Vegetarians beware. The so-called "vegetarian" dishes come with rice cooked in chicken stock, according to our chagrined waitress, who said, "I don't know why they call it vegetarian." Not sure why anyone is willing to pay $16.95 for a so-so veg. burrito or cactus enchilada anyway. Nothing wrong with the food: just not worthy of the $. I've been here several times, and every time I ask myself why. Just get a burrito at a chain & save your $$. read more

Food was excellent and sangria amazing until a mouse started running around. Eek. Not happy about that at all. Waiter just said sorry.

I was surprised to see the negative reviews for this place. I went recently with a group and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant itself is located in a hidden area off the street and down a set of stairs. The ambiance was cozy and festive. I had the garlic shrimp, which came with rice, beans, and a coleslaw type dish. We also split chips and the cactus app. Everything was delicious!! The service was prompt and friendly. Will definitely be back!! read more

I don't get what everyone's complaining about. I've been here a thousand times, and yeah, I've gotten 2 or 3 things I didn't like, but: 1. The salsa isn't watery at all. 2. The chilaquiles aren't bland or messed up. 3. The chips are always salted, and never stale. read more

Not a fan. We got 3 meals and it didn't look good at all. My meal looked like poop. Service was okay. It was really pricy for portions that we got. Won't come back read more

$70 for two people and two drinks? My wife also asked for a virgin margaritas, which admitedly is basically leomonade, and they still charged the full $6 and change. Service was a C- due to lack of attention, portions were a C, drinks tasted good but were unusually small, outdoor seating was nice but don't expect sun unless it's directly overhead. I'd give it another shot since pete k. rates it so highly but it's an uphill battle. read more

Unscrupulous owner adds tip to takeout. I have had to have him remove the charge twice and will not return

I normally don't review after only one visit, but I read the reviews and made an exception. Looking at what others have written - I see that my experience seems to be the rule, not the exception. Everything about Cafe Sol Azteca is just.. meh. The service was on the slow side and the food was pretty bland. Also, I understand that Newton Centre is pretty fancy-pants but it is expensive considering the portions. I WILL say that the outdoor space is beautiful and perfect for warmer weather. To be honest, I didn't even go inside so I can't comment on the decor. I think that this place is more to hang out on the patio, and get drinks. I'd say there are better (and cheaper!) places to eat. read more

Nice Mexican spot. A bit upscale. Yummy mole and decor. A bit limited on entrees for vegetarians. I usually order the mole cheese enchiladas whatever they call them. They are delicious, but I'm using my 'don't ask. don't tell' policy for whether or not they are actually vegetarian. Unfortunately it seems that they're not open at lunch all the time. Is it during the winter? I can't quite figure it out. It was trying to go to this restaurant and finding it closed that led me to try Sabra down the street. Go to Sol Azteca (not Sabra). read more

If I was solely basing this on food, then it would have been a two-star review based on my experience. But I took into account the experiences' of my dining companions and the service. The staff was friendly and attentive. My water glass was never empty and WOW do they know how to make a drink. Between the sangria (with a nice hint of cinnamon), the margaritas, and the mojitos, Sol Azteca definitely got it right (and strong)! The salsa was really very good, but the chips were so very, very disappointing. They tasted old, cold, and with out even a hint of salt to give them some flavor. The guacamole was ok, but certainly no where near the best I've ever had. I ordered a special beef dish with a mushroom, onion cream sauce. I wasn't impressed and it was $22 yikes! It was tough and the rice wasn't very good either. Others at the table enjoyed their meal. My husband and two others ordered a soft steak taco special that was good and liked by everyone who ordered it - I tried a bite and had to agree. I don't know if I would rush back. It's a small place with a few seats close to the door (where we were) and it got a bit cold. There are other places not too far away the I prefer. read more

The 3 stars is really for the outdoor seating in the summer and the Don Julio margaritas. The outdoor seating is awesome in the summer. It is in a back alley so not near traffic and its nice and cool even on hotter days. The drinks are also really good. Food is only okay. It's hit or miss (even their chips). I've had most of their vegetarian options (last page of menu) and its sometimes great, sometimes not. Food takes forever to come out---service is also hit or miss. They only take reservations for parties of 20 or more and the one time we did that we had to wait 1.5 hours so that reservation didn't seem to work. Overall, go in the summer when you really want to sit outside for awhile since your food may not be there for awhile. Also chips and salsa come with dinner entrees but are not free if you do not order an entree. read more

I have been coming to Sol Azteca since I was a little girl - almost 20 years now. We have always enjoyed the high quality food, the very excellent service, and the great drinks - the Cadillac Margarita is a must try! Sol Azteca is awesome because it's hidden from the Piccadilly Square main drag in Newton Center, and is very intimate and cozy. Surprisingly, the welcome atmosphere makes it great for dates and families with (well behaved) children alike. I almost always order the enchiladas verdes, but the ensalada con nopales is phenomenal if you're looking for a light starter salad. read more

Finding this restaurant wasn't easy but I liked the food and loved the patio. I had the Chillies Rellano (sp) which were OK and my daughter had the Guacamole Salad, which turned out to be just an ice cream scoop of guac on a lettuce leaf. Prices seemed high for Mexican food - my entre was $15 for two chillies, some red cabbage, rice and small portion of refritos, the guacamole salad was $8. read more

Cafe Sol Azteca - Cafe Sol Azteca Patio - Mexican Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

This place is so clean with amazing outdoor seating. They were extremely generous and welcoming even though we were the annoying customers that showed up 30 minutes before opening! read more

Cafe Sol Azteca - Chips salsa and guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Been here a couple times now- good solid food, good service. One star solely for the great patio they have. Try to get a table out there when the weather's nice. I love that you have to hunt for the place (down the creaky wooden stairs, through the back alley, I feel dangerous!!). The chorizo quesadilla we got was delish- it was an appetizer special that night, not sure if it's on the menu or not. Good enchiladas. read more

When I stopped in front of the little Cafe Sol Azteca sign, I was confronted by a narrow, dim (and quite sketchy, if i werent in Newton) alleyway. I thought this cant possibly be the entrance way to a nice restaurant, but after going down the staircase, I felt I just transported to Mexico. Vivid, contrasting colors. Open patio with common, bourgeoisie decor. The interior was quaint and nostalgic. Perfect atmosphere. I'm not a huge fan of mexican cuisine, but the food was good by Mexican standards. The dishes seem to be smothered in sauce (though the sauce is great), and little too overwhelmed with cheesy goodness. Though I loved the service, two of us had dirty silverware (huge pet peeve). But I guess that just means we really were in Mexico! read more

Only open for dinner. I have read about weird charges, and our bill was expensive, but I loved the food and atmosphere. Try: A cerveza and enchilladas. Arriba! read more

Sigh. I really want this place to be good because I love non-trendy non-pretentious Mexican food and live nearby but the food is just way too bland. I also like the style and vibe of the place and the outdoor seating but the food (I ordered enchiladas with rice and beans) simply has no flavor. It's so disappointing. I had the same problem with the location near Kenmore but I tried this location hoping it be different. It wasn't. If this place ever finds spices, I'll try it again. read more

"Do you guys want to have dinner? We were planning on grilling outside or eating somewhere that they have a patio" This was the text message to our friends that landed us at Cafe Sol Azteca. When we showed up it was okay, we were a bit early. It's a bit odd that no matter how you approach the restaurant you have to walk down an alley. I also find it odd that people bring their little white dogs to come eat here. I know it's not really the restaurant's fault, but there is nothing I dislike more than little white dogs. It stems from my great grandmother having the most vicious little white poodle when I was a small child. The thing gave me nightmares for years after it died and was buried in the flower bed in her front yard. So of course we got seated next to a table that had a little white dog at it. The service was pretty good, they brought us drinks while waiting for a table, and the table service was pretty good too. The food was a bit pricey and was a bit less flavorful than I've come to expect from good mexican food. The beans were a bit bland and the chips and salsa were missing something. I think a little salt would work wonders. read more

During the summer time, their outdoor space is the way to go. It's nice to be able to have a meal outside. That is the highlight of this place. Having grown up in Texas, I'm picky about Mexican food. I found their food to be good tasting and satisfying. It is the sort of place we'll be certain to head to again when it's time for a simple and nice bite out on a weeknight. read more

"Meh" for "wow" prices! I like, at different times, inexpensive, fill-mah-belly Mexican AND more upscale, tasty, authentic fare from the south. When one chooses the latter it should be a step above and worth the expense - this place is not. Started with chips - greasy tasting, over cooked and not salted adequately. Queso had a layer of grease on the top, was not tasty and quickly cooled, making it way too stringy and tough. Weirdly garnished(?) with some kind of sausage that only added more grease. I had fish enchiladas, which were virtually tasteless. Not just lacking Mexican spices but no salt, pepper...nothin. It was fresh tasting enough but not at all pleasing. Rice and beans also nothing to write home about. Daughter had beef taco which was loaded with potatoes(?) and beans(?). It was kind of weird but -bonus - tasteless enough for an eight year old to eat. Short story, first and last time. read more

This was a favorite restaurant for many years. I moved away from the area and returned last night for dinner with friends. I couldn't have been more disappointed. The premium margaritas used to be strong and flavorful. They are now almost alcohol free with generic taste. The four entrees were over cooked and tasteless. It's very sad because the setting itself maintains a good vibe. I won't be returning read more

First time here, small place, no bar, I ordered the beef tostadas, typically when you ordered beef, at least I do, when in a Mexican themed restaurant I expect steak or chopped steak. It was ground beef though, wished I knew I would have gotten chicken instead, it was mostly lettuce with a bit of rice and a bit of retried beans ant what seemed to me like opened store bought taco shells with beans, ground beef, and cheese covered in lettuce with a tiny slice o avocado, two slices of tomato and some pickled red cabbage, I guess am being generous with 3 stars cuz there was nothing authentic about this plate in particular I can do much better at home and for less money read more

Cafe Sol Azteca has delicious food, exceptional, flavorful sangria and an outdoor patio. What else can you ask for from a Mexican restaurant? Plus it's at Newton Center so you can walk to JP Licks afterwards for some ice cream. Here are my recommendations - items that our family always enjoys: - GAZPACHO SOUP - ENCHILADAS VERDES - CHILAQUILES read more

I go to Cafe Sol Azteca frequently and it is pretty good Mexican food. Guacamole and salsa is good. Sangria is a good choice here and their bar does a decent job. The entrees have some good seasoning, but can be a little pedestrian. For example, they serve really boring mexican rice, refried beans and a bland cabbage with a lot of the dishes. You get the impression the cook is indifferent. Also, I can be a late eater, showing up at 9pm. They always get really pissy about this and the service becomes hostile. Supposedly they close at 10, but show up after 9 and bad service is certain. read more

***Very Tasty, Great Flavor*** My girlfriend and I try this for the first time tonight. The salsa is great, very thick and kinda spicy but not to spicy. We both ordered from the specials and were pleasantly surprised on how great they were. read more

Good for Families - Go Early Bird and Al Fresco Sol Azteca is a fine Mexican for families, especially eating on the patio. Go for an early dinner ~6 and the service is fast, the place uncrowded, the food ample and tasty. read more

I wouldn't be able to say enough about the service, food, atmosphere, and people working at Sol Azteca in Newton Ctr. Gabriel, the manager, Alex, the host, and Andres, our waiter not only accommodated us, but went above and beyond in allowing us to use a coupon that was actually only good at the Boston location. We had various dishes from the sautéed cactus to a fish filet with cilantro sauce, and let me tell you, it was all spectacular! You know you're in an authentic Mexican restaurant when there's a dish with a choice of mole sauce! The chips and salsa that you're served beforehand hit the spot, the tres leches cake and chocolate mousse dessert were out of this world! Please go eat, treat the waiters well, and they will take care of you! read more

It's average, but then again aren't most of the "Mexican" joints in the area? We went with a Groupon. Parking can be tricky in Newton Centre. The restaurant is down an alleyway and sort of hard to find. Food was well-portioned and solid. I had the vegetarian fajitas - not the best I've ever had, but certainly not the worst. Guacamole and salsa tasted fresh, although they lacked any spice whatsoever. Our server also told us the restaurant typically charges for chip and salsa refills; he ultimately gave us the chips and billed $3 for the salsa. It seems like both are complimentary at most other places, within reason. Waitstaff was pleasant. However, they did leave us for long periods of time without checking in for drink refills, cashing out, etc. I don't expect them to hang on me, but swing by the table periodically. We probably won't make a special trip back. When in Newton Centre and craving Mexican, though, Cafe Sol Azteca is a viable option. read more

We've been going to Sol Azteca for years and the food is the best Mexican food I've eaten including on my trips to Mexico/Mexico City! The mole sauce is amazing and you often can't even get mole sauce at other restaurants in the states. The atmosphere inside and out on the patio is delightful. My favorite drink is the Cadillac Marguerita and the red cabbage and refried beans are the perfect side complements to every meal. Additionally, their handling of Covid 19 safe restaurant practices is very thorough and made us feel totally comfortable eating there on the patio. read more

It's food is authentic Mexican ( not Texmex or Calmex) by an accomplished Mexican chef. I know, because I live in Mexico. I recommend the shrimp in cilantro sauce, the salsa, gazpacho, enchiladas, as good a mole and Chile relleno as you are likely to find in Mexico, flan for desert & great sangria. They have a backyard patio that will make you feel like you are dining al fresco in Mexico - literally! read more

We seemed to catch staff by surprise since we waited a while to order drinks and they forgot we needed silverware and napkins........... but the sangria (when it finally came) was so fruity and delish! We had the carnitas appetizer and azteca combination plate with amazing array of treats: shrimp, chicken, chorizo! Food is to die for but a little pricey for Mexican food. read more

Love coming to this spot for the outdoor patio, mezcal margaritas and authentic Mexican food. No Tex Mex here! Great service, friendly staff too. read more

Cafe Sol Azteca - Great outdoor patio! - Mexican Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Waited over an hour despite plenty of open tables. Once we were finally seated, it took close to an hour to get our food. The food was cold and flavorless. I told the waiter and his response was "sorry". He did not try to rectify the situation whatsoever. It was also way overpriced. I will not be coming back. read more

Ah, wintery days like today make me wish for the summer patio dining of Sol Azteca. I love their Sangria and their salsa..sitting on the jungle-like patio in the heat of a summer night. Ahhh.. well anyway. The food at this place is about the best Mexican food I can find this far north of the border. The decor inside is great, fun mosaic tile tables and high back chairs that make you feel like Spanish royalty. Love it! The servers are friendly and are eager to please. Mmmmm Mexican! read more

Agree with previous posts that food quality has declined. Chips are now straight from a bag, salsas no longer taste fresh, and main dishes were at best ok across the board... and expensive! Margaritas used to be tasty and strong - now weak and nearly flavorless. Especially disappointing was the mole, which now tastes like a mix of chocolate sauce with too much cinnamon. Worst of all is the mosquito problem - outdoor seating used to the best part of the Cafe Sol experience, but they need to spray for mosquitos... I received 20+ bites in each leg during dinner last night. I will not be back. read more

How is this place still in business? OK, I am from Texas, so I have high expectations when it comes to Mexican food. But having lived in Boston since 1995, I know there has to be leeway here. I wouldn't expect great chowder in Dallas! But this place is so mediocre, I do not know how they have been around so long and have a Zagat recommended sticker on their door. We used a Living Social deal on a Wed night. Maybe 3 other tables there. Chips & salsa are HOLD UP - $9??!! AND $6 for REFILLS? Are you folks whacked over there?? (But free with a dinner entree!) I have had better corn chips from Trader Joes. Even my 9 year old said that. Small basket of chips, cold, blah salsa. Had a sweet/sour pork app none of us could eat after one bite. Boring chicken tostada, chicken tasted like it had been boiled no seasonings then placed onto tostada with the beans, lettuce, etc. And pickled red cabbage as a side? What? Unappetizing! The guac was flavorless. Again, my whole family said, mom, they need your guac recipe, this tastes like plain avocados. The sides of rice & beans were lukewarm. Why? They were not slammed, not busy at all. Other entree was a fajita like soft taco. It was just OK. Surprised at how much some of the entrees cost. My daughter said mom, one of the menu items is $54! I hope it tastes good, at that price. The staff was perfectly nice, decor is nice, I am sure the patio on a summer night is pleasant. We did not drink. To sum it up...a chain like Margaritas is a better bet. Sadly. read more

My favorite restaurant for 40 years (starting with the Boston location). Unfortunately we now live in New Hampshire so I can't visit as often as I'd like. Real Mexican entrees way beyond tacos and burritos. Try the queso asado (baked cheese) appetizer, puerco en adobo if you like things spicy, cheese chile rellenos, carne asada for a simple steak, and anything with Veracruzano sauce. The homemade sangria is also excellent. read more

I've been eating at Sol Azteca with my family for almost two decades. There are a few noteworthy things about the restaurant that make it a favorite in my foodie diet. 1) The sangria is rich and delicious and hands down the tastiest I've ever tried. 2) The outdoor patio is among the very top places to enjoy a lovely summer evening with friends and good eats. The indoors is charming as well. 3) The food is reliably flavorful and filling. Some favorites: nopalitos appetizer (tangy cactus smothered in cheese), chiles rellenos (stuffed with pork and/or cheese), and the spicy seafood special (when they say spicy, they mean it!) read more

Everything you need to know about this place is embodied in the following fact: your meal (we were a party of 4 and ordered different things) is served within minutes of ordering. This means nothing is cooked to order. I envision a kitchen with big pots of what you see in all of the pictures, 1 pot of refried beans, 1 pot of rice, 1 pot of pickled onions, 1 pot of soft tacos, 1 pot of enchiladas. 1 big tub of watered down margarita, and 1 tub of watered down sangria. As a result of pre-cooking everything on the menu and letting it sit for hours, and then microwaving it before serving results in food with no discernible taste to anything we ordered. Worse, we were charged for chips we didn't order, i.e., they were placed on our table as a complimentary offering along with salsa. I've noticed this elsewhere. You would do better, and save money, (prices here are way out of whack with the quality of the food) by preparing frozen mexican food at home. read more