Restaurant in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Casual Mexican worth the Thistle Street detour.
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, and sits well below the city's tasting-menu tier in both price and commitment. A reliable choice when you want character without ceremony.
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 leading 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, and 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, and 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.
| Venue | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|
| El Cartel | — | |
| Martin Wishart | ££££ | — |
| The Kitchin | ££££ | — |
| Timberyard | ££££ | — |
| AVERY | ££££ | — |
| Condita | ££££ | — |
Comparing your options in Edinburgh for this tier.
El Cartel on Thistle Street is a compact venue, and 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.
Thistle Street venues typically run smaller dining rooms, which can make larger group bookings tighter. El Cartel suits groups of two to four more comfortably than a party of eight or more. If you are planning a larger gathering, check the venue's official channels to check capacity before assuming space is available on the night.
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, and 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.
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, and 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.
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.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
