Looking for something a little more upscale than a taco truck, but still want guac with dinner? Cantina Laredo is a classy Mexican restaurant with flavors that you’d never find at your local Tex-Mex joint. Whether you’re traveling with family, or friends, or on a date, you’ll find something for everyone here. From savory, crisp quesadillas to fish tacos to apple pie a la mode, you’ll enjoy a mouthwatering culinary experience every time.
This is the kind of place where they prep the guacamole at the table, serve dishes like grilled chicken with prosecco-chipotle sauce, and never fail to deliver top-notch customer service.
Cantina Laredo is a small chain with a smattering of locations throughout the southern U.S. and a few farther north. The Sandestin location boasts an excellent location and staff; you can expect a clean, welcoming dining area that invites you to sit down and savor your time there. The staff are accommodating and friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and eager to meet your needs. There’s a reason it has quickly become a favorite among locals as well as visitors; the food, location, and experience are all just right.
Some of our favorite menu items from Cantina Laredo include…
Tableside Guacamole
Order a side of guacamole to enjoy with your chips, and you might be surprised to see a server arrive at your table with a platter, a stand, and a full array of fresh guac ingredients. From the creamy avocados to the fresh-squeezed lime juice, you’ll see it all come together to become that lovely green dip you’ve been waiting for–and they make it to your specifications, so if you’d like more or less tomato, lime, onion, or other accouterments, you’ll end up with just the right formula.
Ahi Tuna Tacos
It’s hard to beat well-prepared ahi. But when it’s on tacos with just the right fixings, ahi tuna occupies a higher plane of food. The sushi-grade tuna tacos are topped with slivered jicama, ginger slaw, guacamole, pickled red onion, and chipotle aioli. They’re fresh, light, flavorful, and satisfyingly indulgent. These have been a fan-favorite menu item since the restaurant opened.
Apple Pie with Ice Cream
It might not seem like an incredibly Mexican dish, but this confectionary favorite comes out sizzling on cast iron just like fajitas do. Topped with freshly-scooped, high-quality vanilla ice cream, it’s hard to go wrong with the combination of hot pie, flakey, buttery crust, and cold, melty ice cream. This Cantina Laredo dish earns rave reviews and keeps diners coming back again and again. Portions are generous, so you might want to share–but then again, you might want to keep all of this one for yourself; it’s just that good.
Margaritas
If enjoying a margarita with your fajitas and fresh guac is given, get ready to enjoy Cantina Laredo’s margaritas. The margaritas here are consistently excellent. Expect fresh, flavorful ingredients, a great tequila selection to choose from, and fun flavors to choose from beyond the classic marg.
Camaron Poblano Asada
This dish combines the best of many Mexican flavors: a perfectly roasted poblano pepper, tender, marinated skirt steak, shrimp, mushrooms, and jack cheese–all topped with a chimichurri sauce that pulls all the flavors together with near-miraculous ease. Your stuffed, hearty pepper is served alongside charred street corn and cilantro-lime rice.
Location
Cantina Laredo is located just off 30A in Sandestin, just a block down from the Hyatt Place.
Insider Tips:
-Expect ample portions on pretty much all the menu items; unless you’re ravenous, chances are good you’d be happy sharing a plate.
-Save room for dessert. The apple pie with ice cream is just one of Cafe Laredo’s dessert options, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.