This Mexican Restaurant In Chelsea Guac-ed Our World With Tacos And Spicy Margaritas

When it comes to Mexican restaurants, I’m avo-control. From tacos to tequila and the chance to have many churros, it’s always a winner for me. So when the opportunity came to eat at Mezcalito, I did not hesitate. A venue known for their bottomless taco Tuesdays and mariachi Wednesdays, the Chelsea spot definitely had quite the reputation when it came to fiestas and food.

The tajin rim adds an extra kick to spicy margs.

We were seated in its garden area, and I couldn't help but admire the hanging sombreros used as lighting, seashell-printed cushions, and floral accents everywhere. There was also a DJ spinning some show-stopping hits such as Enrique to get the Tulum vibes going.

We kicked off with cocktails, and I knew what I wanted immediately – the margarita picante (£14.00). A blend of tequila, lime juice, agave and salsa Valentina, the ruby red tipple came in a stunning aesthetic and topped with a single red pepper and a tajin rim (arguably better than a salt rim IMHO). After polishing off the spicy drink, I needed to change it up and went for the Chiapas (£14.00), and it was a divine dose of caffeine. The creative concoction was a blend of 1800 Tequila Reposado, home-brewed coffee, Kahlua coffee liqueur and a touch of cinnamon syrup – think espresso martini with a Mexican flair.

For starters, my date was keen on getting the Mexican bao (£9.00), which did not disappoint. Inside the pillowy bun was a mix of juicy chicken and zesty chopped veggies. Meanwhile, I was fixated on getting the calamares (£10.50), and let me tell you – the squid game was on point. Spiced to perfection and topped with a bit of sea salt, each bite was crispy with just a hint of lemon. Starters simply wouldn’t be complete without guacamole (£9.75), right? Atop our dip were thinly sliced jalapenos and pico de gallo, which added some texture to the scrumptious creamy dip.

Take a bao.

Before we knew it, it was taco time. We started with the carnitas (£10.50), which were slow-cooked pulled pork tacos in a paprika glaze. This would be my pick if you’re new to the Mexican food scene as it encompassed a spiciness that was balanced out with a generous amount of guac, coriander, salsa and pickled onions. In addition, we opted for the chorizo and frijoles (£9.75) which were absolutely sublime. A savoury mix of the succulent meat, black beans and queso fresco made for a decadent bite – and do squeeze a bit of lime juice to bring out its fab flavour.

Finally, for the grand finale, we ordered churros rellenos (£6.00). If you haven’t had one before, Mezcalito is the ideal spot for the tasty treat. Warm, toasty and filled to the brim with ooey-gooey chocolate, it had a great crunch and texture to it. A dusting of powdered sugar atop the indulgent dessert also added a little bit of lightness.

Let's taco about this chic garden.

The DesignMyNight Digest 

With a swish location in Chelsea, Mezcalito is perfect for getting the party started. I would definitely recommend coming here before a night out. From the buzzing soundtrack to the delicious food and cocktails, the place is a winner for your weekend nights out. In terms of the flavours, I was pleasantly surprised to see classic dishes but with innovative touches here and there. That alone gives them a leg up when it comes to Mexican restaurants in London.

Craving tacos now? Click here for our guide to the best Mexican restaurants in London. For more London restaurant inspo, sign up to our weekly newsletter.