Excellent authentic Baja Cali menu. Comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Our server was first class.
Courtney K.
I wish I knew what made their carnitas so special -- I'm convinced they're made by some sort of god. I have never had them this good. Exceptional food and attentive service. I have been to the 3rd street location as well and it is just as good. I dream about your food!
N P.
Made reservations for 2, glad we did! Ordered dip duo, yummy! Mexican kale salad with chicken also very yummy and cucumber jalapeños margarita wow!!! That was AMAZING. All in all had a wonderful experience
Adriano Hernández
The place is well located and comfortable, the food is excellent ? the attention from the waiters who, despite being very young, provide magnificent service, they are bilingual and make you feel very comfortable.. in general the staff is very attentive and friendly, I highly recommend This place has reasonable prices and the food is of very good quality. I hope to return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel C.
My friends and I really enjoyed Mercado! We came for happy hour on a Friday and ordered mostly off of the happy hour menu. I got a skinny margarita (very delicious and reasonably priced!), the "dos gringas" tacos (pork al pastor) and ground beef tacos - it was a ton of food but really good! Prices were very reasonable at happy hour and I'd return for sure!
Joel
One of the best upscale Mexican restaurants in LA. Carnitas are to die for and don’t leave without having a spicy, cucumber margarita. A little cramped at this location, but it’s 4th Street in Santa Monica. Must have a reservation for weekends.Parking: Recommend getting an Uber but there is plenty of paid parking nearby in the Promenade structures. Sometimes difficult to find a spot. But usually available.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Guacamole and Chips, Dip Duo
Emily Butler
One of the best contemporary Mexican I’ve had in a while. The chef balances inventive tastes, offering new twists on classic tastes. The pulpo al pastor was a standout, the guacamole and chips super tasty, and even classic tacos were super flavoursome. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Guacamole
Maral C.
I've been a big fan of this Mexican restaurant for quite some time now! It was a Tuesday and I happened to be in the neighborhood, so I decided to swing by for an early dinner. Little did I know, they had a special Taco Tuesday promotion going on! The Taco Tuesday menu had some fantastic margarita options! However, since I have a shellfish allergy, my choices were a bit limited as they didn't offer their famous fillet or fish tacos, or any other veggie tacos, apart from the taco de papa. So, I went ahead and ordered the taco de papa, and it turned out to be just as delicious as I remembered! The restaurant was busy and the staff were overwhelmed but overall it was enjoyable.
Emily M
Incredible guacamole and mushroom queso! Wonderful service and atmosphere, and delicious mocktails and non alcoholic beverages. Wish they had more vegetarian options but the one I got was good (not amazing but good).
THE BEST EXCELLENT VARIETY OF FOOD AND SEASONING THAT VERY FEW MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANTS HAVE WITHOUT A DOUBT THE HAPPY HOUR MENU SHOULD BE EXTENDED (LONGER OF HOURS) MY SUPER RECOMMENDATION IS THE OCTOPUS AL PASTOR LAS GRINGAS AND THE NACHOS WITH CARNITAS DELICIOUS EVERYTHING AH YOU CAN'T MISS THE MICHELADA OF THE
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Raya R.
When I say fresh I mean fresh authentic Mexican food. I had the pleasure of trying the guacamole and shrimp entree which they do not skimp on. Everything I had was delicious and so flavorful. The staff is very accommodating and welcoming and the atmosphere very cozy and inviting with dimly lit lighting. The music was on point and so were the guests. Perfect for a date night or hanging with friends. Can't wait to try the steak as I saw that ordered throughout the whole night.
Raquel M.
What's good - Queso dip + guac - Chips (worth pointing out - not every place has good chips!) -salsa (spicy, fresh, thick) - carnitas!!! - grilled mahi (or halibut - I forgot but its so good, Ive had it twice this month...) -churros!!!! -flan -churro ice cream -jamaica margarita -service (everyone from hostess to servers to bussers) What's not good -noise level. So loud we stopped talking bc yelling became annoying. This was the case this last Sunday night. The week before it wasn't this loud Anyway - go. Enjoy.
Sarah A.
Really cold ambiance, careless wait staff, and not so special food. Wouldn't come back or recommend
Heidi Becker
Excellent tacos, service and mango margaritas! We loved it!
Excellent authentic Baja Cali menu. Comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Our server was first class.
I wish I knew what made their carnitas so special -- I'm convinced they're made by some sort of god. I have never had them this good. Exceptional food and attentive service. I have been to the 3rd street location as well and it is just as good. I dream about your food!
Made reservations for 2, glad we did! Ordered dip duo, yummy! Mexican kale salad with chicken also very yummy and cucumber jalapeños margarita wow!!! That was AMAZING. All in all had a wonderful experience
The place is well located and comfortable, the food is excellent ? the attention from the waiters who, despite being very young, provide magnificent service, they are bilingual and make you feel very comfortable.. in general the staff is very attentive and friendly, I highly recommend This place has reasonable prices and the food is of very good quality. I hope to return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friends and I really enjoyed Mercado! We came for happy hour on a Friday and ordered mostly off of the happy hour menu. I got a skinny margarita (very delicious and reasonably priced!), the "dos gringas" tacos (pork al pastor) and ground beef tacos - it was a ton of food but really good! Prices were very reasonable at happy hour and I'd return for sure!
One of the best upscale Mexican restaurants in LA. Carnitas are to die for and don’t leave without having a spicy, cucumber margarita. A little cramped at this location, but it’s 4th Street in Santa Monica. Must have a reservation for weekends.Parking: Recommend getting an Uber but there is plenty of paid parking nearby in the Promenade structures. Sometimes difficult to find a spot. But usually available.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Guacamole and Chips, Dip Duo
One of the best contemporary Mexican I’ve had in a while. The chef balances inventive tastes, offering new twists on classic tastes. The pulpo al pastor was a standout, the guacamole and chips super tasty, and even classic tacos were super flavoursome. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Guacamole
I've been a big fan of this Mexican restaurant for quite some time now! It was a Tuesday and I happened to be in the neighborhood, so I decided to swing by for an early dinner. Little did I know, they had a special Taco Tuesday promotion going on! The Taco Tuesday menu had some fantastic margarita options! However, since I have a shellfish allergy, my choices were a bit limited as they didn't offer their famous fillet or fish tacos, or any other veggie tacos, apart from the taco de papa. So, I went ahead and ordered the taco de papa, and it turned out to be just as delicious as I remembered! The restaurant was busy and the staff were overwhelmed but overall it was enjoyable.
Incredible guacamole and mushroom queso! Wonderful service and atmosphere, and delicious mocktails and non alcoholic beverages. Wish they had more vegetarian options but the one I got was good (not amazing but good).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic service and delicious food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
THE BEST EXCELLENT VARIETY OF FOOD AND SEASONING THAT VERY FEW MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANTS HAVE WITHOUT A DOUBT THE HAPPY HOUR MENU SHOULD BE EXTENDED (LONGER OF HOURS) MY SUPER RECOMMENDATION IS THE OCTOPUS AL PASTOR LAS GRINGAS AND THE NACHOS WITH CARNITAS DELICIOUS EVERYTHING AH YOU CAN'T MISS THE MICHELADA OF THE
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
When I say fresh I mean fresh authentic Mexican food. I had the pleasure of trying the guacamole and shrimp entree which they do not skimp on. Everything I had was delicious and so flavorful. The staff is very accommodating and welcoming and the atmosphere very cozy and inviting with dimly lit lighting. The music was on point and so were the guests. Perfect for a date night or hanging with friends. Can't wait to try the steak as I saw that ordered throughout the whole night.
What's good - Queso dip + guac - Chips (worth pointing out - not every place has good chips!) -salsa (spicy, fresh, thick) - carnitas!!! - grilled mahi (or halibut - I forgot but its so good, Ive had it twice this month...) -churros!!!! -flan -churro ice cream -jamaica margarita -service (everyone from hostess to servers to bussers) What's not good -noise level. So loud we stopped talking bc yelling became annoying. This was the case this last Sunday night. The week before it wasn't this loud Anyway - go. Enjoy.
Really cold ambiance, careless wait staff, and not so special food. Wouldn't come back or recommend
Excellent tacos, service and mango margaritas! We loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5