Wahaca's new Southbank pop-up

Mexican street food experts Wahaca have opened an exciting new pop-up restaurant on top of the Southbank Centre.

Launching week the new restaurant will run for a limited time only and will serve a range of brand new dishes.

Cobbled together from eight recycled shipping containers – a bit like Boxpark, but with more tequila – the new venue perches on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, boasting great views over the Thames.

Slightly reminiscent of an eatery you might find backstage at Glastonbury, Wahaca’s Southbank experiment is a fun and vibrant addition to the already buzzing Southbank promenade.

The two storey overhanging structure has been designed to carry on the theme of the Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World, which runs until September 9 and has turned the site into a bustling port filled with outdoor art installations from around the world.

Once you’ve managed to get a table – as is becoming the London norm they don’t take bookings – start off with a refreshing sweet and sour Tamarind cocktail, or a classic Mojito with lashings of tequila.

London diners will be familiar with Wahaca’s deliciously chunky guacamole, and as ever this doesn’t disappoint – for something different try with the surprisingly light pork scratchings.

From the new specials menu – which we are told is set to change for each of the restaurant’s 18 month residency – grab some chili tacos with feta cheese.

Other stand out dishes include the chili quesadillas (lip-burningly hot), the steak burrito with chipotle salsa (oozing with meat juices) and the cactus taco (a must try).

Wash it all down with a couple of cheladas – a lager of your choice, served in a glass with lime juice and a salt rim – on the second floor bar while watching the world go by.

Wahaca Southbank, Queen Elizabeth’s Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. wahaca.co.uk.

Monday-Saturday 12pm-11pm. Sunday 12pm-10.30pm.