January always arrives with plenty of good intentions, but sometimes very little joy attached to them – particularly if you’re going plant-based or sober for the first time. Yet an army of us subscribe to it.
Veganuary reported a record-breaking 25.8 million participants globally in 2025. In parallel, around 15.5 to 17.5 million UK adults planned to take part in Dry January in 2025, benching their pints and Whiskies and opting for their non-alcoholic counterparts instead.
Both are an incontestable challenge – sure – but luckily for us Londoners, neither Veganuary or Dry January necessarily signal a pitiful month of misery and deprivation. There are countless options for mouth-watering plant-based meals and ingenious mocktails all around the city.
One such option is brought to us by Wahaca. The popular Mexican restaurant group is starting 2026 with a set of seasonal specials that are set to feel warming, nourishing, and satisfying – whether you’re going plant-based for the month, cutting back on alcohol, or opting out of resolutions altogether.
The new dishes and drinks roll out as limited-time January specials across Wahaca restaurants, offering a mix of vegetable-forward plates, restorative comfort food, and thoughtfully designed low- and no-alcohol cocktails — plus one properly indulgent margarita for those not subscribing to the Dry January brief. Below, a closer look at what’s new:
New plant-based taco for Veganuary
Wahaca’s new addition is the Caramelised Veg and Macadamia Tacos (£7.50). Soft corn tortillas are filled with organic Riverford vegetables, including roasted carrots, leeks, and cherry tomatoes. They are finished with a rich macadamia nut mole, adapted from a recipe in co-founder Thomasina Miers’ Mexican Table. Rich in nutrients, high in prebiotics, and just as comforting and full-flavoured as its others Taco siblings (it’s a big family!).
A restorative winter warmer
Vegans for the month can look away for a second: no everyone will be seeking a newfound love for tofu, so tis the time to let the pork shine too. Wahaca is introducing a Slow-Cooked Pork Pozole (£8.95), a traditional Mexican soup inspired by the pozole stalls found on the streets of Oaxaca.
This version centres on a clear, slow-simmered bone broth, enriched with white corn kernels, tender shredded pork, lime-marinated cabbage, avocado, and crisp radish. It’s gently spiced with chilli and garlic – the most warming and comforting meat-based option for the cold weather.
There’s also the option to add a Three Cheese Quesadilla (+£4.00) on the side if you haven’t had enough cheese over the holidays – or can’t go out without ordering a cheese-based dish (that would be us!).
Speaking about the new additions, Wahaca co-founder and 2005 Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers explains that the dishes reflect what feels right to cook and eat at this time of year.
“Our new pozole is inspired by the one we fell in love with outside the 20 de Noviembre market in Oaxaca City,” she says. “Comforting, restorative and brimming with flavour, it feels like the natural recipe for our chefs to be cooking in the New Year when the weather is dark and inhospitable — the perfect dish to devour when coming in from the cold.”
Low and no-alcoholic drinks that still feel like a treat
There’s a new Mini Non-Alc Trio (£7.50) that is served as a playful tasting flight of three alcohol-free cocktails in smaller serves. The trio includes a Cucumber, Jalapeño & Basil Smash, which is clean and refreshing with a subtle kick; a Pineapple & Passion Fruit Picante, leaning tropical with gentle heat; and a Blackberry Sour, offering a sharper, more rounded finish. It’s playful, well-balanced, and far more interesting than defaulting to soft drinks.
Beer drinkers cutting back on alcohol can opt for the Lucky Saint Michelada (£7.70) — a Mexican-style Bloody Mary built around a 0.5% lager.
For anyone who never meant to sign up to Dry January in the first place, Wahaca offers a limited-edition cocktail – The Rhubarbarita (£9.95). Available from the 14th of January, this is a seasonal take on the classic margarita, blending freshly juiced rhubarb with tequila and finishing with a playful rim of crushed rhubarb-and-custard sweets.
Key details
- What’s new: January 2026 seasonal specials, including plant-based dishes, pork pozole, no-alcohol drinks, and a limited-edition cocktail
- Locations: See the full list here
- When: Available for a limited time throughout January 2026
- Website: www.wahaca.co.uk
- Instagram: @wahaca
- Booking: Walk-ins and bookings available (location dependent)
See also
Review – The Broadcaster: The ultimate cosy night out with live music and hearty food
Why cutting back on booze might be the best decision you make this year