I've been here twice so far, once for brunch another time for dinner. Brunch I wasn't too impressed by, it was good but forgettable. Dinner on the other hand, absolutely delicious!! Got 'Para La Mesa' (for the table) had the beef cheek barbacoa and side of street corn. The barbacoa was cooked to perfection and seasoned wonderfully. It came with traditional street taco accompaniments and more such as onions and cilantro, lime, Oaxaca cheese, pickled onions, and a chili oil. The street corn was delicious as well had that with tortillas as well as put it on a few tacos. Can't remember the cocktail I had but it had mezcal and coconut. I'm not a mezcal fan but it was pretty good. The service was great as well, our server was very friendly and helpful. It has a cute ambiance, true to the food and they also have outdoor seating which is a nice option. read more

Puerta - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Bummer, absolutely no parking. Looked like a good spot from the reviews. Needs a few more pictures to show that.

We've been wanting to try Puerta and so glad we finally did! You enter through a back door into a dimly lit bar with a DJ and a few tables. We moved to the front room with a larger bar, more lighting, and a patio. We sat at the bar and Chase was our bartender. It was a lively atmosphere and good ambiance. Chase was great and very knowledgeable of the various tequilas. Food was great, salsas were tasty, and staff were friendly. Definitely putting this in our rotation! read more

Puerta - Spicy Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Wow. What a let down. I used to really enjoy this place. Went in tonight and they had totally changed the menu. Not only was everything criminally expensive but lack luster menu. In order to get tacos at this Mexican place you have to order tacos para la mesa. Which is 150 dollars. 150 dollars to eat tacos. A crime to all things Mexican cuisine. Also tried the red snapper ceviche. Was horridly bland. Increased prices and decreased food quality. Do better please. read more

A beautiful spot indoors with two main dining areas; one space was cozier and more intimate with the other being larger and more decorative. The bar was also quite the sight! I ordered the enchiladas and found the chicken to be quite dry, but the cream helped. My friend and I agreed that the rice was fairly stiff and dry; the refried bean portions were also rather conservative. Churros for dessert were a nice finish, but nothing out of the ordinary! I was a fan of the caramel sauce over the spiced chocolate. Our waitress, Natalie (sp) was very kind and attentive. She checked in the perfect amount and brought a warm energy that fit the ambience very nicely! read more

Puerta - Chicken enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This place was such an amazing experience! Definitely adding it to the girls night rotation just for the drinks alone. Their tequila cocktails? AMAZING. Perfectly crafted and strong enough to keep the night fun. The food was honestly mid--not bad, but nothing to rave about. But the real star (besides the drinks) was the music. They were playing the best Latin pop all night--we kept asking what was on because the playlist was THAT good. The vibe is lowkey and dim, just the way we like it. Cozy, moody, and perfect for catching up over cocktails with your crew. Can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Thinking about where to go on a Friday night, I recalled an upscale Mexican restaurant that had amazing chips and queso, artisanal everything, and nuanced cocktails. That's where I wanted to go, but as I tried to remember the name, it struck me that I was thinking of Luna, a Michelin starred cantina in San Jose, CA. We definitely weren't going there on 3-hours notice. The search was on for a Charlotte stand-in and Puerta was the winner. Atmosphere- rustic, elegant, sexy. Real hand towels in the bathroom and anything else you might need. Service- attentive but not overly, friendly, and willing to help with decisions. And the absolute star was the food. We had queso with chorizo, tacos, and this amazing open face tortilla dish that was as delicious as it was beautiful. We rounded out the evening with churros and cocktails. When we're wanting upscale Mexican, Puerta will be our go-to from here forward. If you want to give it a run, I'd suggest a reservation. We ate in the bar, which was fine, but I'd bet a table would have been even nicer. read more

See all

It was my first time here and I would recommend getting a reservation. It is quaint and gorgeous inside so I loved the atmosphere. Our cocktails were good (spicy margs) and I had probably the tastiest empanadas ever. Queso was worth it and the absolute favorite of the table was the pork belly app. OMG. Do it. Just go. Have a margarita already! Service was excellent too. read more

Really great food and great service. Brunch on a Saturday afternoon wasn't too crowded. The drinks were a perfect accent to the meal. I would go back just for the chicken empanadas read more

Puerta - Carne Asada and Carne Asada & Huevos with HASH - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Very cool vibe to the place and both the food and service were great. We had the Mushroom and Jackfruit Tostones and Queso Fundido for appetizers, the Carne Asada and Octopus a la Plancha for entrees and the Quatro Leches Cake for dessert. Everything was REALLY good but the Octopus a la Plancha was amazing. Definitely going back with a large group. read more

I've been to Puerta once before just for drinks, and we loved the vibe. The margs are tasty (the spicy one is VERY spicy, just a heads up!) and the chips & dip trio is yummy. I went back a few weeks ago for brunch, and while I had a good experience, it just wasn't "great." The service was unfortunately very slow (there were three of us, and we were in there for more than 2 hours). The guac was unexpectedly overly spicy (good to me, but just a bit spicier than my mom could handle), and the tacos were fine, but nothing special. The QUESO, however - that was to die for. Our kind waitress did bring us some churros con chocolate on the house, which was awesome of her, but from the time she said she was going to do that to when she actually brought them out, it was at least 30 minutes (and by that point we were just kind of ready to go home). I will come back and will try some new things on their menu - I just feel like for what you pay, Puerta isn't overly impressive. read more

Puerta - Queso - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Had a chance to make it over for brunch and parking is really crazy, but there is a parking deck across the street when all else fails. I ordered the lamb empanadas, avocado tostada, and breakfast quesadillas and everything was just ok overall and I was disappointed with the food, not sure if I just ordered the wrong things or what. read more

See all

What a cute space!! I love the lounge area and bar in the front when you walk in. Then you can follow the hall to the dining area with the main bar that also leads to their patio space. I was told they have a live DJ some nights in the front lounge space which I definitely plan on going back to check that out! (Check online for the DJ schedule) My friends and I came here on a Monday night which was surprisingly busy and were seated at the bar. The space is kind of small so I definitely recommend making a reservation in advance. Mondays they have half off mezcal neat pours, which they call Mezcal Monday. The bar staff were so kind and accommodating. I even got to taste some of the mezcals before choosing. The Yucatán cocktail was deliciously refreshing and perfect as a chaser for my neat pour of Mezcal. Now let move on to the most important part, food!! I can never pass up empanadas so of course I opted for the chicken tinga empanadas. My wife had the lamb empanadas and loved them and our friend had one of each! What a great starter! Yum!! For dinner we all opted for the BYO Chimichanga all with different meat options. I had chicken tinga because it was so good in the empanadas, my friend had the al pastor and my wife had shrimp. No matter tge choice they were all fresh and yummy!!! I'm making puerta one of my new favorite spots!! Can't wait to return!! read more

See all

Puerta is one of our go-to places in Charlotte. I think my favorite dish is the Lamb Birria Empanadas, but everything is great. Lots of Mezcals and Tequilas to sample too, my recommendation is to get 4 half pours of Mezcal and create your own flight. Puerta - I see Mezcal and Tequila flights at other upscale Mexican places and always order them! You should def feature this on your menu and you'll see liquor sales go up. read more

Puerta - Home-made Mezcal flight - Puerta you should add this to your menu! - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Came here for dinner on a Saturday night, and I loved the ambiance! They had a live DJ that was playing incredible music, and the interior of the restaurant was beautiful. We asked our server for an affordable tequila that we could all take a shot of, and he absolutely delivered. All the food was stellar as well. They keep the queso from congealing by putting a burner under it to keep it warm, and it was delicious, as were the mushroom arepas. We split the taco platter and got the potato, the shrimp, and the steak. The steak was well-seasoned and very spicy, which I loved. All the portions were generous, to the point where we had to take most of our food to-go as we over-ordered. I can't wait to return when I'm back in Charlotte! read more

Food was a bit more Tex mex than expected not super authentic but good vibe and the bartender and waitress were great!

Nice place. Birthday celebration. The waiter was quick and kind and had great recommendations. I enjoyed the empanadas and the chips and guac. The coffee cocktail was my highlight. The bread pudding was different. I'll look for a reason to return. read more

See all

Last night we celebrated our Birthday month at Puerta-the ambiance, vibe of music and the food were all amazing. However I ordered Arroz and the torillias that came with it were charred so I told my waiter I didn't want them and he brought me some that were not charred. Perfect right! Well I was charged for a side of tortillas! Because it was our Birthday, they brought (we did not order) the tres/cuatro cake. Yum! Well we were charged for it too! Tortillas at a mexican restaurant are cheap so to charge the customer for not wanting burt edges and offering a celebratory dessert weakened our experience. Our attentive waiter was conveniently MIA as we completed payment of our bill and prevented us from giving him this feedback. read more

Super fun story here. I had gone to dinner at flight and ran through the rain to go to a comedy show only to notice I had dropped my wallet. Went back and asked flight if they had it and they said no but Puerta does! Ran into puerta and the hostess was so sweet and happy to give my wallet back to me. I was so grateful and stayed for an amazing margarita. The small bar has a great vibe and we can't wait to come back for dinner asap! read more

Had a great girls night out at Puerta last night! Let me first start by saying this place has a super cute vibe. At first we were seated in the "lounge" area which was nice, but we asked to be moved to the main Resturant area and I was very happy they had space for us at the bar. The main Resturant is where the vibe is! I don't know who had the aux that night but baby they were on point with the R&B selection which totally fueled the overall energy of the evening. We had a wonderful bartender (shout out to Chase!) who was very knowledgeable and patient with us as we slowly mulled over our menu selections. After all it was girls night and we were enjoying each other's company and swapping stories! Thank goodness Chase didn't seem the least bit bothered! We went on a Monday evening and it was very lively with groups coming in and out. Their website suggests that you have a reservation and I believe it! It was very busy for a Monday night. Also, unbeknownst to us Monday is "shot day" as all tequila shots are 1/2 off. Sweet! I ordered a slightly more expensive tequila than I normally would to take full advantage of "shot day"! All three of us ordered various empanadas as starters, thanks to Chase we learned you can mix and match your order if desired. I got the lamb empanadas and I was very happy about that! As fate would have it we also all ordered the Chimichanga as our meal. I got mine with shrimp, though I was very please with my choice, next time I'll try the chicken. It was so big none of us could finish it, but thanks to my air fryer it made an excellent lunch the next day. I will definitely be coming back to this place soon, as there are so many things on the menu I didn't get to try this first go round. Definitely recommend checking this spot out. When it gets warmer the patio will be a nice addition to the overall vibe as well. read more

See all

My boyfriend took me here for brunch and it was amazing! Beautiful space it's not a huge restaurant but it's cozy and decorated amazingly. The service was amazing the waiters were all very knowledgeable and had great recommendations. I enjoyed everything we had and i will absolutely be back for more! read more

Puerta - Queso fundito - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Puerta is such a fun and funky spot! The little bar area is small but packed with personality and charm--it really sets the tone for a lively evening. While tequila is the specialty here (a dream come true for tequila lovers!), I don't drink tequila, so I opted for the sangria, which was delicious. We had a reservation for the patio, but a sudden rain shower meant we ended up staying in the bar, and honestly, it worked out perfectly. The vibe was so enjoyable, and the staff made sure we were comfortable. We tried several bites from the menu, and everything was tasty and well-prepared. If you're a tequila aficionado or just looking for a fun, laid-back spot with great food and drinks, Puerta is absolutely worth a visit. Highly recommended! read more

Service: the waiter was great! He was responsible for a number of tables so the service was a little bit delayed but it was not his fault. Food: the food was amazing! Perfectly cooked and seasoned very well. We had the pork belly, Mexican caesar salad, queso and the 1/2 portion of the para la mesa. I recommend getting the full para la mesa for two people only because the 1/2 seemed to be enough for just one. Ambiance: decor was nice and simple and on point with the theme. Seating is a litte tight, so be prepared to be ok with both neighbors listening in or joining in on your conversation possibly lol. Will try the outdoor seating next time because it was a little more spacious. Overall we really enjoyed this restaurant and highly recommend. We'll definitely be back. read more

See all

So this place is not big and fills up fast. It opens at 5 and that's the best chance you have to get in unless you wait until 7:30-8:00. We are in the lounge area which is okay but you need to lift your plate to eat which can be tricky with a taco If you're in the lounge area, it's better for drinks. The margaritas were unique and flavorful. I had the spicy margarita and it was truly a good spice. If you don't like spicy, avoid this one! The lamb birria empanadas are most of us tried them and everyone loved them. They come with your side of sauce to dip them in. Those alone are worth another visit. We tried the carne asada tacos and they were good but not at the same level. The same owners manage the adjoining restaurant the Crunkleton which is also a great restaurant and bar. We went there following our meal and had some additional drinks and apps. They have a more diverse selection of drinks and beer. It's hard to get a table so plan ahead. read more

Does coming here twice in a week tell you enough?! Might I add we originally came for drinks the first time and were sat in their front lounge and bar area that was absolutely chic with low tables paired with the cocktail seats adjacent at the bar and before leaving decided to grab a small bite to take home. We ordered the chicken tinga tacos and potato bravas taco and even after getting home they were still delicious. Tacos were street style and priced great but filled with tinder juicy meat and potatoes weren't too spicy for my Mom to enjoy - can you guess what she requested when we returned the second time? Speaking of - we came back a week later, this time we sat at the bar in their dining room area which is decorated so cute with twinkly lights and a brick wall full of mezcal and tequila to adorn the bar. This time I tried their chimichanga and they were able to accommodate my dairy allergy without any issues and it was soooo good. Fiancée ordered the carne asada tacos and we all shared guacamole which we ordered a second portion of - yes it's that good. And don't get me started on the drinks (highly recommend the tequila old fashion) - again we came twice in a week yall so please don't hesitate. Looking forward to next time!! Oh and reservations are highly suggested unless you're ok with sitting at the bar read more

See all

I really enjoyed my experience at Puerta on a Sunday evening. We sat at the bar and the servers were so kind. The decor is really cute on the inside and gives a south west vibe on the inside. Whoever is on the aux also absolutely understood the assignments! r and b and newish music vibes. We had the salsas, fish tacos, and chicken empanadas and a few cocktails. Everything tasted absolutely delicious. I really enjoyed the salsa sampler and I thought the tacos were well balanced with flavor. They also give churros with a candle for birthdays. I will 100% be back! read more

Puerta - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My brother took me here after him recommended that it was a good spot. And it was. Inside, there's not much seating, however they do have 2 bars. One at the waiting area and then on in the main dining room. There's a pretty big bar there, along with tables. Seating is spacious, but be prepared to be close to other tables. Service wise during my visit was wonderful (I sat at the bar). Starting with the appetizers, we had the: - Guacamole, which was pretty awesome. It was a good portion size. - Ceviche was up next, and that was super savory and well seasoned. - Pork Belly Chicharron is those who love fried Pork Belly. It goes really well with alcohol. The April's special menu of the Tuna Tostada was meh. I wouldn't recommend it if you see on the menu. It was just very sauce heavy and the essence of the tuna was just completely lost under all the sauce. Entree: - Chipotle Short Rib was great! super saucy, but the beans that it laid on was a good balance to the really well seasoned short rib. There was a little of heat that builds on each bite of the rib, however overall it paired well. I'm eyeing the pork shank next time I'm coming here if they still have it on the menu. I'm positive that I will be coming here. One thing to note is that reservations is highly recommended as there was a line already forming at the time of opening. read more

See all

Food was very good. The Guac was fresh and had good flavor. The tacos were good and the rice and beans were very solid. It's also a cute place and has a lovely patio we can enjoyed on a sunny day. The margarita was delicious as well. The only complaint was the service was very slow. read more

See all

Vibrant and flavorful food. I love Chilaquiles when I visit Mexico and this dish had all the flavors with a twist! Love the food and the staff was very friendly and got us seated quickly. There is parking around back of the building which is also the entrance but the lot is on the smaller side. I will definitely be back to try more dishes...my eyes were stuck on other people getting the queso which comes with huges crispy round shaped chips. read more

Puerta - Mexican Mimosa - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Made a reservation for our Anniversary and couldn't be more happier with our experience. Upon entering we were greeted by the friendly staff, our table wasn't quite ready but that's okay because we grabbed some flights at the bar. The bartenders were amazing, had a great conversion with us and even described the unique difference between each Mezcal we ordered, It was immediately a vibe. The Mezcal Espadin Flight is a must try if you want an authentic and unique tequila tasting. Old Fashioned paired very well with everything. Th Yucatan cocktail was light, refreshing and has a decent amount of mezcal and agave. We ordered the Tuesday Special-Para La Mesa with Cochinita Pibil which was packed with flavor and Wagyu Flat Iron Steak cooked to perfection. Can't go wrong with the Very well seasoned Street corn and fresh Guacamole as sides. We ended the night with a Quatro Leches Cake which is by far the best dessert I've ever had at a restaurant. It's rich, creamy and the toasted meringue is top notch. Overall, highly recommend this place, great service, wonderful atmosphere and mouthwatering cuisine . read more

See all

Our friend took us to one of his favorite restaurants in North Carolina, and it was such a great experience! He mentioned that the place is usually very busy and hard to get seating, but it wasn't as busy when we went. The restaurant's chic and minimal vibe was something I absolutely loved, and the bar area was super cute. Our server was friendly and gave us some good recommendations. We tried three drinks: the spicy margarita, Yucatán 16, and Arco y Flecha 15. I don't think we enjoyed Arco y Flecha as much. It was a bit too strong for our taste, we really enjoyed the spicy margarita and Yucatán 16. The food was fantastic! I'm a big fan of empanadas, so seeing lamb birria empanadas on the menu was a dream come true. They were served hot, with the perfect amount of filling and a spice level that almost everyone can handle. I also loved their Papas al Chipotle (crispy potato tacos). Everyone at our table enjoyed the meal, making it a wonderful first restaurant experience in NC. read more

See all

I've wanted to check out Puerta for a while now, and I finally had the opportunity to go. It was easy to grab a seat at the bar, and the service was impeccable - everybody was looking out for us. They were courteous enough to let me samples the frozen mixed drink before deciding which cocktail I wanted to order. They even put tajin in the rim of the mini glass! So cute and thorough. We started with delicious chips, queso and guacamole. Then, I ordered the chicken tinga empanadas and a crispy fish taco. Amazing all around. I love the aesthetic and the vibes at Puerta. Now, there are two bars and the one closest to the 7th Street side of the restaurant has the best lighting and views so keep that in mind. Parking is very limited with some spaces in the back and then more in a very busy and competitive plaza. You may have to find parking on a nearby street and walk or take a ride share. But, it's well worth it. read more

Puerta - La Opuntia cocktail - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Food was all that I expected just like how the video advertised, was greeted with a smile and felt welcomed, arrived around 5:00 just to make sure I get the para la mesa and I got the small with just one meat which was the lamb shank, and it fell off the bone (tender )the presentation was amazing, the queso with the candle under the bowl was genius , my queso remained warm and was delicious the best I have had so far and trust I've had hundreds of types . Inside of the restaurant was beautiful and very intimate , would make a great date night I was solo and still didn't feel out of place . Would definitely come back for taco Tuesday , told me the para is 50$ off !! read more

Cute, upscale Mexican restaurant and bar in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte. Nice variation on menu from lite bites to handhelds to big plates and ala carte tacos. Tasty margs and friendly staff. We walked in on a Monday night and sat at the bar, but I can see this place being packed on weekends so I'd make a reservation. read more

Puerta - Bar area. - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Overprice bland Mexican food- had very little flavor and was costly without the spice of life

Heard about Puerta on TikTok and just had to try it for myself. Highly recommend making reservations as the dining space is limited. Patio seating is an option as well. A parking lot is available; however, it is tight/limited. I visited on a Sunday at 5 PM for dinner. Even on a Sunday, the restaurant was full. The decor/vibes were top notch. Server was attentive and friendly. I noticed it takes some time to receive food after placing an order. They do not offer complimentary chips and salsa. My order: $67.12 (cocktail) Paloma $15 Chicken Tinga empanada $10 (taco) Chicken Tinga $6 (taco) Al Pastor $6 (taco) Carne Asada $7 (dessert) Quatro Leches Bread Pudding $8 Everything I tried above was good. I really liked the chicken tinga empanadas (took an order home as well) but wished it contained more filling! The tacos were ... tacos. Nothing to rave about - I will say, they were FULL of meat!! Out of the 3 tacos, chicken tinga was my favorite. The dessert was disappointing. It was warm but seemed overcooked as it was on the harder side. I was expecting a moist/spongy consistency/texture. Didn't get to try Queso Fundido but have heard good things. Overall, it's a cool spot. Nothing set them apart from the taco spot down the street besides the location/decor, which is what you'll be paying for. Be prepared to drop some cash as you can see items add up quickly and sides are a la carte. read more

See all

Came here for brunch on Mother's Day weekend to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day. The restaurant placed a birthday card signed by the staff at our reserved table which I thought was a nice touch! And I also got a complimentary birthday dessert and a tulip for Mother's Day! Food wise, everything was delicious. We had chicharrones with guacamole, lamb birrias empanadas, and carne asada & huevos. The complimentary birthday dessert is usually churros but I mentioned that I looooove tres leches cake and planned to order the Quatro Leches Cake no matter what and our server changed the dessert for me! That was really nice of him. We would like to return to try the dinner menu. However, the parking situation is terrible. We ended up circling for awhile then paying $15 at the nearby parking garage. read more

First time but I loved it! Now I know what the hype is all about. Went to celebrate my birthday, my pick so of course it was Puerta! First off, the vibes! Love, love, love! Had some Tulum vibes. Second off, make a reservation! This place is still kinda hot & new and staying busy. Trending! Get a marg! So many options and also variety of mezcal. Get the chips & queso! It's a different spin on chips bc they are big (full circles and you break yourself)...but fun and so tasty! Try the tacos. They were good. And get the dessert! why not! Parking can be hit or miss, it's a small lot that's usually busy and packed. But it is free! Across the street is a parking lot but you will get booted or towed there, I was told by receptionist. She recommends if the lot is full to go across the street towards 'Rosemont' and park in the parking garage. But that's not free, but if you stop into Rosemont and buy anything then they validate. Also. Very important to note. The bathrooms! Cutest bathrooms ever with such a statement for safety for anyone and everyone. Go and see, you'll see what I mean. I was truly moved as a woman. Huge props!! read more

Puerta - Happy birthday post card handwritten from Puerta team for my birthday dinner - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

If I lived closer I would go here weekly. This restaurant is all gluten free which is hard to believe with how incredibly delicious the food is. We always get the elote bites as they are a bit spicy and very crunchy which make for an interesting but wonderful corn dish. The tacos are what I tend to get every time as I can't get enough of them. The churros are an easy yes as they are soft and come with the best chocolate and caramel sauce. Please try this place out sometime as I know you will be just as obssesed as I am! Pictured is the seasonal chocolate tacos. read more

See all

I was finally able to get a rsvp and try this place out with a few friends on a Wednesday. The bar and lounge when you enter looks really cool. Will be back to check that out. Drinks too a minute to get but my mojito was good. For apps, I really enjoyed the guac and chips. They replenish the chips which is nice. Queso was good but not great. For dinner I order the Tuna Tartar Tostada. The presentation was really nice, it looked amazing. After a few bites though my mouth was on fire. I LOVE spicy food. Im a 4 star with Thai and use hot sauce all the time but this was too much. I finally gave up after chugging my beer and water. It would be an amazing dish if they cut back on spice or made different heat levels. My friend order the Sopa. Again the presentation was awesome but it was a little too brothy and also spicy. The overall vibe is cool so I would give it another try. read more

Puerta - Sopa de Lima - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all