El Pastor Soho might be the third in the line of London’s Pastor joints after El Pastor in Borough Market and Casa Pastor in King’s Cross – but it looks like it takes the throne as the new flagship.
It comes to us courtesy of the Harts Group, who have their fingers in a lot of other pies (and by ‘pies’ we mean ‘beloved London institutions like Barrafina‘) but this place is special in the hearts of the Harts, as the founders spent a decade running a cult nightclub in Mexico City before diving into the London resto scene. And this is a recreation of that time, nightclub and all.
You’ll find El Pastor Soho in the old Hix site on Brewer Street, which they’ve redressed in the faded grandeur of an old hotel, complete with glittering chandeliers, burnt pink walls, and long ceiling fans lazily turning above brass-rimmed tables. Below that, there’s the aforementioned subterranean nightclub and mezcal bar, which strikes a considerably darker, moodier & more energetic tone, thanks to the nightly DJs.
The menu revolves around their signature tacos (all wrapped in fresh tortillas, made daily using heirloom Mexican corn) so you can expect some soft-shelled crab, or the pork & caramelised pineapple Al Pastor (it’s such a classic, they named the restaurant group after it). A couple of things that are unique to El Pastor Soho, however, include the huge, crispy duck sharing plate. It’s spiced with charred habanero salsa, and comes with a radish & chilli salad, aromatic duck salt, and as many tortillas as you need.
Heading down below El Pastor Soho, you’ll be immediately hit with the intensely smokey aroma of mezcal – they’ve got dozens of varieties, including their house-made ‘EP Batch 2’, distilled over cocoa nibs, which they claim imparts a feeling of “frivolous euphoria”. There are plenty of cocktails too of course (try the fiery tequila/ginger combo Diabolo Rojo), as well as flavour-packed michelada-style beers, and half a dozen margaritas packed with left-field ingredients like avocado & marmalade.
It makes for an interesting spread.
NOTE: El Pastor Soho is open daily (no lunch on Mondays), with the mezcal bar open Wed-Sat with nightly DJs. You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right HERE.
El Pastor Soho | 66-70 Brewer St, W1F 9UP
Fancy a little tipple somewhere beforehand? Take a look at our guide to Soho’s best bars.