Wow- by a landslide the best meal we've had in the Berkshires. Cantina 229 balances interesting flavors, a unique handcrafted cocktail menu, and stand out service (Cory was our fabulous waiter and originated the recipe for my favorite cocktail). Overall this combination of food, service and ambience made of an unforgettable all around experience. We were first time diners visiting the Berkshires for our anniversary and we were treated from the moment we walked in and spoke to the friendly host like we were beloved visitors to a dear friend's home. We sat outside at 6:45 and enjoyed the beautiful evening light shifting through the garden setting as dusk approached. Everything we ate and drank was great. A few standouts were the cocktails- one was something about a garden and other was called the herbalist. Both offered unique fresh flavors. We also loved the summer salad, fish tacos and pork chops which were served in a flavorful sauce with just the right amount of heat to keep the dish interesting but not overpower the farm fresh flavors. This is how farm to table is meant to be done! Bonus points for gluten friendly options throughout the menu. These two foodies from Boulder, CO we were impressed! We can't wait to return. read more

This place was such a treat, we have seen it one other time as we were driving in the area and tonight decided to take a chance and pop in. We are so glad we did and will continue to frequent here. The menu changes weekly. it is all farm to table. The service was impeccable, we were given a little ginger and turmeric tea to sip on why we were looking at the menus which hit the spot We decided to do the biscuits with culture butter, the steak tartare, the chicken drumsticks with goat cheese, mousse, the cheeseboard, two espresso martinis, and the maple crisp along with chocolate terrine for dessert Cannot wait to see what the next menu looks like read more

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We just had the best anniversary dinner at Cantina 229! The atmosphere was warm and modern and they had amazing food, and genuinely kind staff. My pork chop was full of flavor and my husband love his shrimp corn chowder and sweet potato mushroom tacos. Scottie was such a warm, welcoming host and made the night feel special. We'll definitely be back for another celebration. read more

Cantina 229 - Pork Chop - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Marlborough, Massachusetts

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Wonderful environment with beautiful tables and flowers. We got lucky and were seated without a reservation but it seems most people make reservations. Menu rotates weekly. Food was good but quite pricey. Surf and turn was $72 for steak, three shrimp and two scallops. Other than that, no complaints. read more

Cantina 229 - Chicken Parmesan - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Marlborough, Massachusetts

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A terrific first visit! Service was more than I could hope for. Everyone was super nice and accommodating. Everything we ordered was very good, from the seasonal watermelon salad with ricotta salata to the fish tacos and excellent chicken parm with house made pasta. We will be back soon! read more

This was really great. I was torn between a 4 and a 5 -- relative to the area, almost certainly a 5. We came with a group of four and got four small plates (two Caesar salads, French onion toast, and chickpea soup), four entrees (pasta a la norma, scallop curry, duck confit, and lamb kofte), and two desserts (pumpkin cake and soft serve). The menu changes all the time so I'm not sure I'd expect many of these exact dishes to still be around on our next visit, but we loved all the small plates, and while all of the large plates were very good too, my favorites were the lamb followed by the duck. Both desserts were excellent. The outdoor COVID-era atmosphere here is very cool too. We'll be back. read more

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What an amazing hidden gem... truly!!! The food is EXCELLENT over 70% of their ingredients are local. The service is incredible. In a world where customer service has gone by the wayside this place really does it well. Everyone looks and speaks like they love their jobs and helps each other take care of the guests. The views and beauty of this place is just magical. Flowers, gardens, pigs, chickens, the cutest little pathway from the parking lot to the restaurant. Make a reservation if you can to ensure a table. Thank you! We will be back soon! read more

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We had dinner at Cantina 229 the other night and it was great. First of all, it was a cold, miserable night, and we felt better the minute we walked into the dining room. Warm lights, a crackling fire in the wood stove, and many smiling faces greeted us. We happily sipped hot ginger tea with turmeric while looking at the menu. After ordering drinks and dinner, the fun really began. My mushroom pasta was a perfect blend of sliced mushrooms atop thick homemade pasta in a richly flavored sauce consisting of I-don't-know-what. My friend ordered fried tofu. She loved it. The tofu was crispy on the outside and soft and creamy inside, and it was all topped with plenty of delicate farm greens. Steak Tartare wasn't on the menu that night, but was offered to us as a special. Thankfully we couldn't say no. It was a real triumph of flavors. For dessert we shared a warm maple apple crisp and a dark chocolate terrine accompanied by beet sorbet. Beet sorbet? Delicious! There is some serious cooking going on here. I must also applaud the waitstaff, as well as the chef. Not only are they extremely efficient, they create an atmosphere of friendly comradery that permeates the whole room. I'm definitely coming back, and when I do, I'm going to try the black bass. And someday I'm ordering the burger, just because it looks like it might be the best burger ever! read more

We made a reservation for 6, and although we were running late they still managed to save our table. We parked and hiked through the tall grass and pass the chickens and flowers toward the gorgeous porch. The ambiance is instantly unbeatable and makes any gathering feel special. All the seating was outside either on the porch or on the beautiful grass under the tent. It got a little chilly so I walked back to the car to grab a sweater and stumbled upon some pigs. The food was amazing. I believe the menu changes frequently, but we ordered everything and it all was good. Drink wise, I'd recommend the spicy margarita, it was everything I wanted in a marg. New favorite spot! read more

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We had an extraordinary evening. Cudos for being so together on the opening weekend. All three of us loved out meals, including the rosemary waffle with vanilla ice cream. Great energy and fun in the restaurant. It was packed and the service was still excellent. Will go again and again. Oh, and some really inventive mocktails. read more

We went to the restaurant during this COVID-19 pandemic. The outdoor seating area is spacious and beautiful. You can walk around the small farm and garden area while waiting for food. It was so lovely. The menu is quite creative, with an Asian fusion to certain dishes. Sometimes I worry when I see such a menu because it's very easy to mess up the sauce and taste not authentic or just bad. The chef did a good job here! We enjoyed everything we ordered, from the carrots to the scallops, and from the lamb to the dessert. So fresh and delicious. The flavor was amazing and the service was good. Also, I love that they support local farms as well and list out the ingredients clearly. read more

Cantina 229 - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Marlborough, Massachusetts

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Absolutely fantastic food and ambiance!!! We sat at the bar and shared all the starters and split and entree between the three of us and it was great!!! I would go back in a hot minute!!!! Bartender was really sweet & friendly. I can't remember her name read more

TLDR-- ambiance: 5/5, service 4/5, food 3/5. Took my husband here on a Saturday night while visiting my parents in the Berkshires. We were excited for a night out where grandma and grandpa got to take care of our toddler. We enjoyed the overall experience. The patio was beautiful and the weather was perfect when we were there. The surroundings fields and gardens were lovely. Our waiter was helpful, kept our water refilled, and apologetically requested we move to the Adirondack chairs for dessert so another party could take our table. We were actually delighted to do dessert at the Adirondack chair area. The chairs were comfy and we did some bird watching (there were some epic nighthawks flying by!) I kind of regret the items I ended up ordering. I did a chilled peach and beet soup with mustard oil and fresh currants, just because it sounded so unique. I did like the first couple of bites, but pretty quickly the mustard oil flavor overpowered the dish for me. Oddly enough, it tasted neither of beets nor of peaches. I wish I had gone for the Caesar salad instead (I didn't get the panzanella because I made an amazing tomato salad the prior night with freshly picked heirloom tomatoes from my dad's garden and no one can compete with my dad's tomatoes, but I digress). For my entree, I got the roasted cauliflower with coconut chili sauce, pistachios, raisins, carrots, and squash. It was pretty good, but not quite as exciting as I had hoped. Also, I realized part way through eating this dish that I managed to have a meal without carbs or protein and noticed myself feeling simultaneously full from the quantity of veggies consumed, but a bit unsatisfied without some sort of bread/rice/pasta/protein. It felt odd to pay $20+ for the cauliflower dish and for it to not come with bread or rice or beans. Perhaps, I could have ordered the pasta with garden marinara, but again, I had been eating all of the produce from my dad's garden the prior 2 days, so didn't really want to order something similar to what we'd already been cooking. My husband gave the meat/seafood items he ordered 4/5 stars. As he put it, generally the food was pretty tasty, but didn't knock his socks off. For dessert, my husband got the panna cotta, which was delicious. It had an amazing watermelon granita on top, which was super tangy and flavorful. I ended up wishing I had ordered that instead of the olive oil cake with caramelized white chocolate and roasted figs. Sadly, the olive oil cake was a little dry. read more

I have been a big fan of Cantina 229 for years, but I have to say I was not at all impressed with its current re-opening. I attended "taco Tuesday" tonight only to be guided to essentially a taco truck. The tacos were good and prices fair, but otherwise, the pricing for what you got was outrageous. The chips and guac for $14 was about 15 chips and 2 tablespoons of guac and the drinks were preposterous! I paid $14.75 for a small plastic cup of wine and $16.89 for the same containing a margarita! I mean for $17 bucks, can I have it in a glass? No lime garnish and a sugar rim instead of salt? And besides that it tasted terrible. Margaritas used to be a reason I went to Cantina! Please bring back the old Cantina!! The new version is a zero! read more

The first thing that strikes you about this unique spot is the unlikely location, a case of " if you build it, they will come". It is based off a rural country road with not much else around, but you better book well in advance to secure a spot at this much coveted destination. Behind the restaurant is a bunch of outdoor seating with sprawling fields, where, on a summers day, children were running and playing freely. Hostess kindly squeezed us in on taco night (thank you!!). We had guac, chips, tacos, quesadillas, mezcal margaritas, corn, and more. The food was all good and, for the location, hard to beat. It's not a 5 out of 5 but you can't complain... This appears to be the ultimate farm to table experience. We will definitely go back again as we travel from New York up to the Berkshires. read more

Taco night is fun! Mondays and Tuesdays at the moment. What a great spot for families to gather and kids to run around. Beautiful view. Tacos were good. Guacamole overpriced for the portion size. I look forward to trying it out on one of the regular menu nights. Soft-serve and bar were also available. read more

Cantina 229 - Menu - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Marlborough, Massachusetts

There are few places you go to and remember the experience. A Cantina dinner experience is beyond memorable. Every dish that comes out of the kitchen is like a work of art, full of flavor, and like nothing you've ever had. I can't wait to go back, it's exciting because the menus always changes! read more

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Talk about a diamond in the rough... If you can find this place, it's well worth the trip. Been here about 3 times and never disappoints. Drinks are great - and beer selection isn't huge, but very solid and has tons of great options. Food has an Asian-fusion vibe, and ingredients are fresh. I have been here a few times and done both a date night with shared appetizer and entrees as well as a table full of appetizers for a larger crowd. You cannot go wrong. One warning/challenge for the adventurous - they make their own ice cream, and if you see something that says "spicy chocolate", it's not a joke - it's actually pretty spicy. Think cayenne sprinkles. Not for everyone (myself included). Insider tip - there is zero cell service there, so if anyone needs to reach you, I guess they would have to call restaurant. Also, if you're using a GPS, you new to make sure it will work without continuous service (google maps lets you save offline map and Waze might do the same) read more

Absolutely loved our meal last night. Attentive and warm service, strong drinks, yummy food (amazing burger, delicious bibimbap, ethereal cake), lovely atmosphere. Can't wait to return! read more

An exceptional dining experience. They were very busy but courteous. Enjoyed the cadence of our waiter, Jeff, and the food was simply exceptional. Especially the spinach and the scallops. Dessert was soft serve ice cream that was also spectacular. Beautiful venue. Highly recommend. read more

It took a full 6 weeks for me to finally get over to try Canteen 229. The night before they were due to open in the beginning of July, I stopped by to check out this cool yet unassuming looking roadside joynt .While unsuccessful in joining Tuesday Taco night due to a full house, we were able to snag a 7 pm reservation tonight. The staff worked hard to reconfigure two top tables into combos of 4 and 6, and after close to a relaxing hour sitting at the bar we were pleased to have a window seat to watch one of the beautiful Berkshire storms. The long and short of it is this... Of course you must try Cantina 229. With so few existing or even new dining options in the area, this is absolutely a must try. I just wouldn't go on a sweltering night or if you or too hungry. Or too large of a party given the relatively small but open and inviting space. We parked in an adjoining lot that separates the dining from the home of the owners. There is a wide, mowed path which on our way back to the car was illuminated by little solar lights which was a welcomed touch. We passed a small farm area with little pigs, goats and some barnyard birds who were walking about. There was a glow in the distance which was Cantina 229. The menu is simple. A handful of diverse starters. Lee had the field greens with paper thin slices of radishes that I've been eating all summer and think that they may be called watermelon radishes but I'm not sure. I had a very interesting eggplant summer roll with a side of a kimchi hit dipping sauce. While at first I had wished it wasn't so rice heavy, the balance between that and the long stalks of eggplant wrapped with cilantro and mint was sublime... The sauce completing the whole idea perfectly.... I loved it !! There were but 3 entrees... A burger, scallops and a a bowl of bim bim bap... I'm not googling that spelling... I chose the later and it was amazing... A generous bowl of perfectly cooked crispy rice topped with marinated vegetables/ kimchi and topped with a " 60 minute egg" with a barely set white...(very very lightly poached egg )that cooked itself to perfection when I stirred this bowl of goodness... Funny that I mentioned to Lee that I wished it had been served with a spoon rather than a pedestrian fork. Later I saw others eating the same dish accompanied with a Chinese spoon and chop sticks. Ahhhh.... Good. That works much better and I will know for next time. Who can resist a bowl of SoCo salted caramel and dirty chocolate ice cream ?? We saw a large fire pit and the obligatory Berkshire game of Corn Hole out on the lawn. The night was really lovely. Some kinks to iron out with time, but with time and a changing menu for those who want to return again and again, Cantina 229 should be here to stay. Oh... I forgot this funny thing. When we arrived I of course went to check in . With no service , we asked for the wifi password and it was explained that it isn't shared because it would over load the network... So the dilemma... Can't check in, won't amass review to those who are searching and not familiar with the area... This is free advertising ! read more

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Twas a stormy evening when the hostess showed us to an outside table --alas, indoor tables all booked at this original very high end eatery along the potholes of Route 57. How lucky that we enjoyed the hummus platter, satay, beet salad, rigatoni and Thai flavored brisket before the skies opened. Despite the name, this place has nothing to do with Mexico! We live 10 minutes away and this was our first visit. Predicting a return in the near future. read more

Me encantas, Cantina 229! Es verdad! Up here in The Berkshires, I find that the best food is typically at my own house. So, when I choose to saddle up the horses, shine up the buggy, and venture off the property it has to be for: - Non-fussy, well-crafted, tasty food - Lively energy with old and new friends at every table - Friendly service and management - Loving, inventive restauranteurs - A setting that makes the evening magically delicious Cantina 229 offers me all of that, but they offer it to other people, too (even though I wish they had a VIP room just for me and my local crew.) The place is becoming so popular we are having to get there early just to get a seat. That's a very good problem for Cantina 229 to have, of course. That said, even standing this place makes me happy. Josh and Emily have created a bit of wonder in Southern Berkshire County and for that I am forever grateful. Tuesday Taco Night is a must with great guacamole, street corn, tacos (vegetarian or meatilicious) and my favorite: The Spicy Margarita, which is not for the faint of heart. Three is my limit. (Clearly, I am not faint of heart.) TIP: Get there at 7:00. I'll be there at 5:45. read more

This is by far my favorite upscale dining experience in the great Barrington area. The service is impeccable, the food is fantastic, and the space itself is beautiful! This is a great place to bring a date or to show a visitor a more upscale side of the Berkshires. It's definitely not pretentious, or too expensive for that matter. Upscale, in the dining experience, high quality service and inventiveness of the menu. The menu always had a few house made pasta dishes, my current favorite includes hen of the woods mushrooms! They also have the ubiquitous chicken or steak option for the traditional types, and I've had some outstanding seafood dishes here. They also serve an amazing bibimbap which is my go-to on cool rainy nights. The bar is great always serving up fun cocktails and has a decent selection craft beers, and a modest, but well thought-out wine list. Reservations are highly recommended as it's a relatively small place. Also, since it is located in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, it definitely a destination-location. I should mention it can be hard to find the first time, especially because the parking lot is located about 200 feet away from the restaurant. Cantina is a superb, slightly-upscale restaurant a bit off the beaten path -- I highly encourage you to check it out! read more

Terrific untraditional takes on stuff. Superb gazpacho - green! Perfect level of spiciness, derived not from too many overly pungent onions or red pepper flakes. Tuna poke with spicy cole slaw was a great balance. Yummm. Prices are fair, even reasonable for this level of quality. read more

I had a great meal at Cantina 229. Monday is their Mexican night and the drinks and food were quite delicious. I had one of each taco and enjoyed it immensely (don't sleep on the veggie taco). read more

Loved the vegetarian options here. Great pasta with fresh tomato and kale, and a fantastic Korean pancake. Th chocolate chess pie was outstanding. A very friendly staff too. read more

This is somewhere you should ideally have a reservation at. We showed up with a group of 3 at 6:30 on a Tuesday, and it was packed! The hostess was a little short with me and said that there weren't tables available until 8:30 and that the bar was full. When my mom walked in and went up to her, the hostess went and checked with the bartender who said that there was a group of 3 who finished eating and would be leaving soon. I'm not sure why the differential treatment, but we got a seat within 15 minutes! It was taco Tuesday so we rolled with the Mexican food theme. All of the ones we tried were great. The chips were great, and the guacamole was pretty standard. We definitely enjoyed the margaritas, that's for sure.. Also, the atmosphere is wonderful! They have both indoor and outdoor seating with lots of natural lighting. It is overall a very pleasant place to hang out! read more

Beautiful outdoor space. Spicy Margarita was divine. Went in for Taco night. They ran out of guacamole but the food was so tasty it didn't matter. read more

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Taco tuesday and what a treat! Service was exceptionable! From the mexi fries to tacos, to ice cream and margaritas everything was a treat! Happy to finally go there and cant wait to go again! read more

Cantina 229 - Chicken tacos - Tapas Bars Near Me - New Marlborough, Massachusetts

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Okay setting, friendly but not very knowledgeable wait staff, and a chef that appears to want to wow us with descriptions but is not able to execute the dishes well. S/he puts lots and lots of ingredients together, apparently hoping they may go well together. Most don't. If you go, order something simple rather than the "sounds intriguing" items. Also, be prepared to pay substantially more than the prices on the menu: there is little or no warning that a hefty surcharge will be added to your bill (and taxed at that!) so the owners can have you pay the staff a living wage. read more

I had been hearing good things about Cantina 229 since I moved to the area but was under the impression it was an upscale Mexican restaurant. Since I don't like Mexican I never suggested it. A friend brought me the other night and I was truly surprised. Excellent. Not to. Mention how beautiful the decor is and the great service. It is now on my list of go to restaurants, especially when out of town guests come. Though next time I'll make a reservation in advance. read more

Love the food and environment! Always great service with very nice employees. Went for Taco Tuesday......was very delicious and perfect prices. Overall definitely a must see, everyday menu is great too. Great place nestled in the heart of the Berkshires! read more

Absolutely awesome service and amazing food. We found this place just by driving by and thank gosh we did because it's our new favorite!! The food is amazing and the menu changes all the time. The restaurant is beautiful as it's on a farm like setting in the middle of field, smallish inside but very intimate and gorgeously rustic. It is kind of a gastropub with wooden beams and table. Josh at the front is very friendly and nice. I got the Maui poke and dumplings. Both absolutely amazing. Then came the lemon curd dessert which finished off everything perfectly. This place a diamond in the middle of nowhere but the most amazing place you can find. Go there! You won't regret it!! We will definitely be going back again and again!! read more

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Great food, good service & wonderful ambience. Forgot to mention the delicious margarita! Can't wait to return!

Positively fantastic food...creative but not crazy. wonderful combination of flavors that i would never have thought of. and the service? like nothing i have had for a long time. every single person was attentive and PROUD to be part of this gem. read more

Last night, for the first time, we ate David Israelow's tasting menu. Fabulous. David is Josh's new chef and collaborator in a very different venture. We haven't tried what looks like great BBQ yet. The tasting menu is a very new addition to Southern Berkshire dining. It is sophisticated, international, and wonderful. Some 8 courses, most fabulous, a couple of oks, and some over the top good. It's a subtle menu created with local ingredients and very influenced by David's deep dive into Japanese cuisine. Examples, a sushi striped bass that is mixed with several different kinds of pickled local vegetables, carefully arranged in a beautiful piece of pottery, a crispy cauliflower with subtle tastes and a blow your mind unusual aioli. It's creative, and although perhaps pricey for the Berks, $95/pp, its all inclusive, and far lower priced that it would be in NYC, where it could comfortably compete. The staff is a joy. Wonderful people, attentive, educated about the menu, devoted to making your dinner a joy, and part of what makes Cantina 229 a very welcoming community. read more

We had a magical evening at Cantina 229 for our anniversary! From the moment you park and start down the path towards the restaurant, it feels like you are entering Wonderland. You emerge to a beautiful field with people playing and eating and enjoying themselves on the lawn, flowers blooming from the garden, and a porch lit for celebration. They are extremely careful about COVID-safe seating and practices, but you still feel the lightness and pleasure of the moment. When we sat down they poured a delicious glass of sparkling wine for our anniversary, and the experience of a great meal began. Everything was creative, whimsical, and DELICIOUS! The staff were all wonderful and warm. Don't miss this jewel in the Berkshires for a celebration or a great dinner any time! read more

Fun place, good food on taco night, though the guacamole was strangely tasteless, just "something green," while the fresh salsa was delicious. Pork & fish tacos very tasty, though though when I asked for hot sauce I got a bowl of thin pink liquid: it was hot but strange. Beautiful room open to the green surroundings, and it's THERE, while not much else is, besides the beloved Old Inn on the Green. Good contrast to the Inn, which is quiet......Cantina has much more of a party atmosphere. However, that was the only real flaw: too much party, so loud, so incredibly loud that it was impossible to hold a conversation. A flaw in so many American restaurants. It is possible to create an atmosphere of excitement without blasting people's eardrums out and making conversation a matter of saying, "What? What?" again and again. Turn it down, and you'll have a greater place than you already have. read more

Was amazing now closed...... They had a booming business, built an outdoor deck and pavilion, got an outdoor smoker and then closed?????