Wahaca has announced it will return to the expansion trail with the opening of a restaurant in London’s Paddington area in April 2024.
The new venue will be the Mexican-inspired group’s 14th and the first opening under its Wahaca brand since 2018.
The 150-cover site will be located in Paddington Square – a new dining destination integrated with Paddington Station, one of central London’s busiest transport hubs.
It will serve Wahaca’s menu of sustainable Mexican-inspired small plates, including tacos, taquitos, quesadillas, and churros, alongside new additions to the menu exclusive to the Paddington site. As with all Wahaca restaurants, over 50% of the menu will be meat-free.
The restaurant’s interiors will have a bespoke design reflecting the vibrancy and style of contemporary Mexican gastronomy, featuring artisans and designers from both Mexico and closer to home.
It is inspired by a recent visit to Oaxaca by the Wahaca team. The southern Mexican city and state served as the original inspiration for co-founders Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby, who opened the first Wahaca restaurant in Covent Garden in 2007.
The location has been designed with sustainability in mind, with an electric-only kitchen and a Gold SKA sustainable fit-out rating being targeted by the design team.
Wahaca’s managing director Gemma Glasson commented: “Paddington is certainly on the up. The new development means it’s becoming a distinct destination in its own right in addition to its status as a major transport hub. We couldn’t be happier to be opening our latest restaurant in this evolving and exciting area of London and to be bringing our delicious dishes to residents and visitors alike. I am equally as excited to see our beautiful restaurant designs come to life which channel the colours, craftsmanship and design elements of Oaxaca, Mexico. I hope that Paddington provides for our customers a re-imagined view of what it means to dine at Wahaca and I can’t wait to open our doors in April.”
