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.
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107 Heaton Park Rd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, NE6 5NR
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Last update on 07 Jul 2025 by craigmc
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Added by KateEmmett on 31 Jul 2023
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21 Reviews
First Review by KenMaving
Lostbuthappy
Points +216
Bar with Snacks - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Friendly staff , Atmosphere
Cons: A tad expensive for what you get.
Guest
Kathrine16
Points +108
Bar with snack food - Edit
No longer sell the Mexican sandwich which is a shame. The fish tacos were great , the rest of the menu lacked flavour
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-26
Pros: Nice atmosphere for drinks , Great for people watching
Cons: Tad expensive
Guest
JaneyBL
Points +151
Informal vegan Mexican dining - Edit
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 😋
Read moreGuest
oekofeministin
Points +392
Made my week! - Edit
Didn‘t know what to expect, ended up ordering the whole menu 😂
Read moreAmazing seasoning, the panko fried mushrooms are out of this world (ordered twice lol), fresh ingredients, friendly staff!
Pros: All vegan, Super tasty, Fair price
Guest
VeteranVeggie
Points +63
Characterful, friendly and fun - Edit
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!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-03
Pros: Atmosphere , Great value, Lovely staff
Cons: Not enough chilli and garlic!
Guest
ais.lee
Points +32
Hidden gem that's worth a trip into town - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Nice atmosphere, Friendly staff
Cons: A little spenny (but everything is nowadays) , Limited menu
Guest
deadpledge
Points +14217
There Is A Light - Edit
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.
Read moreOn 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
Guest
Motoigillian
Points +34
Great food, lovely atmosphere, very attentive staff - Edit
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!
Read moreThe 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.
Guest
Vegan_boi
Points +30
Great, authentic and vegan Mexican food right on the quayside - Edit
Visited Cantina with my non-vegan parents, who really enjoyed the food - almost as much as I did!
Read moreThere 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
Guest
Vegan_Grower
Points +227
Let's talk about the vibe - Edit
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)
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-20
Pros: Decor , The pickled cauliflower!, Views - great people watching spot.
Cons: Best to book!
Vegan_Grower
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
Read moreGuest
KateEmmett
Points +4593
Fantastic - Edit
Really tasty tacos - my favourites were the pastor and the verde. The cocktails were delicious too.
Read moreGuest
DonnaC
Points +1714
Very Special - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
hack_man
Points +26863
Arriba, arriba! Ándale, Ándale! - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Imaginative food, Great location, Genuine Mexican connections
Guest
sj_the_vegan
Points +406
Tasty vegan Mexican. - Edit
I’ve been dying to try this place for a while.
Read moreWe 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.
Guest
AndrewRoberts
Points +23
Delicious tacos and tortas - Edit
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.
Read moreThe meat- alternative ones are made from banana blossom, jackfruit etc so nicer than just the fake meat alternatives.
Pros: Al pastor tacos, “Chorizo” tacos
Guest
HelenSewell
Points +396
Another great option by the quayside - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Good flavours, All vegan , Good location
Guest
AbiM
Points +4858
Tasty - Edit
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!!!
Read morePros: Tasty
Guest
Coeliacsquirrel
Points +463
Fabulous staff - Edit
Plant based tacos & side dishes. The guacamole is particularly good & the staff could not be more helpful when enquiring about GF options
Read morePros: Friendly helpful staff, Great location , All plant based
Cons: Only one GF tacos
Guest
AncientTraveller
Points +60
Simply Outstanding - Edit
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.
Read moreAs 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
Guest
KLea
Points +2047
Great bar and food - Edit
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.
Read moreThis 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
Guest
KenMaving
Points +126
Tasty tacos! - Edit
Really tasty tacos, 4 different vegan fillings. Speedy and friendly service.
Read moreGuest
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