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Prima Baja Cantina
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Prima Baja Cantina
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Prima Baja Cantina

Mexican · Santa Monica

4.0 · 145 reviews Google

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primacocina.com

About Prima Baja Cantina

Prima Baja Cantina, located in Santa Monica, offers a taste of Baja California with a focus on fast service and great cocktails. We provide a variety of convenient options, including no-contact delivery, takeout, and dine-in experiences. Open daily from 12 PM to 9 PM, we cater to both lunch and dinn...

Prima Baja Cantina, located in Santa Monica, offers a taste of Baja California with a focus on fast service and great cocktails. We provide a variety of convenient options, including no-contact delivery, takeout, and dine-in experiences. Open daily from 12 PM to 9 PM, we cater to both lunch and dinner crowds, welcoming solo diners and groups alike. Our restaurant is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom. With a 4.0-star rating from 145 reviews, we strive to provide a positive and enjoyable dining experience for all our guests.

What Customers Say About Prima Baja Cantina

Prima Baja Cantina is a well-regarded spot in Santa Monica, known for its fresh and flavorful Mexican food, friendly service, and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Standout dishes include the steak tacos, short rib tacos, and street corn esquites. Some find the drinks overpriced.

Popular Dishes

steak tacos short rib tacos street corn esquites fajitas carnitas tacos shrimp tacos impossible tacos

Best For

Couples Casual Locals Tourists

Tip: Try the salsa flight and fresh churros for a fun and tasty experience. The margaritas are also highly recommended.

Features

🚗 Delivery Accessible 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner Coffee
🎯 Casual Trendy 👥 Groups

Frequently asked questions about Prima Baja Cantina

Prima Baja Cantina is located at 1405 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, Santa Monica.
Prima Baja Cantina offers mexican cuisine.
Prima Baja Cantina has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
Prima Baja Cantina offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway, delivery.
The most recommended dishes at Prima Baja Cantina based on customer reviews are: steak tacos, short rib tacos, street corn esquites, fajitas, carnitas tacos.
Prima Baja Cantina is ideal for couples, casual dining, locals, tourists.
Prima Baja Cantina is a well-regarded spot in Santa Monica, known for its fresh and flavorful Mexican food, friendly service, and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Standout dishes include the steak tacos, short rib tacos, and street corn esquites. Some find the drinks overpriced.
Try the salsa flight and fresh churros for a fun and tasty experience. The margaritas are also highly recommended.
145
Reviews

Prima Baja Cantina Santa Monica Reviews

4.0
145
5★
62%
4★
11%
3★
7%
2★
7%
1★
13%
Reviews (40)
A
Anne Midtveit

Authentic and delicious Mexican.Second time here, but not the last. Margerithas with a sting. We love it 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

A
Amelia Ross

My boyfriend and I loved everything we got! Margaritas are fabulous, tacos are especially good- we got the impossible tacos and the carnitas. Highly recommend!

M
Michael Mangowal

Perfect, I believe they used best ingredients to make the best taste for Mexican food around Santa Monica, they do have out side seating area but my wife said it's to windy. Don't forget to try the tequila..not too much

E
Elin Michel

The shrimp tacos and spicy margarita are DELICIOUS! Definitely coming back to try other items on the menu!

W
Wayne Kimball, Jr.

We recently visited and were immediately impressed, despite the COVID restrictions. The food was super FRESH and FLAVORFUL. While waiting for our meals we were served chips and salsa, both of which were homemade. The salsa had a slight kick to it, and the chips were light with the perfect crunch. We had the pescado (mahi mahi), carne asada and salmon tacos - all of them were delicious! We particularly liked the fresh slaw and veggies added to the tacos, along with the tasty cilantro rice and beans served on the side. We can't wait to return! Looking forward to testing out the margarita menu next time!

C
Colten Montgomery

Highly recommended this little joint! Great food, reasonably priced, friendly staff and very aesthetically pleasing inside!

A
Amar Mkr

This place always has been my favorite restaurant . Their food is simple yet delicious. Workers are there amazing

Amar Mkr
Amar Mkr

This place always has been my favorite restaurant . Their food is simple yet delicious. Workers are there amazing

Anne Midtveit
Anne Midtveit

Authentic and delicious Mexican.Second time here, but not the last. Margerithas with a sting. We love it 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

Elin Michel
Elin Michel

The shrimp tacos and spicy margarita are DELICIOUS! Definitely coming back to try other items on the menu!

Amelia Ross
Amelia Ross

My boyfriend and I loved everything we got! Margaritas are fabulous, tacos are especially good- we got the impossible tacos and the carnitas. Highly recommend!

Michael Mangowal
Michael Mangowal

Perfect, I believe they used best ingredients to make the best taste for Mexican food around Santa Monica, they do have out side seating area but my wife said it's to windy. Don't forget to try the tequila..not too much

Wayne Kimball, Jr.
Wayne Kimball, Jr.

We recently visited and were immediately impressed, despite the COVID restrictions. The food was super FRESH and FLAVORFUL. While waiting for our meals we were served chips and salsa, both of which were homemade. The salsa had a slight kick to it, and the chips were light with the perfect crunch. We had the pescado (mahi mahi), carne asada and salmon tacos - all of them were delicious! We particularly liked the fresh slaw and veggies added to the tacos, along with the tasty cilantro rice and beans served on the side. We can't wait to return! Looking forward to testing out the margarita menu next time!

Colten Montgomery
Colten Montgomery

Highly recommended this little joint! Great food, reasonably priced, friendly staff and very aesthetically pleasing inside!

D
D Gupta

What a lovely restaurant! Great service. Warm. Friendly. Kind. Thoughtful. And the food was great too. Salsa Flight is such a fun thing to try! And tjeir fresh churros are so so good. Such a relaxing vibe. Will come again.

S
Steffanie Cohen

So good! Came in tonight for an early Mother's Day dinner. Service was friendly and attentive, drinks and food were terrific, prices were fair. Thanks to Charlie, our waiter, for taking great care of us...we'll be back again soon!

T
Thom Russ

I’m shocked Prima doesn’t have a SOLID 5 ⭐️! They have THE BEST steak tacos in the city. I literally eat here at least 3 times a month. The staff is so sweet and the food is phenomenal! If I had to give them one MINOR critique I would say the chips could use a little salt, but they are still really good and the salsa is super fresh and just plain GREAT! Can’t wait to go back!

R
Raquel Victor

So last night I had something to do on Montana Street in Santa Monica. I live in studio city so I’m rarely on the west side and had no idea where to go for a light meal and a relaxing cocktail. I stumbled onto this tiny place and what a gem! Right off the bat friendly staff offered me a seat why does the bar since I was by myself. Nothing better than a sharp staff that knows a solo person is going to want to sit at the bar. I stumbled onto this tiny place and what a gem! Right off the bat friendly staff offered me a seat right at the bar since I was by myself. Nothing better than a sharp staff that knows a solo person is going to want to sit at the bar. I must say that this was the most delicious margarita I’ve had in a long time and I literally just got back from Mexico City, & it had a beautiful garnish! Next I ordered the grilled quesadilla with short ribs off of the appetizer menu. It was served with a delicious cilantro rice to dipping sauces and some pickled vegetables… it was AMAZING! So delicious! The sweet and neighborly ambience makes this place even that much better than a giant corporate restaurant. I will get on the 495 fwy for this place!

J
Jason Pavlow

The Bartender here is on point - serving up delicious drinks (provided he doesn’t run out of ingredients due to popularity). Lobster tacos had great flavor and were cooked perfectly. Will definitely be back.

D Gupta
D Gupta

What a lovely restaurant! Great service. Warm. Friendly. Kind. Thoughtful. And the food was great too. Salsa Flight is such a fun thing to try! And tjeir fresh churros are so so good. Such a relaxing vibe. Will come again.

sheri silverton
sheri silverton

Yummy Mexicanfood, very fresh. The short rib tacos were absolutely delicious. Also loved the street corn esquitas 5 stars plus

Steffanie Cohen
Steffanie Cohen

So good! Came in tonight for an early Mother's Day dinner. Service was friendly and attentive, drinks and food were terrific, prices were fair. Thanks to Charlie, our waiter, for taking great care of us...we'll be back again soon!

Raquel Victor
Raquel Victor

So last night I had something to do on Montana Street in Santa Monica. I live in studio city so I’m rarely on the west side and had no idea where to go for a light meal and a relaxing cocktail. I stumbled onto this tiny place and what a gem! Right off the bat friendly staff offered me a seat why does the bar since I was by myself. Nothing better than a sharp staff that knows a solo person is going to want to sit at the bar. I stumbled onto this tiny place and what a gem! Right off the bat friendly staff offered me a seat right at the bar since I was by myself. Nothing better than a sharp staff that knows a solo person is going to want to sit at the bar. I must say that this was the most delicious margarita I’ve had in a long time and I literally just got back from Mexico City, & it had a beautiful garnish! Next I ordered the grilled quesadilla with short ribs off of the appetizer menu. It was served with a delicious cilantro rice to dipping sauces and some pickled vegetables… it was AMAZING! So delicious! The sweet and neighborly ambience makes this place even that much better than a giant corporate restaurant. I will get on the 495 fwy for this place!

Matt Ryder
Matt Ryder

Walked by, looked cute, came in. SO DELICIOUS. Service was great and the best fajitas (steak and chicken) I’ve ever had. The zucchini was an unexpected and amazing touch to the dish. Live in WeHo but will definitely be back here next time in Santa Monica!

Thom Russ
Thom Russ

I’m shocked Prima doesn’t have a SOLID 5 ⭐️! They have THE BEST steak tacos in the city. I literally eat here at least 3 times a month. The staff is so sweet and the food is phenomenal! If I had to give them one MINOR critique I would say the chips could use a little salt, but they are still really good and the salsa is super fresh and just plain GREAT! Can’t wait to go back!

P
PE Shearer

Thursday Aug 11th a coworker & myself stopped here to eat. I ordered carnitas tacos, coworker ordered fajitas. And we both had the Street Corn Esquites, which was very good. The beans were good also. A little hiccup in service but the server may have been new. The food seemed a tad bland, taste was okay, just for a Mexican restaurant, there wasn’t the spicy 🌶 kick one would expect. Not saying it needed habanero mixed in everything, just go up the street a few steps to Whole Foods and pick up a jalapeño or two and don’t be afraid to use them. Nice atmosphere, dined outside.

k
kmacneil91

Definitely overpriced (esp the drinks) but everything I tasted was really good. The sever was very attentive and tried to accommodate requests even though the kitchen was out of certain items. The environment was very quaint and aesthetically pleasing. Choice of indoor or outdoor dining.

PE Shearer
PE Shearer

Thursday Aug 11th a coworker & myself stopped here to eat. I ordered carnitas tacos, coworker ordered fajitas. And we both had the Street Corn Esquites, which was very good. The beans were good also. A little hiccup in service but the server may have been new. The food seemed a tad bland, taste was okay, just for a Mexican restaurant, there wasn’t the spicy 🌶 kick one would expect. Not saying it needed habanero mixed in everything, just go up the street a few steps to Whole Foods and pick up a jalapeño or two and don’t be afraid to use them. Nice atmosphere, dined outside.

kmacneil91
kmacneil91

Definitely overpriced (esp the drinks) but everything I tasted was really good. The sever was very attentive and tried to accommodate requests even though the kitchen was out of certain items. The environment was very quaint and aesthetically pleasing. Choice of indoor or outdoor dining.

F
Frank Finding

Nice staff and attentive service with fairly large portion sizes. Quality of the food is just not there. Margarita is disappointing and tastes cheap and more like a juice. Corn tacos are soggy and hard to eat. Overall food is fine but not loaded with flavor. Restaurant and bathrooms are dirty and the whole place needs a deep clean. Tables have that layers of sticky feel and everything needs cleaned much better. Bathrooms have that smell that indicates they aren’t cleaned well at all.

M
Michael

Aug 11th, 2022 Slow service, very slow… Food was alright but I had expected better considering the location. It was edible but tasteless.

Frank Finding
Frank Finding

Nice staff and attentive service with fairly large portion sizes. Quality of the food is just not there. Margarita is disappointing and tastes cheap and more like a juice. Corn tacos are soggy and hard to eat. Overall food is fine but not loaded with flavor. Restaurant and bathrooms are dirty and the whole place needs a deep clean. Tables have that layers of sticky feel and everything needs cleaned much better. Bathrooms have that smell that indicates they aren’t cleaned well at all.

Michael
Michael

Aug 11th, 2022 Slow service, very slow… Food was alright but I had expected better considering the location. It was edible but tasteless.

W
Wendy Cohen

The tacos here are fantastic. The service not so good. When we ate there the server was great, he was friendly, helpful & very professional. The manager on the other hand was angry, rude & unhelpful. Today we tried to call in a pick up an order because our favorite taco is not on the chownow site menu. They picked up told us it would be 45 min, promptly said they would be right back & put us on hold. We waited on hold for 15 min listening to classical music, so we hung up & tried to call again & got a message that the mailbox was full. Ordered from a different restaurant.

R
Richard Leuchter

Ughhh I really wish these tacos were better. It's a wonderful location, but the tortillas taste store-bought, the meat is horribly underseasoned, and the chips are stale. The guac and corn are good though, so I know they can do better!

Richard Leuchter
Richard Leuchter

Ughhh I really wish these tacos were better. It's a wonderful location, but the tortillas taste store-bought, the meat is horribly underseasoned, and the chips are stale. The guac and corn are good though, so I know they can do better!

B
Brunna Nogueira

I went to pick up an accommodation on site and besides taking almost an hour to get ready, when I asked where the bathroom was, a tall, blonde lady who works there (I don't know if she's the manager or owner of the establishment) said that I just I could use the bathroom if I left it clean afterwards, what does that mean? Embarrassing and ridiculous situation. I will never return to this place again.

Brunna Nogueira
Brunna Nogueira

I went to pick up an accommodation on site and besides taking almost an hour to get ready, when I asked where the bathroom was, a tall, blonde lady who works there (I don't know if she's the manager or owner of the establishment) said that I just I could use the bathroom if I left it clean afterwards, what does that mean? Embarrassing and ridiculous situation. I will never return to this place again.

K
Kristina O

I ordered a gluten free dish and unfortunately was still given flour tortillas. Also my friend ordered gluten free as well and she was served corn tortillas which also were not gluten free. Apparently they have two versions of corn tortillas and only one is gluten free.

Mia Bojanic
Mia Bojanic

The massive waiter decided to call ME fat just because I finished the food I ordered. You could literally fit a 13 year old child in his stomach yet he decided to openly make fun of my appetite in front of me. Very unprofessional. Seems as though this restaurant is going under. (Ps: If you can break a scale by simply standing on it, maybe don’t degrade your guests.)

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About Prima Baja Cantina

How to get there

1405 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

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Highlights

Good Rating
4.0/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
145 reviews
💰
Moderate Price
Price level
👨‍🍳
mexican
Cuisine type

Services

🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery

Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
12-9PM
Rating
4.0/5
💬 Reviews
145
💰 Price Level
$$
📞 Phone
+1 424-581-6511
🌐 Website
primacocina.com
📋 Menu
View Menu

Amenities

Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
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Location

1405 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

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