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Colita
Modern Mexican Barbecue & Craft Cocktails in a Vibrant, Upscale Atmosphere
4.4(5 reviews)
$$$
restaurant
mexican
barbeque
Enjoy creative dishes like Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Octopus Al Pastor, and Aguachile in an upscale, vibrant setting.
Savor expertly mixed drinks like the Telenovela and Naked Dani, with non-alcoholic options like Naranjitas.
Dine confidently with dedicated gluten-free dishes, such as Tempura Fried Shrimp Tacos, in a safe environment.
Host special events like anniversaries in our buzzing atmosphere with attentive service and customizable menus.
Relax on our expanded patio or at the bar for a lively experience with craft drinks and small plates.
Take home extras like Elote to enjoy our flavors beyond the restaurant visit.
Modern Mexican Barbecue & Craft Cocktails in a Vibrant, Upscale Atmosphere
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Colita is an upscale, modern Mexican barbecue restaurant in Minneapolis, celebrated for its creative fusion of traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. We offer a lively dining experience with expertly crafted cocktails, including an impressive zero-proof menu, and a menu featuring dishes like Aguachile, Smoked Caesar, Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, and Octopus Al Pastor. Our attentive service and vibrant atmosphere make it perfect for celebrations, food adventures, and gluten-free dining. With a 4.7/5 rating from over 1,600 reviews, we pride ourselves on delivering memorable culinary moments in a buzzing, energetic setting.
Upscale, modern restaurant with great service and tasty food. We ordered Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Chicken Tonga Tostadas, and Corn Elote. Lamb tacos and Corn Elote were very tasty. Chicken tostadas were a bit bland. Service was excellent.
A Moonlit Night at Colita I have a bit of history with Colita, and one memory still stands out vividly when I was at the bar. I remember watching the bartenders at work, shaking up drinks with such energy and style. It was one of those nights where you end up chatting with strangers and bartenders alike, and it all feels easy and connected. That moment really captured what I love about Colita — it’s not just the food, it’s the atmosphere. Fast forward two years, and I finally made it back. The patio has expanded since then, and it feels like a completely new experience compared to their warm, well-lit dining room inside. On this particular October night, the air was mild, the moonlight soft, and for a moment, I felt like I was somewhere in Mexico — relaxed, lively, and full of flavor. I started with a drink called the “Naked Dani.” It was a foamy, flavorful twist on a margarita, light but bold in taste. Though honestly, I couldn’t help thinking it should’ve been called “Naked Antonio” — it just sounds sexier and feels more in tune with Colita’s playful vibe. For food, I went with the Octopus Al Pastor — smashed potatoes, smoked paprika, serrano, cilantro, and micro shiso. Octopus can sometimes be tough, but this one was tender and perfectly cooked. I did wish for a touch more seasoning, but the dish was still enjoyable and beautifully presented. Then came the Chicken Liver Memelita with pickled pear, shiso, hibiscus, and preserved blackberries. I’ll admit — I’m very particular about pâté. I expected something rich and velvety, but this version was more like a mousse — airy, slightly sweet, and unexpected. It wasn’t bad, just not quite what I was anticipating. I also ordered the Crispy Masa Chips with guacamole, hummus, peanuts, and guajillo salsa. To call them “chips” doesn’t quite do them justice — they were thick, crunchy, and full of texture. Delicious, though maybe a bit pricey for what you get. Still, Colita never fails to deliver an experience. The space buzzes with energy, the food pushes creative boundaries, and the drinks always surprise you. It’s one of those places where you go not just to eat, but to feel something — a bit of adventure, a touch of nostalgia, and a reminder of how fun dining can be.
Wow! My husband (GF) and I love this place. Has been recommended by many friends and so glad we finally came. We arrived about 20 min before our reservation on a Saturday, it was packed! Plenty of street parking for free. We sat at the bar and got some drinks - me the Telenovela (amazing, I could have drank two. Definitely the mezcal smokey flavor I was hoping for). My husband got Naranjitas from the zero proof menu - amazing as well! Bartenders were awesome, equally attentive to us and knew who we were while waiting for our table to be ready. I also got the Naked Dani drink (salty foam, sweet drink with a mini duck!) and it was great! We started with the Aguachile (reco from bartenders) and both of us were salivating at how tasty. So fresh and a great starter. Also got the Smoked Caesar - liking the plate good. We are caesar snobs and this was at the top of the list. My husband ordered the Tempura Fried Shrimp Tacos (since he's GF and never gets tempura, he was super excited) and they were great - just enough of the shrimp flavor, sauce and cabbage - exactly what he was expecting. I got the pork chilorio tacos and they were so saucy, deep and yet balanced with the cucumber avo salsa. So yummy! Had to get the Elote as a side (again elote snobs) and my husband said he thinks that was the best thing he's ever eaten. We didnt take a picture of the churros - ate them too fast. Hubby loved them as well - so good with some ice cream on the side. I ordered an espresso martini with tequila (with salt on the edge) and it was perfect. Husband got a double espresso with lemon twist - he was pleased. Overall a great experience. Service stood out as a plus with our server being very attentive, on pace with us for service, cleaning up as we went. Loud, exciting environment. Probably difficult to be on a date and have a serious convo, more for fun and all about the food experience. About $200 for the two of us, with a little elote to take home.
Went here last night on a whim, and it was absolutely amazing. We sat at the bar and they made us amazing mocktails, we started with the tuna, tostada and yellowtail, and then moved our way to the Barbacoa tacos and bean and cheese tostada. Of course we had to finish with the churro, would not skip this part! As a person with a gluten allergy, this restaurant was amazing for both people with an allergy or not.
Last night we celebrated an anniversary dinner at Colita. There was a bit of a snafu with the reservation and wait time, but the manager more than made up for it. He and the wait staff were so friendly and amazing. The atmosphere was relaxed yet buzzing. Impressive they were able to run things so efficiently and calmly while it was so busy. We all loved the food, it was so good! Highly recommend.
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