A must try!!

If you are looking for delicious authentic mexican food, this is the place. With generous portions and a great bar menu you wont leave this place hungry or thirsty. They carry local wines and beers too. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys mexican food or just a place to have a nice drink. It is located next to Wainui beach, so you can grab a big dinner after a long day on the beach and/or surfing.

I’m a fan.

Having been to both Mexico and the southern states of USA, you get a good taste for Mexican kai. These guys do a great job of authentic Tex-Mex in a cheery, beach environment. The food is really tasty and there’s plenty of it, you wont leave hungry that’s for certain.
Cantina Caliente ticks all the boxes of what a Mexican joint should be, that is cheap and festive, bare bones with good beverage prices (incl some rare and good Tequilas) and the all important happy hour.
Don’t come in expecting architectural food presentation or a delicate degustation menu, That’s not what Mexican food is about, taste is everything and they nail it.

Local beer on tap and in jug form is good to see also.

The service was very slow, but friendly. The food was horrible. I’ve eaten in a lot of places around the world but this was the worst. Most of the meals (I was with a party of 12) were dry and/or over cooked. Some of my party ordered chicken, but were served pork. I tried to order the vege option that was detailed on the menu, but was told by the waiter that i had to order meat! Food was reasonably priced (for what it was) but the drink prices were outrageous. $7 for a small glass of coke. $12 for a jug of lemonade. The magaritas were nice though. I wouldnt go there again if i was paid too. Sad, but true.

fantastic place! my boyfriend took me here, was a bit aprehensive at first, as its located out of the “usual CBD restaraunt zone in gisborne” however,we had pre-booked a table and from the moment we walked in the staff and waiters were extremly friendly, it was quite busy but that did not put us off it has a real good atmosphere about it. Our meal was around 15 minutes late, but this was understandable because it was so busy and two waiters came to apologise for the delay which was good as we knew what we were expecting. The meal was more than adequate and the wine superb!!
i couldnt finish my meal and they packed it up so i could take it home (most places dont do that these days)

upon my boyfriend paying for the meal, the manager asked us if everything was ok and she even apologised for the noise (which she didnt have to) i have been to every restaraunt in gisborne, and would definately reccomend this to be another favourite of mine, the atmosphere, customer service and meal was totall FANTASTIC!!