Lacto
Ovo
Beer/Wine
Mexican
Gluten-free
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Sit-down Mexican restaurant with a separate vegan menu. Includes appetizers such as guacamole, street corn, and nachos; salads and soup such as tortilla soup; tacos; quesadillas; a rice bowl; and sides include Brussels sprouts and fried yuca. Restaurant has a gluten-free menu as well. Full bar with cocktails and live music some nights. Attached to Diego's Bodega and sister restaurant of Diego's on Bowen's Wharf in Newport. Open Mon-Sun 12:00pm-9:30pm.


Venue map for Diego's Barrio Cantina
© OpenStreetMap contributors

16 Reviews

First Review by amethysthairnj

McMallory

Points +2218

Vegan
23 Jul 2024

Not bad, but not Mexican…

I didn’t read the reviews here, so I didn’t know to ask for the separate vegan menu…. But several of the vegan items were listed on the standard menu and marked as vegan, so I went off of that. I got the vegan burrito as a bowl, and it wasn’t bad. The portion was reasonably small, which I appreciated as I wasn’t that hungry and often burritos and bowls are ridiculously sized.

The bowl was listed as having beans, rice, pico, lettuce, sautéed vegetables, guacamole, and vegan cheese. I got it without the vegan cheese and asked to add the “pepita hummus,” hoping it was Sikil P’ak, which I love. They left off the pepita hummus so I never found out.

The beans were fine. The rice was fine. The pico was fine. But the veggies? Okay, let’s talk. They tasted good to start but there are a lot of vegetables one associates with Mexican food. I’m sorry, but Brussels sprouts are NOT one of them! 🤪 Like, zucchini, mushroom, corn, winter squash, absolutely. We could even get away with something that isn’t Mexican but works, like spinach or whatever. But the dish was like 40% Brussels sprouts! So while it actually tasted fine, it was baffling for sure. Kinda funny!

The guacamole on my bowl was weirdly warm and I didn’t eat it. It tasted like my dish had been under a heat lamp, guac and all, while my partner’s enchiladas were made.

My partner is vegetarian, not vegan, and got dairy enchiladas. He said his food was similar to mine in both quality and authenticity.

The place is cute. I sort of liked it. But I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, and my quest to find decent Mexican food ANYWHERE in New England sadly continues…. lol

audreyc

Points +980

Vegan
22 Aug 2023

Great restaurant!

I enjoyed dinner at this restaurant. It’s spacious and the atmosphere is very nice. I appreciate that they have mocktails on the drinks menu in addition to cocktails. The vegan dishes are labeled on the menu, as are non-vegan items for which that have a vegan option available. (However, the vegan versions of non-vegan menu items may require some ingredients being left off; for example, there’s no vegan aioli for the vegan-option street tacos.) The vegan nachos were delicious. I also got the vegan tacos, and would recommend that you try to order salsa and/or guacamole along with them because I found them to be a little dry, although very flavorful, when ordered as-is from the menu. I also liked that the drinks were served with paper straws.

Updated from previous review on 2023-08-22

Pros: Atmosphere, Labeled vegan options, Use paper drink straws

kateeatsleaves

Points +245

Vegan
29 Jul 2023

Many vegan options

Diego’s is in a really great location. There is a separate vegan menu with several different options. I have had the mushroom and cauliflower mini quesadillas, side of crispy potatoes, and chips with three salsas. All were very yummy.

Pros: Several vegan options , Good drinks/mocktails, Great location

Cons: Small portions , Some items are pricey

GiannaRizzotti

Points +502

Vegan
19 Sep 2022

Lots of options

Lots of options and separate menu. Service could be better but it’s a good place to eat to make everyone happy.

DanBlinn

Points +180

Vegan
10 Sep 2022

Lots of options

They had a very extensive vegan menu. Looking at the main menu, it was apparent that many more dishes could be easily modified. Atmosphere might be off-putting to some (loud metal, punk music). Spicy cauliflower side was great.

Pros: Extensive vegan menu, Spicy cauliflower , Reasonable prices for resort town

Cons: Loud music not conducive to relaxing meal

mOscar2u

Points +1056

Mostly Veg
06 Jul 2022

Accidental find…

After viewing some of the Newport mansions today we decided to drive around to other parts of the surrounding Rhode Island areas.
A number of vegan options were listed on the menu, which was a nice start. We started off with the vegan nachos and we were presented with a platter of chips topped with a variety of goods! Accompanied with a local IPA made for the ideal starter.
I wished I hadn’t ordered the vegan tacos because (1) I was full and (2) the vegan tacos really weren’t that good. I was actually disappointed with them.
I would come back only to try other options but not the tacos.

Pros: Location , Vegan options

Cons: Tacos felt thrown together

AllieSteinberg

Points +70

Vegan
26 Jun 2022

Lots of vegan options!

Every part of the menu had vegan options. The portion sizes are perfect and I felt full after my meal. The servers were great, the drinks were delicious and the decor was cool. Cannot recommend this place enough!

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Use a ton of local ingredients

fannyf

Points +110

Vegan
23 Jun 2022

Good vegan tacos

Place is cute with some outdoor seating with a nice view. I ordered the vegan tacos which is mostly grilled veggies topped with vegan cheese. I also tried the tofu tacos which had some veggies and pineapple. I preferred the vegan tacos. They both come with a side of rice. They were already a little spicy so didn’t need extra hot sauce. Overall its a nice spot especially if hanging out with non-vegans.

Pros: Vegan and non-vegan options

MarkHanneman

Points +15

Vegetarian
24 May 2022

Poor Service edible food. Avoid

From the moment we arrived at Diego’s we were met by employees who were angry and or incompetent. They were unfriendly and negative about even having to provide the vegan menu. They got the wrong order wrong for both the food and drinks. I generously give them 2 stare as the food was tolerable. Avoid if other options exist. We won’t be returning

Pros: Options , Good location

Cons: Bad service , Incompetent servers or kitchen, Not very good food at all

JusticeCow

Points +73

Vegan
13 Mar 2022

Vegan tacos were meh

The tacos were really oily and the rice they come with was real tired. I would not come back plus the order of two tacos and rice was $15 and if I had not ordered chips and salsa- it would not have been enough.

Cons: Expensive, Oily

long_egg

Points +367

Vegan
09 Nov 2021

Great every time

Always so warm and tasty. Service is fast, staff is very nice. A roommate brought me takeout from here once when I was sick, and it made me feel so much better. Also a favorite on date nights when we're in the area.

Pros: Food comes out fast, Fresh and tasty, Great atmosphere

ShaynaShazam

Points +39

Vegan
28 Jun 2020

Options and delicious!!!

Loved the simple decor and beautiful view of the dining area. The menu has vegan options boldly marked. The items aren't just like regular Mexican items made vegan style, they spice up each item with flair. I tried the vegan nachos which included fresh tortilla chips lightly seasoned, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, fresh jalapenos, freshly made salsa and guacamole and if course, vegan cheese. Definitely big enough to share with friends. The vegan quesadilla was made with cauliflower and mushrooms, vegan cheese, and served with guac and fresh salsa. Definitely a place to stop at for any lover of Mexican food... Vegan or not.

Pros: Variety, good service, knowledgeable staff,, Vegan options clearly marked on menu, delicious, , Fresh food, affordably priced

Cons: Multi level dining

wokeveganqueen

Points +418

Vegan
23 Jan 2020

Separate vegan menu (just have to ask for it)!!

Diego's is my go-to restaurant when I'm in Newport because they offer a completely separate vegan menu and vegan cheese! Vegan options are numerous and include street tacos, fried tofu tacos, korean bbq tacos, verde tostadas, grilled avocado, pimentos de sal, crack fries, mushroom and cauliflower quesadillas, grilled corn quesadillas, cali burrito, and enchiladas. Vegan appetizers include guacamole, vegan nachos, and salsa 4 ways. I've tried all three of the tacos as well as the guacamole and I was very happy with all of them. I highly recommend Diego's if you don't feel like having to customize your order or ask a bunch of questions.

Pros: Separate vegan menu, Offers vegan cheese, Reasonably priced

SteveHorney

Points +143

Vegetarian
04 Aug 2019

Awesome!

Rachel rocks and so do the tots tacos and chimichurri sauce. Nice causal vibe and delicious!

PerkyTrain

Points +218

Vegan
14 Jul 2019

Not bad

This place was very nice and the staff were all friendly. There aren’t very many vegan options and they did burn my one quesadilla. The options are clearly marked on the menu which was nice.

amethysthairnj

Points +42

Vegan
28 May 2019

Great Vegan Options

I was very pleased with the service and vegan options. we got a table immediately and i had the quesadillas, tacos & salsa trio . all amazing!! Ask them for the separate vegan menu when you sit down!

Please note they that are also affiliated with the Diego’s in Newport. The Newport location was extremely rude to us which is why we tried this location instead and we are glad we did.

Updated from previous review on 2019-05-28




This page has been viewed 2568 times.