What it's actually like
Colita is highly regarded as one of the Twin Cities' best elevated Mexican restaurants, with near-universal praise for creative Oaxacan-inspired cuisine, exceptional cocktails, and a completely gluten-free kitchen. The main detractors are high prices ($10-11 per taco, small portions), cramped table spacing creating a loud atmosphere, and occasional inconsistency in dishes and service. Despite these drawbacks, most reviewers find it worth revisiting for special occasions.
elevated Mexicancelebration-worthytrendyvibrant bar sceneintimate yet buzzingstylish-modern
Diners keep mentioning
churroslamb barbacoa tacosshrimp tempura tacoscharred eggplantoctopus al pastorchicken tinga tostadasscallopsmezcal cocktails
Ambiance
upscale-casual
Noise level
lively
Dress code
smart casual
Outdoor seating
Yes
Good for
date night, anniversary, celebration
Reservations
OpenTable
Wait reality — Reservations are strongly recommended, especially Friday-Saturday nights; walk-ins face 45+ minute waits during peak times. Arriving 15-20 minutes early with a reservation ensures prompt seating. Best to visit on weeknight or early in the evening to avoid crowds.
Derived from 72 recent Google reviews — not marketing copy.
What's cooking
Appetizer
★ Aguachile$20
yellow tail, cilantro, tamarind, fresno, red shiso, crispy chapulines
Cacio e Pepe Stacked Tostadasvegetarian$18
Chihuahua cheese, parmesan, black pepper
Cauliflower Tostadasvegan$19
mole amarillo, pickled tomatillo, cumin and sesame, cilantro
Charred Eggplant Tostadasvegetarian$18
roasted tomato, sesame, lime, burrata
Chicken Tinga Tostadas$19
adobo, smoked chicken, black bean puree, queso fresco, pickled jalapeño
★ Cornbread & Caviarvegetarian$18
guajillo cornbread, honey, crema
Crispy Masa Chipsvegetarian$17
guacamole, hummus, peanuts, guajillo salsa
Tempura Fried Shrimp Tacos$20
jalapeño, cabbage, chili mayo, cilantro
Tlayudavegetarian$22
refried beans, crema, queso fresco, pickled fresno, corn
★ Tuna Tostada$23
raw tuna, avocado, sesame, tomato jam, cilantro, celery leaf
Salad
Fried Green Tomato Saladvegetarian$19
sweet herbs, watercress, apple cider vinegar, ranch
★ Grilled Caesarvegetarian$19
smoked cabbage, romaine, parmesan, tortilla crumble
Entree
Beef Tongue Tacos$19
mole negro, escabeche red onion, cilantro chimichurri
Lamb Barbacoa Tacos$22
anchovy, caper berry, onions, cilantro
Pork Carnitas Tacos$19
orange, cucumber avocado salsa, cilantro, pickled red onion
Side
Corn Elotevegetarian$16
chipotle mayo, ricotta salata, serrano, tajín
Roasted Sweet Potatovegan$18
chipotle remoulade, fresh herbs, pepitas, serrano
Dessert
Churrosvegetarian$15
dulce de leche, cinnamon sugar, dulce cream
Gelatovegetarian$7
your choice of vanilla, triple berry, coconut stracciatella
Panna Cottavegetarian$13
mango, cinnamon, almond crystal
Spiced Brownie$12
almond, hibiscus reduction, macerated blackberries
Cocktail
Cocktail Of The Moment$16
Ask your server for details
Colita Old Fashioned$18
mezcal, amari, cacao, aromatic bitters
El Quetzal$17
charanda añejo, aguardiente, tepache, tomatillo, red bitter, serrano, lime
House Espresso Martini$16
espresso, licor 43, amaro, choice of: vodka, reposado, mezcal, aged rum
Naked Dani$17
blanco, curado de guayaba, poblano, seville orange, lychee, lime
Paloma Nacional$16
blanco, reposado, morita, peppercorn grapefruit, lime, carbonation
Telenovela$17
sotol, aperol, curado de maracuya, house yellow chartreuse, lime
Zyanya$16
oaxacan whiskey blend, ginger, tamarind, honey, lemon
Wine
Alberiño$58
Mar de Evero, Rias Baixas, SP 2022
Amaro Blend$11
Broadbent Reserve 5 Year Madeira$12
Cabernet Sauvignon$68
Altocedro, Uco Valley, Mendoza, AR 2022
Chardonnay$60
Zuccardi Q, Valle de Uco, ARG 2021
Chardonnay Brut Cuvee$60
Wildly, AU NV
Chenin Blanc$84
Broc Cellars Love Sparkling, Berkley, CA 2022
El Dorado Moscatel$12
El Maestro Sierra Pedro Ximenez$13
Fernet Blend$11
Fiano$84
Luigi Maffini Fiano di Cilento "Kratos" Campania, IT 2022
Grüner Veltliner$70
Getränk Niederöterreich, AT 2023
Manuel Aragon El Neto Amontillado$13
Montepulciano$48
Castoriani Cadetto, Abruzzo, IT 2019
Pinot Noir$64
Violet Hill, Santa Barbara Co., CA 2021
Pinot Noir$88
Lioco, Mendocino, CA 2021
Pinot Noir Brut Rose$56
Almacita Tupungato, AR NV
Sangiovese$56
Field Recordings, Paso Robles, CA 2022
Sauvignon Blanc$64
Land of Saints, Santa Barbara Co., CA 2023
Sauvignon Blanc$92
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes, Loire, FR 2022
Tempranillo$56
Ostatu, Rioja, SP 2023
Beer
Brooklyn Brewery Hoppy Amber NA$6
12oz
Lakefront Gluten Free Pilsnergluten free$7
12oz
Maiden Rock Honeycrisp Cidervegan$7
12oz
Modist False Pattern Pale Ale$8
14oz
Modist Supra Deluxe Lager$8
14oz
Pryes Miraculum Midwest IPA$8
14oz
Quilmes Cerveza$7
12oz
Non alcoholic
3leche Ispahan$10
raspberry, cocoa nib, rose, lychee, guava, almond, carbonation
3leche Zenzerovegan$10
pineapple, ginger, yerba mate, tamarind, eucalyptus, carbonation
Coffeevegan$4.50
Espressovegan$4.50
Horchatavegan$10
rice, cinnamon, coconut milk
Jarritosvegan$5.25
Mexican Coca Colavegan$5.25
Mexican Diet Cokevegan$4.75
Mexican Spritevegan$5.25
Naranjitasvegan$10
orange, grapefruit, white peppercorn, lychee, lime, carbonation
Rosasvegan$10
rose, raspberry, guava, ginger, lime, carbonation
San Pellegrinovegan$6.25
Seasonal Tea Selectionvegan$4.50
Other
Curado De Guayabavegan$13
agave nectar, guava, lychee, coriander, peppercorn (3-5% abv)
Curado de Maracuyavegan$13
agave nectar, passion fruit, apple, ginger, cinnamon (3-5% abv)
Mezcal Flight$30
Hacienda de Banuelos, Zacatecas (tequilana, masparillo, tepemete)
Sotol Flight$33
Cardenxe, Chihuahua (desierto, pradera, sierra)
Tepachevegan$13
pineapple, epazote de zorillo, cassia, ceylon, clove (3-5% abv)
Tequila Flight$27
Postumo, el Nivel, & el Mayor, Jalisco (blanco, reposado, anejo)
Seafood
★ Seared Scallops$32
carrot puree, salsa macha, peanut, fresno
Find it
Address
5400 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Phone
612-886-1606
Restaurant group
DDP Restaurant Group