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RED O Cantina - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

RED O Cantina - Santa Monica

4.2
4.2
851 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 6 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Kid-friendly
  • Neighborhood gem
What better location to enjoy award-winning cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails, than sitting directly across from the legendary Santa Monica pier? This vibrant city-meets-the-ocean destination is a local favorite. With a beautifully appointed interior and an intimate back patio, RED O Cantina is an oasis of elegance, comfort and beauty. Our culinary team and waitstaff work hand-in-hand to deliver an unforgettable dining experience to each and every one of our guests.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Mexican, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Sat, Sun 2:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (310) 458-1600
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Hugo Cruz
  • Private party facilities
    Genuine hospitality marks every function held in RED O Cantina. Our dedicated event director welcomes groups of 10 to 300 guests and will give personal attention to every detail of your event, from special entertainment requests to audiovisual needs. For more information, please contact:TanyaT@redorestaurant.com310.458-1600
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Monica
  • Cross street
    Colorado
  • Parking details
    Valet is available in front of the restaurant for a nominal charge. Parking is also available nearby at the Santa Monica public parking structures.
  • Public transit
    RED O Cantina is walking distance from Santa Monica Big Blue Bus stops and the Expo LRT stop at Downtown Santa Monica (at 4th/Colorado).
  • Entertainment
    Live entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Weekend Brunch with Bottomless Cocktails

    Multiple dates available
    Enjoy all your favorites at our weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Don't miss $25 bottomless brunch cocktails including Mimosas, Bloody Mary's and Sangria. With Mexican specialties like Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles, to satisfying your sweet tooth with Buttermilk Pancakes, we've got something the whole family will enjoy. A la carte from 11am - 3pm.
    Weekend Brunch with Bottomless Cocktails Photo

What 851 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
RED O Cantina in Santa Monica offers an exciting culinary experience with "the best Mexican food" and a lively atmosphere. Highlights include a robust tequila selection and "excellent service." While some find it bustling, others enjoy the vibrant setting and delectable dishes like the Short Rib Benedict. Perfect for memorable occasions!

851 Reviews
  1. Lisa

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was marginal. The waiter was slow and inattentive even even though it was not busy. You’re paying for the location. The food was very marginal and mine was cold.

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  2. Jerry

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The Bartender made a great Espresso Martini. Service was ok, our bill was printed twice and two in our party got the other copy, bill had to be redone by our waiter.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome option for bottomless mimosas on a Sunday funday!

    Is this helpful?

  4. EbukaO

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I got the Carne Asada enchiladas The flavor was good and the refried beans were delicious. The meat was a little overcooked. I would rate it a six out of 10 the Papas Fritas was delicious a little limey, but really good.  we also got the Carne Asada and shrimp fajitas plate. I would rate it a seven out of 10. Tres leches cake was delicious 10 out of 10 it is quite pricey, but it comes with a very large slice . 

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  5. Brad

    Edinburgh

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Bang average Mexican food for high prices. Service was extremely quick, the food tasted reheated and was bland, we had the chicken tacos to share for starter and enchiladas for entrees. The waitress was trying to sell me expensive cocktails the whole time despite telling her I was driving

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  6. Dave

    Richmond

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was way overpriced for the quality of food. Just another ripoff tourist spot. I am a local and will never come back

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  7. Monica

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food, service, location and ambiance were great.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Tasha

    Los Angeles

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    I took an out of towner here from Japan and told her how great Red O is but ended up being embarrassed by the quality of the tacos we ordered. Just don’t think the standard is being kept up here, at least at lunch. Servers were also hard to find and had to be flagged down several times.
    RED O Cantina - Santa MonicaResponded on November 11, 2024
    Thanks for visiting us, Tasha. We're sorry to hear that your dining experience didn't meet your expectations. We take pride in our food and service, and it's disappointing to hear that we fell short. We'll certainly look into the quality of our tacos and the frequency of our service. We hope you'll give us another chance to impress you with our standards in the future. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at the restaurant. My name is Tanya, I'm the General Manager, and would love to speak with you. 310-458-1600

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  9. Alissa

    Los Angeles

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Used to be better but has become a total tourist trap

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  10. todd

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Be careful as they don’t take tap to pay, Apple Pay, or virtual credit cards on your phone. They REQUIRE the actual credit card or cash of which I had neither. Stressful to say the least when I had no normal way to pay.
    RED O Cantina - Santa MonicaResponded on October 26, 2024
    We understand that the payment process was a bit challenging, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we're always looking for ways to improve our customers' experiences. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again soon. We appreciate the 4 stars!

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FAQs

RED O Cantina - Santa Monica offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (310) 458-1600.

RED O Cantina - Santa Monica is rated 4.2 stars by 851 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 6 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for RED O Cantina - Santa Monica

1541 Ocean Avenue, Suite 120, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Colorado
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Monica
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Sat, Sun 2:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Mexican, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet is available in front of the restaurant for a nominal charge. Parking is also available nearby at the Santa Monica public parking structures.
  • Public transit
    RED O Cantina is walking distance from Santa Monica Big Blue Bus stops and the Expo LRT stop at Downtown Santa Monica (at 4th/Colorado).
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Hugo Cruz
  • Entertainment
    Live entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (310) 458-1600
  • Private party facilities
    Genuine hospitality marks every function held in RED O Cantina. Our dedicated event director welcomes groups of 10 to 300 guests and will give personal attention to every detail of your event, from special entertainment requests to audiovisual needs. For more information, please contact:TanyaT@redorestaurant.com310.458-1600
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