El Cartel
New Town, Edinburgh
Restaurant in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
El Cartel on Thistle Street is Edinburgh's most practical pick for casual Mexican-style dining in the New Town; better for brunch and shareable plates than a formal night out. It books easily, suits solo diners and small groups, sits well below the city's tasting-menu tier in both price and commitment. A reliable choice when you want character without ceremony.
About El Cartel
El Cartel vs. Edinburgh's Mexican competition; and why Thistle Street is worth the detour
If you're choosing between Edinburgh's handful of Mexican-leaning spots for a weekend brunch or a casual weekday meal, El Cartel on Thistle Street has a reputation that keeps it ahead of most alternatives in the New Town area. This is not a formal dining destination in the vein of The Kitchin or Martin Wishart; it sits at a different price point and serves a different need. The question is whether it delivers enough at that level to justify choosing it over a pub lunch or a more polished casual option elsewhere in the city.
The short answer: yes, for the right occasion. El Cartel works well as a brunch or lunch stop for someone who wants something more characterful than a café sandwich but isn't ready to commit to the tasting-menu formality of Edinburgh's ££££ tier. The address, 64 Thistle Street, puts it in the middle of the New Town, well-placed if you're combining it with shopping on George Street or a walk through the area. Getting there is simple from Princes Street, the street itself is quieter than the main drag, which matters if you want to actually hear the person across the table.
For returning visitors, the format rewards repeat visits: the menu skews toward shareable plates, which means a second trip gives you the chance to work through what you missed the first time. If you're coming back, resist ordering the same things. The brunch window is a good entry point for those who haven't tried it yet, lighter commitment, shorter wait, a useful way to assess the kitchen before deciding whether to return for dinner.
Booking is direct. El Cartel doesn't carry the reservation pressure of Edinburgh's Michelin-level rooms like Condita or AVERY, so you're unlikely to find yourself locked out weeks in advance. That makes it a realistic option for spontaneous plans or last-minute group decisions. Solo diners and pairs are both well-suited to the format; larger groups should check capacity ahead of arrival. For Edinburgh's wider dining scene, see our full Edinburgh restaurants guide, and if you're planning a full trip, our guides to Edinburgh hotels, bars, and experiences cover the rest.
Planning details
- Location
- 64 Thistle St, Edinburgh EH2 1EN, United Kingdom
- Website
- elcartelmexicana.co.uk
- Phone
- +44 131 226 7171
The take
The Take
The Vibe
El Cartel sits in a narrow Georgian terrace on Thistle Street, offering a compact, independent dining room that favors unpretentious, food-forward cooking over formality. The residential-scale frontage and intimate footprint create a neighborhood feel: local regulars outnumber tourists, and the room reads more like a friendly corner eatery than a grand restaurant. Design cues are modest rather than showy, and the emphasis is on straightforward Mexican plates that do the persuading. Expect a warm, approachable atmosphere where the quality of the food defines the experience, not elaborate service rituals.
Best For
Because El Cartel occupies a small, residential-scale space and attracts a predominantly local crowd, it's best suited to relaxed neighborhood meals rather than formal celebrations. The mid-market, unpretentious approach makes it a natural pick for casual hangouts and small group dinners where shared plates and familiar flavours take center stage. It's a venue to visit when you want reliable, flavorful Mexican in an intimate setting — good for after-work gatherings, informal catch-ups, or a no-fuss dinner with friends. High-formality occasions feel out of step with the room's modest, food-first character.
Ordering Tips
Start with the guacamole to gauge the kitchen's take on classic flavour, then move through a selection of tacos to sample the house profiles; the pork ribs are a signature and worth ordering if they’re available. Plates are straightforward and built around bold, familiar ingredients, so pick a few items to share rather than ordering single big mains. The menu is the main argument here — let the food guide the meal. If you're with a small group, combine several taco varieties and the ribs to create a satisfying spread.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dark, sexy, and lively with a youthful, energetic vibe and friendly staff.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- guacamole
- tacos
- pork ribs
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Martin Wishart; Modern European, Modern Cuisine, ££££
- The Kitchin; Modern British, Modern Cuisine, ££££
- Timberyard; Modern British - Nordic, Modern British, ££££
- AVERY; Creative, ££££
- Condita; Modern Cuisine, ££££
Restaurant context
El Cartel sits in a completely different category from Edinburgh's fine-dining circuit. Martin Wishart and The Kitchin both operate at ££££ with serious tasting menus and booking windows that require planning weeks in advance; if you want a structured, occasion-worthy dinner with Michelin pedigree, either of those is a better choice than El Cartel. El Cartel is the right call when you want something casual, flexible, lower-stakes.
Timberyard and AVERY both offer creative cooking at the ££££ tier with strong atmospheres; Timberyard's Nordic-influenced menu suits diners who want something distinctive without full tasting-menu formality, while AVERY skews more experimental. Condita is the hardest to book of the group and the most chef-driven. None of these are direct competitors to El Cartel; they're in a different price band and serve a different kind of evening.
If you're deciding between El Cartel and Edinburgh's higher-end rooms, the choice comes down to occasion and group dynamic. For a birthday dinner or client meal, step up to The Kitchin or Martin Wishart. For a low-effort weekend brunch, a casual catch-up with friends, or a first outing with someone you don't want to overwhelm with a four-hour tasting menu, El Cartel is the more practical answer.
Explore Edinburgh
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full El Cartel guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare El Cartel
| Venue | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| El Cartel | ; | No published awards |
| Martin Wishart | ££££ | 2026 Harden's Top 100 UK Restaurants · #36Star Wine Lists 20262026 AA 4-Rosette RestaurantsMichelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #323The Good Food Guide 20252025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 1 Star |
| The Kitchin | ££££ | 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #492026 Harden's Top 100 UK Restaurants · #69Star Wine Lists 20262026 AA 5-Rosette Restaurants2026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 Michelin 1 Star2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #475The Good Food Guide 2025 |
| Timberyard | ££££ | 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #25Star Wine Lists 20262026 National Restaurant Awards - Best Restaurant in Scotland2026 National Restaurant Awards - Cocktail List of the Year2026 AA 3-Rosette RestaurantsMichelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #287The Good Food Guide 20252025 Michelin 1 Star |
| AVERY | ££££ | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| Condita | ££££ | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026The Good Food Guide 20252025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
Comparing your options in Edinburgh for this tier.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at El Cartel?
El Cartel on Thistle Street is a compact venue, bar or counter seating tends to suit solo diners and pairs well in casual Mexican formats like this. That said, specific bar seating arrangements are not confirmed in available venue data, so it is worth calling ahead or arriving early if you want to eat informally without a table booking.
Is El Cartel good for a special occasion?
El Cartel fits a low-key celebration better than a formal milestone dinner. The Thistle Street address is a relaxed, walkable part of Edinburgh's New Town, the Mexican format lends itself to sharing plates and casual enjoyment rather than ceremony. For a proper occasion dinner with more structure, The Kitchin or Martin Wishart in Leith would serve that need more directly.
Is El Cartel good for solo dining?
Yes, El Cartel works well for solo eating. Casual Mexican venues with counter-style or small-table formats are among the more comfortable solo dining environments, Thistle Street has enough foot traffic that you won't feel out of place arriving alone. It is a practical pick for a weekday lunch or a quick evening meal without the formality of booking a full table for one.
What are alternatives to El Cartel in Edinburgh?
For a step up in ambition, Timberyard on Lady Lawson Street offers a more considered menu in a converted warehouse setting. AVERY and Condita are stronger choices if you want a tasting-menu format with more culinary focus. Martin Wishart and The Kitchin in Leith sit at a different price point altogether and suit occasion dining rather than casual Mexican nights out.
