Cantina Monarca

Super chic spot—perfect for a date night or a fun girls' night out! They’ve got some awesome margarita options—we especially loved the spicy one! The ceviche was good, though a bit different from what we were expecting. We also tried the tacos this time, and the fish taco was definitely the standout. A must-try! It's right in Downtown Bellevue, and while the food variety has improved, the menu still feels a bit limited. Prices are on the higher side, too, especially considering the portion sizes—so you might find better value elsewhere. That said, the service was excellent! Everyone was super friendly and really knew their stuff. Overall, we had a great time and enjoyed the experience.

Amazing experience! Is an aesthetically beautiful restaurant with unique interior that features a ton of natural light, is decorated with actual imported wall and ceiling materials which gives the restaurant itself character and is inviting for guests. Food is absolutely delicious with each dish providing its own set of flavors rather it may be sweet, salty, savory or spicy or all combined that are complimentary of the sides. Food is presented spectacularly and with lots of color and sometimes in layers which is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Proportion sizes are great - not too small or big. Service is great with staff demonstrating positive attitudes when attending, taking orders and serving food. Provides insightful knowledge and reference to menu and food recommendations, explanations and overall questions that people particularly new guest may have regarding the menu. Overall a great experience and a restaurant that definitely stands out both experience wise and food wise from other restaurants! Amazing place if you are interested in exploring Mexican cuisine, appreciate beautiful interior and are looking for delicious food!

Restaurant Review: Mixed Experience with a Few Highs and Some Lows We recently visited this restaurant on a bit of a whim and were grateful that they were able to accommodate us at the last minute. The ambience was inviting, warm, and overall made for a pleasant dining environment. However, the meal got off to a rocky start. We ordered chips and guacamole as a starter, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The chips were cold and the guacamole tasted like it had just come out of the fridge—not fresh or flavorful, which was disappointing given how essential this dish is in setting the tone for the rest of the meal. Thankfully, the corn esquites turned things around. This dish was the highlight of our appetizers—flavorful, warm, and well-seasoned, it offered a delightful contrast to the previous course and gave us hope for the rest of the meal. The main courses were quite good. While not extraordinary, they were well-executed and satisfying. The service was courteous and timely throughout the meal, and the staff were accommodating and friendly. One downside that left us a bit disheartened was that a favorite item—mushroom-based dishes—had been removed from the menu. That was a letdown as it limited the variety for vegetarians or those looking for unique flavors beyond the usual fare. Overall, while there were some positive moments, the inconsistency in food quality and limited menu options might make us hesitate before returning. It feels like a place with potential, but we’re not sure how many reasons we have to come back again

First of all, servers were tentative and kind, and the atmosphere was also lovely. We are deeply disappointed by the quality of the food - we had tacos and $24 watermelon salad which was probably one of the most underwhelming salads I’ve had at any restaurant. The watermelon was mushy, and we probably should have sent it back but we didn’t. If you pay over $100 for two people dinner, I expect every dish on the menu to be decent regardless of the popularity. Tacos were good but not worth $10-13 each with no sides at all.

We enjoyed our food and the decor created a lovely dining atmosphere. Unfortunately, the service didn’t meet expectations. The person who served us—who we believe also works as a bartender—was acting as our server at the time, but did not fulfill the basic responsibilities of that role. We tried to get his attention several times and he clearly saw us, yet chose not to come over. He eventually left to prepare drinks at the bar without informing us or asking another staff member to help. We ordered dishes over $100 per person, but the service didn’t reflect the price. Our empty plates sat on the table for a long time and were only cleared toward the end. As someone who genuinely enjoys trying different cuisines, it was disappointing to receive no assistance or explanation when asking about the menu. On a positive note, the younger servers we briefly interacted with were polite and had a much more welcoming attitude. With more consistent training and accountability for all staff, this restaurant has great potential to offer an excellent overall experience to match its great food and ambiance. *We visited here on a Tuesday around 1 PM, still waited for about 15-20 minutes to be seated, I’d suggest call in advance for reservations if you plan to come. Also don’t expect too much from the service if you don’t dress fancy or speak Spanish :)

We visited Cantina Monarca yesterday around 4 PM with a reservation, and it turned out to be such a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by the friendliest staff who checked on us regularly throughout our meal to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. Their service was genuinely warm, attentive, and made us feel so welcomed. The ambiance inside the restaurant is stunning—clean, modern, and beautifully decorated with attention to every detail. It had such a great vibe that made the experience feel special yet relaxed at the same time. As for the food, we really went all in and tried a bit of everything! We started with the Chips and Guacamole, which were fresh, crunchy, and the guacamole had the perfect creamy texture and flavor. Then we ordered a variety of dishes: Enchiladas de Pescado – these were absolutely packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. Enchiladas Divorciadas – a delicious contrast of two sauces that balanced each other so well. Vegetarian Enchiladas – hearty, flavorful, and satisfying even for non-vegetarians. Taco de Lengua – so tender and rich in flavor, definitely a must-try if you’re feeling adventurous. Taco de Chicken – juicy, well-seasoned, and generously portioned. Everything we tasted was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented—it’s clear that a lot of care goes into the food here. For drinks, we went with non-alcoholic options. The cucumber drink was a bit too sweet for our taste, but the hibiscus drink totally made up for it—so refreshing and well-balanced! And to top it off, weekend parking at Bellevue Square is free, and we were able to find a spot without any hassle, which made the whole outing stress-free and super convenient. Overall, this place checks every box: amazing service, incredible food, gorgeous decor, and a convenient location. We left happy, full, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend Cantina Monarca to anyone looking for a flavorful, enjoyable, and memorable meal out!

The food was good and we enjoyed the margarita flight. The only reason for the 3 stars is that my husband called in a reservation over a month in advance and asked to be at a 2 top table in the bar because we were celebrating and wanted a more intimate seating situation. The hostess sat as at the bar top and when we told the her that we booked for a table, she said that when making the reservation, it defaults to the bar top.. but the reservation was called in, so we were confused about the mistake since we physically spoke to an employee to make the reservation. Anyways, the hostess said she would go check and see if their was availability to move us to a table top, and she disappeared, never to be seen again... overall, the main issue was having a mistake in the reservation booked by the staff and then the hostess saying she'll check to fix it and then never returning to provide any sort of update.

What a cool restaurant. They provide a different experience overall compared to a typical outing. The food was amazing, especially the sea bass taco. Ended up ordering more food because it was very good. I was a bit concerned it would be another high end pricey restaurant that I would have left hungry and wondering why I didn't just make it myself at home, but it was not the case. They were one of a kind and provided unbeatable service. Well worth it at the end and highly recommend checking it out.

The food and service are amazing! We had a great girls night at Cantina Monarca. Our server Stephanie is super friendly and made our night memorable.

Made a reservation which I am glad we did because it was busy! We started with the queso which was the perfect temperature and had great flavor. We tried 3 different tacos and tlayuda. Personally I felt the asada tacos were alright, lacked in flavor compared to quesabirria and el Rey. The tlayuda was delicious, we got it with birria and it is a good dish to share! Their horchata was also amazing! Cute date night spot, would come back!

We went on a date night and made reservations for 7pm. The restaurant is fairly small so if its busy it is better to reserve a table ahead of time so you don't have to wait long. We ordered queso birria for an appetizer and was pleasantly surprised. We were expecting a simple queso but the cheese was so flavorful! I ordered the pastor, pork belly and birria tacos which was the perfect portion for food for me. My partner ordered four of the pastor tacos. As simple as I thought the food looked online- the flavors were all there. My only complaint was that our seating was so small it was a bit uncomfortable. We had the seating by the window which was nice but its a shared bench seating which means if the person next to you puts all there stuff on the seat you won't have much space. We were at a two seater table so the middle seat caved in which meant there was even less space to sit. Besides that everything else was great!

This restaurant is located in the Lincoln Square building, conveniently connected to a parking garage. We came around 6:30 pm and, had a brief 10-minute wait. The space itself is fairly small and bustling. The bottom floor was packed, with lively music. Fortunately, we were seated upstairs, where the ambiance was quieter and more private. We ordered a variety of dishes, starting with two appetizers: Chicken Tinga Tostaditas ($21) and guacamole, salsa & chips ($18). For tacos, we tried the Baja Sea Bass, Quesabirria, Wagyu Chingón, and Enchiladas de Pescado Ahumado. The tacos were decent in size, but at $11-$13 each, they felt a bit overpriced for what you get. That said, I particularly enjoyed the Baja Sea Bass taco--featuring a battered fried fish, apple coleslaw, and chipotle aioli. I also tried the Lychee Margarita ($20), which was somewhat underwhelming; I had hoped for a stronger lychee flavor. As for the Enchiladas de Pescado Ahumado ($31), they tasted a bit too fishy for my liking, and I found myself relying on extra guacamole and salsa to balance the flavor. Overall, it was an enjoyable dining experience, though some dishes stood out more than others.

Cantina Monarca in Bellevue Downtown has great ambience, very quick service and great Mexican food. If you're looking for a place in Bellevue for some great vibe then you've got to check this place. Got some salsa Trio cause I love trying varieties of salsas. And boy, I absolutely loved it. Highly recommend it if you're into salsas. Next up I tried the chayote taco and it was delicious. So delicious and flavorful. Since it was my birthday, they were kind enough to even offer ice cream, on the house with a tiny candle on it. The ice cream and Gelato were delicious and flavorful. Can't wait to be back for more!

Came here for a special occasion dinner and was left disappointed. I had heard a lot about the place being great for celebrations but the service was mediocre and the food was short of being memorable. Plus, we were seated upstairs which lacked the beautiful decor of the main floor. We ordered a variety of dishes: tacos, huevos rancheros, enchiladas, salads, and appetizers. They were good but didn't stand out from other places. I was looking forward to the tacos but didn't think they were as special as the price would suggest.

Came here for our wedding anniversary, and Cantina Monarca understood the assignment! We were seated at a small two top by the window, with fabulous lighting at sunset, and a direct view of the gorgeous restaurant. They even included a lovely Happy Anniversary card at the table for us, and treated us to a sampler of their ice creams. We started with a couple of fun non-alcoholic drinks, and enjoyed our housemade horchata and lychee tamarindo tonic drinks. Dinner consisted of the tlayuda with chorizo, and two el rey and al pastor tacos. We also shared a salsa trio, which came with a couple of warm chip refills. This was a beautiful and vibrant dining experience and I look forward to returning with more friends! Space can be a little squeezy, and the bench seats are a little awkward, but as long as you make reservations, all will be well. Buen Provecho!

We walked in without a reservation and got seated right away, which was a lovely surprise. We were seated upstairs--such a cute space, though I can see it feeling a bit tight if every table was full since they're placed pretty close together. Our server was sweet and attentive, and everything came out quickly--drinks, appetizers, and food. I really wanted to love the tacos, but they didn't quite live up to what I was hoping for. I was expecting more authentic flavors, so that was a little disappointing. But here's the big win: everything on the menu is gluten-free! That alone makes it a gem for people like me who have to be careful. The staff was genuinely kind, and the virgin drinks were actually amazing--super refreshing and fun. I'd definitely come back for drinks or a light bite if I'm in the plaza again.

We recently spent three nights in Bellevue and found ourselves at Cantina Monarca every single night -- it's that good. We didn't have reservations but since we walked in so late at night, we were able to find a seat at the bar pretty easily. On the first night, Felix gave us a run through of the menu but he was such a fun vibe throughout that night that we ended up sitting at his section every time we visited! Drinks we loved - Bebesota: The presentation and flavor of this was amazing! Fruity with a dash of cinnamon. - Melon beso: super refreshing melon drink with hints of basil. I would love this on a hot sunny day out! - Cocoasis: also amazing presentation! The drink itself is like a creamy coconut and kind of reminiscent of a piña colada. They also had quite a bit of tequilas and Mexican whiskey we haven't seen before so we were able to try a bit of those as well! Food we enjoyed - Tulum guac: this is definitely the one to get! We got this twice in a row. The pico on top comes with pineapple which gives this a good twist and the cheese add on was great too. - Lengua tacos: the lengua was super tender and nicely seasoned. - Asada prime taco: Nicely done and it hit the spot but the lengua was still the better choice. Between the outstanding drinks, fantastic food, and the genuinely fun atmosphere (special thanks to Felix for being such a big part of that and to Logan and Jorge as well!), Cantina Monarca quickly became one of the highlights of our trip. We can't wait to come back next time we're in town!

Yeah, this is a no. Unless you are looking for VIBES and over priced "Mexican food." The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was great. Again, the vibes were vibing. The food however, was okay. I appreciated the modern twist on it but some most of it was a miss aside from the margarita flight. THAT I do recommend. Especially the cucumber agua Fresca. That was great! Let's get into the food. My husband had the chilaquiles. His response, "they were okay." I got the taco al pastor and the taco El Rey. I was recommended the Al pastor and I was left disappointed. I enjoy cheese on a lot of foods but not this. A huge miss here. El Rey Taco was even more disappointing. The meat was so dry and the main reason I got it was for the tuétano. There was no hint of it. I couldn't finish it. The chips and salsa were decent. I would recommend that too. Los esquites were okay. Nothing memorable. I wasn't a fan of the arroz con leche. It was a bit too dry. The ice cream was good. It is on the pricey end. But then again, it's Bellevue.

Delicious food and cocktails beautifully presented. Love the atmosphere but definitely challenging to have conversation with the music. Underground parking and prompt service.

Cantina Monarca absolutely blew me away--from the moment I walked in, the vibe transported me straight to Tulum with its stunning decor and lively atmosphere. Every detail was on point! The food? Incredible. We started with their colorful, flavorful guacamole, topped with fresh watermelon--unexpected and totally delicious. I could've eaten the whole bowl myself. Then came the Seabass taco--perfectly cooked, light, and full of flavor. But the real standout was a dish I can't remember the name of--like a Mexican pizza with beef, avocado, spinach, onions, radishes, and tons of veggies. It was bursting with fresh ingredients and bold flavors--totally amazing and unlike anything I've had before. If you're looking for a spot with great food, tropical vibes, and a creative twist on Mexican cuisine, Cantina Monarca is it. Can't wait to go back! They were fantastic and Friendly! Always checking on you and not to much but authentically caring! They love their place of work at least they act like it! And they walk you through the menu if you've never been there before and that is wonderful! upstairs could seat about 30 if you have a group. Also, upstairs is a table for two! Downstairs is very pretty!

First off, service was superb! Friendly, patient and truly listened to our thoughts on the place and food. Jorge, Logan and Sergio were all iconic, 10/10! I loved the margarita flights! Also try the salsas! A must visit!

Highly recommend to make a reservation before you go. We went on a Thursday evening and it was crowded. The ambiance is amazing. Very different from the usual restaurants. We were seated upstairs. We ordered non alcoholic beverages lychee tamarindo and hibiscus drink. Both were delicious. We ordered corn starter as recommended by the waiter. It was good and cheesy but the portion size felt too tiny.We also ordered veggie taco ..it's like make ur own taco kind of plate. It comes in as 1 taco.As I requested no meat I felt it was bit too bland with no sauces but it came with cilantro chilli dip which was watery on a taco. The fish enchiladas were good and tasted good with sauces. For the price I would say the quantity could be more. But as it's fine dining type of service one should go with "less is more " kind of expectation. But would recommend to try.

This restaurant has both, beautiful interior + delicious food. The restaurant is just stunning. It's giving Mexican resort vibes. I would say if you're going to eat here, make a reservation. I've never waited for a table, but I've seen people wait like an hour. The service is just okay, but I've just been unlucky tbh. The 1st time, I got the drinks spilled on me because the server wasn't being careful. The second time, the server charged me for a bday dessert (which no one at my table asked for) I keep on coming back because the food is just that good. I haven't tried any of the entrees, but the tacos, but they are really that good. It is a higher price point for a taco, but it's a nice splurge once in a while for a special occasion! I would 100% recommend!

This place is beautiful inside. Had a dinner date here with my girlfriends. Service was amazing, our server was so attentive and sweet. My friends and I all ordered the margarita flight with different choices. I realllly enjoyed the spicy pepino and the melon belo I ordered after. For food; we ordered the salsa trio to share and tacos. I got the sea bass and asada primo. Both were so flavorful and delicious but the sea bass tacos was my favorite between the two. We had a great time here! Will definitely be back.

We were invited to dinner here by some friends who love this place and we immediately enjoyed the design and atmosphere and I was thrilled to find that nearly their entire menu is gluten-free. We were seated in the loft area which was fun, it felt like you were going up into a treehouse. Our server was helpful and got us some beautiful cocktail and mocktails out. The chips and guacamole was good but the tacos were even better! We had a few different types including the seabass and birria, all great! I was less impressed with the truffle taquitos and next time will just get more tacos instead.

Upscale Mexican restaurant and cocktail lounge in Lincoln Square South, right to the left of the entrance, and across the hallway from Fogo de Chao. Very nice decor with plants and branches adorning the space. Has an upstairs loft area in addition to the main ground floor space. Went there for lunch on a weekday with a group, and the place wasn't crowded. Menus have a good selection of drinks and food items. There were a few things that I haven's seen in other Mexican restaurants in the US. One of those was the tlayuda which I ordered. It's a a round flatbread/thin pizza dish that had a lot of vegetables on it and a bit of birria beef on it. With the main, I also got the sides of rice, beans and grilled veggies, and the three sides add up to a significant amount a food. I only finished the tlayuda and couldn't finish all of the sides. We also had chips and guac which were decent. Service and food presentation is good. I think the bill ended up being $30-40 per person before tip. 3.5 stars, round up to 4.

Came here for Monday happy hour. The marg flight is super tasty. The decor is STUNNING with great lighting and music. From the hostess to the bar staff -- we had a great time. Shoutout to Jorge for always great service. We will be back for the good vibes and good drinks. Food is on the more expensive side for the quality, so I'm taking off 1 star because the salsa served isn't proportional to the chips and the nachos were too dry in my opinion. We haven't tried the full menu yet, so I'll update this review if my feedback changes with more dishes.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that they offer homemade tortillas here! I've tried several of their drinks and dishes and have enjoyed them! Everything is very pretty, from the decore to how they serve the food - drinks and food are so colorful! The staff is very pleasant and I'd recommend making a reservation as they are usually pretty busy! The only reason for the 4 star is that everything is a little overpriced, and yes, I'm aware it's in Bellevue... I do like it enough to visit again!

This vibes here are immaculate, the space is so beautiful and total is on the mark for tulum. The staff are also incredibly nice. Compliment sandwich, incoming the downsides to this place is that it's hard to find the entrance and there's no signs, it's pricey and not exactly worth it, and related to that, the chips are d finitely something that comes out of a Costco bag and not homemade. For some that is $15-18 I def expected high quality or homemade chips. The positives, the drinks were amazing, especially at happy hour prices! The equities were great as were the taquitos that smell more like truffle than it tastes like, so don't be scared! The salsa were also very good. Would definitely come back again for an important girls day or date night :)

3.5 Stars. Ambiance 4 Stars. Beautiful decor, seating, bar. Though still have not been upstairs yet, sitting in main floor has always had a feeling of being in another country in a more upscale setting. Certainly a great place to host visitors, business, or dates. Though seating capacity and size of restaurant was smaller then I expected (expect it to be wider), its definitely worth it for just ambiance. Food 3.5 Stars, very decent but not great. This visit I ordered 3 a la carte tacos, the Wagyu, Sea Bass, and Chicken, all solid, presentation was great as usual, and satisfied. The guac appetizer comes in a super chilled stone bowl, its almost too cold but gives it a very fresh appeal and its nice. Price 3.2 Stars, a bit much, but understand, you have to pay for the location and ambiance. For example this lunch we had 8 people and it was $700+. A great time, good food, and better ambiance.

Walked in on Thursday night with my partner, no reservation, and we waited for just about 7 minutes to be seated which was great. We planned to grab a drink before meeting up with friends. Highly recommended to grab some cocktails! If we had more time we would've definitely opted for the margarita flight which looked amazing (you get to choose 3 flavors out of 5). Our server was super friendly and helpful. Loveee the overall vibe and ambiance. I'll be back to try their food for sure!

I went here recently for my early birthday dinner. I mainly came here because I was attracted by the beautiful restaurant atmosphere and knew it would be pretty for pictures. But there is so much more to this place! The food was very flavorful. I loved the variety in tacos you can get. I got the Sakura pork belly and birria tacos. I was also excited to try the margarita flight. They have many flavors to choose from and they are all delicious. The staff was very attentive and handled my group of 15 amazingly! They were all very friendly and checked up on us regularly.

Updated review. Been back a few times now and have pretty much tried all of their a la carte gourmet tacos. Here's my primary takeaways: * the Baja sea bass is a staple and a must try. That's the one taco that I get every single time. * the new lengua (beef tongue) taco was another standout and I'll be getting that again as well. * the guacamole with the watermelon was pretty amazing. * their corn esquites is also pretty amazing. * their salsa is good but for more heat ask for some of their spicier options. We'll likely return!

Only came for the food: Wagyu Taco - 4/5 - The meat is super tender, and pairs well with the guacamole and pickled toppings. Very juicy taco. Sea Bass: 4/5 - This taco was my favorite, flaky sea bass paired well with citrus flavors making the taco delicious. El Rey: 2.5/5 - By far the most disappointing, literally just a taquito wrapped in a tortilla. The ambiance of the place makes you feel like you're in an upscale tourist spot in Tulum if that's your vibe. Service was decent. Some of the tacos are pretty good, but not even close to justifying the cost of around $12 a taco. If I came here for drinks could be a different story.

This place is one of my favorite upscale Mexican restaurants. The food is flavorful and cooked to perfection. Our go to choices are the guacamole (they have different options), waygu tacos, tlayuda, enchiladas divorcidas, and the duck carnitas. My go to margarita every time and I have tried majority of them is the spicy pepino. I love the flavor, I do wish it was more spicy but I still get it every time. Something about that cucumber and jalepeno infused syrup you can't beat it. The staff are very helpful with any suggestions on their favorite dishes so if it's your first time just ask.

Phenomenal Mexican food in Bellevue? Amazing surprise. I live in San Diego so I was unsure about getting Mexican food here but the aesthetic looked super cool so I decided to pop in, and I was pleasantly surprised. Vibe is definitely very cool, giving Tulum for sure. I was just here for lunch, so can't speak to the crowd but I'd love to see what it's like on a Friday night. Lunch menu isn't available on Fridays which is kinda silly in my opinion, so restricted to the normal dinner menu. I started off with a margarita and chips and salsa. I forget the margarita flavor, something with coconut, it was incredible though. Well balanced flavor with the tequila, like a more delicious Pina colada. Chips were solid, salsa was okay, I added a hot salsa too which ended up being tangy, not my favorite. I then got the enchiladas divorciadas, absolutely incredible. the texture was great, not soggy like many enchiladas. Meat is perfectly tender. Both of the sauces tasted amazing. I have had so many enchiladas and these were definitely top tier. Would love to come back and try more of the food and margaritas. Definitely a cool spot and stand out among the restaurant row in downtown Bellevue.

Superb ambience, food and drinks on point! Just a little over priced. But you pay for the place and experience. Amazing drinks and menu options

Super cute place for date/girls night! Our server was amazing, so sweet and attentive. The guac & salsas are a must. The menu has variety but isn't overwhelming. Tacos are super filling. After 7 they are 21+ to find even if you're not drinking

I have a lot of friends that are gluten free, & this is the perfect place to sit down & have a meal just the way you like. Cantina offers traditional Mexican food along with fantastic new fusion drinks! Stop by, or call and ask about our Blueberry lavender Margarita!! Tequila Tuesday's 25% Off All Tequilas & Mezcals!!! And don't sleep on the $10 Margaritas on Monday!! Cheers!!

Stopped in with my friend just to order some drinks. Was pleasantly surprised to find a couple seats at the bar, especially on a Friday night. The restaurant is beautiful inside. It's as if you're staring at a resort. Great place I'd say to meet friends or date night. Sadly didn't have a chance to try out the food. Our mezcalitas were decent, and on happy hour. Will definitely be back to try the other cocktails and food. Our bartender was super friendly as well.

Went for dinner on a busy night and everything was exceptional highlighted by the friendly service from Becca. The spicy salsas, margaritas, appetizers and tacos were really good. Will definitely be back!

I was invited by a friend to join in on her party of 3 reservation here since there's such a buzz to dine in. It's 21 & up - they card you at the door so bring your credentials. Once you confirm your reservation your party doesn't need to be complete & they'll ask you if you'd like to wait or be seated. So that's nice. I chose to be seated to create content. We were given probably the best seat near the window in the center of the restaurant. The window was open and although chilly the ambiance was amazing. Let's talk about service. Definitely 1 star. I was politely seated and after 10 minutes had to ask walking and passing by staff who will bring/pour my water & put in an order for a drink & appetizer. I'm talking about a full maybe 8 minutes of sitting and being ignored. So, the waiter finally comes by & takes my order for a marg flight (la pasion, mamacita & smoke & spice & guac/chips. The marg flights are 90% ice, FYI which takes away from drinking & enjoying so I had to ask for a straw. But, they were OK- mamacita being my fave. The Guac & Chips 10/10. So much so we had to refill our chips bc we had more guac than chips which is usually unheard of! For dinner I had Enchiladas de Cangrejo (blue lump crab) & they were 10/10. They come a la carte for $34 but it's $5/side to order a molcajete of rice/black beans. Be mindful of sitting food bc they'll sneak & clear it away when you're attending to your convo but were quick to replace. It's definitely a beautiful restaurant and the ambiance is fire! Very instagrammable & date worthy. Super cute photo ops at entrance & bathroom (beware it smells AWFUL) in that area. So quick in & out there only 2 restrooms.

This restaurant's decor is probably the best in the Seattle metro area. The good concept was great; the Tacos were amazing!! My wife and I went for date night; she absolutely loves the Margarita flight. Would definitely recommend. Only downside was the service, wasn't too impressed for my first time. Things took longer than expected and even had to remind the waitress for some appetizers that were late. I still would give it another try. Makes you feel like you're in Tulum, MX.

Great spot for dinner. The food and drinks were incredible and the ambiance is great for groups or date night. Stephanie was amazing! Request her. Really knew the menu, had great recommendations and she was very personable. Awesome for a late night vibe!

Went to Cantina tonight for our after Thanksgiving dinner with hubby and our kid. Our server Lev was attentive and offered help without us asking. I ordered the Sea Bass taco which is sooo delicious I could cry, tried the new cocktail Melon Besso which I loved. Stayed on 2nd floor which is more intimate then the main dining area but still had music which was a little too loud for me. Can't wait to go back.

Came here with hubby for a date night and loved it! Drinks and food was delicious, servers were attentive and nice, location is perfectly situated heart of downtown Bellevue. My favorite was the tender Lengua tacos. The spicy creamy orange salsa was my favorite (not sure what it's called lol).

Food was 4/5 stars. Flavorful and delicious. We got the guacamole, the ceviche, and a salad for our apps. The salad was ok. Fresh and presented well, but I hardly remember it. It was the salad with chunks of watermelon and arugula. Pastor taco was delicious. I liked it more than the wagyu which was surprising. They provided free dessert (ice cream) for our birthday. Service was excellent. They have a time limit on your table. We sat downstairs and it was lively and very loud. Had to shout the whole night and ended up losing my voice. Coming back here next week and will be booking the upstairs. Parking is free after 8pm. So even if you arrive before and had to grab a ticket, the gate is open after 8pm. Parking was super easy and the restaurant was located right outside the elevators. I would come back to this place. Lots of people celebrating a special occasion.

This location is in a shared building with other restaurants and stores. There is paid parking in the garage below and the restaurant does validate parking. It is a smaller location. We sat upstairs which was fairly quiet and also it seemed to be the only space for a larger group of 13 people. It has a chill vibe. The service was excellent especially for a large group getting drinks, appetizers and food. I thought the size of chips for the trio was a bit small the guac dish had more than the chips and while they brought more chips, I think a bigger dish would be ideal. The tacos were good - I probably won't get the sea bass again as I didn't realize it was breaded or that the tacos had cheese. Portion size per taco was good. The price is decent for the food.

My experience here was absolutely exquisite! I made a reservation and went on a Wednesday at 6:30pm. I'm really glad I had a reservation because the restaurant is very small and was completely packed. The bottom floor seems to be more vibrant and fun, and the upper floor is quiet and private. The vibes are amazing and so are the servers! Our server was so helpful and kind and everything came out in a timely manner with beautiful presentation. We started with the queso which was super fresh and amazing. I also loved the margarita flights! My crab enchiladas were super rich and flavorful too. I'm already planning my next visit! OH and the whole menu is gluten free!

Came here for my girlfriend's birthday this week and her and her family have been raving about this restaurant. We got there and they check IDs at the front which was new to me. I did not know it was a 21+ only restaurant. Thats kinda cool and nice. Don't have to worry about crying kids while having a nice dinner on a date or with friends and family. The interior looks really nice. Like straight out of an interior design magazine. I have never been to Tulum Mexico but after looking up pictures, it does resemble the same aesthetic as if you were dining in Tulum. We ordered the chips, guac, and salsa. The salsa was good. It wasn't super spicy which is what I like. And the guacamole had some watermelon with goat cheese... really interesting flavors in a guacamole but boy did it taste good! I was pleasantly surprised to day the least. For our main we decided to share three tacos. They said the tacos were pretty decently sized and they were right. The tacos are big compared to ordering tacos elsewhere in my opinion. We ordered the Sea bass, wagyu, and quesabirria tacos. My favorite was the quesabirria. The meat was so moist and tender and almost even more tender than the wagyu. The second favorite was the sea bass. Really great flavor there too. For my drink I ordered the mezcalita (mezcal marg) because I like mezcal alot. I was able to sub for my favorite mezcal because they had it on the menu. I loved seeing the wide variety of libations on the drink menu. Lots of good tequila and mezcal to choose from. As for the service.... It was great. Our server was so sweet and really attentive. We were definitely taken care of here. They give great insight into what's popular on the menu and what has been newly added. I definitely enjoyed my first experience here and will be looking forward to the next time I get to eat more delicious food here :)

This place is a 7/10. The decor is amazing, and the service was very attentive and they did a great job explaining everything. However, I have had better Mexican food. For the price you are paying, I don't think this is worth it. I would say visit once atleast just for the experience, to see the decor, maybe for a special occasion. But expect to easily spend 150-300$ on your mean depending on your family size. I don't think we would visit again due to the price. Food is a 7/10. Decor and service is a 10/10

Eastside restaurants are a bit difficult to properly rate properly for me. The newer places often have good vibes with nice decor but flavor wise, they are lagging in comparison with their competitors across the bridge. Cantina Monarca is no different. It's a beautiful restaurant with a fun vibe but the food is not comparable to what you can get in Ballard or even Seattle. I have tried various tacos and my favorite has to be the Wagu. The best item on the menu though is their Wagu nachos! Do you notice a theme here? Note that's it a HH (happy hour) only item.

Thank you Stephanie for the friendly, funny, and prompt service! We will be back! Good food, drinks, and atmosphere.

Been wanting to try this place for a while so visited with a few friends on a week night. Walked in 5mins to our reservation and the table took a while to be ready. Then once we were seated the server took forever to attend to us. So thats a rocky start. For the food we ordered the following: 1. Drinks: Margarita flight (gorgeous presentation and flavors) & Mezcalita (boozy). The drinks barely had any alcohol in them. They let the fruit juices compensate for the alcohol. 2. Apps: Truffle Potato Taquitos & Chips Salsa. Very flavorful and tasty apps. I could keep munching on these the entire night. The truffle potato was delish! 3. Entrees: Chicken Tinga Enchiladas, Baja Sea Bass Taco & El Rey tacos. Baja Sea Bass taco was amazing the rest of it was all meh. The other tacos and enchiladas lacked flavor and was nothing great. But the sea bass taco was bomb! 4. Dessert: Bosque Magico (white wine poached apple, berry puree, huckleberry ice cream, sponge cake etc etc) this was okay This place wows u with their presentation. Every dish was perfectly plated including the drinks but lacked flavors for most of it. You have to pay for their reservation and that will be applied to the overall bill amount. I like booking a resy rather than just waiting in line so this works best for me. Overall, while the Tulum like ambience is great, I wouldnt go back cos I feel there are places that serve better mexican food and drinks at much reasonable price and offer better flavors. Worth a try for date night though.

Gluten-free paradise. Not only is it gluten-free, but it is amazingly delicious food. We never say that we absolutely love every single thing that we order and that was the case here... We loved it all And as someone that is gluten-free, it is such a treat to be able to order anything I want from the menu. Everything was so full of flavor. It's probably some of the best restaurant food I've ever had. And the portions were very generous, especially the tacos. We ordered the basic guacamole as well as the chicken Tinga appetizer. Those probably would have been enough just for my meal since they were so filling. The chicken Tinga taco was also super delicious and a very generous proportion for a taco My husband ordered the pork belly and steak tacos, and they were also amazing. And he never says that about food at restaurants. He ordered a total of four and was overly full and he is a person that is really hard to fill up. The service was really good with the person always being there when we needed them. They were also very knowledgeable about all the details of the food, which was really nice. I took the advice of the other reviewers and asked for a downstairs table, which was a good choice Downstairs is actually the same as street level, which is the same level as you check in so that's where you want to be. Upstairs is more so an area for private events, etc., although I did not go up there. You will definitely want a reservation for dinner because it gets very full This is my new favorite restaurant. I regret not coming here sooner. You will love it.

Food was absolutely fantastic. The selection of tacos is killer. I don't know if I love or hate the wood platter they came on, but when the food is that good it doesn't really matter. Also the portions were hearty, not the skimpy kind. The service was fantastic as well. Quick, knowledgeable about the menu and had great recommendations. Ambiance was dope too, the music was vibing but not overbearing. Like a perrear y yappiar kinda vibe. I'm satiated, satisfied

Cantina Monarca is a fine dine Mexican restaurant with amazing ambiance and service. The staff is super friendly and accommodating and caters to the food requirements of the guests. The food was one of the best mexican food I have had around.