Wahaca returns to expansion trail with first new restaurant in seven years

Wahaca is set to return to the expansion trail with the launch of the first new restaurant under its main brand in seven years.

The Mexican restaurant group has taken a 150-cover site in Paddington Square, part of a new dining space connected to London Paddington station.

Due to open in April, it will be the group’s first launch under the Wahaca brand since 2018, and fourteenth overall.

Wahaca was founded by Mark Selby and MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers in Covent Garden in 2007 and at one point grew to 27 locations nationwide.

The group was forced to permanently close 12 sites – almost half of its estate – as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) during the pandemic in 2020.

However, Wahaca said in 2022 it was planning to resume expansion across London and was searching for environmentally conscious sites in areas around transport hubs and the suburbs.

Around 50 jobs are expected to be created at the Paddington restaurant, which will be led by seasoned general manager Rafael De Lima and head chef Mirko Emanuele.

Over 50% of the menu will be meat-free, as in other Wahaca restaurants, after the chain dropped steak from its menu last year.

Gemma Glasson, managing director of Wahaca, said: “Paddington is certainly on the up. The new development means it’s becoming a distinct destination in its own right in addition to its status as a major transport hub.

She added: “I hope that Paddington provides for our customers a re-imagined view of what it means to dine at Wahaca and I can’t wait to open our doors in April.”