Cantina 512, located on the vibrant Rainey Street in Austin, TX, offers a delightful blend of Mexican cuisine and a lively atmosphere that resonates with both locals and tourists. Customers rave about the quality of the food and the engaging service. The Fajitas A La Parilla stand out, particularly the Fajitas de Carne and Alambras De Camarones, delivering generous portions and robust flavors that leave diners satisfied. Shared appetizers like the Flaming Queso Flameado and Elote Riblets are crowd-pleasers, often highlighted for their deliciousness and presentation, enhancing the sharing experience. Guests have praised the restaurant's atmosphere, which transitions from a casual dining environment during the day to a vibrant bar scene by night, ideal for social gatherings. One reviewer noted the exceptional service from staff, particularly emphasizing the effort and attentiveness of their servers, which significantly boosts the dining experience. Diners also appreciate the affordable pricing, especially in comparison to nearby establishments, making Cantina 512 an attractive choice for quality Mexican fare. Whether you're drawn in by the enticing photo ops or the commendable food and drink options, Cantina 512 promises a memorable outing filled with flavorful dishes and welcoming vibes. It’s a must-visit for anyone exploring Austin's culinary landscape.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Photos
Reviews For Cantina 512
Adam McNair
May 10,2025
This has very good food for a place with more of a large bar setup. The servers were very friendly and didn’t mind that we weren’t there for a big bar tab. The chips and various dips were all good as were the enchiladas. While there’s nothing wrong with it - be warned that the crispy taco is the size of Texas.
James Ritollioy
May 5,2025
A wonderful experience not too far from our hotel. Because of Trent's amazing customer service and expertly crafted drinks we went back all 3 days of our visit. Had enchiladas as well as the sampler, absolutely divine. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a lovely outdoor hang out or good drinks with a killer vibe!
Melinda
Apr 25,2025
This place just draws you in from the street! It's so pretty and different! What attracted me to it were all of the photo ops, but surprisingly, the drinks and food were also good! Staff is super helpful and also a lot of fun! Prices were pretty cheap compared to some of the other bars on the street. What a great place just a short distance from our AirBnB!
Billy Whitaker
Apr 4,2025
I needed a last minute day before dinner reservation for a group of 20 and they were able to accommodate! This is very much a restaurant during the day / club at night type place. The daytime vibes were great, with a DJ on the patio and lots of people enjoying drinks and some ordering food. When we arrived, I checked in with the hostess and was shown our table. They had put us in a private area upstairs that was open and overlooked the bar. The music was loud out on the patio but up at our table was the perfect volume level. Eventually the outside DJ broke down and they moved to the inside DJ. The music did get louder and louder as the night progressed but it was basically as we were finishing our meal around 9:30 that it was loudest. Our food was delicious (and plentiful) and our server (forgive me) Roxie or Rosie, I can't remember exactly, was PHENOMENAL. She did separate checks for us and worked her tail off up and down those stairs delivering drinks with very minimal wait time. She was the perfect vibe for our group and really enhanced our experience! Roxie/Rosie 10 out of 10! Food: Apps - Queso Blanco, Guac, and Elote Riblets were just wonderful. Flavorful and delicious. Drinks - Mangonada is a must, and their house marg is perfect! Mains - The Big Crispy Taco was ginormous and tasty and just a site to behold, I also loved my Fajitas de Carne with a great amount of beef and tasted my friends Fajitas de Pollo and Fajitas de Camarones which were also plentiful and delicious. Dessert - Churros for the win! Big and scrumptious. Thank you again for the last minute booking and helping to make my friends birthday dinner a GIANT success! Will be back for group events.
Ron Folkens
Mar 30,2025
Had dinner on a Monday evening. It wasn't busy. The fajitas de carne was very good, steak was excellent, plenty of food. Maybe a little pricy. For a slow night, the staff wasn't very attentive.
Alix Green
Mar 27,2025
I am still craving the appetizer I got for lunch... it was something seafood... don't remember exactly what it was called. On the menu it sounded good to me but not my my best friend then when it came out I thought it wasn't what I ordered because it looked nothing like anything I'd enjoy eating... we both chowed down and didn't leave a bite on the plate. It was delicious! Service wasn't horrible, just not the best.... still nothing bad to say about this place! 5 stars on purpose
Fruit Mama
Feb 20,2025
Food is so good and came super fast. Love the vibe here I felt like I was in Miami. I felt so celebrated for just being here, they had a bubble machine which brought so much fun while I was dancing. Such a fun inviting atmosphere. Definitely gonna bring all my friends
Krystal Madrigal
Feb 18,2025
This was one of my favorite places on Rainey. We celebrated my sisters Bach here on a Sunday afternoon & had a great time. Music was great with a DJ outside, drinks were yummy, bartenders were friendly, and the manager was as well. Would definitely come back!
Reviews For Cantina 512