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    La Buena Vida - Cary

    3.6 (101 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    LA BUENA VIDA - CARY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
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    DJ

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    Reviews With Photos

    Marissa S.

    Being an out-of-towner, I had some time to kill and was on my way to another restaurant when the outside of this place caught my eye -- so I turned right into the parking lot. Even in the daytime, it was inviting. I went for lunch on a Thursday, so there weren't many people there at first. It's cute inside! The only reason I deducted points was because no one came to check on me after dropping off my food to see if everything was okay. I was waiting for them to, since I needed a knife to cut my chicken. I ended up eating it exactly as it looks in my picture - strips and all. They don't include knives in the wrapped silverware with the napkin. Also, it was a tad salty. Overall, it was cute in there, and I would definitely go back again.

    Birria Quesadilla
    Abby Z.

    Went to La Buena Vida for the TSITP watch party and honestly it couldn't have been a better spot The atmosphere was such a vibe. fun, lively , and full of energy all at the same time. It felt like the kind of place you just want to stay and hang out for hours. The staff was so welcoming too, which made the whole night even better. Now the food... wow. The birria quesadillas were next level so cheesy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Pairing that with the Spanish rice (which was honestly some of the best I've ever had, so fluffy and seasoned just right) made it the perfect comfort meal. Everything just hit the spot. If you're looking for a place with amazing food, great atmosphere, and good energy, La Buena Vida is definitely it. Already planning when I'm going back!

    Sujung S.

    They have so many fun drinksand cool dishes that you don't want to miss out on! Some even come with "shows" which the kids + adults all enjoyed~ One of the drinks My favorites from our visit were bath time that came with a rubber duck (the bubbles were so fun and tasty) + plátanos rellenos It was THE BEST dish of the evening. If you get nothing else , get plátanos rellenos!!!

    Everything was great! Upon arriving and leaving, 2 gentlemen opened the doors for me and my friends. The food was delicious!! Highly recommend the chilaquiles So many fun looking drinks and tasty also. The churro sparkler display was really cool! Loved that the server was on top of things. The aesthetics inside were really cute and vibey!

    Strawberry tres leches
    Mackenzie G.

    Food was spectacular, highly recommend the carne asada as well as their super fun cocktail menu. The tres leches dessert was a bombshell. You can always judge a Mexican restaurant by their trees leches and they even have a strawberry version! The service was great! Went in a Friday and the place was packed but had almost no wait to sit. The ambiance was great!, it felt kind of like a hip club with modern music and a more modern style with paintings of famous Hispanic people on the walls like Frieda Kahlo

    More menu
    Barefoot B.

    I'd heard of this place but never visited the Cary location. I'm so glad I did. The staff and service were exceptional! The food was a bonus! Everything was delicious and left me wanting more!! The decor and art give this place a very upbeat and sensational vibe. I will definitely be back to try more drinks and more food. I started with the guacamole and birria roll apps from the lunch menu and had the Tiras de pollo which to me was the star of the show! P.S. Margarita Mondays mean house margs are on sale on Mondays!

    Receipt
    Chris M.

    I enjoyed my time with my buddies there. Amazing food and great service from Greyber!

    Platano Relleno
    Christine W.

    My boyfriend and I came in because I heard about this place from a coworker. The decor is very fancy, and it seems upscale as a result. The menus had really small font, and the restaurant was pretty dark. That might not be the best for people who can't see well. I ordered the platano relleno. It was good, very flavorful. The plantains were delicious, and I'm not sure what all was on top. I ate the whole plate clean. Our server was Viviana. She was pretty attentive and recommended a bacon-wrapped shrimp dish. Unfortunately, they didn't have it in stock anymore, which was disappointing. All in all, good experience. Food is a little pricey tho! But the quality is good. I think I still prefer Esmerelda Grill for more authentic and less expensive options.

    Brian L.

    La Buena Vida has a vast menu with lots of options and selections. They have a very nice interior and vibes for a fun night out. I think the food was alright, but the drink menu and energy inside make up for it. I got some enchiladas and thought they were alright. They have these "shows" you can order, where the staff come out and do a dance to music and present several drinks to the table, it was really fun to watch, and I think it would be really fun for a special occasion. Overall, it was an interesting spot, I wouldn't come just for food though. I would come to have a good time and order some drinks.

    Mole enchiladas
    Julia W.

    The decor of this restaurant was so much fun! The vibes were lively and it almost felt like I was stepping into a dance bar. Service was relatively fast, especially given how busy they were. I got the chicken empanadas and the mole enchiladas. The empanadas were pretty good, it was your standard fried empanada. The mole enchilada was also just ok - my only complaint is about the multiples pieces of bones and cartilage I had to pick out. I'm giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of 3 because of how fun it was inside. I'd definitely come back for drinks with friends!

    Steak
    Kathy G.

    I wanted to love it since I love the Raleigh location. The food consistently changes as does the customer service experience. Celebrated a birthday, party of 13 and all of us received our food at different times which sucked! The food presentation is always a hit, portions are just right and selection of food is good:

    Lunch Quesabirrias

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    The food was great! Service was excellent. Atmosphere is awesome! Greta place to go for a friendly lunch or business dinner!

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    La Buena Vida - Cary - mexican - Updated May 2026

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