Lupita, London

Selection of Tacos, Lupita Mexican Restaurant

Lupita is like an up market Taqueria, a place that serves 'authentic' Mexican street food but in a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. Lupita, along with most places in London you can be accommodated very well with no bookings but there can sometimes be a wait, great if they have a bar but Lupita don't - so..., as in any 'eatery' (-that 'word' is for you Giles Coren) with half a reputation for good food, be prepared to wait (we waited 20 mins). You can always make good by ordering a drink in the meantime and perusing the menu.

Campechano, Grilled Steak topped with puffed pork crackling - Lupita, London

Guacamole, corn chips & Margarita - Lupita, London

If you're anything like me and love warmed soft mini tortillas with an assortment of different meats, sauces, flavours and textures you will be in heaven here. Just don't be a numpty like me and order everything your eye fancies because they are remarkably filling - tacos contain protein. Good authentic Mexican restaurants are fairly hard to find in London and I think new Mexican cuisine is definitely a trend that is on the rise. 

The speciality here at Lupita are the Tacos and they pair quite well with the drinks: Modelo lager - a nice biscuity flavour Maragrita: Sweet, salty & sour, although it is very sweet. If you're a sucker for 'guac' then the Artesanal Guacamole, which incidentally is prepared fresh at your table is perfect for you. Just simple ingredients of avocado, tomato, lime juice, coriander and jalapeno for a hint of heat, served in a mortar with a side of corn chips. 

Taco station in the open kitchen, seating overlooking the cooking stations

Table-side guacamole, Margarita - Lupita, London

Baja Taco of battered fish, cheese and salad salsa, Lupita, London

The main wait staff are lively, friendly with plenty of energy and converse with the customers extremely well.  Luptia have bar styled eating in the dining area as well as dining downstairs where it can get quite raucous with groups - probably due to the selection of tequila and Mezcale on offer. 

We went with a selection of Taco's to cover all meat options, pork, steak and fish. The pork tacos come as a trio where two Tacos are pancaked together with re-fried beans and filled with slow roasted pulled pork topped with bright pink pickled onion, these delicious tacos are listed on the specials menu as Panuchos de Cochinita Pibil. 

Panuchos de Cochinita Pibil, pulled pork tacos with pickled onion - Lupita, London

The Campechano is a steak taco with a unique marinade and came with chorizo, and pork chicharron (crackling) and topped with salsa (extra). Finally the Baja taco of battered white fish, cheese, chipotle mayo, was my favourite because the battered fish tasted like butter and the taco is made with Hopi maze or blue corn which gives it a sweeter and nuttier taste, but even still all three were very decent.  

We also had a bowl Fijoles Charroa which is a black bean soup which was a bit salty from the bacon but had a nice garlic flavour and well cooked beans. 

Lupita is the name derived from 'our Lady of Guadalupe', a wall hanging - Lupita, London

I will be aiming to visit a few more authentic Mexican restaurants serving good food in future but with this one having easy access to the river, Waterloo and the west end its going to be quite hard not to end up at Lupita on the way home time and time again.