Our aim is to deliver everything that is exciting and fresh about Mexican food to the people of London,
banishing old perceptions of heavy, greasy, tastebud-searing, so-called Tex-Mex. From the beaches
of Baja and Cancun, to the mountains of the Sierra Madre, Mexico has an incredible variety of fresh
and vibrant flavours to offer. All of this rich culinary culture has inspired our delicious burritos, tacos,
soups and salads. We enjoy mixing these authentic Mexican flavours with a dash of London’s
own special character.
We combine fresh, local produce from farms as close as Bedfordshire with the unique flavours of
chipotle chilies, bright green tomatillos and soft, pillowy flour tortillas from Mexico. We love this food
and believe that you will too.
Ben spent many long hours of his youth working in hot restaurant kitchens, swanky bars and many
places in between, dreaming of starting his own restaurant. These dreams might never have been
realised but for a fateful year spent in Texas. In Texas, Ben learned that Mexican food could be so
much more interesting, so much healthier and, above all, so much tastier than he had been led to
believe growing up in London. It was the simple, fresh flavours of taquerias - such as ripe avocados,
fiery chillies, fresh-squeezed limes - that really made the biggest impression.
Ben, together with his Texan wife, decided to wake London up to all that Mexican food had to offer.
They travelled around Mexico honing their skills in cooking schools in Oaxaca and learning as much
as possible about the food, the people and the culture of Mexico. Five years after first coming up
with the idea, and with a short career as a city lawyer behind him, Ben teamed up with head chef
Felipe from Puebla, Mexico. Felipe has a rich background in cooking and serving Mexican food
in Mexico, California and Barcelona as well as in London.
Ben and Felipe created a menu that was fresh, healthy and authentic, which they hoped would show
people the beauty and vibrancy that is the very essence of the Mexican food they love.
Since starting out, they have brought Juan on board. Juan is also Mexican born and raised and
has become an essential part of the Benito’s Hat team. The rest of the team is a great group of chefs
and friendly ambassadors who create and serve the food every day. Ben and Felipe have imbued in
them the same sense of pride and passion that they feel for the food and ethos of Benito’s Hat.
Our name references the great Mexican, Benito Juarez. Benito was the most beloved and progressive
of all early Mexican presidents, the first indigenous national to lead the country, and a champion of
human rights for all citizens of Mexico. Once upon a time, the usually soberly-dressed Benito took it
upon himself to wear a flamboyant wide-brimmed hat with a feather in it. Nobody knows why he did
this, but the sartorial decision was captured in a lone statue in Mexico. It is after this amazing man, the
great things he achieved for the people of Mexico and the mystery that made him wear such a decadent
hat that we have named our restaurant. The fact that Benito is also the Spanish version of the name
of one of our founders didn’t hurt either.
56 Goodge St, London W1T 4NB
020 7637 3732