★★★★★
One of our favorite spots in downtown St. Pete. The ahi tuna tacos and the loaded nachos are a must, and the margaritas are some of the best in the city. The patio is huge and dog-friendly.
Mexican Restaurants · Downtown St. Petersburg · St. Petersburg
Red
Mesa Cantina
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The place
Red Mesa Cantina is a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar in Downtown St. Petersburg at 128 3rd St S, two blocks from Beach Drive and the St. Pete waterfront. The kitchen serves modernized Mexican plates including tacos, ceviche, enchiladas, and fajitas alongside hand-crafted margaritas and a tequila and mezcal list of more than 100 bottles. The venue features an open-air covered patio, an indoor dining room, and a full bar. Happy hour runs daily in the late afternoon. The restaurant is dog-friendly on the patio, accepts reservations through OpenTable, and offers takeout and delivery. A metered street and the South Core Garage on 1st Avenue South provide nearby parking.
Red Mesa Cantina anchors the corner of 2nd Avenue South and 3rd Street in Downtown St. Petersburg, a short walk from the Dali Museum, the St. Pete Pier, and Beach Drive. The festive, color-saturated dining room and breezy covered patio give it a destination feel for date nights, group dinners, and pre-game drinks before a Rays or Rowdies match. It is a longtime fixture of the downtown dining scene.
The menu is modern Mexican rather than Tex-Mex. Regulars order the loaded nachos, the ahi tuna tacos, ceviche verde, short rib enchiladas, and the chile relleno. The bar program is the other draw — house margaritas on the rocks or frozen, plus a long list of tequilas and mezcals served as flights or in craft cocktails. Weekend brunch adds chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and bottomless mimosas.
Reservations are recommended on weekends and during festival weeks and can be booked on OpenTable. The patio is dog-friendly and partially covered, with misters and heaters depending on the season. Takeout and delivery are available through the website and major third-party apps. Street parking is metered; the South Core public garage on 1st Avenue South is the closest covered option.
Large covered outdoor patio
Dog-friendly patio
100+ tequilas and mezcals
Hand-crafted margaritas
What to expect
Expect a lively, music-forward Mexican cantina with a large covered patio, a 100-plus tequila and mezcal list, and a menu of modern tacos, ceviche, and enchiladas. Service is quick at the bar, table waits are common on weekend evenings, and reservations through OpenTable are the easiest way in.
Then come for the photos
03
The shop, in frames
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What people are saying
★★★★★
Great atmosphere and a serious tequila list. We did a mezcal flight before dinner and the bartender knew his stuff. Short rib enchiladas were excellent.
★★★★★
Brunch here is so fun — chilaquiles, bottomless mimosas, and live music. Reservations recommended on weekends because it gets packed fast.
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Frequently asked
Does Red Mesa Cantina take reservations?
Yes — reservations are recommended on weekends and during festival weeks and can be booked on OpenTable or through the restaurant's website.
Is Red Mesa Cantina dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on the covered outdoor patio. Water bowls are provided on request.
Where do I park near Red Mesa Cantina?
Metered street parking is available along 3rd Street South and 2nd Avenue South. The closest covered option is the South Core Garage on 1st Avenue South, a one-block walk.
What are the most popular dishes at Red Mesa Cantina?
Frequently ordered items include the loaded nachos, ahi tuna tacos, ceviche verde, short rib enchiladas, tableside guacamole, and the house margarita.
What are Red Mesa Cantina's hours?
Closed Monday. Tuesday–Thursday 11:30am–10pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am–11pm, Sunday 11:30am–9pm. Weekend brunch begins at open (11:30am).
Does Red Mesa Cantina offer takeout or delivery?
Yes. Takeout can be ordered through redmesacantina.com and delivery is available via Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Red Mesa Cantina.
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From Instagram
@redmesacantina