Recent social media posts
28/05/2026
our seven staple salsas at the taqueria.
this is your guide to what’s spicy and what’s not.
all made in house from scratch 🌶️
24/05/2026
veracruz travel guide.
if you want to eat like a local, ask someone who’s from there.
luis portilla grew up in cordoba, veracruz and began his career there as a chef. his mission is to represent the flavours and traditions of veracruz with pride, embracing the same respect for mayan and yucatan traditions that shaped his career. he strated at la tradicion in yucatan and has worked everywhere from sud 777 in mexico city to kol in london. now part of the team at tacos padre, he helps us bring mexico onto your plate every day here in london.
he’s curated this list of his personal favourites back home. no tourist traps, just the spots he trusts.
save this guide for your next trip, you can find it linked in our bio.
22/05/2026
’s tonka bean horchata.
mexican horchata made with tonka beans and cinnamon.
available now at the taqueria.
16/05/2026
piña colada meets margarita.
as you already know, has taken over our specials this month. he’s made you a piña colada margarita.
available now at .
13/05/2026
new ceviche tostada by is available now!
go check out our video collab with Coko to know more about how this tostada is made.
28/03/2026
You probably already know
They supply most of the Mexican kitchens in the UK — including ours.
Who you might not know is Luis.
He started Mextrade 16 years ago to bring proper Mexican ingredients into the UK. The chiles, the tomatillos, the beans, the tortillas — the things that actually make the food taste like it should — that’s him.
Luis is from Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Mariachi, tequila, tortas ahogadas, birria — all the good stuff.
And like any Mexican living abroad, when he goes back, the first thing he does is eat.
It’s been a complicated time in Jalisco recently. But things are moving forward, and with the World Cup bringing more eyes to Mexico, it felt like a good moment to talk about the places that matter.
So we asked Luis where he goes when he’s home.
His five spots in Guadalajara
28/03/2026
You probably already know
They supply most of the Mexican kitchens in the UK, including ours.
Who you might not know is Luis.
He started Mextrade 16 years ago to bring proper Mexican ingredients into the UK. The chiles, the tomatillos, the beans, the tortillas, the things that actually make the food taste like it should. That’s him.
Luis is from Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Mariachi, tequila, tortas ahogadas, birria. All the good stuff.
And like any Mexican living abroad, when he goes back, the first thing he does is eat.
It’s been a complicated time in Jalisco recently. But things are moving forward, and with the World Cup bringing more eyes to Mexico, it felt like a good moment to talk about the places that matter.
So we asked Luis where he goes when he’s home.
His five spots in Guadalajara
26/03/2026
Spicy mango marg 🌶
This has been on our menu since day one. It’s one of our OG frozen drinks, and still one of the most ordered.
Tequila, triple sec, mango, lime and morita-infused agave.
On the menu right now.
25/03/2026
We do our own butchery at the central kitchen every day, we use the whole pig so there’s no waste.
When it gets to the taqueria, it’s just a matter of searing or grilling it at Padre so it is ready for your pastor and pork carnitas tacos 🔥
16/03/2026
On tomorrow to celebrate St Patrick’s Day: brisket and cabbage taco ☘️
Inspired by the New York Irish classic, and have collaborated to create this special, slow-cooked brisket, cabbage, cream, and potatoes.
Availabe this week
15/03/2026
Green spicy pineapple margarita 🍀
Our yearly St Paddy’s special, Padre’s classic spicy pineapple marg turned green.
Available from next week onwards.
14/03/2026
Pozole verde 🍲
A traditional soup full of protein and fibre made with salsa verde, cacahuazintle 🌽, chicken stock and grilled chicken.
Available all of March.
13/03/2026
St Paddy’s special: brisket and cabbage taco ☘️
Next week , for St Patrick’s Day, we’re launching a special collaboration between and .
Inspired by the traditional New York Irish dish, think slow-cooked brisket, cabbage, cream, and potato straws, all in one taco.
On the menu from the 17th of March (only for one week).
10/03/2026
Stout michelada as a St Patrick’s special.
Mexico meats Irland. Our classic michelada with an Irish spin, switching lager for a stout.
Available the 17th of March, on St Patrick’s Day.
ft
06/03/2026
Cochinita pibil tamal 🫔
Pork chopped and marinated in adobo overnight, wrapped around masa made from corn nixtamalised at our production kitchen.
Wrapped in corn husk and steamed, topped with salsa verde.
On the menu during march.
28/02/2026
Roasted sesame horchata.
Our horchata recipe, with a twist, is coming to the taqueria all of March. This one’s buttery, smoky, and sweet.
18/02/2026
Margarita Day is next Sunday 22nd of February. And we’re here for it.
So we’re stretching it into a TACOS PADRE MARGARITA WEEKENDER.
Saturday and Sunday next weekend: £5 margs.
These three:
Frozen hibiscus
Frozen spicy mango
Frozen classic marg
Come ready.
See you at the bar.
Poster art by
15/02/2026
We’re still on the margarita thing.
New on the menu: Frozen Hibiscus Margarita
She’s pretty in pink.
Cold. Sharp. She does the job.
Made with our house hibiscus water.
On for £5 this Sat + Sun for our MARGARITA WEEKENDER.
Then back to normal pricing.
13/02/2026
Margarita Day is next Sunday 22nd February. No idea who made it up. Don’t care. We’re in.
So we’re stretching it into a TACOS PADRE MARGARITA WEEKENDER.
Saturday 21st + 22nd February: £5 margs.
These three:
Frozen hibiscus
Spicy mezcal
Rhubarb (on the rocks)
That’s it.
See you at the bar.
08/02/2026
Tamales on the menu - which means corn nixtamalised in-house and ground into masa.
Nixtamalisation is the process of cooking dried corn with an alkaline solution - traditionally water and calcium hydroxide (lime) - then resting, washing and grinding it into masa. In Mexico, this is a daily process. Simple in theory, but it requires time and attention. We follow the same approach at Padre.
Over the next few months, we’ll be serving a different tamal each month.
February’s is pollo verde: chicken marinated in salsa verde and cooked until tender, wrapped in masa mixed with black beans, avocado leaf and chintextle, then wrapped in a corn husk and steamed to order.
Available now.
06/02/2026
February specials just got here!
This month we are bringing back a crowd pleaser: our lamb barbacoa tacos.
We’re also doing a new tamal every month now. February’s is pollo verde: masa mixed with black bean purée, chintextle and avocado leaf, wrapped around chicken marinated in our classic salsa verde.
And finally, sopa de tortilla (aka sopa azteca). A rich, smoky soup made with roasted chilies, onion, garlic and tomatoes. Topped with chicken, lime, coriander, onion and
(of course) crispy tortilla chips.
Availabile now, till the end of the month.
Address
Southwark
To reach the location at Southwark Street in London, you have several options for public transport and driving/parking:
Public Transport:
1. Tube: Take the Jubilee Line or Northern Line to London Bridge station. From there, it's a short 5-minute walk to Southwark Street.
2. Bus: Various bus routes serve the area around Southwark Street, including numbers 381, 344, and RV1. Check the Transport for London website for specific bus options and stops near your starting point.
Driving/Parking:
Please note that driving in central London can be challenging due to congestion and limited parking availability. It is advisable to use public transport if possible.
If you still prefer to drive:
1. From the north or south of London, take the A3 or A2 towards central London.
2. Follow signs for Elephant & Castle or Borough Market.
3. Once you reach Southwark Street, look for nearby parking facilities such as NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange or Union Car Parks on Great Suffolk Street.
Remember to check for any congestion charges or parking restrictions in the area before your visit.
Please note that these directions are provided without mentioning any specific destination called "Padre."
Opening Hours
| Thursday |
12pm - 5pm |
| Friday |
11am - 5pm |
| Saturday |
11am - 5pm |
Alerts
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Contact The Business
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What people say
Padre, located on Southwark Street in London, is a taco restaurant that offers an authentic Mexican dining experience. With its vibrant atmosphere and delicious menu, Padre is a must-visit for taco lovers.
One of the highlights of Padre is its wide selection of tacos and quesadillas. From traditional fillings like carne asada and al pastor to unique options like grilled octopus and roasted cauliflower, there is something to satisfy every palate. The flavors are bold and the ingredients are fresh, ensuring a memorable dining experience.
In addition to their tasty food, Padre also offers a variety of refreshing margaritas and mezcal cocktails. These drinks perfectly complement the flavors of the tacos and add an extra level of enjoyment to the meal. Whether you prefer a classic margarita or want to try something more adventurous like a mezcal old fashioned, Padre has you covered.
The restaurant's commitment to quality is evident in their use of grass-fed Irish rib-eye in their dishes. This premium cut of meat adds superior flavor to their al fresco summer menu. It's clear that Padre goes above and beyond to source the best ingredients for their customers.
Another great aspect of Padre is their flexible opening hours. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, they have you covered. They even offer evening al fresco dining on select days, allowing guests to enjoy their delicious food in a relaxed outdoor setting.
The team at Padre is also worth mentioning. Their passion for food and dedication to providing excellent service shines through in everything they do. From friendly staff members who are happy to recommend dishes to talented chefs who create culinary masterpieces, every aspect of the dining experience at Padre is top-notch.
Overall, Padre is a fantastic taco restaurant that delivers on all fronts - delicious food, refreshing drinks, flexible opening hours, and exceptional service. Whether you're craving traditional tacos or want to try something new and exciting, Padre is the place to go. Don't miss out on this culinary gem in the heart of London.
