The Blue Parrot Cantina

Cosy, quirky cantina serving traditional homemade Mexican cuisine and classic cocktails.

The 2018 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £7.95 (+p&p).

Regarded by many as a Stockbridge institution, this cosy cantina’s been serving up Mexican classics for over 25 years. A cheese-lover’s paradise, the menu doesn’t exaggerate when it describes the nachos being smothered in melted cheese, enhanced with chorizo and pico di gallo salsa and oozing with deep-fried chilli peppers. Chicken enchiladas are given texture with a sweet yet spicy cashew nut sauce, though the meat itself is rather plain. Beef in a mole poblano sauce is lent an extra nuttiness with the addition of walnuts and there are plenty of veggie options too – a fajita filling of squash, peas, asparagus and baby corn makes a welcome change from the standard peppers and onions. For dessert, the homemade mango nieve – a type of Mexican sorbet – is a refreshing end to a meal, its fruity sweetness given a citrusy tang, or if you prefer to forego a sweet for a cocktail frozen Margaritas (available by the glass, half or full litre) are deliciously fresh and fruity.