Try This SIZZLING Mexican Restaurant in Texas TODAY!! 🌮🔥

Banana Leaves & Bar Stools: How Santa Catarina Masters Modern Mexican 💃✨

By Margaret Schwegmann
BlogFoodMexican RestaurantsRestaurantsTexas
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When tortillas hit the comal and margaritas get their salt rims, magic happens at this Cedar Park gem.

A dirt road lined with forestry and with a wooden fence on one side.
Photo by Jeff Stapleton

Santa Catarina doesn’t just serve Mexican food—it celebrates generations of tradition through every smoky salsa swirl and handmade corn masa pocket.

This spot in Texas turns meals into fiestas with bold coastal flavors and interior recipes that’ll make you rethink “authentic.”

Food Highlights

Two enchiladas topped with cheese and garnish on a blue and white decorated plate.
Enchiladas, Photo by Heaher B.
  • Cochinita Pibil: Slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus and achiote, wrapped in banana leaves until it falls apart like a delicious secret. A Yelp favorite for its “melt-in-your-mouth” richness.
  • Enchiladas Suizas: Creamy tomatillo sauce blankets tender chicken in these Swiss-style enchiladas, praised by Tripadvisor reviewers as “comfort food elevated”.
  • Totopos Catarina: Mexico City-style nachos piled high with black beans, pickled onions, and jalapeño sauce—a crunch-tastic starter that regulars call “addictive”.
  • Relleno de Mariscos: Seafood-stuffed poblano pepper swimming in walnut cream sauce, a showstopper that’ll have you licking the plate.
  • $8 Agave Margaritas: The happy hour hero, blending Herradura Silver tequila and fresh lime for a tangy-sweet punch.

Atmosphere

The vibe here? Think abuela’s kitchen meets modern cantina.

Interior of Santa Catarina, which has red walls, a beige brick pillar, a bar on the right side and the kitchen on the left side. There are also wooden tables and chairs.
Photo by Paco P.

Exposed brick walls contrast with vibrant folk art, while the patio buzzes with laughter and clinking glasses.

Servers move like ninjas—friendly but never intrusive—and the open kitchen lets you watch tortillas being pressed to order.

Bottom Line

Come for the happy hour margaritas, stay for the Yucatan-style pork that’ll haunt your dreams.

Santa Catarina delivers bigger flavors than a mariachi band’s trumpet section, all in a space that feels like a warm hug from your favorite relative.

Gordita with venison chorizo, crema elote soup, and En Nogado poblano on a wooden table in front of a fountain.
Gordita with Venison Chorizo, Crema Elote Soup, and En Nogado Poblano, Photo by Kim W.

Address: 500 Cypress Creek Road Apt 170, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: (737) 300-2296

  1. https://www.santacatarinarestaurant.com/menu
  2. https://www.santacatarinarestaurant.com
  3. https://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-cedar-park
  4. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g55599-d12067148-Reviews-Santa_Catarina_Restaurant-Cedar_Park_Texas.html
  5. http://places.singleplatform.com/santa-catarina-restaurant/menu
  6. https://www.santacatarinarestaurant.com/locations
  7. https://ordering.chownow.com/order/17308/locations/24711?add_cn_ordering_class=true
  8. https://www.instagram.com/santacatarinatx/
  9. https://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-cedar-park?start=20
  10. https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-04-16-beloved-texas-eatery-named-best-mexican-restaurant-in-the-state/
  11. https://www.reddit.com/r/austinfood/comments/1cdkujj/cedar_park_santa_catarina_restaurant/
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  13. https://visitcedarparktexas.com/listing/santa-catarina/167/
  14. https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g55599-d12067148-i689661931-Santa_Catarina_Restaurant-Cedar_Park_Texas.html
  15. https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/biz/santa-catarina/5061913952518144
  16. https://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-catarina-cedar-park?start=80
  17. https://restaurantguru.com/Santa-Catarina-Cedar-Park