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The Spotted Donkey Cantina, Clearwater Beach, FL

The Spotted Donkey Cantina

3.7
3.7
334 Reviews
$31 to $50
Unspecified
Chef Inspired Mexican Cuisine made fresh with simple ingredients. Try our unique Herradura Double Barrel Reposado Tequila made exclusively for the Spotted Donkey Cantina!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Clearwater
  • Cross Street
    Street level at the Hilton Clearwater Beach
  • Parking Details
    Parking is not included with your meal, public parking is available.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 334 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

3.7
3.7 based on recent ratings
  • 3.5Food
  • 3.8Service
  • 3.7Ambience
  • 3.3Value

NoiseModerate

334 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Only negative was not being able to reach anyone to make a reservation for more than 5 people. Phone was never answered.

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  2. CFwouldneveresthere

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1
    They served Goya BOXED Rice!!! The food was poor quality and the owner was chewing food while he was walking around the restaurant. I would NEVER recommend this place!! Horrible.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    St. Louis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server/bartender was amazing. The food was incredible, will be back!

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  4. AngieC

    Washington DC

    14 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on June 24, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience4
    We had a terrible meal and even worse service. Have been wanting to go here for a while now. Bland food. Simple things like water and salsa were hard to get.

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  5. BNewillis

    Raleigh

    6 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience3
    This place is not good!!! Charging almost $7 for chips and not good salsa is a turn off. The shrimp and mahi tacos are bad! I wish I did not waste my time or money. This place was poor and that's a compliment.

    1 person found this helpful

  6. Michael

    Houston

    6 reviews

    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience3
    Food was pretty basic - and not very good. Service was hit or miss. Obviously caters to our-of-towners.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The food might actually be good, but we were seated for a reservation and then waited over 20 minutes before leaving because no one ever came to our table! No waters, apps, nothing.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience3
    Food was not good . The salsa was terrible and they charge for chips and salsa. Overpriced with a limited menu

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    The drinks were terrible the food was mediocre at best and the service was also less than stellar. Given the location I had expected much better.

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  10. KelsiMarie

    Naples

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was superior, food was fantastic, we cannot wait to go back! Queso 12/10 and the Tierra y Mar was the best burrito I’ve ever had!!!!

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Cleveland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our table is ready as soon as we got there. Love sitting out on the patio. Host and our waitress were very friendly and super attentive. The food was absolutely delicious. Will definitely eat there again if we are ever back in the area. We had the chicken quesadilla burrito bowl and chicken chimichanga also guac and salsa 10 out of 10.

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  12. Peter

    New York Area

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 5, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1
    Online description is wrong, tables are all street side, not on the beach. Service horrible, drinks weak, and disappointing food. Do not believe the positive reviews, they are false

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  13. 7seasdiner

    Philadelphia

    18 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Menu looked good and food overall good but corners cut for restaurant to save $$ seemed cheap. My carne asada had very little onions and peppers and came with two tortillas. Throw a third tortilla on and please, onions aren’t expensive. The restaurant was quiet bc I’m sure locals know they can get more for their money elsewhere. I ordered a margarita right away bc that’s what you do at a Mexican restaurant and after my food had arrived, had to remind to bring my drink. Staff appear to be trying hard but it’s the little things that count here.

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  14. 1945

    Tampa

    60 reviews

    4.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience4
    Ordered a chimichanga with steak. Large portion of steak, probably the most I’ve ever had. I like red sauce, usually the chimmy is covered with sauce, but this was served with the sauce on the plate (small portion) and the chimmy placed on top. I asked our waiter for more red sauce thinking all he had to do was go back to the kitchen, put some in a cup and return. Wrong!! It took nearly 20 minutes to get more sauce. Our waiter was powerless. Manager passed our table, I asked for red sauce and sauce was brought to the table.

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  15. SusanM

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    The Spotted Donkey is an excellent Mexican restaurant. Great food, amiable service and super people watching on Mandalay Avenue. Mia was an excellent server with a $ million smile.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience1
    Loud, slow service, food was just ok. Will not go back.

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  17. SharleneH

    Toronto

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We had a great dinner. We all enjoyed our food and my husband and I loved our cocktails. Teens were happy. Nice family dinner, thank you!

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  18. KristinaS

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Service was great. The nachos and churros were top notch! The Carne asada flank steak was pricey but good with potato was yummy.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience4
    Kiosk says please wait to be seated. After no service for 5 mins, we proactively went in and asked the bartender to seat us. First order of chips was delivered and spilled by the server all over the table. Tacos arrived with a hair in them. The manager ‘graciously’ refunded this plate. Final bill arrived with no pen to add complete tip and total. Not busy at all but Very slow and disorganized. Location is great. Patio in the shade on the afternoon.

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  20. JazmyneM

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience4
    The environment was nice and staff were super friendly! Chips were delicious. However we did not enjoy the food. I found a hair in the guacamole, my husbands fish tacos had foul smell to the point he couldn’t eat them, and my quesadillas weren’t that tasty.

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  21. Nananole

    Las Vegas

    18 reviews

    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    I was surprised that there were no a La carte items. Our server was very nice, but seemed to have too many tables. My husband’s margarita was on the rocks instead of frozen as requested. He was brought the correct one and then we noticed both were on the bill so she had to get that changed. The bathroom had a lot of toilet paper on the floor, both wet and dry. He asked for the mango salsa to be on the side, but it was not. The food was okay, but I’ve had much better.

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  22. ShanaB

    Tampa

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Waited 20 minutes to get drinks and the waitress was rude the whole time. The food was ok literally ok

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  23. KimberlyQ

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We usually enjoy and would give 5 stars. This trip was good just not great. Everyone did as expected and food was hot and tasty just nothing was beyond good! We would still recommend and will be back!

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  24. lfleazar

    Raleigh

    80 reviews

    4.0

    80 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Peppers are included in almost all menu selections. The chocolate cake for dessert is fabulous!

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  25. bill7102

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Been here a few times, later in the evening on a Friday night. Of note, tried the Fajitas for the first time here and they were excellent. Reminded me of how Fajitas were typically served many years ago with a bit of a char on the mean and the vegetables. Other restaurants we tried in the past few years have just served a warmed up version with little or moderate flavor. This one dish might be the reason I return sooner rather than later.

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  26. PJ5225

    Philadelphia

    109 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    109 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Outstanding Mexican food!!! Great service. Always come here when we are in town.

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  27. FineFoodies

    Seattle

    12 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    Understaffed, so the wait was really long to receive our table (with reservation). Food took a very long time to receive. Waitress had no opinions on food/drink. Said she “doesn’t eat or drink there”. Food was EXTREMELY salty. Our whole party of 6 had a hard time eating the food is was so salty. Nothing was tasty and we all didn’t feel well after. Horrible all around.

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice experience- really good food

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and service! Drew was great!

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  30. PaulC

    Orlando

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience5
    Food was tasty. Appetizer came before water and cocktails. Had to ask for silverware and plates after food was delivered. Salad came after main course. Was not busy. Not sure what the problem was.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great authentic Mexican faire, inside or outside dining. Guacamole and Fajitas were exceptional. Fast,friendly service.

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  32. AngieC

    Columbus

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We ate there 2 days in a row . We will return next time we r in town

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food a little expensive for what we got but overall well

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  34. estherm

    Fort Lauderdale

    7 reviews

    1.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience3
    The food was terrible we had the meat fajitas we asked with no peppers but put all other vegetables the waitress said no problem The fajita came out with little pieces of meat that were burnt and with no vegetables we called the waitress and then she said that all the vegetables are mixed with green peppers she did not tell us this in the very beginning then we sent it back all they did was put in a few pieces of pepper and onions and brought it back it tasted awful we have had better fajitas at Chili’s! We had to continuously ask for water they nickel and dime you for everything we ask for the guacamole with chips asked if that also came with sauce she said no that would be an extra charge usually all Mexican places bring it with sauce and you would have to pay for the guacamole I would not recommend this place if you truly are a Mexican food eater

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good food, big portions, good service

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, excellent service, friendly staff

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Do not go expecting American Mexican food. Very tasty.

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  38. LizG

    Richmond

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience1
    Ate here on my birthday and was disappointed. Food was ok, but service was terrible. Waiter didn't bring me 2 items I asked for. Chocolate cake dessert was very chocolaty!

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We enjoyed our meal at the Spotted Donkey. Guacamole in particular was very tasty

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service and more than gives Rick Bayless a run for his money.

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FAQs

The Spotted Donkey Cantina offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (727) 461-3222.

The Spotted Donkey Cantina is rated 3.7 stars by 334 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 p.m.


Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Spotted Donkey Cantina

400 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Street level at the Hilton Clearwater Beach
  • Neighbourhood
    Clearwater
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Unspecified
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Resort Casual
  • Parking Details
    Parking is not included with your meal, public parking is available.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Dan Doherty
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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