Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval

Absolutely amazing flavor profiles. The shrimp and crab enchiladas were a top shelf. Mexican street corn unique to itself with an awesome combination of flavors. Even the refried beans as simple as it may seem how a unique taste and everything was so over the top wonderful for me tonight

I had an incredible dining experience at Lona in Tampa, and it truly exceeded my expectations from start to finish. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, setting the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and attentive without ever feeling rushed, which immediately made me feel comfortable. For my meal, I ordered the veggie enchiladas with rice and beans, and every bite was packed with flavor. The enchiladas were perfectly prepared—generous in portion, filled with fresh vegetables, and smothered in a rich, well-balanced sauce that wasn’t overpowering but still full of authentic Mexican flavor. You could really taste the freshness and care that went into the dish. The rice was fluffy and well-seasoned, and the beans were creamy and flavorful, making them the perfect complement to the main course. Everything on the plate worked together beautifully. To finish off the meal, I couldn’t resist ordering the tres leches cake, and I’m so glad I did. It was absolutely outstanding—soft, moist, and perfectly soaked without being soggy. The sweetness was just right, not overwhelming, and it was the ideal ending to such a satisfying meal. It’s one of those desserts that makes you slow down and truly enjoy every bite. What really stood out, in addition to the food, was the exceptional service. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made great recommendations. Drinks were refilled promptly, and we were checked on just enough to ensure everything was perfect without interrupting the experience. It’s clear that customer satisfaction is a top priority here. Overall, Lona delivers on every level—amazing food, excellent service, and a great atmosphere. Whether you’re a vegetarian or just someone who appreciates well-prepared Mexican cuisine, this place is absolutely worth visiting. If you’re in Tampa and looking for a restaurant that offers quality, flavor, and a memorable dining experience, Lona should be at the top of your list. Highly recommended! 🌮🍰

Great food, good service and a very cozy ambiance. Perfect place to dine in with friends or family. Lots of options for vegeterian food lovers. Parking can be found at the street or near by parking garage. Must try black bean soup and Tres Leches.

Great vibes and decent food. We enjoyed the modern Mexican flavors but the food portions were a little disappointing. Our server was more focused on the party with the Top golf suite. We also tried the top golf suite ourselves after dinner, would not recommend it, there were quite a few technical issues for us while using it. I rather just go to the actual Top Gold for the actual experience. Vibe 8/10, Cocktails 7/10, Food 6/10.

I came here with several of my national leadership teams and we were so impressed with the food and the service. The bar was amazing the drinks, the appetizers and the great atmosphere. Great place to just sit and enjoy or to entertain in big groups, free valet, and a great view on the Riverwalk after dinner. I highly recommend it.

They are renovating the restaurant! Judy was explaining the cool things coming, so in a few months, this place will be stellar. Right now, though, the buffet is pretty solid. It's standard, but everything is fresh and good! Fresh fruit, nice coffee, eggs, bacon, all your traditional things. Paola, the host, is very cool and kind. Luz, my server was fantastic as well. I can't eat bread and she actually let me add something to my omelete instead (normally people never let me sub anything for the bread and it bothers me) I'm all about service, and this place hit the mark! The atmosphere is very cool and clean. So, kind in mind, it's in renovation when you come for breakfast and take it as it is. Can't wait to come back and try out the new spot in a few months! The buffet was $30, and yesterday, I got an omelet for $20.

Lona restaurant inside the hotel was absolutely amazing! A huge part of that was our server, Eleni, who took incredible care of my mother and me both times we dined there. We both have allergies, and she handled everything with such knowledge, care, and attention to detail—it truly put us at ease. We chatted with her and she shared that she also has severe food allergies herself, which is why she takes guests’ allergies so seriously. Food is such an important part of the restaurant experience to her, and she genuinely wants it to be exceptional and safe for everyone. That passion truly showed. Because of Eleni, we felt safe, heard, and completely taken care of. She was absolutely amazing and deserves to be recognized times 1000!

Experience was good. Felt someone at valet or front desk at Lona should've told us we need our ticket stamped in order to not be charged for parking. The place is dim lit nice & cozy. Spanish music playing was great. The guacamole was a hit. I appreciated the free chips & salsa when we arrived. Note the water they serve is fantastic. Not sure where it came from. lol. Felt like the menu lacks options. Mexican food has way more to offer than 4-5 versions of enchiladas. The steak fajitas were good but a bit too chewy. Had some extra fat in there. Lastly we were offered desert but there was nothing on the menu. Not sure if it's a secret or randomly selected so we passed. Overall nice place. Food was above average just lacked a few things to make it exceptional.

My drink reccomamdation is the loaded jarrito! mango or pineapple are my favorite! My top food choices that had me in a chokehold: tuna tostada, lobster quesadilla, shrimp and crab enchiladas, and Chile relleno! Service is relatively fast. Happy hour is a bit subpar, imo. Overall, Great vibe! Def feel like I'm in Mexico at times! I'm looking forward to trying their brunch soon!

Lona was top notch from start to finish, and so much about it was right, it's hard to know where to begin describing the dining experience. The dark woods, low light levels, and lush greenery made walking into Lona on a hot August evening like finding a cool oasis. The service was polished but unobtrusive, and the cuisine is best described with a term I may be making up, but I'll call it Haute Mexican. As if all of that isn't enough, it was very vegetarian-friendly, and I had decisions to make! We were in Tampa for three nights and Lona commanded our attention. I am mostly a purist when it comes to cocktails, and the Lona Margarita knocked my socks off exactly the right distance from my body. They were cool and refreshing, and crafted without a whiff of mixer. For dinner, we started with the vegetarian version of the generous nachos, and I also had the Market Salad which offered up a tantalizing combination of colors, flavors, and textures. Our entrées were the shrimp tacos and vegetarian enchiladas, which were remarkably delicious and fully consumed. This was a lot of food, and as much as we enjoyed the appetizers and entrées, dessert was such a highlight that we not only enjoyed it that night, but we also returned for it the following two nights. My husband was delighted with different desserts each night: Tres Leches, Churros, the Spiced Warm Chocolate Cake with cinnamon raisin ice cream, and the El-Jefe Mexican Espresso Martini all three nights. I floated above my body while consuming Churros all three nights , along with either coffee, espresso, or an Americano. I have never before had such perfectly textured churros and most likely never will again, because Chef Sandoval is wielding wizardry in that kitchen that simply does not exist elsewhere. The churros are crispy and almost flaky on the outside, but dense and lofty on the inside; when you bite into one, it melts away on the tongue leaving just a trace of the cinnamon sugar with which it was once cloaked, and then it's gone. If you have only one night in Tampa, this is the place.

I've eaten here 4 nights in a row! The food was on point for everyone! I had quesadillas 2 nights and burgers 2 nights! Even though it is a Mexican restaurant the burger was amazing. The quesadillas came cut up and slightly crispy and were awesome and the chips and salsa was fire!! We came in late one night and they accommodated us even though the kitchen was closing. The last night we showed up late with a party of 14 and they sat us and took care of us. **Lenny was our server and she was AMAZING!!! Ask for her when you come in!! The ambiance in the restaurant is festive old world and really nice to have dinner. For being in the lobby of the hotel this is a score!!! GET THE CHUROS!!!!!

The inside is stunning. It's a modern take on contemporary Mexican. I feel like the downtown area needed a new Mexican spot and Lona's is it! I had a guava margarita and it was absolutely delicious. My girlfriend had a spicy margarita which she also enjoyed. The complementary chips and salsa were delicious. I highly recommend coming here if you're in the downtown Tampa area looking for some good Mexican food.

Finally got to come here for Happy Hour! The place was surprisingly empty! The front staff was very nice & seated us quickly . We had about 45 mins for happy hour . I wouldn't mind coming back to try other stuff on the menu but seriously .. those tacos on the HH menu were enough! We were greeted with chips & salsa. It was a bit different than normal salsa but very tasty to me. The haha fish taco is what i got along with fries . They were hot and fresh. I think this place would be nice for date night as well ! My margarita was delicious and my husbands been that i stole was crisp & cold !

Not worth the prices. Prices displayed on website are off by what is displayed on their menu. Food is fine but not something I'd return to. Most dishes lacked flavor. Service was great, friendly and attentive. The restaurant is designed very well. The bathrooms are in the hotel lobby right by the kitchen so it reeks of fish.

The Baja fish and al pastor taco were delicious tacos. The freshness of each taco was splendid! Between the two I preferred the Baja fish as I'm not the hugest fan of pork. The fries were crispy and hot which was great. Solid chips and salsa. I heard really good things about the guac but I did not try it. Happy hour has pretty good deals. Great service and ambiance at this location. Stop by and give Lona a shot if you haven't yet!

I was hesitant to try Lona because of how pricey it is and wasn't sure the food would stand up to it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Love the decor inside and was happy to get a booth. The margaritas were great, bacon guacamole was good, as well as the tacos and fajitas. I had the fish tacos and thought the fish was prepared perfectly. The only thing that was off was the timing of the food coming out. They brought out the stuff for the fajitas (toppings and shells) and then it was a long time before the meat and the tacos came out. It was so long that a staff member came by and asked to clear the plates while we were still waiting for the meals.

Their happy hour is so underrated. The queso with the chorizo is a must and do not sleep on the nachos. With all the TVs you can even bring your boo during college football season.

Came here for brunch on Sunday. The breakfast tacos were incredible. Chips and salsa were on the table for us when we got sat, they were incredible. The coffee and cocktails were great as well. Lots of TVs and beautiful decor around the restaurant.

Sooo, Lona has been on my list to try for a while. I'm all about Mexican food, so I had pretty high expectations. The restaurant has lively decor that definitely gives off Mexican vibes. Our waitress was friendly and gave us some great recommendations. I was hoping for a bit more flavor in my tacos, and the cheese dip hardened after a bit--they could serve it on something warm to keep it melty. It tasted amazing, but some went to waste. The drinks were just okay--more mixer than liquor, and let's be real, we usually expect a little extra kick at a Mexican spot. Overall, it was alright; I've had better, but I wouldn't be against coming back. What was ordered: Queso Fundido: So good, just wish it stayed melted longer Baja Style Fish Tacos: A bit dry, could use more seasoning

Amazing! We booked a Friday night reservation for a surprise birthday party for 8 people. It was super easy to make it a surprise with the wait staff! We were promptly greeted with chips and salsa and they made sure we were never without any! We ordered a few rounds of skinny margaritas and they were absolutely delicious... we ordered the guacamole and chips for an appetizer and you could tell the guacamole was freshly made. Since we filled up on chips we split the steak fajitas and they were DELICIOUS! It comes with a huge portion so it was just enough food. Then the wait staff surprised the birthday girl with churros and a candle! Overall great experience and would definitely recommend for large groups

Just a breakfast here. The food was good but not exceptional. A lit like any good breakfast place. The service was attentive and cheerful. There is some open seating and some booths. Both seem fine.

This relatively new and lively spot is located inside the Marriott Waterfront, and offers a Latin-centric menu on an unusual schedule. We stopped in on Sunday on Father's Day for a late lunch, around 2:00pm and found that the special "brunch" menu was being served until 4pm. Normally only until 2pm. Not sure what happens between 2-4pm...Staff thinks it odd too, still offering French Toast that late in the day. So we grabbed some seats at the cool bar and the four of us worked around it with drinks and: Al Pastor Quesadillas** $21.00 adobo pork / queso asadero / onion / grilled pineapple / flour tortilla Shrimp Ceviche* $16.00 prawns / tomato / lime / cilantro / red onion / serrano chili Esquite Fundido $16.00 melted cheese / charred / corn / mayo / bacon / tortillas The bartender was fun and efficient and the food very tasty. Drinks were delicious too. Would love to see an expanded menu - especially as it states on the website that Lunch & Dinner are served: Monday - Friday | 4pm-11pm Saturday & Sunday | 11am-11pm

We came here for a bachelorette dinner for my cousin on our first night. I didn't realize it was located inside the hotel, but it still had a nice, separate vibe with a stylish Latin-inspired aesthetic. The food and dessert were good, though I would've liked a bit more flavor and a bit more meat in the dishes - the taco was on the small side with a modest portion. Our waitress was friendly, and the drinks were enjoyable without being overly sweet; I had the margarita, which was great. If I'm ever back in Tampa and staying at this hotel, I'd consider giving it another try!

Had dinner on Memorial Day Monday. Restaurant is usually crowded and difficult to get a weekend reservation, but was quiet. The food and service were excellent. This restaurant serves gourmet Mexican food. They have all the favorites such fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, etc. Sides such as refried beans and rice are extra. Chips & Salsa are complementary. I had the chicken & steak fajitas. Large portion with onions & peppers. We ordered refried beans, rice, plantains and street corn. Too full for desert. Will order less sides next visit. The restaurant is modern and nicely decorated. It is in the Marriott Water Street with an on street entrance by the valet. They comp part of the parking.

Great brunch today at Lona! Alanna was attentive and provided great service, loved the ambiance and decor, and the food was phenomenal! Huevos Rancheros (with extra cilantro) was delish! Guacamole with crab was a very hearty portion and more than enough for our party of 4. Highly recommend the El Jefe Espresso Martini too! Tres Leches French Toast and Breakfast Burrito were also great picks.

Located in the Marriott Water Street you will find Lona. A fun fact is that this was previously the Garrison Tavern. I had been to a lovely Yelp event at the Tavern, so I was surprised when my kids took me here for dinner. This restaurant has been completely transformed into a beautiful Mexican restaurant. The decor is so lovely and will transport you into Mexico. When we entered I found everyone to be so lovely! We were escorted to our table. Our server Eleni introduced herself and she was lovely and attentive. I would definitely ask for her again. Eleni took our drink order and brought a basket of chips and salsa which we enjoyed as we looked over the menu. I decided on the steak fajitas which were good. BUT......my husband ordered the chicken fajitas which were amazing. They had a sauce over them that just made them taste so delicious. The fajitas are served with roasted sweet peppers, crema / guacamole, pico de gallo and a choice of flour or corn tortillas. Both my husband and I found the dishes to be very generous portions and we actually took some home. These dishes aren't served with any sides. For our sides the four of us shared: REFRIED BEANS PLANTAINS YELLOW CORN ESQUITES MEXICAN RICE Everything was absolutely delicious, we all enjoyed our dinner and I will definitely be returning to Lona. They offer valet parking at the Marriott. The restaurant will validate your ticket and parking is free. Just keep in mind that if there is a game or concert at the arena then parking will not be free.

Great ambiance and service. I really enjoyed my spicy avocado margarita. Perfect amount of spice. I had the enchiladas divorciados and they were excellent with a side of plantains that were cooked perfectly though could have used a little more cheese.

Everything here is so good! I've been here a good three or four times and I'm never let down. The service is always on point. If it is crowded, try to get a seat at the bar for no wait! I highly suggest trying their fundido. The mushroom fundido is my fave app. The quesadillas are also pretty good the mushroom or adobo chicken are the best ! The salmon is a unique dish, tasty but different. It comes with peanuts. Spicy Avo marg is so good. Very unique and silky. There are only two unisex bathrooms, so sometimes a line can form by people's table which can be off putting for those in the back room. There is now a Top Golf collab with a swing suite. Definitely need to try it out one day. Parking is free when validated at Lona but if there is ANY event going on Water St/Amalie... this is void and you will have to pay $25 even if you're just eating at the restaurant.

The service and suggestions by staff were excellent. Large portions but the staff are very attentive in letting you know that you might be ordering too much food. Had ceviche and steak tacos which were great. Tasted the chicken enchiladas divorciadas which was delicious. Lots of tv screens around for watching sports. Atmosphere was like a sports bar but with great food. There are 2 virtual golf courses in the back room. Definitely need to return the next time we're in Tampa.

First off it's a real nice place decorated and laid out very well. Staff was great very friendly and servers attentive. It also has a lively bar and can be a tad bit noisy be aware. It's adjacent to the Marriott and near the Amelie Arena so beware on an event night traffic will be a nightmare. The drinks were done very well and the Guacamole with bacon a highlight. The enchiladas were good but none of the meals come with any type of side with it everything is ala carte. The lobster quesadillas were a disappointment and even more so at $29.00. There was lobster in the dish but sparingly and so over sauced you couldn't actually taste it. Our reservation was made that this was a birthday celebration and that wasn't acknowledged at check in or at the table when we were done. I would have expected a better response from the restaurant.

This restaurant is located across the street from the JW Marriott in the regular Marriott. Tex-Mex food is in our blood since we live in Texas, but this is not your typical Tex-Mex fare. No, this is elevated Mexican food with spectacular sauces. We tried it once, loved it, and went for a second time. The ambience draws you in and is very comforting in an upscale way from the moment you walk in. It feels like a restaurant that serves great food. The feel is sophisticated and upscale, but approachable without pretension. The first time we went for dinner we shared the guac with crab and it was excellent. If you think the combo is strange, trust me, it works. There is lots of crab and the guac is excellent. The flavors come together to make one of the best guacamole apps I ever had. It was $18 or 19 but worth it. The wife had the al pastor tacos and loved them. The meat was tender and juicy, topped with the pineapple. She loved that dish. I had the crab and shrimp enchiladas. There are no words to explain how good that sauce was. The enchiladas had a generous portion of crab and shrimp, but the sauce was indescribably good. I would say phenomenal but that would be an understatement. We went for happy hour when house margaritas are half price and they are really, really good. I had a few of those! The second time we went I had the poblano enchiladas with mole sauce and it was excellent also. The mole had a slight kick at the end and is deep in flavor. The wife had the crab and shrimp enchiladas and of course loved them. She also tried the corn from the happy hour menu and loved it. It was happy hour, so more margaritas! On both visits our server was excellent. Friendly, happy to be there, professional, efficient, and all around great. Hats off to Theron and Alyssa. They were top notch. This is a phenomenal restaurant. I thought the prices were reasonable. The bill each time was just a little more than what we would spend at our favorite Tex-Mex in Dallas, but here we drank more and splurged on a fancy guac and crab dish. I highly recommend this restaurant. We loved it. I told one of the waiters that I want to take this restaurant back to Dallas with us.

OMG!! Where do I start?!? I am still thinking about the Mexican Espresso martini! My first time having an espresso martini and having it with tequila couldn't have been any better!! The flavors are robust and smooth! I ordered the shrimp tacos and my friend ordered the fish tacos. We shared one each to try it out and I was absolutely amazed how flavorful and absolutely not fishy the fish tacos were! They definitely fill it up and each came with 3. Definitely great portion as you start off with free chips and salsa, which were made with fresh ingredients and has a nice kick! Will certainly come back and will definitely have more than one espresso martini!

Stopped by here to get a drink and app....much more casual, laid back than I thought it was going to be, still nice though. Everyone was watching football it seemed. Service was ok, I feel they could have been a bit happier looking! My espresso martini and red snapper crudo we're excellent though. Martini made perfectly, and the crudo so fresh and light and perfect bite since I wasn't that hungry. Presentation was really nice. The bar area were we sat was a nice set up, looks like it has a lot of room for bigger groups too, Sunday night isn't your busy night though! Located in the Marriott hotel , with access from outside without having to go into the hotel was nice too, Nice, clean fun spot. I imagine noisy when busier too!

Great place for a fast delicious dinner if you're staying at the Marriott. Marriott also offers $30 per night for dining. They have a great happy hour menu at the bar from 3 to 6 PM. The food was fresh and delicious and the portions are a great size. The bartenders were extremely helpful and know everything on the menu. This place had amazing ambience and plenty of seating for small or large parties. They also have a huge selection of tequilas and have a lot of cocktails to choose from.

Visited Lona for my third time and im very surprised to be posting a 3 star review because the other two times I visited this place was amazing! This visit definitely missed the mark for me. I was there celebrating a friends birthday on Friday evening with a 6 person party and was automatically hit with a 20% gratuity charge and on top of that we were unable to seperate the checks making it extremely difficult for our party to check out. I would not mind the 20% auto gratuity but I would not expect it for a party of 6 people and would be completely ok with it if the service was worth it which this visit also fell short. Food came out quickly but wasn't as good as I remember the other times when I came. I ordered the pastor tacos and the meat tasted a bit off and the tortillas this came on was not my favorite. The complimentary chips and salsa was great and I also enjoyed a spicy margarita which was also good nothing special though. Overall I will probably give them another shot because the other times I've been the food and service has been excellent.

Excellent addition to Tampas downtown landscape!!! This replaced the old Garrisons tavern and what a great replacement! The mood is instantly upgraded when you walk in with a cool traditional dia de Los muertos Mexican vibe inside. We were originally just going to see the menu, but there was 30 min left of happy hour so we decided to also check out the offerings. We each tried a house margarita as well as the nachos. The nachos are a good portion but a little smaller than the normal priced menu order. We sat at the bar and Tony the bartender was fabulous! The nachos were exactly as described; super cheesy with fresh pickled onions, pickled jalepenos, guac and crema. The house "Lona" margarita was also delicious. Made with fresh agave, lime juice and a blanco tequila. We ended up with two rounds and are already looking forward to going back. We saw a lot of fajitas go by and everyone's food looked and smelled delicious. If you go, keep your eye out for Tony at the bar, so kind, hospitable and made sure our glass was always full.

Tried for the first time on Friday night! Despite a large convention in the area we were still accommodated for free valet at Tampa Marriott where the restaurant is located which was great! Hard to find free parking let alone free valet parking for most restaurants on water street! They have a decent number of veggie options: I went with the veggie enchiladas, a friend got the veggie fajitas, both were good! The dish needed a little extra spice for my taste but otherwise no complaints. Loved the drink, and cute birthday dessert at the end for our friend! Service was well timed for our larger group. Overall great experience.

The restaurant itself is beautiful, inside and on their quiet outside patio. The front entrance and hostess area is beautiful, attention to detail was paid. Service was excellent from the time we asked for an outside table at the hostess stand, to the time we left. We were promptly seated and served water and complimentary chips and salsa. Our waiter was very efficient and friendly. We ordered lobster guacamole, which was delicious. My husband had the hamburger and well seasoned fries for dinner and I had the carne asada tacos, which were authentically flavored and went down well. Maybe outside patio was a nice, quiet spot to enjoy dinner. It does get a little congested and noisy later in the night, but we left by 9 pm, so I'm not sure if it gets busier and louder as the night goes on. I recommend this restaurant. P.S. the restrooms are clean and well lit.

I've been here a few times but I am reviewing the bottomless brunch! I came here during cinco de mayo weekend and I thought it would be more crowded but it wasn't! I didn't have reservations for my friend and I and we were seated right away. I appreciated that they validate parking for you so you don't have to scramble and find it on water street. For the bottomless brunch, it is a good concept but I think they could tweak it a little. It is a coursed bottomless brunch so you have to get all of the things listed. It is not really bottomless because the way I understood it from the waitress was that you couldn't really ask for a food item again. I was eating vegetarian for a meatless May challenge at this time including no fish so I couldn't really eat it all. They should label it bottomless drinks and pre fix food. Also you are sharing the dishes with the person you are with and not having your own dish so one of each not two of each. Some of the items were shareable and some were not in my opinion like the starters. I also think they should have more vegetarian options or let us pick just some thoughts! I liked the drink offers they have for the bottomless and we added the espresso martinis with the tequila. I really like the food here overall but I think the brunch menu bottomless offering could be tweaked to make it even better.

FANCY! Went to a high end Mexican cuisine by the river walk. Location is amazing, restaurant in the front, and river walk in the back. I ordered the vegetarian enchiladas, mushroom quesadillas, and vegetarian fajitas. The enchiladas had a subtle, creamy, red sauce (not like your regular red enchiladas sauce). Worth the try! If you like mushrooms; the quesadillas were cooked to perfection. The fajitas had corn (that was new, i have never seen that at other places). Each item was unique, some traditional items but they had their own twist to the ingredients. Service was quick, and staff makes you feel so welcome. They also provide great recommendations for when you are confused on what to order. For my margarita lovers - try the guava marg...tastes so refreshing!

Last Wednesday, we went to Lona"s after my daughter HS graduation. It was a quiet night, and I was thankful that they were able to sit us right away. I enjoyed the decor and ambiance. The food was a little pricey to me but everything was delicious. Our server was attentive and recommended the guava Margarita, which was excellent. I will definitely come back.

Last nite I was lucky enough to get an invite by the fabulous Yelper Mia to Lonas across the street from the beautiful Fort Lauderdale Beach on a breezy nite.The beach views are no doubt heavenly in this out door porch portion of the restaurant . Parking for no charge was easily found if not a valet fan on the street nearby. The food was plentiful and good. Guacamole was tasty along with chicken and meat. Drinks were quite a few to choose from on this special menu. Seafood buffet was also there. I left full! I enjoyed talking to many of the yelpers and i would go back at some point.

My friends have been raving about this spot, and now I understand why. I had lunch here with my friend and our kids and the food, including the kids meal - was fantastic. I ordered a guava margarita to begin with, and an espresso martini at the end of the meal - both drinks were very good. My friend and I shared the chicken nachos and a side of the yellow corn esquites - the nachos are perfect for sharing, it's enough food for more than 2 people honestly, we couldn't even finish them. The chicken was seasoned nicely and was great with the nachos. The esquites was soooo good - if you order any sides, this one is a must try! This side serving is also plenty to share with someone else. The kids ordered the chicken quesadilla from the kids menu and I was really impressed with not only the serving size but the flavor of the quesadilla. Usually the flavor and portion sizes are really toned down for the kids meals, but the flavor of the chicken in the kids quesadilla was amazing, not bland at all like most kid menus. The restaurant itself has beautiful decor and is tucked away in the JW Marriott downtown - the parking situation isn't the greatest, but no parking in downtown Tampa is. There is a beautiful bar for grabbing drinks, but there's also ample table space for families and larger parties to dine. Towards the back of the restaurant there are also these game rooms that can be reserved - it's a virtual play space with a projector screen and it's pretty cool, something I'd definitely want to check out with friends and family. The service was also incredible, our waiter was very attentive and friendly and gave great menu recommendations. Overall a really great experience, we'll be back!

Oh this was a delight!! I had the Carne Asada Tacos and a side of Plantain. It was super delicious and had sich a great kick to it. The atmosphere is really cool with a fun vibe. Our sever was great as well, super helpful and on top. This is inside the Marriott Waterside and is absolutely worth the visit.

Good service, good cocktails, and quality food. Came to Tampa for a conference and decided to try this spot. The restaurant is beautiful with a Latin vibe that gives an air of Tulum (minus the melodic EDM). I had the spicy avocado cocktail which was nice and refreshing but the avocado seemed to cut the bite of the spirit making it a much smoother experience. The lump crab guacamole was fire, with the right texture and consistency, and the lobster quesadilla was good but the flavor was very rich. The pico de Gallo cuts some of the richness but I felt like I needed a little more to balance each bite. I would consider sharing or splitting this dish to get a different flavor profile and variety of texture. This place is near the convention center so prices may reflect the area but all in all great experience and good food.

Really nice Mexican restaurant inside the Marriott hotel on water st. The service is very friendly and was super fast. The food was tasty, I had the tacos Al pastor and my son had carne tacos, both were tasty. The shell were presented a little to wet and broke apart completely before you could even pick them up. Both overall the food was excellent

Went for dinner after a hockey game. Adolfo was our server, he was awesome. The service was the best part I'd say. We had to wait about 10 minutes even though the restaurant was basically empty, short staffed I'd assume but not a big deal. Had the bacon quac for an app, which was decent but nothing to write home about. My carne asada tacos were bland. Very bland. Was hoping for a little spice or seasoning but they had no flavor at all. Reasonable prices for being in a hotel. The Ft Lauderdale Beach location is much better in my experience.

The Basics: Lona is an upscale Mexican restaurant located at the Tampa Marriott Water Street, across from the Convention Center. This is a great addition to downtown Tampa. I enjoyed the food and thought it was a good spot to visit for happy hour. Things I like: Overall, I enjoyed the items I ordered, such as the Enchiladas Divorciadas. The flavor of these enchiladas was great and the dish was beautiful. I also really enjoyed the salsa that came with the complimentary chips and the churros were good as well. Things I didn't like: I think the prices of these dishes was steep for what you get. However, the happy hour deals are great and I would prioritize returning for happy hour in the future. The food also came out a bit quicker than I would hope. We did not get much time to enjoy our cocktails and appetizers before our main dishes came to the table. Also, the valet in front of the hotel is extremely inconvenient for stopping into this restaurant. It is often backed up and can take about ten minutes to valet your car and another ten minutes to pick it up after your meal. Overall, this is a good addition to Tampa and I would return for happy hour. I wouldn't say this spot is a must visit, but I enjoyed the meal.

Great food and good friendly service. Recommended! Specials were exceptional and chips & salsa was very authentic.

Wow. New favorite spot in downtown Tampa. I ordered the espresso martini, which came with tequila so I was a little nervous, but I absolutely loved it. My boyfriend got the Mercado margarita, and it was easily one of the best drinks I've EVER had. Our bartender was fantastic (so sad I don't remember her name). For food, we got the enchiladas and the chicken fajitas -- both phenomenal. So pleased with our experience here at Lona. We will certainly be back soon!!!

Not very accommodating. We went for a friend's milestone birthday and it was a let down, our needs were not important. The chef doesn't like to make changes. They couldn't get us out of there fast enough. They don't take cash. It's also nice when the bathroom line wraps around your table. I felt like we were in their way. Never again.

Good food, fun and great vibes. Parking can be challenging. Usually you can park at the Marriott but when we dined in the restaurant, parking was not available and we had to look for street parking. The service was fast for the food, a little slower for the drinks. We ordered the passion picante and it was delicious. The mercado margarita was just ok. We ordered shrimp tacos ( good but tiny), seafood enchiladas (delicious), tuna tostadas ( missing flavor), Lona ceviche ( good), crab guacamole (very good), skirt fajitas ( good) and churros ( tasty but the chocolate sauce watery). Overall, fun, casual restaurant and we will be back.

We dined in on opening night and valet was complimentary the 1st three hours. There is street parking available though via park mobile as well as a parking garage across the street that is relatively cheap. The restaurant is right when you enter the hotel on the left. Dont confuse it with the newer JW Marriott across the street though, this restaurant is in the Water Street Tampa Marriott. The restaurant itself is rather large with ample seating and bar space. I also noticed outdoor patio seating in the room furthest from the front. There are plenty of gluten-free options. It isn't denoted on the menu, and our waitress had to go ask, but I was basically told anything that comes with a corn tortilla is gluten-free free. I started off with the ceviche. It was a little salty, but not too salty for me. The shrimp were large and fantastic. The ceviche has a nice clean and crisp flavor with a hint of roasted pepper. Next, I had the fajitas with shrimp and steak. I loved the shrimp, I thought the steak was ok (hubs ended up eating the steak, and he liked it).  Per my husband, the complomentary tortilla chips and salsa was the best he had in a restaurant to date. We had quite a bit of food, including Mexican rice and refried beans. 1 cocktail (the traditional Caprinha, which was just ok) the bill was around 12p$ before tip which was not bad considering all the food and leftovers we had. The fajitas is enough for 2 in my opinion depending on how much you eat in one sitting. Service was really smooth, and there were no issues whatsoever. Our waitress was attentive and had no problems checking with the Chef about gluten-free menu options. When we arrived the woman who greeted us was super friendly and she also was helpful. We would 100% return.

Watched the superbowl here while visiting Tampa. Lots of TVs including a very large one in the section we sat in. Beautiful ambiance. Our server was attentive & very nice. The place was pretty busy. Food was average. Hubby ordered tacos & beer while I had chicken fajitas & sangria.

This place right here, OMG we were not expecting it to be so good! It was in our hotel as we were there to see the Beyonce concert and we stopped in before we got ready and the ambiance was so nice-it gave lots of Spanish vibes and had a full bar! The food was chefs kiss! I ordered a salad and shared the cheese dip with chorizo with my friend and it was soo yummy-so filling! The cheese was like the authentic cheese you get in Mexico-so thick yet delicious! I'm hating myself I didn't a drink! The service was good too but as more people came in, our server got busy and we were slightly waiting a minute for him because we were pressed for time as we still needed to get ready for the concert! Overall it's a must try and I definitely want to go back!

I loved this place!!! Yo, this was a VIBE. Not gonna lie, if you are not staying at the hotel or surrounding hotels on the strip, parking was a little more challenging than I thought. I parked in a high rise garage across from Publix Greenwise supermarket and walked 8 minutes to the restaurant. It was maybe $6 for 3 hours. I imagine you could valet with the hotel but I don't know what the charge would be. If it's raining or super hot, pick your poison. Once you get inside though, it's this beautiful dimly lit exotic little paradise that you didn't know you needed. If your legs are out, the booth seats were a little cold and you stick to them after you have been seated for a while and it was a little chilly and I encountered a few mosquitoes (tis the season) that I killed and sprayed with big spray that I happened to have in my purse. Once seated I had a High Noon Tequila Lime which was clutch because I love that brand and our waitress came out with some chips and salsa. The salsa was unlike anything I ever tasted and I loved it so much I asked for extra for my salad. Not pictured here was a fillet of salmon that I added to my Cobb salad. This salad was so freaking good! The salmon was cooked to perfection but I will say it had NO salt. I'm not sure if that's standard but you may want to make sure yours is seasoned. I just poured salsa on top. I will say my friend is vegan and got a dish that came to her cold and they took the plate back and when it came out again, the chef, manager and waitresses came out to ensure it was to her satisfaction!!! The churros were so light and fluffy on the inside they literally melted in your mouth and I normally do not like the standard chocolate sauce but this reminded me of the sauce I got in Mexico City, and had condensed milk and it was divine! Go go go, just do it, this place was bomb af! I don't remember our waitress name but she was so freaking good. Gave great recommendations and took the best care of us!

The food was so good that I almost forgot to take a picture lol very cute atmosphere! Very flavorful. Drinks were beautiful & delicious. The service was impeccable! 10/10 will definitely be coming back.