Paradise Palms is a playful cocktail bar tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, known for its colourful interiors, award-winning vegetarian dishes, lively entertainment, and its own in-house record store. Now hosting the much-loved Antojitos Cantina in its kitchen, it's where you'll find some of the city’s standout vegan Mexican cuisine.
I’d already tried some of Antojitos’ fan-favourite dishes elsewhere, so my expectations were high. With the bar’s upbeat atmosphere and tropical cocktails to match, it all came together perfectly.
The guacamole and my margarita (pictured left) and the colourful interiors, featuring disco balls, of Paradise Palms (right).
DesignMyNight's Review Of Paradise Palms
Need To Know:
- Address: 41 Lothian Street, EH1 1HB
- Area: Edinburgh Old Town
- Cuisine: vegan Mexican food
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: bright, bold and colourful sums it up perfectly - both in the flavours and the interiors. Inside was a playful mix of palm trees, funky shirts hanging from the wall and disco balls, with a mirrorball that caught the light from every angle as the sun streamed through the front windows. The front space felt airy and ideal for a long, lazy lunch, while the back shifted into something moodier, made for late-night gigs and dancing
- Perfect for: drinks with friends, laid-back dinners, and fun date nights
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: around £83 for two, including two courses and two cocktails each
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Guacamole (£7.95) - creature of habit, I couldn't resist a good guac - especially an elevated version topped with pomegranate seeds and crumbled cheese. The mix of flavours was spot on and beautifully seasoned, hitting the mark straight away and setting the tone for the rest of the meal
- Mix & match taco trio (£14.95) - of course, I had to mix and match - perfect for an indecisive orderer like me. The ch*kn al pastor, southern fried pineapple and baja vegan fish made a winning trio, with the latter just taking the top spot. They made it so easy to forget everything’s vegan, and the quality and attention to detail really stood out
- Barbacoa quesadilla (£11.95) - this dish was a real highlight of the meal. The grilled quesadillas were packed with juicy, melted queso, smoky grilled vegetables and tender lamb-style barbecue seitan, served alongside crisp curtido, chipotle crema and fresh tomatillo salsa verde
- Elote ribs (£6.45) - the perfect side dish to accompany a fantastic meal, these fried corn ribs were grilled in chipotle butter and topped with avocado crema, queso fresco, pomegranate, chilli and lime
The mix and match taco trio (pictured left), and the peach picante margarita alongside the rum punch (right).
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Classic margarita (£11) - it felt rude not to order a classic margarita; I always think a true sign of a good cocktail bar is how well they do the simple things, and they certainly delivered here. It was refreshing, sharp and had just the right kick
- Treacle (Paradise Version) (£11) - a smooth, fruity cocktail blending aged Havana 7-year rum with crisp apple juice and a hint of plum bitters. Rich, slightly spiced and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart
- Peach picante margarita (£11) - a fun, fruity twist on a classic, this one mixed Cazcabel Reposado with sweet peach and fresh lime, finished with a gentle heat from red chilli - the perfect balance of sweet and spicy
- Jamaican Rum Punch (£9) - a bold, punchy cocktail made with Wray & Nephew overproof rum, fresh lime, aromatic bitters and a dusting of nutmeg. Bright, fiery and full of tropical spice
My Overall Experience At Paradise Palms
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paradise Palms and Antojitos Cantina made for a really fun pairing in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Antojitos’ vegan Mexican dishes were full of flavour, colour and creativity, proving plant-based food can be every bit as indulgent and satisfying. Paired with expertly made cocktails, from a perfectly executed classic margarita to punchy, playful twists, it was a place that really delivered across the board.
