Wahaca Brighton has launched its new Summer menu with seasonal items added to its Mexican-inspired repertoire.
My partner and I went down to the Wahaca Brighton branch in North Street to sample new delights including Griddled Cactus & Courgette Tacos (£6.95), Prawn Aguachile (£8.95), Hibiscus Glazed Aubergine (£15.95) and new Sunshine Bowls (from £13.50).
It was so refreshing to book a table at 8pm and for it still to be light. The sun was low and bright as we walked into the centre of town, our mouths watering at the thought of having a Wahaca.
We were greeted by Wahaca Brighton’s super-friendly and welcoming staff and shown to a lovely window table, perfect for people watching.
I usually spend ages deciding what I want from the menu. At Wahaca, I often go for a feasting menu (Favourites £25 or Veggie £24). Wahaca For One is also a great deal at £15.95: Guacamole & Tortilla Chips, Smoky Sonoran ‘Hummus’, one of my absolute Wahaca faves: Sweet Potato & Feta Taquito, plus two tacos of your choice. The taco choice is from: Baja Fish Taco, Buttermilk Chicken Taco, Beef Gringa Taco, Pork Pibil Taco, Plantain Taco or the newbie Cactus & Courgette Taco.
For me, Pork Pibil Tacos are usually something I choose. Meat-eating Wahaca fans will recognise this menu staple. But this time, our task was to try the new Summer menu items, which meant our choices were less meat-heavy (Wahaca prides itself on plant-based and meat-free options).
My favourite dining experiences are those where you share everything (unless dining alone!) so we decided to share everything (apart from our drinks). I chose Wahaca’s twist on the Aperol Spritz – Acapulco Spritz (£10.95), which includes prosecco and grapefruit. I slightly panicked between ordering and it arriving that it included tequila but for a non-tequila lover, the flavour it was subtle. It was a crisp and refreshing spritzy summer drink and I unashamedly ate the big slice of grapefruit after consuming the liquid. My partner had a Mexican-inspired beer: Pacifico Clara (£5.95)
Now for the food, which is all cooked freshly and to order so can come out at different times. First up, we tried the most recently added to the menu Entrada: Pico de Gallo (£6.50) – Tomato, onion, lime and fresh herbs, served with tortilla chips. We tossed a coin over whether to go for the classic Guacamole or this and in all honesty, I prefer Guacamole. It’s easier to load up on tortilla chips IMHO. But this Entrada was summery and refreshing, and came very quickly even before our drinks, so we weren’t left salivating too long. The leftover juice was so tasty and tempting, I put the plate to my lips and knocked it back, hoping no one was looking.
Next came the new small plate: Prawn Aguachile (£8.95), marinated in habanero, fresh lime and coconut, with avocado, crisp tostadas and salsa macha. Originating from Sinaloa in the north west of Mexico, aguachile is a seafood dish similar to ceviche. We loved the meaty prawns and mildly spicy yellow sauce. The avocado was fresh and creamy. I could have devoured a couple more tostadas.
Then, the surprising showstopper of the night: Hibiscus Glazed Aubergine (£15.95). This dish was layered with flavour and texture; from the chargrilled, salty and smoky, full-bodied aubergine to the splodges of punchy salsa macha. The crumbled feta and light and zesty quinoa made this made-with-love dish really stand out. I say surprising because we often go for meat options and by sampling the summer menu, we ate more veggie-based dishes.
Wahaca’s new Sunshine Bowls come with free-range chicken (£14.50), ‘Halloumi Al Pastor’ (£14.50) or Garlic Sweet Potato (£13.50). We chose the halloumi, which was absolutely delicious and everything I want from halloumi; punchy flavour, melty not squeaky texture (a miracle!) and enough saltiness but not too much. This menu item is listed as a vibrant bowl of 30 plants, with avocado, sautéed corn, spinach, quinoa, black beans and our coconut-lime dressing. We loved the flavour on the corn and the black beans. The green coconut-lime dressing was also a highlight.
The last items that arrived were the new taco offerings: Grilled Chicken & Avocado
(£7.95) and Griddled Cactus & Courgette (£6.95). The chicken tacos were deep-filled and delicious. We left them until last to really savour them. The cactus and courgette offered a light and fresh taste. Both pairs of tacos were layered with a variety of well-thought-out flavours.
We didn’t have room for dessert but of course we looked at the menu. The chocolate and pecan brownie with salted caramel ice cream and dulce de leche stood out but we both agreed, at Wahaca, we would always choose Churros. Note to self: Save a bit more room next time!
More About Wahaca Brighton
Wahaca was founded in 2007 by Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby, inspired by Miers’ time in Mexico and a shared passion for fresh, authentic Mexican food. Now, Wahaca serves vibrant, contemporary Mexican dishes in 14 UK locations, including Edinburgh, Cardiff, Brighton, and across London—where it was named the city’s favourite restaurant by YouGov in 2019.
Signature dishes include freshly made guacamole using ripe Hass avocados and lime, and pork pibil tacos with free-range British pork.
A sustainability leader, Wahaca became the UK’s first carbon-neutral restaurant in 2016. Its 200+ daily-prepared ingredients are sourced locally where possible, with regenerative beef, free-range meat, and MSC-certified fish. In 2024, Which? Magazine named Wahaca the UK’s most sustainable restaurant group. Over half its menu is meat-free, offering a balanced and flavourful approach to sustainable dining.
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Address: 160 – 161 North St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EZ
