We planned a family dinner get together with my cousin and his family at Nueva Cantina. It was all of our first time dining there, and it did not disappoint. The space is large with plenty of seating, which worked out perfectly for our group since we had the kids with us. I can imagine it gets pretty busy on weekends, but we lucked out with a more relaxed atmosphere. We chose to sit outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather, which made the experience more enjoyable. Service was attentive and friendly from start to finish. Our table ordered a variety of dishes... al pastor tacos, chicken tacos, a grilled chicken tostada, a chicken fajita tostada, chicken quesadillas, and birria tacos. We also shared the Nueva sampler with chips, guacamole, salsa, and queso. Everything that came out was fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. Honestly, not a single complaint from anyone at the table. The cocktails were just as impressive. The white pineapple mojito was standout... refreshing, perfectly balanced, and so good I finished it quicker than I usually would. The bill was very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food we enjoyed, which made the experience even more worthwhile. Between the great food, solid service, and family-friendly atmosphere, this is definitely a spot we'll be returning to. The kids loved it, we loved it - it was a great time all around! read more

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This place was great for a light dinner before we went out for drinks! I was super excited to try the soft serve margarita and it was very yummy, tart and not overly sweet. I also really enjoyed the popsicle mango margarita but that was one was definitely more on the sweet side The flautas were super crispy but not that much meat inside and the tacos weren't bad but nothing to write home about, granted I am very spoiled with tacos back home in San Diego so given that I think these were very solid and I would have them again when in the area. We were able to catch the last few minutes of happy hour which included 2 for $7 tacos, $5 classic margaritas and $2 off apps, there was also a really good deal for 12 mixed shots for $30 which we definitely plan to try next time, we sat at the inside bar but there was plenty of seating around as well as outside which also has its own bar that they were starting to set up when we arrived. The service was quick and we felt taken care of from when we arrived, something I have noticed around all of Tampa, lots of workers and quick service which is always nice! read more

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Going there on a whim was a good move. I ordered the quesobirria and really enjoyed it. The service was good and the vibe was chill. The only slight inconvenience was not listening to my drink order. It had to be made 3 different times, but the bar tender was an absolute gem about it. (Being nice does go a long way) Definitely a spot to return to. read more

Trendy place downtown, walkable to the children's museum--seems like the spot to be for ladies night out (great giant drink options to share, shot platters, and even margarita soft serve which I didn't get to try). The queso was great and birria pizza was a fun idea. Wish the service was a bit faster, but our poor server seemed to have drawn the short straw with the number of tables she had. read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Mezcal margarita - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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Stopped by here while on vacation from Virginia. Overall experience was pleasant and enjoyed the vibes of the restaurant from the music to the atmosphere. The food was good but only had one dish that really WOW'd us! The al pastor taco on our taco tour was absolutely spectacular! Super flavorful and perfectly salted! The queso fundido was not my favorite. It was more like melted cheese on a cast iron with some chorizo. The margaritas were of course good with the spicy pineapple and having a great balance between sweet and spicy. The service was also good but not anything spectacular. Overall, if I was a local I would definitely come back but as someone on vacation I would not feel the need to come back. read more

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Of course I'm mildly skeptical when it comes to "Mexican Food" since I'm from Chicago and I know certain ingredients aren't available here like it is in Chicago. Well this spot is pretty damn close to Chicago Mexican Food. Ok I'll say it. The decor and vibe is usually not my jam as it reminds of an instagram reel. I will say it is family friendly. The drinks were good as my Nueva Marg hit the spot. The apps we had was there chips and various salsas. I did like the habanero one. The salsa verde, nah bro. Ok the main event... I did the Birria Pizza and it was good. I will say dropping this in the air fryer the next day was the bomb. Now the wife had their Carne Asada Fajitas. Damn after you eat some of this, you won't want to do to much. It was a nice flavor to it - like Chicago style - and that Carne was the good carne. That's like the $16-$18 a pound carne not the cheap crap. The tortillas??! Hold on, they were good and not your typical ones from the area. Trust me. Danny came out and greeted us and welcomed us and found out he is from the Chicagoland area. Well damn, I guess we're coming back. They need that salsa de mocajete though! read more

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One of the most amazing food and drinks I have had in a long time. We ordered the Chips and Salsa which were good, the Mexican Pizza which was out of this world. For drinks we ordered a Mule and some mango drink that had tahin and a mango popsicle in it which was beyond amazing. The place isnt too big from the inside, they have outdoor seating as well, our waitress was very friendly. This place is a must once a month for me gping forward read more

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This will put some zing in your spring-and add flavor and fun to any holiday. Nueva Cantina knows decor and pulls out all the stops to celebrate seasons, in the ambiance and on the menu. I've done Halloween at the Brandon location-now it was time for Easter in downtown Tampa. My friend and I popped in on a Saturday afternoon in late March, around 4:30. We didn't have a reservation, but got right in. The place was busy but not cramped. There's a bar in the middle-high tops and tables on either side and a large patio space out front. It's colorful and casual-with the same breezy vacay vibes as Brandon. My friend and I each ordered two of the specialty spring margaritas. Then she had a fish taco and the flautas... while I chose the veggie taco and a small side of plantains. Everything came out quickly and was presented well. There's a nice heat to that veggie taco-not too much, but just enough. I'll definitely do that again. I'll come back here again, too. It's a great party spot-with the inventive pitchers and trays of shots (with sparklers). It's clean and tropical-so are the bathrooms. We were each parked in lots nearby (we were downtown to attend a show) and it's an easy walk down to Ashley or over to the Tampa Theatre or Hotel Flor. Cheers to another fab location! read more

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Nueva Cantina never disappoints. We went for the Valentine's Day menu and everything was so good. The birria pizza was amazing and the Cupid's margaritas were even better. We ended the night with shots which just made it more fun. I come here at least once a month because I genuinely love it. The chips and salsa are addicting and I've honestly loved almost everything I've tried on the menu. The food is always consistent, the drinks are great, and it's just an easy go to spot for me every time. read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Shot platter - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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I've been wanting to check out this spot for awhile. It always looks like a good time when I walk by downtown. It was pretty busy on a weekend evening but we were seated right away. It's a loud environment. Food was good and reasonably priced. They have a selection of hot sauces for the table. Service was okay, asked one food runner for napkins and they never came back and waited a good amount of time for our check. read more

We ate at Nueva Cantina while staying in downtown Tampa and it was excellent. The homemade tortillas were delicious and tasted fresh. The chorizo tacos, barbacoa tacos, and steak tacos were all outstanding--some of the best tacos we've had. The drinks were also 5 stars and did not disappoint. The guacamole was just okay, and the salsas were a little underwhelming compared to how amazing the tacos were. But overall, the food, atmosphere, and drinks made this a fantastic experience. We would definitely come back! Service was slow. brought tacos with no plates and salsas. read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Shareable taco platter - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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We we're in Tampa for a college visit and tried this place. It was cute and had all the typical items you'd expect like margaritas and tacos. The tacos didn't come with much on them except onions and cilantro and we had to order a side of guacamole and sour cream which was disappointing in size. read more

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We had reservations for a party of 5 for 7:15pm on a Saturday night. We were told that someone took our table and waited 30 minutes. The time we by fast as music played in the background and there's so much too look at. The manager did accommodated us with drinks for the inconvenience, thank you Heather. We were then seated in the patio, which has heated lamp. The patio is full of seasonal decor, we enjoyed the Valentine's Day theme. To my surprise even the bathroom had a taste of it. This place is definitely a vibe for all ages. The staff were all attentive to guest needs. The food came out pretty quick. The guacamole was delicious and tasted fresh, the queso was creamy with a splash of hotness and the tacos were a hit as they were stuffed with meat on fresh tortillas. The cutest presentation overall with all dishes and with drinks. We will definitely return. read more

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I loved this spot for Cinco De Mayo!! And super glad I had reservations. There was a line out the door! We ordered the taco tour which was yummy and the picture of Margs was plenty for us 3. They also gave us complimentary shots! Nice touch. I thought pricing was good. We sat outside which was much more quiet and cute. Inside was super noisy, dark and cold!! Only improvement would be to bring more toppings out for a platter of tacos a they gave us a tiny cup of cilantro for 12 tacos between 3 people. We had to ask for refills ... get yours up front! read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Mango Margs. - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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Super cute for Christmas! But that's where the fun ends. I came in on a Friday night and I was the only person over the age of 22. I looked at the menu and realized this is the college spot for cheap drinks in Tampa. If all you're looking for are some of the cheapest cocktails in Tampa then this is your spot. If you're looking for even remotely decent food or drinks then this is definitely not your spot. First up, I ordered a $11.75 Burrito Chorizo. I mean you could have told me it was from Taco Bell or Chipotle. Then, I tried a $14 Espresso Martini and I didn't even get a duck. What a gip! The drink was like a 1/10. Never order again. The only reason to come here is for the price. However, I don't see a point of a lower price for bad food and drinks. The Christmas decorations are awesome though so I'll give them 2 stars. read more

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Nueva Cantina Mexicana Great drinks, food was absolutely on point, and the service was excellent. Everything came out fresh and flavorful, and the cocktails were well made. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. Definitely a place worth coming back to. read more

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I think my biggest gripe about this place would have to be the parking. It's located downtown so it takes a little extra time to find parking if you want to make your reservation time. Other than that no complaints. My friends and I visited during Christmas time. It was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and decorations. The service was quick and efficient. The food was pretty good. My Mexican pizza was slightly salty but still good. The Snow White margarita was also very good. It's not an authentic Mexican restaurant but the vibes were good and it was tasty enough. read more

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My son had a project for his Spanish class, and I reached out to Nueva Cantina on N. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa for a short interview. The manager, Heather, was helpful from the very beginning. She told me the best day to come in, welcomed us, and was more than willing to record a video answering my son's questions. Not only did she participate, but her answers were thoughtful, detailed, and truly went above and beyond what was expected. We've visited this restaurant before, and my sons always enjoy the food ~ the tacos are consistently fresh and delicious. Today, our server Megan also provided good service. But the reason I'm giving this restaurant 5 stars is because of Heather's exceptional kindness and willingness to help with something outside her normal responsibilities. We're extremely grateful she took the time to help my high schooler succeed on his Spanish project. We will definitely be back, and we highly recommend Nueva Cantina for both the yummy food and the people who work there! read more

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Flights and drink options are top tier. Birria tacos are my all time favorites! Service is hit or miss at times, but the vibe is still great. Music is fun and upbeat. Lots of cute decor for photo ops as well! read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Spring fling flight - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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Love love love this place! It's always themed and decorated to the T, always has the most welcoming atmosphere and staff, full bar, menu options for everyone and food is always served fast and delicious. read more

Fantastic experience!! Chips and salsa are great hot chips nice and fresh and salsa just has great flavor. Tacos were incredibly tasty has shrimp, carnitas and carne asada. Carne asada could have just used a but more cilantro and chop the steak up a little more like a street taco but the flavor was there. Service was great sat and the bar and everything came out quick and hot. Place was not too crowded but still had enough people to not freak you out for going there for the first time. Just a great place to get some great tacos!! read more

Nueva Cantina Tampa has an eye-catching atmosphere and a solid drink menu that's well presented. Unfortunately, that's where the positive experience ended for me. During my visit, I found a large, sharp piece of metal embedded in a side of guacamole. It was fully coated and not visible at first, and could have caused a serious injury. I brought it to the attention of staff and spoke with two managers on site. While they were polite, the response was minimal and did not reflect the seriousness of the situation. I followed up directly afterward to give the opportunity to address it privately. It has now been three weeks with no response. For a place that positions itself at a higher level, this was extremely disappointing. Situations like this should be taken seriously and handled with care. There are plenty of other options in the area that not only deliver on experience, but also on accountability when something goes wrong. Sharing so others are aware, and observe what you consume. Photo included: Metal object inside the side of guac & a marg in a cracked glass (tough to see the crack). read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Margarita - looks cute, but the glass was cracked! - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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A great place to go for drinks and birthday celebrations. I like their seasonal concepts and the fun they bring towards each season. The food is not too bad also. read more

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We were so excited to come and try this restaurant, it's all over our social media, so we decided to come by and try some bites and drinks, we started off ordering the margarita pitcher, it was a pineapple with jalapeños margarita, it was good, I'd add a couple more shots to give a little extra kick, but it was very refreshing, that's for sure! We also ordered the chips and dips and they were alright, moving on to dishes we ordered a couple tacos and a quesadilla to share, the pastor tacos were my favorite, the only thing I'd change is the pineapple, maybe to put it in the grilled and cook it with the tacos a little bit would be good, so the flavors come together nicely. The quesadilla was okay, a little forgettable, to be honest. Service was a little not too good because we wanted to do some shots and they did not know what tequilas they had on the menu, and they don't have a list for the table either, so I asked my server and she told me to take a look of where all the tequilas were because she did not know, also we asked for a couple extra things like napkins and silverware and she never gave it to us. The ambiance is pretty cool, the bar area it's beautiful, if I come back here I'd sit at the bar for sure. read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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We've had mixed experiences here since they've opened. We've eaten twice outside and twice outside and have mixed reviews. Our first time we made a reservation for 2 for a Sunday lunch. We sat outside on the patio. We ordered the sampler, a couple margaritas, an assortment of tacos, and a burrito. Everything came out quickly and was very good. Our second time was a Saturday evening and we did not have a reservation but there were plenty of seats at the bar so we sat there. That was probably the worst service we had of our visits. We were barely checked on, I had to ask a server from the floor to get a water refill and it took quite a long time for us to be able to get our check. We had several people behind the bar pass by us, but because they were not the ones initially helping us, they didn't seem to feel the need to check on us. Third trip was by far our favorite. We made a reservation for a Saturday morning for 8 and were sat outside. They were nice enough to allow us to record our wedding save the date announcement out there before any other parties showed up. It turned out amazing and our waitstaff was wonderful. Barbie is by far the best! We ordered a few pitchers of the classic margaritas and collected lots of ducks! We ordered the taco platter with fish, beef, and chicken. I will say of my experiences the fish seems to be a bit dry but I think the tacos always have great ingredients and good flavors. I've also been told the chicken burrito is delicious (and massive) and the bowls are great too. Overall we enjoy this place and continue to go back! read more

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I really enjoyed the food here when it came to my dish which was the Spanish rice, refried beans and plantains. These plantains were delicious and came in a nice sized portion. The Spanish rice and refried beans mixed together along with the two sauces provided (salsa roja mild & salsa verde medium) really satisfied my tastebuds. The margarita rimmed with tajin was refreshing, I got a duck! There was a dirty fork in our utensil bucket. The service was great, super friendly and accommodating staff. Parking is metered parking downtown and parking lots in the area. I'd come back to check out a different theme as the current theme is Valentine's Day. read more

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* Service Firstly, I need to say how happy we were with our server, Jonathan! He was so kind, patient and welcoming. * Marketing We found this restaurant from an Instagram reel and knew we wanted to check it out. * Parking Parking can be a hassle if it's busy and don't want to pay $25 in the nearby 717 parking lot. Uber might be a better option on the weekends since other restaurants are nearby. * Drinks We had the Nueva Pitcher. It started strong, but got watery fairly quickly, so I'd recommend that if you get it, drink up! I'd say we got about 6 strong-ish drinks from the pitcher. * Food We opted for the platter to start and each got 3 tacos of our own. The food was pretty good. Seasoned well, warm, and flavorful. * Atmosphere The spot was really pretty and decorated nicely. We chose the outdoor seating and the weather was great. I would say that the music was a bit too loud which causes you to feel like you're having to shout. * Conclusion The experience was a pleasant one. The parking situation for me would be the reason I wouldn't rush to go back but the service from Jonathan makes it tempting. I would recommend this spot as a nice stop if your bar-hopping in downtown Tampa. read more

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Fast food service, quality food, fair price but a little pricy. Restaurant has a valentines theme this month apparently do a monthly theme decorating the restaurant each month, also feature special themed menus items. I got the Bowlrito with asada steak $11.75. read more

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Went out for lunch on mlk day, and parking was easy? Placewasnt crowded at all, service was fast and friendly. The place was decorated in valentine's decor, super cute! And everything was tasty. The best part are their sauces, and the churros are delicious too! read more

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It was not expected...really disappointed with super sweet drinks and shabby ambiance. Appetizer was ok.. it didn't look the same as the pictures online read more

Delicious food. Great prices. Awesome atmosphere. We ordered the taco platter and margarita pitcher for 3. It was more than enough for us and the alcohol was pretty good. Not watered down. read more

We were in the market for a light meal, not too expensive. An easy walk from our hotel. Nueva Cantina delivered on all of those things. Promp and efficient service, good food and a pleasant young vibe. A perfect finish for a long day. read more

I've been here twice. The first time was for lunch. It was a really chill setting. The outdoor decor is the best. The interior seems a little dry. The food is ok. The first time I came to this location. I got the nachos and they were delicious. Unfortunately the server did not know what came on the nachos so I got beans when I explicitly asked for none. The second time I got the quesadilla with chicken and it was a little dry. Nothing to write home about. The staff was super friendly and attentive and they gave me a duck. I don't suggest going on a weekend because it will be busy or you'll need a reservation. read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Decor - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

This place is a gem! Let me tell you! We were downtown for the Marine Corps ball and decided to make a weekend of it. We stopped in on Friday during happy hour and it did not disappoint. The food was fresh, hot and plated with a touch of care! I ordered a drink and yep it came with a tiny duck talk about being excited ha! The interior of the restaurant is what I'd say romantic yet hip perfect for a date night. Our bartenders were on top of their game! This is my by far top place for tacos ! Thank you all for the amazing service we received ! read more

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Sooo, Nueva Cantina didn't live up to the hype for me. I was excited to have another Mexican spot downtown, but it missed the mark. We went opening weekend and they were already out of several meats and menu items. I ordered the birria quesadillas, and they were super greasy. The broth was thick and oily, which birria shouldn't be. I could barely finish it. My friends said their tacos were okay, but nothing special. The drinks were cute, and the staff was really friendly. The decor is pretty and lively. I'll give it another try in case it was just an opening weekend hiccup, but I was surprised by all the high ratings. read more

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Ambiance was nice servi e was amazing The drinks was delicious . Vibes was nice, place was packed. Authentic Mexican food. I had the barria pizza. Mango margaritas would tiena in the rim. read more

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We landed here while tootling around. We had an amazing experience thanks to our server, Dominic-- friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. He anticipated what we needed, checked in at the perfect moments, and made our meal feel special. Truly fantastic service! Now onto the food. One word describes it all.....AMAZING! Everything from the appetizer to the drinks to our taco platter. read more

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Have been to Nueva Cantina plenty of times before. Always a good experience. It was ADVERTISED that they are showing World Cup games. So I made a reservation, called the night before to ensure the game was being shown. Went with our family and boys. With flags, jerseys. Just excited. However, NONE of the televisions are in sync. None of them. So you're looking at one tv, it's way ahead, the other delayed, another a little ahead from the other. None of them were actually live. Impossible to watch. Missed the first goal. Quickly downed our meals and left before the first half. How on earth are they advertising that WC games are being shown?????? We did ask the staff to help but they said they recognized it is a problem but couldn't be fixed. When we did checkout, also took forever because we paid in cash and they had to go get change upstairs? Definitely a big letdown. read more

Nueva Cantina was a fun experience! It's in an area I'm not super familiar with and don't usually hang out in, but the food and drinks were really good. They have great options for sharing if you're with a big group, and I love the ducks--such a cute touch. The place itself is adorable, the service was good, and I'd definitely come back with a group. read more

Nueva Cantina - Downtown Tampa - Mexican Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

I decided to check out Nueva Cantina on 6/26/26 while I was in Tampa after flying down from New Jersey to catch a bite before seeing Ye perform. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The service was very slow, and the menu had very limited options for vegans and vegetarians. I ordered the guacamole, but it turned brown very quickly after it was served. I mentioned it to the staff, and they removed it from my bill, which I appreciated. My two friends also felt the food was just average. Everyone's tacos came out cold, and to make matters worse, they forgot to bring my mocktail. I did ask to speak with the manager, and she was extremely kind, professional, and apologetic about all of the issues, which I genuinely appreciated. The restaurant also deserves credit for having very clean bathrooms. Overall, the customer service from the manager helped salvage the experience, but the food and service fell short of my expectations. Based on this visit, I would most likely not return the next time I'm in Tampa. read more