Spice Cantina
We’re still the same family, still pouring our hearts into every detail from the first sip to the last bite! We’ve just turned up the heat! Sweet Red was our first love…now meet her bold, sassy sister – Spice!
Indulge in vibrant Latin-inspired dishes, lively music, and a Cantina full of energy and fun! Located on 1st Street just around the corner from Sweet Red. Whether you’re sipping elegant cocktails at
Sweet Red or smoky margaritas at Spice…
Sip – Savor – Salud!
Lise Grato
Spice Cantina is now open and you have to go!! Just like their sister restaurant Sweet Red Bistro, the staff was attentive, food delicious and on theme drinks very delightful!! Located at 208 1st Ave. W in Downtown Albany, they are currently open evenings Thursday-Saturday.
For our evening at Spice Cantina, we started with Pinchos (small bites) and drinks. We tried Esquites, Jefe Vago DIY Guacamole, Aguachile Ceviche and Juanita’s Chips & Salsa. I had the Smoke Show – tequila, mezcal, aperol & lime. My husband went with Watermelon Sugar Margarita – tequila, watermelon, lime, dry curaçao & fresh mint. Our adult daughter was our DD and enjoyed the Jamaican Flower Iced Tea. I could come back just for these – so good!
For dinner, our daughter spotted the street taco options (carnitas, carne asada and pollo) and selected three tacos and added a side of cilantro lime rice. She was very happy with her meal.
From the selection of Plato Fuente (dishes), I chose Arroz con Pollo served with Spanish rice. With this I tried a drink from the Picante options, Fire & Smoke – serrano infused rum, mezcal, almond, lavender & lime with a heat rating of 1 chili. Loved it!
My hubby’s selection from Plato Fuente was Beef Tenderloin & Chimichurri served with cilantro-lime rice and cabbage salad. He also tried a drink from the Picante options, Jala-pina Margarita – jalapeno infused tequila, pineapple, cilantro & agava with a heat rating of 1 chili. The steak was amazing and the drink spot on!
We couldn’t decide which dessert to try so we all shared both – Coconut Tres Leches and Chipotle Chocolate Cake. I had to try the Naughty Horchata – house horchata, tequila reposado, amontillado sherry. It was too good!
I just have to add that the ambiance is delightful, and we’ll be back soon!
… moreDenise Bigner
We were so excited to try the new Spice Cantina. It did not disappoint!! Right away we loved the space. As to be expected from the Sweet Red crew, the ambiance was on point! To start off we had a Cadillac & a Watermelon Sugar Margarita. They’re known for their creative & fabulous mixed drinks and these were fantastic as expected! Paired with 2 appetizers. The Esquites & Jefe Vago Guacamole. Both were so fresh and full of flavor! Gotta say the Esquites corn dip is a must order! For dinner we had the Beef Tenderloin & Chimichurri and the Arriz Con Pollo. Both were prepared perfectly and so delicious! It will be hard to choose something different next time. We were so full but decided to share a dessert. We ordered the Coconut Tres Leches. WOW! So glad we did. This one is definitely a must order! In fact we plan to go just for dessert sometime so we can enjoy it more often!
… moreEstelle Manifesto
Last night’s dinner was incredible. I first ordered the corn esquites with tortilla chips. It came out warm, creamy, and packed with flavor — the perfect mix of sweet corn, a little heat, and that rich, cheesy goodness that makes you keep going back for “just one more bite.” Truly the kind of appetizer you end up thinking about the next day.
I also ordered the beef medallion chimichurri and it was DELICIOUS. Absolute perfection!!! Also the staff was welcoming and attentive without ever feeling rushed, and every detail felt thoughtful and intentional. It was one of those nights where everything just came together perfectly — amazing plates, great energy, and a restaurant that knows exactly how to deliver an exceptional experience.
I can’t wait to go back.
… moreJena Metting
Such a fantastic addition to our amazing downtown dining options! My husband classifies Spice Cantina as “upscale Latin”. The dishes are outstanding and there’s lots of gluten free options. Beyond the menu, the atmosphere and staff are incredible. First class all the way! We can’t wait to dine at Spice Cantina again in the very near future.
… moreJennifer Pawson
Spice Cantina absolutely exceeded my expectations. Delicious food, fantastic atmosphere, and genuinely friendly staff that go above and beyond. The ceviche and the carefully curated cocktails are absolutely delicious. I cannot wait to go back to try more!
… moreKelli McMahan
I called, literally last minute inquiring if they had any availability last night and they were great at getting two of us in for dinner. We ordered the Como La Flor and Flan Flip cocktails with two appetizers – Esquites and Borracho Beans. The drinks were absolute perfection!! I love how creative they get with their cocktails! The Esquites and Borracho Beans were smoky, savory and so delicious! I love that they kept the dark vibe inside making it feel cozy and comfortable. The staff were absolutely amazing, so friendly and did outstanding with overall service. We love Sweet Red Bistro and now, Spice Cantina will be added to the top of our favorites on our local list.
… moreBob Lu
Only 4 items on the menu but the decor is very pleasant and the staff are friendly. The Chicken Verde is excellent. My biggest complaint is the restaurant will close to the public for private parties without notice. Drove from Corvallis on a Thursday only to discovered the restaurant was closed! No apologizes from Cindy Sweet who was present at the time. Not likely to go there again.
… moreMariah Alley
The food was so yummy! I loved everything I had! I started with the chips and salsa and got the carintas tacos for my main. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of tortillas, meat, beans and rice! The meat was so tender. I already want to go back for more.
I feel bad for not remembering her name, but our waitress was the sweetest. She came by enough to make me feel important, but it wasn’t enough to make me feel annoyed and interrupted. 20/10 can’t wait to come back!
You guys are doing such a good job, and I’m so happy you opened another restaurant❤️
… moreNicole Lucenti
We were really excited to try this new spot, and it’s such an amazing addition to our little town. The food and atmosphere were absolutely fantastic—exactly the kind of place we’ve been needing. The drinks were great, the guac was delicious, and the ceviche had incredible flavor (though it did come with only three chips, so we had to order more). I do wish they had Lomo Saltado on the menu, but hopefully that’s something they’ll consider adding in the future.
The only downside was the service. We waited quite a long time after being seated before anyone offered drinks or even water. One of our servers also seemed a bit socially awkward, but thankfully there were enough servers and hostesses working together that it balanced things out and kept our experience enjoyable overall. I’m chalking the slow service up to the restaurant still being new, and I’m sure it will improve with time.
All in all, amazing food, great vibes, and tons of potential—we’ll definitely be back!
… moreMichael Lowry
Not your average Mexican restaurant. This place is exceptional. I’ve had the taco plate and the arroz con pollo and the flavors are complex, unique, and awesome. The people making these dishes really know their stuff.
Staff was incredible, service on par with how excellent the food is.
Cocktails are even better, if that’s possible. Not standard fare in that regard either–delicious creations that compliment the food extremely well. Great dining experience!
… more