Comida Fest: The Best Latin American Food in London

Comida Fest: The Best Latin American Food in London

Comida Fest is a travelling food festival in London which showcases the best of Latin American cuisine and culture. Here Simone Ruotolo, Director of Comida Fest tells us about the festival and gives us her guide to the best Latin American street food stalls and restaurants in London.



Comida
Fest is a travelling food festival
in London which showcases the best of Latin American cuisine and culture. It was
started by three Brazilian women – Simone Ruotolo, Alicia Bastos
and Gizane Campos. Bringing together some of the best food stalls
in London – from Venezuelan arepas and empanadas to Cuban sandwiches and Mexican tacos – with dance, music, special
performances and more, their events create a dynamic space for
Latin Americans and Londoners alike. Here Simone Ruotolo, Director
of Comida Fest tells us about the festival and gives us her guide
to the best Latin American street food stalls and restaurants in
London.

How did Comida Fest come about?

There was a need in London to showcase Latin American cuisine so
we started Comida Fest at Southbank in the Spring of 2016. It was
after this event that we received a request from the Camden council
to organise a pocket festival to celebrate the olympics. The event
keeps growing and at the moment we are preparing our main Comida
Fest event in 2017 – location to be announced soon.

Comida Fest is a combination of music, drinks, artisan traders
and food. Why do you think it’s important to show more than one
aspect of Latin American culture?

Because in Latin America music, food and culture are
intrinsically linked. This why our motto is ‘eat, drink,
fiesta’.



What is the Latin American food scene like in London? How is it
evolving?

A few Latin American countries and their cuisine have definitely
made its way into the UK food market with well established
restaurants. There is an abundance of Mexican, Peruvian, Argentinean and Brazilian restaurants and food
traders. However, Latin America is extensive and there are many
other countries with innovative cuisine that need a platform to
showcase their food. That’s where we come in. We hope to showcase
as many innovative and independent food traders from different
Latin American countries.

Why do you think London is a good place to cultivate the Latin
American food scene?

Because London is such a multicultural city that embraces food
from all over the world, with people open to new experiences. It
also has a big Latin American community.

Have you noticed chefs and restaurant owners getting creative
with Latin American food?

Some non-Peruvian chefs have included ceviche in their
restaurants, like Jason Atherton from Pollen Street Social and Atul
Kochhar from Benares. The World Cup and Olympic games held in South
America recently also gave rise to Latin American ingredients being
incorporated into haute cuisine. Guacamole is extremely popular and
exotic fruits such as lucuma and açai are also being used for
dessert.

What are some places in London that people can get a taste of
Latin American culture that aren’t restaurants?

Some art institutions like the Latin American Foundation for the
Future, Latin American Bureau, Braziliarty and Latin Elephant have
helped and supported art venues to showcase Latin American cultural
events. Frequent events like CASA Festival, La Linea Festival,
Latin American Film Festival, LUKAS Awards, are also worth checking
out.

Is there a neighbourhood in London where there is a particular
Latin American scene?

Elephant and Castle, Seven Sisters, Willesden Junction, Brixton
are areas in London with large Latin American community which
reflects in local businesses: restaurants, shops and events.

Where’s the best place to go dancing in London for a Latin
American?

I would highly recommend any party or event organised by
Movimientos and Latinos in London. In terms of venues, check the
schedule of Latin American-themed events by Rich Mix, The Forge,
Hootananny, Bedroom Bar and Notting Hill Arts Club.



London’s Best Latin American Street Food Stalls

Name: Guasacaca

Serves: Venezuelan arepas

Where: Pump Shoreditch, St Katharina Dock,
Chatsworth Market, St Giles, Hammersmith Lyric Square

Name: Agua na
Boca

Serves: Brazilian snacks and churros

Where: Herne Hill Market, Northcross Road
Market, West Norwood Feast

Name: Jama Cubana

Serves: Cuban sandwiches

Where: Brook Green, Chiswick Market, Latimer
Road

Name: Salsas Latin Street Food

Serves: Burgers, Empanadas, Tacos

Where: 571 Cable Street (Car Park)

Name: Smokoloko

Serves: Smoked BBQ

Where: Spitafields Market, Bethnal Green
Road

London’s Best Latin American Restaurants

Name: Café Pacifico

Type of Cuisine: Mexican

What to eat: Tuna tacos with sweet-potato chips
or the ‘taquiza’ fajita. They make the best margaritas in
London!

The vibe: fun, colourful, party mood

Name: Colombian Street Kitchen at Green Rooms
Hotel

Cuisine: Colombian

What to eat: Multigrain arepa and empanada

The vibe: The East London arts scene in Wood
Green

Name: Moo Cantina

Cuisine: Argentinean

What to eat: Argentinean steak and the best
porteno lomito (sandwich)

The vibe: Chilled with very friendly staff

Name: Lima and
Lima Floral

Cuisine: Peruvian

What to Eat: The chicken pachamanca with salsa
criolla and cuzco corn, from their weekend brunch menu

The Vibe: Fine dining, awarded a Michelin star
in 2014

Name: Las Iguanas

Cuisine: Latin American

What to eat: The platter with tapas from
different Latin cuisines

The Vibe: A tropical hang out all around UK

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