Viva Taqueria & Cantina - Ithaca (NY)

4 /5 Andy Noyes: Its fine! My kid loves it. The food is good. Basic southwestern fair. The Cheatin Vegan Nachos are the best, no Im not vegan in neither is the dish. The bar is fun. Lotsa tequila great margaritas, the Smokey Joint is my favorite. The old place across the street had this vibe to it that didnt quite follow them to the new spot but its still a good spot.

5 /5 J. S.: Loved this place! I had the super smothered burrito and my wife ordered the taco salad. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. I was especially excited about the pickled carrots, they were amazing and clearly homemade. As a Mexican, my expectations were high, and this spot absolutely delivered.

4 /5 Jenn G: Sure! Here’s a polished Google review you can use for Viva Taqueria in Ithaca: ⸻ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We stopped in at Viva and tried the Macho Nachos—delicious! Generous, fresh toppings and great flavor. We added a side of guacamole, which was a perfect match. The service was friendly and quick, making the whole experience enjoyable. Would definitely come back!

2 /5 C R: Ever since the new owner in January 2025, the place has gone downhill. The chicken is gristly most of the time, the service is so incredibly slow, and the take out is a joke. We’ve been coming here every week/every other week for 10 yrs so I can post forthrightly. Our last time here we waited over an hour for our food to be ready. We ordered online, waited a 1/2hr then when we got there for pickup still had to wait another 40mins. When asked about it, they said they prioritized the diners and were just now getting to the take out people. That’s horrible business. Just stop taking online orders/doing carry out. There were a lot of us waiting and we all agreed. On top of that, all the ways they’ve changed the takeout menu/takeout ordering is atrocious.It’s unfortunate. This used to be a fun place to quickly get yummy food. Now it’s a pain on all fronts. We won’t be coming back for awhile.

4 /5 Rebecca McNellis: We had a couple cocktails and a snack of nachos. Nachos were very good. Atmosphere was bright and cheerful. We sat outside. Our server was busy, and was okay. She couldve been a little more attentive. Overall, everything was good.