Mekiko Cantina is always one of the restaurants my family and I go to when on the Oahu island of Hawaii. It's one of the main restaurants that a small group of hotels offer, along with a sports bar, Eggs and Things, Monkeypod, and a new poke place that's in the same shopping center with the ABC store. Mekiko Cantina sits in a gorgeous location right in front, with plumeria trees and green all around. They have indoor and outdoor seating, both are fine, but you do get the benefit of AC inside if it's too humid for your liking. Our family ordered and the food came out not too much longer. In the meantime, we got a chip platter and frozen mango alcoholic drinks which were tasty and a good size! The food is basic Mexican food, like tacos and rice and beans. It's all somewhat unseasoned though, meaning you should probably add something yourself. Truthfully, it's not the best Mexican food ever, but they offer a nice view, indoor and outdoor seating, a good atmosphere, and basic food. The service is fine, as we've never had an issue here with much. Additionally, this is one of the few restaurants that accept the meal vouchers that some of the hotels give to their guests to redeem, so if you do use the voucher, expect to pay for tax and tip, typically. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Outside seating views - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

The food was okay, mixed reviews depending on what each person got! We had a large party of 13, and they got us in; we appreciate that. Our main server was great; the other server helping out was not. She brought two steaming hot dishes and didn't take care to bring them to our table, especially since we had several young kids with us. As she was walking with the hot dish over heads seated at the table, hot oil accidentally fell on my granddaughter's face next to her eyes. The manager (I guess he was the manager) and the main server came to check on her, but the server who caused the accident came out about 15 minutes later, said sorry, then immediately turned around and left before any of us could look up to acknowledge that she was even apologizing! It looks like she was sent out to apologize and came out unwillingly! I understand accidents happen, but how you deal with the fallout is what matters! It definitely was not worth the mandatory 20% gratuity for large groups! read more

Let me tell you!!!! Their Birria tacos are phenomenal! All of their food was pretty good. I was visiting from Cali and was craving some Mexican and I honestly didn't know how good it was going to be.. i was skeptical with it being in hawaii... And boom! Blew my socks off.. the churros were nice and hot with different dipping sauces and we tore that up as well.. staff was pleasant and efficient. It was a nice way to end our vacation. read more

Mekiko Cantina - My mom was so excited for the churros...lol - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Good place for Happy Hour IF all other places are full. Food and drink were decent. Service was friendly and efficient. Most items were $10. read more

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As someone who loves Mexican food I'm always trying to look for the best on island. What I will say about this place is they have the best chips and salsa so far. I actually crave them! They make their own chips and their salsas taste pretty authentic, if they were a little spicier they'd be nearly perfect! The servers and bartenders are always attentive and friendly. They have some TV's at the bar and another 1 or 2 facing the dining room area and they're usually playing sports. Nice place if you're craving Mexican food and want to go somewhere chill/casual. read more

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Guacamole and Two Salsa Flights were crispy, lightly salted, tortilla chips, accompanying fresh and homemade salsa verde, salsa roja, and guacamole. Loved how two Chicken Enchiladas tasted fresh and lean. Each rolled and sealed in corn tortilla, topped with red sauce and cheese. Deliciosa! Refried beans and rice were yummy. Immense gratitude to the staff at Mekiko Cantina who exceeded our expectations and delivered fantastic customer service during a lively evening. Well lit, outdoor ambiance. Our food arrived quickly and piping hot! Frank took great care of us. He deserves a huge raise and promotion. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Chicken Enchiladas - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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A very welcoming place. The restaurant was not that busy. We ordered a Pina margarita. The ceviche was not fresh, very bitter, I don't recommend. The Chicken Taco salad tasted like a Taco Bell taco salad. The enchiladas were okay. Overall this was not what I expected for a Mexican restaurant. The restaurant does have a bar and outdoor dining. read more

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Food was very good. Our waitress was amazing. She was very knowledgeable about gluten-free options and adjustments that could be made to accommodate us. Very nice vibe overall. read more

I was craving a burrito for days, being a CA girl I know good Mexican food. I definitely found it here. I ordered the carne asada burrito and a side of the HOT salsa. Mindy made me the best skinny margarita while I waited. The service was great , as was the food. Plenty of tables and barstools available.Super conveniently located near the ABC store, worth the visit! Pl read more

Mekiko Cantina - Bar area - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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We went around 5:40p and got right in. It took a little bit to have someone acknowledge us, yet it did give us time to review the menu and be ready when our server did arrive. My love ordered the Al Pastor Tacos which he liked. I ordered the Shredded Beef Enchiladas which I thoroughly enjoyed. Our server was great. The vibe here was good. They even had a lady playing live music for those dining outside. All the food we saw being delivered looked and smelled delicious. The place is definitely worth a try when you are in the area. read more

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Wow, what an amazing bartender Darrell is. My mom and I decided to stop and eat here right across the street from my resort. I got the pineapple jalapeño margarita they make their own pineapple, jalapeño infused tequila and then my mom got the watermelon mocktail. Best spot in Ko'Olina near MonkeyPod. read more

Oh man, this place was SO good! It's right across the street from the Aulani Resort that we were staying at and we went multiple times because we loved it so much! The bacon wrapped shrimp were crispy, huge, and flavorful. The birria tacos had a huge portion of meat and the consommé was delicious. The fajitas came out sizzling and flavorful. The tortillas were homemade and worked well with everything. The margarita flight had a mix of sweet, sour, and spicy drinks that paired well with our food. Our servers were always so nice and gave great recommendations. Don't miss this spot if you're in Hawaii! read more

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Mekiko Cantina seems more adapted for a general audience rather than those familiar with authentic Mexican flavors. Our waiter didn't do that good of a job of making sure our glasses were filled. The Birria taco sauce tasted like oil. read more

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This place is fantastic! Was a bit skeptical about eating Mexican in Hawaii, but, so glad we did! The hostess was so nice and personable, super helpful! Our server was incredibly nice also! Had the salsa and guacamole flight, Carne asada street tacos and a burrito. Super fresh and tasty. Highly recommend this place ! Would go here again for sure! read more

Mekiko Cantina - Salsa and guacamole flight - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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This place has the cheapest happy hour in Ko'olina. Everything is less than $10 (with the exception of the giant $15 HH margarita) and the portions are reasonable. I enjoyed the pina margarita, which wasn't too sweet or too strong. I tried their chicken tacos for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Lots of flavor and chicken wasn't dry, which is what I was mainly worried about. The bartender, Lauran, was also great and really helped make the experience enjoyable. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure I had everything I needed. read more

Delicious Mexican food in Ko Olina, we love stopping in when visiting the area. Highly recommend their happy hour! Their chips and salsa flight is delicious and a must try as well. We've never had trouble getting a spot here even on busy weekend nights! read more

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Worse Mexican food i ever tasted I threw up immediately would never recommend got cheese enchiladas with the plate scolding hot and my food still cold rolled tortilla with cold cheese not melted rice was stale everything was terrible save your time and go somewhere else read more

Heard a lot about Mekiko Cantina by people who found it to be a more affordable restaurant option in the area, particularly at happy hour. The happy hour deals looked okay, but we missed that window and instead ordered off the regular menu. My wife and I each ordered the grilled ono tacos, which came with a side of rice, and while the entrees were certainly okay, they didn't wow us, especially for the price. I will say that the side of rice was quite good. The ambience is loud, and there is both indoor and outdoor seating. Service was okay but didn't wow us either. Being from Arizona, I have many really good Mexican food options to choose from at home, and this isn't bad Mexican food for Hawaii, I suppose, but it doesn't quite rise to the level that will necessarily bring me back. Granted, there aren't a lot of restaurant options in Ko Olina, and I would certainly do it again in a pinch or if someone with me wanted to go, and very likely I'd be willing to try happy hour, but I don't plan to go out of my way to eat here again the next time I'm in the area. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Grilled ono tacos with a side of Mexican rice. - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Great service and ambiance . Had the pleasure of trying the steak quesadilla and steak burrito . Steak quesadilla was phenomenal. The 30 dollar steak burrito didn't match the price and quality burrito was filled with mostly beans and rice and very sloppy when inspected on the inside read more

This place is a short walk from our hotel and we love Mexican food so we decided to check this place out. We were seated quickly and sat indoors. The music is pretty loud so it was hard to hear the other people at our table. We ordered the quac and chips as a starter, which was good. I ordered the fish tacos and my husband had the macho Mekiko burrito. The fish in my tacos was very dry and tough and there wasn't a good sauce on them. The corn tortillas fell apart after a few bites. I did like the cilantro on top but that was the best thing about them. My husband's burrito was just average. We were underwhelmed with our meal and I wouldn't go back. There are so many other good places to try that we wouldn't waste our time again. The service was good though. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Macho Mekiko burrito. Just okay. Not great. - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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Great spot to go for happy hour with the family. It's walkable from the hotels Aulani and Four seasons and without the resort prices. Love the idea to eat off the hotel property. The staff was helpful and the bathroom was clean. The inside is cute and they were playing reggaeton so we were happy to hangout there after our meal. read more

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I really expected this place to be great after looking at the pictures, and the high price point of the meals, but boy were we wrong. Ceviche was straight lime today, no salt, no peppers, no cilantro, just straight sour. At 20 bucks a plate for an appetizer, it was not worth it at all. Fish taco plate, which was suggested by the waiter was dry, gritty and not edible, we had to dump the consommé from the birria to taste anything at all. Birria was nicely seasoned but drenched in oil from the flat top, two other plates at our table were "just fine." We really expected more from this establishment being across from some great restaurants and hotels. Small 4 top tables, fake plants and advertisements all strewn about. Service was basic and we were the only ones in the restaurant today. I would save your money and look elsewhere for Mexican food. read more

Resort dining gets old after the first day, so we're always looking for options off-property. We decided to try Mekiko's Cantina since it was within walking distance. We ordered the taco salad (shredded beef) and tacos Dorado (one beef, one chicken). The tacos came with a side of rice. Since this is the first time we've eaten Mexican food in Hawaii, we were sad there were no complimentary chips & salsa (maybe this is not a thing in Hawaii?). Our food was good, though my salad was super watery and could have used some additional time in the salad spinner. The salsa was good, though very, very mild. The tacos were ... tacos though we were mystified by the lack of beans which, again, is standard on the mainland. The biggest disappointment was the passion mango cheesecake I got for dessert. It was an incredibly small piece. The crust was gooey and I have no idea where the passion or the mango was supposed to be as there was no sauce at all on the top. At $15 a slice, I expected more. Bottom line: Staff was friendly, service was prompt. The restaurant seemed spacious and clean, though we did sit outside so I have no direct knowledge of the inside. The food was decent, but didn't blow me away. The passion mango cheesecake was definitely not worth the calories. read more

A favorite place of ours to sip, share, eat and relax! All items on the menu are easily delish, fajitas come on a sizzling hot plate with plenty of sides to dress it up. Even their chips are fresh and crunchy to pair with the salsas! Although it was busy, our server did a great job at staying attentive and kind! read more

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We went back to Mekiko's Cantina recently only because our neighbors wanted to meet for dinner. Honestly, I had serious hesitation -- the last time we ate there, the service wasn't great -- and unfortunately, this visit wasn't any better. First off, it's not authentic Mexican food -- it's Tex-Mex, and the portions are small for the prices you pay. The food itself is just okay at best -- I'd rate it a 5 out of 10. The truth is, I think a lot of people go there simply because they're staying in Ko Olina, and there aren't many dinner options nearby. If you don't have a car or don't want to eat at the resorts, you basically end up there by default. Also, no complimentary chips and salsa -- you have to pay for it, which is rare for a "Mexican" restaurant, but I guess that's Hawaii pricing for you. The service was the biggest letdown. As we were still eating, a busboy started clearing plates right in front of us without even asking if we were done. It felt rushed and careless. Then when we asked for dessert, the staff acted irritated, as if we were bothering them or keeping them past closing time. Speaking of dessert -- we ordered the churros, and that was another disappointment. For $17.99, you get three mini churros with three sauces. There's literally more sauce than churros. Three tiny churros for nearly eighteen bucks -- it felt like a joke. The ambiance doesn't help either -- the restaurant feels like a cafeteria, and the music doesn't fit the theme (Cuban and generic Spanish music in a Tex-Mex place?). The low point came after dinner. My daughter had left her food behind, and we realized it just minutes later. I called immediately -- about five minutes after we left -- and asked if it was still there. The manager said they throw out everything as soon as customers leave, which I found ridiculous considering how quickly they cleared our table. It's a small restaurant -- they easily could've noticed us walking out and called out. I asked if they could remake the tacos (just three plain ones), but the manager refused, saying they don't do takeout. She offered to make them the next day with a discount but wouldn't comp them. We had a brief argument, and I drove back. Once there, a different manager -- Sal -- came out. Sal was great: professional, polite, and understanding. He apologized and made the tacos for us right away. Sal was the only bright spot of the evening. He understands customer service and deserves recognition. Because of him, I'm giving this place two stars instead of one. But overall, Makiko's still misses the mark -- poor service, off-theme atmosphere, and food that's just average. If you're in Ko Olina and want real Mexican food, skip Mekiko's -- unless you're really hungry and don't want to drive anywhere. read more

Mekiko Cantina - 3 mini churros for that price.. - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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Really great food. Partitions are large and flavor is wonderful. I had the pork nachos and it was just a little too much but almost perfect. The Burria tacos were so good and packed full. The chips and salsa aren't free so expect to pay $10-$12 bucks for them. Service staff was very attentive. We'll be back. read more

We are staying in Ko Olina, and wanted something for lunch, and found this place. It was pretty empty when we were here, so not too loud. The service was great - efficient and super friendly. The food was outstanding. We ordered the guacamole and salsa flight (spicy and medium), a couple of margaritas, and Diablo shrimp. Everything was delicious, fresh, and as spicy as mentioned. Would definitely come back! read more

Mekiko Cantina - Guac and salsa flight - medium and spicy salsa - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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Amazing margaritas and barria tacos!! Order the chips and 3 different salsas. Ashley was our sweet server. She explained the menu to us and came back to check on us all often. Margaritas are delicious and strong!! We highly recommend eating here. They have a happy hour. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Margaritas and tacos and chips and salsas - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Food was delicious. I had the kalua pork nachos. They give a generous amount and you can definitely split them. My 10 year old had the 3 carne asada tacos and my 16 year old had the birra tacos. Every one of us was full and happy. I did get the Watermelon Margarita on the Rocks, it was okay, not worth $17.00. read more

Mekiko Cantina - kalua pork nachos - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Definitely a great place for lunch. Service was a little slow initially but it's expected when there's not too many staff. We waited a bit to be seated but just decided to walk inside and sit at the bar. Perhaps a sign at the podium saying come inside to be seated would be helpful. Drinks they have an extensive selection of tequila. Including a few additive free selections like fortaleza, cordigo, don fluano and Ocho . I really enjoyed the Tears of Llorona as I don't see it too often. Food was great. Will be back again read more

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Growing up in Southern California in a Mexican Neighborhood, I have a great taste and nostalgia for authentic Mexican Food. Unfortunately that has left me disappointed time after time here on O'ahu. This place was no different. The service was great. Unfortunately I came for the food. Everything was super salty and over seasoned. If you're going to over charge -then make sure quality ingredients are being used. I tried the carne asada burrito. (Around $28 after tax/tip) The reheated carne asada tasted more of cheap steak flavored with powdered taco seasoning than flank/skirt marinated in lime and other fresh herbs. The beans were made too thick which dried up the burrito. I will note the avocado was super fresh and thick but did not make up for the prior. The tortilla chips were too thick and covered in a 1/4 " of salt. After the two, I'm sure my blood pressure was up 20 points on both the systolic and diastolic scale, Judging as this is Ko'Olina I would say this establishment thrives off the business of tourists lured into the trap of this area. As beautiful and pricey as it is, you would think one could do better to accommodate, but the truth is they don't deserve it. In fact, many will come here and uphold these 4 stars just as they do on the local resorts horrible eateries read more

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We had been hearing about this place since we arrived on vacation and figured we would try it. I have to say,one of the best places we have tried! We ordered guacamole dnd chips and it did not disappoint! Absolutely fresh ingredients that you can taste. Then our food arrived. The Ono tacos were fabulous! My husband had the carnitas tacos that were also wonderful. The Ono was so full of flavor. Everything handmade with fresh ingredients. We were skeptical to eat mexican food in Hawaii but I have to say,this is the place! It is definitely "hidden" and sinage is not noticeable as a restaurant, but it os definitely awesome read more

The food was amazing and the service was fabulous. Totally recommend. We were a party of 10 and they accommodate us asap. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Birra tacos and margarita - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

When I visit Aulani I always make a stop here for Friendly service and pretty good Mexican food on the island. I started with the Nachos for the table but I subbed steak instead of the pork. It's an amazing combination! I also had the steak burrito for dinner and had it Enchilada style. I skipped on dessert this time. The drinks also looked really good! Check in was easy. They open until 9 pm as of June 2026 read more

The churro cart here is an absolute must. The churros come out hot with different dipping sauces and ice cream all on a cute little cart. That aside, I ordered the suprema salad with shrimp. The shrimp were deliciously seasoned and the tostada bowl was crunchy and flakey. The salad was fresh and the dressing complemented the flavors well. The service was great and even on very short notice they were able to accommodate a table of 11. This is a great alternative dining option for those staying at Aulani and don't want to pay Aulani prices for dining. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Suprema salad with shrimp - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

I honestly don't know why I never been here. I've been missing out! Need a quick lunch before my next job since I was in Kapolei area. Map quests suggested Mekiko. I walked in go seated at the bar right away. It's wasn't too busy. My bartender/server, Jill was so nice. Cool place, with modern decor of Mexican vibes. I ordered chips and flight salsa, birria tacos, side of Mexican rice, and pico de gallo. Best choice! You get 3 tacos packed full of meat! I didn't finish my taco. They did not disappoint on flavors. The birria soup was perfect! All the staffs agreed their birria tacos was their favorite. The 3 salsa sauce flight was phenomenal! Jill also gave me a small oli sauce. Has a little kick. So good! They do have daily happy hours between 3-5pm. If you're in Ko'olina area stop by they are right across Four Seasons. There's no free parking or validations. You have to scan and pay with a card and they charge $1 processing fees. 1 hour cost me a little overboard $5. Great service, great foods. read more

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As someone who lives here on Oahu, please save your money and don't bother eating here. We decided to come to Ko'olina for a nice dinner out. We waited for about 15-20 minutes for a table even though there were plenty of tables available inside and outside. Our server was nice, so that's a plus. We ordered the appetizer with salsa and guacamole, which was okay. One salsa seemed like it came out of a can. We ordered chicken street tacos, which were decent. We also got the cheese enchiladas, which were terrible. The server said the dish was extra hot and it made sense because it tasted old and as if someone just reheated it on the plate. The rice was mushy and beans were over done from the reheating. Our server asked if I wanted the sour cream on the side, which I said yes because I didn't want it to be on my plate. Ended up being charged $1.50 for the side of sour cream which she did not inform us of the extra charge. My husband got the carnitas plate. It arrived with square chunks of meat, three tortillas, beans and rice. The meat was tasteless. Unsure why it's not shredded to be placed in the tortillas. My husband ended up just eating the chunks of meat on the side, but couldn't even finish it because it was so bad. For being in such a touristy area, the quality of food is embarrassing. Highly not recommended. We'll save you over $100. (Our total with tip was $113 including tip for 3 people, without drinks- just water) read more

Our server Frank was great! From the time we arrived the hostess was so nice. Service was great it food was even better! Owner Sal came by check on the service and he was a delight as well. We sat on the patio which added to the experience. We totally recommend this great Mexican cantina!! read more

Mekiko Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Good basic Mexican food if you're in the vicinity. Super friendly staff. Fast and efficient. read more

Mekiko Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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WORST SERVICE EVER!!! DO NOT GO. My husband and I went here Tuesday, 5/26 to order takeout as we were unable to order online. When we got to the host station they said that they do not accept togo orders after 5pm (it was 5:05pm). We decided we would sit and have dinner instead. As we were walked to our table a server was sitting on our table talking with the next table. The host had to ask him to move. We sat at the table for 10 minutes with no one approaching the table offering water, specials or anything. There was a table that was sat about 5 minutes after us and was immediately greeted and provided water service. We ended up walking out still not approached and walked across the street to MonkeyPod. In which we received phenomenal service. read more