Beer/Wine
Mexican

Est. June 2023. Mexican restaurant/taqueria. Serves tortas, tacos and tequilas. Relocated from 48-52 Sandhill. Added vegetarian items since reopening. Open Wed-Fri 17:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 10:00-17:00. Closed Sun - Tue.


Venue map for Cantina
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21 Reviews

First Review by KenMaving

Lostbuthappy

Points +216

Vegan
26 Nov 2023

Bar with Snacks

Have reduced their menu and no longer do the sandwiches which is a shame. We tried three different tacos and a few sides the " fish tacos" were great.

Pros: Friendly staff , Atmosphere

Cons: A tad expensive for what you get.

Kathrine16

Points +108

Vegan
26 Nov 2023

Bar with snack food

No longer sell the Mexican sandwich which is a shame. The fish tacos were great , the rest of the menu lacked flavour

Updated from previous review on 2023-11-26

Pros: Nice atmosphere for drinks , Great for people watching

Cons: Tad expensive

JaneyBL

Points +151

Vegan
20 Nov 2023

Informal vegan Mexican dining

Loved the vibe and food here. Went around 6pm on a Saturday, lots of tables reserved but squeezed us in with no problem as we had to be quick (theatre reservations). Place is like a bar with food. Informal, paper plates, small menu, reasonably priced. Delicious wine and food. We had some tacos (loved the oyster mushroom one) and shared some chips and dips. All delicious 😋

oekofeministin

Points +392

Vegan
11 Nov 2023

Made my week!

Didn‘t know what to expect, ended up ordering the whole menu 😂
Amazing seasoning, the panko fried mushrooms are out of this world (ordered twice lol), fresh ingredients, friendly staff!

Pros: All vegan, Super tasty, Fair price

VeteranVeggie

Points +63

Vegan
03 Nov 2023

Characterful, friendly and fun

A welcome addition to Newcastle's growing vegan restaurant scene. Cantina is conveniently located for the city centre and enjoys a modern, youthful atmosphere, yet we as 60-somethings felt perfectly welcome, thanks to very friendly and helpful staff. Food is tasty and although I'd have liked more chilli and garlic, the interesting menu of tacos and snacks was different and meals nicely presented and excellent value. More bar-with-food than restaurant and as other reviews have said, it gets busy so book!

Updated from previous review on 2023-11-03

Pros: Atmosphere , Great value, Lovely staff

Cons: Not enough chilli and garlic!

ais.lee

Points +32

Vegan
03 Nov 2023

Hidden gem that's worth a trip into town

Fabulous tacos with delicious and substantial fillings on proper corn tortillas. I go out of my way to eat here when I get the chance as it's rare to find properly good vegan tacos in the UK, and this hidden gem is a welcome challenge to the status quo.

Pros: Excellent food, Nice atmosphere, Friendly staff

Cons: A little spenny (but everything is nowadays) , Limited menu

deadpledge

Points +14217

Vegan
29 Oct 2023

There Is A Light

Great to finally see an all vegan Mexican restaurant in Newcastle. Inside the decor is inviting, with a great atmosphere and the menu is both exciting and creative.

On our visit we shared 5 dishes, which were the escabeche, flautas, pumpkin, chorizo rojo taco and the crispy fried oyster mushrooms. All the dishes were really flavourful, especially the flautas, chorizo and crispy fried oyster mushrooms, which were our favourites. Service was quick too, but we were still a little bit hungry afterwards, so we would probably order an extra dish next time.

We also got a lovely glass of Tempranillo each, but one con to mention is that honey is used for some cocktails.

Definitely, a place to visit though.

Pros: Great food, Creative, exciting menu, Atmosphere

Cons: None vegan cocktails served

Motoigillian

Points +34

Vegan
22 Oct 2023

Great food, lovely atmosphere, very attentive staff

Cantina is more of a bar which serves food than a restaurant. We went in early (5pm) just for food and other tables seemed to be eating too. Later on there seemed to be more drinkers (this was a Saturday evening). People of all ages were in there. Lots of tables were already reserved. It's obviously very popular!
The menu is mostly smaller dishes rather than main courses. The staff were really helpful at giving us suggestions when we got a bit confused at the menu! We gave a budget to the lovely staff who managed to come up with a menu for our table of three with a lot of variety. We had four different types of tacos....banana blossom tacos, pumpkin tacos, oyster mushroom tacos and another.......can't remember exactly what but it was quite "meaty" and ALL were beyond delicious. All with very different flavours and textures. Really inventive food and not like anything I'd make at home. We also had guacamole and some mexican pickles which were also fantastic. Location lovely with a view of the Swing Bridge and the river. Can't recommend enough.

Updated from previous review on 2023-10-21

Pros: Inventive, flavourful food., Great location, Friendlies, most attentive staff.

Cons: Can't think of one con.

Vegan_boi

Points +30

Vegan
12 Oct 2023

Great, authentic and vegan Mexican food right on the quayside

Visited Cantina with my non-vegan parents, who really enjoyed the food - almost as much as I did!

There are lots of different taco, sandwich and sides on offer, as well as some great non-alcoholic drink options. The food was really tasty, big portions, and was served really quickly.

The staff were also really friendly, and the restaurant/bar itself is a pretty cool venue. Would be nice to come here for drinks even without a meal, especially as it is right on the quayside near plenty of other bars.

Pros: Delicious, authentic food, Friendly staff, Cool venue and great location

Cons: Just one bathroom needing a key

Vegan_Grower

Points +227

Vegan
20 Sep 2023

Let's talk about the vibe

Everyone else has talked about the great food at Cantina (with which we concur), so let's talk about the vibe. In a nutshell it is very very nice here. Wednesday night Newcastle and packed out by 7pm, lovely mixed crowd from a wee babe in arms to us in our 50s and 60s and everyone in between, everyone happy happy happy and having a great time with food, nice music, great decor (the ceiling in particular is gorgeous) and very accommodating and friendly staff. We stuffed ourselves with food and drink. Liquid refreshments in abundance from a cheap kombusha for £2.50 through to cocktails (OH had a Cherry Old Fashioned and was greatly satisfied) and a decent selection of white/red/rose wines and beers. Definitely coming back on a weekend and to be fair I'm a bit of a stay at home. (loos upstairs, accessible loo on ground floor)

Updated from previous review on 2023-09-20

Pros: Decor , The pickled cauliflower!, Views - great people watching spot.

Cons: Best to book!

Vegan_Grower

29 Jun 2025

Has relocated to Heaton Rd however photos of menus (on Google reviews) show fried eggs included on menu so am unsure if still fully vegan

KateEmmett

Points +4593

Vegan
13 Sep 2023

Fantastic

Really tasty tacos - my favourites were the pastor and the verde. The cocktails were delicious too.

DonnaC

Points +1714

Vegan
10 Sep 2023

Very Special

I’m not a huge fan of Mexican food but this place has turned my head and won my heart. We enjoyed a few drinks and some fabulous food that wasn’t overpowered with onions like previous experiences I’ve had with Mexican food. My favourite was the crispy taco flutes stuffed with potatoes. Sensational.

hack_man

Points +26863

Vegan
10 Sep 2023

Arriba, arriba! Ándale, Ándale!

100% plant-based Mexican taqueria on the Quayside in what is a mutual working relationship on the premises of Zerox Bar. We had a couple of pints of Camden Hells, two speciality tequilas and ordered a variety of delights from the menu including (baja fish and oyster mushroom tacos, a chorizo rojo sandwich and the utterly delicious flautas - crispy filled tacos with potatoes). A cacophony of flavour ensued. Newcastle’s somewhat lacklustre vegan scene has suddenly been injected with life.

Pros: Imaginative food, Great location, Genuine Mexican connections

sj_the_vegan

Points +406

Vegan
07 Sep 2023

Tasty vegan Mexican.

I’ve been dying to try this place for a while.

We had some guacamole and tortillas to start which was tasty. The guac had some chipotle on top and was tasty and so much nicer than shop bought.

I had the ‘fish’ taco and my husband had the Pastor taco. Both were very tasty and I think the review stating they were two bites at most, must have a ridiculously big mouth. Not main meal size but it’s reflected in the price.

We halved the Chorizo Roco for main which was really tasty too.

I would definitely recommend and hope to return soon.

AndrewRoberts

Points +23

Vegan
28 Aug 2023

Delicious tacos and tortas

Been many times and always delicious, fresh, tasteful food. The two guys who run it are great and very friendly. Love the vibe and the food.

The meat- alternative ones are made from banana blossom, jackfruit etc so nicer than just the fake meat alternatives.

Pros: Al pastor tacos, “Chorizo” tacos

HelenSewell

Points +396

Vegan
16 Aug 2023

Another great option by the quayside

We booked a table on a Saturday night and it did get busy. We tried each option of taco and a sandwich. Good flavours but maybe a bit expensive for the size of the tacos. £4 for one taco which is basically 2 mouthfuls at best.

Pros: Good flavours, All vegan , Good location

AbiM

Points +4858

Vegan
12 Aug 2023

Tasty

We came at 5pm on a Saturday, fortunately we had booked as by about 6:30pm most of the tables were full or reserved. Tacos v tasty and nice to have the variety. Sandwich better if you are hungry! Sides very nice too, the black bean one more like a warm soup, would be nice to have a spoon!!!

Pros: Tasty

Coeliacsquirrel

Points +463

Vegan
12 Aug 2023

Fabulous staff

Plant based tacos & side dishes. The guacamole is particularly good & the staff could not be more helpful when enquiring about GF options

Pros: Friendly helpful staff, Great location , All plant based

Cons: Only one GF tacos

AncientTraveller

Points +60

Vegan
06 Aug 2023

Simply Outstanding

Went with two young children while visiting. The atmosphere and décor is fantastic, the food was extremely good. If it wasn't for the children we would have settled in for the evening. Can highly recommend the tacos.

As a very new establishment with many things to consider before opening, I would recommend a highchair at some point and our son (4yo) couldn't understand why there wasnt cheese (vegan).

Overall. Amazing place and we will definitely come back here.

Pros: Food, Music, Atmosphere

Cons: Better beer on tap

KLea

Points +2047

Vegan
05 Aug 2023

Great bar and food

Popped in without booking on a Thursday evening. It was busy with all tables occupied! We ordered drinks and waited for one to come free, then ordered a couple of sandwiches.

This is more of a bar with bar food than eatery but the food is nonetheless creative and delicious.

I completely forgot to grab a picture of the menu so can only say that my partner's oyster mushroom based sandwich was delicious. Full of umami flavour on a large crusty bread roll. I ordered the next flavour down! There was a good serving of salad in the roll and I enjoyed the soy shreds. The sauce was a little too spicy for my palate, but this is Mexican food and should be expected!

There is a well stocked bar, although I opted for a pineapple soda, having never tried that before. Surprisingly not too sweet and actually worked really well with the sandwich!

The other options on the menu are dips and nachos. Definitely more snacks to enjoy whilst drinking but it's a great bar in a great spot, overlooking two of Newcastle's famous bridges, with warm, friendly staff and a lovely atmosphere. We would return if we were in Newcastle.

Updated from previous review on 2023-08-05

KenMaving

Points +126

Vegan
27 Sep 2022

Tasty tacos!

Really tasty tacos, 4 different vegan fillings. Speedy and friendly service.




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