El Cartel
Experience authentic Mexican flavors with unique tacos and creative dishes in a vibrant, lively atmosphere. Perfect for a flavorful escape.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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El Cartel
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Mexican flavors with unique tacos and creative dishes in a vibrant, lively atmosphere. Perfect for a flavorful escape.
"Best Tacos I’ve tasted. The Dirty Beans are awesome. Will absolutely be back."
Visit during off-peak hours
Reservations are recommended due to popularity, or visit during off-peak times to avoid long waits.
Ask for recommendations
Staff can provide great recommendations on dishes and help with portion size suggestions.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 131 370 8189
Address
15-16 Teviot Pl, Edinburgh, EH1 2QZ, United Kingdom
Website
elcartelmexicana.co.uk/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Unique and Flavorful Tacos
Experience a wide variety of tasty tacos with unique flavors like brisket quesadilla and duck carnitas, praised for their texture and taste.
Authentic Atmosphere & Vibes
Enjoy an authentic atmosphere with good music and vibes, creating a lively and engaging dining experience.
Creative Chicken Wings
Don't miss the creative and delicious chicken wings, noted for their unique sauces like mango and tamarind.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Reservations are recommended due to popularity, or visit during off-peak times to avoid long waits.
Ask for recommendations
Staff can provide great recommendations on dishes and help with portion size suggestions.
Explore unique drink options
They offer amazing drinks, including Pisco sours and other traditional cocktails.
Enjoy table hot sauces
Free hot sauces are provided at the table, adding an extra kick to your meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Reservations are recommended due to popularity, or visit during off-peak times to avoid long waits.
Ask for recommendations
Staff can provide great recommendations on dishes and help with portion size suggestions.
Explore unique drink options
They offer amazing drinks, including Pisco sours and other traditional cocktails.
Enjoy table hot sauces
Free hot sauces are provided at the table, adding an extra kick to your meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
El Cartel is celebrated for its authentic Mexican flavors, particularly its diverse and tasty tacos and creative chicken wings. Diners frequently praise the vibrant atmosphere, friendly service, and unique drinks, making it a popular spot. However, some find the tacos can lack distinctiveness between fillings, and a few have noted a perceived decline in taste or quality over time.
"Excellent little Mexican restaurant with a great line in tasty tacos. The food is excellent and the range and quality of the tacos is varied and very well made. Lots of texture and flavours in each with a good range of spice as well. The small selection of specials is great as well, and the brisket quesadilla when we were there was excellent. Nice margaritas too! Service was prompt, friendly and unfussy. All in all well worth a visit when in town."
David Cameron
"Was really excited to try this place as the reviews are mostly good and always looks busy when walking past. Found the food pretty bland. The steak in the quesadillas carnes was quite dry. Ordered a variety of tacos as well, the only one we liked were the duck tacos. The meat & pineapple garnish were better than the other ones. The staff were lovely and attentive. However, been to better in Edinburgh for Mexican food."
Mi-Chu Ko
"So the issue is that all the soft-shell tacos all ended up tasting the same, they're basically a different main ingredient, chicken, beef etc. and then they have the same sauce and garnish on them.
The drinks however are amazing!
Gluten free are options available!
Staff are really lovely
I gave 3star for atmosphere as the Deliveroo app kept going off and no one silenced it."
Daniel Cairns
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
El Cartel is famous for its wide variety of unique tacos, including duck carnitas and brisket quesadilla, as well as their creative chicken wings.
Due to its popularity, it's advisable to visit during off-peak hours or make reservations if possible.
Yes, El Cartel offers vegetarian and gluten-free options on its menu.
The restaurant offers an authentic atmosphere with good music and vibes, making for a lively and engaging dining experience.
Yes, diners rave about the amazing drinks, including margaritas and other traditional cocktails.
Yes, the food is served quickly, and you can be ready for the bill within 30 minutes, making it an excellent option for a quick bite.
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Featured in these publications
Tripper - Guide - 15 perfect restaurants in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Welcome to El Cartel, where you can indulge in mouth-watering Mexican cuisine amidst the charming streets of Edinburgh. Prepare to embark on a flavor-filled adventure that will leave your taste buds screaming "¡Olé!" As you step inside this vibrant eatery, be prepared to be transported to the lively streets of Mexico, where tacos reign supreme and margaritas flow like water (but remember, it's definitely not water). El Cartel is your ticket to escape the haggis and bagpipes of Edinburgh and dive headfirst into a world of zesty salsas and guacamole that will make you question whether you've accidentally stumbled into a hidden Mexican gem.
Edinburgh guide – Things to do, where to stay, eat and drink
This authentic taqueria proved so popular that the team behind it recently opened a second site on Teviot Place (a stone’s throw from the shows at Pleasance and Bristo Square). The guacamole here blows that typically despondent dip out the water; lime-laden avocado is flecked with pomegranate and tangy feta, served with crispy plantain totopos. Follow with smoky duck carnitas – topped with pecan salsa, pineapple and jalapeños – and elote that tastes just as it would on the streets of Mexico City.
Cheap Restaurants In Edinburgh To Eat Out On A Budget
Make your way over to El Cartel and enjoy everything from Mexican tacos and droolworthy street corn to mango chicken wings or deep-fried cream cheese and jalapeno balls, paired with a selection of over 80 different types of mezcal. Every dish here costs less than £10, with the exception of their larger burgers, designed to be shared across the table. Good news - there's also a site in Roxburgh.
Best Mexican Restaurants in Edinburgh: Cantinas, Tacos & Tequila
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.
Five of the best places for chicken wings in Edinburgh
A popular Mexican eatery, El Cartel is also known to dabble in a little fusion, and their chicken wings are a culinary experiment that paid off. How to defrost a turkey or crown: how long it takes and methods explained - from fridge to microwave and water. Visit: 64 Thistle Street, EH2 1EN - elcartelmexicana.co.uk
The 7 Best Spots For Chicken Wings In Edinburgh
You’d never guess that one of the city’s trendiest Mexican restaurants might be home to some of the best Edinburgh wings, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at El Cartel. Amidst a menu of freshly-made, authentic Mexican street food you’ll find the Chamoy Wings. Roast chicken wings with mango and tamarind sauce?
Edinburgh restaurants: Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2024 in Edinburgh – the 10 best spots for tacos and tequila
Where: 64 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EN. Rating: 4.5 out of 5. One Tripadvisor reviewer said: 'If you like Mexican food then El Cartel is a must. The margaritas are excellent and the food sensational'.Photo: Third Party
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