Wahaca (Covent Garden)

I am surprised by the negative reviews. Wahaca is an excellent restaurant with an great choice of authentic Mexican street food. So what the dishes come when they are ready but at least you do not have the long wait experienced in some establishments. The waiters cannot be faulted with their knowledge of the menu; recommendations and right level of attention. I have only used Wahaca for lunch and so cannot comment about evening delays.

Be adventuroius; try something different and enjoy the food and atmosphere.

Just for the record I am a 70 plus pensioner and not your atypical young customer for this restaurant.

Congratulations Thomasina and can we have some Wahacas outside London?
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Doug Sanders
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Great food, bustling vibe, great decor, and service!

Downside, arbitrary rigidity with how alcoholic drinks can be combined: I had to argue to be given a measure of rum, a wedge of lime, and some diet coke to make my own drink. Apparently, and much to my annoyance, they don't diverge much from the dictates of 'central office'.
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Jason Felix - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Well what can I say perfect Saturday lunch,

Service was very good, the waiter knew the menu well, even got me to try cactus.

Food was great, well cooked and very tasty.

Definitely recommend it.
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8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, July 31, 2011

Visited on evening of June 19th having just returned to London for the week. Someone had suggested the restaurant the prior week, and decided to take my wife who joined me in my second week in the city.

I'm not a big fan of Mexican food, but felt the recommendation should be followed up.

I did not like the idea that courses arrive in no particular sequence, but that is just a personal preference.

However, both of us were not impressed by the food quality / menu choices and felt the stairwell entrance could be kept cleaner.
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John Cameron
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 21, 2011

I can't comment on the food because we didn't get that far. I put my name down and was told to come back an hour later, which we did. We were told "5 minutes" by desk person 1. After 20 minutes, my husband approached desk person 2, who snapped at him "well I didn't tell you 5 minutes" then said he had " no idea" how long we would wait. Husband wanted to leave then but I persuaded him to give it a bit longer as I was so keen to try the food. After another 15 minutes, I went to the desk only to see that we were not even on the list - we had accidentally been put on the wrong list. No apology from desk person 1, just a muttered "5 minutes". 10 minutes later we left and went elsewhere.

I should mention that I'm 7 months pregnant and was becoming visibly uncomfortable waiting in the crowded bar.

Am incredibly disappointed and won't be returning.
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Pregnant and cross
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Excellent service, atmosphere and, best of all, food. The only thing I wish they'd change is the background level of music; slightly too loud to hold a conversation.
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Gary
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, July 10, 2011

My colleague are I love this restaurant - it is the perfect place to go for lunch where you are guaranteed excellent service and delicious food which arrives very promptly!

We had a variety of the street food - I throughly recommend the quesadillas but for something more substantial the Baja-California fish tacos.

We had a great waiter - James - who was very attentive and offered a 1st class service.

One recommendation would be if the menu highlighted the healthier options, or had a seperate section for these and to bring back the tortilla soup!
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Issy
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 17, 2011

I love Wahaca, not only for its food (always delicious and well presented) but for the service and the great atmosphere. I've been several times in both Soho and Covent Garden branches. That's why my friend decided to celebrate her birthday there.

Surprisingly, we ended up really disappointed. I asked the manager (or the guy in charge at the entrance) if there was a possibility to bring a candle or something special alongside the desert to make the occasion a bit more especial. The only answer I got was "No, I don't think so....". Not even a "Sorry". Just that.

I celebrated my birthday last month and the restaurant I went wrote down "Happy birthday" on my dessert and I didn't even ask for it. That was a nice detail and I will be coming back for sure. Wahaca? I don't think so.
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Silvia Rebelo
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 12, 2011

First time at Wahaca last night for my birthday and I was pleasantly surprised. Wahaca was bustling on Thursday and we had to wait a while for our table, but I was totally invested as soon as I got into the restaurant and got a good whiff! We got a couple of drinks and waited, and the food was worth the wait. The Pork Pibil tacos and Ceviche tostadas particularly stood out and the guac was pretty good too. We also tried the Flan as well as the churros for dessert and enjoyed both. The service was helpful and attentive, even in a packed house.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone, even my Californian friends with their sophisticated Mexican palates.
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Allen
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 10, 2011

Absolutely brilliant! My partner and I had a selection of the street food (5 dishes between us) and WOW so full of taste and each dish unique! All served piping hot as and when they are ready. What a fantastic change from the usual bland mexican restaurants. The waitress was fabulous taking time to explain and ensure that what we ordered would suit us. The drinks were fantastic my partner loved the Mexican beer! As I have the biggest sweet tooth I decided to treat myself to the mexican doughnuts and they were delicious, cooked perfectly and with a chocolate sauce that was second to none! The decor was fresh yet authentic, it simply seems that it is a very proud restaurant and quite rightly so! This restuarant is an absolute must! Its great fun for couples and larger parties alike! Worth queuing for, don't walk past it!!
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Anna
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 06, 2011