Amazing drinks, food, and service! I love the coconut pineapple margarita. Always ask for Devin; he's the best!

5 star experience all because of our server Ben! We were indecisive on what to get, too many good options, and he steered us in the right direction with the salmon, crispy tacos, and smoky pasilla margaritas! So good! read more

We've been to Esperanza a few times and the food and drinks are always amazing. The last time we came here the server, Sadie, was on top of her game and added to the experience. read more

I wish I had 5 more stars because I would give my experience a 10! The honest truth..... I loved my first experience at Esperanza so much so that I took my fiancé for dinner. The second experience was not great. It was an extremely busy night, and the service was not what I expected. I told the waiter I was displeased. He apologized; however, I was disappointed and we left. After I left, I received a message from my server, Ben, asking for an opportunity to to make it right and inviting me back. Two months later, I took him up on the offer. He booked my reservation right away. Upon arriving at the restaurant with my Mom, we were seated right away and given such good treatment, we felt like celebrities. And the food, AMAZING! The churros for dessert - Chef's kiss. What makes this stand out for me is that Ben went so far above and beyond to make sure that I had a good experience. His apology was sincere enough, but he didn't stop there. A lot of people are not willing to go the extra mile like he did that day. I am very grateful and appreciative, and I do not take it for granted. The food at Esperanza speaks for itself, but the SERVICE 100/10! No notes. Thank you Ben. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Fried Horchata Ice Cream - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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We went to Esperanza Cantina on Juneteenth for brunch with my in-laws, and overall we had a really nice time. The space is bright and beautiful, and everyone was kind and accommodating. The only issue we had was with the corner seating. It gets a little tricky when your party is seated in a corner and the party next to you is also cornered into their seats. Anytime someone needs to get up or go to the restroom, both parties have to shift and adjust. The party next to us seemed visibly and verbally frustrated, and it felt like they were blaming us for blocking them, even though we were just seated where the restaurant placed us. They made a few comments under their breath, which made the situation feel awkward and a little uncomfortable. Also, the tall tables are a bit wobbly, so if you are getting in and out of the booth, definitely grab your drinks first, especially if you ordered a Big Daddy Margarita. No one wants that beauty tipping over. That said, the food was amazing. I had the pescado del día, which was sea bass, and our waiter recommended it with the wine sauce, corn, and rice. Omg, it was so good. The fish melted in your mouth and was so moist and delicious. We also ordered two Big Daddy Margaritas, which we already love from their sister restaurant, Palmilla. Overall, we'll definitely be back. I'm still thinking about that sea bass and will absolutely be coming back for it soon. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Pescado del día sea bass - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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I am writing to express my extreme disappointment regarding our experience at Esperanza Manhattan Beach today. My husband and I had reservations for 4:00 PM and arrived early at approximately 3:45 PM. We were promptly seated at a table, and shortly after, a busboy brought us water. However, after that, we were completely ignored. We never received the flour tortillas, and our server -- whoever it was -- never once acknowledged us, introduced themselves, or even asked if we would like something to drink. After sitting there for an extended period without any service, I approached the hostess and requested assistance in locating our server. Unfortunately, I was made to feel as though I was bothering her simply for asking. By 4:05 PM, after waiting approximately 20 minutes without any acknowledgment or service whatsoever, my husband and I decided to walk out. We live in Manhattan Beach and frequently have out-of-town guests visiting the area. Based on this experience, I will never recommend Esperanza to any of our guests or friends. It was incredibly disappointing, especially considering the reputation and pricing associated with your restaurant. read more

Delicious! Went for Brunch - loved the flour tortilla appetizer, ordered guacamole and Chips and the huevos with carne asada. Mimosas were $10 or the pitcher was $40. Ambiance - had a table on the first floor - nice! Service - excellent. Well done! read more

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The asada was very good and flavorful. They give you tortillas as appetizers alongside with chips which was nice. Service was great and nice ambiance inside. For parking, you can do street or any of the nearby structures. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - La Asada con Salsa - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Really underwhelming mexican food. One start for large servings but taste was not good. Also, the owners should really look at the cleanliness of their restaurant like how could you just have your couches stained and allow that to be a representation of you. I really dont get some owners. I would never leave anything stained. Also, extremely loud chaotic not peaceful atmosphere with music on way too loud. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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Had a business dinner here and what a fun experience! Restaurant is beautiful, has a lovely area upstairs with a fire pit and a bar upstairs and downstairs. The noise level can be a bit loud and it can be crowded but the service, drinks, and food were exceptional! Their menu offered a nice variety of foods- from vegan to seafood, and their drink menu offered a nice variety of options. Their guac was chunky and delicious and their churros were superb! The churros were not heavy and texture and taste were excellent! Their sangrias were refreshing and oh so tasty! I ordered the Achiote Beso Salmon (per our waiter's suggestion), and it was perfectly cooked, presented beautifully, and tasted great! Can't wait to come back! read more

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The Chile Relleno: 5/5 This was the highlight for me. It was rich and filling, and the batter was thick and airy with the perfect crunch. After asking, I learned that they make it with Modelo Negra, which they have on tap. I will definitely be back for it. Short Rib enchilada: 3/5 It was good, but the sauce masked the short rib, which seemed to be tender and well prepared. I will likely try the taquitos instead next time. The drinks were the right kind of strong. Sound seems to echo and travel, so parts of the conversation were hard to hear across the table, but it was still a great atmosphere with the lighting and decor. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Short Rib enchilada, chile relleno, black beans, and rice - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

I came into Esperanza the other day and had such a great experience! Our server Ben was very helpful with his recommendations, he talked me into getting the Asada Con Salsa and the watermelon cooler and they were both delicious! The chimichurri sauce on the steak was top notch and the margarita was so refreshing with the perfect amount of spice! I will definitely be back again! (My homemade chimichuri is just a tiny bit better) read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Good food. I love their ceviche and tacos Rice and beans were flavorful and not too salty. Meat was mostly tender. Service is pretty quick and servers are very friendly It does get very crowded sometimes and hard to get through when there's a lot of people on the second floor.. and first floor too I guess haha Parking is a bit of a hassle but that's the whole Manhattan beach. read more

Incredibly beautiful restaurant! We came on a Tuesday evening table for three people with a reservation. We were sat down quickly towards the back & put in our order for drinks! They served us handmade tortillas with a dripping sauce tray. We all enjoyed it very much & the tortillas were incredibly tasty! I will say, it was busy and our drink order took longer than expected The drinks were delicious! All their margs can be make into mocktails Once we put in our food order it took approximately 45 minutes for it to come out! The food, nonetheless, was tasty! I will say the crispy taco with braised short rib was dry, however, the chile relleno was perfectly tasty!! Overall cute restaurant. The food/drinks took quite a bit to come out, then for our server to bring the check. By this time many people had left. Perhaps some servers didn't come into work today. I always like to give their staff the benefit of the doubt. Will come again to re-rate the service & try different plates! read more

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Super cute location! The handmade tortillas with butter are amazing. I tried the langosta tacos and they had a nice mixture of flavor. My husband also enjoyed the carnitas plate, while my aunt thought the chile relleno was okay. Drinks were okay. read more

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The food was average--nothing particularly unique stood out. I ordered the chicken chipotle with mushrooms; it was fine, but the rice and salad weren't appealing to me. What really elevated the experience was the service--our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and offered thoughtful recommendations, which I appreciated. The ambience is definitely the highlight of the place: lively, stylish, and full of people dressed up, giving it a fun, happening vibe. Cost $50 / person read more

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Chris you did just a great job! My party and I were 13 people in total! This was such a beautiful resturant both upstairs and downstairs. The food was also really flavorful and yummy. There was a large selection to choose from as well!! Be mindful when reserving for larger parties! There is a $75 min for parties over 16. read more

Food is excellent. The flan is to die for... not the plantains.. would come back. Service holds up. Atmosphere fun and lively especially nights and weekends. read more

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I was not expecting to like this place too much but wow was this place really good. I will say the prices are a bit high but I think it's still worth a try. They have Mexican cuisine here and if you like mexican food, this place is great. I love the way they cook their tortillas. I usually am not a fan of corn tortillas but at this place. they were so good. They had the best texture. I recommend the Tacos de Filet Mignon! It was super good and delicious. The meat was well seasoned and the tortilla was perfect. It was sooo good!!!! The restaurant was also so cute and peaceful but at night, this place does get louder because people come here to drink. Their drink menu was fairly large!! The staff here were also really nice and accommodating. Overall great experience and very much worth a try! I would come here again and try a different item on the menu. read more

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Came on St patty's weekend. Quite busy! The hostess was luckily able to fit us two in the front. Extremely sunny day, I had to wear sunglasses to eat. Ordered 2 items, both $17 each. The burrito was smaller than Chipotle. Every table gets a free tortilla and salsa set of 3. The chorizo was salty so I took it home! Great ambiance for a brunch! Cute spot for a date or with family! Dog friendly too. Metered parking sadly. read more

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Wow! Truly the best establishment in Manhattan Beach!! My server Ben convinced me to try their mole enchilada- life changing. I've had churros all around the world and these are tops. No doubt. Enjoy a watermelon marg and soak in the house beats. Ask for Ben. He's the best! read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Mayan Cinnamon Churros - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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Esperanza is my favorite. Such delicious food. Everything is seasoned right. Always fresh and quality dishes. I love coming here. Great vibe and always a happy beautiful crowd. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

We were invited back to the restaurant for a second time by the management. Our initial experience needed a little additional finesse. This time our food, service, and management were top shelf! Very impressed! Not only was the quality of food great but the portions were very generous. Our drinks were made perfectly and strong! Ask for Sadie, if you want a positive, uplifting time there, she was fabulous. The management must know she's the best. I'm hard to impressed but this turned out to be an incredible all around dining experience! A great vibe with an upscale atmosphere. Most importantly, John Fox, the manager, made sure our afternoon was flawless. Hats off to this outstanding professional! read more

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ALWAYS a great time here thanks to all the staff who are so kind and welcoming! My husband and I just wanted to stop by for some margaritas the day before Mother's Day. We had a baby and they, without question, accommodated us and even sat us at a prime table! Quick service, great drinks, attentive, and vibrant ambiance. We'll always come back! read more

Love the vibe. Super cute ambiance and love the elevated Mexican food. Dogs allowed on the ground only. Reservations available on Open Table, but we also walked up on Saturday morning and was seated right away. They have Hightop, booth, and regular table seating options. The provide you when you sit with their homemade tortillas with two different salsa and a butter. Omg delicious. Of course saved the remaining of the salsa to add to our meals. I devoured the breakfast burrito. Filet Mignon tacos were on point. Everything was cooked perfectly and super tasty. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Breakfast burrito - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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Very fun vibe with upscale Mexican food. $$$ on the food while the drinks aren't terribly expensive. Watermelon jalapeno marg is 10/10. Service was REALLY good. Our server, Ben was top notch. Would go back for drinks and the service for sure. Upstairs looks fun too read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Large group dinner - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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Came into Esperanza again and Ben recommended doing the Chicken Mole Enchilada with the taco and  Relleno combo and it was so tasty! Best authentic Mexican meal I've had in LA hands down! read more

5 Stars for the Spicy Mango Marg, the Vibe, and the Food! Esperanza is officially my new favorite spot in Manhattan Beach. The Spicy Mango Margarita is a MUST-order--it's the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and salty. The service was fantastic, and the entire place has such an incredible vacation vibe that makes you feel like you're on a luxury getaway. It's the perfect beachy-chic atmosphere to unwind. The food is just as impressive as the drinks. I highly recommend the Ceviche Los Cabos--it was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and easily one of the best I've had. The interior design is stunning, and the energy is always great. If you're near the pier, don't miss out on this gem. Highly recommend for both the food and the experience! read more

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went to their sister restaurant, palmilla last month for brunch and wanted to check esperanza out. made rez via opentable and booked seating for their newly opened upstairs/rooftop! it was an unexpected warm sunny day, the hostess was so gracious and gave us options for seating. we still opted for upstairs but in the shade. friendly and fast service. i was bummed there isnt a view of the ocean and the menu is the exact same as palmilla. whomp whomp. but i did want to order from their brunch menu! ordered: Papas Rajas Hash - asked for eggs to be scrambled instead of fried and did not add any protein Tacos de Halibut Frito def enjoyed their brunch menu vs their lunch menu food was delicious and loved the jalapeño crema the best out of the three. love love love their homemade flour tortillas. gorgeous restaurant! parking: located in dtmb. metered street parking, metered lots, metered garages. read more

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Heard about this place from a friend. I looked it up and immediately wanted to come here because of the aesthetic and vibe. That is the part that won me over. Honestly, it was a great environment. There's a downstairs and an upstairs. Both areas were packed. But I have a couple of cons. 1. It was very busy (it took us 1.5 hours to get seated. The hostess was trying her best, it was very crowded). 2. Parking might suck! There's metered parking on the street outside the restaurant. You might get lucky if you can find some metered street parking. 3. The food was okay. It wasn't something I'd come back for. I ordered steak tacos. What was interesting was instead of tortilla chips we got a tortilla with green sauce, red sauce, and sweet butter. I thought that was an interesting appetizer as I'm so used to getting tortilla chips instead. Would I come here again? Yea, I would. I loved the ambiance. Next time I would only come for drinks and an appetizer. And I would definitely make a reservation beforehand. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Everything here was sooo good! Great host and our server was the best, lively music, good drinks and good food. The proportions are huge so it's definitely nice to not over order. Thankfully we didn't but almost did. Recommend getting the Daddy Margarita as well! 11/10 for everything! read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

Came here in a Monday night and it was rock in'!! Place was full and atmosphere very buzzy! But it was really too loud and hard to hear! Menu had lots of yummy dishes and fun drinks. I ordered a pineapple mojito and Taco Bell+ Chili Relleno! While we waited we got handmade tortillas with sauces. Scarfed those puppies down!! Overall the food and drinks took wayyy too long!! Not if they were short in the kitchen or bar. Our food and drinks were delicious overall. And as usual for MB it was pricey so may just come back for drinks. But a full restaurant speaks volumes. read more

Great mocktails, cute spot, and decent food (just don't expect super authentic Mexican). The guacamole was fresh and tasty. I got a watermelon mocktail--it wasn't on the menu, but I asked for a cocktail without alcohol and they made it happen. I was worried it might be too sweet, but it was actually really refreshing and well-balanced. I ended up loving it. I was pretty into the chile relleno. I added shrimp (for an extra charge), and it came out super creamy and cheesy. Kind of reminded me of a chile en nogada without the cream. The restaurant is cute and just a short walk from the beach. It is on the smaller side, so it might feel a little tight for bigger groups. There's a rooftop area too--definitely want to check that out next time. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Chips and Guacamole Traditional - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

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I came here to celebrate my birthday and had the pleasure of having Olivia as my waitress. She was so much fun! Her energy was top tier. She definitely matched the birthday vibes! The food was amazing. I had a group of 10 and everyone's food came out around the same time. Everyone enjoyed there food and drinks. This was my second time coming to Esperanza and I'm glad I picked it to celebrate my birthday. I can't wait to go back. And I'll be asking for Olivia :) read more

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In short, everything! The hostess was super gracious and got us a seat without a reservation. And we were super fortunate to have Olivia as our waitress tonight. She made excellent recommendations on food and even customize some drinks for us. Our experience was top notch, the service was superb, and the food was outstanding! read more

I love coming to Esperanza! The food and drinks are always top tier and innovative. I especially appreciate the care and attention our server, Mercedes, always shows. She makes our evening every time we come! Thanks for the great vibes, Esperanza! read more

Fantastic food. Had a wonderful experience, our server Sadie was excellent. Great vibes , fun atmosphere

This place is such a vibe! Beautiful inside and great views. The shrimp taquitos were legit the best I've ever had in my life lol my server was Kayla K and she was amazing. Very attentive and so friendly. Can't forget about the asada salad and mocktail! Everything was great. Will be back again soon. I need the shrimp taquitos again already!!! read more

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Esperanza delivers when it comes to food quality everything we ordered was full of flavor, well-seasoned, and beautifully presented. The ambiance is vibrant and the menu offers a great mix of classic and creative dishes. That said, the experience could've easily been a 5-star if the service had matched the food. Our order took quite a while to arrive, and a couple of items were either missed or not prepared as requested. The staff was friendly and tried to make up for the delays, but it did affect the overall experience. Still, if you're not in a rush and want to enjoy excellent food, Esperanza is worth the visit. Just be prepared to wait a bit longer than expected. read more

Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - Crunchy Taco - Seafood Near Me - Manhattan Beach, California

I was pleasantly surprised by how good our cocktails and appetizers were! Too many over priced Mexican cuisine restaurants with fancy decor typically do not deliver. This was opposite. Very good quality. Short rib taquitos legit Sea Bass ceviche classic and top notch so flavorful paired well with banana chips Sunset cocktails amazing read more

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