On Church Street, in uber trendy Stoke Newington, Mercado Mexican Bar and Cantina screams fiesta with its colourful shop front, strong margaritas and feisty food.

The Venue
Even on a street full of pubs and mixed cuisines, this spot is hard. Mercado translates to market and the decor draws its inspiration from the colourful marketplaces. The bright colours are eclectic and busy but encourage an experience, not just a meal. There is a bar separate to the dining area, so you can pop in for a quick mojito or meet for a pre-dinner Corona before your reservation.

The Atmosphere
Even when empty, the bright surroundings create a great ambiance. Be warned, though, when the place fills up it can get very loud, so while it’s perfect for parties and casual dinners, romantic diners may struggle. The staff are friendly and casual but it might take a while to get your margarita at the bar and you may get asked for your food order a couple of times, but they do their best to make it very pleasant.

The Food
Complimentary corn ships and spicy salsa are a nice gesture and give you something to crunch while you peruse the menu. The starter of steak quesadillas are assembled carelessly, but the meat is tender and they taste better when eaten with a serving of guacamole. Nachos are available as well as a Mexican take on the prawn cocktail.

For mains there are fajitas and burritos, stuffed Mexican crepes and a good range of vegetarian dishes to choose from, all at under £15. The Argentinean steak is easy to slice into strips and wrap up in soft tortillas or to just eat with the rice and beans. Rich and beans also accompany the rich and warming mushroom-stuffed chicken which is drenched in a creamy red pepper sauce. The sides range from fried potatoes, corn on the cob and frijoles (refried beans). There is also a Mexican style salad with chicken served in a huge deep fried tortilla bowl and as well as looking impressive it’s a meal in its own right.

If it’s possible to eat anymore the meal can be ended with caramel flan, sour cream pie or rice pudding. Expect to pay around £20 per head if you go all out but sharing is possible and would bring down the price. There’s also a two course set menu available for £7.95.

The Drink
The cocktail menu is long and varied and the two for one house margaritas at happy hour are great value and really pack a punch. For fresh and fruity try a passionfruit mojito (£7) or you can grab a bottle of Argentinean house wine for £10.50. Virgin cocktails are also available and if you really want to go authentic try a sipping tequila, apparently it’s the only way to appreciate the flavour.

The Last Word
For a festive feel to your dinner and a relaxed cheerful vibe, Mercado delivers both. Look forward to a fun evening…especially after a margarita or two!

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