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    El Cartel

    4.5 (95 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    El Cartel Photos

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    Lauren S.

    If you are craving a delicious margarita in Edinburgh, you need to go here. I had one of the best spicy margaritas of my life. The staff is also so warm and friendly. I didn't try the food, but the drinks and ambiance are a 10/10.

    Victoria S.

    Fantastic! I never thought we would be enjoying an authentic tasting Mexican meal in Edinburgh, I'm so glad we found this little gem. We're from Scottsdale AZ so we have a lot of Mexican food options. It's not easy to find good food here in Edinburgh besides Fish & chips and even that can be a bit challenging. The tortillas were fresh & warm. The carne Asana was so delicious! Very fresh and definitely had an authentic flare to it. The #1. Complaint SMALL SPACE! Very small tables almost feels like your sitting with your neighbor which is not a comfy feeling. Nice list of Tequilas & Mezcal's I personally had the Patron Anjeo x 2 ! To keep me warm since it's so chill here. Try the popper they remind me of jalapeño poppers without the jalapeño, they are round crispy & come in 3, filled with cream cheese & jalapeño. Comes with a creamy chipotle sauce. Table of 3 each having an order of two tacos two beers and 3 shots of tequila for a total of 60£ or $60 USA

    Guacamole National
    Kiersten F.

    Best tacos of my life. I got the duck confit ones and the duck was cooked so freakin well and was crispy finished. The corn tortilla was so authentic and soft and real and ugghhhhh. My friends got the carne Asada and quesadillas and loved them. Also got the guacamole and it was such a different twist on guac! Go here!!!

    Ines C.

    Great Mexican place! Cheap and cheerful. Went a while back and had the daily special and the corn on the cobb. Special was great but smothered in sauce, made a mental note to ask for it on the side next time. The corn was fantastic though, covered in Mayo and paprika - they only way to eat it if you ask me. They also have flavoured frozen margaritas. I'm not a big cocktail drinker but that stops when there are frozen margaritas. If I lived in Edinburgh (sigh) I know I'd be a regular. Impressive place considering how far Mexico is from Scotland

    Pumpkin tacos with lightly charred kale and courgette
    Suzy G.

    I was beginning to think that maybe I didn't like Mexican Food. I've tried many 'Mexican' restaurants and was getting fed up (literally) of stodgy food served with cheap mass produced tortilla chips. After reading the reviews I decided to give El Cartel a go. First attempts at getting a table at this tiny, popular restaurant that doesn't take reservations all failed. But today, after skipping lunch to cram in as many Doors Open Day venues as possible, we found ourselves starving at the awkward time of 5pm. Well awkward quickly turned to awesome!! We got a table at El Cartel! First glance at the menu left me bemused. A couple starters and a selection of tacos. No buritos, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos...... I was hungry. Would there be much I wanted? Well, it didn't take long to realise we wanted EVERYTHING! The flavor and texture combinations of the dozen or so tacos all sound fantastic. And the starters were just as 'appetising'. For the 2 of us we decided to get the Sweet Potato quesadilla and the guacamole (with plantain chips - NOT bagged tortilla chips). We somehow managed to narrow it down to just 3 tacos (you get 2 of each; perfect for sharing). We went for pumpkin, steak and the battered cod. The food came as it was ready - which was fine for us - didn't want it all in one go. We started with the guacamole - and it was perfect; really tasted the avocado and the plaintain chips are a new fave. Also loved the smoky flavor the chorizo added to the sweet potato quesadillas - these I will be trying at home! The tacos were all great. The perfect size and a great mix of flavours and so full of veggies. We easily got our 5 a day with the lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, courgette, kale, pumpkin, avocado, pomegranate seeds.... I think this may qualify as 'health food'!! So, for restoring my faith in Mexican food (and not a cheap tortilla chip in sight) I give El Cartel 5 stars!!

    Guac with pork cracklin & plantain chips. Blueberry margarita. Jalapeño bombers.  Cactus.
    Claire M.

    El Cartel is exactly what you'd expect from the team behind The Bon Vivant - slick service, bangin' food and dangerously delectable cocktails. My favourite thing about it is that these guys are consistent, putting them a mile above many other Edinburgh hotspots which can elate quite as often as they deflate. Everyone I've raved to about this place has raved straight back at me, which screams out that El Cartel is a winner. Nothing worse than recommending a spot to pals only for them to have a totally average experience. They have a pretty small space, but a bit of clever table arranging means that there are lots of cosy corner tables to be had. Decor is minimalistic, with plenty of skull art provides a welcome pop of colour. Baby cacti are dotted around, but beware a lot of them sit at ass-height. And the food. Every time I go I face the same dilemma - I want it all. Roughly 5 'starters' and 6 tacos, of which I think 2 flavours tend to rotate. The guacamole is wildly good - topped with feta & pomegranate, so you get the creamy avo, salty cheese, then a burst of fresh & fruity pom. These flavours dance across the tongue as if a Mariachi band were serenading the lucky diner (please note: ECM does not do Mariachi, it does hiphop). Served with pork cracklin' and/or plantain chips for dunking. I never go without it. Tacos all come in pairs making them easy to share. Again with the flavour dance: there is so much going on in each bite, in a very good way. Bang coriander! Bang chilli! Bang delicious meaty goodness! Everything is fantastically fresh, with brilliant texture and interesting combinations - so far removed from the stereotypical fajita/burrito/nacho situation which Edinburgh's Mexican scene has been guilty of for a long time. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just brilliant to see the team here showcasing an alternative to Tex-Mex. And now, the drinks. As if you needed another reason to hit this place up. El Cartel offers a rainbow of frozen margaritas, with flavours changing daily. Again, they avoid the stereotype and focus on seasonally flavours alongside classic margaritas such a the Tommy's. All tart & tasty with a good kick of Tequila. Speaking of Tequila, on the last count their menu boasted more than 50, and the knowledgeable team are more than happy to chat you through the options. With food service running until midnight at the weekends, it's a great place to satisfy a booze induced hunger. Alternatively, the homemade sangrita would make a dynamite hair of the dog when charged with Mezcal. And the food comes fast which is exactly what you need the afternoon-after (doors open at midday meaning there's no reason to get out of bed earlier). Every time I leave I'm already thinking about when I can next go back, and who I can show this little gem off to. A definite contender for best casual dining in Edinburgh.

    Carne asada
    Gyly L.

    Our first time in Edinburgh. For "Mexican" food, I gotta say not bad. The carne asada tacos did not taste like what it's supposed to taste like our of a BBQ grill, it tastes like it was done on a stove, the meat wasn't cut into small little pieces like tacos are supposed to be but rather chunks and my taco fell apart. The tortilla on the other hand very close to hand made tortillas (yay). Aside from that it has amazing flavor. The duck, which I've Never had, tasted like chicharron so that was good for me. The quesadillas yummy! I think they were made out of sweet potatoes. Their drinks are awesome, especially the Tommy. I would definitely be coming back in the future.

    Savanna L.

    This place was really delicious. We went around noon and it wasn't very busy. We ordered the Pibil tacos, duck tacos, bombers (jalapeño poppers), and street corn to share. We especially enjoyed the duck tacos and street corn. It all was good. The only reason it wasn't a 5 star visit is because of the value. Two very small tacos for £7 is quite steep. Also, they seemed to forget the street corn. Not sure their process for deciding which table gets their food when, but the brought everything out within minutes, except the corn. Once we were finished and a substantial amount of time passed I inquired to the whereabouts of the corn and it appeared they still had the ticket in a queue of sorts...

    ox tail special!
    Maz N.

    So many reasons yes! Great food, warm atmosphere, helpful staff, tasty drinks and did I say great food?? Some friends were visiting for the weekend and told me about this place. I personally hadn't heard about it but looked it up and found some good reviews so we went for it and so worth it. To start a mango margarita is right up there as a great brunch drink followed by a nice selection of mexican beers, but the food- yum! We could all just keep going. The waitress recommended 2 or 3 dishes each and I think we ended up with 3 or 4 each and if I had more room I would have gone for more! The ceviche and plantain chips I could eat all day! The specials were delicious and I want to go back to see what other new exciting dishes come out of that small kitchen! I like how the menu is simple enough that you don't get too lost and the sweet potato taco had a perfect bite mixed with crunch and flavour!

    Pork Ribs.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Loved it, was not expecting such great Mexican food in Edinburgh

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

    So tasty. I definitely recommend the street corn. The only fault is that the portions are quite small and the prices are high

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Eclectic setting, hip different approach to this cuisine, Worth a try.

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    El Cartel Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - El Cartel

    Owned by The Bon Vivant and situated on Thistle St across from TBV and the companion, it is a great addition!

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    People searched for Mexican 145 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Taco Libre - Vegan fish tacos

    Taco Libre

    5.0(4 reviews)
    0.8 miWest End

    Popped in for some vegan fish tacos. Ordered two as soon as I walked in and didn't realize 2 came…read morewith each order. I've always said a good taco starts at the tortilla, and let me tell you, the fresh corn tortillas were *chefs kiss. The atmosphere was lively and the staff was attentive. Make sure you bring cash because they only take cash payments. There's an ATM at the nearby grocery market as a helpful hint. I overheard quite a bit customers in the restaurant say their food was delicious. Give this place a go!

    I had heard about this place through Reddit! Also came up during a conversation with someone else I…read moreknow in Edinburgh that was checking out Mexican restaurants in the area. I had passed by a few times but never stopped in since being on exchange, however with the end of my program approaching I decided to give it a go. The restaurant had three green flags to me: cash only, Spanish music playing, and the cooks were speaking in Spanish. I decided to order the vegetarian Chile relleno with a Coca Cola. While waiting I looked around and admired the decor inside, it's luchador themed! My food arrived promptly and I immediately dug in. The peppers from the Chile relleno had a touch of heat but wasn't really spicy. The flavors and textures were perfect. Washed down with the coke made a perfect meal. Honestly my experience was everything I wanted in the moment. I definitely regret not swinging by sooner when I was craving good Mexican food. Was definitely really great! Would recommend to anyone wanting Mexican food or simply good food :)

    Photos
    Taco Libre - Front of Taco Libre!

    Front of Taco Libre!

    Taco Libre - Two vegan fish tacos.

    Two vegan fish tacos.

    Taco Libre - Cover of the menu

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    Cover of the menu

    Viva Mexico

    Viva Mexico

    3.8(87 reviews)
    0.4 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    Went here a few years ago and had an incredible meal! Went yesterday, had a very sad excuse for a…read moremeal. Can't say one good thing about the food anymore. Poor food quality, enchiladas tortilla fell apart like it was super old and dried out, the enchiladas were cheese only but had a very sharp aged white English cheddar in them. Not edible. Beef tacos had no cheese at all and were so greasy they also fell apart. Rice was ok, beans were old and bland. Nachos were ok. A half carafe of plain margarita was like £28!!!! It was only 2.5 drinks in there! Plus it was frozen for some reason (did not indicate that style anywhere on the menu) and were difficult to drink. Brain freeze! Unfortunately, the staff/owners probably don't care because the place is packed anyway. Eat here at your own risk.

    My family and I went here to visit my sister and were really craving some good Mexican food…read more Originally we went and they put us in the basement and there was not many people and no music so the ambiance was a bit awkward. After a little while more people came and they put on some music which made it a pretty good vibe. The service was really good and we ordered the nachos, burritos, and chimichangas with vegan hagis and they were all really delicious. The tortilla soup was a little too spicy for my comrade but still delicious nonetheless. They crammed us in to one table with 5 people but it turned out to be fine so I'd give a review of 4.3/5.0.

    Photos
    Viva Mexico - It's a bit tight, but it smells delicious;)

    It's a bit tight, but it smells delicious;)

    Viva Mexico - Front entrance

    Front entrance

    Viva Mexico

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    Los Cardos - Chicken fajita burrito

    Los Cardos

    4.2(65 reviews)
    1.6 miLeith
    £

    In respect to the current global issue of highly pressured, low supply restaurants, I am ashamed to…read morehave expected more. Thank you for choosing to be open and offer food in this difficult time. I want to give 5 stars on that alone, but this is about food - as is. Given the area (Leith) and the attempt to offer Mexican (non-authentic), I rate my steak burrito and tacos below average. The accessibility, friendliness, and portion size makes up the rest. You definitely get a bang for your buck. Would not go back but it was filling. Suggest to focus on garlic, onion, and citrus flavors through marinades or infused rice.

    Black beans and salsa verde !!! O ya that's what I'm talking about! I've tried a few Mexican places…read morein Scotland this last year and 1/2 and nothing is ever good enough to bring me back. But this place is awesome! I only had the chicken burrito so I can't judge the rest of the menu but the people next to me had the quesadillas and they looked huge and awesome! My burrito was also huge and loaded with black beans !!! I LOVE BLACK BEANS!!! Something few places have here! And best of all this place was reasonably prices! Nothing worse then bad over priced Mexican. ... This place is like a connection to home (CA) for me! So excited! Will be back again for sure!

    Photos
    Los Cardos - Our Roastin' Red and Verde Salsa preserves

    Our Roastin' Red and Verde Salsa preserves

    Los Cardos - Fresh coriander, one of our most important ingrediants

    Fresh coriander, one of our most important ingrediants

    Los Cardos - Tortilla chips, pico de gallo, guacamole and black bean salsa

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    Tortilla chips, pico de gallo, guacamole and black bean salsa

    Topolabamba - Horchata ice cream and cinnamon sugar flour tortilla chips with chocolate sauce.

    Topolabamba

    3.4(25 reviews)
    0.6 miWest End, Old Town
    £

    Mexican food in Scotland? So we were going to go to a nearby famous brewery. The vibes there were…read moreoff. It was empty, smelled weird, and we just couldn't stay for lunch. A couple doors down we saw Mexican and thought why not!?! As an American I had very low expectations, as I just couldn't fathom good Mexican in Scotland. But guess what, I was proven wrong!!! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and spicy! The queso wasn't the best but I'll give them a pass because my desert was maybe one of the best things I have eaten in my life! My dessert was horchata ice cream (that tasted like dulce de leche) and cinnamon sugar flour tortilla chips. We had a spa appt and couldn't stay, but I would have finished it all!!! Highly recommend if you are in Edinburgh and want something different.

    I call this fancy gourmet gringo Mexican food. Doesn't mean it isn't good, just not authentic and…read moreI would not expect authentic Mexican in Scotland anyway. The service is ok. The ambiance is upbeat and good Spanish music. Fairly extensive menu of street tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas, starters. Good variety of tequilas and margaritas. We shared between three of us: grilled prawn tostadas, roasted cauliflower street tacos, charred corn and refried bean quesadillas, chipotle roast vegetables quesadillas. Husband also ordered shredded honey pork tacos. Everything was very flavorful. Nothing spicy though. The Union Mezcal old fashioned margarita was good with mezcal tequila although a bit too sweet. The Tommy margaritas were even sweeter. Overall a very good dinner and I would recommend.

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    Topolabamba - Inside

    Inside

    Topolabamba
    Topolabamba - Outside

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    Outside

    El Cartel - mexican - Updated May 2026

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