This authentic Mexican spot has just relaunched post-glow-up
Under the arches and adjacent to the famous music venue Carpet Shop Peckham (sister site to Corsica Studios) is the Mexican restaurant Taquiza. The site is led by head chef Sam Tarneberg and his partner, who, through travels and previous roles have both obtained plenty of knowledge of authentic Mexican cuisine.
Taquiza opened its doors last year but recently underwent a major re-vamp, both in terms of its design and fresh new menu. It’s off the beaten track, and its cosy interiors and dim lighting give a neighbourhood feel to it, ideal for date night.
It isn’t a trip to a Mexican restaurant without a round of margs and Taquiza has some banging ones to choose from. If, like us, you like your margaritas with a kick, then you’re in the right place – as their spicy tipples pack a punch.
Along with tacos, Taquiza has some classic Mexican dishes to choose from, all designed to share. There’s no guac on the menu to dunk your homemade totopos into, but instead a mix of their house salsas. Our favourites were their smoked sour cream and a feisty habanero salsa. Other standouts include Suegra’s refried black beans – a warm hearty bowl topped with avocado leaf and chipotle, and the goat cheese, leek & jalapeño tamal.
As tacos go, Taquiza’s tacos are relatively large and packed full to the brim with filling. They come in singular portions and it’s recommended you choose two per person when dining. Their taco menu is short and sweet, consisting of five different variants, all their inventive takes on the classics. We went for their wild mushroom barbacoa, which was insanely good and a definite must-order. The filling is super meaty, saucy and packed full of flavour. That, topped with a pumpkin seed salsa and pico de gallo, is a guaranteed winner – whether you’re a veggie or not. Another taco we loved was the buttermilk fried haddock, with red cabbage, fennel and a punchy pineapple salsa. The fish was generous in portion and extra crispy, cooked to perfection.
There is only one dessert on the menu: the lime zest flan Napolitano (aka an authentic Mexican cream cheese flan topped with roasted pineapple and hibiscus). In our eyes, it’s so good you wouldn’t want anything else.
Taquiza is a hidden gem within the bustling streets of Peckham. Whether you’re combining your trip with a boogie in the Carpet Shop next door, or simply just in the market for some top-notch tacos, then be sure to add it to your list.
115 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
@taquizaldn
Image credit: India Morgan