Vida Cocina & Tequila — Restaurant in Altamonte Springs

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vida Cocina - Your New Favorite Spot!

We saw this place on Instagram and had to check it out - it looked super hip and trendy with some really great plate presentation and amazing cocktails. As two renowned Google influencers (yeah, we said it! 💁‍♀️), we always try to find the hot new things and we were not disappointed! 🔥

For appetizers, we started out with some chips and salsa (yes, they charge $4 for chips and salsa - welcome to 2025, folks!) and got the guacamole for $15. The guacamole was fresh, and while it wasn't quite as spiced as I'd like, they brought out some really spicy green sauce as well as a red chipotle sauce that changed everything. That green salsa verde was EXTRA spicy - really fresh but with such a bang to it. It really got me going and was honestly my favorite part of the whole meal. Like, I'm still dreaming about that spicy salsa - it was just phenomenal.

My dining companion was particularly impressed by the presentation of the drinks - not just the cocktails themselves, but the fun festive glasses they came in. It really encouraged you to take pictures (which we did, obviously), and we saw other patrons doing the same thing. It just gave you that whole influencer having a great little Saturday brunch vibe ✨

The music selection was on point too - my dining companion is a very particular music aficionado, and they played tunes we actually listen to outside of our normal "basic ass b**" Saturday afternoon playlist. But the real MVP of our experience? Cristina (that's with a CR, and trust us, you'll want to remember her name). As my dining companion said, it was probably the best service she's ever had - and she wasn't exaggerating. I stay away from superlatives, but this might be the best I can remember.

Cristina knew the menu like the back of her hand. We asked a lot of questions and she was on point every single time. She answered kitchen questions about several different dietary needs and was very accommodating of all our requests. She must have come to our table 20 times - no salt fries, gluten-free things, everything she did showed how much she cared about her patrons. She definitely went above and beyond from start to finish.

For the main course, I had the fajitas which were very ample portions (hello, leftovers! 🌯). My dining companion was actually surprised by the price - you kind of expect to pay extra for an Instagram-worthy place, but it was reasonably priced considering what you were getting. The burrito was $15 which is what we pay everywhere else, and this was definitely better. You're really getting a lot of pizzazz for your money - they clearly care about the presentation of the restaurant, the decor, and the food presentation all around was phenomenal.

The place wasn't completely full for Saturday afternoon, but it was pretty hopping. The tree in the middle of the restaurant with all the lights on it was a huge hit - we saw a lot of people taking pictures after we did (because obviously we're influencers so we're kind of a big deal, we kind of started the old tree trend 📸). Just saying!

It's a little further than we'd normally drive for brunch, but totally worth the extra gas money. My dining companion said she wouldn't ask for anything more, and I agree. All around 5/5 stars, would absolutely recommend. This place is definitely going to do well - catch it before the secret...

My dining companion and I discovered this absolute gem through Instagram, and I have to share this beautiful find with everyone! 💫 The space immediately drew us in with its thoughtful presentation and genuine attention to detail. As someone who appreciates authenticity in both food and atmosphere, I was genuinely excited to experience what Vida Cocina had to offer. 🌟

We started our journey with their chips and salsa ($4) and fresh guacamole ($15). Everything was beautifully presented, and the flavors were fresh and balanced. My dining companion was particularly excited about their house-made salsas - it was fun watching him get so enthusiastic about the spice levels! 🌶️

The cocktail presentation here deserves its own moment. 🍹 Beyond just serving drinks, they've created these wonderful vessels that really invite you to be present with your beverage. My dining companion and I (as Google influencers) naturally had to capture these moments, and it was heartwarming to see others around us sharing in that joy. The space just naturally creates this perfect Saturday brunch energy that lifts everyone up. ✌️

The music selection really resonated with me - they played these amazing tracks that went way beyond typical brunch playlist standards. 🎵 It's rare to find a spot that gets both the food and the ambiance so right. But the true heart of our experience was Cristina (with a CR). I don't say this lightly, but her service was probably the best I've ever experienced, and I mean that with complete sincerity. 💖

Cristina was just incredible - she brought this amazing depth of knowledge about the menu, fielding our many questions with patience and genuine care. She was so attentive to our dietary preferences, checking on us probably 20 times throughout our meal. She even surprised us with complimentary tequila shots! 🥂 The cherry on top? She turned into an amazing photographer and captured the perfect shots of us by their super cool Instagram setup near the bathroom - she totally got our best angles! 📸

My burrito was honestly a perfect portion for $15 - such a pleasant surprise for a place with this level of presentation. 🌯 My dining companion got the fajitas and was equally impressed with the generous serving. The value here is real - you're getting this wonderful combination of thoughtful presentation and genuine quality.

The whole place is just made for capturing memories - we couldn't resist taking our own photos by their gorgeous tree centerpiece (totally magical with all its lights ✨) and of course had to document every beautiful dish that came to our table. The space wasn't packed for a Saturday afternoon, but it had this perfect energy that just made you want to stay and soak it all in.

While it's a bit of a journey from our usual spots, the experience was absolutely worth it. I wouldn't change a single thing about our visit. Vida Cocina is offering something special here - 5/5 stars, unconditionally recommended. 🌮

This place will flourish, and it absolutely deserves to. Can't wait to return and share this space with...

My recent visit to Vida in Altamonte Springs left me feeling incredibly disappointed and uncomfortable due to a significant misunderstanding of service animal laws. While the food was enjoyable once we were seated, the initial interaction regarding my service dog, was unacceptable and highlights a critical need for staff education.

Upon entering, I requested a table, and my service dog was immediately questioned. I was told we had to sit outside, and when I clarified that they are a service dog, I was repeatedly asked for "certification" or "documentation." I explained that under the ADA, such certifications are not required and are, in fact, not legally recognized. Despite my clear explanation of the two permissible questions (Is she a service dog? What task does she perform?), staff members insisted on their "new policy" requiring certification, stating they had just had a meeting about it. This went on for some time, and it was particularly rude when staff began discussing us in Spanish directly in front of us, making no effort to be discreet.

The situation was only resolved when our waitress, Vanessa, intervened. She was apologetic and seemed to have a better understanding of the rules, assuring us that we were fine and seating us inside. She mentioned their recent meeting, implying that the information provided to staff was incomplete or incorrect. I stressed the importance of establishments being up-to-date on laws before enforcing policies.

After our meal, Vanessa informed me she had spoken to her general manager, Kevin. I then spoke with Kevin directly. While he repeatedly offered apologies, stating he "didn't know" the laws, I emphasized that it is the establishment's responsibility to be fully informed about ADA regulations concerning service animals. As I explained, many individuals with disabilities already face significant access barriers, and it's crucial for businesses to avoid adding to these challenges due to a lack of knowledge. Despite his apologies, the overall impression was one of unpreparedness and a failure to adequately train staff on fundamental legal requirements.

The entire experience at Vida was very uncomfortable and disheartening. While I appreciate Vanessa's understanding and intervention, and Kevin's apologies, the fact remains that a service animal handler should not have to educate an establishment's entire staff and management on basic federal law just to gain entry.

I strongly urge Vida to immediately provide comprehensive ADA compliance training to all employees, especially management, to prevent future discriminatory incidents and ensure a welcoming environment for all patrons, including those with...