Cavita — Restaurant in London

I was incredibly excited about Cavita. I've been following Adriana on instagram for a while and was sad to have missed her when at Carousel. As the opening date for the restaurant neared, I could see that she was buying pottery from Lucia Ocejo - which is beautiful - and had engaged some awesome artists to paint murals on the restaurant.

Unfortunately the food fell far far short of the standard which one should expect of a high end restaurant in Marylebone and of a chef who trained in incredible establishments like El Bulli and Pujol.

Turning now to the food...we went all out and ordered a lot for two people as we both love Mexican food but sadly just went home with a big burn left in our wallets!

For starters we ordered:

Carlingford Rock Oysters - beautiful, salty and sweet oysters offset with the refreshing granite. Delicious - the meal started off with a bang. But then it went downhill.

Mooli & Pomegranate Ceviche wasn't well balanced - far too much lime which drowned the other flavours.

Chutoro Tostada was ok, but again the balance was questionable and the chef that night was far too heavy handed with the soy. Considering this starter was £17, that was incredibly disappointing.

Pig's Head Tamal - good, but nothing notable compared to other tamales I've had before. Salsa verde could have been a lot more vibrant and left us searching for flavour.

Baja Fish Tacos - Fermented cabbage was very good. Fish batter was good but the fish itself was under seasoned and bland. For £13 it was very disappointing.

For the main we shared the Mole Verde. The mole was fine, but not enough of it on the plate and the coal roasted vegetables were nice. However, the feature of the dish - the chicken - was incredibly dry and overcooked. We had ordered a side of the kimchi Mexicano but even that plus the small smear of mole that was on the dish wasn't enough to offset the dry chicken. With hindsight we should have asked the kitchen to take the dish back but the service was so incredibly slow that by the time the main had arrived, it was already very late.

Service wise - terrible. We waited 20 minutes for water alone and our cocktails took forever. The waitstaff did provide a complimentary mezcal shot to apologise for the terrible service, but unfortunately the shot wasn't enough to offset the slow service, terrible food and high prices.

Hope that Cavita cleans up its act soon as London is in need of a new Mexican restaurant! Otherwise g save your money and go to Corrochios in Dalston or Sonora Taquiera...

Cavita has one of the best atmosphere I’ve seen in London: candle lights, earthy material like stone or clay that create a warm feeling. Great interior, and exterior. Comfortable seats and tables are not close together, meaning that you have a good privacy and it’s not too loud.

(Location and atmosphere 9/10)

The food is quite disappointing, Mexican cousine is renowned to have powerful flavours, 90% of the dishes I’ve tried here were extremely mild. Feels like recipes were altered to convince a picky- eating anti-spicy anti-cilantro clientele. The chicken was highly disappointing, dry and bland, even the extra sauce they put on the side won’t give enough flavour. The rice that comes on the side is no better than the Nando’s one. The “Quesabirria” was ok and the tacos del pastor were actually very good and unique, adding pineapple in the mix was very interesting. Best thing were the 3 sauces you get as an extra, seriously the avocado purée is amazing and the crispy tortillas tasted homemade. If these small bites were served as amuse buche before the food arrives it would elevate the dining experience. Drinks menu and selection of Mexican spirits is ok.

(Food 5/10)

Service is straight up bad. You would expect to find this service in a place where you pay half as much. Poor knowledge of the spirits menu. Waiter asked if I was ready to order when I had ordered already. Waiter came back because forgot which drink I got. Got asked twice for allergies, which shows poor communication between staff and allergies not handled properly. Staff forgot to bring cutlery at the table and I could notice the waiter visibly annoyed at the colleague that forgot to do the mis en place. No cloakroom unfortunately. Nice to see a host desk at the entrance. Politely rushed to leave quickly despite having drinks on the table, but only after 1h45 so fair enough. The bar downstairs was closed for a private event, no communication was made on the booking so I could notice some guests disappointed by the news. Food gets served very quickly in around 15 minutes that’s amazing.

(Service 4.5/10)

Expect to pay at least 70£pp including drinks. Which isn’t astonishing but honestly for the quality of the service and the taste of the food the price doesn’t match the experience.

(Price 5/10)

Overall I enjoyed the tacos del pastor and the tortilla chips with the avocado purée the most. I...

Cavita exceeded every one of my expectations and left me longing for my next visit! From the moment I walked through the door, I felt warmly welcomed into what felt like an extension of a traditional Mexican home—a perfect balance of rustic charm and contemporary elegance. The ambiance is intimate and inviting, with thoughtful touches in the decor that transport you straight to Mexico without ever leaving the city.

The food, however, is the true star of the Cavita experience. Every plate that arrived at our table was a work of art, bursting with vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and flavors that told a story. Their offerings go beyond the typical Mexican staples, revealing a deeper dive into regional specialties and traditional techniques. From the creamy, perfectly balanced guacamole with warm, just-made tortillas to the tender and flavor-packed mole, each dish showcased an incredible depth of flavor and clear attention to detail. My personal favorite was the slow-cooked cochinita pibil—it was melt-in-your-mouth tender, seasoned to perfection, and paired beautifully with accompanying sides.

The drinks menu is equally impressive, particularly their mezcal! Cavita’s collection included some truly unique options, and the staff was more than happy to recommend pairings and explain the origins behind their choices. The cocktail list felt like a creative celebration of agave spirits while maintaining a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky notes.

Speaking of the staff, they were incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, embodying genuine hospitality. They offered great insights into the dishes and beverages, made excellent recommendations, and treated us as though we were longtime friends.

Cavita isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience—a true homage to the richness and depth of Mexican culture and cuisine. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for an incredible meal in a warm, inviting setting, Cavita is a must-visit. I can’t...