Cactus Restaurant Reviews

4.4

57 of 3,215 Restaurants in Seattle


Reviews

Father's Day libation

By FatEddie |

We stopped at Cactus for a Father's Day libation along with a side of guacamole. We had eaten here more extensively in the past, but don't recall the food we ate except that it was quite good. The place was packed, as much for the location and scenery as the food. The guac fed the two of us quite well in spite of its being just a snack. Sangria and frozen lime margarita were top line, service. great (Aaron L).

Oh tasty chips!

By AnitaBastos |

This restaurant has fantastic home made chips and salsa sauce. The chips are always served warm. During the week they are served for free and on weekends you need to order for $3. Try them! In general the food is ok. The salmon is not fresh and the ceviche lacks some taste. If you compare with the ceviche done in South America, it needs to be very much improved. They always ask if it's your first time. Say yes, they will offer you an entree :) I would always always say it was not, so I don't know what the offer is.

Great beach restaurant

By Scott S |

Walked straight in, sunny afternoon, seated inside and still had a great view of the snowy mountains. Service was very polite and helpful. Asked for some A1 and they suggested their own made salsa. No extra charge and it was delicious and the right choice. Fish tacos were so good that l am getting hungry just thing of them. Friendly, fun, fresh and first-rate.

Great Brunch Restaurant at the Beach

By ebcnaz |

Love the food, love the service. What more do you want? Oh, yeah, they are on the Beach. Nice! Come and enjoy a great place.

Good lunch

By Rehsinup19 |

We met some friends here for lunch and had a nice meal. The seafood enchilada was really good. The service is prompt and friendly. There is a nice view of Puget Sound from the dining room.

May just be the best Mexican lunch ever

By GenotheViking |

I eat in Mexican restaurants all over the west and this one is special. Prawn tamales! Wow, where else can you find this? The flavors were out of this world from the salsa to the guacamole to the desert. Great location by the water with parking close by. The service was also as good as it gets. I have to get back here again soon.

Good find

By @895lawrencei |

We took a water taxi to west Seattle and a free shuttle stopped at the cactus. Very convenient and a fun little ride. The restaurant is clean and is quite contemporary. The decor is smart and colorful. Our hostess plugged in our cells and our server was very attentive and helpful. The food was very good. What really impressed me was the detail. The fajita onions were actually cooked and the back beans were seasoned with cumin and we loved then them. Also its typical when asking for a jalapeño side to get a little cup of canned and cold pre-sliced peppers, but I got fresh jalapeños sautéed and they were a perfect complement...if you like hot and spicy get a jalapeño side! We didn't get desserts but they look so good creative....next time.

Brunch Bliss by the Water

By Beyond Borders |

Cactus Restaurant at Alki Beach is an absolute gem! We stopped in for brunch with friends and it couldn’t have been a better experience. The moment we walked in, the bright and lively atmosphere set the perfect tone for a weekend catch-up. The food was outstanding fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every bite was packed with bold, southwest-inspired flavors that made it hard to pick a favorite dish. The cocktails were just as impressive, with refreshing twists that paired perfectly with the ocean breeze coming off the beach. Being right along Alki, it was the ideal spot to enjoy great conversation, amazing food, and those unbeatable views. Service was friendly and relaxed, making us feel right at home without ever feeling rushed.

Love love love this place

By Lschlauch |

Good food, good drinks and good staff! That’s all you need. Margaritas are really good, tacos are awesome! Chips are always fresh, sauces are yummy.

Its Okay

By 96claireg |

WE came here because the breakfast place we wanted to go to had an hour and a half wait. This place was close, open, and had room for us. The food was okay, nothing to write home about. The service was barely passable. We were often forgotten, didn't initially get drinks, and then didn't get refills. Asking for a tea seemed a major deal. Meal arrived slow and not as hot as it could have been. The servers were running their butts off. They were not slacking off, just not enough of them to provide true reliable service.

Fresh fun Mexican- southwest food

By akmps |

This was a new restaurant for us. We of course had chips and salsa and guacamole. It was pure guacamole and house made chips. Hubby had the fajitas with skirt steak. Yum. I had the butternut squash enchiladas prepared perfectly however I decided I’m not that big of a fan of butternut squash in enchiladas I should have known that squash is sweet. But so glad I tried them and ok I ate every bite. Lots more interesting things to try on my next trip. Ahi tacos will be at the top of my list.

Get the banana dulce

By Kevin B |

The service was slow but food was excellent. The spicy caesar was interesting and I really like the dressing. The green chile soup also very flavorful with a little bit of heat. The real show stopper was the desert. We order a coconut ice cream with brulee bananas. Absolutely amazing. Caramel sauce started to create crystals which was an awesome texture to the soft creamy ice cream.

Great lunch

By Rehsinup19 |

Cactus is a great Mexican restaurant. The food has great flavor and texture. There are several very unique and elevated dishes here. The service is prompt and friendly. The decor is comfortable and has a nice southwest feel. The drinks here are also quite good. The spicy mango Chelada is delicious. Cactus is a great choice for Mexican in Alki.

Great Mexican food

By Oliver B |

We had a reservation for 15 people and were expected in time. The service was ok, but not perfect. Food was exzellent, Gretchen taste and we recommend the Chimichanga with busket. This is something you need to have. All food was tasty and very fresh

Fantastic breakfast

By Linda H |

We had a late breakfast here. The staff were really great especially our server Gary A. Churro waffle was absolutely amazing. A shame it was a ferry ride from our hotel or we would have returned

Spectacular setting and very good food!

By John K |

We try to pick a warm sunny day in late spring, summer and early fall to enjoy quality Mexican food at this spectacular location. This is part of a chain and we have eaten at all the locations. Alki is the best location on a warm sunny day. The food is very good at all locations, but this is about location, location, location!

Awesome Brunch

By Jo H |

Had a lovely brunch here nice restaurant great service and views over Alki Beach highly recommended this restaurant chips and salsa pretty good too will def go back

Very Good Choice for drinks or food when you're at Alki

By Alec D |

Cactus is a really great place to go on a beautiful sunny summer afternoon/evening. If you sit in the bar or outside you have great views of the sunset and the mountains, as well as the boat traffic. On this visit the service was very attentive.(which was nice). The food and drinks were both good!

Cute spot

By Cindy H |

From menu, nice atmosphere. Nice staff. Would definitely go again. Veggie options were tasty and multiple options

Great atmosphere AND delicious food!

By Gretchen H |

Guacamole to start, chili relleno for lunch with a wonderful margarita. This is a place to come back to!

Very good!

By sheehan62 |

Couldn't get near the place on the first two attempts but we had a cold wet day and there was no beach crowd that day. One of the best Mexican Restaurants I have been too. The Guac -Carlitos Way was delicious, bacon wrapped jalapenos also delicious, and the kids loved the Navaho bread. Brisket Burrito was really good. My wife thought her chicken fajita was average but this is a place to try new things not order the same old same old.

Great Food, Slow Service

By Icarus4335 |

The food was pretty good, especially the banana dulce dessert. Prices were fair for the large portion sizes. Service was a little slow though and food took a very long time to come out.

Good for a group

By Eleanor E |

The staff at Cactus did a lovely job dealing with our larger group full of...specific tastes. They were very accommodating and everything turned out great.

A must for brunch

By John L |

Terrific choice for brunch. We had young kids as well as older adults and everyone got something they liked. Great menu options. Best of all, excellent service. Parking can be tough on Alki but it's worth the effort to go to Cactus.

Loved it

By Wyominghamster |

Our family was walking around looking for a place to eat. We originally tried the diner across the street, but the line was out the door. We looked across the street at Cactus and said "why not". There was no wait... Walked in. Immediately greeted warmly and given a table. Service was prompt and accurate. We mentioned that this was our first time in, and the manager came out to thank us for the visit. She gave us a free dessert too! Food was terrific, place was impeccably clean and well decorated. What initially felt like settling actually turned out to be a great experience. I would unhesitatingly recommend Cactus to anyone who asks.

Meh

By mirabellaseattle |

Meh. Not really New Mexican food. I would say it's inspired by New Mexico but far from the delicious flavor. Had a Navajo "torta" which is more like an Indian taco than a torta but not even as good. Not too much flavor and just a lot of bread which felt too dry. Didn't even get the option of red or green. Smh. Service is friendly and location is really nice. Nice setting for dinner and I might return someday with low expectations.

Great food and drinks

By Yatzie G |

We decided to come here when the restaurant we originally planned was not accepting walk ons. This was a great choice. Great tasting food and even better drinks. Great service too.

Amazing view of the sunset, incredible service

By STrumbull83 |

My husband and I went here to celebrate our anniversary. I'm so glad we did. All I wanted was a good meal and to watch the sun sink over the Olympic Mountains, and that's exactly what we got and more. Our server was phenomenal, and the chips and salsa was a delicious. My husband ordered the strawberry-rhubarb margarita and loved it (he drank two), and since I'm pregnant, I had their alcohol-free version of a mojito. Every bite and sip was delicious. When management found out it was our first visit to their restaurant, they gave us a complimentary flan. We were already so stuffed that we couldn't do it justice. I thought it was lovely that the manager came to our table to ask about our experience. It gave us the chance to rave about our waitress (I think her name was Jennifer--I'm sad I can't remember for sure!) and the food. We walked off our anniversary meal on Alki Beach in the moonlight. A perfect night!

Great place for a drink on Alki

By Alec D |

I go to Alki Beach often. Winter, Fall, Spring....but there is something special about summer. Yes, it's a lot more crowded but the cooler temps as well as the amazing sunsets make it extra special. Last week on a really hot day in Seattle we drove out to Alki Beach with the goal of having a drink at Cactus. We sat at a table in the bar area. Great views of the setting sun and some nice drinks with an appetizer. The service was good.

Great Service and Mexican foods!

By Felix Were |

Alki beach offers a stunning view of downtown seattle while Cactus offers you the best Mexican dishes :-)

Unusual menu

By MoonHunter960 |

Recently in the area and tried this restaurant. We walked down the street and this place was full, which always tells me something. I was very happy and the food was delicious. They do not have "traditional" items such as a taco salad, this is definitely one cut above with unusual items. My cousin and I split our meals and shared so we could taste both. We ordered the Tacos Carnitas Yucatecas (pork tacos) and the Butternut Squash Enchilada. The pork was very moist and had nice spicing but I really flipped over the butternut squash enchilada. It was so unusual and I cannot describe the taste. I wished I had gotten just that. Good food costs but this was not overly expensive in my opinion (about $11-$15ish). This restaurant had those garage doors that they had opened up so while we sat inside it was like sitting outside but in the shade. It was near the water and was very nice. Waite staff friendly but professional. I definitely hope to go back some day.

Delicious

By travelgirl88 |

Family of four with differing palates (including one picky 15 year old) and we enjoyed it so much we went twice in a week. Got to sit outside the second time and enjoy the sunset across the street. Highly recommend.

What a fun experience

By Yael R |

The food was great, delicious and the meals were generous. We went as a family when it was happy hour, it was very cost effective and we were all delighted.

Always imaginative and excellent

By arp206 |

The other day my wife and I took a long walk along Alki and then went to Cactus for lunch. We have eaten there many times, and every visit reminds us how consistently wonderful it is. We both had the prawn and corn tamale on the fresh menu. It is so delicious. This is Mexican food that is lighter and more delicately flavored than my recollection of the traditional Mexican cantina food. You can always count on some imaginative new dishes on the menu as well as old favorites. The drinks are also excellent, and the servers are always willing to engage in a few moments of friendly chat and advise on the menu. The service has always been first rate. I left feeling that this is really one of the best restaurants in Seattle, much better than many more pretentious, celebrity cheffed places that we have visited.

Best Mexican

By Jené T |

The view of Alki Beach is breathtaking from Cactus on Alki and the food is amazing! It's more 'gourmet Mexican' with a Butternut Enchilada & Chicken Fried Chicken. The margaritas are scratch and delicious!

GREAT Food!

By Kendall H |

We rely heavily on reviews from Trip Advisor when we travel. The reviews took us to Cactus and we were so impressed with this restaurant. It was clean and prettily decorated. Attention was paid to every detail, down to the cutlery and table service. Their theme seems to be that they want to do things the right way and then they tweak it up a notch to make it that much better. Before I start sounding like the manager's mom, lol, I'll get to the food. Our server was very helpful in offering her own opinions on what was best on the menu. My husband chose to go with the Carne Asada tacos and black refried beans. I chose the Santa Fe (cheese enchiladas with a fried egg on top). We were both very pleased with our meals. The presentation was nice and the food was hot and cold as was appropriate. The manager gave us flan for dessert and it was the best we remembered ever having. After you eat here, walk it off across the street on the walkway at water's edge. We plan to go back in September when we are next in Seattle.

Favorite place on Alki

By Alec D |

Cactus Restaurant on Alki is a favorite spot for dinner, drinks or both. The food is very good, the service is pleasant (if they're really busy it can be a bit slow). I really enjoy being there around sunset and the views are great.

Rip off and boring.

By NDtravelerSeattle |

This is the most bland, mediocre chain restaurant you can find touting Mexican food in the Seattle area. Big spoonfuls of bland mushy rice and beans made to look like generous dishes and tiny portions of bland-whatever your entree is. The drinks mirror the quality of the food. Little there but ice, sugar and a tiny touch of tequila. The chain has secured great locations but the food is only an afterthought.

Decnt Menu / Beachside Location

By JL |

There was no wait on the early weekend for brunch. The open fire pit was quite welcoming. The menu was a decent mix of eggs and meat dishes; although there are vegetarian / vegan options. The location looked over Alki beach while enjoying a frozen peach bellini despite the cooler weather.

These guys know what they're doing!

By MMDRoseville |

What a treat it was to eat lunch here last weekend! The service was way above average, the food was excellent, and the atmosphere warm and inviting. We started with the chips, salsa, and guacamole. My husband had one of the specials, a pork shoulder in a mole sauce, wow! The meat just fell off the bone with excellent flavor. The chimichangas were very tasty as well. Next time we are in the area we will definitely eat here again. Kudos to the staff for such a friendly and helpful visit!

Great Brunch for Foodies

By ClassyCatKSU |

Our party of five had a great brunch, some traditional breakfast dishes were given a makeover with great results. We started with Brunch Cocktails and the Warm Cinnamon and Sugar Donuts--they came with a smokey raspberry sauce and a lovely warm chocolate sauce. We were off to a great start! I had the Eggs Benedict that featured a Chipotle Hollandaise which was light and creamy with a subtle Chipotle kick. The other stand out on this dish---the Hatch Chili Biscuits. Delish! Other members of our party had the French toast with Bananas and Caramel, which was also heartily enjoyed. We were from out of town and our lovely servers, gifted us with complimentary Flan that we thoroughly enjoyed. From the great atmosphere, great service to the food, we had a fantastic experience!

Brunch at the Cactus

By cranmom |

Made it before 1pm so we made happy hour. Pineapple Mimosas and Churros yo go with our meal. Absolutely delicious. Our meal was fantastic served with fresh chips and salsa

Great service and Mexican food!

By Srinivas P |

I visited this restaurant on 25th Aug along with friends. We wanted to explore a different taste so found this restaurant near our office. This is the first time we stepped into a Mexican restaurant, we got good support from restaurant team in helping us with the option. It takes around 20min for each to get our order but finally it's worth waiting.

Worth A Visit More Than Once

By elpavorealblanco |

First time. Expect to return. Inside and outside dining. Mostly Mexican menu. Tasty tortilla soup. Large servings, so go for a stroll on the boardwalk after lunch.

tex mex, huge burrito

By Swwalton |

We walked here from the ferry, that's about 2 miles, further than expected. They offer some gluten free entrees. The service was very good. The restaurant is casual and on this day was open air with a wonderful sea breeze. We shared guacamole with vegetables. I ordered the burrito, it was huge, it was delicious. She had the brisket on corn tacos and loved it. Nice place for lunch or dinner.

New Mexico flavor, inventive specials, Alki Beach ambience

By TomM8132 |

Cactus goes beyond standard Mexican fare (which it does well), with several New Mexico inspired dishes, and today a special -- crab-mango gazpacho. That was served cold, with a creamy sauce featuring mango and crab meat mixed with a generous dollop of guacamole. Wow! Navajo fry bread (with cinnamon) was very good, and a value with 4 good size pieces. Lunch service was expedient and attentive. Located across the street from Alki Beach. In seasonable weather some or all of the big windows are open, giving a very beach-like atmosphere.

Perfect, not prickly: Cactus

By PanoramaPoint |

Cactus is outstanding for several reasons: +Window table viewing Alki waterfront and boat traffic. +Charming atmosphere. +Server Maria was very personable and helped me order saying, "It's all about finding the right dish for your taste buds." +Mexican trumpet music set upbeat mood, but not obtrusive. +Non-salty chips with mild salsa. +Enchilada with shredded chicken, black beans and Spanish rice delicious. Fajitas with beef, tomato, avocado & lettuce very tasty. +We ended up with boxed food to take home.

FUN AND MORE FUN!

By debandharry |

It was my husband's birthday and I wanted to take him to a new restaurant. We drove up Alki along the beach and saw this glass enclosed restaurant with a view of the ocean and decided to try it. Street parking can be difficult but they do have a garage underneath for about 8 cars. We went in and were warmly greeted by the staff and seated promptly. The first thing we did was stare at the water and watch container ships arrive into Seattle. By the way, the front of the restaurant has roll up doors that are opened in the summer, and they also have outside dining on the patio on the side. The first thing to say is about the chips--BEST we have ever, I mean ever, had. Really thin, crispy and when paired with the salsa, outstanding. My husband had the Applewood Smoked Chicken Flautas and I had the House Chimichanga with Chicken and we ooohed and ahhhhed through the whole meal and not one single morsel was left. Even stuffed, we had to try the caramel Flan for dessert--smooth and so delicious. I had planned to take him to dinner, but we were too full and because of the fun experience we had at this restaurant, plans had to be changed. Now about Amanda our server. First of all, her smile and personality lights up the room. She is so friendly, very efficient and really made us feel special. As a matter of fact we could see that she made everyone she served smile.This restaurant is really lucky to have this team member and thank you Amanda for making my husband's birthday so special! The view out to the water was super and they have a fireplace too! All in all, the food, the service, and the view all added up to the fact that we will cross the water again and come back to visit!

great food, even better prices!

By Michele A |

We stopped here for late lunch on a cold January day and were pleasantly surprised. Near the point, it looked not too crowded and had wonderful fireplaces going in the bar - perfect for the slight drizzle that had started while we'd been walking. The wait staff was incredibly nice and the atmosphere was a combination of adobe walls and art with modern bar, lighting and industrial ceilings. One of us had the special - crispy duck tacos (duck carnitas with an orange habanero slaw) and they were by far the winning plate, but the other had chicken flautas (which had an amazing sauce) and fried poblano chile relleno (a favorite) who was unwilling to even share a bite. My cocktail won the afternoon - fantastic! A light, refreshing mango habanero michelada type drink. The most fantastic part - 3 entrees and 2 cocktails were just $60 - and we took home leftovers!

Cactus in Alki

By Renee H |

Wonderful, food and service for dinner last night. Three adults and two children. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dishes and the service was great. Our dishes were brought out when they each were ready. Looking forward to going back to try more of their unique dishes. Plus you get to enjoy the waterfront at Alki.

Happy Hour

By AaronS0421 |

We visited for happy hour. The only complaint is that happy hour pricing didn't seem to be that much of a deal compared to regular pricing. With two margaritas and two happy hour plates we still ended around $30 in price. That aside, the food was authentic and the service was outstanding. They have a great selection of menu items. We will certainly visit here again and do recommend it.

Choice Cuisine at Cactus

By Carol W |

A beautiful location and view on Alki Beach in West Seattle.The windows are overhead garage style to open and let in the fresh waterfront breeze. Our waitress, Sacni, was very friendly and seemed happy to be working there and happy to be serving us ! She was very "kid friendly" to the grandchildren. When I noticed on the menu that they only pour 100 % Blue Agave tequila, I knew it was a first class place. Most places use mixto (half fermented sugar cane/half tequila) unless you ask for an upgrade. And the price was very reasonable. I ordered the chicken fried chicken with chorizo gravy over red mashed and topped with pico de gallo. The chicken was very crispy on the outside, but tender and moist inside. The gravy was rich and tasty and the pico de gallo set it off perfectly with it's brilliant fresh color. The food was excellent and the service even better. Wonderful dining experience. P.S. Chips are yummy.

Glutenfree and Dairy free

By Internetmom47 |

We ate at Cactus in Alki last night. The food was delicious and we had great service. It was 3 of us, all of us Glutenfree and 2 dairy free. They have a nice Glutenfree menu and we were able to find several items that met our restrictions. The guacamole and salsa were great! They don’t have Glutenfree chips, but we called and asked them if we could discretely bring in our own and they said yes. A little awkward but so worth it for the guacamole and salsa. I had the green enchilada plate. They are chicken enchiladas made in blue corn tortillas and were so good. Large portions. I could have shared my dish. Prices were moderate. I watched the sun set over the water as I ate. All in all a lovely experience.

Great views and food

By Alec D |

I've been a regular at Cactus. Sometimes visits are better than others. Tonight the food was very good, the service was good. Very good guacamole and margarita's. It was just a little to cool to sit outside tonight at 9pm

One of the best restaurants for a few reasons!

By Nikki C |

I was paddle boarding with my sister and we wanted to eat at a place we could sit outside, have great drinks and food and still have a nice view. This place hit all those spots and was only about a mile away from the marina where we were. The place itself is relaxing, small but cozy, nice heaters outside and a fire pit inside. The staff was awesome no complaints. The drinks were very good and just the right amount of strong! As far as the food we had their chips and quacomole which were really really good, I highly recommend the prawn and kale salad its in my top three favorite salads ever. The tacos my sister had and she raved about them so I want to say all their food is more than likely very good but what I experienced was delicious. The place is also right along the water so if you can sit outside do it will be a wonderful lunch or dinner!

Great views & great bar!

By Lori M |

We live in West Seattle and frequently go to The Cactus for happy hour or dinner. The view is amazing as it's located on Alki. During the warmer months they'll open the large windows and you can enjoy the ocean breeze or sit outside on the patio. The food is consistently good as are the drinks in the bar. Good service and a nice mix of locals and tourists. Parking is challenging during the tourist season so plan to taxi/ Uber or be ready to walk a few blocks.

Fun family dinner!!

By TheWildestHeart |

I was only in town one night and chose Cactus based on reviews. Our party of 5 was sat quickly in a large corner booth and thoroughly enjoyed every part of the meal. Service is outstanding. The flan is a must!

Fun lunch

By Hal72 |

Had lunch here with wife and daughter. Fun time, with good staff. Great pace to the meal. We had some drinks (excellent) along with enchiladas. There were a few vegetarian options, too. Very tasty meal. This was our first lunch here, having done breakfast/brunches before. Lunch was just as good.

Consistently Excellent

By Joyce P |

My husband and I go to Cactus occasionally, primarily at the Alki location. Being by Alki Beach is wonderful! (Sometimes, we opt for the one in South Lake Union.) Everything we've ever tried is delicious. The service is very good, if not exceptional. Prepare for a wait of upwards of an hour at peak times. If you can handle the wait, it's worth it. Last Saturday was one of the exceptional visits. This time, our daughter and a dear friend were with us for a small birthday celebration for my husband. Gary, our waiter, was terrific! Personable, attentive in a non-intrusive way and VERY knowledgeable. While I have a few favorite go-tos, such as the Grilled Skirt Steak Salad and the Butternut Squash Enchiladas, we put our trust in Gary's hands. He made great recommendations for all of us, helping me choose between some of the Feature menu items. The Beet & Avocado Salad and Coconut Braised Carnitas were perfect for me. He really gained my step-daughter's trust with a selection of tasty and eye-catching non-alcoholic beverages. Though unintentional, sometimes it's easy for the adults to have dinner conversations where a teenager feels excluded. Gary made sure my step-daughter felt like she was a key member of the dinner party. That was priceless! It's really easy to fill up on the chips, salsa and guacamole and your beverage of choice. I'm also grateful that have a few cocktail options that are not super-sweet. Save room for the other courses, including dessert. Since it was my husband's birthday, Gary served us a complimentary Three Milk Cuban Flan. Can't wait to go back!

Outstanding!

By andee1 |

I live in the neighborhood so go fairly often and every time the food is outstanding! The service is excellent, the atmosphere lively and a feeling of open air, extensive menu with so many choices it’s hard to make up one’s mind. But every single thing I’ve eaten here has been five star! Love the kale prawn quinoa salad, enchiladas, smoked chicken bacon quesadilla, etc!

Can't wait to go back a 3rd time!

By Shajava |

Love their food, their ambience, their service, and its NOT crazy overcrowded like main Seattle spots! Saturday morning in search of a solid delicious brunch..we called, Portage Bay over an hour wait, we called another spot also an hour wait. Called Cactus and they were able to take our name on the phone and seat us immediately! and the food was outrageous! I loved my Fresh corn Crab tamales, & the others at our table were all very happy with their food, Pork Mole, mango crab gazpacho, Salmon Benedict. Our waiter suggested many of our choices. I had been wanting to return since my first visit 1.5 yrs ago! Beautiful view, easy comfortable neighborhood waterfront feel.

Not Impressed

By PlacesToSee4 |

A friend and I went for happy hour. Our peach sangrias were good, but this was the worst queso and guacamole I have tasted. Both tasted like they were store bought, thin and very few chunks of avocado.

Happy Hour Drinks & Snacks

By Gracie12009 |

The Patron Agave Margaritas were delighted! We ordered chips, salsa and guacamole. Chips and salsa were really good. The guacamole could have used more flavor. We also had the calamari, which came with crispy Jalapeños and onions. It was served with a green Chile tartar. That dish was wonderful! Our final choice was the grilled Jalapeños, stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in bacon served with a buttermilk drizzle. They were spicy but oh so good! We will definitely be returning to Cactus to venture out into the menu beyond appetizers! Our waitress was attentive, considering how busy they wrre!

Excllent

By jules23797 |

This is a great spot across from the water. Everything was top notch. ADD THE GUACAMOLE!!!!! Service was friendly and knowledgeable. We stopped in on a cloudier day which we were told made the spot a little quieter so be prepared for a wait if it's a sunny warm day. My boyfriend who can't be impressed fell in love the chicken fried chicken!

Basic Mexican

By JenJenSeattle |

Nice view. Solid margaritas. Good wait staff. The food is somewhat unadventurous (pretty typical Mexican entrees) but well prepared and flavorful

A bit short on service

By Bet711 |

Went to Cactus on a Tuesday for Happy Hour. Arrived about 5PM and was able to secure a table rather than sitting at the bar. I noticed that some of the tables were not bussed, and service seemed to be slow. This was unusual for this restaurant. We also noticed that there was only one bartender instead of the usual two. We placed our order for drinks and a snack to eat. It took a long time to get our drink. Possibly 15 minutes. Our chips and salsa arrived fairly quickly after our drinks, but the guacamole didn't. We were concerned that it was not ordered or that something had gone wrong. The server said she had ordered it, but it was not quite ready yet. Half of the chips and most of the salsa was gone by the time we got the guacamole. As I said, this was unusual for this restaurant. They seemed to be short of help in all areas. We will try them again because you get a killer view of the Puget Sound, and there is a nice amount of ambiance there. It's a good place for a date night, or decent Mexican food. Try to sit near the fire pit that is next to the entrance and in the bar area. It's cozy on a rainy day. If you go in the summer, the extra large windows in the bar area, are wide open.

Food is OK (not more), check your bill before you pay!

By Erbee64 |

I visited this restaurant with my family because of the good comments on Tripadvisor. The restaurant is very popular, and we had to wait 1:15 hours(!!) before a table became available. The restaurant is just at the opposite side of the beach, so you can kill time a bit. Just like in any other restaurant, you get tortilla chip, they asked if we wanted guacamole. This was tasty, but adds extra cost to your bill (first time I was charged for this in a Mexican restaurant!). The food is OK, but only average. Portions are big, hence we did not intend to have a desert. The manager passed by, and gave us a flan to share ("I could not resist offering this"). Not sure how he interprets "offer", but be advised to check your bill, since they simply charge this - without you ordering it, nor do they mention this. This is cheating, and it is not just done with us, since I noticed this in several other comments.

Great Food!

By cathyr2010 |

We stopped there for brunch after walking on Alkai Beach. The service and food were wonderful. Wonderful experience.

Dinner for One

By Howieboy |

Great food, great atmosphere, great service! Mexican cuisine, which must be authentic. Considering the nice Hispanic family I sat by with their 4 kids, they loved their meal. Underground PARKING very important on busy Alki. A great place for a date and cocktail. Everyone I saw was laughing and having a good time, all ages

Great

By CHRIS W |

This is the best Mexican restaurant I have eaten at in Seattle. Great location and atmosphere. The food was delish. And the waiter was so much fun. I can't wait to go back. *****

Great location and service

By robby321 |

Came here on a trip with my girlfriend and this restaurant came recommended by a local resident. We had to wait about 10 mins on a Friday night at Alki Beach, and the food was large and prompt. Our server, Devon, was beyond amazing and did everything to make sure we enjoyed our stay. Free street parking out front along the main drag.

Delicious

By GwendR |

Sage cocktail was light and refreshing. Mexican corn had a great smokey flavor and the brisket burrito was enough for 3. Follow it all up with a family secret recipe for the best flan imaginable. All so very good. Thank you Maria & Courtney for making it seem like a special occasion!!

Nice food and ambience by the water

By Broloveduke |

This place is right by the lake boardwalk. It was a bit of a wait but worth it. Good food (although it's not authentic Mexican if you are expecting that). It was a bit of a lengthy dinner for the 6 of us (2.5 hours) but fun environment and good food.

Great Southwest Mexican

By LindaAZ2 |

I was not disappointed on my second visit. I ordered enchiladas "green"? and they were layered with flavors not like usual Mexican fare. We also ordered a steak salad, also beautifully presented and flavorful. The restaurant can accommodate large groups with proper notice.

Great spot for dinner & drinks with friends

By TCairl |

Tasty margaritas and mixed drinks. Lovely selection of the menu and the guacamole was quite good too. Would go back, great location near Alki Beach.

Excellent Mexican food and margaritas

By StephTobin |

All three of us (me, my 10-year old grand daughter and my son) like the food and ambience very much. I had an excellent margarita.

Amazing Management and Food

By derrickwg36 |

This restaurant is outstanding! The cuisine is a blend of Mexican and Northwest fusion. We started with the Carlitos Way guacamole, chips and salsa, which consisted of guacamole infused with bacon. Our entrees consisted of the brisket taco and casa salad, both dishes were incredible. For dessert we ordered the Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake, this dessert was incredible. The dish consisted of Strawberry-rhubarb salsa, pepita shortbread, vanilla habanero ice cream. We also tried to the Three Milk Cuban Flan, it was good if you enjoy flan. One of the most impressive things at this restaurant was the customer service. I eat at countless restaurants throughout the year, all over the country, and the manager during the time I visited was the best! She backed up her server seamless and ensured throughout the meal we were taken care of. I was highly impressed with this manager and will return during my next visit to Seattle.

Just okay

By Stef86 |

The location and atmosphere are great. The food was meh. Had the Navajo torta and it was bland. The bread didn't seem cooked all the way and the beans were really spicy. No meat and tons of lettuce. Way over priced for bland food.

Love the outdoor seating area

By Kelleen I |

Had a lovely brunch with my husband here on a Saturday. They have a great menu with lots of variety. We got the chicken&waffles, quesadillas, and soup. Pleased with everything, plus great service. Loved sitting in the little outdoor patio area on a nice day, with a view!

Good Mexican, on the water in West Seattle

By Dana E |

Cactus – Good Mexican, on the water in West Seattle Good mid-range for Seattle option. Like La Fonda Catrina, the drinks really drove up the price, but at least the margaritas were better—not great—but better. The food was well-made, and made obviously on the premises, including the taco shells. They were slightly soft and easy to work with.) The tortilla chips were served warm. I had locally- sourced tamales, with roasted corn and prawns (shrimp.) Sher had fish tacos and we both enjoyed the meal. Since it was our first time, we were given a free flan upon leaving, but were too full to really enjoy it. It was a nice touch. The wait staff all seemed attentive and happy to be there, always a good sign.

Always a good meal

By syncomm1 |

Maybe not the most authentic of Mexican, this chain, has a nice decor, good waitstaff and is never disappoints. I like it best in the summer, when we can sit outside.

Amazing setting and great food

By Natashja T |

The food was great, really authentic mexican! Great cocktails as well! The atmosphere and decor was really cool too.

Outstanding! Must eat here!

By BHag |

I went here for the first time during a business lunch. Service was top notch, food was extremely delicious, and the portions were huge. The place is a little pricey, but it is well worth it. I will go back here. I highly recommend trying it.

A gem for lunch!

By Andy F |

This is really good Mexican fare in a fantastic spot, right on the water. Staff was attentive and engaging, food was very good and a corner table in the bar, next to the open pull up door, gave you the best of both worlds - inside shade/moderate temp, with the fresh air of outside. Highly recommend.

Steak Salad!

By Darci A |

This place was PACKED in a Fri night! Our server did her best but they definitely need more staff. We had a few hiccups with our orders and it took forever to flag down anyone, let alone our server. Had the steak salad, most of the table did, and it was huge! And really good! They are not cheap but they have great portions so it's worth it. The guac and salsa was delish.

Fantastic food and service

By Rehsinup19 |

We met friends here for lunch and really enjoyed our food. The Chile relleno is amazing. The guacamole and tortilla chips are a nice starter.

Great location; tasty food and drinks!

By Catc1966 |

We stopped on a Saturday at 2 PM, and had our choice of brunch or lunch. The huevos rancheros were tempting, as was our neighboring table's Bloody Mary, but we opted for lunch. You know you are in the right place when the salsa is fresh and flavorful with the right amount of cilantro and spice, and the tortilla chips are fresh, warm, and crunchy with the perfect dusting of salt. The guacamole had good texture but lacked flavor. Fortunately, the Patron Agave margaritas, however, were perfection! Even the classic margarita, which is a generous serving and a great deal at $7.25 during happy hour, was delicious. Both are made with fresh lime juice and no mix. I ordered the Chimayo enchiladas with chicken and house-made chorizo, the latter which added some nice heat. We also tried the restaurant's creative take on jalapeño poppers--the peppers are stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in bacon, and grilled. La crema and fresh sage tops them off. The cheese and crema help tame the heat of the peppers. A must try if you like spicy food! The best tables are the high tops near the front where you have terrific views of Alki Beach, Puget Sound, and the mountains beyond.

Great food and atmosphere

By Adin G |

We have been to both the South Lake Union and the West Seattle locations. Both are terrific, with delicious food, good service, and great atmosphere. Reasonably priced.

Take reservations and staff up

By Infinity J |

A little tired of long waits... For a table, fir service, at a table, for another drink... When they get around to you the food and drinks are pretty good and the service friendly. If you don't like waiting, the Mission in Admiral Way is a better bet.

Awesome

By Shelli N |

Was in Seattle for one night before a cross wit my Mom. This restaurant was within walking distance to our hotel. Very nicely decorated and our server was super friendly. Because I live in Asia, they had me at “Mexican food.” Our dinner was delish and the watermelon margarita was a sweet addition to an excellent meal. Fresh chips and salsa along with the loaded queso as an appetizer made it hard to finish my chimichanga covered in melted cheese but it was a delicious challenge!!

Deliciouso

By Mary |

Great people watching, food, and service. We inside by a raised window. Nice views of the bay. The service was excellent. Loved our food and mixed drinks. Free flan for first time customers! It was delicious.

Great New Mexican food by alki beach

By CREXXX |

We met up with some long time friends and were happily surprised to find authentic New Mexican food on a Seattle beach with a nice view. Wide selection of drinks, and an awesome selection of appetizers (try the street corn) and entrees. Service was very attentive and save room for dessert. Highly recommend.

WONDERFUL MEXICAN FOOD

By gbwcs |

Restaurant overlooks the bay and the food and service are wonderful. We had a Mexican salad and it was delicious. Our server was a little slow at times, but the restaurant was very busy.

Great Food, great delivery, great service

By Todd A |

Ordered take out in Seattle. They delivered downtown. I gave them the comment for good service, as they chased the delivery service, and finally got my food delivered.

Mexican food on the beach

By Tom S |

Went for Sunday brunch. Many gluten free options. Reasonable prices. Clean. I enjoyed fried chicken and waffle very large portion. Salads are large and fresh.

Really great!

By Jill C |

We had an enjoyable dining experience at Cactus. Our server, Oscar was the best- super friendly and helpful. The food was absolutely delicious. The ambience was warm and inviting and we will definitely go back again next time we visit Seattle. Also, their chips and salsa were fresh and yummy!

Southwest food with a view of the Puget Sound

By g00denberger |

This Cactus restaurant is directly across from the waterfront so after eating a hearty meal, you can walk off those calories. We have eaten there many times and never been disappointed but I have to admit that I usually get the Sonoran spa chicken.

Favorite Restaurant in SLU!

By BHag |

LOVE Cactus! Chips, Salsa, guacamole is a must have! I also recommend the brisket chimichanga... delicious! Steak fajitas are also really good! For a Mexican restaurant, their margaritas are a little lacking, but they’re not terrible. The food is what you go for, not the drinks! Staff is always SUPER friendly, too!

Good food, but slow service

By marvtv |

Friends told me about the good food served here. Yes, the food is good (not great, but good), however the service was slow and the wait staff barely came back around to fill our water glasses. We even ordered more drinks from the bar and we had to wait for our server to come by. One of my friends even went to the bar herself so that she didn't have to wait for our server. Oh well, at least the food was somewhat good.

Nice lunch

By David Q |

While the portion was small, my sunny lunch at Cactus was quite nice. Attentive staff and a great location make this a wonderful spot to stop if you visit Alki Beach. #yummy

Loved the real food & ingrediants

By Andrew H |

If you're looking for Mexican food and real ingredients this is the place. Awesome location on Alki beach in West Seattle. Super friendly serving staff and great decor. Tuna tacos were excellent. Want to return for dinner so we can try the Margaritas.

Beautiful Views, Delectable Food, just off Alki Beach in West Seattle

By Steven L |

A little out of the way on the North end of West Seattle. Gourmet Mexican food in modern bistro with open air and sidewalk seating available. Always a wait but Alki Beach and the views of the Olympics and Puget Sound are only a text away. I had the Brisket Burrito which was tender and tasty. Fish tacos also received great reviews at our table. Some orders were customized accurately for us and service was friendly and efficient but not rushed. I opted for the traditional Margarita which came in an unusually tall glass but was spot-on in flavor. The Mule was a great choice as well.

If you're vegetarian: Squash Enchiladas!!

By Patty L |

If you're vegetarian you MUST get their Squash Enchiladas. You won't be disappointed! Cactus is known for them by locals. Squash Enchiladas!

Families beware of Cactus policies, Hostess attitude, cleanliness and slow service mid-week

By BellainBellevue |

I have been to Cactus on Alkai repeatedly as we are locals - I think I may have reviewed them positively before. The food is really good, and for that I could have given them a 5. Our server was really nice, but had too many tables which caused us to wait a long time to order and get our food - drinks chips, guac, and salsa came right away - for that I could give them a 3. The Poor rating comes from how I was treated by the lead hostess, my experience in the bar area, and how we were treated as a family during our dinner. I came 45 min early to secure a table, make sure we had a high chair available (they have been out before), and to relax after a hard day. I had on my walking clothes, had just finished a lovely walk, so I was in jeans and tennies. Cactus does not take reservations for parties under 6 people, but they would not even seat me at a table to have a glass of wine before my family arrived as I was repeatedly told "they only seat full parties". I could understand if the restaurant was full, but it stayed only half full the whole evening as this was mid-week. They insisted I go in the bar, which was full, and I was obviously uncomfortable with. The hostess became really snarkey so I just sat and waited for service inside bar. The counter I was sitting at was really dirty from the clients before, no one had wiped up after picking up the dishes, and I waited for 15 min, no attention at all. Also, no hooks for your handbag, so I had to hold it the whole time as the counter was wet and dirty. I left and just sat in the waiting area, On arrival of my family they sat us right in the entry passageway with a 2 year old, even though I had come 45 min early to get a quiet table, and against a wall with some little pots of plants within her reach from the bench seating. The 2 year old reached up to touch one and knocked it out of it's hole with just a touch - in an instant it was on the ground in shards. An adult could do the same thing easily - they are not secured at all and very small. We made a big deal out of rescuing the plant, picking up the shards of pottery and apologizing. The hostess response that we could hear, as we were sitting directly next to the hostess station, was "How did she even reach that?" - there was no, are you or she OK from the shards of pottery or did it fall on one of us or get dirt in our food? I am not sure I will return to Cactus - I haven't quite decided. I gave myself a day to calm down before writing this. This wrecked what should have been a nice evening and at $15 a plate it was even more disappointing.

Crowd pleaser

By laurie c |

There will be something on the menu for everyone. The prices are reasonable. The staff is friendly. The view is a great panorama of the waterfront. It's a bit too much like chain food (because it's part of a chain) if you're looking for a unique coastal restaurant. I was hoping for a better and more local beer selection. Decent bar.

If you go once, you will be going back!

By Tammy R |

Incredible. From the food to the service - outstanding. Even though the place was busy, every employee was attentive and smiling. Our server, Oscar K, the best! When at our table, he was engaging. The Managers, all on the floor working! We had the Baja Margaritas, recommended by Oscar after we told him what we liked. Pablo’s Special, Brisket burrito and flan. This was our first time to visit Cactus, but not our last!

reliably good meal with attentive service

By kate554433 |

This was our first time at the Alki Beach location, but overall service and food quality were similar to the SLU location. It was a busy day, but we snagged a seat at the bar. Our waiter was attentive, and our food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Cactus has a gluten-free menu with tons of options.

Great location, good food

By Serafino M |

I went in this restaurant with my girlfriend.The staff was kind and immediately took care of us.The food was excellent.

Flautaaaaas

By T. Hayes |

DELICIOUS. I only had the flautas because the waitress suggested them during happy hour and I was not at all disappointed. In addition to decent prices we also sat by the water which completely enhanced the experience. Great view of Alki beach.

Great food!

By CathyTruelove |

We went for dinner, and the food was great. It's a fun place, lots of activity. Not a good place if you want to nap! : )

Very, Very good Mexican foor, and great views of the Sound

By Paul S |

Went for lunch with local friends. Very friendly, very efficient wait staff. Started with TexMex Queso and the house margarita. These alone were worth the trip, especially the margaritas! Even without sitting by the fire, took the chill off. Lot's of choices for meals. Portions were large, but worth the effort to finish, even if then had no room for desserts. Prices are reasonable given the quality, inventiveness and size of meals. Worth the effort to go here, even if this is part of a local chain.

Bad Experience

By Samsonite_0 |

I really do like this restaurant, but it just wasn’t right this time. The tamales were terrible, and tried to get a refund for the bad experience, but got a tiny portion back from a $200 bill. Disappointed with the customer service, they could’ve done better. I’ll just go somewhere else in Alki next time, which is very unfortunate…

Oh Yes, I will return again and again!

By Annie A |

The ambiance, decor and food are all amazing, creating a most excellent restaurant. Based on the online reviews, and the close proximity to our airbnb location, we decided to eat at Cactus and we were not at all disappointed! We began with guacamole and chips with house made salsa, which was incredibly fresh...and just the write amount of kick. We then shared the mango gazpacho topped with avocado and crab, served with warm corn tamale "crackers." The exact balanced mix of sweet and salty! We then had the seafood enchiladas with black beans, rice, and crema....so satisfyingly layered in flavor.....and because it was our first time there, we were treated to the flan. Wow...that flan was the best I ever had and I've had incredible flan! I will definitely return, again and again....and recommend you do the same!

Mexican food with a twist

By claudia m |

Can you have Mexican food without all the greasy cheese that makes you feel so guilty after eating ? Yes , you can. This place has a nice atmosphere, good prices and delicious food.

The people make this place, food helps

By FLSTC08 |

My wife and stopped at this place as our first experience in the Seattle area. We were not disappointed. Being seated within 5 min of walking in the door and on top of it, getting a prime table on the patio started our evening well. Our server Phillip was very friendly and attentive. He actively took an interest in us and was very helpful with answering questions. I had the Ancho chicken Sonora crisp for a different taste made only here...it was presented well and had a lot of flavor My wife had chicken flautas and said it was great as well. After we were done, the manager Rory had caught wind that this was our first time in the area and brought us out a plate of flan on the house....not only was it thoughtful and polite, it also tasted great. Great place, awesome people

A taste of New Mexico in West Seattle

By rbm55 |

The menu features a variation on New Mexico style dishes. As a native New Mexican, I was excited to find stacked enchiladas on the menu. I chose the “Quintessential Santa Fe” stacked blue corn tortilla enchiladas with a fried egg on top. They were quite good. Closest I’ve found in Washington state to New Mexican cuisine. For dessert we had Tres Leche cake and Flan. Both were very good. I don’t usually like Flan. In this case I did because it was not runny.

Great food, great view, awesome service

By Crisi C |

Visiting my sister and neice in Seattle and we wanted some good food with a nice food. Cactus definitely delivered! It has the most awesome view as it overlooks the Puget Sound. I had the Navajo torta with grilled portobellos and my bf had the chorizo chimichunga. Both were delicious. It's not authentic Mexican food but it was still really good. Next time we're up here we will definitely be coming back!

Pretty good

By josephcorbin911111 |

Pretty good food had some nachos and some soup and it was all pretty tasty. The price was right and so was the atmosphere I would recommend.

Better take your passport if under 30!

By sunbeamimp |

Totally unimpressed. We visited Alki to see the sun set. When in the area we called in to the Cactus to have A meal along with our daughter. On entering they had empty tables both in the restaurant and the bar areas. We were asked by the man on the reservations desk whether we would like to sit in the restaurant or the Bar. As we were dressed very casually we opted for the bar and was shown to a table. The waitress who was younger than our daughter then asked our daughter for ID. Our daughter will be 30 in a few months! She showed the girl her UK driving licence which has her date of birth but was told this was not satisfactory ID! It's adequate for the car rental company but not to sit in a bar! She then demanded passport identification which as you will appreciate you do not carry when you go to the beach. Our daughter does not look 21. The waitress said she would have to ask us to move to the restaurant. During our two weeks in Seattle she has never been asked for ID in any of the pubs, wineries or restaurants we have visited. Overall - totally unimpressed and left. Clearly our daughter did not look under age to the man on the reservations desk or he would not have shown us to the table.

Great location by beach

By David L J |

Great location by the beach, very good food. Went with my daughter and her boyfriend on their recommendation, definitely a good choice. Enjoyed the Mexican dishes and the great atmosphere.

Mexican Food On Point.....

By Samsonite_0 |

Beautiful scene on the beaches of Alki, this restaurant really does care a little more than others. The fajitas were dynamite with guacamole and a side of tortilla chips. The margaritas were tasty too. The grilled big green onions was the icing on the cake, wow. I’m definitely impressed and believe me, I’ll be visiting this place in the nearest future.....

Love the Chili Relleno

By maddydakinson |

We come here everytime we visit Seattle for their way oversized chili rellenos in mole rojo. Crisp, non-greasy and stuffed with goat and other cheeses. On a nice day the patio is great and when cold or windy you can sit inside and look out at Puget Sound.

Decent southwestern food, great setting

By Dean S |

Friendly service, well presented food, and a wide choice of standard southwestern fare. Enchildadas and Rellenos were fine. The food is pretty mild so if you are really looking for authentic Mexican food with lots of chili you might find it a bit too mild. The best thing about the restaurant is perhaps the view and setting, looking across to downtown Seattle through the open windows.

Great food great service

By Miaroundtheglobe |

We were really pleased to find this fabulous restaurant on Alki Beach. We wanted Mexican food and while I'm not sure how authentic it is, the food was amazing! Our waitress, Katie, was very helpful in suggesting different dishes and letting us know which the most popular ones were. We had devil prawns to start, which were incredible. And then seafood enchiladas and carne asada both of which had so much flavour and were beautifully cooked and presented. We would definitely go back there again!

Average ...barely

By Claus305 |

Modern Ambiente with a out of Control vent system.Place was drafty .We sat there and our hair stood up from air blowing from vents.Drinks were good but the food was not worth mentioning .Overpriced

Best Restaurant in Seattle!!

By Dana D |

This was the best Mexican food we have ever tasted and the best restaurant we have visited in Seattle! The food was amazing, delicious and so full Of flavour. Our host Cassie was great!! Very friendly and joyful, making us feel very welcome. We had complimentary tortilla chips and salsa with guacamole. Mango Mojito for cocktail! Yum! For our meals we ordered Roasted Corn Quesadilla and the first Tacos option with pineapple (sorry forgot the name) Both were delicious and very filling!! Portion sizes were great and the price was very good! It was our first time there so they also have us complimentary dessert!!! Their flan was the best we have ever had... And we love our flan!! Best dining experience, I look forward to bringing future guests to Cactus!!!

Best Chips & Salsa

By Carla H |

Went in here just to get a beer & chips & salsa after having walked 7 miles on Alki. Probably some of the best chips & salsa we've had in Seattle. Waiter was a little slow. But will go back to try some of their food.

Such a great place

By todbookless |

There is always a wait for a table, so just be prepared for that. The exterior walls all roll up, and it is across the street from the beach. Great food, atmosphere, drinks.

Fabulous food and service!

By marie b |

We visited this location for happy hour and dinner on a recent Seattle trip. We sat in the outside seating area where we had a lovely view of the water. Happy Hour drinks and guacamole were delicious. Our dinners were absolutely incredible. Very creative flavors and beautifully plated food. Flan for desert was the best I've had. Service was excellent. Highly recommend.

Good Vegetarian options.

By A G |

We had a family dinner here and really liked the food varieties they offer. Ordered a Butternut Squash enchiladas which was outstanding. Daughter ate the veg quesadilla from the appetizer menu.

Disappointing

By Minneapolisdoyle |

Several friends got together for lunch. I was very disappointed in my meal. The food was not Mexican. I had the brisket. The brisket was very large but also quite tasteless. A large portion of beans and rice were included with the meal. The guacamole and chips were very good. The location on Alki Beach is spectacular. I ordered lemonade and it was very good. The staff is attentive and professional. Everything was very good except for my lunch entree.

After you beach walk stop by Cactus for a drink

By Alec D |

Cactus on Alki is a great place for a drink after talking a walk on or along side the beach. You can sit outside or inside depending on the weather. The sunset views are awesome as are the margarita's

Early Saturday Brunch

By Buddy Morris |

Get to the restaurant before 11:00am on Saturday or Sunday. Gets really busy. There is parking for smaller cars underneath. We ordered the French toast with bananas, Fresh squeezed orange juice, chorizo eggs Benedict, (wasn't on the menu) my wife ordered chorizo skillet, Mango mojito. Our service was Amazing. We usually sit in the bar, (better view)

Great nouveau Mexican Food

By KathrynandTerry |

Somehow this restaurant remains a great option for casual dining with interesting tastes and fresh ingredients. This location is near where I live so we walk to it often and I can honestly say I've never had a bad meal. Whoever plans the menu has a great palate and combines traditional Mexican ingredients with fresh, healthy options to create something out of the ordinary. Another reason to try this restaurant is the location, it is near the end of Alki point and has killer views of the water on a warm day when the restaurant raises its garage door-type windows to let the air in. The bar, which takes up half the restaurant and also serves food, can be a "happening place" especially on week-ends.

THE BEST: Food, drinks, views, staff. Definitely come here.

By Schmeminemone |

Seriously one of the best restaurant experiences I’ve ever had. Beautiful views of the water from our table, AMAZING service, delicious food. I ordered the Jalisco Mule and it was superb. For food I got the chicken fajitas and trust me when I say get the corn tortillas - made fresh daily and you can taste the difference. The warm chips are also *chefs kiss* I was so happy we decided to go this restaurant during our one afternoon in West Seattle.

Tasty!

By Gavin B |

First time in a true Mexican restaurant, and the food was delicious! Great location, great staff, and excellent ambience - highly recommend a visit!

Quick, great service, good food options

By hashtagcrinny |

The salsa w the chips is great- semi chunky! The pollo relleno was amazing- w chicken, cheese, and the pepper surrounded by a great fried crust. Oaxaca margarita with mezcal was great! I'll go back!

Amazing Experience

By Teri S |

We rely heavily on Trip Advisor when traveling and this time was another win for us. The restaurant was clean and service was exceptional. The gentlemen that sat us who I believe was a manager was absolutely perfect. The young lady that served us was exceptional. She gave us a few suggestions while we are in town a few more days. She was so pleasant and accommodating. We were then surprised with a Flan since it was our first visit. I was floored but after reading some reviews I see this is common practice for them. It was amazing and we have already talked about trying to get by here again before we leave. It was that good. Thank you Cactus for an amazing experience I wish I had asked for names to call them out personally.

OMG

By Mike M |

Wow, just Wow! Great menu but the flavorful food is what you will talk about. The beach area is nice to view from your table. The food is great! Really nice bar and plenty of specialty drinks. Did I mention about the flavorful food? Go once, you will return.

Mexican Fare with a Great View

By Gary F |

The Cactus restaurant in West Seattle's Alki Beach proved to be a decent choice for Mexican food and cold beers. Four Gringos were foolish enough to think that there would be no problem getting a table on a Tuesday night and ended up having to wait for forty-five minutes, so making a reservation seems to be something to keep in mind. With that being said, the establishment was clean and the wait staff was very cordial. The guacamole was, while not the best that I have ever eaten, was quite tasty and the tortilla chips that we used to hungrily scoop it up were perfectly salted so as to enhance the flavor. The Chili Relleno was quite good. The Mole sauce proved to be a surprising flavor on the cheese-stuffed pepper, to which I also had added chorizo sausage. And the refried beans were as black as the sky was soon to be. My girlfriend ordered chicken chimichanga with extra rice instead of the beans and that substitution was no problem for the waiter. Our friends ordered burritos, which despite their hunger, were too generous in proportion size for them to finish. Boxes for leftovers were quickly brought for them. And to top off the pleasant evening, it is only a four minute drive from Cactus to the optimal location for viewing night time Seattle, with its resplendent skyline, from across Puget Sound. All in all, it proved to be wonderful evening. Just remember to make reservations!

Great brunch!

By Michele B |

I had been wanting to go to Cactus for brunch for quite a while now. I was finally able to go for a late birthday celebration and it was worth the wait! Great food at a great location!

Free Flan?

By Mark D |

Had a great dinner there this evening. Great staff, food and margaritas were delicious. Only regret is I liked my wife’s dish better. Dessert menu comes out, and a minute later the Mgr brings us a comp Cuban Flan and we had a nice discussion about our first trip to Seattle and how we found them (Tripadvisor). Our waiter comes back and seemed surprised that we had a dessert in front of us. We paid, left and then later noticed we were charged for the Flan, lol. Assuming that because of their “team” service, there was a mix-up. No hard feeling, still five stars. Just give a nice couple a free Flan on us tomorrow!

Great TexMex

By IanChamberlain |

Had a superb TexMex meal here. Lovely home made fajitas, great salsa and gaucamole dips. Amazing Mageritas possibly the best ever. Service was excellent too. I would be happy to travel to visit this place!

Wow. Loved the food!

By sddchatt |

This had a different flavor to Mexican food than we were expecting. I could have gone back again and again - the margaritas were excellent too.

Fabulous food

By 328Bella |

We had the carnitas which was tender and juicy. Came with some rice that was really good. The fajitas were tender but could have used a little more flavor. They came with some black beans and rice. The special guacamole was also very tasty. wait staff was very attentive and helpful. We would go back there again.

Really good

By Kim T |

For the price the dish was large. It was taste and close to what we have in southern idaho. I had the steak fajita and it was very good. They were very attentive and very nice. I would go back again.

Mexican food by the Sound

By Seeseej |

Excellent choice for dinner fronting Alkai Beach park with views of Puget Sound. Wait was around 45 minutes but so worth it. Pisco and guacamole before dinner set the mood, followed by the recommended skirt steak fajita with corn tortilla. Definitely was a great suggestion because the steak was tender, juicy and tasty and combined with guac, cheese, rice, beans, sour cream in a wrap made my evening!

Big or small

By ResponsibleTraveler |

The atmosphere is refreshing. The service is great. The southwestern food is delicious with a varied menu. Fresh, clean, tasty but not overly spiced, the goodness of food is allowed to come through. We have been to this Cactus restaurant multiple times this summer. Whether just dining with my wife, visiting family of friends, dine in or take out, we have not been disappointed once. That is unusual for our picky group. They also have an excellent rating for the health department’s safety rating. On different days we have enjoyed the happy hour, weekend brunch, in addition to the regular menu. What a pleasure to have a beautiful view of the sound to go with tantalizing food! The only time we noticed an error was atypical; on a large take out order on a beautiful sunny day; one order of chicken Caesar had no chicken. Pick up was prompt and on time. The restaurant was extremely busy at the time. I called to notify them of the error. The person who took the verbal phone order amazingly remembered the order and immediately apologized and took corrective action. It is understandable with verbal take out orders every now and then an error could occur. They recommend on line orders. It is the refreshing attitude of no hesitation in admitting errors and take correction that impressed us on a hectic day there. It appears that the manager Jenny has set good example and high standard for all the employees there. Go Cactus!

Beautiful Location!

By AngieIDAHO |

We loved the location of this restaurant! Beautiful views of the water and in a nice quaint area. Across the inlet of Seattle’s skyline. Sit on the patio if it’s open! I ordered the Corn & Shrimp Tamale Cakes and they were very tasty but seasonal. 2 if the guys ordered the Brisket burrito and really liked it, but my hubby said he’d ask for less rice and beans in it. Tasty though! The other lady got the chicken chimichanga and said it was tasty. The guacamole, chips and salsa are great! This is more of a lighter Mexican restaurant and not your “typical” style. The food options are very different from traditional Mexican places. I would highly suggest trying it! See pics!

Good tacos

By UKTurkeyTrotter |

We had either tacos or enchiladas. Both were good. I had Fish tacos with rice and black beans, very satisfying. Others in our party of 4 had the Cactus Margaritas, which were appreciated. Clean place. Interesting decor nice neighbourhood, on street parking. Friendly professional staff, fast service. We were there on a Tuesday when it was lively but not overly noisy a family atmosphere. Apparently it can be standing room only at weekends. We would certainly go again.

Delicious food with unique ingredient combos

By Sandy T |

Excellent food with superb service! Unique pairing of ingredients. Very flavorful a Will definitely eat here again.

Absolutely Amazing Food!

By Chris & Holly |

Incredible carne asada!! The Cactus definitely lived up to it's reputation. Great food and drinks, fun atmosphere, and beautiful location. The service was excellent too.

Beautiful view and consistently excellent food.

By shetoksalot |

I have visited this Cactus a few times. Every time the food and drinks are excellent. This time we sat outside, and had Diablo shrimp and cocktails. We also tried a tequila flight, which was a lot of fun. My only complaint was the second half of our service. We had a great server, but then he asked us to cash out with him and someone else would take over. We assumed he was leaving for the day (it was Happy Hour), so we complied. The new server was super slow to acknowledge us, never checked on my friend's entrée (Spa Chicken, which was great), and left us sitting forever to get our check. We told her we were done, then she disappeared for at least 20 minutes. It took quite a while for her to process the check, as well. Cardinal sin of serving - when folks are done, clear the table and let them move on. I am usually a generous tipper. This was the first time I have EVER given less than 15%.

Brunch visit

By Jonathan B |

Has brunch here after a morning run, the service was on point and the food was very good, I had eggs and my partner had a omelette, good sized portions and tasted fresh.

Great noisy atmosphere

By JaymieOK |

Dinner for us with friends and their children. Great marketing with the kids meals delivered on a frisbee that they can take home. Food was great, drinks were great. Service was friendly and quick. Place was packed, book ahead.

Great Food

By Hayley B |

My friend took me here because it is one of her favorite places. Really enjoyed our meal! Great service and atmosphere too.

Great food and Great location

By cdseil |

Stopped in for lunch with my wife at a restaurant on the beach at Alki. We have ate at the Bellevue location in the past but this setting is fantastic. All the window walls were open and it was a sunny day. I had the Chili Relleno and a Chili IPA. The Relleno was done perfect stuffed with cheese's and placed on rice and beans. The IPA was from a local Alki brewery Big Al's and was done with Jalapeño and had a nice bite of heat. A great place to fill up then go for a nice walk on the beach.

Amazing food, staff and atmosphere!

By frozenshorts |

This food was SO good and worth the 30 minute wait! Our waitress was so kind. The staff works so hard and is genuinely happy you came! We had some food allergies that they accommodated with no problems. The food was super fresh and filling! For a family of 5 the price was excellent for this kind of service. You are minutes to more shops and the Kirkland waterfront. Great day to rent paddle boards, walk the water front and eat this amazing food! Thank you all for such a great night. Our daughter is going to start college nearby and I think we just found our spot to eat when we visit her!

40th bday trip

By Janna R |

Being from Texas we were craving Tex-Mex. we went to Cactus first thing when arriving to Alki Beach! The service, food, and everything was excellent start to finish! Amazing menu and quality of food and environment. Waitstaff even gave me a flan for my bday! Bravo guys!

Awesome Spot!

By Noa N |

This place is the absolute best!!! My husband and I came here for the first time on our trip to Seattle, the food is amazing and fresh, and the staff is SO nice! As soon as you sit down you get warm chips and delicious pico de Gallo on the house, and our lovely waiter was super helpful when I asked about vegetarian options. when I deliberated if to get a soup, he brought me a very generous sample to taste. Finally, since we said we were new and visiting town they surprised us at the end of the meal and brought us a wonderful flan! We were so pleasantly surprised and thankful!

Great happy hour

By Steve F |

Stopped by on a sunny afternoon for happy hour. Quick service, laid back vibe and good food across the street from the beach. What more could you ask for?

Good quality, excellent service and value for money.

By Nienke7 |

Good food, excellent service and very reasonable prices. Our server - Christopher - was very helpful. The complimentary dessert was appreciated. Beautiful view of the ocean and mountain on the terrace outside.

Great after a long walk on Alki

By Alec D |

I stopped in mid walk for a Margarita & the small order of Smoked Chicken Quesadilla. Both were great. The service was OK on this visit. Cactus is a great place to visit if you're out on Alki around sunset.

Fun for lunch sitting outside

By Krisinseattle |

Had lunch here under the heat lamps (unnecessary) last week on a sunny day in Seattle. Really enjoyed the Squash Blossoms, stuff with goat cheese, yummy! The guacamole and salsa were also delicious, although the chips were a bit tough and lacked salt. Had the Patron Agave Margarita ($12) and the total before tax and tip came to $28.35 Nice time with a friend on a beautiful day!

Great food

By goweronthego |

Although a little pricey, the food was worth it. Thoroughly enjoyed the open atmosphere of the place. Wait staff was excellent