Ixchel

You’d hardly dare open a restaurant on the King’s Road without glossy interiors, but even by Sloane Square standards this is a pretty swanky spot. The interiors have a no expense spared air about them, with buffed plaster coloured walls pulled and stretched into arches and snugs, which are filled with low and luxe soft furnishings and terracotta toned Mexican artworks.

We’re through the doors not even a month after opening, and the sweet service gives away the venue’s infancy. There’s a long pause before drinks arrive, and during our meal things are mistakenly presented and then retracted from the table in a hurry. However, everything’s delivered with a smile, and a well made spicy margarita with grassy strips of jalapeño making friends with the tequila and lime smooths over the cracks nicely.

West London demands food for a certain type of appetite, and as such there are ingredients like scallops and wagyu on the menu. At £95 we skip the wagyu in favour of sirloin, which is nicely cooked and ready to be folded into warm corn tortillas with caramelised onions and a sweet, spicy salsa. Scallops come in lovely thick slices dressed with a light aguachile, cucumber pieces smoothing out any spiky edges. There are dinky tacos to share too, served in pairs and either stuffed with little cubes of belly pork or chunky king prawns in a smoky sauce.

Come dessert you feel remiss not to order the tres leche cake. It comes beautifully presented with a ribbon of piped cinnamon cream on top with jagged shards of meringue piercing the surface, all hiding a little strawberry salsa. It’s a fun twist on an old classic, and its pretty curves look good on camera too, which we suspect is a helpful selling point given the crowd of smart-phone wielding young professionals.

All in, the whole thing feels like a welcome slice of escapism from London outside, offering the feeling of sunnier climes in a very accessible format.

Ixchel is a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar located on the King’s Road in Chelsea, dedicated to bringing authentic Mexican food to London. Drawing inspiration from Tulum in the Yucatán Peninsula, the restaurant serves an all-day menu featuring quesadillas, ceviches, tacos and other Mexican classics.

Head chef Ximena Gayosso Gonzalez aims to take guests on a culinary voyage through a sharing plate concept rooted in quality ingredients, beautiful presentation and bold flavours. Gonzalez previously worked at Dulce Patria in Mexico City, before moving to London to spend time at Michelin-starred Brat in Shoreditch, and Ella Canta - the now-closed restaurant from superstar Mexican chef Martha Ortiz. 

Ixchel takes its name from the Mayan goddess of the moon, with interiors and textiles that reflect her artistic legacy. From contemporary furniture to boho decor, the restaurant feels chic, glamorous and bright - the perfect backdrop for a milestone occasion or special celebration. 

With an abundance of large tables, this is a fun spot for a group meal and socialising with friends. The menu features a selection of sharing dishes, such as sea bream zarandeado, aged bone-in ribeye, half grilled chicken and beef short rib. There are also a variety of tacos and quesadillas alongside a raw fish bar, fresh salads and sides for the table - think grilled hispi cabbage, beef fillet tataki and rock shrimp tempura. 

To drink, Ixchel offers a fantastic cocktail list with a focus on margaritas. From spicy white peach to cucumber and jalapeno, there's a whole host of twists on the tequila classic. Its bar also boasts one of the largest collections of agave-based spirits in Europe.

With a lively atmosphere, flavour-packed sharing plates and excellent cocktails, Ixchel is the perfect place to share, sip and celebrate with friends.