Looking for the best Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh? From family-run cantinas to trendy taco joints, we’ve detailed where to eat the finest Mexican food in the City Centre, Leith and beyond.
Updated September 2026. We’ve also listed where to enjoy Margaritas, churros and which restaurants offer Mexican food delivery in Edinburgh. Note: Viva Mexico (Cockburn Street) closed in January 2024 after 40 years, and all three El Cartel locations have also closed. The venues below are all confirmed open.
| Restaurant | Area | Speciality | Price | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariachi | Old Town (Victoria Street) | Street food, cocktails, beer garden | ££ | EH1 2HE |
| Miros Cantina Mexicana | New Town (Rose Street) | Big portions, fajitas, sangria | ££ | EH2 4BA |
| The Basement Bar | New Town (Broughton Street) | Tacos, brunch, tequila cocktails | ££ | EH1 3SZ |
| Paz Taqueria | New Town (Thistle Street) | Authentic tacos, short menu | £ | EH2 1EN |
| Taco Libre Bar | New Town (Rose Street) | Mexican-owned, tacos & quesadillas | ££ | EH2 3DT |
| Wahaca | New Town (St Andrew Square) | Chain, vegan options, outdoor dining | ££ | EH2 2AU |
| Chorrito Cantina | Leith Walk | Huevos Rancheros, chilaquiles | £ | EH6 5DT |
| Bodega | Leith Walk | Street tacos, BYOB, cocktails | ££ | EH6 6AA |
| The Auld Hoose | Southside (St Leonards Street) | Giant nachos, burritos, vegan chilli | £ | EH8 9QN |
Old Town Mexican Restaurants
Mariachi – For Strong Mexican Cocktails on Victoria Street
Mariachi (7 Victoria Street, EH1 2HE) is a very popular independent Mexican on Edinburgh’s answer to Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, Victoria Street.
This family-run restaurant has been serving Edinburgh for over 15 years. The owner, Majid Shahfar, took over from the original owner and has built a loyal following.
Mariachi’s menu includes street and Tex-Mex dishes such as tacos, burritos, fajitas and fresh fish ceviche. There are four types of salsa to choose from too.
Can you resist the banoffee churros?
The drinks menu includes tequila cocktails, classic cocktails, smoky mezcal, wine and Mexican beer.
There are tables inside and to the front on Victoria Street which are a wicked sun trap.
There is also a covered beer garden at the back which you access via the side of the restaurant.
City Centre Mexican Restaurants
Miros Cantina Mexicana – Best For Quick Food and Big Portions
Miros Cantina Mexicana (184 Rose Street, EH2 4BA) is a busy Mexican located among the bars of the New Town’s Rose Street.
While the original owners are no longer curating and cooking authentic Mexican food, the new staff have tried to keep this treasure alive.
The Miros Cantina Mexicana team are attentive, the portions are big and there is a great choice in drinks including sangria, Margaritas, beer and wine.
Outside dining with heaters gives you the chance to dine under the Rose Street fairy lights or there is indoor dining tables if you prefer to skip al fresco.
It is Scotland so I don’t blame you!
The Basement Bar – Best For Tacos and Brunch in a Cool Setting
The Basement Bar (10a-12a Broughton Street) has been serving tacos for over 20 years.
Fillings include fish, beef, mushrooms, pork, chicken, squash and black bean.
This cosy pub serves creative and seasonal tequila cocktails, some of which involve fire, others fruit.
Why not try the weekend Mexican brunch featuring huevos rancheros or chilaquiles and a sharing nachos plate?
Tables indoors and outside can be reserved.
The Basement Bar is a dog-friendly Mexican food place in Edinburgh.
Paz Taqueria – Tiny Thistle Street Taco Spot
Paz Taqueria (64 Thistle Street, EH2 1EN) is one of the newest authentic Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh and already one of the best. The menu is very short, featuring a couple of starters and a half-dozen tacos. Portion sizes are on the small side but the prices are excellent – most meals come in under £25.
The restaurant itself is tiny, with room for perhaps twenty guests at a time. At busy times you’ll need to make a reservation. Walk-ins are welcome when it’s quiet.
Open daily: Monday to Wednesday 5pm–10pm, Thursday to Sunday noon–10pm.
Taco Libre Bar – Genuine Mexican on Rose Street
Taco Libre Bar (85 Rose Street, EH2 3DT) is operated by Mexican owners and offers genuine Mexican cuisine. The menu includes tacos, chimichangas, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos, with only one or two versions of each – keeping things simple and fresh.
Vegetarian options are available. The bar has both indoor and outdoor seating and is popular for groups and date nights. Prices are mid-range at ££.
Wahaca – Edinburgh’s Best-Known Mexican Chain
Wahaca (16 South Saint Andrew Street, EH2 2AU) is the Scottish outpost of the London-founded Mexican chain. Just a stone’s throw from St Andrew’s Square and Waverley Station, it offers a reliable, wide-ranging menu with dedicated vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Open daily noon–9pm (Thursday to Saturday until 10pm). Outdoor dining, Deliveroo takeaway and private events available.
Leith Mexicans
Chorrito Cantina – Leith Walk’s Hidden Gem
Chorrito Cantina (126 Leith Walk, EH6 5DT) started as a Mexican hot sauce shop and now serves some of the best Mexican food in Edinburgh. The menu changes regularly but their Huevos Rancheros have become legendary – many diners queue before the doors open at noon at the weekend.
Chilaquiles, breakfast tacos and handmade margaritas are highlights. The menu normally only has five or six items at a time, ensuring everything is cooked from scratch.
Important: Chorrito is only open Thursday and Friday 5pm–9pm, Saturday noon–9pm and Sunday noon–5pm. Closed Monday to Wednesday. Cash only. First come, first served – no bookings.
Bodega
Bodega (14-15 Albert Place, Leith Walk) is a delicately decorated taqueria on Leith Walk.
Beautifully presented fillings are loaded up and served on tacos via stylish plates.
The ‘taco driven’ menu includes street style tacos from Central America and beyond.
Bodega’s drink menu has Margaritas and house cocktails such as the potent Pisco Sour from Peru.
If you prefer, you can BYOB.
Southside Mexican Food
Not quite a Mexican restaurant but often cited as having the best nachos in Edinburgh, The Auld Hoose is known for its crazily big nacho plate.
Nacho toppings include beef, five beans and vegan chilli.
I’m still thinking about my poor attempt to dent the nacho mountain, will you succeed?
The menu also features meat, vegetarian and vegan chilli bowls and burritos.
Located at 23-25 St Leonards Street (EH8 9QN), close to the Pleasance and university buildings. It makes business sense to offer 10% off with student ID!
Dogs also welcome.
The Auld Hoose does nacho delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best authentic Mexican food in Edinburgh?
For authentic Mexican tacos, Paz Taqueria on Thistle Street and Taco Libre on Rose Street are both operated by Mexican owners and serve genuine street-style dishes. Chorrito Cantina on Leith Walk is famous for its Huevos Rancheros and chilaquiles, made entirely from scratch.
Are there any Mexican restaurants on Leith Walk?
Yes. Leith Walk has two excellent Mexican options: Chorrito Cantina (126 Leith Walk) and Bodega (14-15 Albert Place). Chorrito is open Thursday to Sunday only and is cash-only, while Bodega has been serving tacos on Leith Walk since 2013 and is BYOB.
Which Edinburgh Mexican restaurants are good for groups?
Mariachi on Victoria Street has a covered beer garden and large tables. The Basement Bar on Broughton Street offers sharing nachos plates and table reservations. Wahaca on South Saint Andrew Street also handles groups well with its spacious layout.
Is there Mexican brunch in Edinburgh?
Yes. The Basement Bar serves a weekend Mexican brunch with huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. Chorrito Cantina on Leith Walk opens at noon at the weekend and is one of the most popular Mexican brunch spots in the city – expect a queue.
What happened to Viva Mexico and El Cartel?
Viva Mexico, Edinburgh’s oldest Mexican restaurant on Cockburn Street, closed in January 2024 after 40 years in business. All three El Cartel locations (Teviot Place, Roxburgh Court and Thistle Street) have also permanently closed. The restaurants listed above are all confirmed open as of September 2026.
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