From the start, Habanera is a really pleasant surprise – the place is beautiful & bright, the staff is Mexican, the cook is Mexican and they told us how they use their grandmother’s recipes. This was obvious when I tasted the food, the cochinita tacos tasted like my grandmother's cooking!
The tuna tacos were also excellent. You could really taste the freshness of the ingredients. Most of all we felt that the chefs were really trying to push the boundaries and taking well calculated risks by introducing offal to an already impressive menu. The drinks were also truly delicious and some of the most creative.
Both the head chef a sous chef are passionate Mexican cooks and Lorraine, a New Zealander who spent maky years in Mexico, is an inspiration. She epitomises what non-Mexican restaurateurs should be, passionate and unpretentious. The general service of the staff was also very impressive.
Whislt first impressions are of a friendly traditional warm Mexican restaurant, Habanera is much more than that. In terms of food and drink it is trying to turn perceptions of Mexican on their head. By the end you don't know what's hit you, apart from the fact you have a smile in your face! We really enjoyed our time there, and will definitely go back.
Authenticity of cuisine 9/10
Value for money 7/10
Service efficiency, speed and friendliness 10/10
Originality, innovation and ingenuity 9/10
Quality and creativity of presentation 10/10
Quality of ingredients and execution 8/10
Habanera is at 280 Uxbridge Road, London W12 7JA, United Kingdom
+44 20 8001 4887
