El Pastor Battersea
If you're on the hunt for a vibrant Mexican dining experience in London, El Pastor Battersea is one of those spots you just stumble upon and immediately feel like you’ve struck culinary gold. Nestled in the buzzing Circus West Village at Battersea Power Station, this place brings a fresh slice of Mexico City to South London-with tacos that slap, cocktails that surprise, and a vibe that keeps people coming back.
Located at Unit 21-22, Circus West Village, London SW11 8EZ, El Pastor Battersea has managed to carve out its niche among London's growing collection of Mexican restaurants. Unlike some more commercial spots, it oozes authenticity, but still feels playful and urban. It’s the kind of place that works for both a casual midweek taco fix and a lively Friday night out with friends.
Now, if you’re into Mexican food, you know the standard isn’t just about spice-it’s about freshness. That’s one thing El Pastor Battersea absolutely nails. The tuna fish tostadas are bright, zesty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The ceviche? Ridiculously fresh, with a citrus kick that wakes up your palate. If you’re coming for lunch, do yourself a favor and try the steak tostada or the al pastor lamb tacos-both packed with flavor and layered textures.
One of the most talked-about dishes here has to be the baja fish tacos. Lightly battered, perfectly crisp, and paired with a creamy slaw that balances heat and acidity-it’s one of those dishes you remember long after the meal is over. The chicken tacos and guacamole with chips are crowd-pleasers too, and yes, they do live up to the hype.
What’s great is that it’s not just about the food. The cocktail menu is extensive and full of surprises. From a bold Michelada that’s perfect on a hot day, to the tropical Pina Colada served with a cheeky twist, you’re spoilt for choice. Their tequila and mezcal selections are solid, with staff who actually know what they’re pouring-so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations if you're new to agave-based spirits.
El Pastor Battersea is also wheelchair-accessible, and offers outdoor seating, which makes it a good spot for al fresco evenings near the river. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite, settling in for a small plates dinner, or just in the mood for great dessert (the tres leches cake is dangerously good), the experience is consistently high-quality.
It’s also worth noting that it’s popular for solo dining, which isn’t something you can say about every spot in London. The vibe is casual, the staff are warm, and there’s a kind of unspoken invitation to linger-sip your coffee, people-watch, and maybe order another round of prawn tacos (you’ll want to).
In terms of offerings, they serve beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails, but also cater to more chill diners with great coffee and non-alcoholic options. The breakfast burrito has its own little fanbase among locals and regulars, while lighter options like Caesar salad or smoked salmon bruschetta give the menu some real range.
For those using search terms like best tacos in Battersea, Mexican restaurant Battersea Power Station, or London restaurants with outdoor seating, El Pastor Battersea deserves to show up in every result. It hits that sweet spot between authentic and modern, offering solid value in a city where both can be hard to find.
El Pastor Battersea Menu
Reviews
A solid spot to satisfy your taco cravings, serving up the essentials in a laid-back setting with decor that blends rustic charm with casual elegance. The staff were warm and efficient, adding to the welcoming vibe. The beef tacos were flavorful and well-prepared, using quality ingredients that really hit the spot. The salsa had a decent variety — the first two on the left packed the most flavour and were most mild in spice heat— and the tortilla chips were a standout: crispy, not greasy, and perfectly salted.
If you’re in doubt about the taste, portions, quality, atmosphere, and service. Don’t. It has it all, great tacos, great drinks, great dessert, great service! 10/10. Will be returning! Special thanks to our waitress, Rafaela
Absolutely gorgeous atmosphere, lovely staff and such great food! Our waiter was so helpful and friendly, and made sure to tell us the specials! We had the apricot & basil margarita, the spiced mango margarita, chicken tinga tostadas, the beef tacos and duck tacos. All food and drinks were brought out promptly and was amazing!
We randomly popped into here for lunch over the bank holiday weekend and were pleasantly surprised. The food came out VERY quickly! I would definitely order the 5 sauces the mango habanero one was my favourite and the hottest sauce didn’t taste of much. I wouldn’t order the daily special pinto beans they were just average. The spicy frozen margarita was THE best frozen margarita I’ve ever had! It was quite busy but the staff definitely were the right amount of attentiveness. I got the steak enchilada and my friend got the chicken of fish baja I believe I may be wrong! The potatoes were lovely would definitely recommend ordering those! All in all I definitely would return
I really enjoyed my experience at El Pastor Battersea, the decor of the restaurant is very nice and comfy with both inside and outside seating. I tried the guacamole with Chicharron, the goat barbacoa tacos , beef brisket tacos and the Al pastor tacos. I thoroughly enjoyed everything, each dish was packed with lots of rich and fresh flavours. I really loved the guacamole and the beef brisket tacos the most. Although the tacos are small, they are packed with a lot of meat which is important. I wanted to try the pork quesadillas but they didn’t have any but that just means I’ll have to come back and try it then. Staff were also friendly.