The Paloma is a deceptively simple mix of tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime that our city has fallen in love with over the past few years. It’s one of those wonderful ‘greater than the sum of its parts’ drinks that you could make at home, but it always tastes better in a great cocktail bar or restaurant. So, with World Paloma Day here (it’s today! – May 22), we thought we’d round up the best places in London for a perfect Paloma. Happy sipping!
1. Doña, Stoke Newington
This hot-pink basement mezcal bar is just the spot to match your Paloma drinking to the décor that surrounds you. The dedication to ‘magical mezcal’ is pretty unyielding at Doña, which results in delicious cocktails like the Spicy Mezcal Margarita, the Tamarind Margarita aka Miss Tamara (with lightly aged mezcal, lime juice, tamarind syrup & ancho chilli), and, yes, a mezcal-fuelled Paloma. It’s the kind of bar that you’ll be telling all your friends about – for vibes, drinks, and general good times all around.
📍 92 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY
🚇 Nearest station is Rectory Road.
2. Hacha, Dalston and Brixton
If you want a good Paloma, you should go to a bar that specialises in tequila – makes sense, right? Well, in that case, you’ll want to make a bee-line for Hacha. Their margaritas (particularly the Mirror Margarita) may be the stuff of legend, but their Paloma is so good it won the 1800 Tequila World’s Best Paloma Award at the Top 500 Best Bars 2023. If that doesn’t convince you – I don’t know what will!
📍 Hacha Dalston, 378 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA. Nearest stations are Dalston Junction and Haggerston.
📍 Hacha Brixton, 12 Market Row, SW9 8LD. Nearest station is Brixton.
3. Los Mochis, Notting Hill and London City
Speaking of places that specialise in tequila, Los Mochis‘ blend of Japanese and Mexican influences means they know their way around a tequila cocktail pretty well. So, naturally, they’ve got a banging Paloma on their menu. They give the classic recipe a small twist with the addition of bitter grapefruit cordial as well as the grapefruit soda, and Highpoint Ruby – a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif. In doing so they lengthen the drink and add complexity without making it overly boozy. I’ll have three in that case!
They’ll also be serving up some exclusive Paloma creations from May 22 until June 30, crafted in collaboration with The London Essence Co. Sounds like I’ll need to make a few return visits!
📍 Los Mochis Notting Hill, 2 – 4 Farmer Street, Notting Hill, W8 7SN. Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate.
📍 Los Mochis London City, 100 Liverpool Street, 9th Floor, EC2M 2AT. Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
4. Cavita, Marylebone
Over at Cavita, they keep things simple, but perfectly executed – just as they do with the rest of their menu. And since their Paloma is so widely regarded, they even include it in the bottomless options for their bottomless brunch. We’ll take five!
We’ve got our fingers crossed for the return of their glorious Paloma Fountain – one of the crowning achievements of London’s cocktail scene in our opinion!
📍56-60 Wigmore Street, W1U 2RZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
5. One Hundred Shoreditch
Head to this stunning 7th-floor rooftop bar and restaurant for panoramic views, al fresco drinking and dining, and a varied selection of Palomas. There isn’t just one Paloma on the menu at One Hundred Shoreditch – there are three! Choose from the Classic Paloma, Elderflower Paloma and Blood Orange Paloma – and be sure to take advantage of the 2-for-1 Paloma deal every Tuesday-Friday throughout May.
📍 100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
6. OCTO @ Amazonico, Mayfair
If you wish your Paloma was both spicier and fruitier, Amazonico’s cocktail bar, OCTO, has just the drink for you. Their Palomito adds Amaro Santonin and Spicy Mango Jalapeño Agave to the drink, resulting in a bright, zesty, and downright delicious drink.
📍10 Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
7. Control Room B, Battersea
Tucked away inside Battersea Power Station, the engineers bartenders at Control Room B have created a trio of Palomas for you to try, in partnership with Casamigos. The colour-changing Earth Indicator incorporates blue butterfly pea flower tea for a magical effect as you drink. Or for a British take on the drink, try the Early Grey-infused Master Switch with herbal flavours of lavender, hibiscus and more. Or you can just go for the classic in the form of their Casamigos Paloma – it’s a classic for a reason!
📍 Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, SW11 8BZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
8. Funkidory, Peckham
Over in Peckham, you’ll find the charmingly raucous and inventive cocktail bar, Funkidory, where the humble paloma has been given a makeover to make it a little bit pinker and a whole lot icier. Their frosè paloma combines rosè wine, tequila, and homemade pink grapefruit cordial – oh and then it’s blended to slushee-like perfection. Yum!
📍 42 Peckham Rye, SE15 4JRl
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
9. TT, Shoreditch
Across TT’s multiple offerings, from the Cellar Bar to the ground-floor restaurant and the sunny rooftop, you’ll find a celebration of Latin flavours every Wednesday and Thursday this May. They’re serving up Patron cocktails and food pairings with a soundtrack of world grooves. This means they’ve got two Palomas to try – the classic Paloma, and the No Dove, No Love, which switches up the drink with Handmade Patron Silver Tequila & Pink Grapefruit Sorbet.
📍 17B Kingsland Road, E2 8AA
🚇 Nearest station is Hoxton.
10. Caia, Notting Hill
This neighbourhood wine and open-fire restaurant has launched a special tequila and steak sandwich terrace which is, frankly, the stuff of dreams. Showcasing Caia’s penchant for bold flavours, they’ve teamed up with mezcal brand Ojo De Dios on a steak sandwich (with a reduced Guinness and Worcestershire glaze, gorgonzola dolce and Lyonnaise onions) and a Spicy Mezcal Paloma. Yes, PLEASE!
📍 46 Golborne Road, W10 5PR.
🚇 Nearest station is Westbourne Park.
11. Dovetale, Mayfair
Fancy a Paloma with a touch of luxury? Head to this Mayfair restaurant from two Michelin star chef Tom Sellers. At their new terrace, they’re collaborating with Casamigos for a special summer season of ‘Tequila on the Terrace‘. Their Paloma makes use of Casamigos Blanco, grapefruit sour mash, fresh lime, and Franklin & Sons soda – by creating the grapefruit flavour separate from the soda you get even more of the experience when you drink!
If you’re sick of Palomas by this point (surely not!) be sure to ‘build-your-own’ Casamigos margarita at their iconic Knickerbocker Glory troller.
📍 1 Dover Yard, W1J 8NE.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
12. ‘Sal Rosa’ at BiBo Shoreditch
BiBo’s pop-up summer terrace sees them collaborating with Tequila Komos to transport guests to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded by florals, ceramics, and rattan accents, guests at ‘Sal Rosa‘ can enjoy contemporary tapas from Michelin-starred chef-patron and Andalusian native Dani Garia and a limited-edition cocktail menu. On that, menu you’ll find the delightful Blushing Paloma, which flips the drinks recipe on its head. Mixing together Komos Rosé, Aperol, lime juice, grapefruit juice, rose honey, and a splash of rosé Cava, it’s unlike any other Paloma in London!
📍 45 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
13. Cahoots, Soho
For World Paloma Day the Cahoots team have come up with a limited edition menu that features a selection of Palomas to try. There’s a classic Paloma (of course), the Pacheco’s Rosy Fiesta, which incorporates strawberry vinegar and rose syrup, and The Juicy Jalopy, which livens the drink up with pomegranate and kumquat soda. Why not settle in and try them all?
📍 13 Kingly Court, Carnaby, W1B 5PW.
🚇 Nearest stations are PiccadilCircusucs and Oxford Circus.
14. Coral Room, Mayfair
For another venue where your drink will match the room, head to the Coral Room, where a special The Art of Sipping Paloma menu will treat guests to four different takes on the drink. In collaboration with London Essence and The Lost Explorer, the drinks bring together London’s vibrant energy with the spirit of Mexico. Act fast, because, because this menu will only be available from May 22 (World Paloma Day) until June 30!
📍 16-22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3NN.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
15. The Agave Retreat – Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross X Patrón Tequila
As part of their many cocktail-themed terrace pop-ups around London, Drake & Morgan has brought us the tequila-oriented Agave Retreat in partnership with Patrón. Surrounded by Tulum-inspired decor and tropical flowers, guests can enjoy the Patron Paloma with Patrón Reposado tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave & pink grapefruit soda. The extra dash of grapefruit juice makes it ultra-refreshing, while the lightly aged reposado tequila adds a touch of richness to the drink.
📍 Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross, 6 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross.
16. temper, multiple sites
This group of steakhouse and barbecue restaurants is already well-known for its love affair with tequila. So, naturally, they’ve also got a delicious Paloma on their menu. In classic form for the smoke-fuelled food at temper, the Mezcal Paloma swaps out the tequila for smokey Mezcal, and they even add a touch of smoked salt to the whole affair. You’ll have finished your drink before you’ve even thought about it!
📍 Find your nearest temper restaurant here.
So, there you have it! Some of the best spots in London for a delicious Paloma. The first round’s on you, right?