Ever since I first visited Mexico, I have been obsessed with tacos (to the extent that I got one tattooed on my arm). And no, I am not talking about those hard-shell tacos found in the supermarket and at Taco Bell, an Americanisation of Mexican food. I’m talking about the soft corn tortilla tacos you can pick up in one hand and devour in a couple of mouthfuls.
Thankfully, I can fulfil this craving whilst in London by visiting Club Mexicana, a fully vegan Mexican restaurant. It is to my knowledge one of the only vegan establishments specialising in tacos in the area. But I don’t think you should visit because it is the only choice you have, but because these vegan tacos are so darn tasty. You won’t want to miss the burritos or margaritas either!
See more: The best 100% vegan food establishments in London
My experience
I’ve been frequenting Club Mexicana since 2016 when they were operating as a street food business with occasional pop-ups. They have since expanded with three permanent venues dotted across London: Soho, Shoreditch, and Brixton. I have always enjoyed their food and the simplicity of their menu, continue reading to find out why!
The food
Club Mexicana’s food menu is so simple that it only takes up one full page and I love them for this. Simplicity is often all I want. I’d rather they pour all their energy into creating banging sauces and fillings for the four or five taco and burrito fillings than offer up a 100-item menu that’ll send you to sleep reading it.
Fortunately, their food lives up to the beautiful simplicity of their menu. All of the flavours are powerful and well-balanced. Their tacos come with a mix of sauce, protein, vegetables, and something tangy and pickled. They serve these in soft tortillas that fit perfectly into your hand.
The fillings include traditional Mexican combinations like Al Pastor (adobo marinated protein with pineapple) and Baja ‘fish’ (made using tofu), as well as some of their creations, like a messy but tasty vegan cheeseburger taco. My favourite go-to filling is the BBQ Short ‘Rib’ made using jackfruit ‘ribs’ which are incredibly meaty. For the Mexican food purists out there, some of these creations may not be as interesting, but don’t knock ’em until you’ve tried them!
You can also choose from a variety of vegan burritos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the wrap), and other dishes, like nachos and empanadas. I go there for the delicious vegan tacos but can be tempted by one of their hefty burritos once in a while.
Visiting Mexico soon? Yay! Check out my favourite vegan restaurants in Mexico City.
The drinks
Club Mexicana didn’t just ensure their food was based on Mexican cuisine, they also bring Mexican vibes with their fun drinks list. You can enjoy margaritas (frozen ones too) and Mexican beers (which you can have served as a chelada) alongside your vegan tacos!
They also have a good selection of wines, non-Mexican beers, soft drinks, kombucha, and mocktails (at Shoreditch). You will find a wider drink selection at their Shoreditch establishment as it is a larger venue.
The service
I have always found the service at Club Mexicana to be quick and easygoing. The staff are always super friendly and I’ve had great conversations with many of them about all sorts of things from tattoos to realistic vegan meats. They operate table service even in their fast dining brand in Soho.
They also have relatively fast service so I have never waited particularly long for my food, even when I’ve visited their smaller Soho venue at lunchtime – when it gets extremely busy with queues going around the corner. I always try to get there before 12pm to ensure I get a seat straight away but the queues can move pretty quickly thanks to their fast service.
I found their dine-in service at Shoreditch to be a lot more chilled which is better suited to that venue since it has a lot more seating and feels more like a restaurant than a fast food spot.
The ambience
The ambience of Club Mexicana is pretty chilled out and fun, but it also differs somewhat depending on which branch you visit. Their Soho branch is fast dining and is a great spot for a quick lunch or dinner with friends. It is set within a busy courtyard full of tourists and locals alike. It has a fun atmosphere to it, but it can get loud and busy.
If you prefer a more chilled-out dining experience then you should head to their larger Shoreditch restaurant. This is a great spot for events, parties and date nights. I can spend quite a bit of time here sipping on a margarita, slowly grazing through a selection of vegan tacos.
Visit Club Mexicana
Got a craving for vegan tacos? Get yourself down to Club Mexicana, pronto! Here is some useful information about the brand and it’s locations:
- Website: www.clubmexicana.com
- Socials: Instagram & Facebook
- Locations: Shoreditch, Soho, Brixton, & the occasional festival too!
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