Claes Sandahl

From the moment we walked in, this restaurant felt like a genuine slice of Mexico. The staff were incredibly friendly and made our dining experience truly enjoyable by helping us choose a wonderful combination of dishes to share. The salsa was a definite highlight – one of the best I've ever tasted. And the carnitas with pineapple and habanero? Simply divine. Finally, tequila lovers will be impressed by their diverse selection.

Nabila Kabir

The service was amazing. They treated us to sips of Mexican hot chocolate at the end of dinner service. The gluten free vegan bowls were so filling and tasty. We added proteins to them and the grasshoppers were crispy!

Prashant Shamarao

Interesting dishes. Lots of vegetarian options. If you want spicy, get the hot sauce on the side since most dishes are mild. The mole sauce is one of the better ones I've had. The complimentary non dairy hot chocolate at the end with a hint of cinnamon is very good!

Stephanie

First and foremost, our server was probably the best server I’ve had in over a decade. He was attentive and just the nicest person ever. Guacamole was absolutely divine and a little spicy served with homemade tortilla chips that I couldn’t stop devouring. House margarita was tasty, not too sweet and perfectly boozy. Three taco plate was abundant, but there was too much oil and too much meat to actually hold the tacos. Would’ve liked an extra side of tortillas to manage the mess. Ordered the chicken, beef and pork and all three were fine, didn’t blow my socks off. The flan was yummy for being vegan. The churros were also good, but a bit gummy and the chocolate dipping sauce was more bitter than sweet - not my jam, but still enjoyed. Walked out insanely full.

Berkley Pelletier

Taco bout a good time! The vibes in Cultura Comida y Bebida were subLIME. Delectable. Romantic. Lively. If you have a nut allergy, don’t eat the mole! lol The tacos were actually so good though. I got carnitas and one (1) Barbacoa. My companion ordered the chicken enchiladas and in my opinion they were worse than the tacos but in her opinion: “they were better than the tacos, they were so good, the tacos were basic.” I respectfully disagree, although I would recommend adding some lime or perhaps citrus juice to the cilantro rice and beans. But what is food and family if not disagreement, finding new connections over a plate of spices and delicious pickled onions, garnishing our relationships with joy and a deeper sense of meaning. I would totally eat here again. Also the staff was super nice! We had a great time.

+1

Saumaric Dangwal

During our recent road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, we dined at Cultura Comida y Bebida for dinner and had an extraordinary experience. Our party of four was eager to explore the culinary offerings, and we were not disappointed. The overall bill came to $169, which was well worth it for the quality and uniqueness of the meal. We started with two unique beverages: Nochtli 'Prickly Pear & Lemon Balm' Mexican Ale and Pulque Octl 'Conejo' Blanco. These drinks stood out as some of the most interesting beers we’ve ever tasted, adding an adventurous start to our meal. For food, we ordered a variety of dishes that showcased the richness of Mexican cuisine. We enjoyed Chips, Chicken Tinga Tacos, Mushroom Tacos, Plantain Tacos, and a Plato de Tres Tacos. Additionally, we tried the Chile Relleno. Each dish was superbly crafted, bursting with authentic flavors that made this one of the best Mexican meals we've had in the United States. The service was another highlight. The staff was excellent, providing prompt and attentive service throughout our meal. Their professionalism and friendliness added to the overall enjoyment of our dining experience. The ambience of Cultura Comida y Bebida also deserves special mention. The restaurant’s atmosphere was warm and inviting, creating a perfect setting for our dinner. To top off an already delightful evening, we were treated to Mexican hot cocoa “on the house,” which was a wonderful gesture and the perfect end to our meal. Overall, Cultura Comida y Bebida provided us with a memorable dining experience, combining exceptional food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. We highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy top-tier Mexican cuisine.

+12

Nick Plewacki

Came here for a belated birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. First thing of note, the service is excellent. Gilbert was so friendly, funny, and knowledgeable. He really made the experience feel special, and that we were valued. For food, we had the chips with all three dips. All were good, but the tomatillo salsa was excellent, and the guac was 10/10. For our entrees we got a 3 taco plate and the pork mole. I fell in love with mole at red iguana in SLC, and have been searching for that high ever since. This got me in that headspace. It was super savory and flavorful and the meat was nice and tender. We got chicken, barbacoa, and mushroom tacos which were all tasty, but the mushroom taco really stole the show. Next time I come I'll certainly be trying the mole Amarillo, for a different twist. The drinks were also excellent. They have a specially curated and unique collection of tequilas and mezcales that you can tell they truly care about the quality. They source directly from Mexico, to get authentic products from Mexican distilleries, avoiding the celebrity brands and mega corps that are damaging the tequila/mezcal scene. The outdoor seating was great, and we finished with a second drink at the bar inside to check out the vibes. It is super cute and cool. The dishware is all beautiful, with hand crafted pottery and hand blown glass it really makes everything feel next level. Pack all of this into a nice relaxed vibe, where you don't have to put on a show. I would like to thank Cultural, Gilbert, and the rest of the staff for an excellent meal. I guarantee I will come back here anytime I am in the area. Thank you!

+5

Oliver Pe

Regional Southern Mexican centered cuisine with a varied menu. Authentic dishes and listings highlighted by a comprehensive write up of descriptions. The service would be best implemented by enhancing their recommendations on good and traditional food and drink pairings as most dishes have very distinct taste profiles. However, service was prompt and standard. The overall setup of the resto is separated into two sections: one section with wall bar counter and small tables and the main dining area. During dinner service the establishment is dim and cozy. A good choice for group and family meals as there are a number of sharing items on the menu.

+5

Patricia Stewart

Loved this Mexican restaurant in Carmel. Everything we ordered tasted great except the churros! We sent them back twice but each time they did not taste right. They were way too heavy and did not have that crispy texture on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside that is common for great tasting churros. I would definitely return to this restaurant as the service was great and the food tasty.

+5

I really wanted to like this place because the location and overall vibe are great. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t live up to expectations. When we first arrived, the host seemed annoyed that we were asking for a table and wasn’t very welcoming, which set a disappointing tone for the experience. That said, we were seated within about 30 minutes and our waiter was very kind and attentive throughout the meal. We started with the chips, salsas, guacamole, and drinks which were all delicious and definitely the highlight. However, the entrees were underwhelming. The enchiladas were very spicy, small in portion, and lacked flavor, especially for the price. They were also served in a surprisingly small dish. For dessert, we ordered churros, but they were stale, hard, and not very flavorful. Given how expensive the meal ended up being, the overall experience didn’t feel worth it. While the atmosphere and appetizers were nice, the rest fell short, and I personally wouldn’t return.

Ellary Rose

Unfortunately, we found Cultura to be wildly overpriced from the $7 street taco (read ONE taco) to the $49 skirt steak….the side of hot salsa we asked for to accompany dinner was $4 which wasn’t communicated to us, we found out when we received the bill. I understand that they make everything from scratch and appreciate that but $6 for a side of grilled jalapeños or $4 for a small side of salsa on top of an overpriced menu didn’t match the flavors of the food. Now, I will say that steak was one of the best I’ve had an a Mexican restaurant but the accompanying fingerling potatoes lacked salt and the black beans were meh. The mushroom taco I didn’t enjoy, chicken tinga taco had nice flavor as did the carnitas. We won’t be back but if you do find yourself here, are a meat eater, and don’t mind paying $49 for skirt steak DO order it

Milan Wilkerson

The tacos were a bit underwhelming — the tortillas got soggy quickly from the excess sauce and bean juice, and the flavors felt muted overall. It really could’ve used more seasoning. For the price point, the quality didn’t quite feel justified. The initial service when getting seated wasn’t very welcoming, although our bartender was great and very attentive once we were at the bar.

Vera D

Food was disappointing. We ordered the server-recommended signature chicken mole, which came out cold and tasted like store-bought chicken smothered in mole with very little flavor. The beef tacos were overly wet—when I picked them up, a lot of liquid poured out. The flan was especially bad: non-traditional, made with oat milk, and had a gelatin-like texture instead of real flan. Service was good, but unfortunately the food did not match it.