Vallarta Tequila Bar

You'll find this place tucked on Elm Street, where the tequila collection spans three walls and the bartenders actually know the difference between blanco and reposado. The menu reads like a love letter to Jalisco – proper carnitas that fall apart at first touch, mole that takes days to make, and tacos served on house-made tortillas that put every chain to shame. The agave program here is serious business, with over 100 bottles ranging from £8 shots to proper añejos that'll set you back £25 but are worth every penny. Come Tuesday through Saturday when the kitchen's firing on all cylinders, though avoid Wednesdays when they're closed. The crowd skews local rather than touristy, which means you're drinking alongside people who know their mezcal from their sotol.