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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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791 Foam St, Monterey, California, USA, 93940
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 17 Jun 2024 by Guest
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365 Reviews
First Review by magickbaby
HeatherAdams
Points +16
Best vegan Mexican food! - Edit
My wife and I stopped here for lunch and it did not disappoint! There are so many options it’s hard to pick! We had tacos, enchiladas and taquitos and they were all amazing! Fresh, flavorful.. everything you’d want in a dish. We will definitely be back!
Read moreGuest
AKR
Points +90
Must have been an off day - Edit
We recently got a takeaway lunch and unfortunately it was so bad as to be inedible. The food was really greasy and tasteless and we had to throw most of it away. Such a shame as the menu is very appealing and based on the reviews we were expecting fresh and tasty food. Hopefully this was not the usual standard but we certainly wouldn't risk trying it again.
Read morePros: Extensive menu, Friendly staff, Quick service
Cons: Very greasy, Flavourless
Guest
lolo92
Points +137
Wow - Edit
I didn’t even know what to order! The all-vegan, totally authentic Mexican food is unbelievable. My husband had a burrito and it was incredible (even the next day) and my “steak” quesadilla was unlike anything I’ve had. It was humongous and wrapped in a thick corn/flour tortilla(?) with creamy cheese, fresh veg and seitan steak that was so flavorful. I didn’t try it but they have pozole!!! I will come back again and again. Sweet staff and as we were leaving a tiny older woman walked past carrying a giant pot of dried chiles, garlic and onion - everything here is fresh and scratch made!
Read moreGuest
Danielle.Riddel
Points +109
Best ever - Edit
Asada tacos were best ever. Fresh food, authentic Mexican. Lots of parking, quick service, delicious food.
Read morePros: A big vegan menu , Everything we tried was delicious , Casual atmosphere
Guest
chart94
Points +250
Amazing - Edit
This had the feel of an authentic but fast casual Mexican restaurant. The options were plentiful but just what you’d expect from a typical Mexican restaurant which was amazing. I got the #3 combo with taco, enchilada, and taquitos. My husband got the enchiladas and enjoyed it very much. I hope I can go back soon.
Read moreGuest
narayanpoklen
Points +16
AMAZING FOOD - Edit
This place just blew my mind. There are so many options and the food is so authentic. I got the mole enchiladas and my girlfriend got them with green sauce, it’s bringing me back to being in Mexico. To top it off the service was super fast and easy. There are tons of menu options too!
Read moreGuest
BeatriceHearne
Points +142
Fantastic food - Edit
This restaurant is super busy and rightly so with an extensive menu and dishes freshly cooked. Really the best mexican we have had, great value
Read morePros: Vegan and delicious , Friendly service , Close to the Aquarium
Guest
villain
Points +9370
Good option for the area - Edit
This is the only vegan restaurant in the area, I'm grateful that they're out here! I tried combo plate #2 and chose one chicken and one steak taco. I wasn't able to tell the tacos apart, which was disappointing. They were too close in flavor, but still pretty good. The spinach enchilada and rice and beans were alright. The flavors could be more creative in general, but their tortillas are great.
Read moreOne other small thing is that the tap water they served today had a *very* strong and unpleasant taste. I didn't end up drinking it and had to get water elsewhere. But overall, El Cantaro is great for a simple plate of food in Monterey.
Updated from previous review on 2023-04-05
Pros: Simple , Great portion sizes
Cons: Yucky water, Flavors could use more thought/creativity
Guest
marciopacheco9
Points +76
Vegan Mexican Oasis - Edit
This is a great place to eat in the Carmel / Monterey area. Amazing food and very friendly staff!
Read morePros: Great vegan Mexican cuisine, 100% vegan restaurant , Friendly staff
Cons: None
Guest
suess
Points +30
Your vegan dream mexican meal - Edit
I loved this place! You can get a classic Mexican combo meal all vegan. I recommend the black beans for the side instead of the pinto. The black beans were tasty and smooth while the pinto beans were not creamy like I expected but a bit dry and lacking flavor. I highly recommend the Chile relleno plate. Their corn tortillas are fresh and so delicious. The only other plate I tried while visiting Monterey was the tamale and enchilada combo plate. I’d try a lot more if I lived there. I’m not into faux meats, which they have a lot of, but they also have a lot choices without the faux meats. Will go every time I’m in the area. Couldn’t recommend enough.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-03-21
Guest
Skibunny
Points +16
AMAZING! - Edit
I found this restaurant while taking a short vacation down in Monterey about a year or so ago. The restaurant we were planning on going to happened to be closed. The lines were out the door and the restaurant is pretty small but they also have an outdoor area. We had to wait a bit but but it was so worth it! I had the mushroom stuffed empanadas and they were honestly one of the most delicious dishes I have ever had! The horchata was very tasty as well. The portions were big too but I ate it all, I couldn’t stop! If you are in the area, you should definitely try this place!!!!😄 A+++++
Read moreGuest
CeciliaVargas
Points +306
Authentic flavors - Edit
Husband loved his meal, he ordered the combo #1- tamale, vegetable enchilada, and black beans and rice. I ordered the authentic mole negro. My meal was ok
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Guest
benmanship
Points +78
Delicious! - Edit
The tortilla soup was fantastic.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-02-20
Pros: 100% vegan menu, Best vegan tortilla soup I’ve tasted
Guest
LyraInOxford
Points +1490
Authentic - Edit
I enjoyed this place. Was good to find an all vegan place in Monterey. Felt very authentic Mexican to me. Large portions but tasty! Hard to get seats.
Read moreGuest
StefanR.
Points +390
Great to have so many vegan options! - Edit
It's fabulous to have so many vegan options. We went as a family of 5 and all of us found something tasty. Typically, the kids are more skeptical on all vegan food, but here we found all good options #Veganuary
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-03
Pros: All vegan menu, Good quality food, Affordable
Cons: No reusable plates, forks, knifes. , Too much trash
Guest
allirae
Points +1444
Really loved this place - Edit
Their menu was extensive and had so many options, it was a little overwhelming, but in a good way! We tried combo 2&3 as well as the empanadas. The empanadas were incredible. I wasn’t a huge fan of their faux chicken….the flavor was off to me. Their beans and rice tasted so authentic and really hit that spot for me though. I’d definitely go back!
Read morePros: All vegan!
Guest
AliciaNickisher
Points +330
Great Mexican Food - Edit
Hubby and I decided to have the traditional plate that included a tamale, steak enchiladas, pinto beans and rice! I’m sure that when we return to the Monterey Peninsula, we will be going back! #Veganuary
Read moreCons:
Guest
VickiNewMath
Points +962
An absolute must eat here! - Edit
Wow!!! Everything looks amazing and it is! Small place with a small friendly staff. I'm a sucker for Mole anything and the mole enchiladas are it!
Read morePros: All vegan, Compostable cutlery
Cons: Pricey
Guest
rawharton
Points +785
Great vegan food - Edit
I love that we could order anything without changing or removing ingredients like we usually do. I didn’t have to say no cheese or sour cream since everything is vegan! It was delicious, too. Loads of traditional Mexican favorites including tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and tamales. Everything we tried was made to order, fresh, and tasty!
Read morePros: Everything is vegan! , I can eat everything on the menu , Delicious
Cons: Expensive
Guest
clamchow
Points +1541
Very good food - Edit
Food is really good. Personally I like the “beef” better than the “chicken”.
Read moreGuest
DebbieVillwock
Points +24
El Cantaro best vegan food I’ve had. - Edit
I’ve been vegan 17 years & this is the best in my opinion. Their menu has substantially expanded over the years. I wouldn’t change a thing. Perfect.
Read morePros: So many delicious vegan choices, Excellent service, Prices were great
Guest
LindseyBisch
Points +93
Combo #3 YUM! - Edit
I got the Combo #3 with salsa verde.
Read moreMy dad, who is not Vegan, also really enjoyed the Veggie Supreme Burrito. Yummy! Horchata and Strawberry Mango Fresca was also very yummy. 😋✨
Pros: Vegan options!! So many! , Everything is Vegan , Absolutely delicious.
Cons: Popular , 6 parking spot outside, Which is pretty good! , Not enough tummy room to try everything
Guest
LEGirard
Points +198
Fantastic All Vegan Mexican Food - Edit
5 years ago I tried the place and was very excited that someone had went full vegan with Mexican food. The vegan cheeses at the time had a tendency to give it away. But now, today, I was quite impressed with the flavor of everything. I might say that if someone didn’t know it was vegan they might not be able to tell. They obviously stayed on top of the search for new and improving improving products.
Read moreFish Taco
- Wow! I was expecting a nut smash “tuna” substitute, but I was shocked when it came to the table and it looked like a slice of tuna steak that even had a skin on it (made of what looked like nori seeweed) had a very nice chew texture and taste from the sea.
Pazole
- Wow, wow! The hominy and the soup broth were very tasty but what takes the dish “out of the park” are the fresh toppings ( fresh raw diced red onions, fresh cilantro, radishes, red cabbage, and pieces of Chikn).
Empanditas
- 6 tiny vegetable empanadillas. Each a mouthful with vegan sour cream, fresh guacamole , cheese, cabbage and salsa Fresca … very satisfying.
Chili En Nogada (The Famous)
- This was interesting, a pablano pepper stuffed with pea protien “beef”, dates, pomegranate, sweet walnut sauce. Sweeter than I expected (because of the savory “beef”) but out there on the gastronomical curve for the curious.
Huarache
- Got this one because it came with cactus (which I have never had and I was curious) refried black beans , green salsa and other toppings. The corn tortilla is unique oblong thing that must have been hand made. The cactus was actually very tasty. Not quite like anything I had before, sort of a cross between a green chili and a green bell pepper but crunchier.
I noticed that all the dishes that had a wrap had a choice of flour or corn tortillas. They all seem to be house made. Huzzah! Finally my family can come have quesadillas and burritos.
Good Job El Cantaro
Updated from previous review on 2022-10-20
Pros: Large Menu , Flour and corn tortilla options
Cons: Can’t decide what to have it all looks so good
Guest
Melaz
Points +246
Ranchero Taco 😍💥🤤 - Edit
This place is Bomb! 💯 delicious vegan mexican food. I especially recommend the ranchero taco. Saw Mexican family making our food and I think it is owned by them too. Felt great to have authentic food.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-09
Pros: Ginormous menu, Authentic, Quick service
Cons: None!
Guest
Misanthropia
Points +3025
Amazing! - Edit
This was the best vegan Mexican food I had so far in the USA, plus at a reasonable price and in a location with almost no vegan options. I highly recommend the mixed plates, so you can try as many options as you can fit (the portions are fairly big). The only little downside is that they only use plastic cutlery, which is s bit odd for a 100% vegan restaurant.
Read moreGuest
ArtyChoke
Points +124
Tops - Edit
Just blocks from the famous aquarium everything here is vegan and top quality. They have molé, empanaditas, many regional dishes. Great atmosphere. Popular for good reason!
Read morePros: Consistent tasty meals , Unusual specialties
Guest
kelvinmd
Points +56
Tasty food. I was pleasantly surprised to find an all Vegan Mexican restaurant. - Edit
Tasty food. I was pleasantly surprised to find an all Vegan Mexican restaurant. The food was an innovative interpretation of Mexican classic food. Delicious!
Read moreService was fast, efficient and friendly.
Pros: Food is tasty, Great service , Easy to order online
Cons: Wished online payment option accepted ApplePay
Guest
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