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RED O Cantina - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

RED O Cantina - Santa Monica

4.2
4.2
731 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary Mexican
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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 13 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary Mexican, Seafood, Steak

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–11:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–1:00 pm Dinner Fri–Sun 3:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (310) 458-1600

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Sabrina Vicerra

  • 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: STACIE NISHIKAWA GARCIA, Director of Events SantaMonica@redorestaurant.com 310.498.7850

  • 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, Gender Neutral Restroom, 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

  • Tomahawk Fridays, $99

    May 26 - Jul 28, 2023
    Join us on Fridays and enjoy 32 ounces of tender Tomahawk steak with pico de gallo, guacamole and served alongside red rice, refried beans and fresh tortillas for just $99. Offer valid for a limited-time, dine-in, on Fridays only.

Popular dishes

What 731 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
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.9Value

NoiseModerate

Sort by

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Great experience! Waitress and staff wee so nice! Only thing was my food was really spicy, like lips burning spicy. I asked the heat level and they said mild.. so that was the only reason I didn’t give 5 stars.
  2. Jill

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    I have been to the Red O in Orange County a few times for brunch and this was first time visiting this one in Santa Monica, I would say the service and atmosphere is hands down better in Orange County. We waited forever for water and then again waited forever for our drinks which were bottomless and on a time limit since our reservation was at 1:30 and the bottomless ended at 3:00 it would have been nice not to wait 30 minutes for our first drink.
  3. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My families experience at Red O Cantina in Santa Monica was exceptional from start to finish. Thanks to OpenTable, finding reservations was a breeze, and we were seated promptly upon arrival, even a few minutes early. The entire staff was incredibly professional and friendly, readily available to answer any questions we had. They went above and beyond by accommodating our allergies and happily substituting certain items for us. The food was simply delicious, delivering a delightful blend of flavors. What made the dining experience even more enjoyable was the captivating view of people strolling around the Santa Monica Pier. Red O Cantina’s great location allows for a pre- or post-dinner stroll through Santa Monica, or a walk down to the beach to enjoy the tranquil sounds of the waves. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the coastal ambiance and make the most of your visit to this wonderful restaurant. The menu offered a wide variety of options, ensuring there was something for everyone, and the prices were reasonable for the high-quality dining experience expected in such a vibrant area. I highly recommend Red O Cantina as a perfect spot for a date night or a memorable family gathering. It’s an excellent choice if you want to impress someone with classy, authentic Mexican cuisine. The combination of great food, attentive service, and the lively atmosphere, along with the chance to explore the beautiful surroundings, make it a must-visit destination.” I hope this revised review captures your experience accurately, including the additional information about the restaurant’s location and its connection to Santa Monica’s attractions.
  4. Elissa

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    We had a large group tonight and our waitress was pushy, rude and was just not nice. She wore a mask and honestly should not be waiting tables! Don’t eat here! Go somewhere else
  5. nycadam

    New York Area

    105 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    105 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    This is an above-average Mexican restaurant. Our drinks and tacos were very good, although nothing special. The location right across the street from the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier is very convenient after seeing the nearby sights. If you're in the area, it's a fine place to try.
  6. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    Very noisy . Hostess’ weren’t the most pleasant. We arrived 20min early before our reservation. We asked to be sat earlier . There were several empty tables and they gave us a hard time . Nonetheless we sat near the kitchen never again . It’s just not what I expected the food was bland . Waitress was nice . Drinks were goood. It’s not what I expected. And the restroom was dirty
  7. Donny

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    Great location. Perfect for when the family is visiting. The only negative is that they kept messing up our order, which could have been a single occurrence. I will visit again.
  8. AMAZING

    Los Angeles

    48 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love this restaurant! The rood is delicious. I drive from NE L.A. to dine there. One of my favorites in the city.
  9. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Everyone working there was extremely rude. For a restaurant that is in a touristic destination, they were not hospitable at all.
  10. KathyO

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Went for DineLA (May 2023) and got the fish and chicken, and chopped salad and pork sopas. Both were excellent! Service was great. Lots of food for the $45 price.
  11. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience2
    The waitress was super good and attentive. Food service was very very slow.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great experience the manager was helpful and our waitress gave great service
  13. PaulS

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience1
    So loud… could not hear each other, and only 4 of us. Food…. Just ok, nothing special at all.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was superb! Honestly from start to finish it was awesome and very professional. The queso fundido is a must and Enchiladas with mole to get filled up with a dash of a Michelada you won’t need more.
  15. Lusi

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was a very pleasant experience. The food and service were great.
  16. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I will definitely be returning! The hosts, our waitress, the bartenders, and the managers gave us the best experience with their attentiveness and their charisma. The food was delicious, prepared in a timely manner and the drinks were exquisite. I loved the tequila cart and the variety of tequilas that they offered
  17. Bill

    Los Angeles

    36 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience1
    We came here on a Friday evening. The food was delicious, but expensive. The Problem was the music. Extraordinarily loud. We'll never come back.
  18. LauraH

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Kimberly our host was friendly and had really good food recommendations. Carnitas empanadas, surf turf tablita was delicious enough for two and dessert😋 which was on the house. I highly recommend this restaurant everyone was friendly.
  19. JohnY

    Chicago

    21 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience1
    Honestly, I never give bad reviews and I don’t like doing it. But avoid this place with all of your effort. The drinks and appetizers were fine, but the entrees where horrible, the service sucked, and the location was a noisy crowded tourist hell. Not to mention the insanely high prices for what this was, mediocre Mexican food.
  20. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Fantastic service and great drinks. Everyone enjoyed their meal.
  21. LBLB

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We love Red O the fajitas are excellent and the queso fundido is delicious I definitely Recommend the Santa Monica sunset for you drink of choice
  22. Alex

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good quality food and large servings. Very generous for bottomless mimosas as well. Will definitely come back :)
  23. erikd

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Good was good and the service was great. Evelyn was very attentive and friendly.
  24. MariaD

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on March 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a delicious lunch, we ordered 6 different dishes and they were all full of flavor.
  25. QuickyRickyB

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hi, spent 3 hours eating & drinking at our table. Drinks-excellent. Service-excellent (thank you Julie). Food-excellent. Desserts (yes plural) … what’s beyond excellent ! The vibe inside is fun. Overall congrats to management, service staff & chef/kitchen. Really well done.

    RED O Cantina - Santa MonicaResponded on March 21, 2023Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a glowing review! We appreciate you! And are so happy we made you happy! We look forward to serving you again soon!

  26. LeahK

    Atlanta Metro

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We booked a last min ressie for a birthday and it was fabulous. Got a seat right by the window to people watch and the meal was super delicious and reasonably priced. Will come back if ever in the Santa Monica area again. Highly recommend.
  27. OlivierB

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    We were proposed the worst table when we arrived with a reservation. We had to decline the first table in order to get a better table. Drinks were slow to come.
  28. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    I’ve been dying to try this place after I saw a picture of a whole fish. I ordered the whole sea bream. It was pretty good once I added all the acutrements. It could’ve used some seasoning. It came with white rice and refried beans. Both lacked flavor. The flour tortillas were really good. Tasted homemade. My boyfriend had the lobster and crab enchiladas. He said it was okay but he didn’t finish it all. That means he wasn’t that impressed. For appetizers we had oysters which were fresh and delicious. Also carnita empanadas were just okay. The cocktails were really good with a nice presentation. Service wasn’t bad. Everyone was really friendly. Food came out really fast for a busy Saturday night. Overall it was just okay to me. Definitely not worth the price. It wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t be dying to go back. For the price the food could’ve all used a little more flavor.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Good experience overall. Dining room was cold as exterior could not be closed off. Should have light blankets for these times.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a reservation and we were seated immediately. The place was very busy and the ambience was very live!!!! Everyone was very attentive, cordial and polite…. Our waitress made sure that we had everything we wanted and went over the entire menu and made recommendations . The drinks were amazing! We ordered the “tablita” which is a tomahawk steak and lobster that was cooked perfectly, and the lobster was humongous…. Sammy, the manager make sure that we were taken care of, and checked in on us frequently. We dine out every Saturday and this was definitely a great experience. I truly recommend it. We had an amazing experience. !
  31. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience5
    Kitchen was closed early despite my reservations and online promotion wasn’t applied to all drinks as stated. I wasn’t greeted upon entry or when I was seated by the bartender. I didn’t feel welcome at all. It came off as if the restaurant was ready to close and didn’t care for my business
  32. JS100

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Tortilla soup chicken not high quality and soup too small. Cheese should not be melted in but in the side. Service friendly but slow and hard to get server’s attention. Loud and not as nice as before remodel.
  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    Muy pobre el servicio y alto de precio para calidad ! El Licor muy caro , un tequila sencillo té puede salir entre 30 a 60 dólares y te lo dan con hielo. No se recogen los platos al finalizar de comer . Espero mejoren !
  34. Travels2dine

    Los Angeles

    89 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    89 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Lunch get together with high school friends. Parking was difficult. Elevator were not accessible. Food and drinks were excellent allow somewhat overpriced. We had the 3 enchiladas combo, wet burritos and tacos. Service was ok but unable to find our server several times. Understand that it’s a difficult time to hire help. The parking lot situation was really the toughest part. Cash only. Different price for each level and even more if you needed a handicap spot
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience3
    Hostess was great sat us right away . Took our server 15 minutes to greet us . Every time she left it was be 10-15 minutes to see her again. Good thing food came out fast . Manager came to drop off our cocktail and didn’t say anything when we were both out of water and needed refills. Disappointed in the service minus the host / and busser( made sure our table was nice and cleared ) . Food was good . atmosphere was good as well. I have been to the Newport locations multiple times and this was not that same standard as that location .
  36. Varsh

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome place vibe and food
  37. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    delicious food! our server was absolutely lovely.
  38. TonH

    Palm Springs

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service with a smile. Food was hot and tasty. I love my fish tacos and rice and beans with plantains. Food seasoned perfectly.
  39. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Other restaurant red 0 in Newport Beach more better
  40. AndyK

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    The food and service were well below expectations. High level of street noise on Ocean. They basically closed up at 8:30....

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Diner temperature check required
    • Staff temperature check required
    • Contact tracing information collected

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 731 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 13 times today
Experiences are available.
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 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–11:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–1:00 pm Dinner Fri–Sun 3:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • 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, Pay with OpenTable, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Sabrina Vicerra

  • Entertainment

    Live entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, 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: STACIE NISHIKAWA GARCIA, Director of Events SantaMonica@redorestaurant.com 310.498.7850

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