What’s The Story
With 14 locations across the UK and a loyal fanbase (not to mention a glittering sustainability record – Wahaca was the first UK restaurant to be certified carbon neutral), it would be easy for this mini-empire to rest on its environmentally sound laurels. But not so. Their latest seasonal menu is a testament to playful innovation, Mexican sunshine reimagined for British summer – and proof that Wahaca still knows how to delight.
What’s New
The star of the all-new summer show – and the dish we keep thinking about – was undoubtedly the Griddled Cactus & Courgette Tacos. If cactus conjures more houseplant than haute cuisine, allow Wahaca to change your mind. Charred just so, tossed with lime, and layered with roast courgette, crumbled cheese and crispy corn strips, the result is tangy, slightly smoky, and utterly moreish. An earth-friendly, plant-based triumph.
Equally summery, the Prawn Aguachile offered a bracing hit of citrus and heat. Somewhere between ceviche and salsa, the dish hails from the Sinaloa region and here features sweet prawns marinated in habanero and lime, paired with creamy avocado and a punchy salsa macha. Served with crisp tostadas, it’s the kind of thing you want to eat outdoors, barefoot, with a cold drink in hand.
For a heartier centrepiece, the Hibiscus Glazed Aubergine was a revelation. A generous plate layered with textures and big on umami, the aubergine was sticky, sweet-sour and smoky, complemented by dressed quinoa, velvety avocado cream and that moreish salsa macha again. It’s a dish that wears its vegetarian credentials proudly and we loved it.
Best Of The Rest
Of course, some things at Wahaca remain blissfully unchanged: the fresh guacamole, still prepared daily with Hass avocados; the laid-back, fiesta-meets-folk-art interiors; and the reassuring hum of a restaurant that knows exactly who it is and why it’s loved.
The Verdict
Is it groundbreaking? Not quite. But that’s not the point. Wahaca doesn’t need reinvention – it just keeps doing what it does well, with seasonal flair and its signature sustainable ethos. With this new menu, it does exactly that. And come summer, when cravings lean bright and bold, there are far worse places to find yourself than on the terrace of Wahaca Paddington, taco in hand, cactus and all.
