Taco Mazama Mexican Kitchen

Casual Mexican kitchen in the heart of the New Town offering budget-friendly food to shoppers and party-goers alike.

The 2017 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Slap-bang in the middle of Princes Street isn’t the most obvious spot for a Mexican restaurant, but Taco Mazama’s sixth joint is another addition to its growing success story. Nip down the stairs into a sparse wee place with a handful of tables and chairs, where it’s all plastic cutlery and metal dishware – no frills, no fuss. If you’re looking to splash out, Taco Mazama isn’t the place for you; servers painstakingly weigh out the portion sizes. Luckily though the beef chilli burrito bowl is fairly tasty: curiously sweet with cinnamon and cloves, but not without packing a kick. The pulled pork quesadilla tastes suspiciously similar, but a handful of jalapeños lend some heat to an otherwise standard dish. For an in-and-out quickie dinner, the relaxed atmosphere – staff on mobiles, or out front chatting to their friends – works alongside the kitschy sugar skulls and succulents that pass for decoration.

• High point: Quick service, good deals
• Low point: Stingy with fillings