It’s no secret BarChick is partial to a Margarita or two - from tequila dive bars to swanky mezcalerias, we have a list of awesome agave venues that's as long as our arm. Well, now we’ve got another to add to the mix, and it’s nudged its way to the top. Zapote in Shoreditch is everything you could want from a contemporary Mexican restaurant - bang-on with their bright, breezy and stylishly exotic interiors (think classy cactus arrangements, rich ochre walls & cool silver floors, rather than garish plastic tablecloths), and wildly creative with both the cocktails and the culinary options.

If you’re looking for sloppy enchiladas or Tex-Mex burritos, move along - at Zapote you’ll be chowing down on grilled octopus, scallop ceviche and guineafowl with peanut mole sauce. Trust us when we say it all rocks. You’ll approach dishes with murmurs of ‘But it’s so beautiful, how could I eat this work of art?’ then find yourself scraping the plate with your spoon to get every last morsel. Oh, and the yellowfin tuna and spicy crab tostada has made it into our Off Menu dream restaurant - when you immediately wanna go back and order three more of a dish then you know it’s off the charts. 

Start your meal with a Mexican 55 - this elegant yet cheeky little number blends Cava, rhubarb liqueur and tequila, and is both refreshing enough to be an aperitif whilst also adding some swagger to the occasion. Then we recommend following your heart towards El Corazon, a smoky-yet-sweet, taste-bud-tingling combination of jalapeño-infused Casamigos Tequila, whisky, triple sec, yellow bell pepper and pineapple juice. Whatever you do, finish with the ‘cactus’ - a chocolate dessert designed to replicate the famous desert plant. Our digestif of choice would be the Zacalisco - sherry in a cocktail? Yes please. With the warm staff, vibey playlist and informal yet chic surroundings, Zapote is ideal for a long boozy lunch or a dinner destination that'll have you starting your night with a smile.