Reviews La Bodega Negra Cafe

The food was absolutely tremendous! Would really recommend the home-made icecream! Besides the food being scrumptious, the staff were absolute stars! It’s a very neat and quirky place and the staff are amazing, can’t wait to return :)

Had an absolute fabulous time! Food, atmosphere and service were top rate! Only niggle I was that my other half informed them it was my surprise birthday treat when he booked, yet they forgot. Nothing was mentioned so he awkwardly had to remind the waiter and whilst others all evening were getting a nice desert with a candle in it, I got a single scoop of ice cream!?

Great place to go for a fun night out! Brilliant music (pretty loud!), attentive staff and delicious food! Have already booked to go back again!

The best place ever!!! I love zis place so much! Rosie was the best hostess ever!

Spent a Friday evening here and what fun it was! From music to ambience to cocktails to food... Everything altogether made our evening. In fact we went there again on Saturday! 2 thumbs up :)

I had some time to kill before a meeting in Soho yesterday, and as usual, was craving Mexican food.
Good Mexican is truly hard to find in London, and unless I scavenge the ingredients to whip up a dish myself, I tend to give it a miss altogether.
Last year, New York’s La Esquina opened a London location under the name of La Bodega Negra. Bloggers and critics buzzed about the restaurant, calling it London’s answer to Mexican food.
Yet, I wasn’t ready to be let down by some sloppy, average dish lacking the true Mexican flavours.
Until yesterday.
I was really craving the tangy, spicy chili packed salsas and smokey, tender meats wrapped in perfect taco packages.
I had forgotten the much talked about restaurant downstairs requires reservations and doesn’t open until 6pm. The incredibly rude manager reminded us by snapping about the reservation policy and fine dining ambience as if we had asked something outrageous.
Ignoring her attitude, we settled for lunch in the Café.

Spanish music posters line the wall and the room has a retro diner feel to it with checkered floors, wooden chairs and exposed lights.
The vibe was great due to a great Hip-Hop mix playing.
Jay-z & Kanye, Kase O, and Common ft. John Legend were just some of the endless chilled tracks being played.

On the menu, there’s a great selection of typical tacos, quesadillas and ceviches. I ordered Pork Belly Carnitas with Salsa Verde Tacos and Camaron (shrimp) Tacos with Chipotle Cream and Pickled Onion with a side of Green Rice and Cowboy Beans.

Whilst we waited, we were given an assortment of salsas to top our tacos. Salsa Verde, Salsa Roja and Salsa del Comal each gave different flavours and all packed a punch. On each table are two innocent looking bottles holding salsa created from the habanero pepper. These bad boys are pretty high up on the Scoville scale, but still tolerable with good flavour.
After tasting all three of the salsas, I tried the green habanero hot sauce. Unripe habaneros are green and this sauce packed a serious kick.
But the other, ripe habenero XXXTRA hot sauce packed a mean punch.
I dare you to take a teaspoon of this and send me a photo of your facial expression.
Or better yet, offer a taste to your dining companion.

Our tacos arrived piled high with vibrant toppings.
The Camaron tacos were divine.
Shrimp cooked to perfection with tender meat and a nice snap coated in a chipotle cream for a smokey hint of spice. They were topped with smooth guacamole and acidic pickled onion which really brought all the flavours together.
Add a little lime and sprinkle of sea salt, the perfect combination.

Next to try were the Pork Belly Carnitas with salsa verde.
The pork belly was incredibly tender and had a nice crunch from a sprinkle of crackling. The tacos were piled high with salsa verde and were made even better with the combination of salsas on the table.
To accompany the tacos, we had a side of green rice and cowboy beans.
The green rice is flavoured with cilantro (coriander) and lime and goes well with any Mexican dish.
Cowboy beans are an American creation which uses smokey BBQ sauce to bring out the flavour of the refried beans. These also had bits of bacon as an extra naughty addition.

Our lovely waiter Nelvino was incredibly helpful and very knowledgeable about the menu, even though he hasn’t dared try the habanero salsa.
I absolutely love their shirts and think that they should sell them in the restaurant.

If you’re in Soho looking for a way to spice up your day and are in need of a great lunch spot, I’ve found the place.
If you’re looking for good Mexican food with a sexy atmosphere for dinner and drinks, make sure you call ahead for reservations here.
This, by the way, is located in the bottom of a sex shop.
It is Soho after all.

Inspired by New York's legendary Mexican joint, La Esquina, Bodga Negra has tried to create the same style. Instead of entering a caravan / take away burrito stand in Bowery and proceeding to your table through the chaotic kitchen, you enter into what seems to be a sex shop in Soho. I liked the atmosphere they created downstairs at Bodega - not as fun as New York but still very good. Cosy tables, strong Margerita's and decent food. Fun for a friday night dinner out - share plates and get sloshed.

I recently dined at La Bodega Negra's upstairs restaurant in central London, and it was a delightful experience. The tacos were a highlight, bursting with authentic flavors. Their margaritas were expertly crafted and refreshing. The ambiance was lovely, blending trendy and cozy elements, perfect for intimate dinners or gatherings with friends. In summary, La Bodega Negra offers a must-try Mexican dining experience in central London with delicious tacos, great margaritas, and a charming ambiance.

Quiet place for a late lunch. Vast menu of tequilas and mescal. Inventive cocktails as well as standards. Small plates so you can sample a variety. Ceviche was super fresh but I should have ordered two. Sparkling guacamole. The aspersgus with green mole needed a bit of zing but nonetheless delicious.

Went for a bottomless brunch on Saturday which turned unexpectedly into a drag brunch! Was a great turn of events - a lot of fun and highly recommend! Food was delicious and drinks were flowing.

Authentic Mexican menu (well, as authentic as you can get in central London) with fresh and tasty guacamole. We ate from the set lunch menu which was great value for money and had both full meals and tacos as options for mains. There was plenty of choice for both a vegetarian and gluten-free diet. Food was a little slow to be served, but was worth it when it arrived.

Wonderful tapas, fantastic staff - despite the place being very busy we were sat and served quickly and the waitress was so lovely and helpful!! Sea bass ceviche highly recommended, and the tacos are wonderful too. Didn’t try the cocktails, but there’s a great selection and they look good!

Great atmosphere, food and cocktails were amazing and staff really helpful. Really good night out.