Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach
Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
&promo_pic=/one-page/coolest.jpg)
Posts
first of all, this restaurant is not located at the shore, I am not saying that is bad, it’s just their pictures look like it’s located at the beach shore but it's not. it's across the road. but that should not stop you from coming here. we got the table- outside sitting area. The live performance was going on. Coming to the food- Let’s start with those chips. In my opinion, you can judge any Mexican joint by the quality of its chips and salsa. If they can’t get this simple staple right, then the food probably isn’t going to be much better. chips that are nice and crispy without tasting burnt, and salsa - too good, fresh and tasty. We ordered: Grouper Taco Plate: 2 tacos with grouper fish, it’s not loaded like taco bell or other joints - but it was good and comes with side items like Beans and rice. there are other options too. Wicked Roll: crispy flour tortilla filled with chicken with ranch. also ordered in-house beer: it was a happy hour, 8 oz Beer- $1.5, yup that’s cheap. Price: As you are on the island, away from the mainland (not very far though :P)so I found it reasonable. Ambiance: cool vibe, you are in a sunshine state, sighting of beach, live music, good food. Service: good. 3.5/5 Parking: They have their onsite parking, but if you are done with the restaurant and leave the car out there thinking you might take a walk or go to the beach, it can be towed.
Sanjay GuptaSanjay Gupta
00
I went here on the Monday before the 4th of July holiday, found that it was surprisingly NOT busy for once, and thought we'd get served pretty quickly. Not the case. It's normally packed here with lines out the door, but even though it was half empty on both the patio and inside at the time we came, it took us 45 minutes to be seated. We decided to get drinks at the bar and though the service was a little slow because there was only one bartender, the drinks were delicious. We sat on the patio and enjoyed live acoustic music with a pretty good singer as the restaurant started to get pretty busy with customers. The service was a little slow to get chips and salsa, coming out right before our meal, but they were warm and the salsa was good. Getting served more drinks took a while too. I think they might've been a little understaffed for it being a holiday weekend. Our food was DELICIOUS! My boyfriend ordered the Quesadilla with Grilled Ribeye Steak, which was generous in size and really tasty. I ordered the Cowboy Brisket Tacos and they might be the best crispy tacos I've ever had! I'm not sure if it was the jalapeño slaw or the chipotle aioli, but something made them EXTREMELY spicy, but not enough to make me stop wolfing them down. Both entrees came with a side of rice and beans. We are locals and will definitely be coming back repeatedly!
Katia WolfeKatia Wolfe
00
The Wicked Cantina – Bradenton Beach: Come for the Chips, Stay for the Vibe (and Maybe Some Shade) The name promises wicked flavor, but what you actually get at The Wicked Cantina is more of a mixed bag—with some solid hits, a few misses, and a big win in the form of free tortilla chips. The Food I went with the enchilada combo plate: one Wicked Taco, a beef enchilada, and a chicken enchilada. The chicken was the clear winner—tender, flavorful, and not swimming in spice overload. The beef options, though, were less impressive. The meat was pulverized into a soft, overly spiced mush that felt more like taco soup in a tortilla than something you'd chew. Not inedible, just… not memorable. Sides included refried beans and Mexican rice. The beans were decent—comforting enough, but nothing to write home about. The complimentary tortilla chips? Absolute MVPs. Warm, crispy, perfectly salted, and probably the most addictive part of the meal. The Vibe It’s casual, lively, and exactly what you’d expect from a beachside Tex-Mex spot. The outdoor patio looks great on paper, but in reality, you're up against the relentless Florida sun and humidity, which can turn “al fresco” into “why am I sweating through my shorts.” Inside is more tolerable—loud but breezy, with a come-as-you-are vibe that’s perfect after a day in the sand. Bonus perk? Free parking. Which, if you’ve ever circled around Anna Maria Island like a frustrated seagull looking for a spot, you know is practically a miracle. The Price Expect around $30 a person, not including alcohol. A bit steep for the food quality, but you’re also paying for beachfront location and decent service. THE BREAKDOWN Food: 6.5/10 — chicken enchilada’s the standout, but beef options fall short Chips: 10/10 — the reason you’ll keep reaching across the table Atmosphere: 7/10 — fun and beachy inside, but good luck surviving the patio in July Service: Friendly and quick Price: ~$30 per person, alcoholic drinks not included Parking: Free — a true Anna Maria Island rarity Best for: Casual group meals, post-beach hunger, or chip lovers with a high heat tolerance It’s not a must-visit, but it’s a solid lunch stop after the beach—especially when you’re sandy, sun-kissed, and just looking for something easy. Grab a shady table, load up on chips, and let the margaritas do the rest
RichardABRichardAB
00
We drove out to the Beach just to eat at this popular little Mexican restaurant. There was live music on the patio and alot of couples and families waiting to be seated. When I went in to check the wait the restaurant was pretty empty. The hostess said they only had 2 cooks. I know that is a big challenge, however the wait was only 30 minutes so we put our names in. We eventually were seated inside. And ordered some queso with our chips. The sauce had guacamole and tomatoes in it and was a nice starter. I ordered steak Fajitas on our servers recommendation (I asked 3 times if the meat was tender) Well... The rice and the beans were not warm and the fajita meat was extra charred, so it tasted a little burnt. I ate 3/4 of one fajita and called it quits. The onions were even a little gooey. My dinner companions taco and beef enchilada were marginal. The chicken one was good. We might try again when they are staffed, might. For about $90.00 for 3 people, probably not. Clean the grills more, don't over cook or re grill the steak, bring out warm food and the managers should head in for a shift when it's a beautiful Sunday at the beach and their restaurant has 2 cooks. You might even cross train a few bussers or a hostess for emergencies. On a positive note the salsa and the queso were very good and live music was a plus.
Dee RobertsDee Roberts
00
We had a very good experience here last month. A friendly hostess seated us quickly at a high top table. The waitress followed soon over with water. Loved the atmosphere as well - very much a fun, relaxed vibe. Overall, the food was good. Not great, but good. Chips were brought out first, which was nice because we were starving. This was followed by our chicken nachos appetizer. They had great flavor and were decently sized. Might have been a little light on the amount of toppings, but tasted good. Our two entrees were the chicken enchiladas and the Cowboy Brisket tacos. Enchiladas were delicious! Would definitely order them again. I honestly couldn't eat my half of the Cowboy Brisket tacos. I'm not sure if there was a mixup and we accidentally were served the spicier version, but they were too hot for me (and I can handle some heat). Husband ate them, but did not love them either. No drinks ordered. Overall, a good experience if you are looking for Mexican food. We would return and try new options.
Jackie AdlerJackie Adler
00
The staff were very friendly and the wait wasn’t all that bad. We sat outside and they had live music which was amazing. The guy singing was very talented and the atmosphere was just amazing. The only down side was where we were seated you couldn’t really see your food after dark and that was a little bothersome. There just really weren’t enough lights. I tried a burrito with carne asada, I can’t remember the name of the dish, my niece ordered chicken tacos, and my son ordered a chicken quesadilla. We also ordered queso. The queso, salsa and chips were delicious. I had onions and peppers added to my burrito. I found the food to be okay at best. There just wasn’t a lot of flavor in my opinion. I will say I normally do not order this sort of dish so it could have been just what I ordered. My son’s quesadilla was pretty good and my niece’s tacos were better than what I had. I would eat here again and give it another chance.
Anna McGowanAnna McGowan
00
Nearby Attractions Of Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach
Cortez Beach
Moose Lodge Anna Maria Island
Seaside at Anna Maria Island Inn
Shore Thing Tiki Cruises
Silver Surf Anna Maria Island
The Fish Hole Miniature Golf
Bungalow Beach Resort
Tortuga Inn Beach Resort
Green Turtle Shell & Gift Shop
Cortez Deep Sea Fishing
Cortez Beach
4.7
(1.2K)
Click for details
Moose Lodge Anna Maria Island
4.6
(696)
Click for details
Seaside at Anna Maria Island Inn
4.6
(505)
Click for details
Shore Thing Tiki Cruises
5.0
(390)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Wicked Cantina Bradenton Beach
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
The Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar
Gulf Drive Cafe
Island Time Bar and Grill
The Kokonut Hut
Oma's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Daiquiri Deck Anna Maria Island
Smoqehouse
Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant
Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
4.4
(2.7K)
$$
Click for details
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
4.5
(1.8K)
Click for details
The Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar
4.4
(1.4K)
Click for details
Gulf Drive Cafe
3.8
(1.5K)
$$
Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
101 7th St N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
Map
Phone
(941) 281-2990
Call
Website
wickedcantina.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.3
(1.6K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Modern, laid-back restaurant & happy-hour spot offering familiar Mexican grub, beer & margaritas.
attractions: Cortez Beach, Moose Lodge Anna Maria Island, Seaside at Anna Maria Island Inn, Shore Thing Tiki Cruises, Silver Surf Anna Maria Island, The Fish Hole Miniature Golf, Bungalow Beach Resort, Tortuga Inn Beach Resort, Green Turtle Shell & Gift Shop, Cortez Deep Sea Fishing, restaurants: Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier, The Bridge Tender Inn Dockside & Tiki Bar, Gulf Drive Cafe, Island Time Bar and Grill, The Kokonut Hut, Oma's Pizza and Italian Restaurant, Daiquiri Deck Anna Maria Island, Smoqehouse, Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant
- Please manually select your location for better experience