Nueva Cantina - Brandon — Restaurant in Brandon

The Brandon location is NOT what IG shows you!!! Beware ! My visit was 2 weeks after opening of this location, 10/10 Friday night… I made my reservation on Open table and when I arrived my table was ready… upon arrival I noticed a very full place.. probably to capacity outdoors and inside. The server proceeded to guide us through the menu.. the order was placed and to my surprise it took 40 min to get my order. I had asked several times to the server where was my food and I almost cancelled. The menu is not that great, drinks do look appealing and cute, mocktails as well but the atmosphere here is not all that. The noise level is horrible, you had to talk so loud ( that night apparently was their busiest) … the food choices did not impress me, overpriced in my opinion, there’s way many more good and affordable Mexican restaurants in Brandon and Tampa that beat this location. This location is old… it was a previous restaurant ( Cherries) that was there for years, they should have invested in upgrades to that interior more than what was done, it still looks old feels old … the location in Tampa looks way better aesthetically speaking.. the manager came to my table after I requested (he was very very apologetic) … they comp chips and salsa, guacamole and cheese.. whatever… and even that was salty… salty chips that I could not eat even if free… and again , props to the manager he was so nice and offer anything to make me want to come back..made me a cocktail for free (he made me feel a bit better but still I was disappointed in the place) I suggest the owners invest in improving the overall look of the place, train the kitchen better to be more efficient, waiting 40 min for 4 tacos is unacceptable! Offer more variety in that menu too and do something about the noise .. the place is way too small and when full noise is insane! Lastly the server was nice however it would take long for her to check on us. Good luck Nueva Catina I don’t think...

Overall impression: inauthentic tasting, expensive bad food and overpriced bad tasting drinks cancel out the very cute decorations and spooky vibe.

Pros: decorations are super cute, staff is in costumes. Staff is generally nice.

Cons: food is awful, and I mean no one in our party enjoyed anything they ordered. The carnitas especially were bad, someone in my party compared it to cat food and I’d have to agree. The Al pastor was flavorless. The birria just tasted of salt and no other flavor and does not come with any consumme at least not when you order it with the taco tour. they charge for chips and salsa (what Mexican restaurant does that??), drinks are cute but expensive and bad, they are too sweet, even when we asked for less sweet, and the worst part is they are inconsistent so you can order two of the same exact drink and they taste completely different. And I'm talking about two of the same drink at the same time, so it should theoretically be the same person making it.

Neither pro nor con just things to consider: place was extremely busy and loud. It’s hard to hear the server and the server and bartender could barely hear us as well. Kitchen staff seems to be teenagers or very young adults like you would see in fast food. You can’t order a quesadilla unless you’re a child (weird).

First time I thought maybe they were new and busy and getting the kinks out but went back a second time to give them another chance but if anything the second time was worse. The management should work on making the food more authentic or at least more flavorful, and the drinks more consistent and less sweet/artificial chemical tasting, and lowering the music a little, as well as either lower the price of chips and salsa or just don’t charge for it. There are so many better, cheaper, more authentic Mexican restaurants in the area. Only go here for the Halloween decorations because that’s the only good thing. Or if you like super...

As someone in the Tampa Bay hospitality industry, I've been watching Nueva Cantina's growth with great admiration. After seeing them making waves on social media, I knew I had to experience their operation firsthand. From a brand perspective, the execution is flawless. The moment you step inside, there's a palpable energy, and the meticulously crafted ambiance is both welcoming and electric. You immediately understand the vision. Being in the cocktail business, I'm admittedly critical of bar programs. The Spicy Pineapple Margarita was exceptional. It's a difficult thing to achieve true balance between heat, acidity, and sweetness, but their team nailed it. To create a margarita that wins over someone who isn't typically a fan is a true mark of skill. That same commitment to quality extends to the kitchen. The birria "pizza" is an inventive and perfectly executed concept. The asada in the burrito was tender and flavorful, but the real standout for me was the array of house-made verde and hot salsas. It's that dedication to the details that separates the good from the great. Huge congratulations to the entire Nueva Cantina team on the Brandon opening. You aren't just serving great food and drinks; you're building an incredible experience and raising the bar for the whole area. I was thoroughly impressed on my first visit and now look forward to seeing your other locations. Kim and Bryan were incredible hosts and have left some big shoes to fill for my next experience - just know if you get either of them here in Brandon you are in excellent hands. Thank you to all the servers, bartenders, hosts, and management for bringing this concept to life and giving the community something...