Finding the best tarta de choclo near me is a treat for anyone who enjoys the comforting flavours of South American cooking. Sweetcorn, creamy fillings, pastry, cheese and carefully balanced seasoning can turn a relatively simple ingredient into a rich savoury dish.
Tarta de choclo is particularly associated with Argentine cooking, although similar corn-based dishes can be found across South America. London has a growing collection of Argentine, Chilean and Latin American restaurants where diners can enjoy tarta de choclo itself or closely related dishes such as pastel de choclo and humita.
For anyone looking to experience these flavours in London, these six restaurants, cafés and empanada specialists are among the most interesting places to consider.
6 Best Places for Tarta de Choclo and Similar Corn Dishes
| Restaurant | Area | Recommended Corn Dish | Style |
| Mareida | Fitzrovia | Pastel de Choclo | Chilean |
| Harrison’s Coffee | Paddington | Pastel de Choclo | Chilean |
| Crudo Shoreditch | Shoreditch | Pastel de Choclo | Latin American |
| Santa Maria del Sur | Battersea | Humita | Argentine |
| De Nadas Empanadas | Several London locations | Humita Empanada | Argentine |
| Chango Empanadas | Several London locations | Humita Vegan Empanada | Argentine |
1. Mareida – Fitzrovia
Address: 160 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QA
Cuisine: Chilean
Best for: A refined interpretation of South American corn pie
Mareida is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in discovering the depth of Chilean cuisine in central London.
Its approach is more contemporary than a traditional neighbourhood café, combining Chilean culinary traditions with polished modern presentation.
One of the dishes particularly relevant to tarta de choclo lovers is pastel de choclo. Although pastel de choclo differs from an Argentine pastry-based tarta, both celebrate corn as the dominant ingredient.
The Chilean preparation traditionally combines a sweetcorn layer with savoury ingredients beneath it. Mareida has served its version with ingredients including lamb shoulder, egg and raisins, creating a combination of sweetness, richness and savoury depth.
The contrast between naturally sweet corn and seasoned meat is one of the defining qualities of this style of cooking.
For diners who want something more substantial than a bakery tart or empanada, Mareida provides one of London’s most sophisticated introductions to corn-based South American cuisine.
What makes it special: Contemporary Chilean cooking centred on traditional flavours.
Good choice for: Dinner, special occasions and diners exploring Chilean food.
2. Harrison’s Coffee – Paddington
Address: 3 Spring Street, London W2 3RA
Cuisine: Chilean
Best for: Traditional Chilean comfort food in a casual setting
Harrison’s Coffee in Paddington offers a considerably more relaxed way to experience Chilean food.
Despite the café-style name, its menu extends beyond coffee and pastries into traditional Chilean dishes. One of its standout specialities is pastel de choclo, described by the café as a traditional savoury corn pie.
For someone who enjoys tarta de choclo, this is a particularly worthwhile alternative.
The emphasis here is on comforting, familiar flavours rather than elaborate restaurant presentation. That gives Harrison’s an appealing neighbourhood feel and makes it suitable for diners who simply want hearty South American cooking.
The café is also known for making traditional Chilean bread, strengthening its connection with the country’s everyday food culture.
A visit can therefore extend beyond pastel de choclo to other Chilean breads, pastries and dishes that are less frequently seen in mainstream London cafés.
What makes it special: Traditional Chilean food in an informal café environment.
Good choice for: Lunch, casual meals and traditional comfort food.
3. Crudo Shoreditch – Shoreditch
Address: Unit D, 211C Old Street, London EC1V 9NR
Cuisine: Latin American
Best for: A modern corn-based dish in East London
Crudo Shoreditch brings together flavours from different parts of Latin America, giving diners an opportunity to explore corn in a more contemporary context.
Its menu includes pastel de choclo, presented as a Peruvian corn cake with feta cheese. Current menu information lists the dish among the restaurant’s starters.
This interpretation differs from both Argentine tarta de choclo and the traditional Chilean casserole-style pastel de choclo.
Rather than relying on pastry or a heavy meat filling, Crudo puts greater emphasis on the corn itself and complements it with the salty richness of feta.
That makes it particularly appealing to diners who want something lighter or are interested in seeing how similar ingredients are treated differently throughout Latin America.
Crudo’s broader menu also incorporates ingredients such as choclo corn in ceviche and rice dishes, making it one of the more interesting options for anyone particularly enthusiastic about South American maize.
What makes it special: A contemporary Latin American interpretation of pastel de choclo.
Good choice for: Dinner with friends and modern Latin American dining.
4. Santa Maria del Sur – Battersea
Address: 129 Queenstown Road, London SW8 3RH
Cuisine: Argentine
Best for: Authentic Argentine flavours in South London
Santa Maria del Sur is a long-established Argentine restaurant in Battersea and a particularly relevant choice for diners interested in the culinary tradition surrounding tarta de choclo.
Its menu features humita, made as a creamy sweetcorn dish accompanied by blue cheese and cherry tomatoes.
Humita is not the same as tarta de choclo, but the flavour connection is strong.
Both dishes rely heavily on corn and belong to a wider South American tradition in which maize is combined with onions, cheese, peppers, herbs and other savoury ingredients.
At Santa Maria del Sur, the creamy corn contrasts with blue cheese, giving the dish a richer and slightly sharper finish.
The restaurant is also strongly associated with Argentine steak, empanadas and grilled meats. That makes it a useful destination for groups where one diner wants to explore corn-based Argentine food while others prefer the country’s better-known beef dishes.
What makes it special: A traditional Argentine restaurant offering humita alongside classic steaks and empanadas.
Good choice for: Groups, Argentine dinners and South London diners.
5. De Nadas Empanadas – Multiple London Locations
Locations include: Golborne Road, Shoreditch, Stoke Newington, Bethnal Green and Kew Gardens
Cuisine: Argentine
Best for: A pastry-based corn dish closest in format to tarta de choclo
De Nadas is particularly relevant for anyone who loves the combination of sweetcorn and baked pastry.
The Argentine empanadería makes its empanadas by hand and offers more than 15 fillings. Its current selection includes a vegetarian Humita empanada.
The filling combines mozzarella, sweetcorn, béchamel sauce and peppers.
That ingredient combination makes it one of the closest options on this list to the flavour and texture associated with tarta de choclo.
There is creamy sweetcorn, melted cheese and béchamel enclosed in baked pastry. The shape may be different from a full tarta, but many of the fundamental elements are remarkably similar.
De Nadas also offers a particularly broad choice of Argentine empanadas, including classic beef, creamy chicken, caprese, portobello mushroom, blue cheese and pear, and several vegetarian options.
Its multiple London branches make it convenient for diners across different parts of the capital.
What makes it special: Sweetcorn, mozzarella and béchamel enclosed in freshly baked Argentine pastry.
Good choice for: Lunch, takeaway and anyone craving corn-filled pastry.
6. Chango Empanadas – Multiple London Locations
Locations include: Clapham Common, Wimbledon, Kensington and Waterloo
Cuisine: Argentine
Best for: A vegan corn-based Argentine option
Chango is another useful London destination for Argentine empanadas and traditional South American flavours.
Among its current range is the Humita Vegan empanada, giving plant-based diners an opportunity to enjoy a corn-focused filling without relying on the dairy-heavy recipes commonly found in tarta or traditional humita.
Chango specialises in handmade Argentine empanadas and has locations across different parts of London.
For people based in South West London in particular, its Clapham Common and Wimbledon branches make it convenient to enjoy an Argentine corn-filled pastry without travelling into central London.
The similarities with tarta de choclo come from the combination of pastry and a rich corn-based centre. It provides the portable, individual-sized version of the sweet-and-savoury corn experience that makes choclo dishes so appealing.
Chango also sells its empanadas in larger quantities, making them suitable for sharing at home or serving as part of a larger meal. Its current range lists the Humita Vegan variety alongside several other Argentine empanada fillings.
What makes it special: A plant-based way to enjoy Argentine humita flavours inside pastry.
Good choice for: Vegans, takeaway and casual dining.
Which Place Is Best for Tarta de Choclo Lovers?
The right choice depends largely on which element of tarta de choclo appeals most.
For traditional corn pie, Harrison’s Coffee and Mareida are particularly interesting because their Chilean pastel de choclo puts corn at the centre of the dish.
For a modern interpretation, Crudo Shoreditch offers a lighter Latin American corn cake paired with feta.
For Argentine authenticity, Santa Maria del Sur brings diners closer to the country’s humita tradition.
For anyone specifically craving corn wrapped in pastry, De Nadas is arguably one of the strongest options because its Humita empanada combines sweetcorn, mozzarella, peppers and béchamel inside baked Argentine pastry.
Chango, meanwhile, stands out for diners wanting a vegan alternative.
What Is Tarta de Choclo?
Tarta de choclo is a savoury corn tart associated particularly with Argentine home cooking.
Choclo is a term commonly used for corn in several South American countries. In Argentina, the ingredient appears in numerous traditional recipes including tarts, humita, empanadas and stews.
A typical tarta de choclo consists of pastry filled with a creamy sweetcorn mixture.
Depending on the recipe, the filling may include:
- Sweetcorn
- Onion
- Peppers
- Cheese
- Milk or cream
- Béchamel
- Eggs
- Herbs and seasonings
The filling is usually soft and creamy while the baked pastry creates a firmer, golden exterior.
Different households naturally make the dish differently. Some versions are relatively simple, allowing corn and cheese to dominate, while others incorporate peppers, herbs and richer sauces.
What Does Tarta de Choclo Taste Like?
Tarta de choclo offers an unusual balance between natural sweetness and savoury richness.
Corn contributes a gentle sweetness, while onion and seasoning provide depth. Cheese can add saltiness and richness, while béchamel or cream produces the characteristic soft centre.
The pastry is equally important.
A well-baked crust provides contrast with the creamy filling, creating a combination that is simultaneously crisp, soft, rich and slightly sweet.
It is comforting rather than intensely spicy and is therefore suitable for diners who prefer flavourful food without strong chilli heat.
What Is the Difference Between Tarta de Choclo and Pastel de Choclo?
Although their names are sometimes used loosely, tarta de choclo and pastel de choclo are not exactly the same dish.
| Tarta de Choclo | Pastel de Choclo |
| Particularly associated with Argentina | Particularly associated with Chile |
| Normally made with pastry | Usually baked without a pastry shell |
| Corn forms a creamy tart filling | Corn commonly forms the upper layer |
| Cheese and onion are common | Meat and egg are common in traditional versions |
| Similar in format to a savoury tart | Similar in format to a baked casserole |
The distinction is important because the eating experience can be quite different.
Someone who loves the crisp pastry surrounding a creamy corn filling may prefer Argentine tarta or a humita empanada.
Someone who mainly enjoys the flavour of sweetcorn alongside rich savoury ingredients may find Chilean pastel de choclo equally satisfying.
Is Humita Similar to Tarta de Choclo?
Humita is closely connected to tarta de choclo through its main ingredient: corn.
It is a traditional food found in several South American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, although its preparation varies by region.
Argentine humita often combines corn with onion, peppers and seasoning. It can be eaten as a creamy dish or used as an empanada filling.
That second version is particularly close to tarta de choclo.
When creamy humita is enclosed in pastry, diners get many of the same characteristics: sweetcorn, savoury seasoning, a soft interior and a baked outer crust.
This is why the Humita empanadas at De Nadas and Chango are particularly relevant alternatives.
Is Tarta de Choclo Vegetarian?
Many versions are vegetarian, but it depends on the recipe.
Classic Argentine tarta de choclo can be prepared using sweetcorn, onions, peppers, cheese, milk, eggs and pastry without adding meat.
Humita empanadas are also commonly vegetarian. De Nadas currently labels its Humita empanada as vegetarian.
Pastel de choclo requires more care because traditional Chilean versions often include beef or another meat beneath the corn layer.
Diners with specific dietary requirements should therefore check the ingredients used in each restaurant’s preparation.
Why Is Corn So Important in South American Cuisine?
Corn has been an important food across South America for thousands of years and remains fundamental to many regional cuisines.
Rather than being used simply as a side vegetable, maize frequently becomes the foundation of complete dishes.
Argentina has humita and corn-filled empanadas. Chile has pastel de choclo. Peru uses several varieties of maize in dishes ranging from ceviche accompaniments to corn cakes and drinks.
This history helps explain why seemingly similar corn dishes can taste remarkably different from one country to another.
Tarta de choclo represents the Argentine approach particularly well: familiar ingredients transformed into a creamy, filling savoury tart.
Which Tarta de Choclo Alternative Should You Choose?
For the closest pastry experience, choose a Humita empanada from De Nadas.
For a traditional Chilean corn pie, Harrison’s Coffee is particularly appealing.
For upmarket Chilean dining, Mareida is the strongest choice.
For a modern Latin American interpretation, try Crudo Shoreditch.
For Argentine humita served as a dish rather than pastry, Santa Maria del Sur provides an excellent option.
For a vegan corn-filled empanada, Chango deserves consideration.
Each approaches corn differently, which makes trying more than one particularly worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
For anyone craving the best tarta de choclo near me, London offers several excellent ways to enjoy the flavours that make this South American corn dish so distinctive. Mareida and Harrison’s Coffee showcase Chilean pastel de choclo, Crudo brings a modern interpretation, Santa Maria del Sur serves Argentine humita, while De Nadas and Chango wrap creamy corn flavours inside baked empanada pastry.
Each offers a different experience, making them worthwhile choices for discovering how South American cuisines transform humble corn into rich, comforting food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can I Get Tarta De Choclo in London?
Argentine and Chilean restaurants provide the closest options. De Nadas offers a Humita empanada with sweetcorn, mozzarella and béchamel, while Harrison’s Coffee and Mareida specialise in Chilean food including pastel de choclo.
What is the Closest Alternative to Tarta De Choclo?
A Humita empanada is one of the closest alternatives because it combines a creamy corn-based filling with baked pastry.
Is Tarta De Choclo Sweet or Savoury?
It is primarily savoury, although sweetcorn gives the filling a noticeable natural sweetness.
Does Tarta De Choclo Contain Cheese?
Many recipes contain cheese, although ingredients differ between cooks and regions.
Is Pastel De Choclo the Same as Tarta De Choclo?
No. Tarta normally uses pastry around a corn filling, whereas traditional pastel de choclo generally has a sweetcorn topping over a savoury filling.
Can Vegans Eat Tarta De Choclo?
Traditional versions frequently contain dairy or eggs, but plant-based alternatives exist. Chango currently offers a Humita Vegan empanada.
What Should I Eat With Tarta De Choclo?
It works well with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables or other Argentine dishes such as empanadas and grilled vegetables.
