Tempo Cantina brings Mexican favorites and sushi to Brea

What public feedback says

Tempo Cantina holds a 4.4 Google rating from 2600 reviews, a strong signal for a Brea restaurant built around a broad, unconventional menu. The sampled reviews consistently describe bold food, colorful drinks and upbeat service. Mexican favorites form much of the appeal, but sushi gives the restaurant a Japanese-Mexican angle that several diners found surprisingly successful.

The experience appears geared toward groups that want variety rather than a narrowly focused meal. One table reported ordering a little of everything, while another moved among tacos, enchiladas and a margarita flight. That flexibility makes Tempo Cantina a practical choice when some diners want familiar comfort food and others are interested in a crossover dish or a presentation-driven cocktail.

Food and drinks

Enchiladas are the clearest recurring recommendation. Steak enchiladas were described as packed with flavor, while an enchilada trio also earned enthusiastic feedback. Rice and beans received more measured praise as dependable comfort food rather than the main attraction.

Sushi is the notable wildcard. More than one review singled it out positively, including a diner who considered it outstanding. That does not make Tempo Cantina a conventional sushi destination, but public feedback suggests the Japanese-Mexican combination is more than a novelty. Birria tacos and Ensenada shrimp tacos also drew praise, although those specific dishes appeared less often in the supplied feedback.

Cocktails contribute heavily to the restaurant’s identity. Reviews characterize the drinks as fun, strong and visually appealing, and the margarita flight was enjoyed as a tasting option. Taken together, the food and beverage comments point to a social, variety-first meal rather than a quiet or traditional Mexican dining experience.

Service and atmosphere

Service is one of the steadier positives in the sample. Diners described staff as friendly, quick and attentive, including for a party seated in a rear outdoor area. Another reviewer praised the recommendations, suggesting the team can help guests navigate the wide-ranging menu.

Atmosphere receives more mixed wording. One diner liked the energy and said it did not become too loud, while another disliked the visual impression despite praising the service and food. The overall picture is lively and presentation-conscious, but the styling may not appeal equally to everyone.

Value and the main caution

Tempo Cantina is listed as mid range, though one diner considered it expensive relative to the location and service. The largest practical concern involves advertised weekend happy-hour timing. A reviewer reported that an open-to-close Saturday and Sunday promotion was not honored until brunch ended, despite wording that appeared to indicate otherwise. Guests visiting specifically for a promotion may want to confirm the applicable hours before ordering.

That inconsistency keeps the verdict from landing higher. Even so, the broader feedback favors the food, drinks and service, especially the enchiladas and sushi. Tempo Cantina looks best suited to diners who value a festive menu with multiple directions and do not require a strictly traditional format.