We stopped in for dinner with friends and had a fun time. I started off with a beer followed by the top shelf margarita. Our table started off with a few small orders of guacamole, we tried the goat cheese, pineapple-habanero and cantina 18. The pineapple-habanero was my favorite. For our meals it was the veggie burrito with black beans for my husband and the she crab soup and a spicy braised short rib taco with black beans for me. The soup is on a special limited menu that features a few of the favorite dishes that were served at 18 Seaboard. We both enjoyed our food and drinks. This is a good dining option in The Village District.
Rebekah Julian
Beautiful location and a lovely place to eat in the spring/summer when they open the doors and windows. Unfortunately, we have never had good food from here. We have tried to come back multiple times and the food is always cold.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Bob Keistler
Great Food! Great Place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Three Tacos Platter
Eric Austin
I just relocated back to NC and Cantina 18 was on the top of my list of the places I wanted to eat.18 years later and Raleigh doesn’t disappoint. Neither does chef Jason Smith. I have been a fan of his menus since the 18 Seaboard days(almost 20yrs ago).I had the Fried Green Tomatoes for lunch. I’ve tried them many times at other places throughout the country & always a soggy disappointment. These were so crispy and delicious. I can’t wait to come back again.It’s good to be home!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay Henson
The taco varieties are all amazing. Cantina 18 is a Triangle gem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Dickey
Our go to Sunday after church lunch spot. Delicious food served efficiently with excellent friendly staff. Consistent and never disappoints.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Quesadilla
Sue Geo
Meh — at best.First time customer.I had heard of this restaurant for years and I finally visited with a friend.We went on a weeknight. Many tables were filled, but there was not a wait; we were seated immediately. Our server was rather indifferent — not rude, but certainly not friendly. We felt rushed throughout the visit. Felt belittled upon asking questions about the menu. She didn’t make it feel like an inviting time.My friend ordered the seared pork belly taco and the grilled chicken taco, both in hard shell. The pork belly taco was super greasy.I ordered the grilled chicken taco — very bland, it needed a sauce or something, it was flavorless.I also ordered the crispy chili lime Wanchese shrimp taco — it was very good!!Similar to other commenters, there are better restaurant options for “Mexican-fusion” food. Ones with better food and certainly better service.I would consider giving Cantina 18 another try, however, it’s not at the top of my list to come back. Overall, I was disappointed in the service and the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Rick Childs
VERY DISAPPOINTING!!!!!! Charlie (-1 star) might be one of the rudest bar tenders. My wife and I made room for a group of 4 ladies waiting for a table at the bar on a busy night for Cantina 18. Well that upset Charlie the bartender because we moved to a spot that had not been cleared from the previous couple that was sitting there for this group of four ladies to have a seat while waiting. This lead to words be exchanged, the owner comping the meal, which I requested him not to do. So if you want a rude Bartender that has no plan to listen to your complaint, from a restaurant that does offer good food but doesn’t have any respect this is your spot!!! ? I appreciate the owner comping the meal, but that was not the request or need.The request was, Please deal with your staffing issue behind the bar. It doesn’t represent well at all.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Jean S.
The staff was pleasantly and friendly, the food being bad wasn't their fault. I ordered wood fire steak and it was so bad I couldn't eat. It looked and tasted like it was expired. Highly do not recommend.
Joel Lopez
I’m don’t love Mexican food, but decided to try this with my wife as a step up from a Moe’s or Chipotle for a Sunday dinner.Found out that it was exactly that. A Chipotle with table service, although the food was a little worse.The service was not bad. Nothing to rave about, but nothing bad to say.Ordered some white queso, which again, nothing bad to say, but comparable to any other queso in any other Mexican style fast food. For the entree we ordered a couple of burritos. One chicken and one short rib. They were not even as good as Chipotle’s or Moe’s. Stuff inside was cold, and by this time we just accepted the fact that this was what it was.Prices of food were comparable to the same two fast foods I mentioned, so no harm done.In summary, if you want to have a bad Chipotle burrito but want it with table service and also want to have some drinks, this could be a good option.But, if you’re interested in the advertised Mexican culinary fusion , then let me break it to you. The Mexican fusion is just Caucasian palate mexican food.
UPDATED 31 January 2024: Great locally owned business! Service is always great. Good selection of food!----------------------------Food was good, atmosphere was nice. I would go back again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, One Taco Platter, Fajitas
Merike Saarniit
The chicken tinga quesadilla wasn't the entree I expected for the price (at least, compared to the other entrees about the same price ordered at our table - which were better).
John Strickland Jr
Great service and atmosphere but the food was a bit lacking in flavor. I will definitely go again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, One Taco Platter
Dave M.
Cantina 18 is awesome. Great Food Great Service. Always a good experience every visit!
Dabid C.
Came here looking for Mexican so maybe my review will be a little bias bc it's Tex-mex. But started off good with the chips and salsa and the pineapple jaelpeno pitcher. Then our food came out and I was very surprised, the ground beef tacos weren't even seasoned and the cheese looks like plastic. The short rib burrito was okay...still not worth it. All in all this place had a decent atmosphere but was not worth the price whatsoever. If your looking for a good margarita and Mexican GO SOMEWHERE ESLE
We stopped in for dinner with friends and had a fun time. I started off with a beer followed by the top shelf margarita. Our table started off with a few small orders of guacamole, we tried the goat cheese, pineapple-habanero and cantina 18. The pineapple-habanero was my favorite. For our meals it was the veggie burrito with black beans for my husband and the she crab soup and a spicy braised short rib taco with black beans for me. The soup is on a special limited menu that features a few of the favorite dishes that were served at 18 Seaboard. We both enjoyed our food and drinks. This is a good dining option in The Village District.
Beautiful location and a lovely place to eat in the spring/summer when they open the doors and windows. Unfortunately, we have never had good food from here. We have tried to come back multiple times and the food is always cold.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Great Food! Great Place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Three Tacos Platter
I just relocated back to NC and Cantina 18 was on the top of my list of the places I wanted to eat.18 years later and Raleigh doesn’t disappoint. Neither does chef Jason Smith. I have been a fan of his menus since the 18 Seaboard days(almost 20yrs ago).I had the Fried Green Tomatoes for lunch. I’ve tried them many times at other places throughout the country & always a soggy disappointment. These were so crispy and delicious. I can’t wait to come back again.It’s good to be home!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The taco varieties are all amazing. Cantina 18 is a Triangle gem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our go to Sunday after church lunch spot. Delicious food served efficiently with excellent friendly staff. Consistent and never disappoints.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Quesadilla
Meh — at best.First time customer.I had heard of this restaurant for years and I finally visited with a friend.We went on a weeknight. Many tables were filled, but there was not a wait; we were seated immediately. Our server was rather indifferent — not rude, but certainly not friendly. We felt rushed throughout the visit. Felt belittled upon asking questions about the menu. She didn’t make it feel like an inviting time.My friend ordered the seared pork belly taco and the grilled chicken taco, both in hard shell. The pork belly taco was super greasy.I ordered the grilled chicken taco — very bland, it needed a sauce or something, it was flavorless.I also ordered the crispy chili lime Wanchese shrimp taco — it was very good!!Similar to other commenters, there are better restaurant options for “Mexican-fusion” food. Ones with better food and certainly better service.I would consider giving Cantina 18 another try, however, it’s not at the top of my list to come back. Overall, I was disappointed in the service and the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
VERY DISAPPOINTING!!!!!! Charlie (-1 star) might be one of the rudest bar tenders. My wife and I made room for a group of 4 ladies waiting for a table at the bar on a busy night for Cantina 18. Well that upset Charlie the bartender because we moved to a spot that had not been cleared from the previous couple that was sitting there for this group of four ladies to have a seat while waiting. This lead to words be exchanged, the owner comping the meal, which I requested him not to do. So if you want a rude Bartender that has no plan to listen to your complaint, from a restaurant that does offer good food but doesn’t have any respect this is your spot!!! ? I appreciate the owner comping the meal, but that was not the request or need.The request was, Please deal with your staffing issue behind the bar. It doesn’t represent well at all.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
The staff was pleasantly and friendly, the food being bad wasn't their fault. I ordered wood fire steak and it was so bad I couldn't eat. It looked and tasted like it was expired. Highly do not recommend.
I’m don’t love Mexican food, but decided to try this with my wife as a step up from a Moe’s or Chipotle for a Sunday dinner.Found out that it was exactly that. A Chipotle with table service, although the food was a little worse.The service was not bad. Nothing to rave about, but nothing bad to say.Ordered some white queso, which again, nothing bad to say, but comparable to any other queso in any other Mexican style fast food. For the entree we ordered a couple of burritos. One chicken and one short rib. They were not even as good as Chipotle’s or Moe’s. Stuff inside was cold, and by this time we just accepted the fact that this was what it was.Prices of food were comparable to the same two fast foods I mentioned, so no harm done.In summary, if you want to have a bad Chipotle burrito but want it with table service and also want to have some drinks, this could be a good option.But, if you’re interested in the advertised Mexican culinary fusion , then let me break it to you. The Mexican fusion is just Caucasian palate mexican food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
UPDATED 31 January 2024: Great locally owned business! Service is always great. Good selection of food!----------------------------Food was good, atmosphere was nice. I would go back again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, One Taco Platter, Fajitas
The chicken tinga quesadilla wasn't the entree I expected for the price (at least, compared to the other entrees about the same price ordered at our table - which were better).
Great service and atmosphere but the food was a bit lacking in flavor. I will definitely go again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, One Taco Platter
Cantina 18 is awesome. Great Food Great Service. Always a good experience every visit!
Came here looking for Mexican so maybe my review will be a little bias bc it's Tex-mex. But started off good with the chips and salsa and the pineapple jaelpeno pitcher. Then our food came out and I was very surprised, the ground beef tacos weren't even seasoned and the cheese looks like plastic. The short rib burrito was okay...still not worth it. All in all this place had a decent atmosphere but was not worth the price whatsoever. If your looking for a good margarita and Mexican GO SOMEWHERE ESLE