Wahaca Paddington — Restaurant in London

I was travelling back from London and rather than catch a busy peak train, I decided I would have some dinner and catch a later train. The other option was to catch a busy train, probably stand or be cramped, and then cook when I got home. So dinner it was, and I had already made up my mind to visit Wahaca. I had heard about the branch at Wahaca at Paddington when it opened, but I hadn’t had the chance, or the opportunity to make a visit until this week.

It’s just outside the station and upon entering the restaurant you climb a set of stairs to get to the tables. Even though it was early the place was buzzing and quite busy. I was initially offered a seat at the bar, but as I wanted food and not a drink, I asked for a table.

I sat down and looked over the menu. I had a voucher for a free portion of tacos, so that was the first area of the menu I went through. I was tempted by the buttermilk chicken tacos, but went with the Ancho Mushroom Tacos, with jalapeño mayo, beetroot crisps and dressed slaw, in two soft corn tortillas

I had really enjoyed the Mexico City Nachos when I had them a few years ago. So that was next on my list of choices. I went for the veggie version, as I didn’t think the addition of the chorizo really added that much to the dish, and the veggie dish was cheaper as well.

My final choice was the Zesty Bean & Feta Tostadas, with chickpeas, borlotti beans and organic peas with fresh tomato salsa. I had hoped they would have the crab tostadas they use to have on the menu, but they didn’t.

The nachos arrived first and I was a little surprised by the size of the dish. Either the dish was smaller when I had it a few years ago, having made my own version of this plate, I was expecting something smaller, or more than likely I had just plain forgotten how large the dish was.

There was plenty of crunchy tortilla chips, a large helping of guacamole, black beans, crema, pink pickled onions, cheese sauce, fresh tomato salsa and jalapeño. I left the jalapeño, but the rest of the dish was delicious.

I really enjoyed the Zesty Bean & Feta Tostadas, full of flavour and contrasting textures of crunchy tostadas and soft beans.

The Ancho Mushroom Tacos were really tasty, I liked the mushrooms and the intensity of flavours across the two tacos.

I really enjoyed all three dishes and the experience reminded me how much I enjoy the food at Wahaca. Service was excellent, warm, friendly and efficient. It’s a real pity that the branch in Bristol closed, as it would be nice to have somewhere...

If you’re on the hunt for a vibe that fuses slick style with casual Mexican food in London — Wahaca Paddington hits the sweet spot. Tucked right beside Paddington Station in the gleaming Paddington Square development, this is the kind of place you’d pop in for margaritas and actually linger for tacos.

Ambience & Design From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by light-flooded interiors, tropical houseplants, and bursts of artisan colour on chairs and booths. The décor leans modern, yet warm — think natural textures, low-hung lamps, and enough visual flair to make your Instagram jealous. The canal-side terrace is a bonus for sunny afternoons or mellow evening drinks.

Food & Drink True to Wahaca’s roots, the menu leans into Mexican small plates with a dash of creativity. Tacos, bowls, burritos, and sharing plates abound. There’s a strong showing of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly options, which means even your pickiest friend can come along without fear. The drinks list is lively — expect sharp margaritas, mezcal-based sips, and neat non-alcoholic alternatives.

Service & Flow Service felt friendly and proactive, although at peak times it can edge toward a bit stretched (not disastrously so). They seem to lean into group dining too — there’s a “Paloma Grove” experience for 6–8 diners with a set menu and curated cocktails, which feels like a fun splurge option.

What’s to Love / Watch Out For 👍 Love the energy: it’s relaxed but with enough polish to feel special. 👍 Great for groups, casual dates, midday pit-stops, or winding down after a long commute. 👍 Sustainability cred is part of the brand — they promote planet-friendly operations.

⚠️ Watch out: during busy lunch or dinner hours, the place gets lively, so noise picks up. ⚠️ Some dishes (especially the more elaborate ones) lean toward mid-price — it’s not “cheap eats,” but you’re paying for the experience too.

Bottom Line Wahaca Paddington is more than just a station-adjacent Mexican: it’s a well-executed, well-curated escape in the heart of West London. Whether you’re in the mood for bold flavours, colourful surroundings, or just a chill spot to catch up with friends, it nails “fun meets refined casual.” You’ll leave with a satisfied appetite and a plan...

It is with a terribly and shamefully long delay (we were there back in October 2024 – I sincerely apologize for my lateness) that I finally leave my thoughts and gratitude to Wahaca.

We were a cold and rain-soaked Italian family who had just arrived in London, with two kids and two elderly in tow. It was late, around 8:00 PM on a Thursday evening in October, and we couldn't find a place in Paddington that would take us in—either they were all crowded or simply not suited for a family.

Feeling discouraged, we decided to try this restaurant, beautifully decorated for the upcoming Día de los Muertos celebrations. At first, it seemed like we had no chance here either, as it was quite crowded too. But the (I believe) manager took pity on us and, in just five minutes, found us a table for six—a spacious, round, and secluded table, just for us.

We were treated like royalty the entire evening by him in person, with great attention, humor, jokes, and plenty of laughter. My son had ordered a dish that turned out to be too spicy for him, so we ordered something else. Without us even asking, they didn’t charge us for it (even though I ended up eating it myself, to not wast it, without any issues!).

What else can I say? The food was exceptional, from starters to dessert. Everything was delicious, perfectly spiced, and just the right level of heat. I highly recommend trying the Margarita because—damn—it might just be the best one I've ever had in my life!

Wahaca was a little corner of warmth and hospitality in a cold, nighttime London. It felt as if I were visiting a long-lost cousin I hadn't seen in ages. An absolutely fantastic experience.

Thank...