Every Table Comes With an Ocean View at Redondo Beach’s New Mexican Cantina

Restaurateur Christopher Bredesen opened Riviera Mexican Cantina in Redondo Beach on Monday, May 6, in the prime waterfront location previously occupied by the Brazillian steakhouse Samba by the Sea. As the owner of Captain Kidd’s Fish Market in Redondo Beach and Torrance’s Primo Italia, Bredesen is no stranger to running restaurants in the South Bay. His latest project may be his most ambitious yet. Riviera Mexican Cantina is a sister concept to Riviera Mexican Grill, which opened in 1996 on the Pacific Coast Highway and was purchased by Bresden in 2020 when its owners retired after 24 years in operation.

Construction on the 10,000-square-foot building started in October 2023, transforming the space into something out of Tulum, Mexico, says Bredesen. The spacious dining room retains the original vaulted wood ceilings, while the rest of it is brightened with a fresh coat of white paint and new blonde wood floors. Wicker features heavily throughout in the chandeliers and chairs, lending a beachy air to the space. The entire experience is designed around giving diners an oceanfront view from every angle.

Matthew Kang

For the menu, Bredesen carried over the same style of coastal Mexican cuisine served at Riviera Mexican Grill, but updated it for the more upscale location. Dishes like shrimp taquitos and mini sopes are available to start, before moving on to mains like slow-braised carnitas, lobster enchiladas, grilled seabass, and birria quesatacos. For dessert, there are typical Mexican American favorites like churros, flan, and arroz con leche.

No cantina would be complete without a comprehensive drink menu. Nine types of margaritas are on offer, including one with cucumbers and tamarind and another with smoky blood orange. The margarita flight comes with a classic recipe, hibiscus strawberry, and Chile con Piña with jalapeno-infused tequila. Non-margarita options include beer and wine, plus other agave-based cocktails like an anejo Old Fashioned.

The opening of Riviera Mexican Cantina is part of a rapidly changing dining scene in the South Bay that Bredesen has witnessed firsthand growing up in the area. Over the years, he’s seen a changing of the guard as older venues are revitalized by new restaurateurs and improved hospitality across the board as competition increases for diners. “You gotta go that extra mile now,” he says. Bredesen sees the change as a positive for the area and is excited about what the future holds.

Riviera Mexican Cantina is located at 207 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, and is open Sunday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Matthew Kang

Riviera Mexican Cantina

Riviera Mexican Cantina

Riviera Mexican Cantina

Riviera Mexican Cantina

Riviera Mexican Cantina