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RED O Cantina - Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA

RED O Cantina - Santa Monica

4.3
4.3
710 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 34 times today

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

Popular dishes

What 710 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

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  1. Alex

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

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

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

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

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

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

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    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 5 days agoWow! 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!

  5. LeahK

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 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.
  6. OlivierB

    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.
  7. 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.
  8. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 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.
  9. 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. !
  10. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    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
  11. JS100

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    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.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    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 !
  13. Travels2dine

    Los Angeles

    84 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    84 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
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    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 .
  15. Varsh

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome place vibe and food
  16. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 12, 2023

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

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    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.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2023

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

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 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....
  20. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Our waiter was super amazing and attentive
  21. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff is super friendly right off the bat. Location is smaller than Newport but definitely a great ambiance. Food is absolutely delicious and to perfection. My girlfriend and I are huge fans! Will definitely be coming back over and over
  22. ChristinaL

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went here for my birthday and it was amazing! The ambiance of being by the ocean was incredible. Not to mention the food and service - it was all awesome! This is a great place for a birthday dinner and we’ll definitely be back!
  23. scotty

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is great. The service was excellent and the good was so good.
  24. RickD

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service were fantastic. We had a dog with us and they were very accommodating about that. We had a great table on the patio, with heat lamps. All of the dishes we ordered were great, and they also have a great dessert menu (including a sampler if you can't decide and want to try three desserts). Highly recommend!
  25. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Good place for dinner close to the beach and pier.
  26. Keysha

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    Super busy night. Restaurant ran out of ice, busy.
  27. Marika

    Los Angeles

    41 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    We understand that when the restaurant isn’t busy, maybe they’re not as many staff members to help. We found the service to be wonderful but it took way too long for us to get our food. Close to 45 minutes.
  28. Lisa

    Philadelphia

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Night out on vacation - we were able to sit at the bar and had a really great meal.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience1
    I don’t blame the slow service on the server, from what I saw they look short staffed cause there was 2 servers (not including bartender) for the entire restaurant cause we barely saw our server. My assumption due to the holiday was short staff due to call outs. So I blame the slow service on that. It was 50° & very windy outside and instead of having the glass closed to separate dining room and patio it was open so the restaurant was very very cold and uncomfortable. The menu is smaller and very different from the Red O in Newport. But the food tasted great from what they did have. I was disappointed with the experience here. But it was more the atmosphere because I feel if they had more servers the service would have made up for the discomfort of the restaurant. So again do not blame server! He was nice when we did see him. More displeased with the atmosphere.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    Red O Newport Beach is 100 times better than Red O SM. The chips were uncooked. The food was nothing special. I have had better Mexican in a lot of places and some being hole in the wall places. The food was disappointing at this location. The decor was ok. It was nothing special and does not commend the large price tag it comes with. Parking is a nightmare. The restaurant does not validate it. You have to pay for the valet parking. All in all I was disappointed after experience Red O in Newport Beach.
  31. lainiet

    West Palm Beach

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience4
    The food here was so subpar. We were very disappointed. From the “sangria” to the salty soup, bland salad and overcooked steak in the fajitas there was literally nothing redeeming about this meal.
  32. ReneeJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, food, and atmosphere. The ribeye and Carne Asada fajitas were great.
  33. MartinE

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never disappointed when I come here. Service is always exceptional and the food very yummy. Cocktails are also really good! It’s always a go to for our family.
  34. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was amazing. Salsa had a little kick to it but still delicious, I had the enchilada trio and omg!! AMAZING!! Drinks took a little long but it was pretty busy so I was not too worried. I will definitely be back.
  35. MichelleR

    London

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall1food4service1ambience1
    We have never experienced a server be so rude. Sometimes people have a bad day, I get it, but this was so much more. We live on Kauai and are super laidback, but we don’t have a great Mexican restaurant and we were so looking forward to this. It started with ordering a lemonade which was brought in a bottle, warm and we asked for a glass with ice. It was as odd how angry she got. Then I ordered fajitas without peppers as I’m allergic, she was so rude about getting an order without. It came out so much later with an almost empty restaurant. She left the tortilla from the original order and never brought warm ones. All unnecessary. We were courteous and deserved better. We could not get out of there fast enough.
  36. Riki04

    Los Angeles

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a great meal. Very fresh and delicious. Great service as well
  37. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 19, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Preferred a quieter area (hearing compromised). Tables were available in the back. Told that area was closed. Probably short-staffed at that time of day or staff not wanting to walk to the back area. Maybe next time…
  38. GauriB

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall3food1service4ambience4
    Food was not good
  39. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience4
    Tourist trap! Server was slow and not very friendly. It felt like as soon as we decided not to order alcohol, we were forgotten. Two tables next to us had to keep getting up to find the server. Guacamole was delicious but the rest of the food was meh. For 3 people dinner cost $70, not really worth it.
  40. EricO

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience for my wife’s birthday. Great food, expensive, but worth it. Service was excellent and drinks were fantastic. Had a wonderful time.

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 4.3 stars by 710 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 34 times today
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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