Peckham’s dining scene continues its upward trajectory with the arrival of Maíz, a neighbourhood Mexican spot that’s already generating citywide buzz. At first glance, Maíz looks like just another broad-strokes Mexican restaurant, but in fact, this is London’s first restaurant dedicated to pozole, the hominy-rich, slow-simmered broth beloved across Mexico.
If pozole is new territory for you, Maíz’s founders make a compelling case for it. Their signature broth is gently infused with over five spices and cooked for hours, resulting in something hearty, aromatic and altogether comforting. It’s the kind of dish that rewards lingering, encouraging diners to pause and savour rather than rush.
Behind the pass are Dany Vázquez and Erick, two chefs whose combined credentials give Maíz serious culinary credibility. Vázquez brings experience from global heavy hitters, including time at Eleven Madison Park. Erick, meanwhile, is well-known to south-east Londoners for his Los Ilegales food truck, which won a loyal following in Greenwich before evolving into this bricks-and-mortar venture.
Pozole may be the headline, but the supporting cast is just as enticing. Expect Mexico City-style tacos filled with long-cooked meats - 24-hour birria, 12-hour cochinita - alongside a tight list of mezcals and margaritas that invite return visits. The space itself offers something a little different, too. As Erick describes it, Maíz sits 'somewhere between a diner and a ramen bar' with counter seating designed for sharing, chatting and discovering Mexican flavours rarely seen in London.
Having started life as a stall in Peckham Levels, Maíz now opens its first standalone restaurant on Peckham Rye - a natural next step for this talented team.