El Santo

4.5

1622 Reviews

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 26, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Good for groups
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

Welcome to el Santo, a restaurant experience that’s uniquely New West. This is a place for you to unwind. To connect with good friends over cocktails. To experience Chef Sam Fabbro’s sustainable menu. And most importantly, to leave satisfied and happy. Get ready to redefine everything you think you know about Mexican cuisine. Come in to our home, fellow luchadores. We’ve got something special for you.

We are excited to announced that el Santo was recently awarded best latin restaurant in Vancouver by Vancouver Magazine.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
CAN$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–2:15 pm Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Brunch Fri–Sun 11:30 am–2:15 pm Dinner Mon 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:30 pm
Phone number
(604) 553-1849
Website
http://elsanto.ca/
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Sam Fabbro

Location
680 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3M 1A9
Neighborhood
New Westminster
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
One block away from both Columbia and New Westminster Sky train station

Margarita GueyCA$13.00
Cazadores blanco, Triple Sec, lime
Margarita ChidaCA$17.00
Patron reposado, Grand Marnier, lime, agave
PalomaCA$13.00
Cazadores blanco, lime, Squirt, house salt rim
El DiabloCA$13.00
Cazadores reposado, Odd Society crème de cassis, lemon, house ginger syrup, soda
CaipirinhaCA$13.00
Avua cachaca, lime, sugar
CarajilloCA$10.00
House made cold brew espresso, Licor 43
Oaxaca Old FashionedCA$14.00
Cazadores reposado, Sombra mezcal, agave, bitters
El JazmínCA$12.00
Bombay Sapphire London Dry, Campari, Cointreau, lemon
BatangaCA$12.00
Cazadores blanco, Ancho Reyes verde, lime, Coca Cola, salt rim
El CaesarCA$11.00
Vodka or mezcal, Clamato, habanero hot sauce, Worcestershire
SangriaCA$11.00
Always Rotating

Creative

Available after 4pm

El VicenteCA$16.00
Barrel aged cocktail, smoked and served table side. Limited quantities available nightly
Tepache SpritzCA$13.00
House made tepache, cava, pineapple, cinnamon, soda
Grito de DoloresCA$13.00
Estancia raicilla, Cointreau, Green Chartreuse, verdita
El Bosque NubosoCA$16.00
Avua cachaca, Bacardi 8, Sombra mezcal, Campari, pineapple, lime, passionfruit, Narrative fortified
El DoradoCA$14.00
Herradura reposado, Amaro Montenegro, Lillet blanc, Angostura bitters
NanahuatzinCA$14.00
Sombra mezcal, dry vermouth, lime, lemon, strawberry, tarragon, soda
El PadrinoCA$14.00
Charred corn husk infused mezcal, Sons of Vancouver amaretto, house mole bitters
El AntojitoCA$15.00
Pulparindo infused Cazadores blanco, Aperol, green apple, lime, guava, house made chamoy & tajin rim
MoctezumaCA$15.00
Ron Zacapa 23 Solera, Sombra mezcal, Cinzano rosso, Triple Sec, Bittered Sling Arabica coffee bitters

Zero Proof

HorchataCA$6.00
House made rice milk, Mexican cinnamon, sugar
La ManzanillaCA$9.00
Lumette! Alt-gin 0%, chamomile tea, house made pineapple jam
MoreliaCA$6.00
Strawberry & tarragon syrup, lemon, soda

Beer & Cider

Draught Beer & CiderCA$6.75
Mexican BottlesCA$7.00
Corona, Corona Light, Dos Equis Amber, Dos Equis Lager, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial
Michelada Chilango
Lime juice, house made mezcal & habanero hot sauce, house salt rim. Add to any beer for +$1, Add Clamato +$1
El Luchelada
Simp's serious caesar mix, lime juice, house made mezcal & habanero hot sauce, mango nectar, worcestershire, house made chamoy & tajin rim, cucumber. Add to any beer for +$4
Forager Gluten Free LagerCA$7.00
Erdinger Non-AlcoholicCA$7.00

Soda

JarritosCA$3.75
Guava, Lime, Mandarin, Mango, Pineapple, Tamarind
BoylanCA$3.75
Gingerale, Diet Cola
MexicanCA$4.00
Squirt, Sangria soda, Coca Cola

After Dinner

Spanish CoffeeCA$10.00
Brandy, Kahlua, fresh coffee, whipped cream
Woods LimoncelloCA$8.00
Narrative Fortified Syrah & Merlot 2ozCA$12.00

Coffee, Tea & Juice

Fresh Squeezed JuiceCA$6.00
Rotating seasonal juice
JJ Bean French PressCA$4.75
Cacao Husk TeaCA$5.00
Great Wall Tea Co.CA$4.75
Loose leaf tea

Bubbles

Cava, Jaume Serra Cristalino, SpainCA$7.00
"The One" Sparkling, Noble Ridge, Okanagan FallsCA$65.00
Winner of Lieutenant Governors Award of Excellence

Wine

Rotating TapsCA$10.00

White

Viognier, 2018 Frind, OliverCA$10.00
Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Winemaker's Cut, OliverCA$11.00
Skin Contact Pinot Gris 2019 Kettle Valley, NaramataCA$12.00
Riesling 2018 Orofino "Clone 239" Similkameen ValleyCA$50.00
Chardonnay 2014 Pentâge, Skaha BenchCA$58.00

Rose

Pinot Noir/Syrah 2020 Corcelettes "Oracle" Similkameen ValleyCA$10.00

Red

Pinot Noir/Gamay 2019 Stag's Hollow "Simply Noir" Okanagan FallsCA$12.00
Merlot 2016 Hugging Tree "Moonchild" Similkameen ValleyCA$12.00
Syrah 2018 Moon Curser, OsoyoosCA$13.00
Malbec 2017 Kettle Valley, NaramataCA$58.00
Tempranillo 2015 Pentâge, Skaha BenchCA$54.00
Meritage 2018 Orofino "Beleza" Similkameen ValleyCA$70.00
Meritage 2008 Kettle Valley "Old Main Road" NaramataCA$90.00

Spirits

Amaro / Digestif

Amaro MontenegroCA$10.00
AperolCA$6.00
AvernaCA$8.00
CampariCA$6.00
CynarCA$9.00
Green ChartreuseCA$10.00
Odd Society Mia AmataCA$8.00
SambuccaCA$6.00
Woods AmaroCA$8.00
Yellow ChartreuseCA$10.00

Brandy / Cognac

Bas Armagnac Delord VSOPCA$14.00
Calvados Morin VSOPCA$12.00
Chateau de MontifaudCA$14.00
Grand MarnierCA$8.00
Hennessy VSCA$12.00
Pere Magloire VSCA$10.00
Remy Martin VSOPCA$18.00
St. Rémy VSOPCA$6.00
Miguel Torres JaimeCA$18.00

Gin

BeefeaterCA$7.00
Bombay SapphireCA$7.00
HendricksCA$9.00
Lumette! 0% Alt-GinCA$9.00
Masters London DryCA$7.00
Sheringham SeasideCA$11.00
TanquerayCA$7.00
Tanqueray 10CA$9.00
TempoCA$7.00

Pisco

El GobernadoCA$7.00
EncantoCA$7.00

Rum

Appleton VXCA$6.00
Avua PrataCA$8.00
Bacardi 4yrCA$7.00
Bacardi 8yrCA$7.00
BumbuCA$10.00
Flor de Cana 5yrCA$7.00
Flor de Cana 18yrCA$10.00
GoslingCA$7.00
Havana Club 3yrCA$6.00
Havana Club 7yrCA$7.00
Kraken SpicedCA$7.00
Mount Gay EclipseCA$8.00
Mount Gay XOCA$10.00
PyratCA$9.00
Ron Zacapa 23yrCA$12.00

Vodka

Grey GooseCA$9.00
SobieskiCA$6.00
TitosCA$8.00
ZubrowkaCA$7.00

Whiskey

AntiquityCA$8.00
Crown RoyalCA$7.00
Crown Royal XOCA$12.00
Cutty SarkCA$7.00
Dalwhinnie 15yrCA$18.00
Glenlivet 12yrCA$11.00
Green Spot Irish WhiskeyCA$13.00
Jack Daniel'sCA$6.00
Jameson Cooper's CrozeCA$14.00
Jameson Irish WhiskeyCA$6.00
Jim Beam BlackCA$7.00
Lagavulin 16yrCA$14.00
Lot 40CA$7.00
NikkaCA$14.00
Old ForesterCA$9.00
SazeracCA$11.00
StronachieCA$14.00
TeelingCA$12.00
Wiser's DeluxeCA$6.00
Woodford ReserveCA$10.00
Yellow SpotCA$17.00

Tequilas

Blanco

1800 ReservaCA$8.00
1800 Reserva CoconutCA$8.00
Aha ToroCA$12.00
AltosCA$8.00
AmateCA$10.00
AretteCA$11.00
CabezaCA$11.00
CasamigosCA$13.00
CazadoresCA$8.00
ChamucosCA$10.00
Clase AzulCA$18.00
CorralejoCA$10.00
CorzoCA$14.00
Don JulioCA$13.00
Dulce VidaCA$12.00
El JimadorCA$8.00
EspolonCA$8.00
Gran Patron SmokyCA$38.00
HornitosCA$8.00
MagaveCA$11.00
PapaloteCA$8.00
PatronCA$12.00
Patron RocaCA$18.00
Patron CafeCA$12.00
Patron IncendioCA$13.00
Rooster RojoCA$10.00
Tavi PlatinumCA$14.00
Tierra NobleCA$10.00
TrombaCA$10.00
T1 Ultra FinoCA$11.00

Reposado

1800 ReservaCA$9.00
Aha Toro DivaCA$16.00
Aha YetoCA$14.00
Altos BarrelCA$9.00
AlmaCA$14.00
AmateCA$12.00
ApocalyptoCA$18.00
AretteCA$12.00
CamarenaCA$9.00
CasamigosCA$14.00
CazadoresCA$9.00
Clase AzulCA$20.00
CorralejoCA$12.00
Don JulioCA$14.00
Don Julio Lagavulin Double CaskCA$20.00
El JimadorCA$9.00
EspolonCA$9.00
HerraduraCA$10.00
HornitosCA$9.00
Maestro DobelCA$12.00
MagaveCA$12.00
PapaloteCA$10.00
PatronCA$14.00
Patron Barrel SelectCA$14.00
Patron RocaCA$21.00
Tierra NobleCA$12.00
WansasCA$13.00

Añejo

AlmaCA$16.00
AmateCA$14.00
AretteCA$13.00
CasamigosCA$16.00
Clase AzulCA$75.00
CazadoresCA$10.00
CorralejoCA$16.00
Don JulioCA$16.00
Gran Patron BurdeosCA$60.00
Hornitos Black BarrelCA$10.00
Hornitos CristalinoCA$12.00
MagaveCA$14.00
PatronCA$16.00
Patron Barrel SelectCA$18.00
Patron RocaCA$26.00
Tierra NobleCA$14.00
Tierra SagradaCA$26.00
Tres GeneracionesCA$16.00
TrombaCA$14.00
T1 EstelarCA$15.00

Extra Añejo

Casa DragonesCA$45.00
CazadoresCA$14.00
Grand MayanCA$24.00
Gran Patron PiedraCA$60.00
Herradura Selección SupremaCA$45.00
Tears of LloronaCA$45.00
Tierra NobleCA$38.00

Agave Flights

Puro AgaveCA$30.00
Casamigos blanco, el Jimador blanco, Herradura silver
Los Tres TiposCA$35.00
Patron Blanco, Patron Reposado & Patron Añejo
RocaCA$38.00
Half an ounce of Patron Roca Blanco, Patron Roca Reposado, Patron Roca Añejo
AñejosCA$40.00
Casamigos, Cazadores, Corralejo
Dealer's ChoiceCA$35.00
The bartender's favourite blanco, reposado, and añejo tequilas
MezcalCA$40.00
Always rotating
Selección del MaestroCA$65.00
Clase Azul añejo, Tierra Noble extra añejo, Gran Patron Smoky

Mezcals

Alipus San BaltazarCA$9.00
Alipus San JuanCA$9.00
Alipus San LuisCA$9.00
Alipus San MiguelCA$24.00
CasamigosCA$10.00
El Jolgorio BarrilCA$18.00
El Jolgorio EspadinCA$14.00
El Jolgorio MexicanoCA$18.00
El Jolgorio TobalaCA$18.00
Enmascarado 45%CA$14.00
Enmascarado 54%CA$18.00
Koch EnsambleCA$13.00
Koch EspadinCA$9.00
Koch LumbreCA$15.00
Lágrimas de DeloresCA$18.00
Los Danzantes JovenCA$12.00
Los Danzantes Limited EditionCA$24.00
Los Danzantes ReposadoCA$14.00
Los Danzantes AnejoCA$16.00
Los Siete Misterios EspadínCA$13.00
Los Siete Misterios ArroqueñoCA$16.00
Los Siete Misterios BarrilCA$16.00
Los Siete Misterios CoyoteCA$18.00
Los Siete Misterios MexicanaCA$18.00
Los Siete Misterios TobalaCA$20.00
Los Siete Misterios JabaliCA$22.00
Los Siete Misterios PechugaCA$26.00
Marca Negra DobadanCA$16.00
Marca Negra EnsembleCA$16.00
Mezcales de LeyendaCA$16.00
Montelobos EspadinCA$10.00
Nuestra Soledad ZoquitlanCA$14.00
Pierde Almas DobadaanCA$12.00
Pierde Almas TobazicheCA$20.00
Pierde Almas PechugaCA$26.00
Sin Piedad EspadinCA$16.00
Sin Piedad PechugaCA$20.00
Sombra EspadinCA$9.00
Union UnoCA$10.00
Viejo IndecenteCA$16.00
Ven a MICA$16.00

What 1,622 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Vancouver Suburbs
Innovative
Vancouver Suburbs
Great for creative cocktails

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

El Santo offers a vibrant dining experience with "delicious food" and "outstanding service." The lively atmosphere and "amazing cocktails" make it perfect for a night out. While some find the noise challenging, the diverse menu and accommodating staff ensure a memorable visit. Highly recommended for lovers of authentic flavors.

1,622 Reviews

J
Julie
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
El Santo is one of my favourite restaurants for delicious Mexican style food. Overall, the food is absolutely delicious, so it is definitely worth a visit. I make a point of going there specifically for the Chili Relleno but I'm not sure if they've changed the recipe or if there's another Chef making it, but this time was a big fail. Regardless, it was worth it, always is, and don't forget to finish off with a coffee and some churros, best you'll ever have.
Is this helpful?
A
Autumn
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious, service was great. They were happy to let us sit there and yap for hours.
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r
roxanne
New York City
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 15, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great place , great food , great service! Don’t hesitate trying this New West gem!
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M
Michael
Seattle
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
This restaurant delivered beyond its expectations and price point. The tasting menu brought great seasonal flavours and fantastic dishes. Our waitress did a great job of knowing the drink menu and was able to recommend a spot on cocktail that I wouldn’t have picked but matched exactly what I was looking for. The atmosphere was lively and energetic (albeit - bit on the loud side) I would definitely come back and dive into a plate of tacos.
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T
Terry
Vancouver
32 reviews
4.0
32 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
This restaurant is our local go-to. However, less than 2 weeks before Christmas things were much busier and noisier than usual. We should have known. We were seated at my least favourite table (a 2-top in the back area next to a half wall). Some favourite dishes have changed - not necessarily a bad thing. However, the trio of salsas is now much too spicy for one of the diners. The fish tacos now have fairly big pieces of fish - maybe too big? All in all, not the enjoyable visit we were expecting.
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S
Sanjaya
Las Vegas
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 12, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Good service. Great food. Too loud for my taste but well worth it.
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E
Eunice
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was fantastic, and the server was very friendly. My friends and I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere at El Santo. It exceeded our expectations. Thank you for providing us with such a memorable moment.
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T
Tatsuya
Vancouver
7 reviews
1.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 3, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Booked by open table but they did NOT realized our request when we shows up. Waited 30min to get seat. All day happy hour Monday was busy but way too short staff when peak time. Dishes are cold not attending to customers at the end owner shows up but they never apologized just throwing chips, what????? bad service. One of server was very attentive to take care. So she was great. But all the other was lazy and just keep talking talking… won’t come back
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C
Claude
Vancouver
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a wonderful experience just a little loud. Delicious food!!!
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L
Lynx
Vancouver
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Our 4 course set menu meal took longer than expected and we were disappointed by the slow service and kitchen speed. It seemed to take 30+ min for each of our courses to come out after the previous plates had been cleared, and they were small portions per course so it didn't make sense to me that they would take so long. My husband had finished his sangria and waited 30 min to have a waitress walk by so he could ask for another, a different waitress mind you. I saw the floor manager walking about talking jovially to other tables, he glanced at our table and silently came to refill our waters and didn't say a word- did not ask how our food was so far or if we were enjoying ourselves. We asked for the bill after our main course plates were cleared so we could pay and eat dessert and leave on time for our show. Our waitress was sweet enough, though she seemed a bit stressed or distracted. She served us a side of chips and salsa as an apology for the courses taking so long and to her credit she made sure we got out on time as I mentioned we needed to leave by 9 pm. The food was good, could use a touch more salt but the components were well thought out and plated nicely. Sadly, it will be unlikely that we return, as the slow service, loud atmosphere and lackluster approach of the floor manager left us feeling underwhelmed overall.
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FAQs

El Santo does offer delivery in partnership with Skip The Dishes and Uber Eats.

El Santo is rated 4.5 stars by 1622 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 26, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

680 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3M 1A9

Additional information

Neighborhood
New Westminster
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–2:15 pm Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Brunch Fri–Sun 11:30 am–2:15 pm Dinner Mon 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:30 pm
Price
CAN$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
One block away from both Columbia and New Westminster Sky train station
Executive chef
Sam Fabbro

Website
http://elsanto.ca/
Phone number
(604) 553-1849

El Santo

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Cocktails

Classic

Margarita GueyCA$13.00

Margarita ChidaCA$17.00

PalomaCA$13.00

El DiabloCA$13.00

CaipirinhaCA$13.00

CarajilloCA$10.00

Oaxaca Old FashionedCA$14.00

El JazmínCA$12.00

BatangaCA$12.00

El CaesarCA$11.00

SangriaCA$11.00

Creative

El VicenteCA$16.00

Tepache SpritzCA$13.00

Grito de DoloresCA$13.00

El Bosque NubosoCA$16.00

El DoradoCA$14.00

NanahuatzinCA$14.00

El PadrinoCA$14.00

El AntojitoCA$15.00

MoctezumaCA$15.00

Zero Proof

HorchataCA$6.00

La ManzanillaCA$9.00

MoreliaCA$6.00

Beer & Cider

Draught Beer & CiderCA$6.75

Mexican BottlesCA$7.00

Michelada Chilango

El Luchelada

Forager Gluten Free LagerCA$7.00

Erdinger Non-AlcoholicCA$7.00

Soda

JarritosCA$3.75

BoylanCA$3.75

MexicanCA$4.00

After Dinner

Spanish CoffeeCA$10.00

Woods LimoncelloCA$8.00

Narrative Fortified Syrah & Merlot 2ozCA$12.00

Coffee, Tea & Juice

Fresh Squeezed JuiceCA$6.00

JJ Bean French PressCA$4.75

Cacao Husk TeaCA$5.00

Great Wall Tea Co.CA$4.75

Bubbles

Cava, Jaume Serra Cristalino, SpainCA$7.00

"The One" Sparkling, Noble Ridge, Okanagan FallsCA$65.00

Wine

Rotating TapsCA$10.00

White

Viognier, 2018 Frind, OliverCA$10.00

Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Winemaker's Cut, OliverCA$11.00

Skin Contact Pinot Gris 2019 Kettle Valley, NaramataCA$12.00

Riesling 2018 Orofino "Clone 239" Similkameen ValleyCA$50.00

Chardonnay 2014 Pentâge, Skaha BenchCA$58.00

Rose

Pinot Noir/Syrah 2020 Corcelettes "Oracle" Similkameen ValleyCA$10.00

Red

Pinot Noir/Gamay 2019 Stag's Hollow "Simply Noir" Okanagan FallsCA$12.00

Merlot 2016 Hugging Tree "Moonchild" Similkameen ValleyCA$12.00

Syrah 2018 Moon Curser, OsoyoosCA$13.00

Malbec 2017 Kettle Valley, NaramataCA$58.00

Tempranillo 2015 Pentâge, Skaha BenchCA$54.00

Meritage 2018 Orofino "Beleza" Similkameen ValleyCA$70.00

Meritage 2008 Kettle Valley "Old Main Road" NaramataCA$90.00

Spirits

Amaro / Digestif

Amaro MontenegroCA$10.00

AperolCA$6.00

AvernaCA$8.00

CampariCA$6.00

CynarCA$9.00

Green ChartreuseCA$10.00