If Mexican cuisine is what you’re craving, Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina has the good stuff.

If you’re like me, though, you’d like to know what the restaurant is like from someone who has actually visited recently.

Here’s a quick review of Zapata’s based on a visit for lunch recently. Let’s see why Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina made our list of the 20 most popular restaurants in Cornelius!

Arriving at Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Zapata’s Cornelius is located in the Johnsbury Square shopping center off Catawba Avenue. It’s hard to notice the restaurant from the street, so don’t miss that quick turn into the parking lot.

Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll be greeted by a pleasant hostess. In this case, the hostess was also my server, and she was very good from start to finish.

The Vibe at Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

I was seated at a comfortable booth for a late lunch on a Monday. Looking around, I was struck by the beautiful and festive vibe of the restaurant. 

Complimentary tortilla chips and housemade salsa were brought out right away.

The Menu at Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

The menu here is vast! I can’t go into it completely in this article, but suffice to say that Zapata’s has your favorite Mexican dish on the menu.

I opted for my favorite: enchiladas.

The Trio Enchiladas entree is a combination of three enchiladas, one chicken, one cheese, and one beef. Topped with three different enchilada sauces and served with sour cream, rice, and refried beans. 

The price is a very reasonable $12.95, and this entree will fill you up!

The Bar at Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

The bar is something to behold, and will instantly create within you a desire for a large margarita! I enjoyed a Dos Equis beer with a lime. Wish I had the Top Shelf Margarita, though!

Do I recommend Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina?

Yes, I highly recommend Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina (Lake Norman), and I look forward to eating here again. Might be a while, though. I have a long list of restaurants to visit around Lake Norman in 2023!

Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina | Lake Norman

Address: 19905 W Catawba Ave #102, Cornelius, NC 28031 

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11AM-10:30PM; Friday, 11AM-11PM; Saturday, 10AM-11PM.

Want more Mexican food? Check out the Best Mexican Restaurants Around Lake Norman

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Cheers, Lake Norman!