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    Leña Restaurant

    3.9 (81 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 1:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Leña Restaurant

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    Pork belly with salsa verde with guacamole and black beans
    Christine M.

    Tonight I gathered with a friend for dinner. We both had a cocktail, salsa, guacamole appetizer, dinner and dessert! Pork belly salsa verde for her and ribs for me with corn and green beans. Cooked tender and lots of flavor . Dessert was mango sorbet topped on cinnamon torts cup :-)

    Conchata Toast
    Nellie C.

    Came here for brunch on a Sunday. Not busy at 10am. The music was just a hair too loud for it being before 11am but our food came out quickly and hot. I got the mole chilaquiles and they were nice and crispy and plenty of sauce. I also tried the conchata toast and it was good but didn't get a lot of horchata flavor but it hit the spot for just being something sweet.

    Carol C.

    Date: 5/3/2026 Time:12:15 PM 60° Partly sunny Leña Restaurant was a recommendation by BoozieBrunch on Facebook. My daughter asked via text where I wanted to celebrate Mother's Day before next Sunday. Answer: Leña in Alameda! It is my first time having their brunch. Wow! I am totally impressed with the food and ambiance. Thanks to BoozieBrunch's blog. Shout out to her for the recommendation. Eats: Chilaquiles (tortilla chips with two eggs, mole sauce, queso fresco, crema and pickled onion, carnitas) for me. My daughter had the churraffle, which is a churro waffle, tossed in cinnamon sugar, topped with pastry cream, seasonal fruit and guava syrup; guava pancakes,topped with house-made vanilla pastry cream, fresh seasonal fruit and piloncillo syrup. For my beverage, it was Mexican coffee with mocha and cinnamon, topped with whipped cream. I usually don't drink coffee, and the last time I had a Mexican coffee was at Chevy's in the late 80's. Ooh, my chilaquiles was bomb-diggity excellent. I had chilaquiles at another Mexican restaurant in East Oakland, which was okay. However, Leña's chilaquiles is on point with their mole sauce. Tasted so so good, that figuratively speaking, I gotta slap the chef and the mama for preparing it. LOL. That chef knew how to burn. Damn! It got me grinning from ear to ear. Service was a tad slow and the wait time for the food was about 35 minutes. Yes, it was long. However, delicious food does take time for preparation and presentation. What is worth waiting is worth getting. Besides patience is a virtue. Our waitress was attentive and indeed pleasant, engaging my daughter and me in conversation. Return visit? YES! I want to have the Costillas, the pozole rojo, agua frescas. I know to ask about the nopales and if they serve poblano rice as a side dish. I also will consider this restaurant for a birthday dinner in June. I know someone special who loves rib eye steak. Finally, thanks to BoozieBrunch for speaking highly of Leña.

    Conchata Toast
    Patty P.

    Have visited Lena for dinner and really wanted to try their brunch. Got there a little before 1 and it was still pretty busy. We got seated and ordered the cafe de Olla which was a sweetened spiced coffee, in beautiful mugs, for brunch we ordered Conchata sweet toast and pombazo, which was a chorizo soaked egg sandwich with potatoes, guacamole, peppers, and a really yummy green verde sauce. Everyone was so friendly, helpful, and as the brunch-ended we got to have some friendly chit-chat. Did I mention that the food was so delicious! Really recommend their brunch, and want to come back and try more dishes!

    Sink in bathroom
    Mari B.

    10/10!!! From start to finish. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners and business managers, Yesenia. Leña is a family owned restaurant that is not an ordinary Mexican restaurant. It is elevated with a modern twist. Yes, it is pricy but you are getting a full experience not just fast food from a taco truck, no hate, but don't come to Leña expecting a cheap meal. Think more of an intimate classy restaurant, good for anniversaries, and special occasion gatherings. In regards to the food, I had the Tetelas with a side of papas bravas and green rice. My family had the Ribeye asado, Costillas, and Camaron a la Parrilla with sides of esquite and potatoes. The steak was super tender and the salsas that came with it were perfection. Everything was beautifully seasoned and brought out together. The drinks are also delicious! The Batido de Platano was my favorite, but I only tried sips of 2 others (I am a lightweight drinker) because they are strong in a good way. I had a great time talking to the staff and asking questions about the menu, cooks, and decor. I found out the tables were hand made by the family themselves. I felt so honored stepping in to this place at it is beautiful inside and out. From the murals to the bathroom decor, everything has a special touch and amazing attention to detail.

    Oysters
    Winnie V.

    I've been wanting to try Leña since it opened and we finally got to check it out last week! We went on Friday at 8 pm and it was pretty busy, which I think is a good sign. While there was a little bit of a wait, it was not bad at all. The space itself is really beautiful. I love the decor, with the murals, back patio, asymmetrical wood tables, and comfy chairs. We decided to go all out with drinks, apps, and plates since Friday deserves a treat. Also, we are a fun drinks household and love our appetizers. For drinks, I got a sombra de cafe, which had coffee and mezcal, while the bf got the leña cantarito, with tequila, grapefruit, orange, and lime. I love both mezcal and coffee, but together it was a bit too bitter and too much drink for me. The leña cantarito was nice and refreshing though, and the chamoy(?) rim was a nice touch. For an appetizer, we got the raw oysters, which came with a chimichurri sauce and a salsa macha. Def was not expecting to get oysters at a Mexican spot, but the sauces sounded really good. I tried them both when they first came out and the salsa macha hottt! I love spicy food, and especially chili oil, but wow I was not expecting that level of of spice! It was good though, and flavorful, my mouth was just on fire for a bit hahaha. For the mains, we got the ribeye asada and the oxtail and shortrib birria. For the sides, we got the slaw, the corn, rice, and potatoes. The ribeye was a bit thinner and more cooked than expected for medium rare. But it was still really good. Because it was asada, you could really taste the slight char from the grill, giving it some extra flavor. I especially loved the birria. Both the oxtail and shortrib were sooo tender, basically fall off the bone, and the birria itself had nice flavor. Both dishes also came with fresh tortilla, which was nice and warm, with a nice corn flavor. Overall, I really loved everything we got. The prices are a bit high, but I thought the quality and flavors were top notch. I especially loved how it appears to be a lot of family recipes. Service was great as well. Nice to have a fancy new spot in Alameda!

    Lisa C.

    I really wanted to like Lena, but the customer service was some of the worst I've experienced in Alameda! The oysters Rockefeller and halibut ceviche were great, and the tortillas on the taco sampler were delicious -- but the tacos arrived lukewarm and the proteins were mostly bland. They also don't serve chips and salsa, and the "chips" for the ceviche were burnt baked tortillas. Definitely not what you expect from a Mexican restaurant. The real issue was the service. The restaurant was clearly understaffed, and our server disappeared after taking our order. I ordered a margarita with Mezcal, and no one bothered to mention that their Mezcal is $27 per drink. We didn't find out until the bill came -- which also included an extra drink we didn't order. Even worse, not a single employee apologized or tried to make it right. No manager came over, and the staff just looked confused. In the end, I spent $54 on two Mezcal margaritas in a place with no bar seating, no chips and salsa, and service that was chaotic from start to finish. Between the lack of communication, the overcharging, and the overall disorganization, I won't be returning. Alameda has plenty of other Mexican restaurants that actually value their customers. Do not recommend! Just NO

    Raspados flight
    Karina J.

    It felt like I was back in Acambaro when I took a bite of my pambazo, It was perfect! The bread was soft and chorizo was so flavorful and the salsa was super fresh10/10! The ambiance is wonderful mariachi playing in the background I love it!!! I went for brunch but I can't wait to go back for the dinner. We also tried the rapado flight I definitely recommend it. The concha toast was a first for me and fell in love definitely ordering that next time again. The service was super friendly and welcoming. Im telling all my friends and family to come.

    Drink menu
    Amanda L.

    I had a feeling the ribeye asado was going to be my favorite thing we ordered, yet we wanted to try as much as possible and succumbed to our gluttony. We came on their grand opening event so it was very crowded with a great vibe and a mariachi band that made it even better. The space is also done so thoughtfully and curated a little getaway from the bay. For drinks I had a cantarito and it was amazing -- tasted like fresh squeezed juice from all the ripest fruits with a side of suddenly I know Spanish. Next I ordered the la veladora and wow that was decadent without being heavy at all. We started with the tatemaditas. Our favorite salsas were the verde and macha. The macha had a really good heat to it. My spice tolerance is pretty decent but that one definitely made me feel like I was on a hot ones challenge. Next is where our downfall happened. The 7 mini taco sampler did not have mini tacos. They were very-generously-almost-normal-sized tacos that my boyfriend and I split, didn't even finish 2, then we were already almost full. Yeah we could've taken smaller bites but they were all so good and different from each other that we couldn't help it. The ribeye asada and halibut were our favorites. Then finally came the ribeye asado... perfect cook on it, amazingly seasoned, so juicy and tender. Could we power through and give it the savoring it deserves? No. We did not finish it as you expected but we are so looking forward to eating it as leftovers and I WILL be coming back to give my full attention and empty stomach to this dish.

    mini tacos sampler
    Irena S.

    Tried this place for the first time this past week on a Wednesday, around 6pm ish, party of 2. We each got the 7 taco sampler ($32 ish each) and the halibut ceviche. (funny story, we were actually trying to order this appetizer that had a sampler of the ceviche and 2 other items, but there was a miscommunication - it ended up being totally fine). There's paid 2 hr parking in the vicinity if you arrive before 6pm, free after 6pm Pros: - I really liked the 7 taco sampler because you get to kind of taste everything? it had a variety of meats including chicken and fish taco with lots of different seasonings, and some of the meat was super tender and delicious - the ambiance - feels very authentic, lots of seating, open space indoor and outdoor. Music playing in the background - really clean bathroom - food came out at a decent speed - overall very clean feel inside Cons: - The service was very authentically spotty in my opinion. I think there was a bit of a language barrier between my friends and the server who was taking our order (she was covering our server who was on break). I felt like the questions we were asking were pretty typical to ask in a restaurant (like if we ordered a certain 3 items would that be too much for 2 people, if ordering all of that would fit on our very small 2 person table, what she recommended, etc), and she low key kind of sounded like she was really irritated with us for asking? But that might be the authenticity coming out lol. I think that contributed to the miscommunication I mentioned earlier. She also told us that the 7 taco sampler was pretty large and that we would get full after eating 4, but I'm really glad we didn't listen to her because one person could definitely eat the 7, they're pretty small. - the tortillas that came with the ceviche felt like they were overbaked and burnt and did not taste good at all - and when we mentioned it to the same server, she told us that "that's how it's supposed to be, but okay I'll get you different ones." And then she brought back ones that were less burnt. I'm not sure if the originals were "how they're supposed to be" if there were less burnt ones readily available? I noticed another review mentioned this same complaint as well - There were lots of larger tables and booths available on Wednesday night (it was not crowded at all) but we still got seated at the tiniest 2 person table that was between the booths and other larger tables, which I didn't mind, but the table did feel really crowded with the size of our dishes. Overall - the taco sampler did win me over and it was quite delicious. I'm not sure if I just ordered wrong when it came to the ceviche. I think service could be a little tighter and ironed out but this place has potential

    Chilaquiles verdes (green)
    Jessica C.

    The good: hostess greeted me with a nice and warm smile. The decor and ambiance is nice and clean. I went there for brunch Saturday late morning. Parking wasn't too difficult. The not so good: I ordered chilaquiles with green sauce and a side of carnitas with over medium eggs. The carnitas are delicious, and the over medium eggs they nailed perfectly. The green sauce was a let down unfortunately. Very acidic, and the chilaquiles were drowning in the sauce. They put so much sauce it was about to overflow from the plate. They also don't offered beans on the brunch menu. The orange juice was fresh and sweet! I would probably given them a second chance, I like to support new and local businesses, perhaps I will visit for dinner. But the chilaquiles verdes were a disappointment!

    Churro waffle and chiliquiles
    Diane L.

    Our first time eating here, they've been open for about a month according to the server. The service was friendly and attentive. Because it was a Saturday afternoon before 1:30pm, which is also their closing time until they reopen for dinner, you can only order off the brunch menu. We were both happy with our meals and will return again to try their dinner menu!

    Armando Z.

    This is the first time I've been here. I'm both a Mexican and a chef. Do not come here if you're somebody who's gonna ask for nachos. They serve sophisticated and innovative, but also traditional Mexican food from various regions. A lot of their recipes are very complex and unique. I had a pork shank that was delicious. It was in achiote and pineapple. The range of salsa they have is also quite wonderful and the drinks are very innovative. Also nice is they have a lot of small dishes. There's an old prejudice that says that Mexican restaurants have to be cheap. That's nonsense. This one is not so expect that.

    Sombra De Café, Tatemaditas Guac & Salsa (love that you can pick four!), Jefitas Mole, and Costillas

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    11 days ago

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    Yesenia C.

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    8 days ago

    Amazing food!!!! Staff makes sure you feel like family!!! The vibe was incredible. Young or old all are welcome!! And big screen for futbol.

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    8 days ago

    Delicious mole Cornish hen and a pork dish. I bit pricey. Very good service. Highly recommend.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Leña Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Leña Restaurant

    Do you need reservations?

    Hello, you do not need a reservation but it is recommended, especially Friday-Sunday

    Is there a patio area suitable to bring dogs?

    Hello, it soon will be! Patio is closed at the moment, hoping to open it up in the summer!

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    La Penca Azul

    3.5
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    The service is amazing. They constantly checked on you. Today we came for my son's 14th birthday…read more I love this place. I Been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. The homemade chips are addictive don't get full on them before your meal comes. They also have an extra spicy sauce for the chips but I warn you now, it is really really spicy but good. The food is always amazing. Today we switched it up and got the Super Burritos. One shredded beef and the other shredded chicken. The beef was way better. But, our normal food item is the Pescado Especial for $63.79. It feeds 2-4 adults. The ambiance is very cultural. I love the variety of alcohol that they have and yes empty it's for decorations. The few television's that they do have came in handy because the World Cup was on, Panama vs Ghana.

    We have eaten here on and off over the past 15 years. And I have never experienced any issues until…read morenow. This past Friday evening we picked up dinner. I had ordered the 2 Quesabirria with Consome. Unfortunately, the consome sauce was missing. But that was the least of my problems. I found a large Rubber Band in my taco! Yes a rubber band. I bit into my taco and was chewing on it and had a weird taste so I spit out my food and found a large rubber band. I immediately called the restaurant. I spoke with the owner/manager, and he was extremely apologetic and sincere. Even though I accept his apology and appreciate him trying to make things right. Unfortunately, I am too disgusted and grossed out to see myself returning anytime soon. I appreciate the professionalism of handling this issue and I was hesitant to write this review and post this picture. The attached picture is the taco and a picture of the rubber band. Per my call with the owner/manager he thinks the rubber band came from the bundle of cilantro. Regardless of where the rubber band came from, I still feel completely disgusted and grossed out.

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    La Penca Azul
    Mexican Corn Masa Hot Dogs
    Mexican Corn Masa Hot Dogs
    La Penca Azul

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    Taqueria Mi Burrito

    Taqueria Mi Burrito

    4.3
    (75 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    3.5 stars The…read morelocal vibe was heavily present. As a first timer, it was nice to see the folks behind the counter know peoples orders without them ordering... we came end of day and didn't get any of the meats we wanted. No more chicharron or chile verde. Another usual customer was surprised to hear chile verde sold out and muttered "but that one never sells out..." Good enough deal to get the burrito and can soda for $14. Burrito itself was good enough. Not something i would crave for though. The tortilla was my favorite part. I wish they tightened the burrito roll. They don't give a lot of meat. The steak one was basically falling apart while eating it. The Carnitas was not chopped up, just few big dry chunks to work on... no slurpability to my burrito which knocks off a star... the salsa was definitely medium to hot heat level spice. I for sure needed the coke to help me finish my burrito without suffering from the heat too much. I will definitely want to try coming again for the chicharron. Hopefully it will be a better experience considering we went closer to the closing time. It's nice that their front is open for folks to just enjoy the space without cars, so that ups the appeal a bit more.

    Mi Burrito in downtown Alameda serves up delicious and authentic Mexican food, primarily burritos…read more The restaurant was formerly known as Ramiro & Sons Taqueria, where the talented cooks and staff decided to purchase it when the owners retired. The staff is incredibly friendly and eager to assist you with your order. They were the heart and soul of the taqueria, so it's no surprise that it now operates as Mi Burrito, with the staff now owning the place. As a result, they have a long line out the door. Locals flock to Mi Burrito for their authentic Mexican cuisine. The food is prepared right in front of you at the counter, and it's a delightful experience to watch the deliciousness being made. While the restaurant has limited seating inside, there are plenty of outdoor seating options at the community tables.

    Photos
    Their menu
    Their menu
    A Chile Verde burrito    with Pico de  diced.
    A Chile Verde burrito with Pico de diced.
    Inside seating area for dine in

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    Inside seating area for dine in
    Casa Revolucion Taqueria

    Casa Revolucion Taqueria

    4.0
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    0.1 mi
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    What a gem, might be the best taqueria on Alameda…read more Large serving sizes for the price, everything was so good! Fish tacos were not battered - clean flavor and texture, shrimp tacos will be ordered again, tripas was nice and crispy. Also got the Friday special - 3 quesabirria tacos with consume for $10. Plus free chips and salsa. They have canned Coke Zero too. I'll definitely be back. Solid offerings all around, good flavor, good value, not busy, pretty easy street parking. Another yelper mentioned it wasn't overly salty and I 100% agree. Somehow this place has the perfect balance of flavors for everyone in the family - id take my heat adverse kids and older parents and myself. It doesn't seem like the place that's going scorched earth in any dish, i get the sense it's here to deliver some good flavors. I'm really impressed. Food came out hot and quick. The cashier was friendly. Store is clean with bright walls, decorative paper flags, and a few religious figures in the alcoves. This place is to the point in its food and function.

    BEST D*** TAQUERIA IN ALAMEDA, IN MY VIEW. Fresh ingredients, well-seasoned meats, and not overly…read moresalty. Plus, friendly staff and reasonable prices. Everything I have had here was delicious, but I especially like the Carnitas, which are lean, sometimes a bit crispy, and have a rich, kinda beefy flavor (even though I assume they are not beef ). The restaurant is conveniently close to downtown Alameda, and I have never seen it overcrowded or had a very long wait for my food. Highly recommended!

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    The spot.
    The spot.
    Fish Taco
    Fish Taco
    Super Burrito

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    Super Burrito
    Cholita Linda

    Cholita Linda

    4.3
    (619 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Cholita linda is one of my favorite places to get delicious fish tacos Baja style. Everytime I…read morefinish my tacos, I instantly start regretting not ordering more. Their fish tacos are perfectly battered, crispy, covered in a bed of cabbage cilantro, crema, & their salsa. a slice of lime to add a lil Zest & wow, I could eat 5 of them after a good workout day. We usually order rice & beans, yucca frita, and occasionally an agua fresca. This time we ordered a strawberry & lemonade, super yum & perfect amount of tart & sweet. The yucca frita was crispy with savory sauce to pair with it. The rice and beans are simple but also so consistently deliciously cooked. The white rice is the best restaurant rice I ever had, I wish I could make it like This at home lolol. Overall, the food here has always been delicious. We order here frequently for the last few years and will continue to do so. Service is always positive, seamless and straightforward. The alameda location has seating inside, perfect for small groups or solo dining too. Overall great vibe, love this place!

    As my fiancé and I walked around downtown Alameda in and out of the adorable little shops, I became…read morerather thirsty, and I came across great music coming out of this particular shop! As I walked into maybe get a little snack, they had fresh juice that was in their machines, looping around! I love the vibrant colors and feel of this restaurant, and the music matched it perfectly!! I forget what this drink was actually called, but it was something mixed with passionfruit, and it quench my thirst perfectly!! There were a number of items on the menu that looked delicious, but honestly with the drink I was satisfied!! I will definitely be back to try a taco or some sort of appetizer! And I will definitely get the drink again!! Hee

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Salad
    Salad
    Baja fish tacos were yummmm - the hot sauce is a must. The batter on the fish tacos were unique. Would order again.

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    Baja fish tacos were yummmm - the hot sauce is a must. The batter on the fish tacos were unique. Would order again.
    La Penca Azul

    La Penca Azul

    3.3
    (530 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    The service is amazing. They constantly checked on you. Today we came for my son's 14th birthday…read more I love this place. I Been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. The homemade chips are addictive don't get full on them before your meal comes. They also have an extra spicy sauce for the chips but I warn you now, it is really really spicy but good. The food is always amazing. Today we switched it up and got the Super Burritos. One shredded beef and the other shredded chicken. The beef was way better. But, our normal food item is the Pescado Especial for $63.79. It feeds 2-4 adults. The ambiance is very cultural. I love the variety of alcohol that they have and yes empty it's for decorations. The few television's that they do have came in handy because the World Cup was on, Panama vs Ghana.

    This review is for the parents out there: La Penca Azul is an incredible hidden gem for families…read more It's a genuinely family-friendly place with a great kids' menu featuring burritos, quesadillas, grilled cheese, burgers, and more. The outdoor seating overlooks a big plaza, so while you wait for food (and enjoy a margarita), your kids can run and play without bothering anyone. They offer a $10 happy hour menu Monday through Thursday, with smaller portions that are perfect for lighter meals. After your meal, stroll through the mall by the UPS store to find a lovely walking path along the canal where you can spot ducks and geese. You can also walk or bike to two playgrounds: one smaller playground is further along the path on the same side, and a larger playground is across the bridge a few blocks into the neighborhood. There's plenty of parking. You can swing by Safeway next door if you need to grab a few groceries before heading home. Penca Azul makes for a wonderful and easy outing. Our whole family always enjoys ourselves and leaves happy!

    Photos
    Stairs to the upper level.
    Stairs to the upper level.
    Tostada de Ceviche
    Tostada de Ceviche
    4/3/24 FYI. new decor

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    4/3/24 FYI. new decor
    La Penca Azul - Santa Clara

    La Penca Azul - Santa Clara

    4.0
    (226 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The service is amazing. They constantly checked on you. Today we came for my son's 14th birthday…read more I love this place. I Been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. The homemade chips are addictive don't get full on them before your meal comes. They also have an extra spicy sauce for the chips but I warn you now, it is really really spicy but good. The food is always amazing. Today we switched it up and got the Super Burritos. One shredded beef and the other shredded chicken. The beef was way better. But, our normal food item is the Pescado Especial for $63.79. It feeds 2-4 adults. The ambiance is very cultural. I love the variety of alcohol that they have and yes empty it's for decorations. The few television's that they do have came in handy because the World Cup was on, Panama vs Ghana.

    Date: 6/5/2026. Time: 9:30 PM…read more This is an updated review. It has been almost eight years ago since I wrote a review of La Penca Azul. The review was for the Taco Bar. My male companion and I came here for late dinner. He ordered the Pescado entree with rice and a salad. The only salad dressing the restaurant had was ranch. I would think the restaurant would have an oil/vinegar dressing. Nope! I decided to have the two items combo (beef enchilada and pork tamale) with rice and refried beans. Of course, my eyes got bigger than my stomach. I ate half of my dinner. Yep, I had leftover tamale and rice in a box to take home. Beverage: no Jamaica agua fresca, so the waitress suggested either a mango/passion fruit or pineapple/lime agua fresca. I opted for the former over the latter. My meal and beverage were good, but I believe my taste bud has changed over the years to the point that I had dined at two different Mexican restaurants recently where the food tasted better. Inasmuch as I like to leave my 5 star rating intact with La Penca Azul, I can't. At best, it is a 3.5 stars rounded up to a four star.

    Photos
    If it's too chilly to eat outside, you can always eat in the back area.
    If it's too chilly to eat outside, you can always eat in the back area.
    La Penca Azul - Santa Clara
    La Penca Azul - Santa Clara

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    Leña Restaurant - bars - Updated July 2026

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