Mexican restaurant Cocina La Cantina — on Sari Road in Jeddah’s Al-Zahra district — offers a menu focused on traditional flavors with contemporary twists.

I started with three salads, including maiz del fuego and verde brasa. The charred corn and kale were well prepared, and the dressings reflected traditional Mexican flavors.

The seafood dishes — lamica roja and aguachile de camaron — were fresh and retained their natural texture and taste. Guacamole served with crispy plantain provided a simple balance to the spiced dishes. 

The tostadas, especially the salmon and smoked crab versions, were well executed, with each ingredient distinct and flavors authentic. The menu offers a variety of options.

I also tried the birria quesadilla, featuring slow-cooked beef with Oaxacan-style cheese in a blue corn tortilla, and the ribotes — charred corn ribs topped with cotija, lime, tajín, and smoky morita mayo. Totopos with guacamole and pico de gallo completed my round of starters. 

For mains, I had pollo enmolado, with 48-hour marinated chicken in chintextle mole served with XO rice; pipian del mar, featuring salmon with molokhia pipian and macha oil; and carne asada suprema, a 24-hour marinated Wagyu 5+ striploin with guacamole and salsa verde.

The proteins were fresh and cooked to order, with sauces and marinades complementing the dishes as described.

The menu uses Mexican-style names but includes clear descriptions, and the staff are knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. For more information, visit @lacantina.ksa.