La Cocina & Cantina

Hay perfecto... Such a great small restaurant on the main Ave Broadway on Capitol Hill and I stopped in on a whim because it looks so incredibly cute. The food lived up to the appearance of the restaurant and I had the roasted chicken upon recommendation and a margarita that was absolutely to die for. Loved this place and I will definitely be back

The vibes are great in the summer when it's open air. Unfortunately my tamales were kind of dry and bland (pork and beef) except for the mole sauce which I got on the side, which wasn't the greatest. I was craving some "queso" dip which was not what I expected (traditionally I was expecting a runny dip), instead we got a broiled melted cheese plate, but it was a good surprise and the best item we got. The chips and salsa that came complimentary was also good.

I accidentally found myself at La Cocina & Cantina while heading to another spot—but the vibrant vibe and inviting decor pulled me in. The vegetarian options are quite limited, so I went with the chile rellenos. For $22, the portion size was generous and came with flavorful sides of rice and beans. While it wasn’t the best chile relleno I’ve ever had, it definitely hit the spot. The place has a chill, laid-back atmosphere—exactly what you’d hope for in a lively Mexican joint. Worth a visit? Definitely! It’s a great spot to catch up with friends. Cost? Pretty pocket-friendly for what you get. Oh, and don’t miss the complimentary chips with two types of salsa—both were a hit!

Me and my partner both wanted the 1 item combo for $10 and to add a tamale for $2 as per the menu stated. We were charged for a 2 item combo plus an additional $2 for the tamale and it was not specified. Because of this I left a lower tip for our server, and was met by her being visibly upset and throwing my card on the table and leaving without saying a word or even leaving the receipt, so we promptly got out of there. The food was alright and the rest of the servers were lovely but this older woman in particular was quite rude. We wont be coming back.

Got the ground beef combo plate with rice and beans and everything was good! Kind of lacking flavor but such a good price (~$11) for a big portion. Affordable compared to other Seattle restaurants. Not the best or most authentic Mexican place but would return!

Tried out La Cocina after returning some items at the Fed Ex nearby. Overall it was a meal of notable ups and downs, resulting in the 3/5 stars. The restaurant is decorated well with tons of seating. Chips and salsa were solid as well. My margarita was unfortunately quite weak and the lime on the rim visibly brown and not fit to serve. Similarly my quesadilla and burrito combo platter was okay at best, as they were legitimately the wettest Mexican food I've ever received. My wife's nachos and tamale on the other hand were quite tasty. Probably wouldn't try again unless I had a specific thirst for more tamales.

We are treated like family here! Our boys have been dining here since they were infants. We visit regularly and often enjoy the steak fajitas with Bartender’s Margaritas. The burritos are another favorite. We always look forward to our visits and love supporting a family-owned business that’s been serving the community for decades!

My partner and I have to keep ourselves from eating here every night. I love to sit in the patio, everyone who works and owns the restaurant is incredibly kind & personable. My favorite thing to order is the half chicken with rice and beans- I’m a simple gal, the complimentary chips and salsa is something I regularly crave. The food is always delicious- the service is always fast. My partner and I regularly spilt an entree here, get a few drinks and the bill is usually around 40-45$. Easily my favorite weeknight/ happy hour/ late night dinner spot/ favorite spot in Capitol Hill.

¡Burrito Bliss with a Side of Speed! Listen, some days you just need a no-nonsense burrito, a stiff drink, and zero complications. This spot gets it. I walked in, ordered a chicken, rice, and sauce burrito (because that's all my soul could handle), plus a margarita that i have named "It's Been One of Those Days." And let me tell you--this drink did not disappoint. It was in my hand so fast, I almost wondered if they had a sixth sense for customer stress levels. Then, before I could even finish my first sip, boom--there's my burrito. Four minutes. I've waited longer for a stoplight to change. And it wasn't just fast--it was exactly what I needed: hot, flavorful, and not drowning in unnecessary extras. Beans? Frijoles? Whatever you call them, they were solid. Service? Impeccable. They're efficient, friendly, and clearly know their audience (aka hungry people with no patience). I've been back mucho, mucho times, and I'll keep coming back. If you want a burrito and a drink without your day getting any worse--this is the place. Whomever is giving three stars you should just not come back, this place has is a small family joint who serves simple food. They have probably been here on Broadway in CapHill since 1802 and I will continue to come back.

Absolutely reliable and delicious Mexican food located pretty central on Broadway. I've gone here several times with friends and it's absolutely perfect to satiate a really good thirst with some delicious food. My favorite has got to be the chicken fajitas. It's humbly presented on the classic sizzling skillet, and it comes out so quick! I'm a fan of spicy food and I do wish there was a bit more heat to the choices, but it's still delicious and I'm rarely disappointed when I go here. The staff is super helpful and quick to get your order in and out the table. There's no difference in speed on the "cantina" side, and sometimes that's the better vibe than the normal restaurant. I've enjoyed some events on that side as well and it's a good experience. There's quite a bit I would like to explore on the menu, it's huge in the normal tradition of Mexican restaurants. Can recommend for really good Mexican food on Cap Hill!

This was my first time dining here. The service was excellent. It gave off family vibes. My piña colada was bomb. The combination I got was a chicken burrito and chile relleno and both were SO good. The salsa on the chile relleno and burrito was so flavorful. The music playing was on point. Bar area very relaxing and nice. Everything was wonderful and I'll be returning here for sure.

Stopped by here after an event nearby at a wine bar. Needing some dinner, my friend and I saw this place and thought Mexican sounded perfect. They do have happy hour and a large regular menu to choose from. I really liked the ambiance here, with lots of art and fun decor. It felt very low-key and family style. Prices are pretty good too. I ended up with 3 tacos with pork. It was seasoned really well and had a good amount of filling. We also received complimentary chips and salsa! The service was very friendly although we were indecisive so she had to return a couple times until we were ready to order. The waitress was pleasant about it though!

Yummy drinks and food but they totally failed me on my street tacos! Got them to go and didn't know until we arrived at home that they didn't include anything but meat and tortilla. Sadness

Amazing food! This is clearly a family passion and the steak fajitas are to die for. We have discovered over the regular HH scene that this is the real deal Mexican family restaurant. We live in the neighborhood just blocks away and have since 2023. 100% this is our choice Happy Hour -- the steak fajitas and the tamales are some of the best you're going to find in Seattle proper at all anyways. And the margs?! Please tell your friends and folks who are visiting. This place is just a couple blocks from train station so check it out. :)

Go here if you're ever in the mood for very authentic tasty Mexican food! The food and drinks are sooo delicious. Next time you're in I recommend ordering the virgin pina colada and trying the shredded beef chimichanga or the mole chicken bursting with flavor in every bite. This family owned restaurant has amazing attentive service. The rice & beans alone take me on a journey back in time to my grandma's kitchen, I highly recommend if you're ever in the mood for drool-worthy & authentic Mexican food you can find it here in the heart of Capitol Hill.

Very Disappointed. I was asked by two friends to join them for dinner here. We got there and I got a phone call from my mother, that I stayed outside to take while they were seated and placed their order, for a fajita. I came in about 5 minutes after they had placed their order, and placed my order about 5 minutes after that. We watched as several other people were seated. My order came out, and I started to take a bite, and I realized theirs hadn't, so I stopped and asked if they had ordered anything beyond the chips and salsa. They said they had, but encouraged me to eat. I watched as the people who had come in after I had, which was definitely after they had, were all served their food, many of them had ordered fajitas as well, just like my friends. The bartender commented on the fact that their food seemed to have taken a long time, and that he would ask our waitress to check on it. We watched as people that had been seated after them were finishing their meals. We asked again about the missing food. It was finally brought out, but without the tortillas, so now we are sitting there with the sizzling delicious plate and no tortillas to eat it with. Just the torturous sound of it sizzling while the savory aroma teases us. The table across from us was brought additional tortillas while my friends waited. They FINALLY got the tortillas and were able to eat. but even after all that ordeal, even after waiting and watching other people getting served, and being polite about asking where the food was. My friend's boyfriend was intentionally restraining himself remarkably given the degree of insult this was to him, as a black man, and my friend as an Alaskan Native, watching all the white people, including someone at his own table, be served and his order being lost. Then to look at the check, and not only was he charged in full for a meal that, while delicious, he had to practically get up and go in the kitchen himself for, AND they charged for the extra chips and salsa that we asked for while we were waiting for the meal that was running so incredibly late. I have been to this restaurant for years and it really hurt to see them treated so poorly, and then not even have the slightest effort to show that they felt badly about the incident. Sure there were plenty of "I'm sorry it took so long" and "I'm sorry it is taking so long i will check" and my favorite "I'm sorry, I think your server may have had a little too much fun during Pride last night" but getting charged for even the extra chips and salsa to eat while waiting was really the cherry on top. I love your food, and have always recommended you to people just because you have always treated people I take there or meet there and myself well. To try and dismiss it as the server partied a little too much the night before and still charge for the meal and the drinks? I am more than a little disappointed, and surprised that you did that.

This place is AMAZING!!! Their drinks are HUGE and the services are the BEST. I have been to this place a couple times and always get to feel tipsy! I got a super mango daiquiri! That drink gave me a brain freeze! Haha so make sure it warmed up a bit (the slushy melt) then drink it! I also love their beer! It's in a huge mug too! I ordered half chicken and I did not expect it was actually half chicken! Haha I was expected it chop into pieces for me. But anyways it was really fun to rip the chicken and enjoy this juicy chicken! They also offer hats and special hat for my special girl! She got a free dessert! I highly recommend this place if you want cheap food and cheap drinks! I love their happy hours!

Absolutely gas margaritas! Holy cow! The food was so good as well I smashed it before I could get a picture. The service was so lovely the waitress was beyond nice we vibed on the mezcal margarita which was also a plus. the ambiance is also absolutely authentic! Beautiful Mexican music playing the whole time at a great level and a very chill atmosphere. Will definitely be eating here multiple times while I'm in Seattle on business.

Amazing food. Alma, our server, was the best!!! So nice. We had a great time. The chips and salsa were very good.

I didn't realize the restaurant was about to close when I arrived. I had planned to order an enchilada, but I was informed their kitchen was already closed. They offered to make me nachos instead, which seemed like a kind gesture at first, so I agreed. However, I was completely shocked when it came time to pay they charged me a staggering $26! Out of guilt, I paid. Later, once I opened my order, I was even more disappointed at not only the small portion size but the fact these nachos only consisted of pico de gallo, cheese, and meat. Looked up their menu and discovered that the nachos on their menu were priced at $10-13. I'm extremely disappointed in this establishment's lack of integrity toward their customers and their poor nacho craftsmanship.

Stopped by for late night happy hour. Fun cantina-like vibes, reminded me if the cantina bars in SD :) Complimentary Salsa and chips are always welcome note: *happy hour prices listed below* House margarita ($8.95) was okay very sweet and clearly from the mix. The wings ($6.95) were a nice snack Guacamole (menu lists seasonal price and I forgot what the receipt said) was fine The staff member helping us out seemed slightly confused. Don't like how the house marg was pushed on us when there was a better margarita available

Worth a try. Staff is really nice, and it's a really good deal. I ordered the 3 item combo and two fish tacos, and it was way more than enough for 2 people. Just the combo would have been enough. Downside is I did get a piece of plastic in my fish taco. Not a big deal to me, but not great.

Absolutely love this place great bartenders and I believe owner or manager. They were amazing hospitality!!! The most amazing tequilas and prices in town.

Good Mexican food with a happy hour. Big window/doors open to make a very nice setting of open air. Staff is friendly and helpful. It's beginning to be a regular stop when I'm in the area. Just a heads up, cash & credit cards accepted, but the don't use tap technology so bring your physical card. Tapping with your phone is not an option.

I love La Cocina and Cantina! The huge margaritas are the best. They have so many flavors, they are always tasty, and the prices are incredible. It was happy hour and my mom got wine which was only $5 a glass! I would seriously recommend this place for the drinks. The food here is pretty tasty too. I had a 2 Item combo with a taco and burrito which came with rice and beans. I was shocked that this plate was only $13.50. Again, prices are incredible here. I also tried the fried ice cream which was good. The ice cream itself was tasty but I wasn't a fan of the strawberry sauce, it tasted artificial. Service is always great here. Everything comes out very fast and everyone is friendly. Ambiance is nice too, it's nice how they can open up the front of the store so fresh air and sunlight streams in.

I love this place! We've come several times and the food and ambiance are consistently good. The staff are also always friendly and accommodating. Drinks and food are cheap & tasty - definitely recommend the carne asada and house margs

Come here for drinks and chips before going out. The food is abysmal for a Mexican place. Only good after you've had a few drinks. Stick to the margaritas here.

Ths establishment never fails to satisfy our Mexican food cravings. I always opt for the shrimp chimichanga and it always hits the spot. The serving is big so there always some to go for sure. The margaritas are strong and tiny at the same time. They have many flavors to pick from and all of them are good. Service is quick and they are always welcoming.

Is it the best food? The most authentic? No. But it is comfort food. Flavorful, cheesy, and filling. The service is consistently good and the margaritas are strong. I go here for the comfort, the drinks, and the memories. While Broadway has changed drastically these past 20 years, La Cocina has held onto their spot and they've been consistent. There's a lot to be said for comfort and consistency. Occasionally, I also have a craving for their enmormous Cocina Burrito....

Lots of big tables for large group seating! We were able to find a table for 8 on a Friday night. They have happy hour drinks in the late evening, and we all got nice big margaritas for $8. They weren't too strong though. I got the combo platter with a chimichanga and enchilada - the portion was huge and was only able to eat maybe 2/3 of it. The nachos were also big and came with a bunch of sour cream and guacamole. Overall taste wise, I'd say the food was pretty average for Mexican food. The prices are definitely a little on the pricier side but as expected for the middle of Capitol Hill. I probably won't be back anytime soon since there are tons of other restaurants on the hill to try.

This place is amazing. The jalapeño cheese dip is by far the best queso dip/dish in the city. The frozen margaritas make you feel like you're in Alice and Wonderland they're so gigantic and cheap. Some of the seats are in the sun too which is nice. The staff is friendly too.

The place looks outdated. The mango Margaritas were weak @ $10 Tasted like a Virgin drink. I ordered chicken mole. There is no authentic version here. They steamed the chicken and pulled it to pieces and poured the mole sauce. $20 for that it came with rice and beans and tortillas.

Fun place! Was nice to be able to watch the football game while eating. Super friendly staff. Tasty food, good drinks. Definitely recommend.

This is as authentic as you can get, on capital hill. I live for their chille rellenos. Their big margaritas are a plus And I love the family that works here.

Comida excelente. Personas muy buenas. Bebidas son muy rico y delicioso. Todo. Todo sera y esta muy delicioso. Regreso muchas veces. Muchas. Steve y Tim.

I am allergic to dairy, so I requested no cheese or sour cream with my burrito. I specifically mentioned I had a severe allergy, so please be careful with my order! Honestly pretty disappointing to open my togo box, ready to feast, and see my burrito in all it's cheesy glory... My friend took one for the team, and ate it for me- apparently the burritos are good! Just ah think twice if you have dietary restrictions

Food was plentiful & tasty. I had the taco salad & it had more meat, sour cream & guacamole than any other taco salad I've ever had & besides lettuce there was also red cabbage & carrots. The horchata was also very good.

T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E We went here since it was the only place without an hour-long wait for a Saturday brunch. And there was a reason for it. The service was slow - there was someone who was filling the water and getting basic condiments for the table and wasn't taking orders. We had to wait for about 25 mins before someone took our order. The complimentary chips and salsa were good, but that was the only thing edible from the entire menu. We ordered the Burrito Grande and the Enchiladas, and they were highly terrible. The bean and rice were lacking flavor, salt and were stale. The burrito was only filled with meat and had not a single veggie. The chicken also was really undercooked and extremely dry. I could not finish more than 2 bites off my dish It was pricey, horrendous in taste, and had poor service. I would steer away from this as far as possible. DO NOT GO!!!

Mannnnn. Whyyyy? I was so excited but dang. It's like rosarita refried canned beans and Taco Bell rice. Ooph. I gave 2 stars because service was good and the drinks were fast and strong but the food. Oh man. Poor babies, this is not good Mexican food.

Where to start... where to start. I guess first off I will address the 1, 2, and 3 star reviews of this restaurant. Each and everyone one of the individuals who left those reviews are factually wrong, and, they're likely the kind of person who would give a 1 star review to a non profit that helps puppies who have been abandoned. More importantly let's address the service. This is exactly what you want from a family style Mexican restaurant. FAMILY. They are the kindest most welcoming people and give incredible service. Victor is THE MAN and everyone there is awesome. The food. No bullshit. This is a great Mexican restaurant. The food is just great I don't know how else to say it. If you don't like the food you may have to consider you just don't have a refined palate. You may find my review "mean" or "harsh" to those whose opinions differ from mine. I say this, in a world of idiots where anyone can say what they think, someone has to put them in their place. Salud.

The staff is really friendly. I feel like family when I'm there. Great food! Great portions! Huge menu! There's a tequila bar attached. I always leave happy and full. I highly recommend for dine in or takeout.

I ordered take out chicken and beef nachos from La Cocina & Cantina for a movie night with friends. Not good at all. The chips were incredibly soggy and the cheese was hard. Of course- this could be because we did takeout so I won't blame the restaurant too much. However, the food simply wasn't good or restaurant quality. I definitely could've made better nachos myself but alas my laziness brought me to the doors of La Cocina & Cantina. I've definitely had better nachos in Seattle. However, the interior was super packed so maybe go in person rather than doing takeout. Or their nachos are just not their strong suite.

Such a promising opportunity for a good restaurant. Great location, plenty of space inside, very friendly servers, horrendous food. We were hanging out here and realized it was happy hour, so we decided to have some margaritas. I have no doubt in my mind that there was no alcohol in these margs at all, they tasted like if Welch's Fruit Juice made margs for kids. Our server was a really nice guy who walked us through his favorite things on the menu. Either he was lying about what he enjoyed eating, or has never had Mexican food anywhere else. He told me about an enormous burrito that they have on the menu (Cocina burrito maybe? Doesn't matter, never coming back here). I gladly obliged because an oversized burrito sounded right up my alley at the time, as I was on the verge of hangriness. This may have been the worst burrito I've ever had. I don't understand how you could possibly create a burrito that tasted so poorly, and charge $18 for it. It tasted like someone opened up a can of tomato sauce from the QFC across the street and poured it over a cold burrito. There's no way that anything in this burrito was homemade. The only redeeming quality was how large it was, I'm not sure where they bought tortillas this large (because they surely did not make it). Really not worth it to go to this place when one of the best taco spots in Seattle is across the street (Tacos Chukis).

Absolutely the best place I've been to in the area! Not just for Mexican food but in general for the very friendly staff, great service, amazing drinks, and tasty food. The margaritas are HUGE and the food is always hot and served with great presentation. There are also complimentary first serve chips and salsa which is a huge plus! The bar and the restaurant have the same great service. I've been here at least three times and the consistency with the drinks and welcoming staff is awesome. Music selection is good with lots of options for seating (inside and out for the summer).

Fast service and very friendly employees. Great authentic mexican food on capitol hill and I was also really impressed with their unique bar menu.

BRING BACK THE BUFFET! I really like this place! I've been taking friends here for years. The food is consistent, it's tasty, the drinks are large with copious amounts of booze, it's a great place to go for a celebration dinner, before going out dancing or to a show/movie, or even just because. Unfortunately, due to Covid, the buffet section was closed, I think, in 2019. It's now 2022 and I don't think it's returned. I really wish they would start the buffet again. it was really nice to make my own salad and pick and choose what I wanted. Often, the entree portions are large, and we always wind up with leftovers now, and most Mexican food isn't as good from the microwave the next day.

So, I've walked Broadway like a hundred plus times since living here. And I've seen La Cosina and Cantina usually packed, during the warmer month, with people and their goblets of topical like drinks. Last night we were having a mini celebration for my SO's birthday. I'm so happy we went and tried La Cosina and Cantina, not only was it happy hour (8PM- close) but food is really great! They have a lot of cocktails for under $10, and a small section for happy hour food for $6.95. They also have weekly specials FYI. The menu is extensive, but I decided to go with the two item combination ($12.95) with a beef chimichanga and cheese quesadilla. It also come with rice and beans. My dish came out smokin hot, with my chimichanga, the rice and beans and a nice section of melted cheese. My cheese quesadilla was under a pile of cheese while being stuffed with melty delicious cheese. It was amazing!! Served with a generous spoon full of guac, this meal was well worth it! The cheesy cheese quesadilla was worth it alone, I think. Also because we told our waiter that it was my SO's bday, by the end of the meal (which I fully stuffed and only ate the quesadilla while packing the rest home) we had received some very fun sombreros and a plate of deep fried ice cream! So unexpected and it really made the night. Thanks La Cosina and Cantina!

Great food in a welcoming environment! The staff is friendly, the food is delicious, the drinks are strong!

Love this place! This is my favorite restaurant, period. I really recommend the cheese Enchilada. I get it every single time!The wait time is what you would expect for a dine-in restaurant, and there are quite a few plants around the restaurant. The noise level is not overwhelming. The staff are very friendly.

I moved out to Seattle two months ago and La Cocina is one of the first places I wanted to come to when I was researching the area. It's a highly convenient location in Capitol Hill and has amazing food. The official sell its that its family owned and run and has been for years... so I really feel a sense of family/home when I'm here. 10000% recommend.

Came here on Cinco De Mayo, and although the place was pretty busy, they were able to accomodate us! We had the asada tacos and a chicken quesidilla, which arrived fast and were great. For alcohol, I went with the mango margarita, which was excellent. They advertize over 200 kinds of tequila and mexcal options, so there's something for everyone! Fast service, Overall a great mexican food joint in Cap Hill with fast service, friendly servers and a casual ambience. Would recommend.

This place has the beans!! The service is always good & it is a great homey time of place

Back for more! This time I went for a raspberry margarita and it was scrumptious. I also ordered the 1/2 chicken and the pollo was truly loco!

I ordered a plate without cheese and sour cream on it. I specified clearly about this. When I took my takeout home, it had cheese all over it... they remade my food but I had to drive back and pick it up and waste my time fixing their mistake. The manager told me they didn't hear the part about no cheese. Well the guy on the phone repeated it back to me and said "no cheese" so it just seemed like an excuse for poor service. Nothing else was done to reconcile the situation or make up for my time. I also had to eat dinner without my husband so he didn't have to reheat his food. A simple mistake just made my relaxing evening stressful and it didn't seem like they cared that it took away from my evening. I won't be coming back.

Go-to neighborhood Mexican restaurant. You know what you're going to get every-time. Big portions, big drinks, fun staff! Don't come here expecting Seattle's finest dining but come here with a fun mindset or else you will be disappointed. The open patio in the summer combined with the music creates a fun atmosphere that's impossible to not have a good time unless you're a grump!

La Cocina & Cantina has such a cute ambiance and usually has enough seating especially for large groups! They give every table a basket of chips and salsa. Their portions are huge for great prices! I usually order their chicken torta. The chicken is very well seasoned and not dry. The torta also has great toppings and the sauce on the side adds so much extra flavor! I always leave this place feeling very satiated and happy! A must if you are in the Capitol Hill area!!

We LOVE it here! Excellent Mexican food. It's been around a while and for good reason. Friendly service and very welcoming.