Fonda — Restaurant in London

I must say not many times I come across a place that leaves me completely speechless, with only a slightly dumbfounded and incredulous smile on my face, but Fonda is such a place in all aspects. The meal I had there last week counts as one of the most memorable, most thoroughly enjoyable and well balanced meals I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy. I explained to our waiter that I’ve been a chef for a long time and that I’m really intrigued by the concept of Fonda and the use of British ingredients but still staying true to Mexican kitchen and flavours and he gave me a great deep dive into the mindset of the restaurant, the creation of the dishes etc. which was super inspiring. Also he introduced us to the person in charge of the hand carbonation of the drinks of the restaurants who gave us a run through of what this involves and it made me appreciate the depth of knowledge and careful consideration and thought that has gone to creating this wholesome experience. The dishes from start to finish had incredible balance of flavour and texture. It’s no easy feat to work with Mexican flavours, with chilis, without making them overpowering or overly spicy, but every component that used chilis was used with such precision it pretty much blew my mind. This was especially apparent in the what was a standout dish for me, the tuna crudo, and the use of scotch bonnet was totally masterful and the combination of textures and the delicate flavours dancing on your palette was just incredible. Also the queso de Aro, Baja taco, costra and mole were wholesome and full of flavour and texture. The portion sizes are also just right, and you still had some space for a dessert at the end, which is good because you wouldn’t want to skip the rice pudding which beautifully and mellowly finishes the meal that until then is like fireworks setting off in your mouth 🤭 Not only is the food delightful, but the cocktails as well were as well balanced as the food and complimented the meal perfectly. The Smokey chilli paloma was a perfect complement to the meat dishes, whereas the subtle gentle champagne paloma goes perfectly with the tuna crudo (can you please start selling this to take home by the bottle because wow, is it a delight). Last but definitely not the least, the service is so impeccable, personable and warm and left me with a smile on my face and guaranteed I will come back to Fonda. I must say not often do you encounter a new restaurant that has been open only few weeks but runs so smoothly and professionally you would think it’s been running for years. Moreover I don’t even remember when I would have gotten the same level of care and attention and passion when it comes to service as I did in Fonda (especially our main waiter who only agreed to say the crew sometimes calls him arroz con leche 😂 joke or not, but thank you for your hospitality you are totally brilliant). Having visited Fonds my next address is Kol because I can only imagine what they have cooking over there having been open for much longer, and considering the level of the experience and the care and effort that is put in Fonda, Kol must also be an...

Where did the good hand pressed tortillas go?

The first time we went to Fonda (March 1st) we were wowed by the hand pressed tortillas made in a comal - they really elevated the food and made for the perfect mouth feel of the best tacos. They were certainly beyond everything else available in London, and great even by Mexican standards - for the first time in over a year I ate something that tasted like home. The Baja taco, costra and carnitas were absolutely delicious, as was the chocolate nieve with chili oil. The crudo and ceviche were underwhelming, the quince in the arroz con leche didn't make sense, and the prices felt quite high since after all it was tacos, but the quality of the tortillas was worth it.

We returned yesterday expecting the same perfect bite, only to find that the tortillas are now machine made. Thin, brittle, meh. The reason this review isn't 5 stars, despite all of the goodness in the food and the service. You can find much better tortillas in other places in London. That makes the tacos just ok and overpriced, which is a pity because the ingredients and preparation clearly take a lot of care, and they are really good quality. If we take the tortillas out of the equation, the Baja taco and costra are still spectacular, and the carnitas are just perfect - great balance of flavors, the right level of moistness, the softness of the meat with the crunchiness of the chicharrón. The salsas are lovely. I would have gladly paid a supplement to get hand pressed tortillas for the perfect pairing.

The Sikil Pak was delicious. The quesadillas were very good, though they appear in the menu as made with queso Oaxaca, which it is not. I would best describe it as a nod to queso Oaxaca with a hint of cheddar. Lovely, but accuracy would be appreciated ("Oaxaca style" might suit).

As for the desserts, the churros are amazing and beautifully balanced. The butterscotch cream, though clearly not traditionally Mexican, was a lovely and creative surprise, and there was just the right kick of spice. The nieve was once again delicious. The arroz con leche for me tasted too much of mezcal custard, and I wasn't quite sure about the rhubarb. My husband loved it though (we are both Mexican).

I'm not sure I would return for the food alone, unless the hand pressed tortillas become available once again - like I said, I would be happy to pay a supplement.

But the amazing staff really made our day. They were warm, friendly, caring, and went above and beyond to make our experience in Fonda a delightful one, like the best Mexican hospitality. Just for that, we'll be back. Special shout out to Theo and...

No Lime, No joy!

I recently visited Fonda after hearing plenty of hype. Sadly, the reality didn’t live up to the promise. Unless you’re absolutely starving after shopping on Carnaby Street, I wouldn’t recommend spending your time or money here.

Drinks I started with a Margarita. It was okay—drinkable, but far too sweet, missing the balance and sharpness you’d expect. Not a bad start, but nothing memorable.

Tacos The fish taco was the real disappointment. The tortilla was a thin wheat wrap, which has very little in common with a proper Mexican tortilla. The fish was covered in a tempura-like batter, which tasted more Japanese street food than Mexican. On the side, there was some tired-looking red and white cabbage and a guacamole-style sauce that added an acidic note. Overall, it felt like a confused fusion rather than an authentic dish. To make matters worse, when I asked for lime, I was told they don’t serve it because they “only use English products.” A Mexican taco without lime feels a bit like serving chips without salt—it just doesn’t work.

Service The restaurant was buzzing, but in a way that felt more chaotic than lively. Staff were rushing around, which made the atmosphere stressful rather than enjoyable. The waiter who served me was polite enough, but the overall service didn’t leave much of an impression.

Ambience & Design The décor is fun at first glance and clearly designed to give off a lively, Mexican vibe. But much like the food, it feels more like fast food like diner rather than a true dining experience.

Price & Value For the quality offered, the prices feel high. You’re essentially paying for the location and the branding rather than food that delivers on taste or authenticity.

Overall Experience Fonda looks lively and inviting from the outside, but the experience doesn’t match the image. Overly sweet cocktails, inauthentic tacos, and the absence of something as basic as lime (or something to provide the balance of flavours and kick) made it underwhelming. There are plenty of other places in London offering far better, more authentic Mexican food for the same (or...