Enjoy revamped Mexican food classics, vibrant handcrafted cocktails, and an extensive range of international tequilas and mezcals, along with 30+ craft and local beers. Designed by VANROOY Design, the open and airy restaurant is decked out in vintage Huntington Beach prints and artwork, supplied by Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, paying homage to the area’s iconic retro beach culture.
Tony Skeans
Sandbar Cocina y Tequila sits right off the Huntington Beach strip, and for a spot with that kind of real estate, the quality-to-price ratio is almost shocking—in the best possible way. We stopped in for lunch and kept it simple with a spread of appetizers: ribeye street tacos, those fantastic potato-stuffed bites (the papas rellenas—it finally came back to me), and a Caesar salad. Everything arrived fresh, fast, and beautifully plated.
The ribeye tacos were tender, well-seasoned, and carried that perfect balance of char and citrus you want in a street taco. The papas rellenas hit like comfort food with a little flair—crispy outside, soft and savory inside, and perfect for sharing. The Caesar salad was probably the most ambitious item on the table: complex, layered, tangy, garlicky, and clearly built by someone who enjoys rethinking classics. For our personal taste, it might have been one or two twists too many, but there’s no denying it was elegant and skillfully done.
What really sealed the whole experience, though, was the service. Friendly, upbeat, and just attentive enough without hovering—exactly what you want in a beachside lunch. And the bill? Right around $50 for quality food, generous portions, and a prime location.
For Huntington Beach, that’s practically a steal. If you’re looking for a relaxed lunch with higher-end execution and a vacation vibe, Sandbar Cocina y Tequila is absolutely worth the stop.
… moreJoyful
Updated—service was very poor, cold, unfriendly, and uncaring the last couple times. Being ignored, not bringing chips (and this last time, server claimed it was due to them making a fresh batch)—chips were ALL broken up, cold, kinda stale—for sure NOT freshly made, bean dip was like an afterthought (whereas the first time it was amazing). Guacamole was quite salty last couple times. Birria taco, which was delicious first time I got it, was terrible this time and very salty. The Frozen Strawberry Margarita was pricey and way too sweet without much alcohol at all—not worth $14.
*First Visit—Sat at the Window Bar facing Main. Was extremely loud inside—Server was late in arriving and stood outside facing me (keep in mind I was sitting inside with the main bar and TV Screens—Football on) spoke so soft I couldn’t hear! I ordered the Jalisco Shrimp Quesadilla and they brought chips with salsa and an amazing, tasty bean dip. Food arrived fairly quick and was fresh. Guacamole is amazing. Street parking (meters or parking garage). Place is definitely hopping. Outside patio in front and in back. Bathroom could use a bit of help. Service (hosts/servers) could be a bit more warm, welcoming, and attentive.
… moreEmpowrd Foods
This nice restaurant exceeded well above our expectations! The food was authentic, the service top notch and of atmosphere was nicely created with a seating area inside & out with decor that paired perfectly with the ambience. Very close to the beach & pier. Chips & salsa were served with beans & salsa that was fresh & flavorful. The birriera tacos with consume were flavorful & seasoned really good with the meat & the crunch on the tortilla was perfect. Fresh ingredients were used in all the meals served. The bar was really nice and plenty of TVs to view Monday night football. Will definitely return when coming back from Idaho, as the visit here was of great experience. Dessert was served with a freebie for a birthday was well with a tasty coconut ice cream. Two thumbs & five stars for Sandbar. Well done !!!
… moreLexie Rockford
My quesabirria quesadilla was DELICIOUS, our servers were super sweet and helpful, and we loved the atmosphere both inside the restaurant and outside in the patio seating area. Mom said she had possibly “The Best shredded beef tacos” she has ever had. We will definitely be back next time we are in California.
… moreDarryl Gordon
It was game day today, and the crowd at Sandbar Cocina y Tequila was taking in all the games with their big screen tvs. We got there as they were serving their Brunch/Lunch menu which had a great selection of items. Service was outstanding and food was really delicious.
… moreDenise Moloney
I came here for date night last night with reservations for 6:15pm. We were 10 minutes early but the hostess said “our table wasn’t ready yet.” OK….annoyed, Strike 1. Then we weren’t seated until 6:40pm, and sat a high-top with extremely uncomfortable chairs, when I requested to sit in ‘standard seating’. Then we waited, and waited FOREVER for our server & when we were finally greeted, we ordered fish tacos & shrimp tacos for me…and 2 margs. Now…for $20 a margarita, I’m expecting something special and delicious. On a scale from 1-5, its a 1 at best bc its served in a baby rock glass and it’s all ice and about 2 sips, Strike 2. Placed our order at 6:45pm and food didn’t come out until 7:20pm!! Unacceptable! I told our waiter to bring us our check when he brought our food bc we had to gulp our food down bc we only had 20 minutes on our parking meter left. Now I’m getting mad & angry. The tacos weren’t appealing and looked like the 1.00 tacos from Jack in the box. Yes, seriously. And the worse part was the “ambience” that they are known for…Please! It felt like one of those annoying clubs with extremely loud music, all the tvs blaring, and completely impossible to talk to my date without screaming at him. Strike 3! You’re out Sandbar. We both hated our experience and I wouldn’t recommend this place. Save yourself time, energy & about $80 and go to Miguel Jr’s instead. Better food, better service, no loud club music blasting your ears off & cheap & cheerful , plus no wait!! You’re welcome people. Signed a disappointed customer.
… moreNaomi
Omg I stumbled across this place on my walk and I’m SO glad I did. The food was insanely good — everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and just perfect. On top of that, the service was amazing. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and my food came out super quick which made the whole experience even better. Such a hidden gem energy. My goshhhh I’ll definitely be back ✨
… moreBrian Ross
The food and the vibe were great. The bartender was really nice and we celebrated my lady’s birthday there. It was perfect.
… moreAydin Asli
I had an absolutely fantastic experience at Sandbar, and a huge part of that was due to the exceptional service from Lacy! From the moment we sat down, she was attentive, friendly, and genuinely enthusiastic about ensuring we had a great time.
The ambiance at Sandbar is truly something special. The vibrant, cool crowd created an energetic and enjoyable atmosphere, and the location is just unbeatable. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the city vibes.
And let’s talk about the food! Everything we ordered was delicious, fresh, and perfectly prepared. It was clear that the kitchen puts a lot of care into their dishes. What’s even more impressive is how affordable everything was, especially considering the prime location.
Lacy’s outstanding service elevated the entire experience. She was knowledgeable about the menu, offered excellent recommendations, and made us feel incredibly welcome. We will definitely be back, and we hope Lacy will be there to make our next visit just as memorable! Highly recommend Sandbar to anyone looking for great food, a cool atmosphere, and top-notch service.
… moreOggi Mojo
We wandered in for lunch late in the afternoon and, while the patio was buzzing with people, we picked a comfy table inside. The dining room had a chill vibe, and I could totally see how it would be a popular spot for lunch—and even more so for dinner. We got a quick greeting from our server, and soon we were munching on chips and salsa, plus a creamy bean and salsa dip that was absolutely amazing! We couldn’t resist adding some guac to the mix, too.
The whole atmosphere was fantastic, and our cold drinks just hit the spot. When our burritos showed up, they looked awesome! They tasted good, but after that killer start with the appetizers, I was hoping the burritos would be just as flavorful. They were really solid—mine had fish, beans, and cheese inside—and I’d definitely order it again! I just wish it packed as much flavor as those appetizers did.
Even if you just want to grab some drinks, the bar is a cool hangout. This place is perfect for lunch—great vibes and yummy food. We had a blast at the Sandbar and can’t wait to come back!
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