David Vargas, Chef/Owner

Vida Cantina brings his Mexican heritage and appreciation for local seasonal New England product to every plate at Vida Cantina in Portsmouth, NH. A James Beard nominated chef, (2023, 2022, 2020, 2019) David grew up in Southern CA and has spent a lifetime learning, living and sharing his Mexican heritage.  David’s mother and father are both from the state of Jalisco; in CA together his parents owned a taqueria and were CA police officers.  David grew up in the family’s taqueria; cooking family recipes with fresh local ingredients, while learning all he could about his Mexican culture.  It was important to David’s parents that he appreciate his Mexican heritage. Appreciate it he does indeed at Vida Cantina, where with each dish he is “elevating our understanding of what Mexican food is or should be, while elevating our understanding of what New England cuisine is or should be” The Portsmouth Herald.  According to The Boston Globe, David prepares “the best Mexican food north of the MA Border” and is “nearly evangelistic about using local ingredients.” In August 2019, Boston Magazine declared “David Vargas, a James Beard award-nominated chef is making some of the best Mexican food on the East Coast at Vida Cantina in Portsmouth, NH.” In 2023 he was nominated as a James Beard semifinalist for the national title of Outstanding Chef. Locally, regionally and nationally, the critics agree that Chef David Vargas s shining a bright light on Mexican cuisine, and his dishes at
Vida Cantina are definitely “worth the drive” to Portsmouth, NH.

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

Outstanding Chef National, semi-finalist nomination
The James Beard Foundation

Best Chef Northeast, semi-finalist nomination
The James Beard Foundation

The East Coast’s Best Mexican Food
Boston Magazine

Best Mexican food north of the MA border
The Boston Globe

One of the best, most authentic Mexican restaurants in New England
The Boston Globe

Exceptional house-made tortillas with freshly milled local corn…prompting the kind of gut-deep, intangible warmth
Boston Magazine

Highest standards…his future is rooted in corn
Yankee Magazine

One of the Top Ten Restaurants in the Greater New England Region
The Portsmouth Herald

Top Portsmouth Restaurants Worth The Drive
Eater Maine

Hot New Restaurant
NH Magazine

Best New Restaurant
Taste Magazine

Best Mexican Brunch
NH Magazine

Best Chef, Seacoast, Nominee
Spotlight Awards