Viva Taqueria & Cantina

Loved this place! I had the super smothered burrito and my wife ordered the taco salad. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. I was especially excited about the pickled carrots, they were amazing and clearly homemade. As a Mexican, my expectations were high, and this spot absolutely delivered.

Sure! Here’s a polished Google review you can use for Viva Taqueria in Ithaca: ⸻ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We stopped in at Viva and tried the Macho Nachos—delicious! Generous, fresh toppings and great flavor. We added a side of guacamole, which was a perfect match. The service was friendly and quick, making the whole experience enjoyable. Would definitely come back!

It's fine! My kid loves it. The food is good. Basic southwestern fair. The Cheatin Vegan Nachos are the best, no I'm not vegan in neither is the dish. The bar is fun. Lotsa tequila great margaritas, the Smokey Joint is my favorite. The old place across the street had this vibe to it that didn't quite follow them to the new spot but it's still a good spot.

Ever since the new owner in January 2025, the place has gone downhill. The chicken is gristly most of the time, the service is so incredibly slow, and the take out is a joke. We’ve been coming here every week/every other week for 10 yrs so I can post forthrightly. Our last time here we waited over an hour for our food to be ready. We ordered online, waited a 1/2hr then when we got there for pickup still had to wait another 40mins. When asked about it, they said they prioritized the diners and were just now getting to the take out people. That’s horrible business. Just stop taking online orders/doing carry out. There were a lot of us waiting and we all agreed. On top of that, all the ways they’ve changed the takeout menu/takeout ordering is atrocious.It’s unfortunate. This used to be a fun place to quickly get yummy food. Now it’s a pain on all fronts. We won’t be coming back for awhile.

We came from Pompey just to eat here. It was a beautiful fall day and someone heard it had good food. It is on Ithaca Commons and perfect weather we were seated outside. Gabe S met all our needs as our server. He was prompt, friendly and very professional. Two people in our party have special diets and Gabe followed that to the letter. If the food should be hot it was hot and if the food should be cold it was. So, in short, if you are lucky enough to get Gabe S as a server here, you are lucky enough!!

We visited Viva on Valentine's Day 2023 and it was a wonderful experience! Our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived, so we sat at the bar and enjoyed an order of Mini Nachos. I like this smaller sized portion which was perfect as a starter. The fresh squeezed orange-limeade was refreshing. My husband enjoyed a soft taco plate while I enjoyed the hard shell tacos! (one of our only debates in our home!) To Crunch or Not To Crunch... that is the question! We celebrate our anniversary each week, and Viva Taqueria made our 93rd Taco Tuesday together very memorable. Thanks for a wonderful Valentine's experience.

Had a bit of a wait for a table so we had a drink at the bar. Bartender was great and we got served pretty quickly despite it being packed and dinner time Friday. Server was also very sweet. Huge burrito, mole was pretty good too.

The enchiladas were likely the best I have had in years — super tasty. Tacos were tasty but the soft tortillas did disintegrate such that they ended up better to eat with a fork and knife. That was the only negative. The draft beer selection was 7-8 options but the margarita selection was large. The service was a little slow the day that we were there, but the folks were all super friendly. I recommend this place but maybe avoid the soft tacos.

Definitely check out Viva Taqueria if you're ever in the south of the border mood, or need your spirits lifted. The three of us had a really wonderful meal. Tacos were great, margaritas were delicious and the deserts were killer. Definitely ask the hostess to seat you in Madegan's section, if possible. She's magical, and made sure we had everything we wanted, exactly as we ordered. She also checked on us regularly, and moves a gracefully as a ballerina. Definitely worth the money! Rick

Overall terrible experience, do not recommend. We were greeted by a sassy teen hostess (greeted being a strong word seeing as she didn't acknowledge us) and we were asked to wait outside while many tables were open. We were seated for 45 minutes before we put in our order- during this extended wait we noticed some challenges with the atmosphere- bright lighting, chaotic decor, and booths that felt like a bad bowling alley. Eventually we got our food (another 40 minutes later- it was 9:30pm at this point) and the order was not done correctly. The chicken burrito with no beans was instead a bean burrito with no chicken! Sad experience, laughable for the whole group

We waited to be seated even though tables were open, then waited again to order. Water came without ice, and over an hour later, only one dish arrived, but it was wrong, with the sauce I asked to leave off. Our other dish was never entered, and I couldn't wait another hour since my 5-year-old was starving. When I mentioned the long wait time, I was told that every customer was experiencing the same delays. This is not acceptable because it shows poor management and lack of preparation rather than an occasional delay. Customers should not have to suffer the same slow service as a standard. While we waited, I noticed several concerning cleanliness issues. Kitchen staff were coming in and out wearing gloves while touching other surfaces, then going right back into the kitchen with the same gloves on. It felt unsanitary and careless. Staff looked overwhelmed, and cleanliness was questionable throughout. Won't be back.

Subpar taqueria with an oddly memorable aesthetic. We were first drawn in by the quirky decor, especially the masks with their tongues sticking out (see photos). Sadly, the vibe was the best part of the experience. When we asked our waitress a few basic questions about the menu (it was our first time), she looked visibly irritated. You'd think if you're in food service, answering a few clarifying questions wouldn't be such an ordeal. Later, we watched her jog over to another table, forget their order, and then loudly declare "That's what I thought" when the customer reminded her. My girlfriend and I looked at each other, stunned. I got the green enchiladas; she got the quesadillas, which were more bean than anything else. The Tequila Sunrise we ordered was watery beyond belief. My girlfriend compared the food you'd get at Trillium, aka dining hall food but more expensive.

Used to love coming here once a week for nachos. I'm so sad the new owners have made the food so much worse while also raising the prices. I can understand price increases but not when coupled with bad food.

I have been coming here for over 10 years with my husband. We came again tonight since the new dreaded menu change.... The food was terrible . No flavor to the guacamole , the orange limeade tastes different like they're cutting it with a powdered lemonade, and the beef super smothered burrito ( now $17!!) was utterly tasteless. I KNOW when things are changed my husband usually does not but tonight he even said the same. WHY THE HELL are the new owners ruining this place? Y'all better wake up before you don't have a business left ! I read so many Google reviews that say the exact same thing. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Please go back to the way it was and bring the old menu back ! I'm going to give this place a rest for a longggg time .

Atmosphere was nice. Food was completely flavorless. Got the guacamole, the fajitas and enchiladas platters. No flavor at all, not even salt and pepper Very disappointed

Found a small rock in my tofu burrito. Obviously we agreed it's prob from the beans but they will have to find a new way to inspect the beans because I literally could have lost part of a tooth biting down on this. Manager was pretty nonchalant about it stating that this happens on occasion. Really? Well do better food prep work then. Thanks for the offer to refund me at least because I won't be coming back to spend any credit given. Still charged me over six bucks for a spindrift seltzer! Owner should be glad I didn't send them a dental bill.

I absolutely love Viva! I always have a great experience and it's one of my top choices when going out to eat in ithaca. The food is fresh and as close to authentic as you can get without being authentic. The servers are generally inviting, friendly, and check in often. The ambiance gives you the feel of a Hispanic restaurant with culture surrounding you. One of my top favorites. And their new spot is proving to be better than the original place they were at across the street.

I have loved Viva for probably more than 20 years, and I am sad to say I will probably not go there again after my most recent experience. I've been ordering the same chicken taco salad for ages. I went there this week and was SUPER disappointed that it now costs $20 before tip, AND it no longer has vegetables on it??? Its chicken, beans, and lettuce. For $20. I know times are tough, but a few peppers and tomatoes go a long way.

After 20+ years of dining here, I recently experienced a steep decline in the quality of food and pared down menu offerings. Found out there are new owners. They have taken a beloved Ithaca restaurant and ruined it. The food is not flavorful - beans taste like they are right out of a can, rice is awful, portions way smaller, just not what it used to be. Ordered House nachos on my last visit, 7/29 and was served chips with a blob of refried beans on one side, two jalapeno slices and cheese. Not what the menu described. Server actually told me that IS what the House nachos are, had to have them bring a menu to point out the description. I was told "ooops, I will bring out the other ingredients to you." WTF?!? I insisted the nachos be remade properly as it was the kitchens job to construct the dish, not my job. Never going back. Go to CDMX in Press Bay alley- best tacos and tortas!

What happened to our favorite spot in Ithaca??? Last night at Viva we waited nearly an hour for our food. As did every other disgruntled customer we spoke with. What a shame! This used to be such a great place to go. What on Earth have the new owners done?? So sad to lose this place.

The food was great and so was the staff this is one of my favorite Mexican places and every time I visit my family friends it's always a must visit

The wait was a very long for a table. They do not text when your table is ready so you have to hang around. And then there was an excessive long wait for the food after we ordered. The guacamole was tiny. The salsa bland. The food overall was bland. What mole sauce??? No flavor. No spices. Tacos. You would think no one could mess up tacos. We all had tacos. Even the pickled garnish was under-pickled. The margarita was small and watery and was supposed to taste like pomegranate. The only thing good about the restaurant was our waitress. Who had nothing to do with the tasteless food or the excessive wait? She was completely delightful. The only thing I would improve about the service is serving the hungry teens their meals first.

We are hosting a graduation party this weekend, and my sister's favorite food in Ithaca is Viva tacos. She really wanted tacos from Viva for her celebration, so we followed their instructions to place a catering order and emailed twice with all the details--only to receive no response. I then called two more times asking to speak with a manager and was completely disregarded. Finally, when I got through on my third attempt, the manager casually told me, "Yeah, I saw that email. We're going to be too busy to do your order," with no apology and no effort to inform us earlier. They had no intention of letting us know they couldn't fulfill our order until I chased them down. This was incredibly disappointing and unprofessional. Terrible customer service, and truly not what you'd expect from a local favorite. They had a chance to make someone's special day better...and completely dropped the ball :(

After spending a few hours outdoors performing, we kicked back here for a late lunch. It was positively delish. Bonus points for accommodating gluten free & vegan! Every plate (generous serving size) was finished.

We stopped in here while we were visiting downtown Ithaca. The menu looked so good and I was excited to meet my in-laws here. Overall experience was just average, but to be fair we came on a Friday night at 5 pm when it was busy. The waitstaff seemed...disinterested. Food was average, nothing especially out of this world. The restaurant had a nice drink menu and we did enjoy our margaritas. Another heads up, parking is tough in this area and it's mostly on street. Be sure to give yourself an extra few minutes to park.

Noticed they has some menu/website updates. My usual taco salad now seems way less nice, like the base is bagged? No longer has fresh tomatoes or green peppers and it's $15. I know stuff is expensive to make but I won't order this anymore, it's not worth it. Very sad.

Very mediocre. There are so many stellar restaurants in Ithaca, this one was a disappointment. The black beans had zero seasoning- we think they took them out of a can, rinsed them and put them on the plate with no seasoning. The rice was dry and boring. Felt like instant. The curtido- pickled carrots, onions and peppers- should have been pickled longer (days/weeks, not minutes). The guac was boring, blender made, no chunks of avocado, no cilantro... the chips were the highlight but scant for four people. Around the table, we had enchiladas (1 vegan and 1 chicken mole)- they were meh. Our friends had burritos (one fajita and idk what the other was). They like their meals. Desserts looked nice in the case but we skipped it. One huge plus point- you can have a conversation as the ambiance is nice and allows it. Wish the food was up to par.

the absolute worst mexican food ive ever eaten. if your tastebuds are white, you will love this place. with that being said the server was great. but the chicken was so dry and the burrito was incredibly bland. and tbh definitely NOT worth the price. even the chips and guac were dull and bland.

Told them we wanted to sit outside. They had us wait even though there were free tables. More than 5 minutes later they asked if we wanted to sit outside. Sigh. Ok. No ice in water in fact my water touched the servers ungloved hand as she placed it on the table with her palm covering the top. Asked for refried beans - got beans but not refried. Rice was clumped in bits clearly microwaved. Burrito stuffed with ingredients but no seasoning. Bathroom was smelly and sticky. The Village Goat (drink) saved the day. We will only come back for drinks from now on.

Great margheritas. I've been coming here for 12 years and I still like their food when I have that Mexican food craving. Grew up in California but this is still my "go to" for Mexican food. Consistently good and fulfills my craving every time! Also like the atmosphere both old and new. Good service and if you have to wait there's always chips and margaritas to please your palate. They have a large bar for drinks while you wait for your table. Definitely recommend!

I believe things must have changed recently, based on our experience. Food was awful, all four entrees. Chips and salsa, offered but was not told they cost $5 .. each refill! Waitress was rude. Service slow. No ice in the water, no ice for sodas.. beer came in a water glass. Very slow service, unfriendly staff.. put us in loud bar, when there was room at the restaurant side. Not busy.. so not an excuse!

I've been a loyal customer of Viva's since it opened. Food is always fresh, margaritas are delicious and the atmosphere is welcoming. Service used to be stellar as well. Went for dinner last night with a friend and had probably the worst service I've ever had in a restaurant. Server took forever just to take our drink order, then I guess he just forgot about taking our food order. Same thing with the check. I had to actually get up and go find him so I could pay the bill. He was hanging out in the back with friends and didn't seem the least bit concerned that I had to track him down. Wow. I hope they find better staff soon!

Food is always delicious and service is good. We did take out once. It was also fantastic bit we missed the good drinks. lol

Food was great! Highly recommend the quesadillas! Service was excellent and we were seated quickly. Has a great vibe and overall atmosphere for a Mexican style restaurant.

Probably more like 3.5 stars. Vegan nachos were really tasty and different. Basic burritos was good too! Would come back in a pinch, nothing was bad but also not amazing

Just had dinner at Viva Taqueria with some friends. Food ingredients not fresh, enchilada green tomatillo gummy, filling except for the chicken was questionable, beans and rice no particular taste dried out. Pomegranate margherita had a refrigerator smell. My modelo negro beer was good. Chips were greasy. Enough.

Our food was fantastic, service was quick and they have plenty of outdoor seating. Lovely place on the commons.

Let's start with the positive. The outdoor dining here is excellent, with plenty of people watching to go along with your food. The prices are fair, the portions plentiful. The only true issue we had was service. It was lunch, and not overly busy. The server was absent for the most part, and would forget the items that we requested. (Like napkins when eating fajitas...). This didn't detract from enjoying lunch, but did add some annoyance to our visit.

Long wait and the hostess seemed annoyed at us asking for updates. They also don't take down phone numbers. Once we were seated food came out very fast and drinks were strong. I got the vegan nachos with tofu which were filling- no vegan cheese though so don't except actual "nachos". Friend also found a hair in her burrito.

When returning to Ithaca post-graduation, Viva was the first spot my husband and I had to hit up. I feared that my memory of their nachos were better than they would be upon returning but I was wrong! The Macho Nachos were, and still are, the best nachos I have ever had. It is THE item to get here. Don't leave without ordering it. They also have vegan nachos, which I haven't tried, but they sounded delicious! I also got The Purist margarita and it was delicious. Our waiter recommended it as something less sweet and it totally hit the mark. The service was absolutely fantastic. Our waiter was helpful in guiding our choices, super friendly, and attentive to checking in on us. Viva is my favorite restaurant in Ithaca and I cannot recommend those nachos enough!

The wrapped burrito was excellent. It was hot and well filled. Service was good. It was a great day to sit outside too.

Good service, really nice waiter. Food is beyond mid, you could easily make this better at home. Burrito was cold the second it came out. There is nothing worth the menu price at this place you're better off going to old Mexico where the food is much better.

Please do not patronize this restaurant! I had been going here for the last 15 years and once or twice a month for the last two years. Something has changed and I will never go back. About two weeks ago, I stopped in as I usually do, as a lone, single late 50's white woman. I asked for a table outside. Mind you, it was 2:00 in the afternoon on a weekday, and there were no more than 3-4 customers in the place. The host, who was not the usual gentlemen who seats me, informed me that " I was told not to sit single people at a table or outside. You are welcome to sit at the bar or get it to go" (said in a very condescending tone). Apparently he could tell by the look on my face that I was not okay with that and he offered to go "double check". When he came back he told me he could seat me, and took me to a table outside. I proceeded to order my usual of vegan nachos and an iced tea. As I ate my meal, my anger at this treatment grew. By the end, I couldn't even finish my meal and felt that I couldn't be cordial to discuss this treatment with the manager. A few weeks went by and I was in town again and decided to go back and talk to the manager and see if this is just a one-off or in fact a new policy. The same host was there when I walked in and again, condescendingly asked " Can I help you?" I asked to speak to a manager and he walked away and came back after a few moments to inform me that no manager was available. He asked what the issue was and I told him. He offered no apology for the treatment and would not assure me that I wouldn't encounter the same treatment if I returned again. He did offer to have someone call me. I left my name and number and never received a response back. If this had been a busy, full house Saturday night, I could well understand asking a single person to sit at the bar or get a "to go". But on an empty, weekday afternoon this treatment is insulting and rude. I will never go back and I would hope that others would not patronize an establishment with such an overtly discriminatory policy toward single patrons.

Delicious fresh foods. The service is fast, friendly and attentive. Crowded and loud because everyone is having a great time.

First time here and I thought this place was okay. Food: I got the super platter, which comes with 4 soft taco skins, guac, salsa, rice, beans, cheese, and sour cream. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not a big fan of tacos, but the taste wasn't anything amazing. It was sort of bland and I should've used some of the hot sauces to add more flavor. Service: It was okay. Wait time was relatively long. Besides that, there was not much interaction as we ordered the food, waited to be called, grabbed the food, and sat down. Price: I would say for the super platter, it's not worth the $8.50. However, I'm also not surprised that it's priced this much. Portion size was okay. Ambiance: Inside is somewhat nice in terms of decoration. The seating area is somewhat small and lacking. Would I come back? Maybe, but there are probably better options out there. For a first time? Sure, give it a try if you're a vegetarian. There are definitely a good amount of options for you. They can also make things vegan was well, so in terms of accommodating to specific diets, they are pretty good.

Viva serves some seriously amazing food! One of the best Mexican places I have tried so far in Ithaca. The super smothered burrito with shredded beef brisket was so amazing. The flavors truly went so well together, from the soft tortilla to the delicious pinto beans and tender/flavorful brisket. Additionally, the sides of pickled jalapeños, carrots, and garlic perfectly cut through the flavor of the burrito with its acidity. We also had an amazingly kind waitress that allowed us to try some of her favorite sauce (the Mole sauce) and she was extremely helpful in helping us make our decision when ordering. Just make sure if you come on a busy night to get there early because you will likely have to wait around 30ish minutes!!

I have been passing Viva Taqueria for years and never stopped to eat. Last month I met my cool aunt and her husband for lunch at this fun restaurant. The wait staff is really nice, they didn't rush us and we had a delicious meal. Hope to return soon. Great for dates !!

Located in downtown ithaca, viva taqueria serves up Mexican food. We got a Super Smothered Burrito veggie style and a chicken taco. The burrito was good but not so much on the taco. I've had Mexican food from a lot of places and I wasn't that impressed. I felt that it lacks some core taste. This taste is very average to me.

Amazing experience here :) very chill and nice service and we had a comfortable seat by the window overlooking the street. The vegan nachos were a great choice. Burritos and tacos are very affordable. Odd mechanism to get water out of the sink.

Stopped over here twice - once on a busy Sunday night in the area dedicated for quick eating (taqueria), and then again on Monday afternoon for a relaxed sit-down meal (cantina). Generally inviting decor and lots of bustle with waiters/bartenders doing their thing. First go around, shared the Super Nachos ($8) - a pile of warm chips, salsa, guac, sour cream, jalapenos, and cheese. Chips were a little burnt but everything on top covered that taste. Washed it down with a Mango Frozen Margarita ($8) which always helps matters. For the sit-down meal, ordered the Steak Fajitas ($17) - several slices of steak, grilled peppers, onions, and a pile of soft tortillas. Okay collection of ingredients, could have used some cheese or sour cream. Can be a little hectic at night; way easier to get around in the morning/afternoon.

Food was really tasty. The service with our waitress was great and quick. Sat outside and enjoyed the Ithaca Commons.

My friend who attended Ithaca College, as well as our Airbnb host recommended Viva, and I am so glad they did! We ordered chips and guac, and I had the red sangria. Both were delicious, and the sangria came in two sizes. I ordered the larger one and it was only $10 for a huge glass! For our meal I ordered two chicken tacos, rice, and beans. My partner, Chris, had the smothered burrito. We both really enjoyed our meals, which were also very reasonably priced. Our server was lovely and the outdoor seating set-up is very spacious and cute! We hope to visit again whenever we are back in the area.

Either the restaurant is straight up closed, the bar is not open for seating that particular day (weird) or there's a hour wait for a table. There is no in-between. Take my money dammit, I need a margarita!

My husband has been going to Viva for over 25 years since it was a little take out only joint. We live about an hour away and have been there a few times per year until the pandemic. And we have always LOVED it...until now. We went yesterday, and sadly it was quite average. The chicken mole was so spicy it was hard to enjoy, the calabacitas vegetarian filling which I always loved was bland, and the red sangria tasted more like juice than wine. The best thing we had was the shredded beef tacos, and our kids liked the chicken burritos and chorizo quesadilla they had. Viva has also moved across the street and although the space can accommodate more people it just didn't have the same cozy, energetic vibe. It was 5:30 PM on a Saturday and it was kind of quiet and half empty. Our service was friendly, attentive and fast. We will try it again in the future because you can always have an off night, and hoping yesterday was just a fluke.

Viva is an institution to me. Being an alum of Ithaca College, this place is a must if you're a college kid, parent of a college kid, an Ithaca local, just passing through, and more. Their tequila selection is extensive. Their food is fresh. Service is always polite and courteous. There's options for most dietary restrictions, and all are delicious so bring your friends! A rather small establishment, it can be a wait to grab a table and it's almost always packed to the gills, so call ahead if you can. My absolute favorites are the macho nachos, chicken fajita quesadilla and the Goat Margaritas. Order any one of those and I promise you can't be too disappointed in me.

Was looking forward this , unfortunately the waitress never waited in us, took order for two other tables that arrived after us. Those tables food arrived and we were still waiting . A waitress finally ask us if we were ready and I said "yes we've been waiting a while . She said " good for you " first of all not a nice thing to say and not appropriate. Food came and was cold . We spent 90 dollars. Will not be returning and as others have said in comments before me Staff has a attitude .

Viva Taqueria is a pretty passable Mexican place in the Commons - the food is pretty mediocre and the service is almost nonexistent, but what it lacks in frills it compensates for by being pretty inexpensive. Most entrees are around $10, and the portion sizes are pretty massive - a smothered burrito could almost be shared by two people. The last time I came, my sister and I were seated immediately outside. I had a super smothered burrito with chicken, which came with all the bells and whistles (sour cream, cheese, guac, rice, beans, etc.) and I ordered it with ranchero sauce. It also came with some slaw and pickled vegetables on the side, which proved to be a nice and acidic contrast to the heavy, savory burrito. I thought the chicken in the burrito was fairly bland, and my other major qualm is that the ingredients weren't mixed very well inside. However, the ranchero sauce was yummy, and again, for $10 it's hard to complain (although I have to say, gun to my head I'd rather have a Chipotle burrito). Service was fast and friendly but very minimal. Also, our server split our check without us asking, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing in our case since we most likely would have gone dutch anyway but would have been kinda annoying if we had wanted to pay together. Other complaints include the fact that chips and salsa are an additional charge; in my opinion, they should be complimentary at a Mexican restaurant like Viva, and usually are. I've only had the margaritas once and didn't think they were very good at all, but they're very inexpensive and it's possible it was just the bartender on that given night. TL;DR: Better than a lot of the other cheap food in Ithaca, but there are so many great spots in the Commons that I'd rather pay a little more and have a nicer experience.