Dinner – July 18, 2025 – Cantina Frida – Beverly Hills, CA.

There are quite a few of these outstanding Mexican restaurants with the same name around SoCal, but this one is an elegant, delicious dining experience. The others are the same ownership, but Cantina Frida, is really a step above the others. The others are a bit more casual. Cantina Frida prides itself on only using the best products and their menu is a bit more upscale. Whatever Cantina Frida claims to be, I can tell you hands down it is s wonderful dining experience. What you get here, is a special culinary approach to modern Mexican cuisine.

General Manager Israel Cuevas made my experience really great. I saw him at The Beverly Hills Chamber Appreciation event, and he was doing a great spread of lovely smaller finger foods. I tasted some of his offerings and was very impressed. He said for me to come in and do a tasting for my website and I jumped at the chance. What I did not know is how much attention Cantina Fridas pays to all of the details, with their remarkable presentation and delicious ingredients, all very high quality and most locally sourced. Then when chef Luis Beltran came out to meet me, he explained most of the dishes that I was interested in, and he curated a wonderful well-rounded tasting for me to be able to get the full experience at Cantina Frida, he did a great job.

Cantina Frida was inspired by the communal sharing plates that are traditionally served in the old cantinas in Mexico in an environment that brings friends and family together.

Their mixologists developed their cocktail menu taking the very best of regional Mexican favorites. They use only the finest top shelf mezcal and the most extraordinary, crafted tequilas. Mexican gastronomy is an art. Cantina Freda’s fresh taste is hand-crafted every day from scratch in their kitchen with the best ingredients SoCal has to offer.

Cantina Frida brings an exciting touch to traditional Mexican cuisine in a modern dining environment for everyone’s enjoyment. Whether you come for a taste from home or a memory of a beloved vacation, come to Cantina Frida to be transported by the aromas, sounds, flavors. You too will be so glad you did!

Here’s What I Tried:

Margaritas:

Berry Margarita, with Tequila, berries, oj reduction, and lime. You really get the full berry flavors with this margarita, so if you want one that is a bit sweeter and has loads of berry flavor then this margarita is the one to order.

Cadillac Margarita, with Tequila, oj reduction, lime, and grand Marnier. I always love the float of Grand Marnier on the top, it gives the margarita another dimension of flavor.

Cucumber Margarita, with silver tequila, infused with cucumber, Miel de agave, and lime. This margarita is bit more mellow than the others, but it is very drinkable.

Starters:

Guacamole, with avocado, onion, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime, prepared table side. There is something about table side guacamole, its old school and it just tastes better.

Ceviche Mixto, with fish, shrimp, octopus, avocado, pico de gallo, cucumber, lime juice, and olive oil. The presentation is just gorgeous, and it is so fresh and delightful.

Tostada Salad, spring mix, tomato, queso fresco, sour cream, avocado, rice, beans, and orange dressing. This would be my go-to salad, the dressing is sweet and savory, I just could not get enough!

Taco’s:

Zarandeado, with grilled white fish, guajillo adobo, avocado, crispy onion, and chipotle mayo. A very hearty taco, the fish is just out of this world.

Vegano Baja, with battered cauliflower, cabbage, onion relish, vegan roasted salsa, Pico de Gallo, and avocado. This is a great alternation for a vegan diner, it has great flavor and a hard shell for ultimate crunch, a real winner.

Main Dishes:

Combo Fajitas, with filet mignon, shrimp, grilled chicken, bell pepper, onion, tomato, handmade corn tortillas, Spanish rice, and pinto beans. The proteins are cooked to perfection, and super tender, a great filling menu item.

Enchiladas de Langosta, with two enchiladas, fresh lobster, chipotle-cream sauce, and white rice. The sauce is like lobster bisque soup, so rich and creamy, for me another go-to dish at Cantina Frida.

Dessert:

Mexican Chocolate Parfait, with creamy and intense chocolate mousse based with traditional chocolate candy, layered between vanilla cream and chocolate cookie crumbles. This dessert is just incredible, it melts in your mouth but also has an amazing texture of many layers, a must have!

Wine:

Hahn Chardonnay – Central Coast, CA. – 2022. This wine paired so great with the lobster, it is rich and creamy and was the perfect backdrop for any of the fish dishes.

Cantinas are popular across Latin America and Spain, and it’s perfect for the L.A. dining scene, where patrons flock to the lively atmosphere and excellent dining at Cantina Frida. Vicente de Rio of Frimex Hospitality Group is also the owner of five locations of Frida Restaurants, along with Taco Libre in the L.A. area and coming soon to Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. Now he has brought his vision for authentic food from Mexico City paired with a special, distinct energy.

Cantina Frida hits all the marks; you’ll find delicious elevated authentic Mexican food in a gorgeous setting that combines the style of fine Los Angeles dining with trendy cantina-style service. Their menu is a gastronomic journey through Mexico. Mixing authentic flavors that is both fresh and delicious, the best of the best.

There is an open kitchen with the perfect viewing of the stylized detail food. The interior is just gorgeous with so many beautiful design elements. It just has the most elegant touches to add to your overall dining experience.