La Bodega Negra

If you enjoy over-​priced «Mexican» food and not being able to hear your friends, this is the place to go! When we asked if they could turn the music down so we could take a break from having to read each others lips instead of having a normal volume conversation, the waitress rolled her eyes and said «there’s like, a DJ spinning» … okay? Last time I checked, I didn’t choose to go to a club to eat my overpriced watermelon cubes and two tiny tacos. A group of us really didn’t enjoy our time here, so we won’t be going back. I’d suggest finding a more authentic place for good Mexican food. My ears are still ringing.

Fantastic time at this restaurant. I finally went to see it and my expectations were met very well. The interesting front decoration of the restaurant meant we walked back and forth down the street before entering in. The music was loud and it was dark, almost like a club but i felt it created a really fun environment.
The food was spot on. We had a seelction of tacos and cerviche to start and a few other dishes. Then for the mains, the steak, the shortrib, and the crsipy pork along with a couple sides. The steak was perfect, came out spot on medium rare with the right amount of seasoning and actually quite large.
I had the iced berries for dessert which although simple was one of the better desserts i have had a restaurant recently. Literally slightly frozen berries with a little bit of sugar and a pot of hot melted white chocolate sauce. The best way to end a meal, something sweet and tart but not heavy.
I highly reccomend this place for dinner and a good choice for mid size groups!

I think the 3.5 stars this place has currently is perfect. This is my go to Tourist restaurant, because it is just SO Soho. Make reservations, always, you may be able to get seated without them, but don’t count on it. Yes, you look like you are walking into a sex shop, ITS OK, GO IN! I feel bad for the people who think it is a sex shop then get a restaurant, not the other way around.
It is DARK, and LOUD, took my parents here and it was probably the wrong choice, we could hardly hear each other. I have never been let down by the service and the drinks are out of this world. My parents and I each had 3 espresso Martini’s, they are to die for. As for the food, I think it is over priced for Mexican food. Being from California may alter my perspective a little, but there are other places around that have decent tacos for much cheaper. Their Quesadilla/​pizza is a staple whenever we go, it’s delicious.
Overall, not cheap, but fun talking point for a date or tourists, and delicious drinks. One thing that really gets me is they have a «No Suits Policy.» A friend had to take off his jacket before they let him downstairs. Sorry, but your place is expensive, most people who can afford this place wear a suit to work.

The entrance is just like a strip club entrance. Black door, you would never guess that it’s a restaurant! And still when they take your coat you are still wondering if you entered in the right place. The restaurant is downstairs! Quite dark but it needs to be so!
Food is good, mexican, I would say nothing special but still ok.
Music is very loud (maybe too much)

I’m not a fan of the dark dungeon look. I don’t want to struggle to see my food or hear the people I am with.
Our waiter was terrible. Food was mediocre.

Great service, good food and awesome cocktails! Yum!
Try their version of espresso martini — best Ive ever had!

Was invited by a friend, thought was going to the café upstairs but guess I was in for a fancier night at a basement sex shop. It seems like they are going for a trendy dungeon, the we tried so hard to look like we didnt, atmosphere. I would’ve liked it more if we didnt wait over 30 min for our table — even though we had a reservation. Nobody even bothered to check-​in with us so we just had drinks and waited by the bar. Good start to the night.
Tacos, ceviche, the pizza looking entrée my friend ordered were all just OKAY, nothing stood out to me. But seriously, you are giving 5 people 4 pieces of chips (‘tostada’ sureeee) to go with the guac? No, your long plate does not justify this. The pork belly was also not worth the price and the wait. Is it suppose to be carne adovada or chicharron? It apparently tasted more similar to a Scandinavian Christmas meal.
Our waiter, however, was super friendly and really accommodating. Probably the only plus for the night. Will not be returning!

The food was good quality and the atmosphere too but what really really let La Bodega down was the service.
We’d booked far in advance (2 months) and arrived 5 mins after our set time — which was meant to be held for 20 minutes — to be told that someone else had been seated in our seat. «No problem as we can squeeze you in somewhere else.» Surely if a booking is made, it’s reserved and we shouldn’t need to be squeezed in?! We got over that but then were sat for 15 minutes without a single waiter asking if we’d like water/​drinks/​food but watched as all those around us received drink top ups, free shots, table cleaning and 2 visits for more drinks.
By this time, id had enough and physically grabbed the nearest waiter and demanded he serve us a drink. After that, they tried winning us back but the damage had already been done in the first 20 minutes of terrible hosting.
A shame as it was somewhere we’d been looking forward to going for a long time.

Anyone that says this place is too dark and loud is either too old to have fun or too picky about the wrong things. SO FUN and great food!

The look of confusion and skepticism on my face when I arrived was probably priceless. I love me a good taco and this place did not disappoint. Tacos were good, the beef ribs were even better. I was actually quite surprised at how large of a portion the ribs were. They have an extensive drink menu, and while on the pricey side I think they’re worth it. Sure, the place is dark and a little noisy, but that just gives you another good reason to get nice and cozy with your date.

Good, but not so different from other Mexican. But so expensive !!! And the waiter wasn’t true to his words. I don’t recommend this place at all.

Cool spot in London. It reminds me of La Esquina in NYC. The food is small but filling. I particularly enjoy the cocktails. For starters we had the corn, the empanadas and the tostadas with guac. For the main course I had the chicken with a side of kale. My friend had the oxtail enchiladas but relayed the meat was a little tough.
Still we went out of our way to visit so I’m going to give it 4 stars.

*Only for the bar side*
Arrived on a busy Friday night and was surprised to get a table without waiting.
Delicious food! The soft shell crab burger and veggie tacos were particularly tasty. Great cocktails too. Fun atmosphere and lovely deco.
However the music is very loud and it can be a challenge to have a conversation.
Hope to try the restaurant sometime soon!

What a fantastic concept! Tricked my partner on the way in to «keep an open mind»… He got a shock when it was a fantastic mexican restaurant.
Great food at good prices for the quality. The décor is PHENOMENAL and the staff are super friendly. Will be going back!

I love this place for a number of reasons. Firstly for the look of confusion when you take someone new there as they think you are taking them into a seedy sex shop. Secondly the margaritas are delicious and I don’t even like tequila normally. And thirdly because the atmosphere and décor is just so cool, also the lighting is very flattering too.
I’ve been here a number of times have never been disappointed. It’s the kind of place that you can wind away a few hours chatting and drinking. They serve food too but unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to test it yet.

The music in this restaurant is so loud and the lighting so dark that the whole experience detracted from the food. We came in a group of 4 and could not hear ourselves talk even with raised voices. And we couldn’t see the menus and had to resort to lights from our phones. From then on, it just became a frustration and we couldn’t wait to get out.
Food-​wise, I’m not sure I can be objective but I thought the flavours lacked punch and boldness that needs to accompany Mexican food.

Now I have tried the restaurant too, but the one on the street level so basically around the corner behind the sexy shop entrance for the bar.
I sat at the bar and tried the soft shell crab burger and was amazing, I am still thinking about it! Also had some white wine which was okay.
My friend had chicken quesadilla and they looked delicious (I am intolerant to lactose so couldn’t try them).
Pricewise quite cheap, but we just had a quick dinner. Definitely worth coming here more often.

We arrived at this place to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The interesting sex shop façade hides a great looking underground bar. At the entrance a very chic looking girl gave us a chilling posh attitude taking our reservation name. We ordered a bit of food that came in such a small portion enough to feed only the FTV looking girl at the entrance. We ordered two jugs of margarita (the only drink they serve in a jug) for everyone to share thinking:
«mmm… how expansive can it be… right?» — «it’s mostly ice anyway…»
WRONG!
Only later when the bill arrived we were shocked to find out that every jug of margarita costs 68£!!!
They never told us that in the first place and it’s not written on the menu!
obviously we argued and got our bill cut a bit but WTF!!!
and they told us also that the same thing happened yesterday as well!
the worst thing any business can do especially in times like this is to under value our money.
NOT GOING BACK THERE!

Loved the vibe of this place as soon we saw it from the street! After braving the entrance (uncertain if we really might be entering a sex shop), the hosts were awesome and accommodating to our lack of a reservation.
Waitresses were extremely helpful to our order – carnitas tacos, «quesadilla» (aka Mexican pizza…), and some delicious guacamole. The margaritas were a little weak and small for the price, but I guess we paid for the atmosphere.
Loved the eclectic mix of music and wall art, and overall the place was definitely kick-​ass! Might even say this place has the best Mexican food (I’ve eaten) in London.

La Bodega Negra is a quirky (on the outside) and cosy/​well decorated joint (on the inside).
It follows the seemingly recent trend of speakeasies hidden behind fake frontage. This one is a Sex Shop in Soho.
The restaurant is in the basement and VERY dimly lit. This usually is where my red flags start waving but there was no cause for alarm here. The food was actually very good. My friends and I dined on:
Grilled Corn (who’d have thought cheese would work well on corn)
Camarones — yummy, adequately spiced
Mushroom Tacos, really wish I had some more as I write this review
Tuna and Roasted Vegetable Tostaditas, wouldn’t say no to another portion of these either
Spit Roast Chicken (I didn’t partake but was told it was yum)
I washed mine down with The Hardful cocktail (making a mental note of that now).
We finished with the Apple & Pear Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream and our other friend had the Chocolate Fondant. Both get thumbs up.
The food here is good. You won’t write home to your Madre about it but you will be satisfied with your choices. Service was fine but note that bookings are a must and with only 2 hours to scoff your food (yes, they turn tables with rapid fire), we did feel a bit rushed through our food.