Welcome to La Buena Vida - Cary
La Buena Vida - Cary is a vibrant Mexican bar located in Cary, NC, where culinary authenticity meets lively ambiance. Inspired by the richness of Mexican culture, this restaurant offers an extensive menu featuring delightful dishes such as Taquitos Buena Vida and Ceviche Tropical, perfectly blending tradition with flair. Customers rave about the exceptional service, particularly from staff members like Viviana and Fernanda, enhancing the warm, welcoming environment. The eclectic decor and upbeat atmosphere make it an ideal spot for gatherings. Whether indulging in flavorful chicken empanadas or enjoying the creative margaritas during Margarita Mondays, La Buena Vida promises a memorable dining experience.
- 1388 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511 Hotline: (919) 678-3449
Welcome to La Buena Vida - Cary, a vibrant gem nestled in the heart of Cary, North Carolina. Located at 1388 Kildaire Farm Rd, this contemporary Mexican bar offers a unique fusion of authentic cuisine and lively atmosphere that will transport you straight to the heart of Mexico.
At La Buena Vida, dining is not just about eating; it’s an experience. As you step inside, you will be greeted by an eclectic decor that radiates warmth and energy. The upbeat ambiance, often enhanced by live music, makes it a fantastic destination for a fun night out or a casual gathering with friends. Those who’ve visited rave about the exceptional service—Kudos to the staff, particularly Viviana and Fernanda, who consistently go above and beyond to ensure your visit is memorable.
The menu is a delightful tapestry of flavors, featuring standout dishes that appeal to a range of palates. Highlights include:
- Camarones Flameados Al Tequila ($27.99)—a bold and flavorful shrimp dish that ignites the senses.
- Buena Vida Burrito ($16.99)—packed with ingredients fresh enough to rival your favorite hometown taco stand.
- Especial Aguachile De Ribeye ($15.99)—a tantalizing mix that beautifully showcases the kitchen's creative flair.
- Flaming Hot Esquites ($7.99)—these vibrant and flavorful corn dishes are perfect for sharing.
Guests often express satisfaction with the generous portions and well-crafted meals, with dishes that are bursting with flavor. Ray L. claims, "The food is better than 98% of the Mexican restaurants in North Carolina," highlighting the authenticity that is hard to come by. If you’re in the mood for something light, the chicken empanadas are a must-try, while the mole enchiladas provide a comforting, homestyle taste. However, it’s worth noting that consistency can occasionally vary; still, the overall experience remains delightful.
Don’t miss out on the drink specials, particularly Margarita Mondays, where house margaritas are served at discounted prices, making it the perfect opportunity to unwind with friends. The drink menu is as creative as the food, offering unique cocktails that aim to elevate your dining experience.
If you're searching for great food paired with lively vibes, La Buena Vida - Cary is definitely worth a visit. From the vibrant decor to the tantalizing dishes, your culinary adventure here will leave you eager for more. So gather your friends, grab a seat, and immerse yourself in a taste of Mexico without the long flight!

The food is.better than 98% of the Mexican restaurants in North Carolina. I'm from LA and was missing the authentic food until l came here. The service is exceptional. Viviana and Fernanda were absolutely wonderful. Everyone was super friendly, but these two are extra special. The ambience is contemporary, eclectic and inviting. If you're missing real Mexican food, this place is so worth the drive.

They serve chips and salsa up front now! The shredded chicken is so flavorful, and I appreciate that their bowls are filling and put together with more fresh produce than rice.

I'd heard of this place but never visited the Cary location. I'm so glad I did. The staff and service were exceptional! The food was a bonus! Everything was delicious and left me wanting more!! The decor and art give this place a very upbeat and sensational vibe. I will definitely be back to try more drinks and more food. I started with the guacamole and birria roll apps from the lunch menu and had the Tiras de pollo which to me was the star of the show! P.S. Margarita Mondays mean house margs are on sale on Mondays!

This is a lively and vibrant restaurant, perfect for a fun night out. We visited on a Saturday evening and had a great time. The DJ started around 8 PM, adding a fantastic energy with music that kept the atmosphere upbeat. The Mexican food was delicious, with some unique and creative twists that added plenty of flair. We opted to sit at the bar since the restaurant was busy with large groups, likely due to holiday gatherings. The service was generally good, though a bit slow at times--but we didn't mind, as it gave us more time to enjoy the experience. For dessert, we tried the flan, which was an interesting take on the classic. It served and had a texture more akin to cheesecake and was topped with Fruity Pebbles for a fun twist. While it wasn't the traditional flan we expected, it was still enjoyable.

La Buena Vida has a vast menu with lots of options and selections. They have a very nice interior and vibes for a fun night out. I think the food was alright, but the drink menu and energy inside make up for it. I got some enchiladas and thought they were alright. They have these "shows" you can order, where the staff come out and do a dance to music and present several drinks to the table, it was really fun to watch, and I think it would be really fun for a special occasion. Overall, it was an interesting spot, I wouldn't come just for food though. I would come to have a good time and order some drinks.

The decor of this restaurant was so much fun! The vibes were lively and it almost felt like I was stepping into a dance bar. Service was relatively fast, especially given how busy they were. I got the chicken empanadas and the mole enchiladas. The empanadas were pretty good, it was your standard fried empanada. The mole enchilada was also just ok - my only complaint is about the multiples pieces of bones and cartilage I had to pick out. I'm giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of 3 because of how fun it was inside. I'd definitely come back for drinks with friends!

I wanted to love it since I love the Raleigh location. The food consistently changes as does the customer service experience. Celebrated a birthday, party of 13 and all of us received our food at different times which sucked! The food presentation is always a hit, portions are just right and selection of food is good:

My boyfriend and I came in because I heard about this place from a coworker. The decor is very fancy, and it seems upscale as a result. The menus had really small font, and the restaurant was pretty dark. That might not be the best for people who can't see well. I ordered the platano relleno. It was good, very flavorful. The plantains were delicious, and I'm not sure what all was on top. I ate the whole plate clean. Our server was Viviana. She was pretty attentive and recommended a bacon-wrapped shrimp dish. Unfortunately, they didn't have it in stock anymore, which was disappointing. All in all, good experience. Food is a little pricey tho! But the quality is good. I think I still prefer Esmerelda Grill for more authentic and less expensive options.