A lively central Edinburgh Mexican spot that wins on fresh, flavorful staples, strong cocktails, and friendly service, though spice level, occasional inconsistency, and a few value complaints mean picky diners should choose carefully.
Mariachi Restaurant delivers solid food quality anchored by fresh ingredients and strong seasoning, paired with genuinely welcoming service that keeps guests engaged. The colorful Old Town setting and reliable execution across tacos, nachos, and fajitas create a dependable destination, though minor consistency gaps and mixed allergy protocols prevent a higher tier.
Mariachi sits in one of Edinburgh’s most photogenic corridors and leans into it: bright decor, window seats, city views, and a room that often feels buzzy and celebratory. Reviewers keep coming back to the same impression — warm welcomes, quick smiles, and the sort of place where a birthday can turn into a mini spectacle with dessert, singing, and a sombrero. On the plate, this is a crowd-friendly Mexican restaurant rather than a chef’s lab. The menu is built around familiar classics — tacos, fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, nachos, churros — and the best feedback centers on freshness, punchy salsa, good guacamole, and reliable comfort. It’s a strong fit if you want lively, familiar Mexican food with cocktails and don’t mind a bit of heat; it’s less ideal if you want subtle spice control or highly traditional regional cooking. For families, the menu is actually fairly workable: cheese quesadillas, fries, chips, rice, beans, and ice cream give picky eaters a route in, and one recent review even mentioned high chairs and crayons. That said, many dishes run spicy, so kids are best matched to the simpler options rather than the fajitas or hotter tacos.
Area vibe: Historic, tourist-focused city centre with many landmarks, shops and eateries.
Safety: Generally safe with good evening footfall but watch for busy tourist crowds and occasional late-night revellers.
What's nearby: Close to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles' Cathedral, Waverley Station and government buildings.