Lava Cantina

Baton Rouge, United States

3.8

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 225-448-3920
Website:
www.lavacantina.com
Address:
10001 Perkins Rowe Ste B-100, Baton Rouge, LA, 70810
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Garage
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Loud
Music
DJ
Good For Dancing
Yes
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Fri
Coat Check
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Baton Rouge) 5:33 PM Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Friday 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Saturday 10:30 am – 1:00 am
Sunday 10:30 am – 11:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Everybody deserves to be treated like a Rock Star from time to time, and when hungry Customers survey the landscape of places to eat for lunch or dinner, they will now have the opportunity to dine at Lava Cantina where they will receive a high quality, freshly prepared Mexican meal as well as a one of a kind experience. If you are tired of the typical Mexican restaurant atmosphere with ceramic tile and adobe finishes, then you will likely find our vintage Rock n’ Roll Cantina décor as a refreshing and welcomed change combined with great rock videos and tunes blaring overhead.

History

Established in 2013.

Founded by Ian and Steve Vaughn, local to Baton Rouge, Lava Cantina is the combination of their two main loves; Mexican food and Rock and Roll music! Lava Cantina offers live music five days per week, fresh squeezed margaritas, fresh Mexican-​Creole fusion cuisine, and an experience unlike any other in Baton Rouge. Unique Rock and Roll décor and music videos played over a state of the art sound system create a great ambiance for casual dining. At Lava Cantina, we want every one of our guests to feel like they are a VIP, backstage at a concert!

Meet the Business Owner

Steve and Ian V.

Business Owner

Steve Vaughn has been in the music business for over 40 years and has always had a passion for great tunes, most notably rock n’ roll. Like many career musicians, Steve held a day job to support and raise his family for over thirty years. As Steve approached retirement, he began to wonder what the «post career» chapter in his life might look like… Steve’s son, Ian Vaughn, has worked in the restaurant industry his entire career and has always held astrong commitment to quality and service, however, due to his dad’s influences, music has been a passion that they have both shared. Being born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA along with Steve approaching retirement, both Ian and his dad put their heads together on the possibilities of a great business they could bring to the community they have called «home» their entire lives — one that would be fun and offer a combination of all the things they love — great food, family, people, and music.

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20 reviews of Lava Cantina

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Baton Rouge, LA
Guys, either make it easier and affordable to order something other than house Margs or lose me for good.
Ridiculous to have to price out a Marg using Sauza and calling it top shelf. $ 12 Or $ 13 for a regular depending on anejo or reposado. Sauza is good but not nearly premium tequila. Not paying you that for a normal margarita.
And 20 minutes for two tacos at 3 PM in an empty house does not rock.
Looks like my search for a regular Mex place will continue.
Place rating: 3
Cherry Hill, NJ
I would have rated 4 stars had my service been acceptable. We had two young college guys serving us– one in training– and we’re basically ignored the whole time. We had to track them down to order, get drunk refills, and the check.
The food was redeeming. The complementary salsa is delicious, but if you want an enhancement order the queso. For an entrée, I had a burrito with fajita chicken. I was having a hard time deciding because there were several menu items that caught my eye, but opted for the burrito upon recommendation from a friend. The pepper jack sauce on top was my favorite and still made the dish slightly spicy even though it was only ranked 2⁄5 peppers on the menu.
I will say that the menu is pricey. The margaritas were $ 15-​$ 20 but did look huge. I did not sample as I had a long drive ahead of me.
Place rating: 2
Norco, LA
My problem here is service. The food is decent. If you go here get the Fuego taco. I went with a group of about 10 this weekend. Service started off good but got disappointing. Drinks and apps were fine. When my order came the tacos had the wrong tortillas. Luckily the food runner fixed that but I wasn’t offered anything while I waited for them to be remade while everyone ate. I wasn’t offered any discount or even apology for that matter and then they weren’t warm when I did get them. The big problem came at the end of dinner. We drove out to Baton Rouge to have a long night with friends drink and hanging out but were forced to leave because we wouldn’t pay $ 5 each because some Led Zepplin band was playing while we were finishing. We had discussed it with our server that else didn’t want to see the band but wanted to hang and finish our drinks. Friends order more beers, margaritas etc. We’re hanging out all is good and next thing you know we have to pay to see this band or leave. Considering that we were spending money and tipping well this was extremely rude. If we had no choice this should have been made clear when we were seated and we would have gone somewhere else.
Place rating: 5
New Orleans, LA
I really enjoy watching the crazy, old music videos while eating. Also, here’s a tip – they can make chimichangas even though it’s not on the menu (they just fry a burrito), and it’s my favorite thing to get when I go there! I’ve been probably a dozen times. They make a good chocolate martini, as well. Oh, and we get the queso dip every time we go.
Place rating: 5
Baton Rouge, LA
As you know I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll, well Lava Cantina has enough Rock n Roll to soothe your soul !! A Mexican restaurant that host some of the greatest live bands in the land. The atmosphere is really cool and laid back with an outside patio as well. The service isn’t the best but they are fast so that makes up for the dullness from the staff. The food has the taste of authentic Mexican cuisine and there’s always a special price on the food and drinks. I recommend this restaurant for a great night with awesome friends who loves to rock out with there cock out!
Place rating: 2
Baton Rouge, LA
I revisited LC Monday for lunch. Overall the prices are too high. Our waitress seemed to be new or lost either way we somehow misordered and ended up with a $ 35 fajita and 4 tacos. The lunch size fajitas were $ 15 so even IF we ordered two it should have been only $ 30 but after I investigated the situation, I realized she rang up fajitas for two on the dinner menu. Way too much food. Besides that, the fajitas are not seasoned and the chicken looks like it was taken off a grill, sliced, and then placed on top of peppers and onions on a hot flat fajita pan. None of which were seared with heat. The waitress failed to bring us our beans and rice also – and the rice was tasteless. The En Fuego Asada taco was delicious– $ 5.95 for one taco, no beans/​rice. It seems the focus is on the entertainment and not the menu or service as we were approached by the manager and informed of the monthly set list of acts to perform. Sebastian Bach for Mother’s Day 2016. Mother’s Get Ready!
Place rating: 5
Westwego, LA
I’ve been here a few times to see my friend perform in a live band and this place totally rocks! The décor is all about music (graffiti, lyrics, guitars, posters) even the wall sconces are cymbals! The wait staff is fantastic and very accommodating. Food is delicious and served promptly, in abundance and the guacamole was prepared right at the table! Perfect location too. I wish there was a Lava Cantina in New Orleans!!! For now, I guess I’ll have to drive to Baton Rouge every time. If you ever open one in NOLA, open it in Metairie so you can get more people to attend. Metairie has parking lots for customers; Parking in NOLA sucks.
Place rating: 4
Houma, LA
We were in Baton Rouge for the weekend and wanted Mexican food. Both receptionists recommended this place. We headed over and had a blast. Initially I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t «authentic» but after reviewing the menu which brought to mind the word fusion my mind changed. There is no combination plate but some items are available to be purchased individually. Such as the enchiladas. We ordered then the fun began. The music and videos from the 80’s brought me to my younger years in front of MTV when they actually played music videos. We were singing along having a blast while enjoying our delicious dinner when the wall behind the bar lifted and we were directly in front of a band that began performing. We actually ordered dessert just so we could sit and listen longer. Our dessert was a lava cake that came out with flames. We would have stayed longer but I had to be up early in the morning. Definitely will be back.
Place rating: 1
Baton Rouge, LA
Won’t be returning to this place. I ordered the ground beef nachos and they were no good. And I think it’s pretty hard to mess up nachos. Just all around bad flavor. The friends I was with had the tortilla soup and said it wasn’t good either. On top of the bad food, the atmosphere was just bad. Rock and Roll them was super lame and annoying. The salsa wasn’t terrible, so fill up on that before your food comes.
Place rating: 5
Gulfport, MS
The fresh table side guacamole, En Fuego Asado Taco, and the Amplified Shrimp Taco are AMAZING!
Place rating: 4
Baton Rouge, LA
Lava Lava Lava… love!!!
I have been on this little «outdoor patio» rage. I’m constantly looking for places to hang out with my friends, surrounded by two of my fav things: good food, and better company! I stopped by with a friend the other night after roaming Perkins Rowe. Our original plan was to hit up Kona Grill for their Happy Hour, but it was gonna be tricky to get a table. So… Lava Cantina it is!
If you’re tired of mediocre salsa, then their salsa will wake up your taste buds!!! Their margarita is not bad. I have had their fajitas and their quesadillas; but I think their freshly made table side guacamole is awesome. Maybe not $ 10 worthy, but fresh guacamole made with fresh avocado is way better than canned ones.
Worried about it being cold outside? No worries! They have heaters outside! And did I mention that they have fabulous music to keep the vibe going throughout your dining experience. :)
Place rating: 3
Baton Rouge, LA
We live nearby so we decided to check this place out. Perhaps it was because it was a Thursday night, but I felt like I walked into a college bar. There’s nothing wrong with that, but know that on certain nights it seems like all of LSU comes here. The complimentary chips and salsa were nice and our meals were ok, but I wasn’t impressed overall. Perhaps the meal would’ve been better if I’d had a few margaritas.
Appetizers: guacamole (good, maybe or maybe not worth the $ 10)
Entrée (me): En Fuego Asado Taco, Baja Shrimp Taco (liked the mango salsa)
Entrée (husband): Twang n Taco (probably our favorite of the night), En Fuego Asada Taco
This is a fun place to go with your friends for a drink and grab some food. I wouldn’t come here purely for the food.
Place rating: 4
Marrero, LA
Would definitely recommend this place to my friends and anyone else! Upon walking in the atmosphere is fun especially if you’re a 90’s music lover. They play music with the VIDEOS! The hostess and server were both nice and prompt with seating us and taking our order.
We started with queso with ground meat and it was delicious along with salsa and chips. We had a house margarita and the smooth criminal adult beverage. The house margarita was decent and the smooth criminal was awesome. I had tacos for my entrée the voodoo and the el Fuego both were great!
They have drink and food specials throughout the week and happy hours. I will definitely be back.
Place rating: 4
Baton Rouge, LA
The first time I visited Lava Cantina I gave it a 2-​star rating. The manager reached out to me and encouraged me to return. I’m glad I did! The second go-​around I found Lava Cantina to have a great menu selection, excellent customer service, and worth-​the-​price food. I especially like their a la cart Taco menu, with many gourmet tacos to choose from. I got 2 of the tacos and they were very large, filling, and tasty. There’s also a small stage and live music. I went on a Wednesday night and the musician was an acoustic guitar player doing covers. He was very good and the volume wasn’t overwhelming. I would imagine that on weekend nights it’s a bit rowdier. The location, of course, can’t be beat. Before or after eating you can casually scroll through the Perkins Rowe area, looking at shops or catching a movie.
Place rating: 4
Allen, TX
The service here isn’t the greatest, but I mostly judge on food and atmosphere. The food was pretty good. The salsa was spicy enough and beans were too. The waitress gave a personal jar of salsa since I basically have half s little bowl on one chip ;). The jazz music is nice I liked that. I would say 3⁄5 stars is true if you’re only taking into account the service. Overall I’d prob go back just for the music and of course margaritas. I’m always down for a margarita.
Place rating: 5
Baton Rouge, LA
I’m writing this 5-​star review based off the service we had last night. My uncle told us to show up at 730 for my aunts bday dinner. My grandparents and my autistic brother were there. We arrived first and found out that they don’t take reservations and my uncle just assumed we could get a table for 20 on a Friday night… The place was pretty full, but they almost immediately got a smaller table set so my grandparents and brother could sit down. I figured our party would be split up, but within 20 minutes they had brought out tables from the back and made room for us. The 2 servers we had were both on top of things and very nice. We all enjoyed our food and 5 or 6 of us stayed for almost 3 hours drinking and listening to the band. Thanks, Lava.
Place rating: 4
Baton Rouge, LA
As an enjoyable live music venue, I like this place a lot — -cannot attest to the musicians ear as I lack that but there is something about a stage behind the bar which makes this place a great venue to me — -of course, the bartenders appear to wear ear plugs during the sets. Lava also expanded its outlet door seating recently and for one who likes outdoor seating, this is a plus to me although I may not use the seat until it gets cooler. —-the food — -I have hAs the food 2 – 3 occasions and not sure about that but the drinks appear to be cold — albeit not always strong. Bathrooms are well maintained and the staff friendly
Place rating: 4
Baton Rouge, LA
I haven’t been to this place in a while! So on my way back from driving a 5 hour drive I asked a couple of friends to meet me here for dinner since it’s so close to my house. The guacamole is the best thing on this planet. Seriously. Their margaritas are pretty good too— they have a lot of variety. Our server was the best like ever. His name is Marcus. Super funny and helpful with the menu. The salsa is so yummy too! We decided to sit outside and I love Perkins Rowe so the view was great with plenty of tvs so you will never miss a game! I got the salad with Fajita chicken and instead of a dressing I used the salsa as a dressing since I love it so much! It was fresh and I had plenty! The brunch menu looked pretty tasty so I will come back !
Place rating: 4
Baton Rouge, LA
The made-​to-​order guacamole is scrumptious! Plus, it gives the waiter time to converse and give feedback on your order. It helps to have that time due to the confusing nature of the menu. Its hard to read since its printed in small font on a record label. It has confusing lingo such as «gold, platinum» portions of meat versus chicken, beef, or steak for add ons.
Did you know that Sun and Mon are $ 3 steak quesadilla nights? Well, neither did I! and thank goodness since halfway through my steak quesadilla the steak was burnt to a rock-​hard crisp. I received a new one, but was completely full by then. The 2 for 1 strawberry frozen margaritas I had only added to my light-​headedness.
The ambience is great! If you love rock music. I didn’t know that you can request music videos of your favorite artists! Yes! I got a good helping of GNR-​Guns and Roses; STP-​Stone Temple Pilots!
The staff is always friendly, knowledgeable and quick to share the deals. I appreciate that in any business, because I enjoy myself more. When there is a deal to share that just inspires me to tell friends and tip more!
Place rating: 5
Dallas, TX
Lava Cantina is awesome. More importantly, the staff is awesome. The reason I used to frequent Lava Cantina is because of an awesome server named KENNY! (He can now be found at BJ’s.)
They have live music! They have bottomless mimosas on Sundays! They have chips and salsa!
What is not to be loved about this place? Lava Cantina offers a variety of Mexican food with a cool music vibe. The menu is made of vinyl album covers. They have a House of Blues-​y kind of feel. If you know a music lover that loves mexican food then they will definitely appreciate this place.
They have plenty of vegetarian options if you are an egg eatin’, seafood eatin’ vegetarian. I am not one of those vegetarians but that is where Kenny came in. He was passionate and understanding and would have something whipped up that wasn’t even on the menu.
Another reason that I am drawn to Lava Cantina are the music clips. They play music videos! But it doesn’t end there, they would have the staff stop, drop and dance! My favorite is when they all dance to Thriller. They get you in the mood for a good time. :)
The prices are reasonable and the food is good. The staff is usually amazing. They have live music and plenty of seating (booths, bar tables, the bar).
I would recommend this place for a night out on the town, a brunch date, going out for a few drinks or a group outing!