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    Prima Cantina

    4.0 (52 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Prima Cantina Takeout or Delivery

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    PRIMA CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Prima Cantina

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    Fajita love!
    Margo D.

    Prime Cantina deserves recognition not just as a restaurant, but as a true pillar of the Palisades community, especially in the aftermath of the evacuation. In moments when everything feels uncertain, it becomes very clear which businesses genuinely care about the people around them. Prime Cantina stepped up in a way that went far beyond food and service. They showed up with consistency, warmth, and generosity when the community needed it most. After the evacuation, Prime Cantina became a place of comfort and familiarity. A space where neighbors could reconnect, check in on one another, and feel a sense of normalcy again. The staff welcomed everyone with kindness, patience, and empathy. You could feel that this was not business as usual. This was about community. The team handled everything with grace. From the moment you walk in, there is a feeling of being taken care of. The staff is attentive, calm, and genuinely happy to be there for their customers. No rushed energy, no stress passed along. Just solid, thoughtful service. The food continues to be excellent, which says a lot given the circumstances. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and made with care. It is comforting food done right, and it hits differently when you know it is coming from a place that truly cares about the people they serve. What stood out most to me was how intentional Prime Cantina has been about supporting locals. This is a business that understands its role in the neighborhood and takes that responsibility seriously. They supported the community not because they had to, but because it is clearly who they are. Places like this are why Yelp exists. Not just to highlight great food, but to spotlight businesses that show up when it matters most. Prime Cantina is the kind of establishment you want to support, recommend, and return to again and again. If you are looking for a place that delivers quality, consistency, and heart, Prime Cantina is it. Their support during a difficult time will not be forgotten, and they have earned lifelong customers because of

    Prima Burrito with Carnitas, beans, rice, guacamole...soooo delicious! A must have in Palisades.
    Erika T.

    Service is always great whether dining in or taking out. A previous gem of a restaurant in this little community doing its best to rebuild and reunite. Whether you're in the OC, LA, or IE take a trip to our neighboring community for some tasty treats, and show some Community Support. North of Orange County, and to the west of Los Angeles, it's a beautiful coastal drive past Huntington, Long Beach, Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan, Venice, and Santa Monica on up to Temescal Canyon Rd. What's even better, if you can't decide between Mexican or Italian, you're all set as they offer both!

    Brooke M.

    We walked in here after our hike and to our surprise there was a 50% Happy Hour menu that blew us away! What great service, ambiance and food! Absolutely delicious! The Happy Hour menus started at 5-6 and it really was well worth the price.

    Hayden L.

    It was okay. We were going to go to Cafe Vida, yet walked by here and thought we'd try it for the first time. I liked the free chips and salsa. The chips were thicker than usual, so they may have been store bought versus made fresh on premises. The service did its job, but definitely not overly friendly or warm. When we left, the servers clearly saw us walking out and didn't utter a word of "Thank you" or "Have a good night!" My margarita was tasty. My salad was bland and the cook forgot to put dressing on the salad. I asked for dressing, and even with the dressing it wasn't very flavorful. I added shrimp, so I don't feel like it was worth the $22 price tag. The ambiance is cute, cozy, and small. It was just okay, I'm not sure I'd go back.

    a view of the dining area
    Mikey F.

    We stumbled upon this restaurant and decided to try it since it looked pretty chic from afar. This is a hole in the wall type restaurant with a very warm and welcoming ambiance. Right as you enter your hit with color. The food itself was underwhelming, especially for the prices. The chips tasted like they're store bought and then heated up. The salsa reminded me of the canned grocery salsa. The salad entree was just sad. I've never had a salad that was not dressed... literally just Romaine with shrimp on it. The fish tacos, though, were decent but not for the price. The most disappointing experience was the service. Although the waiters and waitresses seemed nice, they weren't friendly. Our waiter had to be reminded to bring simple things to the table. He barely spoke loud enough to hear and had to think of he, yes he, was ready to take our orders. As we stood up and began to exit, there was no "thank you" or "have a good night" as you'd expect. Hospitality is lacking. Honestly, will not return.

    Taryn S.

    4.5 I really like this restaurant. I would like to preference this because I did go for a work event that rented out the restaurant and had a coursed menu. So, my experience might be super different from others. But, the food was fantastic, and I actually ate so much that I couldn't finish my meal because it was all so good! The drinks are delicious, and I would highly recommend getting one. The servers were also super nice, and the decor was super cute. It is a very small restaurant, so if you don't like that vibe you might not like this. Overall, my experience was super good!

    Bar area

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    3 years ago

    Great for kids. Tasty food reasonable prices. Good service. It's all here. Loved the fish tacos.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Need to get their kitchen in sink as the wait can be painfully long even when the restaurant is not at capacity

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    3 years ago

    bad service in the Palisades branch. the waiter actually said he was busy when i asked for something. can't even remember but it felt harsh.

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    4 years ago

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    Sonoratown

    Sonoratown

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    15.6 mi
    $$

    Sonoratown's hype is real and hype is justified. I don't know why I never came here when I lived in…read moreDTLA, what a miss on my part. Oh well, no time like the present. I wanted to order all the things but I exercised some restraint and just ordered the CARAMELO ($8.75 - Flour tortilla, pinto beans, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado salsa, salsa roja, avocado, cabbage.). I picked chorizo as my protein option. I also, of course, had to also add the smoky grilled poblano chile for $1.25. It was SO good and FLAVORFUL - it didn't even need the salsas. Although, I will note that both the salsas were lovely. The flour tortilla was clearly freshly made. Also, it was a massive portion. I don't know what I was expecting. If this is the size of their caramelo, I don't want to know how giant the burrito is. I also had to get the cucumber agua fresca to pair with my caramelo. It was perfectly sweetened and wonderfully refreshing. I'll have to make my way back here now to try the burrito 2.0 and chivichanga.

    Cute spot, very clean staff all very busy but still have time tontine care of your order which is…read morevery admirable. The tacos de cabeza!!!!! Wow they are amazing. The way the perfect thin tortilla just lets you taste all the meat and sauce perfectly (I want some as I'm writing this). I can really see why this place is so popular.

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    COSTILLA BURRITO 2.0: grilled steak, chunky guacamole, monterey jack cheese, pinto beans & chiltepin salsa
    COSTILLA BURRITO 2.0: grilled steak, chunky guacamole, monterey jack cheese, pinto beans & chiltepin salsa
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    Burrito cabeza
    DAMA

    DAMA

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    15.6 mi
    $$$

    I LOVE DAMA. If I could give this place more than five stars, I absolutely would. I've been coming…read morehere for the past six years, and it has truly become my favorite restaurant. From the exceptional food and drinks to the warm hospitality and beautiful location, every visit is a wonderful experience. the service is always welcoming and attentive. I've recommended DAMA to so many friends over the years, and it has become a favorite for them as well. It's rare to find a restaurant that maintains such a high standard year after year, but DAMA does exactly that. I truly love this place and can't recommend it enough. I have several favorite dishes and celebrated many birthdays here. Thank you for six incredible years--I look forward to many more.

    Was brought here by a friend as they knew I was a foodie and wanted to show me their favorite tapas…read morespot Downtown in the Fashion Distric for an early birthday celebration. Cute building with lovely patio seating: from the trailing hanging pothos plants, Spanish tiles, to relaxing latin-house music the vibes were welcoming. I'm not much of a drinker though, when asked if I wanted to make my pina colada a "float" I thought incorrectly about ice cream. It was graciously explained that you take an additional shot of rum and float it on top of the drink or mix in to make it extra boozy. The pina colada is top notch they hollow out a real pineapple to make the drink and it's the size of your face! The watermelon cocktail was delicious and there is also a mezcal option. Tasted like if a watermelon aqua Fresca was combined with a margarita, there is a hint of salt that brings out the fruit sweetness. We special ordered a bunch of different proteins and vegetables at half portions to make a feast: Aguachile- Light refreshing starter, kanpachi perfectly marinated and great for the summer heat. Crispy potato- Phenomenally done fingerling potatoes. Whipped beans- Carnitas on top made this dish. Fried chicken tacos- Found the chicken slightly on the dry side, if there was a creamy/thicker sauce would be even better... nothing wrong with flavor, good mild heat. I did enjoy the fresh shredded cabbage and carrots, reminded me of bahn mi. Empanadas- Loved the acidity of the sauce that cut through the fattiness of the ground meat. Light shell. Crispy Squash flower- Delicate crunch, like an angelic version of a jalapeno popper. Lamb chops- Definition of "treat-yourself" luxurious meat lollipops. Celery salad- Simple dish but the lemon flavor and tartness really helped break up the richness of other dishes. Churros- Light crunch and small, petite dessert. The thin caramel sauce is addicting. Fine dining, for those special occasions or if you just want to splurge for a morale boost highly recommend this restaurant. Valet parking or park across the street or around the corner in a lot for $5-10.

    Photos
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Calamari
    Calamari
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    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)
    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9
    (3.2k reviews)
    12.9 mi
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    Family-owned & operated

    Came here to watch the World Cup game and it was a VIBBBBBBE…read more Great accommodating staff, they really were on top of cleaning up the tables and filling up our drinks The food was AMAZING! I recently visited Oaxaca & this is exactly like their mole. So. Good. Can't recommend this place MORE. Take your friends, family, coworkers they have large party friendly seating Definitely will be coming here again!

    If you're looking for authentic Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles, Guelaguetza Oaxacan Restaurant is a…read moremust-visit. Located between Koreatown and Pico-Union, this restaurant delivers an outstanding dining experience from the moment you're seated. My wife and I both ordered the Mole Coloradito with chicken, and it was absolutely delicious. One detail we really appreciated was being able to choose between white meat or dark meat--a thoughtful touch that lets you customize your meal to your preference. The mole was rich, complex, and full of flavor, exactly what you would hope for from a restaurant known for its Oaxacan specialties. As a welcome appetizer, they bring fresh chips and salsa to the table, but what really impressed us was when they replaced the salsa with their incredible mole sauce. It was so good we found ourselves dipping everything into it. Both meals were served with rice that was perfectly cooked with a great consistency and flavor. For those feeling adventurous, give the Chapulines (grasshoppers) a try. They may sound intimidating, but they were surprisingly enjoyable and added to the authentic experience. The staff was exceptionally friendly, attentive, and patient with those of us who are not fluent in Spanish. Their hospitality made us feel comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit. Great food, authentic flavors, and wonderful service make Guelaguetza a restaurant we'll definitely be returning to. Highly recommended!

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    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Chapulines
    Chapulines
    Delicious chocolate cake.

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    Delicious chocolate cake.
    Mirate

    Mirate

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    13.9 mi
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    Girl dinner on the open-air patio, and everything worked: food, drinks, and service that was…read moreattentive without hovering. Mírate is known for its agave program (ranked among the best bars in North America, with a dedicated mezcaleria), and it shows even in simple orders. Our skinny spicy marg, skinny Cadillac, and two ranch waters were all clean and well balanced. The crab & cheese buñuelitos, the taco de ribeye, and the potatoes & piquillos, which quietly outperformed for a $10 side. One note for fellow spice-sensitive folks: the salsa molcajete is their mildest salsa, but it still had a kick for me. My friend's branzino arrived beautifully charred and plated. If you're gluten-free or celiac, this kitchen gets it. They swapped in corn tortillas without hesitation and took care of my celiac friend with zero stress. Not a given, even in LA. The multi-level space is stunning, so come a few minutes early to take it in. Parking is easy too: valet at the restaurant or 2 lots about a block away. Already planning what to order next time.

    I was really hoping to leave a positive review, but unfortunately that wasn't the case…read more I've been to Mirate before on June 20, and my experience then was nothing like my visit on July 10, 2026. One of the reasons I recommended Mirate is because it's known for being a highly rated modern Mexican restaurant with exceptional service and knowledgeable staff, especially when it comes to tequila and mezcal. Unfortunately, that was not my experience at all. Before ordering food, I asked our server about the differences between the mezcals and which flight they would recommend. The only explanation I received was, "It's just different families, so I'd go with the higher quality one." There was no real information or guidance, and it was obvious they didn't know much about the mezcal selection. I ended up choosing one based solely on what sounded best. We were then informed that the menu had recently changed and is now mostly tapas. That's perfectly fine, but I noticed several items from my previous visit were still available, so I figured I'd order a few favorites along with some new dishes. Most of the food was actually great. The ribeye tacos, tostada, and buñuelitos were all delicious. However, the carne asada was extremely disappointing. We only sent back one plate because I felt bad sending both, and that's when a manager (the gentleman with the man bun) came over. He explained that they have a new chef from Oaxaca, but what confused me was that they were serving Argentinian-style steaks as their carne asada. Instead of a traditional Mexican-style cut, it was thin, flat, and honestly looked like a breakfast steak. For a restaurant that prides itself on being a modern Mexican restaurant, serving Argentinian steak as carne asada just didn't make sense to me. To his credit, he removed both carne asada plates from our bill, which I genuinely appreciated. After that, he asked if there was anything else we'd like. I personally said no, but someone else at the table asked for one more ribeye taco. The manager replied, "You know what? I'll bring you one, and I'll bring them another too." Naturally, I assumed he was offering the extra taco as a goodwill gesture since I hadn't ordered anything else. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the bill and realized both tacos had been added to our tab. I wasn't going to argue over the price of a taco, but it was frustrating because I never asked for it. In fact, I ended up giving that taco away to my friends. If it wasn't complimentary, it shouldn't have been presented as if it were. Another thing worth mentioning is that while the carne asada portion has clearly gotten much smaller, the price remains exactly the same, which doesn't seem justified. Overall, my biggest disappointment is that there was no indication when making the reservation that this was essentially an experimental period with a new chef introducing major menu changes. Had I known beforehand, I never would have recommended Mirate for our dinner, and to be completely honest, I probably wouldn't have made a reservation at all. I only get two days off each month, so this was supposed to be something I could really enjoy. Instead, it honestly felt like a waste of my time and money. I'm sorry to say that while there were a few good moments, they faded very quickly. Unfortunately, the negative parts are what have stayed with me, and that's what I'll remember most about the experience. It's disappointing because I know how great Mirate can be since I experienced it just a few weeks ago. I truly hope they can regain the quality of food, service, and overall experience that made me recommend it in the first place . ( for the picture of the flat carne asada the full steak has 2 more strips added but we had tried it before taking a picture however that's MOST of the "carne asada" portion in the picture )

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    Brunch
    Brunch
    Mirate
    Brunch

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    Brunch

    Prima Cantina - mexican - Updated July 2026

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