Baja Cantina

Amazing Mexican food!! Vegetarian options are available here. We dined in on a weekday, there was no wait time. They serve salsa and chips while you wait for the food. The salsa is nice and hot. We ordered Enchiladas and Nachos without meat. Everything tasted fresh. The guacamole was nice and tangy. Our waitress provided excellent service. The restaurant ambiance is good. The patio has sand on the floor with tiki bar and outdoor heaters. The restaurant also has valet service outside. Would recommend this place to friends.

Only reason it isn't 5 stars is because they were short staffed and things were very slow. We were totally fine waiting and our waiter and the other staff members were on it. Food was a bit spicy for my daughter (she really wanted the chicken tortilla soup, but didn't end up eating it and stole her dad's food instead). Loved being able to sit outside and have our puppy with us and enjoyed all the dishes... Even though my older daughter said green sauce was a bit spicy for her.

The place is fantastic. I love the atmosphere and the vibe the place offers. Food was good. The burrito is massive. Prices are fair. They offer good beer, and at night, they even have a Dj playing live music. They have a patio area that gives you the sense that you are on the beach. The servers are very friendly and always come to you with a smile. It's definitely a place to visit with friends and have a nice time.

Been seeing videos on Instagram so I had to give them a try.... The micheladas were really good... Also tried the margarita flight which was also good.... For our food option we went with the chicken fajita ... It's good for 2 people come with rice and black beans.... Highly recommend this place

Baja Cantina is a great place for lunch. We stopped by on a Thursday and had a lot of space to ourselves outside. The server was very nice and attentive. The chips and salsa they give you are very good. We all had fajitas which are delicious and huge portions. The Asada and shrimp were both good. Get the watermelon margarita. Very good.

I met a couple friends here for lunch which had suggested this place. I was pleasantly surprised for my first time here and being so close to the Venice Beach Canals. We didn't have to wait long and our host sat us in the outside dining area which has beach sand you walk on throughout the patio. I ordered their blackened shrimp burrito, my friends ordered a steak burrito and a Baja styled Chile relleno. They serve you thier chips and salsa which was really good and tasty. Place is clean, well organized, and have excellent service. The atmosphere is quite pleasant here. I had a great experience here and would like to return to try other items on their menu.

Good food but make sure to double check your order. They swapped my friends' vegetarian and chicken burritos. The salsa that comes with the chips is amazing.

Local staple that never fails, Great staff, great vibe, great food! Loved the new sand post-Covid outside dining addition. Best new thing out of a bad thing. Don’t pass on the Margarita flights, cute and yummy!

This place is soooo good! Came here two days in a row with my mom and we got the shrimp tacos, nachos, fish tacos and second time had the chicken quesadilla and shrimp burrito. All bomb. Definitely the best Mexican food in Venice. With a great vibe too.

Baja Cantina is one of those places you come to for the vibes--and it really delivers. We came on a sunny afternoon and sat outside where the sand under your feet and live music gave it a fun, beachy energy. The margaritas were strong and tasty--I recommend the Cadillac if you like it classic. The chips and salsa hit the spot, and our fish tacos were fresh and flavorful. Service was friendly, though a bit slow when it got busier later in the day. Still, everyone was super welcoming and the staff made sure we were taken care of. Prices were decent for the area and portions were generous. It's not fancy, but it's fun, casual, and perfect for a relaxed night out near the beach. Would definitely come back, especially when there's live music or to hang with friends on the patio. Solid 4/5.

New owners, new look, new everything! Baja Cantina is officially the new hip spot in town. They recently hosted a sip-and-paint class--it was so much fun and totally classy. Definitely a far cry from the old Baja. Don't get me wrong, I love a good dive bar as much as the next person, but it's refreshing to have a place where a group of women can roll up and feel totally safe and welcome. The new owners have really raised the bar while still keeping that cool Venice Beach vibe alive. The guac and chips? Everything. And the steak tacos were tender, flavorful, and seriously delicious. They've even got a sparkling, gluten-free wine beverage that's so refreshing, you'll find yourself ordering round after round. I can't wait to come back with my girlfriends and hang out by the fire pits. Bonus live music from 5-7pm with stage!

50 years in business!!! If you are in business that long you know how to make food and drinks. We always start with the guacamole, and margaritas. You can't go wrong with the homemade chips. We've tried everything from the tacos to the burritos to the enchiladas to the Mole which are all homemade. Husband swears they are the best tortillas he has ever had. The atmosphere is laid back and the staff is always friendly. Come sit down and enjoy!

My wife & I came for Sunday Funday and it was amazing. For starters, they redesigned the entire space. It truly fits the Beach / Tulum theme. The brunch was great & they have unlimited mimosas for $25 for 90 minutes. Our waiter Dario was theeeeeee absolutely best. He was very attentive & more importantly, WE NEVER SAW THE BOTTOM OF OUR GLASSES . If you are in the marina area definitely check out Baja Cantina and ask for Dario.

We started with tortilla chips and guacamole--the guacamole was quite fresh! I had fish tacos for dinner, my daughter had a fish burrito, and my mom had chicken fajitas. Everything came out quickly. There was a loud happy hour crowd in the bar, and they all seemed to be having a wonderful time. The restaurant's outdoor seating is plentiful. I recommend you check it out if you're in the area.

I've been a long time Baja customer. You can't beat the ambiance and margaritas. The renovations gave it an upscale beach bar feel. Definitely get the Mango-Pineapple margarita, or better yet try them all with their margarita flight. I do miss the old Baja menu (and the more affordable prices). So I'm conflicted, Baja was always a local hangout especially after a beach day - local but far enough from the beach tourist crowds, but it has priced itself out of being our go-to spot.

Came here Easter Sunday afternoon. First time since new ownership took over. Everything was okay, but without the festive atmosphere of past visits. Maybe it was just an off day. Maybe it's the changes made to the restaurant itself. No more beach sand outdoors bar and dining. A much smaller menu. I don't know. Venice Beach was hopping that day but Baja wasn't. Definitely will give it another try and hopefully things will change. The margaritas were good, nothing noteworthy about them other then the pretty garnish. The chicken quesadilla was just okay, not like in the past. It was served.alone on the plate without any accompaniment. For the price it would be nice if they served it with a small side of sour cream and guacamole. Kayla our server was friendly and enjoyable. Overall today was kind of a letdown from our 5 star experiences of past visits.

They have done a beautiful job of redoing the place, but it is now a far cry from what it was when it was my stomping grounds 15-20 years ago lol. They have definitely gentrified it and made it in to a gorgeous beach theme that is much more upscale. I think the upgrade will keep the young riff-raff away, but it seems like all of the end of Washington is doing the same. The sandy patio is gone, chips and salsa are no longer self serve but they still taste the same yay lol. The food was good but definitely felt like there was room for improvement, everything was kind of bland. The sauces on the enchiladas were more like mole. The margaritas were $17. These pictures were from the grand reopening weekend last month. I will give it a shot again for happy hour.. I do believe with everything being changed and upgraded it will all evolve for the better in time too. :)

2 stars for atmosphere but the food was a let down. I'm a regular person but these enchiladas made me rush to the restroom badly the following morning. I ordered the enchiladas suizas and the hardly had cheese, they were not bad but also not good (not something I would return for). Everyone left the rice and beans so if you can't skip them, please do so. The rice and beans were soooo bland and chewy. No one at the table ate them. I'm glad I didn't upgrade the size of my margarita because it woulve gone from $15 to $25 (happened to my co worker). Growing up, place always gave complimentary chips and salsa but this place charged 3.50. Just not a place I would return too or recommend

Baja Cantina is a great party spot. The front patio is epic and the inside is fun as well. All the staff is great and the drinks are delicious. Just know it's all about the vibe and not really the food. Chips, good. Salsa good. Guacamole, yeah good, but I'd probably leave it there. Have a good time, enjoy the scene the weather, have a spicy marg, and you'll be set.

Don't even understand the negative reviews here. This is my GO TO spot in Venice. I come all the way from DTLA just to work here on afternoons and enjoy the space. They have great selection of seating (Indoor, Outdoor Patio w/bar, Outdoor sandy area) and all of it has great decor. The selection of beer and tequila here is fantastic as well! I've never had a bad drink. I have also never had a bad dish here. I LOVE the food. Staff is always friendly and the food comes fast. I just absolutely love this place.

So I was in the mood for some Mexican food and we stumbled upon this place on our walk back to our hotel. Love the ambiance. The outdoor seating with the sand floor was very Venice-y. The chips and salsa were good. The chips were seasoned which was nice. The salsa had a bit of an Italian kick to me. But it was good. Hubby got the burger and I got the chicken fajitas. The food was really good. The fajitas were a decent size and I had enough to take back a snack for later. The hubby said his burger was really good, cooked well and a great palate of flavors. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 was the service was slow. it took forever for a server to come over. To be fair though, I didn't feel like they had enough servers so I don't blame her. She was friendly and you could tell she was trying. I'd go back for sure.

There was a special event. So it was absolutely packed. Been here before and usually it's much more casual. It's a popular bar but there were a lot of kids and dogs. Kinda weird but what ever. The live music could be heard from 2 blocks away, clear as a bell. The food was excellent though. I would just go here when it's not so packed. Come for the food. But don't come for the crowds

Pierre and Zaira had amazing customer service. From the minute I walked in, I was greeted and sat quickly. The venue is super clean and the atmosphere is amazing. Music is comfortable for the ears, the restrooms are clean, staff is very attentive and management is always table touching. The putter dining area is perfect for a date, or family dinner/brunch date. The food is delicious. Had the chilaquiles and fish tacos. I can't wait to go back and devour more of their fish tacos. It was the perfect spot to watch the Packers game on Sunday. This is a Green Bay packers Watch bar

MARGARITAVILLE AND MORE During the summer, Baja Cantina is overflowing with surfers and beach goers, so I avoid the raucous crowds. After strolling around the Venice Canals to ogle the Christmas lights, we noticed this place was practically dead, so we popped in for drinks. A jovial young lady immediately greeted us and invited us to pick a table. Ours was awfully sticky, but the location was great. Plus, our waitress soon brought over complimentary chips and salsa. The salsa was hot and spicy, and the chips were plentiful. When I spotted a drink called Christmas in the Canals ($13) on the Holiday Menu, I thought it was only fitting to order it. I'm not usually a gin fan, but the combination of gin, Aperol, edlerflower, lime and agave was sweet perfection! My companion was content with a Classic Margarita ($15). We devoured everything over a sparkling conversation that we could have without shouting. The Weekly Specials (all day Happy Hour on Mondays, and more!) beckon over the holidays. Feliz Navidad!

We hit up Baja Cantina after some paddle boarding at the harbor and craving some fish tacos. The tacos were delicious, I perhaps would have preferred slightly larger fish cuts but nonetheless they were delicious and the aqua Fresca (watermelon and hibiscus) that I ordered was refreshing and naturally sweet. Dogs: We ate with our corgi on the patio though they do not allow dogs on their larger sand patio. But the area we were seated in had great shade and was comfortable.

First time here meeting up with the homie to watch some basketball and enjoy some happy hour. Parking over here is usually a pain in the butt and as usual it was. Of course the one electric car charger was taken by a non electric car. Anyway i ordered the asada fries and 2 tacos, those fries hit the spot. Man they were good. The vibe was cool, the drinks kept comin and the bartender was cool. Ill definitely good back. The price was so low i didnt even mind paying.

Putting pastor on chicken isn't like putting lip stick on a pig. It's like putting lip stick on a chicken. Pork it up baby! I don't mind the soft shell corn tortillas but hard shell or offering flour as an alternative would be good too. Loved the margarita!

Not worth it. Half pour of top-shelf liquor, $3.50 soda water from the fountain, and a 3% "hospitality fee" that wasn't mentioned on the menu. That fee's supposed to be disclosed per CA law (SB 1524). Nice setting, but the hidden charges and weak pours make this a one-time visit for me. Spend your money elsewhere.

Nice spot for some Margaritas and chitchatting with friends! Food was pretty alright too! Service was good and i will be back!

The Cantina has been upgraded, gone is the long time grime and the sad watery margaritas. Dropped in for a quick bite for the first time in at least a decade. Much nicer outdoor area instead of that parking lot. Drinks were good and so was most of the food I sampled. The service was so-so, no complaints just not super friendly. The bathrooms reminded me of the old Baja Cantina, not in a good way. Gonna come back and try more of the menu.

I visited the Baja for the first time in years on a Sunday afternoon The parking lot and valet have been sacrificed for additional outdoor seating The original outdoor patio had been remodeled for a more upscale environment. It was closed and was supposed to open later in the evening. The Baja used to be a trendy, energetic social hot spot on the Westside on Sundays. But that crowd is completely gone, and it now functions as just another outdoor Mexican restaurant near the beach More family oriented and lots of couples. A live 2-man band was playing outside, but they had little to offer. So while the physical environment has been upgraded, the energy is diminished and it's no longer a hip place to hang. Service was kind and friendly. I had the chicken quesadilla and a couple drinks. Sat by the fire pit. Food was just OK and not memorable. Chips / salsa bar was gone (Covid casualty). I had to find parking more than 2 blocks away. Unfortunately, the experience was a let down, and this won't be a return venue for me. Lots of good memories, though.

Favorite sit down Mexican food in the neighborhood. Happy hour during the week is the best bang for your buck! Favorites: Birria tacos, quesadilla, chicken enchiladas, classic margaritas

Was kindly greeted when I arrived and quickly seated. The service was impeccable. Unfortunately, the food was not good or flavorful. I did like that they used fresh shredded chicken inside of the enchiladas, but the sauce was not good. The refried beans had no flavor. Such a let down. Vibe is good and chill. Great energy. If I come here in the future, it would be for the margaritas, and chips and salsa. Nothing more.

Came for happy hour - 3pm to 6pm weekdays. We were pleasantly surprised at how nice the happy hour menu was. I had taquitos, we also ordered tacos and nachos and a couple of margaritas. The service was very prompt, and the food was actually good. It was a good value for what we paid. They had football on all the screens. The outdoor patio was well heated and well and closed so you forgot that you were right on Washington Boulevard. They also have indoor seating as well. The only problem is the parking. If you can find a spot on Washington Boulevard, consider yourself lucky. Just watch the sign so you don't get a ticket or towed. We have been back twice for the happy hour and really enjoyed it

We ordered nachos at Baja Cantina and it was wonderful in person. Next time we order and had it deliver down the street have the ingredients were missing today We tried again and ordered special instructions instructions but they didn't follow it . The beans were at the bottom of the nachos . I want and even more ingredients were missing and not even the sliced jalapeños we asked for were Not included in the order. instead of giving us grated cheddar cheese which we asked for , they put slices of cheddar cheese on and baked it ! Whole slices! Not shredded.It was really bad. I don't recommend ever ordering nachos to go. They put so much cheese in the quesadilla. I mean the cold part that's on us but cold cold ingredients weren't correct. The one star is for the guacamole and the side of chips. The sour cream on the side has the texture of glue. Not a real sour cream. I feel like I should get paid to eat this not pay $50 . Generally, I like Baja Cantina but this is really an outrage, so please don't order these two items to go ever. Consider this a PSA.

I feel like I can't give a full review just yet because I came in just for drinks around 4p on a Thursday. It wasn't very crowded and service was pretty quick! Parking is tough so I'd suggest carpool or ride share. We found metered parking which I thought was two hours, but really it's only one! Thankfully we didn't get a ticket! I really love that the patio is very much a beach vibe - even if I got a bit of sand in my shoes LOL. We didn't get any food but I enjoyed the chips and salsa! Try the marg flight so you can find which one you'd like. My coworkers chose the Cadillac Margarita and they said it was really good! I enjoyed cucumber :) Thanks!

went for happy hour and both me and my boyfriend got food poisoning from the birria tacos. i guess the $2 i saved on the tacos was worth the 2 hours ive spent throwing up. margaritas were good tho

Super cute gives me Cancun vibes and staff is amazing !! We were sat immediately and greeted nicely ..let's talk about the floors it's sand how cool is that. Loved the guacamole extremely fresh and aesthetically pleasing.

Unfortunately, this did not match my expectations. Thats not to say they were high, but I was expecting alright food, decent drinks and a good ambiance. However, I got very rude service, sneaky charges on the bill, and an overall headache. PS. Dont do any of their upgrades, although they aren't disclosed on the menu, they raise the price of a drink from 16 to 27 for an awful drink. Also, an extra charge of chorizo was tried to sneak into our bill as well. (Sneak meaning it was not disclosed on the menu as an option, and that it was not disclosed to us by the waiter when we said yes). Overall, wish the service was at least less rude about our confusion about the bill, the drinks and apps were also awful. I have never given a one star but this deserved it. :(

Went there for a dinner. We sat outside and even though it was cooler we were OK with the heating. We had some margaritas which were very nicely made. Wine was OK - limited but fairly priced. Guacamole and chips and salsa were the start of the evening. All were good, and made a good start. The fajitas, burrito and garlic shrimp were the dinners. Burrito was very large and loaded - heave on contents and cheesed up... Fajitas were generous with lots of onions and peppers. A few fajitas which did stick together, not sure why. The shrimp were plump and juicy. Tons of garlic as advertised. Overall a casual spot.

Came for taco Tuesday. Got fish tacos, Birria mulita, and margaritas flight. Fish tacos were delish. Mulita was good but next time I'll try different meat I wasn't feeling the birria. All the options with the marg I like the cucumber the best as it was very refreshing

I have lived about 200 yards from Baja for three decades and this is probably fourth or fifth time I have been inside the place with usually sub par results. They are now owned by the group that also includes The Whaler and the Venice Pier House, both steps from the beach. Establishments that cater to a young, touristy crowd. Today a friend suggested Baja so I complied and the place was empty at 10:00 AM probably because it was the NFL's Opening Day of games. I had an Orange Juice and my guest had a hot tea. I ordered the Breakfast Burrito which was bland and taste less and the burrito was falling apart ($15). My guest had the Shrimp Fajitas ($27) which seems to be an extreme and excessive price for a breakfast item. While our seating was in the back, it was comfortable for conversing, but the flies were out of control and I spent half the time swatting them away! It became irritating and distracting. Our server was Dario who was extremely nice and did a great job so I have no problem with the service, but the meal was sub standard and disappointing. You hate to pay $62.49 for breakfast and walk away hungry and quite frankly, ripped off. I like to patronize local places but my experiences here seem to be below average. There are people who swear by Baja, and I wish I could say the same. You can visit them online at www.bajacantina.com

I came here for a quick soup and go, and my experience was great. There were complimentary chips and salsa, which was not expected. The soup came quickly and was delicious, though I couldn't finish it all.

This place is great on ambiance! Front outdoor seating in a beach style area, or the main restaurant seating area or the other patio - all are comfortable and feel fun to be eating or drinking in. Seating happened quickly and service was great - never needed to ask for a thing and my waiter constantly checked on me. DineLA was what brought me in, in my opinion it was worth the money. The food was pretty good; salsa was oddly sweet but the guac was yummy as were the braised short ribs. Definitely want to try again!

I just met some friends at Baja to watch some football and I wanted to praise Kayla (I think?) on your staff. She was not only friendly and knowledgeable but even being super busy with no bar back she was working hard and pleasant. She made excellent food and drink recommendations which my whole party appreciated. She should be commended for her service. One down side is that you guys aren't bringing back the parking lot. The parking is so bad in that area.

It's been years since I've last been here. Met up with a girlfriend and decided to walk over to dinner. Honestly it was our first choice at this place. We just walked by and saw that I was busy and decided on it. There wasn't a wait for a table which was nice. Loads of tables was occupied already, birthdays and graduation party. Heads up, it's beach vibe so you'll be walking on sand. Plenty of heat lamps and fire pits for the chilly night. Service was quite good, pretty attentive to everything. Salsa and chips were brought out right after. Menu, did have quite a good selection of dishes. We had the chicken fajitas and fish tacos with some margaritas. It was good, we enjoyed it but nothing major to rave about. Food did the trick. Service was great, the whole vibe was cool, Venice beach. Drinks were good though.

This Memorial Day weekend, we had a great time at Baja Cantina. Saturday, we had a reservation, and we were welcomed by the host, who was very friendly and helpful. Our server was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. The food was delicious, I had the enchiladas suizas, and my husband had fajitas salsas were bomb, and we had a great time. On Sunday, we visited again because this was conveniently located across from our hotel; not only that, an hour before we arrived we asked the manager if he was able to switch channels so we could watch a soccer game, they mainly have basketball games on. He was so inviting and helpful and said yes. So we went back to our hotel to get ready and arrived at the restaurant. He immediately switched channels on all tvs so we could choose where we wanted to sit. We chose the bar, where our server from the nigth before was. We had a great time and enjoyed some tacos and queso fundido. Again, the food was great, the service was amazing, and the venue was beautiful and conveniently located near the beach. Definitely, we would go back. Thanks to everyone at Baja Cantina for making our weekend special.

Came to Baja Cantina cause it was one of the few places that didn't require a reservation and allowed me to bring my dog. If you don't find street parking they do offer valet. The positive review is primarily based on the excellent service we received. The hostess that greeted us was really sweet. She allowed me to bring my dog inside instead having to sit outdoors where the music was a bit too loud for my liking. Immediately after we were seated, our waitress Deborah took our drink order. Chips and salsa arrived seconds later. Deborah remained attentive to us throughout the entire evening. As great as the service was, the food not so much. We ordered the following: -esquite (corn) -carne asada tacos -cheese enchilada -chicken and shrimp fajita The esquite was flavorful and absolutely delicious. Best corn I've had in a long time. The shrimp weren't bad either. Unfortunately, everything else was not so good. The cheese enchilada was doused in so much cheese, it was difficult to eat. As for the carne asada tacos, they were extremely bland. I literally could not taste the carne asada whatsoever. The rice and beans that accompany the tacos were also very bland with no flavor or seasoning. The chicken fajita was also not my favorite. I really appreciate the good service they provided and would definitely come back for the corn and maybe some drinks, but I don't think I'll be eating dinner here again. Nonetheless, I had to give 4 stars because of the good atmosphere and great service which is hard to come by these days! Also, portions are huge

We cane here with our dogs for National Margarita Day. Dog friendly patio. Friendly waitress. Flights of margaritas were $15 (for the day). 4 different margaritas. Each was delicious. We ordered taquitos and chicken quesadillas from the happy hour menu. Both were solid. They have definitely improved the food here.

I love the atmosphere I love the music, while sitting outside with my feet in the sand. I love that the server was very attentive always asking if we needed anything. We ended up getting shrimp nachos not the best, but if you're hungry, I guess it will do. I will definitely be back for the service and the environment again the music was a plus

This was my first time coming to Baja Cantina and I'm so bummed I didn't know about this spot sooner! The margaritas were amazing, some of the best I've had in a while. All of our food was delicious. The sand on the floor is so fun, gives the place a really beachy vibe. The service was great and really fast. Our waitress Kayla made it a really awesome experience. She was so sweet! We will definitely be back again.

The venue outside on the sand was super cute and the food was great. But if it wasn't for those 2 elements then I would give a lower rating because I was disappointed that they brought the food literally the same time as the drinks when i firmly asked to space them out. I wasn't happy with that but it was the fault of 1 waiter.... next time i guess I will just wait before ordering food. The other is that its overpriced. Total was $150 for 2 people, we got 1 small dish each and 2 drinks each. At least the more important things were good thats why i went from wanting to put a 3 star to a 4 star.

This place has tons of seating both inside and outside. Outside seating has heaters all around. We were able to get seated right away! There was a DJ outside but the music wasnt super loud. We immediately got served chips and salsa and it was constantly being refilled. The food came out all at the same time and everything was pretty good! Great spot that will satisfy your craving of Mexican food without a long wait.

WORST SERVICE EVER. If you like waiting to place your order and then being treated like an inconvenience- THIS is the place for you! How's the food? Couldn't tell you, I've never been able to place an order in three attempts Sucks because I really wanted to have another option beside the Whaler.. (Wait time for eye contact, menu or an hello... 15min)

We stumbled upon this place last minute and were intrigued by the beachy outdoor vibes. The food was super good and servers were friendly. The drinks were fun too, we got a margarita flight and enjoyed sampling the different flavors. We went at night but can imagine it would be fun during the day when it's warm out!

What a cool vibe.I had the enchilada suizas and my wife had the fish tacos.Both were spot on.On the cocktail list.A must try is the Frost on the rocks and the Senoran Sunset.Ashley was our Server.What a sweetheart.

I was really impressed with this place! I attended an event for my son's school here (Auction party) and it was absolutely lovely. The patio was perfect for our private event, had a full bar, and lots of heaters (it got chilly once the sun went down). The event had passed tray appetizers, which were all so delicious my husband and I ended up ordering off their regular menu. The staff was very attentive and efficient. Definitely will need to come back here!