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.
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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 01 Feb 2024 by FreeFlightFoodie
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302 Reviews
First Review by magickbaby
k8lynsmith
Points +323
lots of options! - Edit
super good Mexican food with authentic options like nopales and mole
Read morePros: whole place is vegan
Cons: nice staff
Guest
gothyvegan
Points +54
Go here - Edit
I spent an entire weekend and a day in Monterey and this is what fed me throughout. We were obsessed with their food. From the poblano in walnut sauce, to the taco and enchilada plates, everything is just so good.
Read morePros: Delicious vegan, fresh food , Fair prices , A lot of variety
Cons: Too far from me lol
Guest
BaileySchneider
Points +2178
Best vegan food in Monterey - Edit
This is technically the only vegan restaurant in Monterey.
Read moreTheir food is AMAZING!
Prices aren’t even terrible compared to many places in the area and you get SO. MUCH. FOOD.
I ordered the chicken enchiladas with red and green sauce. Both were delicious and the chicken was made from gluten.
(Steak is made from mushroom)
My husband ordered the combo #3 with a chicken enchilada, chicken taquito and potato taco. All of it was sooo good. Taco was nice and crunchy.
Ask for chips and salsa- it’s free!
Also got the hibiscus agua fresca. It was so delicious and flavorful.
I also got a pozole to go and it was sooo flavorful and tasty.
Rice and beans were cooked perfectly and tasted great.
Seating can be sparse but it’s there and they even have their own small parking lot.
You order at the counter and they brought us our food really fast, even with it being pretty crowded.
I really have nothing bad go say about this place. It’s a gem in Monterey and I would not pass it up.
I guess the only downfall is that they are closed Saturday, but open on Sunday.
Guest
happylittlevegan
Points +1471
Delicious Mexican Food - Edit
All vegan mexican restaurant. Very delicious food!
Read moreGuest
PaulBR
Points +29
Wow - great REAL Mexican Food - Edit
I had the vegan Mole. I haven’t had Mole in years because none of the restaurants that serve it around me make it vegan. Such a treat.
Read moreVery extensive menu. Was rather hard to decide between all of the great choices!
Guest
darren2dream
Points +130
Had a burrito at 11:30 then hiked 5+ miles, it's 6:30 now and I'm not hungry. - Edit
Went to Monterey for a weekend getaway and stopped here for lunch.
Read moreThe menu is vast and that I only got to have one thing was my biggest disappointment.
I ordered a chickin' burrito in a spinach wrap, the thing was larger than my biceps, I devoured it with a smile. My partner had a combo plate and it was also tasty.
Basically it's a mexican food joint like every other out there but, it's all veggie and for that, it's the only place I'd go if/when I go back to Monterey.
Pros: vegetarian mexican food, big menu
Guest
jejupa
Points +34
Was there on vacation and still dream about this place! - Edit
Wish NJ had amazing vegan restaurants like this. Want to move to California for the awesome options. This place was so flavorful and satisfying. My husband still craves their food and we haven’t been able to find anything close to it.
Read moreGuest
shaane
Points +148
always the best - Edit
what can i say that everyone else hasn’t already said? it’s the best!
Read moreGuest
JenniferFanoeWolf
Points +104
Love El Cantaro - Edit
Huge all vegan menu! I love their mushroom empanadas and potato tacos! Good location on Monterey! I always order online and pick it up as there is not much seating. #Veganuary
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Cons: Not open on saturdays
Guest
SummerFair
Points +20
Amazing locally owned Mexican restaurant - Edit
Visit when you’re not in a rush because the food does take a long time to prepare, but it’s worth the wait!
Read moreGuest
notafads
Points +42
Gem of a restaurant - Edit
Great selection, helpful staff.
Read moreIndoor seating is limited but outdoor seating is available.
Guest
Flore64
Points +64
Perfect delicious road side snack - Edit
Mojitos are huge.
Read moreEverything is super fresh and tasty.
Good service too :)
Updated from previous review on 2021-12-20
Flore64
Not MOJITOS! But BURRITOS!!! 🤪😂😂😂
Read moreGuest
hawaiianhart
Points +100
It’s hard to find vegan Mexican food with no lard and other animal products. - Edit
Fresh and flavorful and the salsa are great. Menu is large and a great variety. You can tell the prepare it will love.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-02-06
Pros: All Vegan , Authentic , Made with fresh ingredients
Guest
KamirynSubega
Points +18
Loved It! - Edit
So good. My non vegan hubby loved it as well and he’s particular when it comes to his Mexican food! He couldn’t get over everything being vegan!
Read moreGuest
tatismolin
Points +108
Delicious Mexican food - Edit
Their menu is huge! I’ve tried fish, chicken and mushroom tacos and last one was the best! Cheesecake is a must try!
Read moreGuest
johnnytallica
Points +105
Muy delicioso - Edit
The venue is great! Good to see it is always a little busy but not to crowded. We have been here twice in two days and will probably go back tomorrow since it is our last day in town. So far, we have had the Torta with mushrooms, the pineapple burrito, posole and mole negro. Every dish has been so freaking good. The depth of flavors are incredible, everything taste authentic even though all their ingredients are Vegan!
Read morePros: Fresh, Delicious , Fast
Guest
Mrs.PA
Points +94
Delicioso - Edit
Ordered the pozole (very very good!) while the husband ordered the mole negro (super duper good!) We are coming back tomorrow!
Read morePros: Everything is vegan!, Fresh ingredients
Cons: None
Guest
JRSIII
Points +170
2nd time even better than the first - Edit
So Cantaro is the pinnacle of delicious, organic, vegan Mexican food. Period.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-07-14
Guest
seattleveganpamela
Points +115
Oil free easily accommodated - Edit
The lovely staff of El Cantero said everything but the soup could be made oil-free. My husband and I ordered Combo 1 for lunch today. OMG soooo good, especially the tamale! We both filled up but kept eating because it was that good! We also ordered a watermelon peach water. The best! Such an extensive menu. Wish we had one of these where I live. Highly recommended!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Delicious , Friendly staff
Guest
caw
Points +2597
Amazing - Edit
What a fantastic menu and everything was delicious.
Read moreI had the grilled pineapple veggie burrito and it was fabulous.
Pros: Good value, So much choice
Guest
Seatown_vegan
Points +7136
Lots to choose from - Edit
Every time I travel I like to visit one of the most highly reviewed places in the area which is what brought me here. The menu had many options and it was kind of hard to decide. We ordered the potato tacos with a crispy shell, fish and chicken tacos, appetizer taquitos, and pozole. Food was great but I was not a fan of the pozole. I wish I would have got the mole because it looks great! My wife’s food was a little to spicy for her and they replaced it even after she ate nearly all of it; great customer service!
Read moreGuest
Kracken87
Points +53
Best spot in Monterey - Edit
Truly the OG vegan spot on the Monterey Peninsula. The horchata is incredible, the flautas are amazing, and the enchiladas.... I mean, c'mon they're Devine.
Read moreGuest
Johnnykt
Points +96
Yummy Mexican Food - Edit
A very friendly place with fantastic food right near Cannery Row! Delicious food on an extensive menu. It isn't fine dining, but it's delicious and good size portions. Not a health food restaurant, but a great delicious meal.
Read moreGuest
trmahar
Points +26
Fantastic Find for everything organic veggie vegan! - Edit
I was super overwhelmed with all the choices. Black beans and mushroom taco were delicious! My husband the non vegan devoured the Fish burrito:)
Read moreHighly recommend if your in the mood for healthy Mexican!!
Pros: Great menu , Lots of vegan options , Delicious organic
Cons: Atmosphere is super casual (not really a con)
Guest
manasmind31
Points +47
Great Best I have ever tasted - Edit
Oh my, this food was so tasty and delicious! The food was so satisfying and I was very happy. They are doing a good job here. Prices are great too.
Read morePros: There are hundreds of Choices, Cheap price, Wholesome food
Cons: None
Guest
amarcial021
Points +118
Delicious and authentic - Edit
My Mexican (non-vegan) parents loved it. There were so many options I have to go back!
Read moreGuest
Forman
Points +5452
Good food! - Edit
Hit this place up after getting into town. We were starving too. The menu was pretty extensive and all vegan! Had the torta and it was the best one I’ve ever had! Chips, salsa and guacamole were tasty too.
Read moreMargieF
Bring me home a torts!
Read moreGuest
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