Cantina Barba: A Houston Bar & Grill with Authentic Flavor

Cantina Barba Introduce

In the vibrant and ever-evolving food scene of Houston, Cantina Barba stands out as a unique and authentic bar and grill. Located on North Main Street, this establishment has built a reputation for its straightforward, "100% Bullshit-Free" approach to serving up delicious food and strong drinks. It's a place that perfectly captures the spirit of a Texas bar and grill, blending classic comfort food with genuine Mexican flavors. The atmosphere is casual, cozy, and trendy, making it an ideal spot to hang out with friends, grab a bite after a late night, or simply enjoy a well-made drink.

Cantina Barba is particularly beloved for its dual identity as both a great taco joint and a top-tier burger spot. While the menu is simple, the quality is anything but. From the mesquite-smoked pork tacos to the highly-praised Cantina Cheeseburger, every item is crafted with a focus on flavor and satisfaction. This establishment is a favorite among both locals and tourists, especially the late-night crowd and service industry professionals, because it stays open until the early hours of the morning on weekends. The staff is known for being friendly and efficient, ensuring that even when it's packed, you have a great experience.

This overview is a tribute to Cantina Barba's commitment to delivering a high-quality, unpretentious dining experience. It's a place where you can relax, enjoy great food and drinks, and feel the genuine Houston vibe. The combination of a fantastic menu, a welcoming atmosphere, and a dedication to fast service makes it a true hidden gem in the city's food landscape. Whether you're a local in The Heights or just passing through, Cantina Barba is a must-visit destination for anyone craving authentic flavors and a good time.

---

Cantina Barba is located at 3701 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009, USA. Situated in the Greater Heights area, its location is convenient for both residents and visitors exploring this popular Houston neighborhood.

The restaurant is committed to accessibility, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating. This ensures that all guests can enjoy their visit comfortably. For parking, Cantina Barba offers the convenience of both a free parking lot and free street parking, which is a significant benefit in a busy area of the city. This accessibility and ease of parking make Cantina Barba a welcoming and stress-free destination for anyone looking for a great meal.

---

Cantina Barba offers a range of services designed for convenience and a great customer experience.

Dine-in: The restaurant provides a casual and cozy setting for guests to sit down and enjoy their meal. It's a great spot for both solo diners and groups.
Outdoor Seating: A fantastic option for enjoying the Houston weather, the outdoor patio is a lively place to eat and is also dog-friendly.
Takeout and Delivery: For those who prefer to eat at home, Cantina Barba offers both takeout and delivery services, making it easy to enjoy their food from anywhere.
Catering: While primarily a bar and grill, Cantina Barba also offers catering options for larger orders and events, such as their "Burger Bag" and "Wings Bag."
Bar Onsite: The establishment has a full bar with a great selection of beer, cocktails, hard liquor, and wine, perfect for happy hour or a late-night drink.

---

Cantina Barba is known for several key features and highlights that make it a favorite among its patrons.

Late-Night Food: This is one of the biggest draws. Cantina Barba serves its full menu until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends, making it a go-to spot for a post-bar bite or a late dinner.
Excellent Drinks: Customers frequently praise the "strong and well made" cocktails and the great beer selection. The frozen margaritas are a particular favorite and are even available in a half-gallon size for parties.
Unique Menu: The menu blends traditional Mexican items like carne asada and barbacoa tacos with American grill classics like the Cantina Cheeseburger, which has been called one of the best in the city.
Fast and Friendly Service: The staff is consistently described as "awesome," with prompt service that ensures you can get your food and drinks quickly.
Cozy and Trendy Atmosphere: The "no frills" and casual vibe, combined with its popularity among a young, vibrant crowd, gives it a trendy feel without being pretentious.
Serves Local Specialty: The focus on authentic Mexican flavors and smoked meats makes Cantina Barba a great place to experience a true local specialty.
On-site Speakeasy: Cantina Barba has a hidden mezcal bar called Mijo, which is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, offering a unique and exclusive experience for patrons.

---

For more information or to place an order, you can find Cantina Barba at the following address. Note that some reviews mention they don't have a public phone number and encourage customers to just "come thru."

Address: 3701 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009, USA

---

When considering where to eat in Houston, Cantina Barba is a choice worth making for its quality, value, and unique offerings. The food is consistently praised for being "delicious" and "top quality," with the al pastor and carne asada tacos being particularly popular. However, the unexpected star of the show is the Cantina Cheeseburger, which has garnered a cult following for its simple, flavorful perfection. As one reviewer noted, the burger's quality and reasonable price make it a standout choice. The generous portion sizes for things like their large bags of chips with queso, guacamole, or salsa and their "Burger Bag" for groups provide excellent value.

Beyond the food, the experience is a key reason to visit. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of a relaxed neighborhood spot and a vibrant late-night destination, with customers having "no issues finding a place to sit" on a busy Friday night. The drinks are another major draw, with reviews highlighting the strength and quality of the cocktails. The staff's helpful and friendly attitude contributes to the positive experience, making customers feel welcome and well-cared for. For a place with a great vibe, delicious and affordable food, and a fantastic drink selection, Cantina Barba is an easy choice. It's a genuine Houston institution that delivers on its promise of great food and a good time, making it a favorite for any time of day or night.

Cantina Barba Menu

Sides
Chips + $5.90
Bag of tortilla chips served with your choice of queso, guac, or salsa.
Rice $3.00
White rice.
Tex's Dip $13.00
Elotes $5.90
Corn, chipotle mayo, queso fresco, ancho chile.
Fries $7.10
Golden, crispy, delicious.
Plantains $5.90
Comes with crema and queso.
Beans $3.00
Pinto beans.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Cucumber Agua Fresca $4.70
Refreshing cucumber-flavored fruit drink.
Squirt $4.70
Caffeine-free, citrus-flavored soft drink.
Hibiscus Tea $4.70
Herbal tea made as an infusion from the crimson-colored roselle flower. Cranberry-like flavor.
Topo Chico $4.70
Sparkling mineral water, sourced and bottled in Monterrey, Mexico, offering a refreshing and crisp taste.
Horchata $4.70
Traditional Mexican drink flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with sugar.
Mexican Coke $4.70
Mexican Coke —the refreshing, crisp taste you know and love made with real cane sugar.
Watermelon Agua Fresca $4.70
Refreshing watermelon-flavored fruit drink.

Xl Chips +
Large Queso $11.80
Pint of our house-made queso. Chips not included.
Large Salsa $5.90
Pint of our house-made salsa. Chips not included.
Bag Of Chips $4.70
A bag of chips. But they’re OUR chips.
Large Guacamole $14.20
Pint of our house-made guacamole. Chips not included.
5 Bags Of Chips $21.20
5 full bags of OUR tortilla chips.

Extra Sauces
++ Burger Sauce $0.60
++ Green Sauce $0.30
++ Chipotle Mayo $0.60
Bottle Of Mamalona! $11.80
++ Mamalona! $0.60
++ Red Sauce $0.30

Clothing
Sunset Tee $20.00
Sunset Hoodie $30.00
Open After Dark Tee $20.00
Top Quality Tee $20.00
Forget The Flowers Cropped Top $20.00
Abolish CenterPoint Tee $20.00

Big Food
Burger Bag $41.30
Sack of 5 cheeseburgers, and a large sack of fries.
Wings Bag $41.30
Comes with 20 wings, large bag of fries, w/ all the sauces (8oz Ranch, 2 sides of Ketchup, 2 sides of Chipotle Mayo)

Accessories
Cantina Barba Tote $25.00
Sturdy and durable.
Cantina Barba Logo Sticker $3.00

Alcoholic Beverages
Frozen Margarita $14.20
Frozen Margarita with your choice of Tequila or Mezcal. *This item contains alcohol*

Tacos
Carne Asada $5.90
Marinated & grilled skirt steak topped with onion & cilantro, served on corn tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Papas Con Rajas $4.70
Potato, poblano, beans, grilled onion and cilantro on corn tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Smoked Pork $5.30
Dry rubbed, mesquite smoked pork. Topped with onion & cilantro, served on corn tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Barbacoa $5.60
Beef cheeks slow, soaked and simmered in adobo. Each order comes with one taco.
Pollo $5.30
Guajillo chile & orange adobo, grilled chicken topped with onion & cilantro, served on corn tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Al Pastor $5.30
Adobo pork shoulder, grilled low & slow. Topped with onion & cilantro, served on corn tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.

Breakfast Tacos
Steak And Eggs $5.90
Carne asada, egg, cheese, & grilled onions on flour tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Barbacoa Deluxe $5.90
Barbacoa, egg, & queso fresco on flour tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Pork Hash $5.90
Smoked pork, potato, egg, & jalapeno on flour tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.
Breakfast Tacos $4.15
Comes with your choice of two ingredients on flour tortilla. Each order comes with one taco.

Giant Drinks
Half-Gallon Frozen Marg $44.30
Same as the beloved Cantina Barba Frozen Margaritta. Only bigger.....much bigger. Bundle with your favorite Big Food item for a discounted price! Comes in a half-gallon sized jug, big enough for 4 people. Just pour and serve!

Not Tacos
Quesadilla $5.90
Flour tortilla seared with oaxaca cheese. Served with a side of chipotle mayo.
Deez Nacho Fries $13.00
Comes with queso, guac, jalapeno, crema, beans, and pico.
Burrito Desayuno $11.80
Choice of bacon, chorizo, or veggie. Comes with egg, fries, queso, avocado, beans. Flour Tortilla.
Classic Burrito $13.00
Flour tortilla with beans, fries, cheese, guac, house salsa
Cantina Cheeseburger $8.30
1/4lb patty, American cheese, burger sauce, homemade pickles.
Hot Wings $14.20
Six hot wings served with ranch dip.

Cantina Barba Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Food
Food at bar
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Groups

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking

Cantina Barba Photos

Cantina Barba Location

Cantina Barba

Texas Harris County Houston Northside North Main Street

3701 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009, USA

Cantina Barba Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 1289 user reviews.

mezcalquesadillascarne asadaplantainsburritoal pastorbreakfast tacosgreen sauceeloteagua fresca

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The food, atmosphere, and staff were all awesome. Visited for the first time with a few friends on a late Friday night, and we had no issues finding a place to sit. Friends told me to try a margarita and glad I did because it didn't disappoint! The al pasta and carne asada tacos were delicious. I appreciate all the staff that helped me and wish I could remember names to shout y'all out!!
March 20 · Ana Garcia
Food is delicious, drinks are strong and well made. Relaxing easy no frills place …highly recommend
July 11 · Nate
If you come here for happy hour, get here early. On a Tuesday afternoon, the line was non-stop after 6 PM. I preferred the frozen mezcal margarita over the traditional frozen and I only ordered chips & queso. The chips and queso is garbage. It reminds me of cheese sauce straight from a can and it was not hot, barely even warm, super thick, and absolutely unappetizing. The chips are thick flour tortillas and need to be seasoned better. I had the cantina burger several nights before as a take-out meal, and it was just ok. I didn't care for the special sauce as it tasted like a sauce you will get from a fast food joint.Service was not impolite but could be improved. They do not have an efficient system set up to provide for a shorter wait in line. I do not know that I would make a trip any length of time to come here but I might try to get here for an earlier happy hour.
February 25 · anonymous
I have passed by this place for many years tonight was lit they have an amazing bar music had the opportunity to experience for the first time tonight this place is a hidden gem and they have the best birra tacos in Houston Texasi wish I would have known sooner will be back. Exceptionally delicious oH my goodness !!! The birra is perfectly cheese and the sauces dip is off the chain!!! And the carde asada fries are very delicious as well great pricing!!!
March 27 · Ra Zion Cronos Zesus
I’ve been coming here for the past 5-6 years since I moved to Houston. A buddy recommended it to me, and it instantly became my favorite taco spot to go to.But I don’t come here that often. Why is it that you ask… it’s my favorite spot after all.Their prices are just a bittttt overpriced.These 2 tacos cost me $13.41. Just a Carne Asada and add avocado…basically $14 for 2 tacos that are slightly bigger than street tacos is crazy work. Please, y’all’s prices are a bit much. I can go to another taco spot around town or a damn good taco truck and get more for less.Other than that, the vibes are immaculate. Customer service is straightforward but nothing to write home about. It’s really a “No BS” kind of spot, so you just get what you get. They’re not rude, but I feel like often times it feels as if they’re a bit too “cool for school.”Another annoying nitpick is they don’t have a phone number you can call, which is…bizarre to me. Maybe they’ve added one since this review, but I’ve never been able to find it.The deck & cover they added on the side is a really nice touch compared to the gravel that was there before. It keeps the sun from destroying your soul in the middle of summertime.And the small little shack they have on the opposite side of the deck is a whole damn vibe in the summer and whenever they have it open. You get some quality DJs in there, and it’s a super fun time.Overall, I’ll keep coming back because they’ve never given me a reason not to. This is one of the dopest spots in Houston to hit up for some tacos by far!
December 24 · Seth Walker