Service!

Best wahaca in London for food and service

Great food and service from Sahbi H!

Food was outstanding as always, friendly atmosphere and lovely inviting staff. Great service especially from our server sophie, will definitely be back soon!

Came for lunch midweek and chose the festive vegetarian menu. It was brilliant value for money and every single part of it was delicious. Our waiter, Reuben was really lovely and made sure our visit was memorable for all the right reasons. The restaurant has a great vibrant buzz about it and fabulous views over the South Bank. We will definitely return.

A Hidden Gem in London! Wahaca is hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants in London. Located just across from the river, it offers not only fantastic food but also stunning views. Their churros are a must-try—without a doubt, the best churros I’ve had in London! I also had the pleasure of meeting Martin, who made our experience even more memorable. He was incredibly professional, kind, and welcoming, adding a personal touch to our visit. The restaurant itself is a masterpiece, beautifully designed with a unique vibe that sets it apart from any other place in the city. The food is absolutely delicious, bursting with authentic flavors and creativity. Whether you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine or new to it, Wahaca is an experience you won’t want to miss. I highly recommend this place, and I’ll definitely be visiting again. A true standout in London’s vibrant food scene!

This is a fairly loud restaurant, but that's okay if you enjoy a lively atmosphere which I do. The service is good, if somewhat functional. Food is very tasty. A good choice of drinks, both soft and alcoholic. Men's toilets were quite pongy, so they need to check on the toilets more frequently. Overall a great experience, highly recommended for food and service. Loses one star for the stinky men's loos!

Booking the table was easy via their website - booked for 8.45pm. There was nothing stated on the booking that last orders for drinks was 10pm. So we were very surprised when the waiter came to us at 9.50pm and said that they were closing the bar and kitchen! Very bad communication. Why I am giving it 1 star though is that I ordered a vodka as did another person in my group and it was 100% obvious that it was water!!! My husband went up to the bar and told them and he wasnt even questioned, just a response "sorry about that" Absolutely SHOCKING. We spent over £300 and the food was good but the service and the vodka fiasco would tell me to stay away and AVOID. (checked receipt and we were still charged for vodka AKA water!!!!!)

Best service by Johan pete! He's a huge guy and so is the great food.

Everyone was so friendly, the menu had helpful suggestions for anyone not familiar with the cuisine and to top it off everything I had was delicious.

Momo give us a great service, me and my friend really enjoyed. Thanks. :)

One main course arrived 15mins after the other. We were intending to dine together! Then they have the cheek to add on 12.5% service charge!

The place was very nice, the service was amazing and our server called Sahbi was very funny. I would recommend!

Sabi was amazing and his explanation of the menus and service was second to none. Food was out of this world!

We had chicken and beef burritos and they were fabulous. Rich in flavour, great texture and solid portion size. Plus churros with chocolate and caramel - pure joy.

Momo was a great server! We felt very well taken cared for and so appreciated his sunny warm service ❤️

Great service, great meal! Thanks, Momo!

Claudia and Marco were extraordinary! Accommodated a no-oil request and were super friendly and welcoming. Thank you 🙏☺️

Our 1st experience of Wahaca today. We absolutely loved the experience. Our server Sahbi B really looked after us, ensured we enjoyed our meal. We tasted the Festive Feast Menu, 2 of us Veggie and 2 meat eaters. He clearly identified dishes. The churros were gorgeous to end the meal. Absolutely amazing, Thank you so much xx

Great service, lovely staff! Especially our waiter Ruben was amazing

Great food and service. Marily C was friendly and gave excellent food recommendations. The food came quickly and was very yummy. Good for veggies .

The food is excellent and the service is the best!! A++

Sabie was an incredible waiter 5 stars

Service was excellent, Paula was incredible, kind and lovely!!!

Lovely service from Carleta, great smile and made us feel incredible warm and welcome on a cold night!!

Sahbi was soo kind, helped with the menu and payed special care too the child at the table he made it fun, he didn’t make any errors with our order and even recommended a good choice, Very kind man We Will be back,

Dalitso at the bar is absolutely amazing! Excellent personalised service and very friendly. He made our visit lovely! :)

Great food and lovely service by Alex :)

Food was good but what made the evening was the wonderful service from Kaitlin p

Laura was excellent. Friendly and Recommendations were really good - definitely get the beef gringa taco and the cauliflower bites

Great grub and excellent service

Bruna waitress was so lovely and made our experience perfect!

Leaving a review for how pleasant Momo K was serving us, what a nice man! Thanks a bunch!

Lovely first time at wahacas, managed to get a walk in table for two and Johan made us very welcome and brought his wonderful service with a smile.

One pleasant Monday☃️😊, we went for a walk👣 through London, with my friend. We like to taste good food😋😋. Today we decided to enter this Mexican restaurant Wahaca Southbank, it is very charming 🌸🌼🌻🌺on the outside, and with a pleasant view. We entered and it was not busy, but we felt good in this place. Polite and clear attention when we ask. We have tried three types of meals. It was fresh, crispy and we liked it a lot, which is why we return and recommend this restaurant. If you love beans like me, avocado, bread (burrito) nachos...go and try. Thank you for doing the work with love💖🙏. Recommended.🙋‍♀️

Very good experience overall. Tasty food, fast service, decent prices.