Cantina

Everything is gluten free! A Celiacs dream come true. Danny was a wonderful server. I especially love the El Jefe espresso drink and the sweet potato taco 😍

We’ve been to Crown Cantina many times and it’s always delicious. This is one of our favorite Mexican spots in the city. When we go, we don’t overthink it, we just order every taco. It’s the perfect amount to share for 2 people. The drinks are also delicious, especially anything mezcal. It’s a pretty happening spot, so make sure to get a reservation ahead of time.

This is the second time I’ve been here. I brought two friends who are from Argentina and really want to find authentic but also good quality tacos in Cincinnati and this place (besides Mazunte) was amazing. Get the guacamole and make sure to get extra tostadas because 3 is not enough (btw you guys should put at least 5 in there for how big the guacamole portion is instead of charging more). Tacos are incredible and by far the best fish taco I’ve had in the states. The tacos are pricey but man do they fill them up with the protein! Margaritas are fantastic (drinks take awhile to get and even my first visit a few weeks ago it took 15 minutes to get one drink) and there are so many different flavors. I love the fact that they are not too sweet and the server was educated in what tequilas would taste best with the different choices. Can’t wait to come back as I don’t leave too many reviews for local places but this one is a gem!

I was really impressed here actually! The service was great, the food was better than I had expected coming in, drinks on point, and sitting outside was icing on the cake. I’ll definitely come back and see how the consistency is. The one dish I’d say was ok but not unbelievable was the cane asada - I preferred all the other large plates that we had to that one (and it’s the priciest).

First time here, got great recommendations from our server. After one bite of every dish I'd look at my mate and say OHMYGODTHISISGOOD. And it really was. The guac, camote asado (sweet potato) and carnitas were all so very excellent. And the Hamachi appetizer? Other worldly incredible and memorable. The tacos were the least interesting things but they were still great. Cocktails also delicious. Order too much, leftovers also hold up (which is the highest praise I can give anything).

If the only reason you come here is where the guacamole and avocado jalapeño margaritas, you will not be disappointed! The guacamole is the best I’ve ever had. It is topped with these charred vegetables that are incredibly flavorful. We also shared a variety of tacos and large plates. Enchiladas are saucy and delicious, and then we had Carne Asada which everyone loved as well.. I advise saving room for dessert because the night we were there they had flan - which I really enjoyed because it’s more cheesy than eggy (that might not be 100% accurate, but I really like the texture). Couple that with an el jefe cocktail and you’ve got yourself a winning combination!

#1. Make a reservation! #2. Run don't walk to La Cantina for a fantastic made from scratch meal by a fabulous well run kitchen. #3. Even if you're full from the amazing meal order the dessert! We were greeted by the friendly hostess Sarah, who sat us at a table across from the beautiful tequila bar. The kitchen is open and the food smells delicious. The restaurant décor is bright and light with crisp lines. They have an outdoor patio off the sidewalk next to a small parking lot. Our table was indoors which was fine. The inside holds about 40 people. It can get loud inside too. Our waitress, Marha, said she was new, but we could not tell. She was fantastic, plus was training a new employee herself. I have severe food allergies. I called ahead and researched to make sure I could dine here without any issue and I could! La Cantina is 100% Gluten Free! Marha spoke with the chef to double check on everything I ordered. They created a peanut free salsa for my tacos that was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. The portions are large and shareable. The carnitas were surrounded by salsa, cilantro, pickled cauliflower and carrots, and they were delicious. Spices on point! We also ordered the Suadero taco and the Sweet Potato Taco. Both were delish!! Leftovers for breakfast the next day. My other half ordered a smoky HEROE VERDADERO. It's the Mezcal version of a negroni, and the smokiness from the mezcal made it truly unique. We ordered the Tres Leche's cake for dessert which just melted in our mouths! We cannot wait to go back!

Super fun and amazing place! I have Celiac Disease and everything is gluten free! They do have beer but it's in bottles.

With every bite and sip I pondered every life decision that I've ever made that didn't involve eating here. If you'd like to pretend you're on vacation without booking a flight than this is your spot! Just expect to pay vacation prices.

Made a reservation the day of and they we able to accommodate us without an issue. When we walked we were greeted and felt very welcomed. We were sat and promptly greeted my our server Destiny. She vas very friendly and charismatic and not to mention knowledgeable. She gave some fantastic recommendations! I will be returning and recommending this place to everyone I know! Can’t not rave about the food enough!

I will start off by saying I lived in San Diego and know authentic Mexican food. Cincinnati is so lucky to have a place like this. This food was incredible and ambiance was fantastic and the service was superior. They serve the meals in courses. We started with a queso fundido which was served in a cast iron pan with a delicious sauce, roasted jalapeño and fresh tortillas. We would have been satisfied with just the queso but we also had the grilled oysters. Typically I am not a fan of oysters but these had a nice texture and so much flavor. The tacos are delicious and not overly complicated. Just quality ingredients. I had the lamb Barbacoa taco and it was divine. Our entrée was the chicken mole which was half a chicken that was juicy and tender, smothered in a house made mole sauce that was rich in flavor. My wife and I were full and could only eat a couple bites. The price matches the food really well. Portion sizes are great. This will be one of my go-to spots. Thanks to all the staff that made it a wonderful night.

This place is pretty damn good. Food is a little pricey but you absolutely get what you pay for. The queso add chorizo was a hit and the charred jalapeno was to die for. The cantias is what is pictured and it could comfortably serve 2 people. This is a very upscale Mexican joint but it was sensational!

Really good modern Mexican cuisine. Great Cocktails too, especially mezcal & tequila based ones. Delicious tacos in lots of flavors. Everything else I saw looked yummy, too. Service was excellent.

Great food, smelled a little smoky inside if you're sensitive to that, but the food and service are top notch.

This was my second time and I was even more impressed than the first! We ordered the Queso Fundido which was perfectly chewy and paired so well with the Salsa Macha Verde. Then we ordered one of every taco, the fish taco being the best fish taco I have ever had! We also ordered the Cochinita Pibil, which was absolutely incredible, nearly brought tears to my eyes! We finished the meal with the flan. Their flan was more cheesecake-like than other flans I have had, the caramel on it was almost savory, it was delicious! We each had a margarita which were very refreshing!

Celebrated a friends Birthday. Everything was great but the guacamole was the best I have ever had.

Dinner was absolutely incredible! Great vibe, music, food is next level. The grilled oysters are the best you could imagine. This place hits on all levels. I recommend the Avocado and Jalapeño Margarita and the Carne Asada simply cannot be beat. Emily was awesome and can’t wait to come back - again! 🤘❤️

Delicious spot!!! My favorites were definitely the Camote Asado and the Tres Leches dessert, soooo delicious! We also got the fish tacos and salsas pictured below.

The most delicious food, contagious atmosphere, divine drinks. Service was 10/10. Pricy but worth the experience.

This was a great experience. The atmosphere is clean and welcoming. The food had a depth of flavor and was appealing to look at. The carnitas and carne asada were delicious, and the beans and rice that accompanied them had a nice smokey flavor. I thought the guacamole was good, but the quantity of chips was insufficient.

Absolutely fabulous! New flavors, old flavors and all fantastic! Very enjoyable evening!! Carnitas off the charts, as was the guacamole!

Best Salsa Verde ever! Interesting Margaritas. Service was perfection. We will be back

This little artisanal restaurant is a hidden gem. My husband and I rolled the dice and showed up on a Saturday without reservations. We were seated right away and given the best service (thanks Brittany!). Our drinks were phenomenal and this is saying something because I'm NOT a fan of tequila, however, I can get on board with a good mezcal drink and sister they have them! The menu was gluten free which is great for my hubby and the food had FLAVOR! If you get the chance, check this cozy little spot out for sure.

Since moving from Orlando, we have struggled to find high-quality Mexican food that we can trust. My wife is gluten-free which informs our decisions of where we can eat. Cantina is a gluten-free kitchen, so everything is safe. The food was delicious and made with pride. We were too hungry for pictures this round but we will be back. We had the guac and queso (with chorizo), the tacos, and the shrimp dish. Each dish was worth coming back for.

Ambiance, music and vibe are all sensational here! Housemade tortillas, well marinated meats and phenomenal service are what you will find here. Stop in for a authentic taste and service!

The food was very good! I have allergies to wheat, soy, and potato and our server was so familiar with the ingredients in a lot of the dishes right off the bat, it was really reassuring. The stand out for me was the sweet potato taco, it was so good!!!

Food was awesome - got the carne asada. Fair pricing great service good food. Top r restaurants I’ve been to in Cincy.

I went here for my girlfriend's birthday and it was great! They have really unique cocktails and the food was delicious. I got the Chicken Mole and it was really good! I didn't get the tacos but the other people at our table did. They looked great and I'll be coming back to try them next time.

My husband and I tried the Baja Fish Taco, Suadero Taco, Lamb Barbacoa Taco, and Sweet Potato Taco, with a side of butter rice and black beans, and for dessert we had the flan. Everything was really tasty — authentically Mexican while not being overly spicy. The salsa macha was a great surprise: smoky and slightly hot. The flan was light, smooth, and the consistency was on point — not too soft and not too firm. The ambience is modern and alive, and the service is truly beyond expectations. We were so excited to dive in that we completely forgot to take pictures — the food looked that good. We’ll definitely be back!

We love many of the Crown restaurants, but this one is our favorite. We had gone many times to their old location, so we were not sure how things would turn out with the new space. However, this only enhanced the experience and this space thas more character and more room. But, it is still smaller, so reservations are highly recommended. But, the food is still the shining star. Everything we get is always very good. However, we do have some favorites that are both delicious and very unique. Our favorite appetizer is toss up between the sweet potato (asado) and the tostadas and salsa (but the guacamole and fundito and ceviche are also amazing). The Carne Asada is an incredible main dish, but all are very good. Their desserts do rotate a bit, but the flan is super creamy and delicious and the duce de leche is a great option as well. Also, the entire restaurant is gluten free. This is not an issue for us, but it is great for any even when the most extreme allergies. Despite this "limitation", the flavors of the food are top tier. This is definitely one of the top two in terms of flavor for all restaurants in the Cincinnati area. Service is always amazing and super friendly as well.

This was the best dining experience of my entire life. I have celiac disease and have never felt safer eating anywhere ever. It is an 100% gluten free kitchen. I even brought in my own dessert and the manager came over to make sure it was gluten free to ensure the restaurant never has had gluten in it. This sealed the deal for me. Seeing the thoroughness the staff made me never question my safety. I wanted to cry. The food was also wonderful, had so much flavor and options. The marg 13 was also amazing. I wish more restaurants would open like this. The manager and staff were wonderful. 10/10 am going back. No notes. Thank you for a life changing experience.

My family and I recently visited Cantina to celebrate my son's 22nd birthday. He was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease and he has missed eating Mexican food, his favorite. The experience we had at Cantina being a fully gluten free kitchen was amazing. The food was exceptional, the service was top notch and the atmosphere was perfect. To know that we could all order and share dishes with no concern of cross contamination was a relief. To see the look on my son's face to completely enjoy a meal out and love every bit was priceless. We will definitely be back, thank you to the team at Cantina to providing a safe gluten free environment, hopefully more restaurants will follow.

My husband and I went for my birthday and I cannot recommend this place enough. This was easily one of the best meals I have ever had. The flavor combinations were unmatched and the service was fantastic, we will be back!

Food is incredible. We’ve always loved Cantina and it’s atmosphere. It’s translated well to the new location. However, the seating situation inside is unfortunate. There’s one small room that has 5 tables and on a Thursday night, we were all crammed in. It was uncomfortable as we had to adjust our seat a few times to let other tables sit. Additionally, my partner’s seat was directly over the AC vent from the ground. He was freezing. We’ll be back but will sit at the bar.

The interior is a lovely modern design and the food has unusual twist. Everything is gluten free, which is good for many, however I would prefer a choice. The tortillas while good and freshly made are corn and I much prefer flour. The guacamole was excellent and different from any I've had before. The chicken mole was good and of a good portion, the mole sauce I felt could have a little more depth to it. Friendly efficient service, it was not busy at the time but I think it could be quite noisy when full. Overall a good experience.

Service was absolutely amazing aside from the food! Got brunch here by myself. Dish was right on point (it’s spicy) because I like spicy food.

Dining in the experience was very pleasant with large portions. Everything fresh and delicious. However I just ordered a door dash with “large plate” for 4 people and it was barely a meal for one. It was the stingiest portion of rice and beans. I even ordered extra rice and it was left off the order. I also got one small piece of pork, mind you this is supposed to feed up to 4. Hear me when I say dine in ONLY here they will rip you off with the take out.

There is a review here about how there is a lot of competition in downtown and OTR for great dining, and that is how I would describe this place. Wanted a steak knife to cut the carnitas, which is just strange. However, it was just not cooked properly. The server either forgot to put in the dinner order, or perhaps there was a problem finishing the carnitas, but there was a weird, 40 minute wait between getting and appetizer and entrées. Weird because it wasn't particularly busy, and tables around us were being served, and leaving, between the time we ordered and served. I get it, but at this level (price) of dining you expect some type of acknowledgement of this (there wasn't). Also, food is truly mid. Mushy rice? Unfortunately, with the strong competition, this is just a pass. I get it, didn't Flacco eat here? But just like the Bengal's recent performance, this place misses the mark.

The food and service were both solid, but the overall experience was disappointing due to the lack of accommodations for guests who are ready to spend money. The service model just doesn’t seem guest-friendly. I wasn’t allowed to order a drink and wait outside, yet there was no designated space to wait inside either. Even the bar was reserved seating only, leaving nowhere to comfortably wait or enjoy a drink. It feels like the setup actively discourages customers rather than welcoming them. There are plenty of great Mexican restaurants in the city that would be more than happy to have my business.

It's a nice place, we have been here many times. The food is unique, server was excellent, although the margaritas are too small for the price. The only reason I'm giving it a low review is because of the front of house upon arrival. I assume this is a policy of the Crown restaurants because it has happened to us at Crown Republic as well as Cantina. If you show up without a reservation they pretend there are no tables then 'oops, we do have one open', or they say there are no tables available. We literally check Open Table minutes before coming in and there are reservations available every 15 minutes. We are busy people, frequently dine out, and don't always know what our plans are until the last minute. They also require a credit card to hold a reservation, which we aren't willing to do for a mid priced restaurant. Fine dining in a major city, sure, but not here. This is not a good business plan. This is not NY, or even Chicago, you need to be accessible to people and not falsely snobbish. We have dined at most every nice restaurant in Cincinnati, they are the only restaurants we've to that pretend not to have openings because you don't have a reservation. It's on Open Table lol. There are many choices of good restaurants here that are easier to deal with. I worked in the industry for many years in fine dining, no restaurants did this.