We went here for a special Christmas dinner and ordered a la carte. The food, service wine and ambience were all fantastic!
Enjoyed it so much!
Had a drink at the bar first which was lovely!
Highly recommend the pork belly main course and cheese souffle starter.
Will definitely be going back.
Such an amazing vibe.
Good food.
Margarita is amazing.
Really great atmosphere.
Chocolate churros are super yummy.
Service was very good.
All in all really cool place.
Visited this place when it was one of our friends birthday and she was missing home. This was my first experience at authentic Mexican food. With more than enough options for vegetarians, this place is a must visit. Recommendation:- quesadillas
It is really hard to find any restaurant / bar not cool and trendy at Soho and Bodega Negra isn't definetly the exception.
I love the whole mystery behind its entrance and the fact that it is in a basement not to mention the delicious mexican food and amazing cocktails. Everything is cool in this place. Very well decorated and the staff is very friendly. I would give the 5 if the price was just a little bit more affordable, although I understand we are paying for the whole experience. Just a little note: it's always full so make sure you book it with some advance if you want a table.
Very cool basement restaurant! Behind the secrecy and mystery of needing to descend below a sex shop you are pleasantly surprised to find a intimate, darkly lit restaurant with eclectic decor. The food was amazing and the margaritas also - albeit pricey. Makes a perfect spot for date night or a special night out with friends.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
This funky restaurant and bar offer delicious Mexican food and cocktails at decent prices in the eclectic Soho area.
It's great to find a place that offers something different to your standard TexMex-style "Mexican" food. I do love a good burrito or dirty nachos but sometimes it's nice to have something a little less... stodgy.
The menu isn't huge but there should be something to suit all tastes. There were a couple of veggie mains - mushroom tacos and a veggie quesadilla - as well as plenty of starters, sides and salads if you wanted to build up a meal with a few smaller dishes.
We started with the sunflower corn chips and guacamole - the guacamole was divine! I had the veggie quesadilla as a main which was spicy and delicious, especially when splashed with a little hot sauce. I also sampled a friend's watermelon and chilli salad - it's pretty hard to disappoint me when watermelon is involved but it was really good; refreshing and interesting textures with the chilli, sunflower seeds and queso fresco cheese on top.
My meat-eating dining companions were all happy with their meals too - chicken tacos, beef/chicken fajitas, and a hamburger for the least-adventurous among us.
Of course, we sampled the margaritas and we were not disappointed! I particularly liked the spiced pear, whilst others raved about the frozen margaritas.
The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was lively - the place was full even on a Wednesday evening. My only complaint would be the music, which was almost obnoxiously loud. We had a table of six and I couldn't easily hear the person two seats down from me.
It's not the place for a quiet date night meal but for a few drinks and good food with friends, I would recommend it.
A delightful Mexican. Great frozen margharitas, yummy tacos and I can thoroughly endorse the quesadilla rustica. Food to share for 2 or more, good ambiance, fast service
They serve the most amazing tequila cocktails and the food is amazing! The place itself is full of character with a great atmosphere, can't wait to go back !
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
In this summer heat, the only thing on our minds when reuniting with old friends for dinner were...frozen margaritas!
Hidden behind the door of a former sex shop, your eyes take a moment to adjust to the dark as you make your way down the steps into the basement restaurant.
For our party of four, we had a cosy corner table with plush cushions I later wanted to lie down on after one too many margaritas.
For starters, I had the Ceviche Baja- a delicious and refreshing portion of seabass in a mildly spicy and citrusy sauce- topped with what I *think* could be Chinese pear? You scoop it up with crispy tortillas. It's generously sized and could have even made for a light dinner. However, that's not I how I roll...
For mains, I chose the pork belly with pinto beans and shared a side order of roast potatoes with mole sauce. The big cuts of pork were also generous- so much so I couldn't finish it as it proved too rich! The mole sauce was lovely, it was just velvety and smooth and was a great dipping sauce.
Our margaritas 'slushies' were small but lethal!
Service was attentive and friendly, but my only gripe- and it's barely a gripe- was having to part yell our orders so they could hear us over the music.
All in all, it made a great venue for an intimate catchup and would definitely recommend paying it a visit!
P.S the guacamole is to die for 😏
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
The summary of my visit could probably be boiled down to
"never before have I eaten so well at a sex shop."
Now, if you haven't eaten here before, you're probably wondering what on earth does that mean, and out of the interest of preserving the surprise, I'm not going to tell you (although I would be greatly surprised if prior reviews share the same décorum).
The decor is... Questionable, featuring cardboard castles and numerous hanging dolls. The likes of which resemble that of a twisted child's bedroom. The kind of child who features in scary movies.
The music is jamming. Classic after classic without the feeling of trying to hard.
The food was satisfactory. Reasonable for its price, but by no means the emphasis of the night. As the food arrives wave by wave in small portions, making it but a minor distraction from your conversation.
This all mêlées together to create a rich and trendy vibe. Almost the perfect hangout for you and your friends, where the margaritas flow in pace with the conversation.
Highly recommended in groups of 3 or more as I suspect El Bodega Negro's charm is probably overpowering in such all numbers.
The sex shop entrance adds to the whole appeal of this place. The dark underground venue is cool and provides a great vibe. The chocolate potatoes were the stand out dish for me. Both times I've been I've seen celebrities!
Once you get over the initial amusement this is really just an expensive Mexican ish restaurant -
Small tostadas were yum - octopus was not to my liking - shared lamb - v yum but needed seasoning - fell off the bone and the large onion was for garnish when it could have been for eating. No prose - quaff at 42 notes looking at about 50 notes a head. Really just think there should be a consistent theme from the outside in.
Mark our waiter was from Scotland and was exceptionally happy. We liked him.
One criticism apart from the octopus - shared lamb comes served with a gas canister underneath - not safety first especially when gravy starts boiling and spitting everywhere - get them to put it out before beginning
However, I was pleasantly surprised - our meal here, 8 of us seated (somewhat squished) in a cave-like recess in the wall, was fantastic.
The cochinita pork pibil tacos with a side of green rice and cowboy beans (£10.50) was a great choice, if I don’t mind saying so myself. Three tacos filled with shredded, tender pork, with wonderfully zingy tomatillo salsa and sweet red onions. They did not last long.
We found ourselves charmed by La Bodega Negra. Not everything was as you'd hope it would be, the food exhibited a range from very good to so-so, but sitting there in the Mexican themed cafe and ceviche bar, with a margarita in front of us, it did the job of indulging us to believe for a few minutes at least that we weren't just yards away from some of the busiest streets in London. Indeed, given its location and footfall they really could have put anything here and enjoyed a half decent turnover, credit to them that they are trying to do something worthwhile. Given that we've gone a whole paragraph without mentioning the place looking like a sex shop, those who know Bodega Negra will recognise that we were in the ground floor no bookings cafe, but even with the no bookings policy, we found ourselves immediately seated for a midday lunch. The 'Dining & Lounge' area which is downstairs has a (modestly?) different menu and considerably riskier décor, and while they do take bookings, they
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Bodega Negra is a really cool hip place which gives to a very nice experience. My friends went there for drinks initially, and ended up ordering a few dishes to share. The place was definitely overpacked, so we only managed to get a bar table, which wasn't bad at all, but perhaps if you want a sit-down meal it's not the most convenient. Despite the bar being packed, we still managed to get our drinks pretty quickly: I recommend the Blackcurrant and orange Margherita-really original. We ordered some quesadillas, which were very good! (1 chicken, and 1 4 cheese) which is really good to share and to accompany a drink. Bodega Negra is great if you want a fun night with a Mexican vibe. A little tip though, the earlier you go, the better, because it gets too full and then they won't let you in (especially during weekend) You can also reserve if you get a chance to plan your night. Otherwise, if you show up around 8 or 8h30, they will most likely allow you to sit at the bar, which is fun. Music is nice, loud, and overall very vibrant atmosphere. A little on the expensive side, but it's really more than just the food with this place I think. And another tip: The entrance is misleading ('Adult video' sign won't have you thinking it's a restaurant-but dare to walk in and you won't be disappointed!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
This is one of the fairly numerous bar/restaurant places in London that makes a big effort to be cool. Whether that floats your boat or not is up to you, but it means that there's a novelty entrance (it looks like a sex shop), very low lighting, cool decor and funky cocktails. It is a bit douchebaggy, though and the staff (hipster students) seem to think they're superior to all their customers.
In most of these trendy places, you can get some great drinks and food. In fact, you would hope so, given that they are fairly expensive. Unfortunately, the food here is only average. I wouldn't mind a fancy place serving cheesy tex-mex, but here they try to serve high-end items with fancy names and fail badly. It's just a bit unsatisfying.
As a place to grab drinks and some nachos in a dark booth it's not bad at all, but there are plenty of others around this area if that's all you want. If you want to actually eat, avoid this food and walk a few yards into Soho where you will find plenty of decent establishments.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Ambiance: This place is probably one of the most memorable places due to their setting and ambiance. The entrance is the best part, they have signs saving "Adult Video" and "Peep Show", which really show you how lighthearted and hip this place is by really pushing the boundaries. Then you are greeted by the most fabulous Drag Queen, which was just such a great touch, very fun.
Service: Especially considering how busy it gets, the service was good. They were attentive, and understanding when I wanted to change my drink because I did not like the taste of the first one that I ordered. A service team that is willing to do these small things really change your meal experience for the positive.
Food: This is where I was disappointed, we order a few starters, including the Ceviche Baja, and really was not impressed with the flavours or preparation. For my main I ordered the Braised Beef, and again, not impressed. Very sub par food.
Value: It is quite an expensive meal, especially when considering the quality of the food, which was subpar in my opinion.
Would I go back?: I would definitely go back to the bar for drinks, to experience the whole ambiance and vibe of the restaurant again. Though not for the food, I probably will never dine here again.
this is a festive treat for your tongue and eyes- again the open kitchen bursting with smells of tasty food and all the action is just on the corner.
the ceviche deserves trials- if you are intrigued by the idea. we walked in feeling pecky, but once we started with the quesadillas, it was hard to stop and we just picked random options to share - quite like a game for a group with an appetite.
the cocktails are not there to complement the menu, they are the crowns of all the list: aztiki is quite a good one with a rum base, and the remaining list is full of tequila combinations and quite tempting to go with the food.
the atmosphere is lively and groovy, the waitresses are not just cool but chatty just as much as you would favour, and a footnote: the playlist designed much better than any Mexican joint.
you might need to reserve for weekend times, you would not want to miss La Bodega Negra and head to another place dreaming of guacamole and nachos.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
With a sex shop window display and a staircase leading you down to the restaurant, this place has a very urban and contemporary vibe.
I have to really commend this place for the service they provide. All the staff were very friendly and our waiter was close by and made sure none of our glasses were empty at any point. Which does make you lose count of how many glasses of sangria you’ve had.
This is the best Mexican I have had. The quesdadilla rustica is just addictive. It has a thin bread base with juicy roasted tomatoes on top. We couldn’t get enough of this stuff so re-ordered it three times. We had some good ol’ guacamole, which had the perfect balance of avocado and other vegetables, followed by beef, pork and soft crab tacos. I didn’t try the pork taco, simply because I don’t eat pork, the beef taco was average, it could have done with a bit more flavor. The crab taco was just delicious. I also had the octopus which was also very nice.
Dessert was the best part of the meal for me, mainly because I have a sweet tooth and the creamy tiramisu and sweet churros served it well.
The music was slightly loud so I did find myself having to raise my voice whilst taking to my friends next to me- that or the sangria had kicked in.
This place is perfect for a dinner with friends but I think it is slightly pricey. However, I didn’t really mind as the atmosphere was very nice and the food was delicious and overall I had a very good experience.
Don't judge a restaurant by its door.. Hidden behind what's pretending to be a sex shop, la bodega is a speakeasy Mexican restaurant. The ambience is amazing - busy, lively, loud music, dark interiors, and a must visit. (Though I would suggest for drinks, and not a meal)
In terms of food, it is expensive, and not great. Of all things we ordered, I did quite enjoy the corn salad, and sea bass ceviche. (Despite not being the biggest fan of fish..) A must visit if looking for a fun night out, as this place is definitely interesting. Looking for gourmet Mexican food? Stay away.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
If Hawksmoor's Spitalfields Bar wasn't enough of a celebration for my birthday then the surprise trip to La Bodega Negra really topped off a superb week of festivities. After being left a trail of breadcrumbs to follow, I found myself in the heart of Soho and the first surprise of the night was that my parents had made the trip down to the Big Smoke to join me in knocking back some cocktails and dining the night away!
For those of you that haven't heard of La Bodega Negra (I doubt there's many) it's an incredible underground hacienda located beneath the facade of an adult sex shop. Now normally walking inside a building adorned with neon signs reading "Adult Video" and "Peep Show" with your mum and dad in tow would raise serious concerns. However, believe me when I say that the stares and raised eyebrows from the less informed passers by are certainly worth it for the treats inside.
The restaurant is set beneath the streets in cavernous vaults, covered in dimly lit lighting, with only candles to aid the visually impaired in reading the menu. That is until your Mum pulls out her iPhone and hits the torch app, completely obliterating any ounce of mood that had been created previously.
As we perused the menu, trying to find the perfect combination for sharing, our waiter knocked us up a couple of Frozen Strawberry Margaritas. Best described as an adult slush puppy, these things were incredibly delicious and the perfect way to start the celebrations.
To accompany our margaritas we decided to order a selection of starters. First of all we tried the Tuna, Chipotle, Avocado and Jalapeño Tostaditas followed by the Pork Belly Carnitas & Salsa Verde tacos and the Soft Shell Crab & Chipotle Crema tacos. The crab tacos looked rather daunting with their spindly legs poking out of the top, we weren't quite sure which way to tackle them at first. The meat was really tender and flavoursome, surrounded by a deliciously crisp batter and accompanied by a smokey chipotle crema that warmed the palate perfectly. The pork belly was succulent and sweet served up with a refreshing salsa verde and covered in a drizzle of lime juice adding to the fresh flavour. These were a storming way to start the meal and within minutes they were gone and we were back on the margaritas and chatting away.
As soon as we were presented with our mains, our eyes lit up! We had ordered the Slow Roasted Lamb Barbacoa and it had arrived in its very own stewing pot, covered in a thick glaze and smelling fantastic!
Our other dish was the Pollo Al Sarten, which consisted of a half roasted chicken with spicy chimichurri and roast potatoes. For sides we decided that we'd better invite some greens to this feast of meat, so ordered a plate of Tenderstem Broccoli With Chilli & Lime.
The chicken was delicious but for me the lamb was the stand out winner! It was cooked to perfection, falling off the bone with ease and extremely juicy! The sauce was rich but not so much that it hid the taste of the lamb. If you go to La Bodega Negra, you definitely have to order this. Naturally it wasn't long till we'd polished it all off and we found ourselves having a peak at the dessert menu.
It didn't take us long to find something we fancied though! I opted for the rich Chocolate Torte with Salted Caramel Ice Cream and my dad decided to go for something slightly more refreshing, the Baked Lemon Cheesecake with Caramelised Lemon!
Both hit the spot, topping off a perfect night of celebrations. The food was incredible and I loved the whole idea behind La Bodega Negra and you could see why you have to book a table so far in advance. It is a great setting for a party, with it's long list of cocktails, dishes perfect for sharing and an atmosphere and environment that lets you know you're in for a special night but one that comes with a huge side order of fun too! It would be really cool to take a group of friends here who had no idea what lay behind the seedy neon signs; I think you'd get a lot of excited faces once they realised just what was awaiting in the caverns below!
Enjoy!
We The Food Snobs x
the food was fine but the music and atmosphere were awesome. A definite must but I was expecting the food to be better
Food was good, but not great. Nice beer. Music was too loud.
Super food, super cocktails and super vibe. I go on a regular basis, once a month for a nice romantic meal. Rather pricey but very good.
I went here with some guys at the start of a night out. We were there for drinks as the place had transformed into a bar by the time we arrived, the last of the food being served seemed exotic and enticing - I'm new to mexican food though. The square bar in the middle was eye-catching. Music is played very loudly here at night and the atmosphere is quite dim and gothic then. I found the name was hard to remember after one too many!
Real show-piece of a restaurant. Contrary to most of my friends, I liked the food - particularly the grilled spicy corn on the cob (one of my
favourite dishes in London), BBQ octopus, green rice and the slow roasted lamb barbacao (enough to share between 4 I reckon). Frozen margaritas are delicious - I vaguely remember a mango-flavoured one being particularly good. Stunning staff and one of the best atmospheres (and entrances) of a London restaurant
A must go but not necessarily must eat.
I had a dinner there but I was late and I didn't know exactly the address. Arriving in Soho I saw the bar of the same name so I asked them where the restaurant was. They told me "round the corner". I came back twice to the bar as I didn't see any restaurant round the corner but the waiter kept insisting. Luckily the third time one of my friend was out to smoke and I finally entered the Sex Shop, Bodega Negra sorry.
Yes the entrance is a Sex shop, you can never guess what is behind. British people like those kind of places for insiders. A person from the restaurant told me that many people got inside for the wrong purpose. The inside is quite small, it's an old cave.
Besides from that, the food is ok, it's a nice place to share tacos with friends but a bit expensive. The bar is nice, with very good margaritas and mojitos. You could go there just for drinks as the food isn't that good.
Again, a must go but not necessarily to eat
After enjoying a couple of excellent cocktails (including a palate-cleansing Mezcal-based Pepino and a perfectly sweet-sour Apple and Elderflower Frozen Margerita), we started off with the tacos. We ordered one pair of soft shell crab tacos and one pair of lamb. They arrived on a sleek wooden holder, with the crab legs menacingly sticking out upwards. The flavours were simply fantastic. I was particularly taken aback by the incredibly tender pieces of crab, which were combined with guacamole and a sort of aioli-cocktail sauce. Having said that, the lamb was superb too; tender, and comforting
Yes, it is expensive, but I've had other similarly priced meals which have really let us down. The portions are small, but nowhere near as insubstantial as something like Ceviche. It would be too expensive for me to go back on a regular basis, but you do get what you pay for in terms of food, service and atmosphere.
Delicious food from the set menu, and great service. Despite initially being worried by the small portion of the starter, I was left feeling full by the end of it. I had the vegan option which was delicious.
The only downside I would say would be the price, it's quite expensive for something you could quite easily find elsewhere. As well as this there's a 15% service charge on large groups, so while we were already spending £700+ on the food and drinks, the service charge bumped it up to over £850.
La Bodega Negra is a culinary gem that left a lasting impression, especially with its splendid grilled octopus. This hidden treasure offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the grilled octopus. Cooked to perfection, it was tender, flavorful, and expertly seasoned. Each bite was a delightful combination of smoky charred exterior and succulent, melt-in-your-mouth flesh. It was a true testament to the culinary expertise of the chefs at La Bodega Negra.
The dining experience at La Bodega Negra goes beyond the exceptional grilled octopus. The lively ambiance, attentive service, and carefully curated menu create a truly memorable affair. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends, this hidden gem promises an unforgettable journey of flavors.
The food here was amazing! Tacos was really flavourful and the lamb barbacoa was such a treat! The DJ was great and the whole vibes is just really hip. I love it and will definitely be coming back!
The food was unreal. Probably the best guacamole I’ve ever had and that takes into consideration allot of tropical counties we’ve visited. The service as fast, attentive, and very warm. Both of our servers were top notch. Even had some laughs with the manager. (Our first waiter Bruno looked just like Messi) highly recommend this place and don’t be fooled by the exterior like we were when we hesitantly opened the door to see if the place no longer existed 🫣🫠😂. And they have 1942 🤤. This place will be an official staple of any visit to London. I hope whoever reads this has an equally spectacular time 🥳🥳🥳
Muchas Gracias to Vincente and all the staff for ensuring our wellbeing and providing excellent service.
Food was tasteful, delicious and well presented.
Great atmosphere!
10/10 recommend
will definitely come back again next time in London 🫶
The food was good but they were understaffed which affected the service. Recommend the fish tacos. The desserts were underwhelming.
We attended in a Sunday evening and it seemed to be a calm place. I think there is a live show on Saturday so the atmosphere will probably be different. I recommend quesadillas del pastor and chicken tacos. The cheesecake was not bad but I don’t think it was homemade. In summary I would say quality not bad, quantity a bit small, price expensive.
Great vibes in the underground restaurant with delicious food and some of the best margaritas I have ever had. Staff were lovely and welcoming. There is a bar area you can hang out in and have more drinks after your meal too.
Really impressed by the food. We ate a large portion of the menu between us and everything was fantastic. Both the prawn and the chicken tacos were especially good. The chicken main dish was also exceptionally well cooked. A truly excellent meal.
The place has a great vibe and also serves some decent cocktails too. Would highly recommend
Great food and really fun. I came here for a friends birthday and we had the sharing menu, everything was delicious and the amount of food was perfect. The drinks were also amazing I would recommend the spicy margaritas and the acapulco trip cocktails. The service was great and they happily accommodated all of our dietary requirements. The place turns into a club later on, it’s pretty small but the DJ is always really good.
I had the pleasure of dining at this Mexican restaurant, and it exceeded all my expectations. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal. The menu showcases a fusion of traditional and modern Mexican flavors, resulting in unique and delightful dishes. From their perfectly seasoned meats to their flavorful vegetarian options, there's something for everyone. The cocktails are also exceptional, with creative twists on classic Mexican drinks. This place is a true gem for Mexican food enthusiasts.
Absolutely love love loved this place. Highly recommend. The atmosphere, service and music was great. Really fun night out. Cocktails and food were also amazing. Best Mexican food I've had in London. Great place for a group wanting good food and fun vibes.
Loved Bodega Negra - great atmosphere and decor here. They had an awesome happy hour from 4-7pm, every Monday to Friday, where 2 margaritas were £15, which was a great deal. I had both the regular margarita and the hibiscus margarita. Both were delicious but the hibiscus was a showstopper. We had the guacamole to start, as well as the prawn tostada - both were excellent and good portions. We finished with the lamb taco, which came with two small tacos, and had amazing flavour. Would definitely come back and would be a great date spot!
The food was great!! The mole chicken didn’t have Mexican hints but the rest was really good and fresh. We needed to call the waiters for service and didn’t get a full and good service where the waiter suggests and askes. Our table wasn’t cleaned during our stay. But, overall the atmosphere was very nice, good music and food and nice people! Recommend
Delicious food, attentive service and tasty cocktails. This little gem was right next to the theatre and was just what we needed. Definitely best to book. Wonderful experience. Loved the Sea Bass!
My boyfriend and me came back after 2 years to the cocktail bar and both of the times, we have been served by Lucas the bartender, being really kind, friendly and professional. Plus he make a amazing cocktails really tasty.
Thanks so much.
We will come back ❤️
Alejandro and Pepa
Had a very fun Saturday dinner at LBN.
Food is surprisingly oriental and reasonably priced. We enjoyed the ceviche along with the tequilas the most.
The staff is really attentive and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is really unique.
This is one of those places that you are guaranteed to get a special experience and it’s worth booking in advance in order to enjoy it!
Great experience surrounded by a cosy atmosphere. We can highlight the Secreto Ibérico, it was delicious.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes