A taste of Mexico on the King’s Road, Ixchel is a must for taco and tequila lovers. Writer Alissa Stroud shares more:
Chic and stylish Ixchel opened on the buzzing King’s Road, Chelsea in late 2023. Named for the Mayan Goddess of the Moon, Ixchel is a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar and certainly one you should add to your list.
The Venue
Perfect for a girl’s dinner or get together with a group of friends, yet equally special for a date night, the space is beautifully fitted throughout with dark lighting and secluded alcoves aplenty. In homage to its namesake, moon symbols can be seen throughout the contemporary space alongside warm brass accents and bespoke tiling, with varying textures adding depth and intrigue.
Playing into its Mexican identity, hand-woven artworks adorn the walls alongside unique sculptures and distinctive lighting by local Mexican artists.
Home to one of the largest collections of agave-based liquor in Europe, Ixchel boasts a diverse selection of premium tequilas and mezcals sourced from artisanal distilleries in Mexico. With this in mind – we didn’t hesitate in ordering a margarita each to enjoy as we perused the tempting menu.
I sipped on the Mezcalita – a mix of Casamigos Mezcal, lime juice, triple sec, verjus extra sour and natural agave – it was silky and smoky yet still fresh and vibrant, and my guest had the Spicy Margarita which I’m told packed a real punch.
The Food
The menu has been designed by Mexican-born Head Chef, Ximena Gayosso Gonzalez, who previously has held positions at Brat in Shoreditch, as well as Ella Canta in Mayfair. You really are spoilt for choice with an incredibly well thought out menu, each dish crafted using the finest locally sourced ingredients.
We shared a selection of small plates and tacos to start – the tiger prawn aguachile with cucumber, red onion and avocado was a beautiful dish to behold with fresh flavours and vibrant colours, but the crab macha tostada with ginger, garlic chips and pico de gallo stole the show.
Arguably our favourite plate of the night, the crunchy tostada contrasted beautifully with the mountain of soft crab meat, laced with zingy flavours of citrus and spice. We also enjoyed pork belly tacos that saw tiny cubes of crisp, fatty pork tucked into a soft tortilla, topped with a refreshing salsa verde.
Mains are also made for sharing, with a selection of large plates and sides to choose from. We opted for the grilled sea bass with sage butter – the fish was cooked beautifully with a lovely crispy skin, enjoyed alongside some divine roasted potatoes that were crisp on the outside with a fluffy centre.
For a touch of theatrics, the 8 hour slow cooked beef short rib we ordered was shredded tableside although it didn’t take much persuading as the ultra-tender meat was falling off the bone. Accompanied by warm corn tortillas, a sweet pineapple salsa cut through the rich meat and sticky smoky adobo sauce beautifully.
Despite already being incredibly full, having seen the Tres Leches cake arrive at another table we simply couldn’t resist, and I’m so glad we didn’t. A light and fluffy sponge cake was soaked in milk and finished with an irresistible thick cinnamon custard crème, with a delicate layer of fresh strawberries hidden in the middle. It was seriously tasty – so good we were sad we’d only ordered one to share!
The Wordrobe Verdict
With its beautiful interiors, buzzy atmosphere and friendly service alongside perfectly mixed cocktails and delicious Mexican plates, Ixchel is well worth a visit.
Make it happen
Where: 33H King’s Rd, London SW3 4LX
How: ixchellondon.com
Words by Alissa Stroud, writer
