Steak Taco at El Cantaro Vegan Mexican Restaurant in Monterey
Fish Baja taco at El Cantaro Vegan Mexican Restaurant in Monterey
Appetizer taquitos at El Cantaro Vegan Mexican Restaurant in Monterey

  • El Cantaro Vegan Mexican Restaurant
    (365)
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  • White Vegan
Vegan
Delivery
Take-out
Mexican

Mexican food restaurant est. 2013 in the New Monterey area. Casual, colorful decor. Order at the counter, and food is served in to-go style (disposable ware). Menu is all-vegan and uses some faux meats. Dishes offered include crispy potato tacos, fajitas with side of rice and beans, tortilla chips, taquitos, tamales, and combination platters. Horchata and cake available. Open Mon-Thu 11:00am-8:30pm, Fri 11:00am-3:30pm, Sun 11:00am-8:30pm.

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365 Reviews

First Review by magickbaby

Avatar SonjaCPA

SonjaCPA

Points +5270

Vegan
12 Aug 2014

all vegan Mexican

After visiting with friends in Pebble Beach, I stopped by El Cantaro for lunch on the way out of town last Sunday. So pleased I did. They were easy to spot with vegan right on their sign, but I did a double take once inside to remind myself that it was a vegan place. Very nice to have authentic Mexican and I couldn't decide what to get as I was alone without anyone to share with. I ended up ordering the tortilla soup, crispy potato taco plate with black beans and a watermelon fruit drink. They also provide chips and salsa (which I personally didn't find too spicy). I was so stuffed as I finished it all. The service was very quick and friendly and the prices were reasonable. Their Friday and Saturday closures did not affect me, but it is something to be aware of.

Pros: all vegan Mexican, reasonably priced, quick service

crispy potato tacos and black beans at El Cantaro Vegan Mexican Restaurant in Monterey

tortilla soup at El Cantaro Vegan Mexican Restaurant in Monterey

Avatar Barbstout

Barbstout

Points +20

Vegan
03 May 2014

Amazing and beautiful people!

I have been in the area for a month and even though this is California, it's been a bit difficult to find vegetarian/vegan places. Most restaurants are happy to create a vegan dish for you if you wish, but sometimes these are chefs that have no idea what that means!
El Cantaro was a true find and the food is amazing, the people wonderful and the prices extraordinary! My vegan taco was 3.95$..... Really? When is the last time you got anything for that price that was delicious and filling and vegan! My husband loves the burritos and they are gigantic!
We are leaving this area soon but will always remember this place as one of our vegan restaurants we have visited all around this great country!

Pros: Good food, Friendly staff, Great prices

Avatar PeaceLoveVeggies

PeaceLoveVeggies

Points +96

Vegan
01 Apr 2014

amazing food! :D

I took my non-vegan, meat-loving family here today. They were pretty resistant to it, I had to beg and plead and pay for everyone, and I could still only get the ladies of the family to come along. But I would say that it was a success! :) The food was wonderful, and so authentic! Although the salsa was too spicy for me.
I got the vegetable burrito. I wanted to do without carrots and sub in onions, but she said that it was a pre-made vegetable mix so I couldn't omit the carrots. But I was able to add the onions and eat around the carrots. I also was able to choose a whole wheat tortilla - that was pretty great! The whole thing was amazing - I totally stuffed myself. So yummy :)
My grandma and aunt both got the vegetable enchiladas. They did make comments about the fake dairy products ("what is it made out of? It's not melting like normal cheese.") and they said that the green Enchilada sauce was very good and flavorful but a bit spicy. They ate about half their meal.
My other aunt got the pozole and an extra side of rice. Ate everything, and said that it was good, just tasted a bit "different".
My little cousin got a "cheese" quesadilla with rice and beans, off the kid's menu. Completely cleaned her plate, and loved it all. Didn't notice anything "different" (cause she wasn't expecting anything different maybe?) ;)

Overall though it was a good experience, the food was amazing, and I hope it opened my family's eyes a bit to how good and totally normal vegan food is, when done right.

Pros: great food and all vegan, very authentic, nice people

Cons: only use disposable forks/spoons/plates, too spicy! no mild salsa offered?

Avatar HeyJudeOregon

HeyJudeOregon

Points +126

Vegan
16 Mar 2014

A Vegan Dream Come True

Giving up cheese is difficult, so many vegans opt out of Mexican food,giving this place a special WAHOO in my mnd. They use Daiya brand cheese and a couple of their own.All super fresh, endless options, loved it!

Pros: Super friendly staff, Fast, Super fresh

Avatar Gifthealth

Gifthealth

Points +56

Vegan
17 Oct 2013

great food and nice staff

This restaurant is a great find. Everything we had was fresh and tasty. Be sure to get a hot chocolate. The chocolate is from Oaxaca and it tastes great. The staff/owners are very nice.

Pros: great food, nice people

Cons: none

Avatar LukeNysen

LukeNysen

Points +35

Vegan
30 Aug 2013

My non-vegetarian family LOVED it!

First, I'd like to begin by saying that the food here surprised me in just how tasty it really was. I didn't really feel like eating mexican food, but we came here because the vegan options in Monterey were slim. I left having to rave about the experience!

The food tasted like it had come off the line of a Michelin star winning kitchen and chef. The flavor was so well balanced. The food was nourishing. And my older brother (not vegetarian) announced to us all that he'll be telling stories of this place.

Great food... Low price. $6-$7 a dish. And the store front was clean, new looking, and the service was quick and friendly!

Pros: tasty, low price, nourishing

Avatar spinner63

spinner63

Points +83

Vegan
28 Aug 2013

amazing

We visit during our driving trip from Vancouver , BC down the PCH. The food is amazing. They have many traditional dishes I have never tried. My favourite is the yams in cinnamon syrup with vanilla soy ice cream for dessert. I am still dreaming of it.

Pros: delish, good price, clean and friendly

Cons: not near my home in Canada

Avatar Laurabc

Laurabc

Points +73

Vegan
05 Aug 2013

Delicious

This place is so awesomely delicious. We were in the area and stopped by fit lunch. My husband and I liked it so much that we had to stop for dinner as well before going back home

Pros: tasty, friendly , good portions

Cons: loud music, small

Avatar Tascha

Tascha

Points +24

Vegan
15 Jul 2013

fantastic

The food is excellent; I wish it were in my hometown. My kids said it was too good to be true.

Avatar californiacottager

californiacottager

Points +25

Vegan
09 Jul 2013

Love it!!

So delighted to find a new vegan restaurant when visiting family in Monterey! The food and location are fabulous! A must visit!

Pros: Great, all vegan food, Nice staff, super location, Good prices

Avatar moretofuplease

moretofuplease

Points +658

Vegan
30 Jun 2013

Why the crazy hours?

We really wanted to eat here, but they are closed Fridays at 3:30pm and all day Saturday. Hard to believe -- right next to the big tourist draw, Cannery Row, and hours like this? We visited from the San Luis Obispo area, only found out about this place around 4pm on Friday, bummed we couldn't eat there. Had Thai food instead.

Cons: closed Fridays and Saturdays

Avatar

LukeNysen

31 Jul 2014

You'd love the toes off of this restaurant!! The food here is nothing short of amazing. I recommend you find a day they're open and head to Monterey just to give them a shot. 2 stars is hardly fair when you haven't even tried their food.

Avatar Tgaptte

Tgaptte

Points +24

Fruitarian
16 Jun 2013

Awesome Mexican food that happens to be vegan!!!

We discovered this place while in Monterey for a wedding. What a gem! They have a huge menu, generous portions, biodegradable tableware and napkins in a friendly and cozy atmosphere. On top of all this, the food is amazing. If not for the word vegan on their sign outside, you could not tell. This food is pure amazing and authentic Mexican cuisine. We will definitely be back!

Pros: Huge menu, Excellent food, Biodegradable tableware and napkins

Cons: Limited weekend hours

Avatar MaryArlyn

MaryArlyn

Points +13

Vegetarian
12 Jun 2013

Great new VEGAN restaurant

I was very happy to find this new vegan restaurant and finally had a chance to try it. It is really fast food, our order was served very quickly. They have many great choices, I had the tamales with black beans and rice. I look forward to going back and trying more things. They could improve by having better plastic forks and spoons but otherwise it was a great experience.

Pros: Good choices, Spicy and tasty Mexican food, Quick service

Cons: Small plastic forks

Avatar magickbaby

magickbaby

Points +42

Vegan
31 May 2013

Vegan yumminess !

I had the quesadilla. First off the tortilla was home made. It was full of mushrooms, salsa, vegan sour cream, and Daiya cheese. Sooooo good ! My husband had the vegetable enchilada plate..lets just say he didn't say a word cause he was too busy eating !! We had fresh squeezed orange juice to drink and home made chips and chipolte salsa ! The staff is so friendly and courteous. All around an excellent experience ! I will definitly be back !

Pros: friendly, clean atmosphere, tasty !

Cons: portions could be a tiny bit bigger

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