Welcome to Branch Cantina, a beachfront Mexican restaurant serving up all your classic favs. From street tacos to empanadas, from tuna ceviche to queso fundido, you'll find everything you're craving after a day at the beach--and there's plenty of outdoor seating, too! At Branch Cantina you'll also find over 100 varieties of tequila and mezcal to fulfill all your cocktail dreams, and you can even build your own style margarita!
Come as you are and stay awhile. The menu at Branch Cantina is awesome and classic, but we kicked it up a notch to impress you. So grab your posse and hang loose with us.
Come as you are and stay awhile. The menu at Branch Cantina is awesome and classic, but we kicked it up a notch to impress you. So grab your posse and hang loose with us.
Services
Welcome to our beachfront cantina, located right on the boardwalk of Pier Village with the best views of the sun, surf and sand! In the Branch Cantina world, it's go big or go home. So we decided to go big--as in 100 varieties of tequila and mezcal BIG! So however you prefer your favorite cocktails, whether classic or fruity, frozen or straight up, we'll make it however you like!
Reviews (25)
Carmen C.
Nov 29, 2021
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Natalie M.
Nov 20, 2021
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Rick K.
Nov 09, 2021
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Restaurant Week menu VERY VERY LIMITED. Octopus ceviche and shishito peppers were good, beef tacos were okay and nothing memorable, the burger was lousy- WAY too much going on and the bun was old. Churros were dry, if I didn't know better I'd swear they'd been cooked and then reheated, and the flan was very bland. When we walked in we were literally the only guests in the place (which explains why with a 7:30 reservation and 8:00 closing time they called us to see if we were still coming or if they could lock up early)- it was too bright but at least you could tell the place was
David B.
Oct 22, 2021
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Stopped in with my wife. We were staying at the Wave Resort. Very disappointing. First the bartender did not show up for the 11:30 opening time which btw was not the time listed on Yelp for when they open.
Second the staff was just standing around doing nothing. The place looked a bit untidy with a broom and dustpan leaning up against the bar and one of the staff more interested in watch soccer on TV then serving patrons.
All in all not a good experience!
Second the staff was just standing around doing nothing. The place looked a bit untidy with a broom and dustpan leaning up against the bar and one of the staff more interested in watch soccer on TV then serving patrons.
All in all not a good experience!
Aileen Kiter
Oct 20, 2021
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I find it really hit or miss here. Sometimes the staff is super attentive and other times you have to ask multiple times for a fork. The guac is great as is the queso fundido. Some of the other dishes have been bland. Please please bring back the Bowls !! They were the most awesome and flavorful thing on the menu. The location can’t be beat and they have dog friendly outdoor seating. Don’t expect kids to really find much on the menu. The most kid friendly item - the tacos - are not what kids expect. They are more like street tacos (yet very bland).
Criss Castle
Sep 21, 2021
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(Long Branch, NJ) Branch Cantina Is a great place to eat right off the beach with a beautiful ocean view! They are directly connected to the WAVE Hotel. They have both indoor and outdoor dining. Many of the outdoor tables also have umbrellas. Their drinks are actually pretty good and fun. I mean who doesn’t like a cool drink sitting by the beach? As far as the menu goes it’s supposed to be like Spanish or Mexican and it’s more or less an expanded bar menu. We had their guacamole, nachos (which was huge & definitely a table share), a shrimp dish and chicken tacos. The chicken tacos were my
Mari Perez
Sep 19, 2021
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The waitress was very nice! Ordered the guacamole was good! We ordered the salmon tacos (not worth $19) it was three little small strips...I mean a finger size. Also ordered the carnitas - absolutely no flavor that was $16. And you only get three tacos with the meat and that's it. It's not worth the price they charged. OVERPRICED!
Jonathan Etheart
Aug 16, 2021
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We went to Long Branch for the 2nd weekend in a row and stumbled upon Branch Cantina. The food was great all around, but the pork belly was by far the best. It was perfectly crispy and had a sweet sauce as well. The barbacoa tacos and salmon were also pretty tasty.
If you’re looking for guac, you get a good serving and the chips are solid (could be saltier).
The churros for dessert were great and a big portion, not the mini ones that you normally get. Overall, this is definitely a place to hit if you’re in Long Branch!
If you’re looking for guac, you get a good serving and the chips are solid (could be saltier).
The churros for dessert were great and a big portion, not the mini ones that you normally get. Overall, this is definitely a place to hit if you’re in Long Branch!
Denise Crespo
Aug 03, 2021
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I just picked up shrimp tacos for $17. I picked it up ASAP because I hate when my food gets cold so I was there before it was ready. When they gave the shrimp to me it was cold, not completely cooked and completely sloppy! The cabbage is rotten and they just threw it in with the shrimp tacos. Even the tortillas were iced cold ! Horrible ! Do not come here ! Save your money !
Stefano B.
Jul 28, 2021
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If I could give a 0 that would be my score!
How can you open a restaurant and hope to serve food that is not fresh.
Stale tortilla chips , stale tortilla shell for my tacos ! Pulled pork was flavorless.
Veggie tacos SAD ! No flavor , felt like it came out of a microwave.
We barely touched our food .
No concern on why we didn't eat or why we asked the check right after .
I feel robbed !
How can you open a restaurant and hope to serve food that is not fresh.
Stale tortilla chips , stale tortilla shell for my tacos ! Pulled pork was flavorless.
Veggie tacos SAD ! No flavor , felt like it came out of a microwave.
We barely touched our food .
No concern on why we didn't eat or why we asked the check right after .
I feel robbed !
Megan O.
Jul 25, 2021
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A convenient spot right off the beach/boardwalk for a quick bite to eat. I had the crab guacamole and the ahi tuna (with peanuts) and they weren't anything to rave about. The chips were very stale, but the server kindly gave us new ones. The cocktails were good, but again nothing unique. Unfortunately I don't think I would return here.
Theresa M.
Jun 25, 2021
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We have been repeat customers to Branch Cantina for the past two years. They recently changed their menu and I believe their chef. The food selection is limited, expensive and lack luster... devoid of any flavor. We ordered the fish tacos, less than 3 oz of fish with a bland cabbage blend on top. $16 for a tasteless snack. Will never go back. Ruined a perfectly good thing.
Rod CeFu
Jun 20, 2021
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This has to be the worst Mexican restaurant we have ever been to. Those positive reviews must have come from friends of employees or owners. Worst not because of the price ($16 for 3 tacos), but for the tasteless food. I guarantee there was no main chef in the kitchen, probably bus boys cooking. We ordered the chicken, pork and shrimp tacos and all were flavorless. The nachos was also the worst we ever seen, like they were saving the ingredients. We should have taken pictures but we were so hungry so we dug in quickly. My wife and daughter lost their appetite and didn't finish so we tried giving
Dana R.
Jun 18, 2021
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Diana C.
Jun 15, 2021
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Dined here twice during MDW as it literally rained every day and did not want to leave the resort (was staying at Wave).
The menu online was not up to date. It was extremely minimized. No more fajitas. It would have been nice to update the website especially since summer is coming.
Margaritas - first night was amazing. Ordered the watermelon and strawberry rhubarb. The bartender was great. Second night it was someone different and some ordered the watermelon margarita again and it was not good. I got the blueberry one which was yummy.
Food - tacos tacos and not really much else. Salads too
The menu online was not up to date. It was extremely minimized. No more fajitas. It would have been nice to update the website especially since summer is coming.
Margaritas - first night was amazing. Ordered the watermelon and strawberry rhubarb. The bartender was great. Second night it was someone different and some ordered the watermelon margarita again and it was not good. I got the blueberry one which was yummy.
Food - tacos tacos and not really much else. Salads too
Abigail L.
Jun 02, 2021
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First, let me say the service at Branch Cantina was top-notch!
I went for lunch with a friend and we weren't sure if they only serve a select food during lunch hours but there was a very limited menu. We also assumed since we went before MDW, maybe they didn't have their full menu out? It was interesting since their window decor, says things like Quesadillas, Fajitas etc. but none of that is on the menu ?
My friend and I ordered the nacho to start. They were good, but wish they had more cheesiness to them. The tortilla chips were so good, you can tell they made them in-house!!
For
I went for lunch with a friend and we weren't sure if they only serve a select food during lunch hours but there was a very limited menu. We also assumed since we went before MDW, maybe they didn't have their full menu out? It was interesting since their window decor, says things like Quesadillas, Fajitas etc. but none of that is on the menu ?
My friend and I ordered the nacho to start. They were good, but wish they had more cheesiness to them. The tortilla chips were so good, you can tell they made them in-house!!
For
Lauren C.
May 16, 2021
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The staff and the location was wonderful! The food not so much. All of the food that we ordered was bland lacking Mexican flavor that was expected. The salsa was simply purred tomatoes as if it were tomato soup. The chicken inside the tacos tasted boiled with no flavor and as if it were microwaved. The chips tasted like Fritos and the guacamole tasted as if it was packaged! Pricey and not worth spending the money on terrible food. I do not recommend dinning here and if you plan to then bring your own seasoning, salt or even Adobo. Will never return!
Stanley R.
Mar 27, 2021
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Well rootin tootin didgeridoo!!!! It's Stanley R back with another review. It was nice out today so I decided to ride the old motorbike down to long branch to check out the branches n maybe see the beach. I was extremely afraid of the ocean as a kid due to some trauma I'm not ready to discuss so I've been slowly trying to get over it. I started to panic and the closest place to hide was the Branch Cantina so I ran inside and was kinda hungry anyway so I asked for a table. I think I acted normal but idk.
I started with the nachos because I absolutely love beans so much. Worth the
I started with the nachos because I absolutely love beans so much. Worth the
Marc L.
Jan 31, 2021
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So first of all, Branch Cantina is located within the Wave Resort Hotel on the south side of Pier Village. It is not a stand alone restaurant. For whatever reason they don't make this abundantly clear on the Yelp listing or their website. To make matters worse, if you use your phone's map to lead you here, it will take you into Rooney's parking lot which is completely on the opposite side of Pier Village from where the Wave Resort building is located.
Once you actually get into Branch Cantina, the space is beautiful - looking directly out over the Ocean. We went during the
Once you actually get into Branch Cantina, the space is beautiful - looking directly out over the Ocean. We went during the
Jackie Shaab AbiteOUTwithJACK
Oct 22, 2020
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Special Spicy Pineapple Drink- lives up to the hype!
I sadly missed pic's of our mains... Guacamole- slightly oniony, Shashido- expected so much more for just an average bite, Ahi Tuna Ceviche--yummy, Branch Chopped Salad with grilled salmon - salad was average, dressings weren't special but the salmon was amazing, Red Snapper Veracruzana--AMAIZNG!
Churros -- just OK, Pineapple Empanada - tiny, good, but tiny.
Follow me on Instagram @AbiteOUTwithJACK
JS8.1
I sadly missed pic's of our mains... Guacamole- slightly oniony, Shashido- expected so much more for just an average bite, Ahi Tuna Ceviche--yummy, Branch Chopped Salad with grilled salmon - salad was average, dressings weren't special but the salmon was amazing, Red Snapper Veracruzana--AMAIZNG!
Churros -- just OK, Pineapple Empanada - tiny, good, but tiny.
Follow me on Instagram @AbiteOUTwithJACK
JS8.1
Joe P.
Oct 04, 2020
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I have been an avid goer of Pier Village and its establishments since about 2012. With the new addition of the Wave Resort came this oceanfront Cantina. Now, me being a lover of Mexican style food, I had to check it out!
The wait was a little long even though I was a party of 1. One suggestion would be to have some 2 person tables outside so parties of 1 or 2 can be sat quicker. May not be possible now to do this, though maybe something to think about for the future.
Alright, so let's dive in, shall we?
First thing that got me was the view from my table outdoors, what a view of the Ocean
The wait was a little long even though I was a party of 1. One suggestion would be to have some 2 person tables outside so parties of 1 or 2 can be sat quicker. May not be possible now to do this, though maybe something to think about for the future.
Alright, so let's dive in, shall we?
First thing that got me was the view from my table outdoors, what a view of the Ocean
Mike McCloskey
Sep 13, 2020
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What an amazing, delicious experience we had @ Branch Cantina in Long Branch, NJ. Great food, creative cocktails and the outdoor seating and view is spectacular! The staff was very helpful and we enjoyed speaking with the manager Jay about some of the spices they create for the cocktails and dishes. We will definitely be back...
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation today...you will not be disappointed!!
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation today...you will not be disappointed!!
Oscar P.
Aug 15, 2020
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Came here for dinner on a early Friday night. Did not have reservations but was still seated fairly quickly. We were a party of seven which included 3 children. The staff couldn't of been nicer and professional.
The food is excellent and the margaritas are amazing and fresh. The watermelon margaritas are excellent. The view of the ocean is great. We have been there twice in a week.
It's Long Branch not Taco Bell, so yes it's a little pricier, but your paying for high quality food, service and location.
Will Definitely be back!
The food is excellent and the margaritas are amazing and fresh. The watermelon margaritas are excellent. The view of the ocean is great. We have been there twice in a week.
It's Long Branch not Taco Bell, so yes it's a little pricier, but your paying for high quality food, service and location.
Will Definitely be back!
Carina P.
Jul 22, 2020
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The drinks here are the reason why Branch Catina deserves a 5 star review. I HIGHLY recommend the frozen mango margarita (its huge!) as well as the watermelon margarita on the rocks!
The ahi tuna ceviche was just okay. The raw tuna was great but I didn't like the tomatoes and cucumbers it was served with. My friend inhaled her chicken burrito so I would definitely recommend ordering the burrito!
The ahi tuna ceviche was just okay. The raw tuna was great but I didn't like the tomatoes and cucumbers it was served with. My friend inhaled her chicken burrito so I would definitely recommend ordering the burrito!
Bruce A. Brecht
Jul 22, 2020
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Everything we tried was tasty. Definitely get the shrimp tower appetizer. Excellent. Their Guacamole is phenomenal so get some with chips or to add to your entree. I had the shrimp taco which were good and the fajitas were good but get the rice and beans as a side. I also had the side of Blistered Shishitos peppers. They are not to be missed. They are not spicy and have a great flavor. The service was excellent and we will be back.
