Cafe Pacifico — Restaurant in London

Café Pacifico in Covent Garden is renowned as the pioneer of Mexican cuisine in the UK. A historic establishment dating back to 1982, it has long been a prominent figure introducing the vibrant flavors of Mexico, its tequila heritage, and rich culture to London. I recently had - Starting with the Guacamole, a fresh and tangy delight made from ripe avocados, tomatoes, onions, and a tantalizing blend of spices, it was a delicious start. The pomegranate seeds and fresh coriander added a delightful twist, making it the perfect companion to the crispy corn chips. The Quesadillas followed, served with that unmistakable charm of Café Pacifico. Grilled flour tortillas, oozing with cheesy goodness and the succulent taste of roasted red peppers. I couldn't resist choosing the Chicken Tinga filling, and it was a wise choice. The harmonious fusion of flavors left me craving for more. For the main course, I opted for the Vegan Burrito Especial, a colorful delight that's perfect for those with a taste for the extraordinary. A flour tortilla, generously stuffed with roasted sweet potato, black beans, and grilled pineapple, and crowned with the creamy richness of guacamole. Accompanied by tomato chipotle salsa, it was a true taste revelation. Paired with the choice of Mexican rice, it was a dish that celebrated Mexican authenticity with every bite. And let's not forget the Chicken Tinga and Avocado Tacos, an artful trio of flour tortillas filled with chicken tinga and crisp red cabbage. Crowned with fresh red onions, coriander, and avocado slices, this dish was a fiesta of flavors. Served with black beans, Mexican rice, and a delightful drizzle of chipotle mayo, it was a journey of Mexican cuisine like no other. But what truly stole the show were the Tequila cocktails. They were a symphony of flavors and the perfect companions to the meal. Each sip, a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, just like Café Pacifico itself. Whether you're an aficionado of Mexican flavors or a newcomer, this place promises an unforgettable experience. Café Pacifico has truly set the standard for Mexican cuisine in the UK, and it continues to shine. A must-visit for food...

After coming to this restaurant so many times was very much looking forward to my visit today but was left very disappointed.

Please note that a request whether we had allergies was not asked at all!

Nachos as a starter was nice pretty basic

Ordered Degustacion del Pacifico and Chimichanga Both had chicken my partner who ordered the Degustacion del Pacifico his plate came covered in grease and oil (more than a usual amount) which didn’t bother him at first until the overwhelming taste of gone or fish that came from his chicken on his plate which then leaked into the grease and covered the rest of the other food. Thought maybe it was just his until I took a few bites into my Chimichanga turn come to realise mine tasted of gone or fish aswell.

After 10mins of our plates just sitting there and staff avoiding us the waitress at the next table I had to then ask her after avoiding any contact/eye contact with me that I need a manager went over to get her manager who was behind the kitchen she then proceeded to ask me what was wrong so I explained not sure if the fry all the food (fish vegetables and meat) all in the same fryer but the chicken taste like fish she immediately looked like she wanted to run away.

Manager came over and I explained what was wrong he completely ignored what was wrong with my partners dish and explained that ALL FRIED ITEMS FISH MEAT AND VEGETABLES ARE COOKED IN THE SAME FRYER!! anyone could have an allergy to fish and order a chicken dish which is cooked in the same fryer as fish! Or just the basic human respect of being vegetarian. CONSIDERING WAITRESS NEVER ASKED IF WE HAD ALLERGIES. Thanks god neither me or my partner had one but being a FOH manager in the hospitality trade this is disgusting. Overly disappointed as this restaurant holds so many special memories for me to then have An experience like this clearly seems due to being one of the last tables and laziness (considering they were doing closing duties) it has completely ruined any good memory that I have of this restaurant. Avoid...

Not Worth Your Stomach Space I rarely write negative reviews, but my experience here was truly disappointing. The food was far below expectations — so bad that I actually had to spit some of it out, which I’ve never done before.

To start, my tortillas were served in a container lined with what looked like hand towels — the kind you’d expect in a restroom, not on your plate (see attached photos). The street soft tacos were stale — how do you even get stale tacos? One taco bizarrely tasted like bolognese sauce the one you get from school dinners, which felt like a bad joke. The rest of the dishes were dry and oddly all tasted the same.

I ordered grilled pork, which was served on a receipt spike, as shown in my photo. The plantain was oddly sweet, more like bananas than plantain. The jalapeño poppers tasted like cheap frozen party food supermarket versions, and the salsa tasted like it came from a tin or jar and flavorless — worse than the jar Doritos salsa. Overall, the meal reminded me of a poorly executed old El Paso meal kit.

The restaurant’s cleanliness was also questionable. The toilets were disgusting. Passing by the open kitchen, I saw the cooks casually sitting and leaning on countertops while the grill looked suspiciously clean, making me wonder if the food was microwaved.

The staff were friendly but painfully slow — it took ages to get the receipt and card machine. It felt like they wanted us to linger, but all we wanted was to leave.

The place claims to be “London’s First Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar, EST 1982,” but if it was ever good, it’s time for a complete overhaul — new management, menu, and team.

Prices were extremely high for the quality (guacamole just under £9), and the staff didn’t check on us during the meal, likely knowing the food was subpar. When I asked if they had tried the food themselves, they admitted, tiredly, that they knew it had issues. It’s a sad disgrace to...