CineOpera
About CineOpera
CineOpera is a modern Mexican restaurant on East 3rd Street in Los Angeles, serving tacos and cocktails on a terrace. The menu centers on shareable plates and drinks, with the Atun Tostada standing out as a popular pick and the Santa Canela Churros anchoring the dessert side. Reservations are advised.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking · Valet parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
16 dishes · mains $8–21Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention outdoor atmosphere, tapas-style sharing, garden terrace and freshly made churros.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention outdoor atmosphere, tapas-style sharing, garden terrace and freshly made churros.
Customer Review Summary
The outdoor terrace is the centerpiece experience reviewers return to most, described as lively, spacious, and chic with lush greenery, making it the primary draw for groups and special occasions. Diners frequently highlight the churros as freshly made with a great selection of dips, and several note the fish and chicken as strong choices, with portions that run large and work well for sharing tapas-style across small and large plates. Cocktails are a recurring highlight, and the strawberry milk punch earns specific mentions. On the downside, a few reviewers point out that the food lands as average or "almost Mexican," with the melted cheese dish singled out for not matching expectations, and one reviewer found the guacamole dip underwhelming for its price. Service is generally described as friendly and attentive, though one server's attempt to memorize a larger order led to an incorrectly served main. Several suggest booking ahead for the main outdoor area and note that evenings get chilly on the terrace.
Customer Review Summary
The outdoor terrace is the centerpiece experience reviewers return to most, described as lively, spacious, and chic with lush greenery, making it the primary draw for groups and special occasions. Diners frequently highlight the churros as freshly made with a great selection of dips, and several note the fish and chicken as strong choices, with portions that run large and work well for sharing tapas-style across small and large plates. Cocktails are a recurring highlight, and the strawberry milk punch earns specific mentions. On the downside, a few reviewers point out that the food lands as average or "almost Mexican," with the melted cheese dish singled out for not matching expectations, and one reviewer found the guacamole dip underwhelming for its price. Service is generally described as friendly and attentive, though one server's attempt to memorize a larger order led to an incorrectly served main. Several suggest booking ahead for the main outdoor area and note that evenings get chilly on the terrace.
Featured reviews
- Serge C
“Decided to venture downtown for dinner with friends this past week after hearing good things about La Cha Cha Cha, especially its outdoor atmosphere. We booked for 7:30 PM on a Saturday. When we arrived, we weren’t seated right away because our entire party wasn’t there yet (even though most of us had arrived). At first, we were placed away from the main outdoor space, which felt quiet and a bit underwhelming. Luckily, we convinced the host to move us to the main outdoor area — much livelier, and honestly the main reason we chose this spot. Overall, the food and drinks were solid. Most dishes weren’t overly spicy, so they worked well for everyone. The cocktails were enjoyable, but I’d skip the Mexican Martini — interesting concept, but it didn’t quite land. They also had limited juice options (only pineapple and cranberry). Our server was friendly, but I wish he had written down our order instead of trying to memorize it — one of our mains was served incorrectly. The menu is best enjoyed tapas-style, with small and large plates to share. Expect to spend around $100 per person if you’re sharing dishes and having a couple of cocktails. Parking can be tricky if you’re hoping for free street parking, but valet and nearby lots are available. We ended up having a good time, and I’d recommend this spot for a sunset catch-up with friends over drinks. Just note: it gets chilly in the evenings, so bring an extra layer. Enjoy!”
- Shawn Sheng
“Had the opportunity to try this place during Dine LA, and it is definitely one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were huge. 4 course meal for only $45, and we had to get to go …”
- Christian Cammarota
“I stumbled upon La Cha Cha Cha in the Arts District and was so pleasantly surprised — what an incredible experience! The vibes were absolutely vibing — the space is full of lush greenery and has such a relaxed, welcoming energy. I loved that they even provide blankets if you get chilly (such a thoughtful touch!). Our servers, Juan and Oliver, were incredibly sweet and attentive — they made us feel right at home. And the food? Delicious. Every dish was flavorful and beautifully presented, and the portions were large, which makes this an awesome spot to share plates with friends or a group. All in all, this place totally exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait to go back!”
- Alan Guillen
“Took ma lady (and myself) out to a lunch meal here. The weather was quite brisk so we asked to be seated inside which they accommodated. We had a rezzzz for the exterior patio, which is the best part of the restaurant, as there isn't much …”
- Martha Marin
“If you’re looking for a place that combines stunning views, great food, and an amazing vibe, this spot is a must! It has a garden terrace that feels like you’re in a hollywood party, perfect for a night out or a special celebration. The terrace is spacious and chic, with plenty of greenery, and there’s a lively bar adding to the vibrant atmosphere. The menu is anything but ordinary – from the appetizers to the cocktails, we wanted to try everything! it was clear the chef balanced innovation and tradition. We went for a special occasion, and the service didn’t disappoint. The staff was attentive and made us feel welcome without being overbearing. And the music? Let’s just say it had us wishing for a dance floor! If you're looking for a restaurant that offers more than just a meal, this is it. Beautiful views, delicious food, great drinks, and a vibe that will leave you planning your next visit.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Stylish restaurant with a terrace serving modern Mexican cuisine, tacos & cocktails.”
- Has rooftop seating
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
Show more amenities
- Offers delivery
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- On-site services available
- Offerings· 9
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Dining options· 6
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 1
- Has rooftop seating
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Accessibility· 1
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Valet parking
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
Location
How CineOpera compares to nearby restaurants
- CineOpera · This shop4.2512 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: outdoor atmosphere, tapas-style sharing, garden terrace
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Mentioned in reviews: cocktails, porkchop, lamb shank
- Eggslut4.44,690 reviews0.8 mi
Mentioned in reviews: fairfax sandwich, egg sandwich, brioche bun
- Perch4.47,579 reviews0.9 mi
Mentioned in reviews: rooftop views, live music, steak frite
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How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.