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-9:00pm, Fri 10:00am-3:30pm, Sun 11:00am-9:00pm.
294 Reviews
First Review by magickbaby
CutiePig
Points +30
Comfort Food - Edit
I'm always in the mood to support all-vegan eateries and Mexican is my go-to comfort food. This was the only all-vegan option available in Monterey when I visited (Rock N Roll Donut Bar was closed for some unexplained reason).
Read moreThe menu is vast and I had no idea what I wanted so I finally settled on combo plate #2: two tacos (one steak & one chickn'), black refried beans, rice, and a spinach enchilada; I opted for the green sauce. I ordered jamaica to drink as an afterthought.
The food was delivered to my table in less than five minutes (!) and there was a soccer game on the TV to boot so I was quite content. Everything tasted good and the entire meal was very satisfactory so, no complaints. The beans and rice were authentic as far as my tastebuds were concerned. Of course, there's always room for improvement (as another reviewer mentioned, more seasoning & ingredients in the tacos) but overall, I have no hesitation in recommending El Cantaro!
Pros: Menu variety, Authentic Mexican dishes
Cons: Price is expensive
Guest
EmTak
Points +49
Ok - Edit
I’m from LA so I’ve had a lot of vegan Mexican food. The food was meh, decent but not a lot of flavor. The salsa is just spicy but no flavor. For the price I was expecting more.
Read morePros: Nice people , Good view
Cons: Food lacked flavor
Guest
veggiesandstuff
Points +103
Fully vegan Mexican restaurant - Edit
The food here is really great and the menu is huge! There are many foods that are rarely found as vegan options, so it's a lot of fun for a vegan to try them. Service is friendly and fast food is made to order. The empanaditos are also very good, and the desserts are also very delicious. This restaurant is centrally located and can be busy at times. If the parking lot is full, there is usually free street parking just a block or two away.
Read morePros: Full vegan menu, Offers food that is normally not vegan, Desserts
Cons: Small parking lot, Occasionally crowded
Guest
Tadegan
Points +54
Fast, friendly & good - Edit
Had the “fish” burrito and it was tasty!
Read morePros: Fast, Friendly, Affordable
Guest
hailseitan9
Points +253
Hands down the best Mexican food - Edit
This place was the best Mexican food I’ve had in a while. So authentic and delicious. The torta was probably my favorite. Highly recommend ordering. My goal is to go back and try all the menu items
Read moreGuest
Cyclingbro
Points +36
Love! - Edit
So much to choose from, went with the Mushroom Mega Quesadilla. Was amazing, with a homemade fresh tortilla and the portions with everything in it was perfect.
Read morePros: Quality, Quantity, Location
Guest
natgabs
Points +184
Love the vast amount of options - Edit
The chile relleno here was sooo sooo good! Great variety of options. The faux meats were okay in my opinion. They were out of horchata both days I was here which I was bummed about cuz I really wanted to try it. I had the cheesecake and ate it with the churro ice cream and that combo was to die for!
Read morePros: So many options , Chile relleno , Cheesecake
Guest
holyfire
Points +56
So la la - Edit
My expectations were quite high because of all the raving reviews. I'd say, it's okay but at the same time the least tasty Mexican food I've had so far. It wasn't super fresh, and also quite oily. It's great that it's all plant food.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-12-21
Guest
meribit
Points +172
Tasty Mexican food - Edit
The atmosphere of the restaurant was not very cosy so we got take away. The food was really good and fresh.
Read morePros: Tasty food, Nicely spiced, Authentic Mexican
Cons: Restaurant not too cosy
Guest
lovebeachesandturtles
Points +72
A Monterey must-do for vegans - Edit
This being the only full vegan restaurant within 50 miles of here, it’s a must if you want to eat out and not have to settle for a Beyond burger at an omni restaurant. We frequently eat at their Sacramento location since that’s closer to home and were looking forward to trying the original location for this vacation week we took.
Read moreWe keep jumping around the menu trying different things. We came twice this week. The first night we had our usual Cantaro burritos, and tried a chicken tostada. I’d repeat the tostada again. A couple nights later we tried the veggie supreme burritos and the mega chicken quesadilla. Both really good and I think will be my go-to burrito here going forward.
The dining area is about a third the size of the Sacramento location and there are only a few parking spaces available here as well, but we managed to find a table just fine. Thankfully the first night we had walked in from parking elsewhere.
The menu is ginormous, unlike some vegan places we’ve been to that keeps it down to 10-15 items. This menu rivals the omni taquerias that offer all the categories with multiple offerings in each. I’ve already given some thought to what I’m going to try next time I come in.
They use paper plates and plastic utensils at this location whereas at the Sacramento location they use real dishes and silverware. That’s kind of a bummer, but not a deal breaker.
Updated from previous review on 2023-11-09
Pros: Good food, Good pricing , Expansive menu
Cons: Parking lot is pretty tight, Seating might be difficult at peak times
Guest
DEdoc
Points +242
Amazing and fresh - Edit
Very friendly service. Too many options to choose from. Veggie burrito was huge and wrapped in foil so portable. Asada enchiladas delish.
Read morePros: Has small parking lot in front
Guest
dreaded.vegan
Points +114
Best vegan place in Northern CA - Edit
The entire menu is vegan, and the menu is HUGE! The food is spectacular; authentic and filling. There are even drink and dessert menus! The service is fast and the tables are clean. Average meal price is abou $12ish. They often have sports on the TV (in Spanish). This place rules. I always come here when I'm in the area. It deserves more than 5 stars!! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Read morePros: Extreme delicous food, Huge menu, Authentic Mexican flavors
Cons: I have absolutely no complaints
Guest
chaifaerie
Points +63
Classic - Edit
Haven’t been in a minute but due for a visit. Can’t ever go wrong supporting a fully vegan restaurant!
Read morePros: Lots of options , Fast, Delicious
Cons: Lots of unnecessary single use utensils
Guest
JustinMcGowen
Points +20
Been too long since I ate at a proper Mexican Restaurant - Edit
It was good and efficient. Had tamale/enchilada combo.
Read moreGuest
mBauerH
Points +44
Good GF options - Edit
Wonderful food and they will guide you to gf options if needed. “Chicken” is not gf but “steak” is.
Read morePros: All vegan, Great service, Huge variety
Cons: Paper plates and plastic utensils
Guest
janette12
Points +45
Can’t go wrong here - Edit
Everything is delicious. I get a meal here every time we go to Monterey. Soooo good. Sauces are fresh, veggies are fresh. This time we got a wet steak burrito and chocolate cake for dessert.
Read morePros: Freshness, Delicious flavors, Large menu, something for everyone
Guest
pauldyson
Points +150
Vegan Mexican fast food - Edit
What’s not to love? We bought a selection of tacos to share for lunch and every one was delicious
Read moreGuest
EsraRice
Points +671
Delicious and quick! - Edit
Tried their cantaro burrito with steak, it was great but impossible to finish. Definitely recommend!
Read moreGuest
AJ&veggies
Points +122
Best vegan Mexican in California - Edit
Great selection of burritos & tacos, I usually come for the burritos, because they make them with corn instead of flour, & you can customize the burritos. Service us great, the salsa & drinks are good a little pricey as inflation goes, but its worth it, because the portions are quite large, so you'll likely have leftovers.
Read morePros: Can get a burrito with corn tortilla (Gluten Free), Lots of sauces, Large portions
Guest
ELHernandez1210
Points +82
Vegan Mexican Food - Edit
I enjoyed the potato flautas and enchilada plate with rice and pinto beans. We also had the tlayula, and it was as big as a medium size pizza and super delicious.
Read morePros: Organic , Good size plate
Guest
Sjjk12
Points +1077
Huge menu - Edit
Great Mexican restaurant. They have everything and give you huge portions. At least 3 different types of mock- meats! Try their tostadas and tamales.
Read moreGuest
mallgoth_mallgrab
Points +60
Bomb ass Mexican - Edit
I’ve had the steak tacos, carne asada tacos and spinach enchiladas. They are all so good.
Read moreWas very happy to see they had chiles en nogada which I have never seen vegan or even on a menu since my childhood in Mexico
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-21
Pros: Authentic Mexican food , Delicious , Lots of options
Cons: Closed Saturday , Closes early Friday , Lots of options ;)
Guest
Spencer6497
Points +28
Superb Vegan Mexican! - Edit
Excellent vegan mexican restaurant. Entirely vegan menu, lots of variety.
Read morePros: Speed, Flavor, Variety
Cons: A bit pricey
Guest
Varjak
Points +25
Tasty vegan food - Edit
Varied menu with delicious combo of food on the plate. Quick cafe style, which suited us at the end of our day in Monterey.
Read morePros: Interesting menu, Tasty, healthy food, Friendly staff
Cons: Plastic cutlery - wooden is better, Plastic straws - don’t need these
Guest
MDHerbivore
Points +26
Great vegan Mexican all the right flavors - Edit
We are regulars, authentic uncompromised, Mexican flavors without relying on meats. Large diverse menu with something for everyone. Dine in or order to go. Service is timely. Don’t miss it
Read morePros: Nice recreation of traditional meat dishes , Flavors are great, healthy options , Service is timely
Cons: Not open on Friday and Saturday evenings
Guest
Ahimsa8
Points +53
Very unique place! - Edit
Not only El Cantaro has many authentic dishes from Mexico that you don’t find anywhere else but everything is vegan!
Read moreMy favorite is the enchilada spinach mushrooms and The incredible Vegan Flan ( when they have it available). The prices are reasonable and the food is fresh. One of my favorite in town!
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-21
Pros: Authentic Mexican food , ALL Vegan! , Huge selection
Cons: Not everything is available to eat, Close for dinner and on Saturdays , No real silverware and paper plates
Ahimsa8
Staff could be nicer lately. I stopped going because of the staff.
Read moreGuest
Viclimay
Points +153
Tasty Mexico - Edit
This restaurant is the little jewel of Monterrey. Very tasty and generous portions. It operates like a fast food restaurant with disposable cutlery and straws.
Read morePros: Quality, Flavour , Speed
Guest
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