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    Cantina La Martina

    4.4 (112 reviews)

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    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cantina La Martina

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    Canastas Ropa Vieja
    David M.

    It's isn't in a great area but once you enter it is completely different being clean on the inside and you feel like you are transported to Mexico. Serving very traditional Mexican food and you won't find your traditional Americanized dishes. The food is excellent and the drinks are great too. Service is great and the staff is super friendly and very helpful with whatever you may need. Definitely a diamond in the rough considering where this place is located.

    Bistec Sinaloense
    Jen T.

    I've been to Mexico twice and lived in CA for over eight years. I never expected to find the best Mexican food of my life in Kensington, Philly lol. But my goodness, I'm so glad I did! I was skeptical given the location, but as soon as we walked into the warm, welcoming, smallish restaurant, we were asked if we had a reservation (we did not), but luckily there was bar seating available. Every other table was just about filled, and for good reason! We asked the bartender what she'd recommend and she suggested the entrees. "Everything is amazing, but the entrees are phenomenal" (something along those lines). She wasn't wrong. I ordered the cochinitas tacos and my husband got the entree, the bistec sinaloense, and while the tacos were so effin good (best in Philly, hands down), the bistec blew us away. I especially loved the nopales salad. Often, nopales is mushy and slimy, but the nopales salad had a fresh crunch and delicate citrus flavor that I absolutely loved. The strips of medium steak were a bit chewy for a taco, but the flavor of it was unspeakably good. Same with the thin fingerling potato slices and the cauliflower. Even the tortillas. All of it made our tastebuds sing. The trio of guacamoles was a great way to start. Awesome base guac topped three ways: crab meat, goat cheese and pistachio, and crickets with mango salsa. All were delicious, even down to the freshly fried chips. The level of care with which each dish was prepared cannot be overstated. Every single morsel tasted deliberately crafted. It's not cheap, but a thousand percent worth it if you're looking for a great, possibly memorable meal. Excited to go back and try more!

    Elote
    Krystal G.

    Hear me out, the area isn't great, but once you walk inside the restaurant- everything changes! The place is very clean, decorated nicely and has a good vibe to it. The food itself is consistently delicious! It's actually our new favorite spot. When I ate in, the service was great. No issues. Also ordered for delivery and had no issues with the food quality- it was packaged well. I would recommend ubering if you aren't from the area and want to visit. Most times there is parking, but some people may not feel comfortable leaving their car or even walking a few blocks over. I would def recommend giving it a try!

    Chips
    Shawn H.

    This was really excellent. The neighborhood is what it is but we loved the food and the staff. The aguachile de macha is a Hall of Fame dish for me -- incredible salsa macha, perfect shrimp, and small chips and an avocado on top to round it out. We also really loved the salsa macha that came with the chips & salsa trio. The tacos (we got camerones and pastor), tamales, plantains, guac, and elote were also great. We weren't as crazy about the vegetarian ceviche.

    The bar area and rear seating
    Laurie M.

    Cantina Martina has brunch Saturday & Sunday till 4 pm. The service was excellent. I had a more traditional American breakfast w pancakes, whipped cream and berries and an over easy egg. The pancakes were delicious and very fluffy. The Mexican coffee is not super strong and is pre made w cinnamon & sugar. There are a lot of Mexican brunch choices that look delicious. I think you really can't go wrong here with any food. The drink menu is also spectacular. It is on the main drag in Kensington but we usually find close parking and never have any issues. All the windows in the restaurant are glass cinder block. The food and drinks are worth the trip.

    Inside the restaurant
    Natalie C.

    Exactly what authentic Mexican food tastes like. While Cantina La Martina isn't in the best neighborhood (so do consider how you're going to dine with them), dining with Chef Dionicio Jiménez is a treat. Also considering he's been a star pupil of Vetri, Starr, and CookNSolo, he knows what he's doing. Being that I've tried to find an authentic Mexican restaurant anywhere in the Philadelphia area, trying his Xochitl style food was amazing. Note - go to their happy hour (5-7pm)! It's amazing. The margaritas big, the ribs absolutely delicious, and the chicken wings large and in charge (they're $2 and you'll see why). The sauce the wings and ribs were in was smokey yet spicy and balanced in all the right ways. For dinner, we got the Mis 3 Amores (three chicken drumsticks in three types of mole sauce) and the Chamorro (HUGE braised pork shank with masa dumplings and a great sauce). To end, our waitress recommended the churros and we're so happy we didn't pass those up. Not only with a chocolate dipping sauce but stuffed with chocolate as well, they were the perfect way to end the meal. Amazing meal and kind staff. We can't wait to come back!

    chips
    Sharika M.

    Will definitely be coming back! Closest to authentic Mexican food I had in the States. Our waiter was incredibly kind and attentive. He was miraculously managing all the tables! The horchata was fantastic. I asked for the shrimp empanadas even though it wasn't on the dinner menu and the kitchen accommodated. Shrimp empanadas came with rice and beans. I ordered a side of plantains which I have nothing but good things to say about it. Aguachile De Coco came with chips and was beautifully plated. The decor is festive, I overheard the person sitting behind me say it was like a scene out of Encanto. They also had black and white pictures of Mexican history on the walls dated from the 1800s.

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    Cantina L.

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    2 years ago

    Good Mexican cuisine. Authentic tastes and flavors. Nice family atmosphere inside the Human Robot.

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    Ask the Community - Cantina La Martina

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes, just give them a call!

    The Inquirer is raving about the El Machete. Can you order that during brunch service?

    Yes absolutely!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Cantina La Martina - mexican - Updated September 2026

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