Love this place. It's my favorite restaurant in Redlands! Love the lamb, Labneh, and the pistachio cheesecake!

I hesitated in writing a review because I didn't want this place to explode in popularity, but it's too good of a secret to keep. We were looking for a new place to eat after a rough day at work, and thought we'd check this new one out (it had just opened a few weeks ago and had nine reviews at the time). Our GPS led us to right outside the Oyster Bar and Don Orange, but there were no signs on the outside indicating we were in the right place. We called for directions and were instructed to go through the Oyster Bar, up the stairs, and down a long, dark corridor. It felt very exclusive, kinda like Platform 9¾ or Diagon Alley. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, and very dark. The staff was friendly and attentive, and took the time to describe the menu and give (excellent) recommendations. The food itself was incredible. They're small plates priced similarly to what you'd pay for a full-sized entrée elsewhere - which we were fine with, cuz it meant we got to try more things. We ordered five dishes between the two of us, which was plenty. Every dish was great - the papi ghanoush, fried cheese with sesame, lamb chops, and baclava cheesecake were all unique flavors and very yummy. I don't even like cauliflower, and the cauliflower dish was surprisingly delicious. Of the things we tried, the unassuming potatoes were our favorite! The outside was thinly crispy, the inside collapsed like a fluffy cloud, and it was seasoned perfectly. Probably the best potatoes I've ever had. We need to come back and try the rest of the menu, but it's hard to imagine it being better than the stuff we got. Highly recommend this place - go before it gets discovered and inevitably becomes overcrowded! read more

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Cedar Agave is an absolute gem! From the moment we arrived, Ashley, the hostess, set the perfect tone for the evening. She was welcoming, attentive and truly embodied the spirit of a speakeasy--charming & effortlessly cool The food was incredible, with delicious fusion inspired dishes that were packed with flavor. Every bite was a delight! The music and decor was a whole vibe too! creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind & enjoy the night perfect date spot read more

I came here on a double date and was really impressed with the overall vibe. As soon as you walk up the stairs, you're greeted by a friendly hostess and welcomed into a space that feels stylish and cozy. The atmosphere had a cool, moody feel to it--perfect for a night out. Our server was attentive, and the drinks were fantastic--creative, well-balanced, and beautifully presented. The food was surprisingly delicious. I really appreciated how they fused Mexican and Lebanese flavors; being half Lebanese and half Mexican myself, it felt personal and nostalgic to taste familiar flavors in a totally new way. That said, the food did take a while to come out. I'm guessing they may have been short-staffed in the kitchen that night, which is understandable, but it did slow things down. Also, the prices were on the higher side, and I'm not sure the portion sizes completely justified the cost. Overall, I loved the ambiance and would definitely come back for drinks and small bites. I'm not sure I'd return for a full dinner, but it's a great spot to hang out, grab a cocktail, and enjoy a few flavorful dishes in a unique setting. read more

Cedar Agave - Za'atar Martini - Mexican Near Me - Redlands, California

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This is one of the nicest spots I've been to in Redlands. It feels exclusive, and the service is amazing from the moment you walk in. The food is super delicious! I really love the mix of Mexican and Lebanese flavors--it's a unique fusion that works so well. The drinks are incredible too, especially the Golden Aztec. The vibe is just perfect for a night out. I can't say enough good things about this place. Highly recommend it if you're looking to enjoy a romantic evening with someone special. Definitely worth checking out! read more

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The food was good. The service was excellent. The ambience was intimate and a very good date night place. The dishes are more like tapas with a Lebanese flare. read more

For ambiance I give it an A+ sadly it goes downhill from there. I don't mind paying $200 for dinner for 2, but for the I shouldn't leave hungry. Very small serving for the price. The entrees are really appetizer size for an entree price. The food was good, not great. Had it not been for the feeling I'd just overpaid for what turned out to be 4 appetizers I'd most definitely be satisfied and return. By far the best thing on the menu is the cheesecake. I'll surely come back after eating somewhere else for dessert and coffee. read more

This place was so much better when it was illegal 1895. New ownership/staff has been very disappointing. I've been several times since the re opening & have been disappointed each time. Every time we are sat, it takes a minimum of 10 min to get our order taken. We walked out twice this weekend on separate days after waiting over 10 min for someone to come over to us. The drinks are not good, bartenders are rude, and it's very warm inside. Cute place for pics, but that's all. Do not go with high expectations! read more

Food not goid, service slow 1 of our party of 4 plate never came and when we finally got waiters attn (too busy talkig) it was like they made it took 10 more min. Small tasteless portions Only giving a 2 because was a cute spot but thats it read more

Portions were extremely small for the price. The chicken wasn't good at all. The filet mignon was delicious though. The hummus was so dissapointing and I wasn't authentic in the least bit. Service was pleasant. If you're looking for good Arabic food I don't recommend this place at all. Ambience was good. Super dark but if you're into that vibe you'll like it. read more

I have been meaning to check out this spot for a while now and I did that Friday night. The ambiance and staircase up to the place was beautiful and I took some great pics there. We got seated pretty quickly and were told our server "Chris" was going to assist us soon. About 5 minutes goes by and we have not been greeted by our server. We were told in the front that it was going to be a busy night so we only had 2 hours to dine, but I thought that was a fair amount of time since it was just my mom and I. We didn't know what our server looked like and we asked one of them if we can get some water for our tables. They placed an order of bottle waters for our table and said Chris will be out shortly with them. Chris finally comes out with a black tray of voss water bottles and two glass cups. As he is walking over, I see the black tray wobbling and as he gets closer to us, he drops the whole tray. Glass goes flying everywhere but mainly around my feet. Thankfully no one got hurt, but I did have open toe shoes on and it took them 5 minutes to sweep it up. He did apologize but he made a joke about it like "well there was the show" and stuff like that. I understood he was new, clearly, but I felt there should've been more empathy from him, especially since we're new to this spot. We did not get asked to be moved to another area or any free desserts/compensation for it. We order the drinks, some hummus and pita bread, twice fried potatoes, and chicken and filet mignon skewers. The drinks were excellent. The hummus and pita bread was pretty good. The potatoes could've been more crispy and less salty, and the chicken skewers were pretty good. Filet mignon was a bit too expensive for the taste, in my opinion. Overall, the food was good but the price you pay isn't really worth the amount they give you. I would just go here for the drinks and sit at the bar next time. And definitely not get Chris as your server. Sorry. read more

I've been at Cedar Agave multiple times now since their grand opening, and I have to say it is my new favorite restaurant here in downtown Redlands. Cedar Agave is such a beautiful boutique restaurant. I am Constantly having the best experience here. I appreciate the service that is provided. everyone here is so kind, attentive and very helpful with any question I had. the drinks & food are very tasteful & delicious. The perfect mixture of Lebanese and Mexican cuisine is beyond different yet such an amazing combination to have here in Redlands. Overall, it was a ten out of ten experience. I can't wait to come back and try more of their delicious menu items. Don't miss out on Cedar Agave, it's a must-visit restaurant in Redlands. read more

Cedar Agave - Mexican Near Me - Redlands, California

The food was amazing and perfect portions. The server was very attentive and gave great drink recommendations! However I don't know why they call this place a speak easy.... It's just a normal restaurant with a speakeasy vibe I guess read more

First of all this place is so eclectic with tons of great energy as soon as you walk in. Food is amazing we ordered the whole menu because everything was so delicious. Drinks were to die for filled with great mixes and delicious tastes. Sarah was amazing along with the rest of the staff, you come in and you feel at home: if you come please try the whole menu!!! It's soo delicious read more

Cedar Agave - Lamb chop, whiskey sour, Manhattan martini - Mexican Near Me - Redlands, California

Amazing food, cocktails and atmosphere! The service was great and it felt like a speak easy!

The food was unbelievable we enjoyed every plate. We recommend the lamb and the cheese cake!

This was my first time trying cedar agave, I've wanted to try them for a while now. The ambiance and service was good. The drinks were also good but a bit pricey at $20 per drink. We were excited to try their food as it is a Lebanese and Mexican restaurant. They serve tapas style so the portions are small. We ordered the chicken swarma and lamb chops, we got 2 chicken kabobs and 3 small lamb chops. They were appetizer/tapas size for $26. Kind of pricey for the portions. The best thing was the baklava cheesecake! We would go again but with the knowledge we have of their menu. read more

If you are looking for an intimate setting this is it. The place is aesthetically pleasing. Our waiter was great! Im assuming they are known for their cocktails because I noticed thats what was mostly being ordered. I however, don't drink. I did have a mock-tail and it was amazing! Im a foodie though and the food was just ok for me. read more

Cedar Agave - Mexican Near Me - Redlands, California

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Ambiance was beautiful. Value was really bad. 2 tiny lamb chops.. 4 bites of lamb as an entree. The portobello skewers were 1/2 of a portobello cap split between 2 skewers over 2 chunks of green bell pepper and 3 chunks of onion. If you're not hungry at all, this is your place read more

Nice place and ambience, but the service is painfully slow. Even for a drink it's slow. Also, first impression was not great. The host told me to wait, and went to go speak to the other host while I awkwardly waited. For a fancy place, they should have prioritized me first and had me seated. I got a drink, which was okay. Honestly, what did I expect for a restaurant in the inland empire. I didn't bother to get food because I was already annoyed. Also for the price of tapas style food is wild for the mid service that you receive. Next. read more

A beautiful speakeasy dining experience. Excellent service - our server Daniel so attentive - he was our server both times we have dined here. Great date night vibe. read more

Everything we got was absolutely delicious minus the filet screwers. They weren't bad but were just too plain for us. The plates are so small I could have ordered one of everything. Service was absolutely amazing. It was face & I think our waitress was Sarah and she was very attentive and fast. We didn't wait long. Nor did we feel rushed. Ambiance was beautiful. We got out reservations for 6pm on a Saturday and it was nice and quiet. However, it did get pretty busy loud by the time we were leaving. If you have a hard time seeing in the dark bust out your flash light to see the menu. Loved it. read more

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The atmosphere of this place is beautiful -- sexy, romantic, and perfect for intimate meetings. Unfortunately, the service didn't match the vibe. We ordered the baba ghanoush and muhammara rojo, but they arrived without pita bread. It felt like a missed opportunity -- without bread it's difficult to properly enjoy these dishes. Even a small portion included with the order would improve the experience while still encouraging guests to order more if they wish. The pescado tarator was delicious, and the harissa lamb chops had great flavor. However, the lamb arrived cold, and one of the chops was overcooked to the point of being very dry. We waited politely for our waitress to return so we could mention it, but she didn't check back for about 30 minutes. When we finally explained the issue, she said she would speak to the chef, but we never received any follow-up. Overall, the food shows promise and the ambiance is wonderful, but at these price points the service should match the same level of quality. We'll be back to taste the cocktails read more

My partner and I had a wonderful date night at Cedar Agave. We went for dinner and found the atmosphere to be relaxed, with the dim lighting making it feel more intimate. In the dining area, they mostly had smaller tables for couples and a couple larger tables for groups, but there are larger couches and tables in the lounge area that can accommodate bigger parties. The food and drinks were all well balanced in flavor. We especially liked the fresh, warm pita bread, the lamb chops, and the pistachio baklava cheesecake (so aromatic!). The service was impeccable and very attentive as well. We look forward to returning for other special occasions! I could also see myself returning with friends to relax at the lounge in the evenings read more

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On Saturday evening, a group of friends and I gathered at Cedar Agave for a reservation. Initially, the ambiance was chic yet excessively dark, making it difficult to see. The air conditioning was inconsistent, frequently turning on and off. While the waiters promptly took our drink and food orders, the food service was notably unprofessional. Dishes were delivered sporadically throughout the party, with some guests waiting hours for their meals. I personally waited two hours for my food, which arrived cold. The combination of a cold steak and warm potatoes was particularly disappointing, and the portions were both minuscule and exorbitantly priced. Furthermore, when my best friend brought her own cake, we were unable to sing "Happy Birthday" due to the intervention of an unhelpful manager who imposed a cake-cutting fee and charged each guest for a plate, despite the subpar service and delayed, small portions. The cake fee should have been mentioned when they first took the cake and stored it, not right before singing Happy Birthday! While the servers appeared to be doing their best, the management was clearly inadequate. The manager on duty was overwhelmed and ineffective, making him unsuitable for managing a restaurant. read more

I was very excited that such a cute, aesthetic, and romantic speakeasy was coming to the IE. The service and ambiance were phenomenal. The food was overall very good, but the portion size left us very disappointed and unsatisfied. Drinks: To start off, we of course got some cocktails (Paris of the East and Cosmopolitan). The price was typical for a speakeasy ($20); however, the drinks had barely any alcohol, were extremely small, and overall just mediocre (2/5). Food -Papi Ghanoush (2/5): a relatively unflavorful dip that had no distinguishing taste despite the elaborate description. the pita bread was an extra $5 and the portion was again... small. -Batata Harra (2/5): honestly was just fried potatoes. the seasoning wasn't special and can easily be made at home. small portion size consisting of maybe 15 potato cubes -Lebanese Florets (2/5): just fried cauliflower... -Sweet Halloumi (4/5): if you have a sweet tooth, this dish is a must try! The cheese had a crispy, chewy texture that was perfectly accompanied by the sweet agave syrup. Portion size= 3 pieces -Chicken Skewer and Filet Mignon Skewers (5/5): these protein dishes were the highlight of the night! both very tender and perfectly seasoned. definitely recommend! However, the portion size was again small (2 skewers) and left us very unsatisfied despite the amazing taste. I wished they have added a side of rice and potatoes/salad to enhance the dish and justify the steep price. Overall, a very cute date spot at a very steep price with a common theme of... small. Although certain dishes were DELICIOUS, we were left unsatisfied with a check of over $200 for 3 still hungry people. If you're in the area and want to give this new place a try, I would say go for it but wouldn't recommend. I will most likely not revisit unless some changes are made in the future. read more

Very loud music for a small intimate setting. Food was excellent, but over priced for portion size and service was slow to non existent until they were ready to close and then they became much more attentive. Great concept and food, but needs some work to be an enjoyable night out. read more

Classy, cool space and great vibe. Interesting menu with plates to share. Food good but not great. Cocktails are good but pricey. Perfect special night or date night place. read more

This was my second visit at cedar agave. This time around to celebrate my friends bday and Food, service was amazing just like the first time. The lamb chops are my favorite. Highly recommend. read more

Very good food and drinks. A lot of good vegetarian options too! Ambiance cool. Service was a bit slow but friendly. But prepare to spend an arm and a leg... read more

Went here for a date night with my husband. Seating is very lush and comfortable. It has the dark ambience of a speakeasy, but a very upscale one. The food is Lebanese, Mexican fusion, and all of it was excellent. The dishes are served tapas style. Our server recommended 8 to 9 dishes for a couple that was hungry, or 12 to 14 dishes if starving. We ended up getting eight dishes and dessert, and we left full. The cauliflower, the falafel pitas, the Fattoush salad, and the baklava cheesecake were phenomenal! The halibut was also very good. We thought the Filet mignon skewers were very tender, but the flavor didn't stand out. It is important to note that the dishes range $12 (non-mains)-$30 (mains) each. The service was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. My husband's cocktail was the Zatar martini, and it was excellent. I got the Mezcal cocktail, it was pretty good, but a bit sweet for my taste. We will definitely be going back. read more

The food menu is very interesting I love the combination of two beautiful cultures. Service is amazing read more

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SIMPLY the BEST! We enjoyed a mezze style meal with food that had the most amazing flavors. Leave room to order the "Baklava Cheesecake"! We cannot wait to come back. read more

My wife and I both agree that this is our favorite restaurant in Redlands. We have certain affinities to both cultures, and the cuisine here integrates both exquisitely well. Most of the food is in tapas style, except for the pescado y tarator, which I had, and a few others if I'm not mistaken. It was absolutely delicious. The ambiance was beautiful and both hostesses were very attentive and sweet. Big shout out to Ashley and whoever that girl was who was working with her, (didn't get her name!). All in all a lovely night. read more

First the ambiance was amazing. This place is small but very quaint. Food portions are small and pricey but good. Mixed drinks were delicious. Our waiter Daniel explained the menu in detail so we knew what to expect. Drinks and food came out fairly fast. This is a great place to start a date night and or to end a date night. We will definitely visit again. read more

Had a spectacular evening here in March. Food, wine, ambience and service were all 10/10. A "don't miss" experience when looking for dining in Redland read more

Our service was amazing. The food is very flavourful and unique. The ambiance is very very cozy. Comfortable and tucked away from the busy streets read more

Best lamb ever and I usually do not like lamb. I highly recommend the baklava cheesecake.

Very nice place service was bad ordered chicken skewers and did not get it for 30 minutes. Had to leave without getting my order And when I left to tell them never mind they did not even apologize for the wait. read more

Fun atmosphere, delicious food. Very service oriented. A great place for special occasions