London’s best Mexican restaurants

It’s all about the burritos at Benito’s Hat – a vibrant Tex-Mex joint dreamed up by a former City lawyer. The interior might look like something out of central casting, but the fast-moving counter churns out some the best floury filled tortillas in town, backed by a 10-strong line-up of fresh salsas. Tacos, salads and antojitos also go well with Benito’s merciless margaritas.

Despite the demise of its Soho branch, the Breddos crew is back, and all the better for it. Its new digs keep things casual with informal, communal seating options to suit what is ultimately still street food. A custom-made wood grill adds rustic charm. Tacos remain its strong suit, but try the seafood tostadas too, which team the crunch of tortilla shells with punchy cross-continental flavours.

Don’t be fooled by the sex-shop-style frontage – there’s nothing sleazy about this dark, loud basement rendezvous. La Bodega is dressed to thrill and its homely take on Mexican cuisine always looks pretty – check out the beautifully presented tacos, ceviches, tostadas and hot plates such as chargrilled chicken with pinto beans, chorizo birria and salsa verde. Despite small portions and two-hour table limits, this is a must-try.

Bargain prices suit the setting at this family-run Mexican eatery in Brixton’s foodie market complex. The menu’s brief, but there’s bags of choice, flavours are big and the colours bold: we recommend the taco appetisers, the tortas (served with crunchy corn tortillas, chipotle mayo and jalapeno), the zingy chocolate cake laced with árbol chilli and – of course – the potent cocktails. Be warned: service can be market-trader curt.

If tacos are your thing, look no further than Casa P, the newest addition to the El Pastor family. As with its other branches in Borough and Bermondsey, punters can expect fresh tortillas made in house daily, plated up alongside a bevy of aguachiles and tostadas. You’ll find a selection of fillings to pile into your shells, from chipotle chicken (our fave) to baja fish (battered goujons, slaw and salsa) and veggie options.

Generous tacos served with lashings of old-school hospitality is the deal at Corazón – an unassuming, cosy and sincere taqueria custom-built for Soho’s hungry hordes. Head to the bar and counter for cocktails and nibbles; sit in the main space for a full-on nosh – perhaps beef tartare tostadas followed by a fillet of sea bream bathed in recado rojo and grilled with orange, olives and capers. Gentle prices, genial service.