There are tons of amazing restaurants in St. Pete, but time and time again, I find myself saying this name when I’m craving hot food and great drinks: Nueva Cantina. The south St. Pete hotspot (1625 4th Street South) has been a local gem since opening nearly 10 years ago in 2016, dishing out high-quality Mexican eats and some of the best margaritas in the Bay.
Over the last six months, in particular, Nueva Cantina has gone above and beyond its already stellar work. Led by Raul Medina, owner and CEO, they are now a 100%-employee ownership team, as the Mexican restaurant and bar has cemented itself as one of the go-to spots in all of Pinellas County (and Hillsborough soon, too, with a Downtown Tampa location on the way).
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Of course, you can’t mention Nueva Cantina without praising the fresh-squeezed margaritas, which are a hit every day of the week. Enjoyed on their Tulum-inspired patio during a spring happy hour, they just about can’t be beat.
Nueva Cantina is a foodie paradise
But, as much as I love the margaritas, I’ve always said the food at this cantina is quietly some of the best Mexican in town. Although lately, it seems things aren’t so quiet anymore – word is getting out and the cult favorite is becoming a bit of a social media sensation. If you haven’t been since the new ownership team took over last fall, then it’s time to make a return – the stellar food has only gotten better.
Nueva Cantina’s culinary team, led by Executive Chef and Partner Danny Jimenez, does a truly excellent job of showcasing authentic Mexican street tacos and fare, made with fresh ingredients (much of it sourced straight from Mexico) and served in a modern atmosphere. And it’s not just the tasty street tacos. There are specialties, like the birria Mexican pizza, that you won’t find anywhere else.
“Our goal is to bring the authentic, mouthwatering flavors of delicious Mexican hole-in-the-wall tacos that we all love into a modern restaurant world, while crafting the freshest and most creative cocktails to perfectly complement every bite for a memorable experience,” Jimenez explained.
Bringing the flavors of Mexico to St. Pete
Made up of a team almost entirely from Mexico City and Jalisco, the crew running the show at Nueva Cantina knows what it takes to make authentic dishes, and with several decades combined experience as restaurateurs, they’re also pros at creating the upbeat and high-energy atmosphere that makes a night at Nueva Cantina so fun.
To get an expansive taste of Mexico – and of what this team can do – we highly recommend grabbing a friend or two and trying out the taco tour platter that lets you choose from 11 different specialized taco flavors.
Spring cocktails and fresh-squeezed margs at Nueva Cantina
And if you need an excuse to visit even sooner, Nueva Cantina is offering a fantastic set of seasonal specials for the spring and Easter season. Their new spring bar launches March 19th, featuring a Bunny Margarita, Bunny Margarita Pitcher, and their new Flamin’ Hot Elote. The restaurant is fully decked out and all in on the Bunny theme until May, so make sure to stop in for the fun.
And don’t worry, kids can get in on the holiday fun, too. Nueva Cantina has a full kids menu, and even plenty of sweets that kids and adults alike can enjoy. The housemade churros are always a crowd-pleaser. 
Nueva Cantina expanding to Downtown Tampa
Moving forward, the employee-owned team is making plans for rapid growth, as they have plans to expand throughout Tampa Bay. In fact, Raul Medina announced that Nueva Cantina has already locked in a building for its second location.
Nueva Cantina will open its second location, and first in Tampa, at 903 N Franklin Street, nestled beneath the sleek Nine15 residential high-rise apartments. Opening in the summer of 2025, the new location will deliver the same passion for authentic flavors, serving up freshly squeezed margaritas and bold, vibrant Mexican street food such as birria, Adobo Chicken, Al Pastor and Carne Asada Tacos – all crafted with top-quality ingredients sourced straight from Mexico for an unforgettable dining experience.
Check out Nueva Cantina’s full menu at nuevacantina.com, and be sure to follow them on Instagram to see the latest. Nueva Cantina is located at 1625 4th Street South. Operating hours are Sunday – Thursday from 11AM – 9PM, and Friday – Saturday from 11AM – 10PM.
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