Copita
Downtown/Bridgeway · Mexican
Verified September 2026
A seasonal, upscale-casual Mexican kitchen with a tequila-and-mezcal bar that's as much the draw as the food, run by proprietor Larry Mindel (also behind Poggio Trattoria up the street) with PBS chef and cookbook author Joanne Weir developing the menu. The entire food menu is gluten-free, a detail that isn't advertised loudly but is worth knowing if that's a concern at your table. It sits mid-block on Bridgeway, easy to miss from the street until the red awning catches your eye.
Atmosphere
Bright, colorful, and lively — this is one of the louder rooms on Bridgeway, especially once the margaritas start flowing on a Friday night. Communal-leaning tables and an open bar layout push the energy up rather than down; this isn't the spot for a quiet conversation, but it's a good one for a group.
What To Order
The quesabirria and the 24-hour carnitas are the standouts on the food side; the halibut crudo is a lighter option if you're pacing yourself for the bar. Ask for the 'Joanne's Favorites' tequila flight, named for the chef herself, or the Oaxacan chocolate milkshake spiked with añejo tequila if you want something sweeter to close.
Good To Know
The bar alone is worth a stop even if you're eating elsewhere, and it's a reasonable spot to wait out a table at a busier restaurant nearby. Weekend brunch runs 11 to 3; happy hour at the bar is Monday through Friday, 3 to 6. Weekend nights get loud early; if you want to actually hear the person across the table, aim for a weeknight or an early seating.
Our Take
Copita does the thing a lot of 'upscale Mexican' restaurants fumble — the food is actually good, not just the cocktail list. Order enough small plates to make a meal of it rather than treating the kitchen as a footnote to the bar program.