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Looking for the best Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh? From family run cantinas to trendy taco takeaways we’ve detailed where to eat the nicest Mexican food in the City Centre and beyond.
We’ve also discussed where to enjoy Margaritas, churros and which restaurants offer a Mexican food delivery in Edinburgh.
Old Town Mexican Restaurants
Viva Mexico – Our Top Pick For Mexican Food in Edinburgh
Viva Mexico is our top pick when it’s comes to Mexican food in Edinburgh.
Located among the cafes of Cockburn Street, just off the busy Royal Mile, Viva Mexico is a friendly restaurant with accommodating staff who have been serving Mexican dishes and Margaritas since 1984.
This is Edinburgh’s oldest Mexican restaurant and is currently family run.
The restaurant is filled with colour through its use of flags for decor and bright placemats on the tables.
Customers can enjoy food indoors or outside at the handful of tables on the bustling curve of Cockburn.
The menu, prepared by Jose and Adrian, consists of quesadilla (tortilla), totopo (chips and house salsa) and cheese nachos for starters then hearty portion of fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos and chimichanga for mains.
If you’ve got room, churros are a popular dessert at Viva Mexico.
Drinks include Margaritas, Pina Coladas, Mexican beer, Horchata (creamy) and Aqua de Jamaica (hibiscus flower).
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available and identified on the menu.
Viva Mexico also caters for those who dislike coriander! Viva Viva Mexico!
Mariachi For Strong Mexican Cocktails
Mariachi (7 Victoria Street) is a very popular Mexican on Edinburgh’s answer to Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, Victoria Street.
This is another independent Mexican, this time owned by interesting man called Majid Shahfar who has run Mariachi for over 15 years, taking over from the original owner.
If you get the chance to chat with him, do so!
Mariachi’s menu includes street and Tex-Mex such as tacos, burritos, fajitas and if you enjoy fresh fish, try the 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.
El Cartel For Trendy Tacos
El Cartel is a trendy taco joint and part of the The Bon Vivant Group.
It has three locations around the city.
El Cartel Teviot can be found in the student quarter close to other popular street food restaurants such as Ting Thai Caravan, El Cartel Thistle is located in the City Centre and the newest, El Cartel Roxburgh, is just off the Royal Mile in the Old Town.
The simple menu mostly compromises of tacos with pre-made sauces so if you can’t eat cilantro, you are limited to the sweet potato taco.
The antojitos street food appetiser menu includes street corn, chorizo and sweet potato quesadillas, wings and ribs.
According to the website, the tortillas are handmade fresh every day using traditional Masa Harina corn flour and the hot sauce is made in house.
Vegetarian and vegan items are identified on the menu.
Check out the board to see which flavours of the Don Julio Blanco Frozen Margarita are on during your visit or go for a tequila cocktail.
El Cartel Roxburgh has indoor seats with stunning views of the New Town as well as outside dining with umbrellas.
City Centre Mexican Restaurants
Miros Cantina Mexicana – Best For Quick Food and Big Portions
Miros Cantina Mexicana (184 Rose Street) 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.
Leith Mexicans
Bodega
Bodega (14-15 Albert Place) 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 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 close to the university buildings at the Pleasance, it makes business sense to offer 10% off with student ID!
Dogs also welcome.
The Auld Hoose does nacho delivery.
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