We might be 11 months early but if your idea of a Christmas work do involves less turkey-and-trimmings and more tacos-and-tequila, El Pastor Battersea makes a strong case for going rogue this year. Sitting right on the Thames by Battersea Power Station, the riverside outpost brings the spirit (and flavours) of Mexico City to south-west London, with a menu that’s bold, generous and tailor-made for group dining fuelled by margaritas.
El Pastor Battersea: lively, buzzy, and built for groups
The Battersea location leans into the area’s industrial past, with exposed details and a huge mural inspired by Diego Rivera-style public artworks setting the tone. It’s vibrant without being chaotic – exactly the sort of place that works for a team social where people are drifting between tables, ordering “one more round”, and staying longer than planned. There’s an easy, festive energy here that suits gatherings without feeling forced or overly seasonal.
For a group, the guacamole is a no-brainer opener, it’s generous, well-seasoned, and perfect for anchoring the table while everyone debates what to order next. Add totopos or chicharrón, and the cheap refill option means no one’s fighting over the last chip.
The standout for sharing is the salsa selection: five house-made salsas for £5, with refills included. Ranging from smoky Morita and fruity pineapple-habanero La Maya to fresh Verde Fresca, nutty Salsa Macha and punchy Del Vic, it’s a neat snapshot of different heat levels and flavour profiles. Spread across the table, they encourage mixing, matching and customising every bite.
Tacos, tostadas and the inevitable over-ordering
This is where El Pastor really hits its stride. The Chicken Tinga Tostada is pure comfort food: chipotle- and cumin-marinated chicken piled onto a crisp base with lettuce, sour cream, salsa verde and queso fresco. It’s rich but not overwhelming, and sits in that dangerous zone where you could share it… but might not want to.
The heritage corn tacos come three to a portion, which sounds sensible until you realise how easy they are to demolish. The Al Pastor Taco is the obvious starting point – 24-hour marinated pork shoulder, grilled pineapple and a trio of salsas that hit sweet, smoky and tangy all at once. It’s the dish El Pastor is built on, and the one everyone should try at least once.
If you’re after something deeper and more indulgent, the Beef Brisket Taco brings slow-braised, habanero-spiked richness, while vegetarians get a genuinely satisfying option in the Mushroom Taco. Packed with mushrooms, queso, pumpkin seeds and chile de árbol, it’s full of umami, crunch and heat – no consolation prize vibes here.
To shake things up, the Baja Fish taco swaps corn for a wheat tortilla and adds crunch, with beer-battered coley, cabbage, chipotle mayo, pico de gallo and pickled red onion. Fresh, crispy and a good palate reset if you’ve already gone hard on the pork.
Bigger plates (and future arguments over who gets what)
If the table’s feeling ambitious, the Pollo Borracho is the move. A beer-brined half chicken arrives with salsa roja, papas al árbol, sour cream, pineapple-habanero slaw and mayo, turning the whole thing into a build-your-own feast. It’s generous, a little messy, and exactly the kind of dish that justifies ordering another round.
As for sides, the Papas Al Árbol are non-negotiable. Crispy potatoes, chile de árbol, sour cream and coriander – vegetarian, aggressively moreish, and perfect for scooping up any salsa or guac left behind. Expect mild table politics once they hit.
Margaritas, mezcal and festive spirits
El Pastor really comes into its own once the drinks start flowing. Margaritas are the main event, with the frozen house El Pastor joined by crowd-pleasing twists like Spiced Mango, Passionfruit, Avocado and the chilli-spiked Diablito. There’s also a Mezcarita, Palomas (including a pomegranate version that feels particularly festive), and a Piña Colada for anyone leaning tropical over traditional.
The agave list runs deep, with tequilas and mezcals broken down by style, plus Mexican and Spanish-leaning wines and beers like Pacifico, Modelo and Corona. Non-drinkers aren’t sidelined either, thanks to Aguas del Día (think hibiscus or pineapple) served by the glass or jug.
El Pastor Battersea is an easy win for group dinners that want atmosphere, flexibility and food designed for sharing. It’s not the cheapest casual option around, but the quality, strong vegetarian offering and genuinely fun drinks list make it worth it. Come for the tacos, stay for the margaritas and expect the table to order more than planned.