The Best Mexican Restaurants Outside London: A Regional Guide

Mexican Food Beyond the Capital

London may have the largest concentration of Mexican restaurants in the UK, but some of the most exciting and authentic Mexican dining experiences are happening in cities across the country. From independent taquerias in Manchester's Northern Quarter to family-run restaurants in Edinburgh's Old Town, the UK's regional Mexican food scene has grown tremendously in recent years.

This guide takes you on a tour of the best Mexican restaurants outside London, organised by region. Whether you are a local looking for your next favourite spot or a traveller seeking authentic Mexican flavours on the road, these are the places worth seeking out.

The North West: Manchester and Liverpool

Manchester has arguably the strongest Mexican food scene outside London. The city's vibrant food culture and diverse population have created fertile ground for authentic Mexican restaurants to thrive.

Manchester

Manchester's Northern Quarter and city centre are home to several outstanding Mexican eateries. The city benefits from a young, adventurous dining population that has embraced Mexican cuisine beyond the usual chain-restaurant fare. Look for restaurants that make their own tortillas in-house - this is always a sign of commitment to authenticity.

The key to finding genuine Mexican food in Manchester is looking beyond the Tex-Mex chains that dominate the high street. Seek out the smaller, independent restaurants where the menu features regional Mexican specialities rather than generic burritos and nachos. Ask if they use corn tortillas (a hallmark of authentic Mexican cooking) and whether their salsas are made fresh daily.

Liverpool

Liverpool's Mexican food scene is smaller but growing. The city's Bold Street - long celebrated as one of the UK's most diverse food streets - is home to several Latin American restaurants. Liverpool's port heritage means it has historically been one of the UK's most cosmopolitan cities, and this is reflected in its increasingly diverse restaurant landscape.

Yorkshire: Leeds and Sheffield

Yorkshire's major cities have seen a surge in quality Mexican dining options. Leeds in particular has developed a reputation for excellent independent restaurants.

Leeds

Leeds' food scene has transformed in the past decade, and Mexican cuisine has been part of that revolution. The city's Kirkgate Market area and independent restaurant quarter in the city centre host several Mexican-inspired eateries. Look for places that specialise in specific regional Mexican cuisines - Oaxacan, Yucatecan or Pueblan - rather than trying to cover all bases.

Sheffield

Sheffield's Kelham Island and city centre have become destinations for food lovers, with a handful of excellent Mexican options. The student population keeps demand strong for affordable, flavourful food, and Mexican taquerias have filled that niche brilliantly.

The Midlands: Birmingham and Nottingham

Birmingham

Birmingham's food scene rivals London's for diversity, and Mexican cuisine is increasingly well represented. The Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth areas are particularly worth exploring. Birmingham's large, diverse population has created demand for authentic international cuisines, and several Mexican restaurant owners have responded by offering genuinely regional Mexican menus.

The city's proximity to London also means that talented chefs who trained in the capital are opening their own restaurants in Birmingham, where rents are lower and the food-loving population is eager for quality.

Nottingham

Nottingham punches above its weight for Mexican food. The city's Hockley area is worth exploring for independent Mexican eateries. With two universities and a large student population, there is strong demand for affordable, flavourful dining - and Mexican food fits that brief perfectly.

The South West: Bristol and Bath

Bristol

Bristol has long been one of the UK's most exciting food cities, and its Mexican scene reflects the city's independent, creative spirit. Stokes Croft, Gloucester Road and the Harbourside all host Mexican-inspired restaurants and street food vendors. Bristol's strong street food culture means you can often find excellent tacos and burritos at markets and pop-ups, sometimes rivalling the quality of sit-down restaurants.

The city's emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing has produced an interesting fusion: Mexican cooking techniques applied to locally sourced British ingredients. Whilst purists might quibble, the results can be excellent - and it represents a genuine evolution of the cuisine rather than a dilution.

Bath

Bath's smaller size means fewer options, but the city has a couple of notable Mexican restaurants that are worth visiting. The tourist trade means prices can be higher than elsewhere, but the quality is generally good.

Scotland: Edinburgh and Glasgow

Edinburgh

Edinburgh's Mexican food scene has grown significantly, with several authentic options in the Old Town and Leith areas. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August brings a temporary influx of street food vendors, including Mexican stalls, but the city's year-round Mexican restaurants have established themselves as fixtures of the local food scene.

Scottish produce - particularly seafood - pairs beautifully with Mexican cooking techniques. Some Edinburgh restaurants have capitalised on this, creating dishes like ceviche with Scottish langoustines or fish tacos with sustainably caught Scottish haddock.

Glasgow

Glasgow's West End and city centre host several Mexican restaurants ranging from casual taquerias to more upmarket dining rooms. Glasgow's reputation as a city that loves bold flavours makes it naturally receptive to Mexican cuisine, and the restaurant scene reflects this enthusiasm.

The North East: Newcastle

Newcastle's food scene has been transformed in recent years, and Mexican restaurants have been part of that change. The Ouseburn Valley and Jesmond areas are worth exploring. Newcastle's nightlife culture has particularly embraced Mexican food and drink, with several venues combining restaurant dining with mezcal and tequila bars.

Wales: Cardiff

Cardiff's growing food scene includes a handful of Mexican restaurants, primarily in the city centre and Cardiff Bay areas. The student population from Cardiff University and University of South Wales helps sustain demand for affordable Mexican food, and several independent operators have established successful businesses.

What to Look For in an Authentic Mexican Restaurant

Wherever you are in the UK, these are the signs that a Mexican restaurant is committed to authenticity:

• Corn tortillas: If they offer corn as well as flour tortillas, that is a very good sign
• House-made salsas: Multiple salsas made fresh daily, not from jars
• Regional specificity: A menu that references specific Mexican states or regions (Oaxaca, Puebla, Yucatan) rather than generic "Mexican" food
• Proper chiles: Using named chile varieties (ancho, guajillo, chipotle, habanero) rather than just generic "chile"
• Masa-based items: Tamales, sopes, tlacoyos or other items made from corn masa dough
• Agave spirits: A selection of 100% agave tequilas and mezcals, not just Jose Cuervo Gold

The Rise of Mexican Street Food in the UK

Beyond restaurants, Mexican street food stalls and pop-ups have become a fixture at food markets across the UK. Cities like Manchester, Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh all have regular food markets where you can find excellent tacos, burritos and quesadillas. These vendors often offer some of the most authentic Mexican food available, as they can focus on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than offering an extensive menu.

Street food markets worth checking for Mexican vendors include GRUB in Manchester, St Nicholas Market in Bristol, Kirkgate Market in Leeds and the Pitt in Edinburgh.

Finding Your Local Mexican Restaurant

Use our restaurant directory to find Mexican restaurants near you, complete with reviews, menus and opening hours. We are constantly adding new listings as the UK's Mexican food scene continues to grow.

If you know of an excellent Mexican restaurant that is not on our list, we would love to hear about it. The UK's Mexican food revolution is happening city by city, restaurant by restaurant, and we want to help you find the best of it wherever you are.

For cooking at home between restaurant visits, browse our recipe collection and stock up at our recommended Mexican ingredient shops.