Coming from California, this place might have the worst food ever. Additionally, the staff is not friendly to actual Mexicans, with colorful commentary. I was hoping for more. read more

Santa Maria offers solid and tasty Mexican food. However, it's nothing too outstanding compared to what I have tried in parts of California. Although I am not very familiar with the Mexican food scene in Berlin. I had the Calabacitas quesadillas, which featured a nice marinade of sweet potato and various vegetables. They came out piping hot and well seasoned. There were also two different salsas on the table which added a nice kick of flavor. Not the cheapest place in Berlin for what you get, but hits the spot if you're craving some Tex-Mex. read more

If the truth be known my wife always laughs at me for wanting to eat different cuisines in countries we visit as opposed to me exclusively enjoying the local fare on offer! Saying that, I had fantastic sushi in Berlin and I've just had incredible Mexican down the road - plus I don't have any trips planned to these countries anytime soon so it's all good! I'm sure I'll eat plenty of pork knuckle here in the coming days... So I used the Yelp app to find where was good in Kreuzberg and Santa Maria was rated really highly so of course I wanted to check it out! Incredibly cheap, great value (the portions are huge) and an exciting menu that puts twists on a core range of burritos and tacos. I had the Guac to start which was incredibly fresh - €4 - and then the carnitas tacos €6 - I'm now so full that I can hardly move but this is probably the most authentic Mexican I've eaten this side of the Atlantic Try the ginger with hibiscus soft drink - a bit weird at first but ultimately enjoyable read more

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It's alright. Had three types of tacos to try out, carnitas, asada and.... cant remember without looking at the menu. Anyway, food is good but the wholistic approach is not quite there. The tortillas break apart easily from the meat and toppings. Salsa is a plus, its actually spicy. Recommend this establishment if able to make it to this neighborhood and enjoy. read more

Santa Maria - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Santa Maria has tasty, semi-authentic Mexican food at a good price. Being from America, I have had quite a lot of Mexican food and wasn't expecting to find it in Berlin. The restaurant is rather small and cramped but we went on a Friday night when it was very crowded. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table but the bartender let us put our name on a list while we went across the street for beers. The menu has a good mix of more-authentic and less-authentic Mexican options. Let's face it: the restaurant is in Berlin and so needs to cater to German preferences. Consequently, most entrees come with creme fraiche instead of sour cream, pickled veggies instead of salad, and salsas are mild (but tasty). Although I missed the endless baskets of free tortilla chips that you find at every Mexican restaurant in America, I was happy to not be full before my meal came! They offer a good number of vegetarian & vegan options for those who eat that way. :) I ordered the Tostadas de Calabaza, which are not very Mexican but were very delicious! They come topped with large chunks of pumpkin, beans & creme fraiche. I decided to go with this entree because it was more 'German' inspired and I thought it would make an interesting combo. The pumpkin was soft, warm & sweet and paired very nicely with the chillies and beans! It came with onions and pickled veggies (not sure what it was, maybe more onion?). My husband had the Puerco Especial burrito - he really enjoyed it and the bites I tried were great. The burritos are quite large and definitely need to be eaten with a knife & fork! It was filled with pork, guac, cheese & chipotle cream. The service was fine - the waitresses were busy but attentive enough. It seemed like they primarily spoke English but also some German and Spanish. The prices for our entrees were great! Each was about 7 or 9 euros but it could get more expensive if you add sides & fillings. They charge separately for guacamole, rice, pico de gallo, creme fraiche and cheese if it is not already included in your dish. We had a very good meal and good experience at Santa Maria and will definitely go back for more! read more

Santa Maria - Tostados de Calabaza - yummy! - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Stopped in for a quick bite this evening. Originally thought it was Tuesday so we were all set for 1€ tacos. Alas no, it's only Monday silly! Instead had some chicken tacos and shared a plate of tortilla chips with guacamole. Waiting staff very friendly. Beer was excellent. Kindl is a really nice light beer which seems to be on offer most places. Krusovice Hell is very similar to Staropramen red. Chicken tacos were piled high with a generous portion of chicken and oozing with lovely tangy sauce. Tortilla chips very fresh with an audible crunch. Guacamole tasted freshly made with a nice sprinkling of diced fresh tomato on top. Would definitely recommend for a quick snack when passing through the area read more

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Until today, I'd only ever been to Maria Bonita and of course considered it the finest Mexican eats in Berlin. Boy was I wrong. Santa Maria is a lot bigger than its little cousin in Prenzlauer Berg, and I think its menu is a shade ahead as well. While I love me some Carnitas tacos, the Picadillo burrito is a thing of absolute beauty. Gigantic portions, plenty of flavor and just enough spice to keep things interesting. The chips are also different here, and in my mind, superior. The tomatillo verde salsa is perfect, and the chips are crispy and salty and satisfying. read more

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Terrible food and even worse service. I've come to accept the fact that 'for some reason' bars often close 2-3 hours before they are supposed out of convenience for their lazy staff and penny pinching owners, but a restaurant should NEVER follow suit. Locals and tourists alike often travel by train, taxi, bus, bike, walk to these places. No consideration whatsoever is taken into consideration by these businesses. Not only is it a waste of time for 'potential' customers, but it is BEYOND arrogant. I arrived at this place for the first time at 10:45pm on a Sunday. The hours posted on yelp said they were open until 12am. After seeing 2 large groups of people walking away from the door, I soon realized that the LAZY staff was just turning away people in hordes. Of course, I was told that they were closed as well. After traveling 30 min on 2 train lines to experience some of the Mexican cuisine Berlin has to offer, you can imagine how PISSED I was :/ On my 2nd visit nearly 6 months later I got to experience some of the WORST (it would be offensive to call) Mexican food in my life, I felt like a complete idiot. A couple small plates, dreadful service, and £27 later, I was BEYOND DISAPPOINTED. I'd rather eat at a chain restaurant like del taco or Taco Bell than this place. At least it's 'possible' to be tasty and only a fraction of the price. Shame on you Santa Maria. I'm assuming the reviews are coming from those who have never lived and/or experienced Mexican food in Mexico, California, or Texas. I'm quite positive this is the case and I feel sorry for Berliners because of this. Call me a tourist out of your ignorance, but for someone who has lived half in the EU and half in the US, restaurants like yours need to change your ways before they soon close due to lack of customers. What's going on in Berlin with "tourists" is going on globally - LA, NY, Tokyo, London, Paris, Beijing, Toronto, Quebec, EVERYWHERE! Stop being so rude and arrogant. Berlin is not special in relation to population growth and lack of housing. Technology and global overpopulation is everywhere. Accept it and act like you want to make money from people who live in this city. Santa Maria!? Never again! Your business in its entirety SUCKS! read more

Great Mexican food in Berlin. The guacamole was good but I thought the tortilla chips were a little bit too salted. The puerco especial burrito was tasty although not really authentic Mexican. It's a huge burrito though, can really fill you up. The habanero sauce is very tasty if you can handle a little bit of heat. read more

Santa Maria - Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

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Summer 2013 Total Time in Berlin: five weeks. Attendance at Taco Tuesdays: two out of two weeks. Why? It's simple. The food is: + Inexpensive, but not too cheap; + Filling, but not too heavy; + Tasty, but not too spicy. However: - The service can be slow + rude; - The wait for a table can be obnoxiously long; - The counters/table tops can be a bit dirty. I ate with a group each time, and I think that's the way to spend a meal here. The chips are delicious, so I've only ordered dishes that compliment them: - Queso Fundido (no pork): simply, cheese/etc. in a warm pot with chips. Yum. - Guacamole: mild -- a bit too nondescript! -- but smooth and delightfully comforting. We will continue our attendance record, I think. It's simple *and* savory! read more

Santa Maria - [English Menu, July 2013] - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Food tasted ok. But I was I was put off by the 3 dirty knifes I found in the cutlery stand on our table. Also, the toilets are pretty unpleasant, and there was no closed door to separate the urinals from the cooking area. read more

This is the last time I go to Santa Maria, it really is not what it was originally, when I thought "Finally, a great Mexican/Latin American option!" (Over two years ago). I had the beef burrito, it was just beef, black beans and onion (escabeche). It had no sauces !!! (pico de gallo, sour cream or guacamole) coz they want to OVERCHARGE you 3,50€ for a tiny portion of guacamole. Just embarrassing. BTW, it was not good for my tummy the next day. So, bye-bye! Never again! read more

WORST MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN BERLIN. They don't like mexican people at this restaurant. I'm mexican and i was born in mexico and the manager had the audacity to tell me that I should "eat more authentic mexican food" when i complained that my food was not good. The only good thing about this place was our waitress and bar tender as they were extremely nice even when they had to listen to their racist manager. The food was absolutely disgusting and the management and kitchen staff was rude. Save your money and go to a better restaurant that actually supports poc mexicans. I heard that they changed management and chefs within the last couple years so don't trust the reviews you read that are prior to then. read more

Great experience! This place is packed, maybe you will have to wait to get a table but its totally worth it! Great atmosphere and their margarita is a kiskass!!!! read more

Santa Maria - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Wonderful! I grew up in southern california where mexican food is delicious. I was hesitant to eat mexican in Berlin, but the 1 euro tacos and tequila shots on tuesday was hard to pass up. The tacos are simple and taste amazing. read more

Get the chilaquiles. Get it green. Get it with a mojito, or two. Get a friend to share it with. Get some guac on the side. Get two side plates. You've got yourself a massive meal. Share that green mess. Instead of a cherry on top, try an egg. Yup, its super good. I know. I know. And everyone who speaks English in Berlin knows it...because all you hear in the restaurant are ex-pat accents. Go to Luzia across the street afterwards to look cool with your massive food belly. Thank you sugar skulls, props for some Mexican food I can happily live with. read more

Growing up in South Texas I consider myself something of a Mexican Food connoisseur. I know the difference between Jaliscan, Yucatan, New Mexican, or Oaxacan and understand the regional variations that make good Mexican. With Santa Maria, they encapsulate the aspects of Mexican I love and more amazingly do so in Europe. I am skeptical of eating Mexican food over here (just like eating sea food in Omaha) and have had it before ranging from edible to middling. But this place was ridiculous. From the drinks to the guacamole (easily Top 5 all time) to the carnitas the food was great. More amazingly the corn tortillas were actual homemade corn tortillas. I rarely find that in the states outside of a few authentic joints. I will add that while the chorizo was ok. Not great and definitely not enough grease to make it authentic. Do this when you are in Berlin and you will not regret it. read more

Last month's Elite event featured a Mexican chef and I asked him what his favourite Mexican in Berlin is. He said Santa Maria, I said, really? He said, yeah, the partners of the 3 or 4 other restaurants split up and the original kept Santa Maria and that it's quite good. I tried it again due to his recommendation and I was not displeased. My previous visits here were just so-so, I found it to be quite expensive for what one got. That has now changed. The prices are still a bit high but the portions are monstrous now. I got the lunch special with a chicken burrito, a creamy mushroom and chicken soup and a jamaica (typical Mexican hibiscus flower drink, which I love!) for 10€. The soup was phenomenal, I have no idea other than the name what was in it but loved it. The burrito was also a proper burrito, not what one has become accustomed to getting here in Berlin. The tomatillo salsa was also properly excellent! Of which, I ate too much... All the prior times at all the other affiliates too, I left feeling a bit on the hungry-side and after having spent quite a lot of money, it wasn't on, at all. This time, I left stuffed and very pleased. ¡Muchas gracias a ti, Guillermo, por decírmelo! read more

Great vegan selection, especially the pumpkin vegan burritos. Also, one of the best margaritas I've ever had. If you're American: please, please do not expect the majority of German servers to be like the majority of American servers. They're not. read more

I always want to hate on Mexican joints in Berlin. They don't make it too hard. Places like Ta'Cabron are hardly better than a Tex Mex counter at a Texas airport. Since Maria Peligro basically closed over night, I've had to find some substitute... no easy feat. I joined my friend at Santa Maria last night for dinner, and we ran into a couple of other friends already there. We both got the same burrito but it was nothing short of amazing. Up until this trip, I'd only gone to Santa Maria for their €1 taco Tuesday nights, so I've never really eaten much else on their menu. Their tacos are really quite a treat. Sure they're not completely authentic, but I think they're of the city's best, no doubt. So anyway last night, per the waiter's suggestion, we had the Pork Especial burrito (I think that's what it was called). While it was definitely "German spicy" that was resolved with a little bit of their seemingly secret Habanero salsa. Definitely ask for that when you go, if you like any kind of heat. Margaritas were super solid and the service was fast and super friendly. I'm definitely a fan. read more

28 degrees, sun in the city and the evening off - what else to do than gather your gals and hid Santa Maria for cocktails, Mexican food and people watching along Oranienstrasse ! We met early enough so we were lucky to get outdoor seats for the 6 of us as within minutes the entire place was jammed! We ordered a mix of nachos with guaca and the totopos with tasty black beans and cheese! Those starters were washed down with a refreshing hibiscus mint margaritas and some coronas for my friends before moving on to our mains! For mains we ordered a few different main items as we couldn't decide and wanted to try them all, our faves of them were the veggie tacos and the one with chicken. Two of my friends shared burritos and quesadillas; sadly I couldn't try them as those weren't GF. However Santa Maria is amazing for GF options as most or their dishes are GF, lots of Veggie and vegan option and the waitress was really good by suggesting GF items of the menu ! read more

Santa Maria - Mint hibiscus margarita and corona - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Yep - love this place. Tried to go with a group of friends on Taco Tuesday which was a mistake - crazy busy. BUT the staff is surprisingly helpful establishing seats for people who've been waiting and setting you up for drinks while you stand around. We got the tacos (1 euro on taco tuesday) which were super delicious, although the housemade tortillas were a bit thick. No matter, the habanero, salsa verde, and salsa roja keep the love alive. I also couldn't help myself and ordered the Chilaquiles (6 euro) again. Although they were put together a little sloppier than on a less busy night - hot damn they were good. And a small salad (3.50 euro) which included the fabulous cheese they use on everything. Cons: waiting area in hall leaves you in the way, sloppy execution on busy night, a bit pricy, grouped tacos on one plate for our tables order Pro: bomb salsas, taco tuesday 1 euro tacos, 1 euro tequila, 8-10pm offers 4 euro margarita, helpful staff read more

I don't WANT to give five stars, but I can't pretend they didn't earn it. With a 10 euro lunch menu that lets you supersize it with a margarita....I almost feel like I'm in 'Merica! They have a pretty decent sized menu and good margaritas but the kicker is the salsa. Ask for the habanero one and you will cure any late night disco outings! The staff is almost too friendly for Berlin and its just like being home!! read more

Santa Maria - Lunch menu deal 10 € for soup/salad and a entree! Upgrade with a margarita!! - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Stopped in for lunch during my visit with my brother in Berlin. The place was packed and we waited for a bit and then sat at the bar. The bartender took our order as the waitress was hurrying around trying to get to everyone. It didn't help that the beverage delivery was occurring during this lunch rush. It was an inconvenience, but somehow added to the interesting buzzing vibe that was in the air. Anyway, we started with a Michelada. It was a good drink and the bartender added a bit more spice as I requested. We also started with the Queso Fundido de Hongos. It was a hot, gooey, tasty pot of molten cheese with mushrooms and other tasty treats. To balance it out, we ordered the shrimp tacos, you know, to be a bit more healthy. The tacos were also tasty and had good flavor. The spicy chipotle cream had the right amount of spice. Although it was busy and our order took a bit of time to come out, Santa Maria did not disappoint and the food definitely took care of the craving I had for Mexican. read more

A trendy place with a really nice atmosphere, great margaritas! Don't miss the happy hour between 19-21 when the margaritas are only 4 euro. We had burritos and they were incredible. I was pleasantly surprised, the staff knew english well and were very nice and helpful even though the place was really busy. The only downside was that we had to wait quite a while for the food, but it was all right because I liked the food so much! read more

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I went there with a friend. I know the place is 'Maria Bonita's bigger sister' so I decided to avoid the Tacos and Quesadillas since I already know them from Bonita. I went instead for the Alambre De Pollo while my friend went for the Quesadillas. And like Maria Bonita, the place does not disappoint. Probably the most solid Mexican in Berlin. Totally recommended read more

I was here five years ago and they really lacked on the vegetarian options but this time around I was very happily surprised with the menu. As far as Mexican food in Germany goes this place is one of the better ones. I'm a Mexican from Southern California and I can honestly say that this place is good. I will say that their margaritas are a little lacking but the delicious food makes up for that. Their potato & corn tacos were delicious. I hope to stop by here again soon. read more

This might be THE very best Mexican restaurant I have EVER been to. Good price, friendly staff, riciculously good food & the best margharitas, period! A must visit every time I come to Berlin! read more

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Mexican food could not be more delicious in Berlin. best place to eat. kind staff. it might be hard to find a place in the evenings but patience is a good virtue. coke is not good, because they use barrels, bad way like Mc or other fast food chains! read more

Santa Maria - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Damn delicious. Our weekly addiction. Spicy and scrumptious burritos, good chips, and yummy margaritas, that are so strong, you'll wonder how you managed to cycle home safely after just two! Thanks to the Australian owners for letting me get my spicy food fix in this world of bland German food! read more

one of the best meals in Berlin. Our tour guide recommended it and it was simply delicious. In terms of taste and flavour, we can compare it to Oaxaca in NY. The staff was really friendly and quickly accommodated us as it was quite busy. Definitely a place to come back to for our next trip to Berlin. read more

Santa Maria - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

I'm usually skeptical about eating Mexican food from places that don't have Mexican chefs , but the food was pretty good, it definitely isn't authentic but worth it. read more

If there is any drawback to Santa Maria it is how very tightly packed the seating is; obviously there is far more demand for proper Mexican food than Berlin provides. The carnitas tacos were very good, as was the Paloma grapefruit cocktail. Pals had massive veggie burritos which required wrapping up the second half for later enjoyment. read more

Santa Maria - Salsa eyes. - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Some of the best tacos I have had (period) The prices are reasonable The resto is pretty small, but it worth the wait not too far from a train stop The area is interesting...lots of music events So check it out read more

Simply awesome Mexican food and an amazing atmosphere. However, be prepared to wait for at table. And it's a loud place. So if you want to have a quite evening with romantic dinner, stay away. If you're looking for a fun time and lots of great margaritas, you're where you wanna be. Tuesday has 1€ tacos and 1€ tequila shots, however, getting a table takes forever, so enjoy a drink or three while you wait. read more

It's hard to rate this place. Objectively speaking, it's not the best Mexican food I've ever had, especially for the price. On the other hand, compared to the vast majority of Berlin's persistently mediocre Mexican options, Santa Maria is a lifesaver. It's probably best to steer clear if you're a Mexican food savant, but for locals who crave something better, you'll love it. The burritos are enormous and can easily be split. The portions of guacamole are smallish but yummy. Margaritas are just like I remember them from my youth: sweet and powerful. Overall, a pricey but ultimately worthwhile Mexican restaurant. read more

Food and drinks are good,but overpriced,so we go only during special offer time,but then we have to deal with place beeing rediculously crowded. read more

Santa Maria - chicken tacos - Mexican Near Me - Berlin, BE

Edit - August 2017: I have been going to this place for years and am so disappointed by the recent changes: the meals dont have the same ingredients anymore, i've been getting the same meal for years now and the meal simply has even less ingredients,which is why it obviously tastes different. To top things, the meals are significantly smaller, all while the price has been raised. Looks like profit is all they care for now. Congratulations, you have lost another customer. read more

Chilaquiles here are AMAZING Get the green ones with chicken. To die for. Margaritas are also good. People tell me the other things are good too. Cool little place but can get VERY BUSY at peak hours! read more

This place is magical. Make sure you stop by for an amazing mescal drink. Owner Freddy is so friendly and welcoming. Good is great, so are the cocktails. Definitely a spot to check out while in Berlin read more