Torta time: Wahaca x Twelve Triangles bring Birria to Edinburgh

Birria Torta - a limited number are available each day

Wahaca Edinburgh has teamed up with Edinburgh’s acclaimed independent bakery Twelve Triangles to unveil the Birria Torta (£13.50)—a bold, messy, marvellously Mexican sandwich that’s making waves on South St Andrew Street.

Chain Restaurants v Local Independents

It's nine years since Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby brought Wahaca’s vibrant street food to Edinburgh and much has been written about the homogenisation of city centres. Wahaca is often found in UK cities cheek by jowl with it's 'cool chain' contemporaries such as Wagamama, Franco Manca, and Dishoom. The convenience, predictability, relatively low cost, and reasonable quality drives diners through the doors of these restaurants in their droves - often leaving local independent restaurateurs struggling to compete for custom. 

Pleasing, then, to see Wahaca teaming up with a local bakery to bring the Birria Torta to the table. Served on a soft and chewy roll with the perfect structure to hold up to to the plentiful slow-cooked birria beef, roasted red onion, pickled vegetables, avocado, grilled cheese, coriander, and the nip of a jalapeño aioli, the torta is made for dipping. A pot of rich beef broth sits alongside the sandwich, and a good dunking brings the whole thing together into a delicious unctuous package. Just make sure you ask for plenty of napkins!

A Sandwich with Soul

“When I was in Mexico last year, sandwiches were everywhere,” said Wahaca co-founder Thomasina Miers. “Our new torta is a love letter to that trip and all the incredible food I ate while I was there. We wanted to capture the thrill of getting stuck into a Mexican torta, so we teamed up with our friends at Twelve Triangles to create the perfect crusty roll to hold our insanely good fillings.”

The result? A sandwich that’s bold, flavourful, and unapologetically messy—a standout addition to Edinburgh’s sandwich scene.

Limited Availability

The Birria Torta is available now, but only in limited numbers per day at Wahaca restaurants. Once they’re gone, they’re gone—so get in early to experience it in all its unctuous, umami-packed glory.

Still Hungry?

Elsewhere, Wahaca’s usual small plates are as fresh and tasty as ever. We share the pork pibil tacos, Baja cod tacos, and (a new one on me) cactus and courgette tacos. All are cooked well, and the flavours are bold and distinct. On the side, frejoles crema - a smoky silky black bean dip topped with crema and queso fresco - guacamole, and pico de gallo are hoovered up with tortilla chips.

Dessert: Tres Leches Tiramisu

The Tres Leches Tiramisu is pleasant but lacks the coffee intensity of a classic tiramisu. The tequila liqueur swap for marsala or Tia Maria doesn’t quite shine. It’s not a let down, but for tiramisu purists, the M&S version still reigns supreme.

Wahaca may not chase Michelin stars, but it consistently delivers flavour, freshness, and fun.

The Birria Torta is no exception—a messy, delicious triumph that celebrates local collaboration and Mexican inspiration.

Wahaca - 16 South St Andrews Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AU - 01315643850

Opening Times - Monday noon - 9pm, Tuesday - Saturday noon - 10pm, Sunday noon - 9pm.