I recently had a girls’ date at a new restaurant near Midtown Plaza Carmel where the tacos and margaritas were plentiful and flavorful! Social Cantina Carmel is a modern take on traditional Mexican street fare. Featuring mouth-watering tacos and refreshing margaritas and tequila, your taste buds will thank you for choosing to dine here. Whether it’s girl’s night out, date night, or family dinner, there is something for everyone at Social Cantina Carmel.
Social Cantina Carmel | Mouth-watering Tacos and Refreshing Margaritas
The Social Cantina Experience
This is not your typical Mexican restaurant experience. From the first moment you walk in, you feel the “be social” theme. The giant “SOCIAL” sign at the bar, is a beacon for a good time. The décor is modern, with unique statement pieces throughout the restaurant. Check out one of the many selfie walls—my favorite was the wall of cacti by the bathrooms!
Every seat in the house has a distinctive touch. Bright colors and interesting patterns fill the restaurant with energy. There are several places to have a more intimate dining experience, but also plenty of room for larger parties as well—including a back room for a really large group.
Salsa and Margaritas For the Win
For starters, we ordered a round of margaritas. Social Cantina Carmel serves more than 100 bottles of Tequila and Mezcal and offers several flavors to add like Strawberry, Blood Orange, and Coconut Pomegranate. I’m a traditionalist, so I almost ordered their standard house “Social” margarita. But the waiter pointed out the spicy version that uses a tequila infused with jalapeños. Delicious! If margaritas aren’t your thing they have a great selection of craft cocktails, sangrias, beers, and wine. I want to go back every season just to try the seasonal sangria on rotation.
Salsa is the main reason I go to any Mexican restaurant, so obviously, our party started with the chips and salsa flight. The flight comes with two salsa selections—roasted red, salsa verde, chile de arbol, or mango habanero and two of the following: white cheese queso, house-made guacamole, house-made Cali guacamole, or house-made pico de gallo. We also ordered the queso fundido with gringo beef—pure, cheesy perfection. We ordered enough to sample all the things! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if you like it hot, check out the mango habanero salsa. The house-made guacamole and chips were another clear winner, and you can never go wrong with melty cheese!
Mexican Street Fare at its Finest
Social Cantina is known for its delicious, street-style tacos. With 10 options to choose from, you’re sure to find something you crave. I love tacos, but they also have traditional enchiladas and tamales, so I had to opt for tamales. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, you have to try the cantina bowl. It’s basically a burrito in a bowl, but you can also make any of the bowls an actual burrito. I also just have to mention the Mexican-style street corn and the bacon-wrapped jalapenos.
Social Cantina Kids Menu
Although I was at Social Cantina sans kids, I always like to check out the kid’s menu anytime I visit a new restaurant. At $5 per meal—including an entrée, side, and drink—it’s a bargain! Kids can choose from a cheese quesadilla, beef or chicken tacos, chicken tenders, or side taco salad. I know my kids would also appreciate the queso fundido and the house-made chips.
Colts Gameday Combo
Social Cantina Carmel offers a Colts Gameday special! Stop in during the next Colts game to watch the game while feasting on delicious Mexican dishes and beers. You’ll score three tacos + a beer for $16 or three tacos + a margarita for $20 with the Colts Gameday Combo!
Desserts at Social Cantina
While we stuffed ourselves silly with salsa, chips, and our favorite Mexican fare, we saved room for dessert. The Tres Leches is a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk. If that sounds decadent, it is! They serve it with fresh-cut berries and sauce, although you could eat the cake all by itself! They also have churros and a sundae served with cinnamon sugar-coated tostadas and a choice of strawberry or chocolate sauce.
More about Social Cantina Carmel
Social Cantina Carmel is part of the Finney Hospitality group founded by Nathan Finney in Bloomington, Indiana. The group has three restaurants in addition to Social Cantina—The Tap with locations in Indy, Bloomington, and West Lafayette, and Smokeworks and Yogis, both located in Bloomington. The original Social Cantina is located in Bloomington. In addition to the Carmel location, there are other Social Cantinas in Indianapolis and Mishawaka.
Midtown Plaza Carmel
Social Cantina Carmel is located right on the Monon Trail and across from Midtown Plaza Carmel. You could easily spend an entire day at Midtown before or after your meal at Social Cantina. Sit outside on the plaza on the comfortable loungers, watch a game on the big screen, play ping pong or pool, and be social with friends over the fire pit.
After a big dinner, walk off the meal on the Monon Trail heading north towards the Carmel Arts & Design District (aka downtown Carmel) or south towards Carmel City Center where you’ll find Cake Bake, the Palladium, and the Hotel Carmichael. Midtown Plaza Carmel is a destination with so much to do and see and Social Cantina Carmel is right smack in the middle of it all.
The next time you’re headed north, check out Social Cantina Carmel at 350 Monon Boulevard in Carmel. Eat, drink, and BE SOCIAL!
