Cielito is a Mexican restaurant in Virginia Water that we’ve visited multiple times for casual dinners, both during the week and at weekends.
It’s become a reliable option when we’re deciding where to eat and don’t want to gamble on somewhere new.
It’s small, familiar, and consistent.
We know the menu, we know what works for us, and the experience has been steady enough that we keep coming back without much discussion.
The Occasion
Every visit to Cielito has been for a casual dinner. Sometimes midweek, sometimes on the weekend, but never tied to a specific celebration.
It’s somewhere we’ve chosen when we wanted a relaxed meal and were happy to spend the evening there rather than eat quickly and move on.
Dinner here has always been a sit-down experience. It’s not somewhere we’ve gone when short on time, and that’s been consistent across visits.
First Impressions
Cielito is a small restaurant with only a handful of tables, which is immediately noticeable. The size gives it a more intimate feel and sets expectations straight away.
The restaurant is clearly themed around Mexican cuisine, with vibrant colours, Día de los Muertos-style décor, and plenty of tequila on display behind the bar.
The presentation feels intentional and well put together without feeling cluttered or excessive.
What We Ordered
Across multiple visits, we’ve ordered a wide range of dishes from the menu.
This includes fresh corn chips with salsa roja and a panucho filled with slow-cooked shredded pork and pickled onion, served on corn tortillas with refried beans.
We’ve also had chicken tinga tostadas topped with refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, and cheese, as well as barbacoa de costilla — shredded beef forerib cooked in Mexican spices and served on a bed of fried potato slices.
Tacos have featured regularly.
We’ve ordered cochinita tacos made with marinated pork shoulder and salsa verde, along with grilled chicken tacos marinated in buttermilk and served with pico de gallo, coriander, and salsa roja.
Other dishes we’ve ordered include beef bavette fajitas served with peppers, onions, sour cream, soft cheese, and guacamole, the 250g native wagyu sirloin carne asada with refried beans, grilled spring onion, and fresh tortillas, and quesadillas de chicharrón filled with pork belly and melted cheese.
The Standout
It’s difficult to point to one standout dish, simply because everything we’ve ordered over multiple visits has been consistently strong and full of flavour.
What stands out more is the attention from the owner.
Alvin remembers our orders when we return, which immediately makes the experience feel personal rather than transactional.
On one visit, after we mentioned liking a particular tequila, he ordered a bottle in so it would be available for our next visit.
It’s a small detail, but one that leaves an impression.
Service & Atmosphere
Cielito has a clear family feel, which comes through as soon as you arrive.
Alvin is always behind the bar, greeting guests as they come in and staying present throughout service.
Service is friendly and personable, but food has taken a while to arrive on every visit we’ve had.
It’s not a place to go if you’re hoping to be in and out quickly.
That said, there’s no sense of being rushed.
Tables aren’t turned over aggressively, and the pace stays relaxed throughout the meal.
Value for Money
Cielito isn’t cheap, but it offers good value for money, particularly for a weeknight dinner rather than something saved only for special occasions.
Tacos range from £13 to £16, while larger plates are priced between £17 and £38.
Cocktails sit between £12 and £15, beers between £4 and £5.90, and soft drinks such as Coca-Cola range from £3.80 to £5.
Everything is clearly made fresh rather than frozen, and dishes do sometimes sell out, which has happened often enough to feel expected.
There are also several offers worth noting, including After Work Club with 20% off alcoholic drinks (Tuesday to Friday, 5–7pm), Cielito Rewards offering £5 off every 75 points, £10 Taco Tuesdays, and £15 Fajita Wednesdays.
Who It’s Best For
Cielito works well for casual meals, particularly when catching up with friends or spending time with family.
It can feel romantic, but it’s better suited to relaxed, social dinners.
It’s also a good option for those dining with younger children, with a children’s menu available.
Overall, it’s a genuine local restaurant that’s easy to return to and consistently delivers.