About us

BE FREE, EAT LIBRE.

Mexican Roots with an Angelino twist

Moderno Cocina is a Latina and woman-owned, full-service kitchen and catering company located in Los Angeles, California, committed to providing the most authentic and delicious full Mexican flavor and that unmistakable Angelino twist.

Co-created by owner Denice Mendez and the visionary chef Pablo Ricardo Vega, MODERNO COCINA LIBRE is what happens when California and Mexican flavors meet and marry on a plate. Hispanic and woman-owned, we stand for empowerment, growth, inclusion, and UNITY. Chef Vega and Denice have created a MexiAmerican masterpiece, delivering and blending LA’s one-of-a-kind style with Mexican traditions that have influenced the City of Angels for generations.

Born and raised in Torreón, Coahuila, Chef Vega came to LA in 2012 and immediately got to work alongside Chef Ricardo Zarate (of the Picca Peruvian Cantina) and Chefs Josh Andrew & Thomas Mendez before striking out on his own Mexican restaurant with La Huesuda Tacos. Six years ago, a new chapter began and Moderno Cocina was born, and it hasn’t stopped growing ever since. As he always jokes, “It’s what I want to eat. So, now I just make it for you guys.”; our secret is serving what we LOVE, and nothing more.

We are the real DJs of food, remixing and bringing together familiar authentic Mexican favorites with modern Angelino cuisine that will surely make you dance out of joy (we love that I’m-eating-something-delicious winning dance).

We follow one single premise: PEOPLE STILL NEED BETTER MEXICAN FOOD. And we know this will always be true, no matter when and where. We will always strive to overcome ourselves and serve our customers the best Mexican food in California. Come by any of our two locations and delight your taste buds with our modern Mexicana kitchen; fresh, rich, delicious… we’ve got it all.
Taste our signature tacos and the best quesadillas you’ve ever had, or fulfill your sweet cinnamon dreams with our homemade sweet and crunchy Churros con Cajeta and luscious Horchata Ice Cream.

You can find our signature Taqueria in el bar Las Perlas Downtown LA, at 107 E 6th st, or in Las Perlas Weho, at 7511 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood. You have no excuse to come down and sip a delicious Margarita while enjoying the BEST taquitos you’ve ever had in your LIFE. Doesn’t that sound delicious? We have Al Pastor, Potato, Carne Asada, Cochinita Pibil, Mushroom Tacos, Tacos de Costilla, and much more.

We have to stop now; there’s no way of writing this down without tasting all this goodness.
Are you coming with us?

MODERNO COCINA DOWNTOWN LA

Take a stroll down 6th street and find Moderno Cocina located inside Las Perlas Mexcal Bar just three blocks from Pershing Square, close to Los Angeles Central Library, the Bradbury Building, and Grand Hope Park. And if you’re driving to your favorite Taco place, come down from Harbor Fwy, in direction to the GRAMMY Museum LA and the Orpheum Theatre.

MODERNO COCINA WEST HOLLYWOOD

Santa Monica Boulevard knows what’s good! Find us at our West Hollywood location within Las Perlas Weho. We’re just a block from Plummer Park, near the Poinsettia Recreation Center, Fairfax Ave, and Fountain Avenue. We are also close to education centers like Gardner Street Elementary School, Laurel Span School, and Fairfax High School!

Always fresh. Always authentic.
We aren’t just a dining experience; we are a movement.
We are Moderno Cocina Libre, and we are ready to feed you something amazing.