Antojitos Cantina restaurant review: Plant-based treats
Quirky fun and finger-licking foods abound in this vibrant vegan spot
Grab extra napkins: it’s going to get messy. From the team who brought Antojitos to Edinburgh Street Food and Glasgow vegan hotspot The 78, this latest launch pops up at the always pumping Paradise Palms. The room is a riot of colour and quirk: we’re talking mirror balls, stuffed toys on the ceiling, pretty cut-out Mexican fiesta banners. At the little booths and tables upfront, you can look through big arched windows to the imposing Teviot and McEwan Hall buildings, while there’s a more laid-back loungey vibe further back.
Ease into the night with something from Palms’ fun and fruity cocktail list, packed with classics and tropical newbies such as Banana Bread Old-Fashioned or a Minty Lopez. On the food front, it’s very much a hands-on experience as you tuck into tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican favourites on this 100% plant-based and nut-free adventure. Credible meat substitutes really work, whether soya ch*kn quesadilla dipped into smooth chipotle crema or getting sticky-fingered with satisfying queso birria grilled tacos, made with Juicy Marbles vegan steak.
Other taco wins include the soya carnitas with a chilli-citrus ping, a rich vegan chorizo-fried potato combo and the sweet pop of southern-fried pineapple with punchy tomatillo salsa verde on the side. Finish by boosting your five a day with some greens: grilled asparagus and tenderstem broccoli, glistening with slivers of radish and queso fresco crumbled on top does the trick. This is creative plant-based cooking that could win over even the most curmudgeonly of carnivores.
Antojitos Cantina, 41 Lothian Street, Edinburgh; average price £20 for two dishes.