All I can say is . . This place is Fantastic ! Everything we had was not just good but Excellent. Even the guacamole was special. The shrimp Taquitos were phenomenal and my enchiladas verde was wonderful. I can't wait to come back here. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - The Shrimp Taquitos are fantastic - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

The Mexican food is delightful. The service is timely and so appreciated by everyone. The drinks... well they're delicious! We love this location, it always seems so busy and everyone is so friendly. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Yum! - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

I have to say, this place has the best green enchiladas I've had in a long time--possibly the best I've ever had! I don't know what their secret is, but the chicken was cooked to perfection with just the right kick of seasoning and incredible green sauce flavor. Every bite was absolutely heavenly! 10/10! And trust me, I've had my fair share of green enchiladas. These are truly top-tier. What are you waiting for? Bring your family and give this place a try ASAP! read more

This place is phenomenal. Good service. Parking is a little rough. Gorgeous decor inside and out. Table chips and salsa were sooo good. Fresh guacamole... best I've ever had. We got the La parrillada. Chicken steak and carnitas. Sooo freakin good. Super cheesy beans and perfect tortillas. Green chicken enchiladas were also phenomenal. If I lived out here I would definitely be a frequent guest. Don't skip on this place! read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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A nice mexican restaurant on PCH near Doheny State Beach. It is pricey, we paid $28 for 2 fish tacos, but that price is seemed normal for the area. It is right across the street from the Best Western and around the corner from the Marriott. They do have a happy hour from 4-6pm. The service was amazing. Friendly and helpful. The fish tacos, were very good. (Mahi-Mahi) read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

I ordered the Wild Salmon and Avocado salad and I am so glad that I did. It had corn and it was fresh. The cherry tomatoes were so sweet. The avocado was delicious. It has a fair amount of spinach and it was garnished with what tasted like sweet potatoes. The salmon & salad was an excellent pairing. The flavors complimented each other. My spouse ordered the chicken soft tacos from the Happy Hour menu. He gave an 8.5 on a scale of 1-10. We both enjoyed the chips, salsa and refried black beans. Careful to leave room for the main course! Good service. Clean restrooms. Seating inside or outside. Parking can fill up, so come early especially i f visiting on a Friday. This place is a winner for us! read more

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Great food great service. Loved everything we ordered and great with gluten free. The sauces were amazing!!! Will be back. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Came here for dinner with my Dad. This was our first time trying it out. It was such a great experience. My only complaint is they were out of pineapple juice and that is the only thing I like to mix with my vodka. I got a Pacifico instead. Sylvia was our server and she was amazing. Attentive and kind. We had the steak quesadilla and an order of guacamole. Their chips and salsa are divine. Don't skip the churros. Soooo good. I'll definitely be back! read more

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We were there just a few days ago & the food was delicious. Everything at that. Great service too. They serve you this bean salsa with chips that is amazingly delicious. I'd be glad to visit again. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Short Rib Flautas. I added rice & beans on the side & it was all so flavorful & delicious. - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

The Prime Skirt Steak Tacos at Carmelita's are life changing!!!! Think French onion soup meets juicy tender steak as a taco! One of my favorite entrees to order in Orange County!! read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Prime Skirt Steak Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

We popped in on a Monday afternoon without a reservation and were seated right away. The food, ambiance and location are great. I enjoyed my fajitas so much. Hubby felt like the burrito had too much shell but the inside was delicious. Service was cool and our server (a young man) was so friendly. What a great choice for a late afternoon meal. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Grilled Skillet Fajitas Chicken - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Was looking for a place with patio dining and dog friendly. Reservation made through Resy. Arrived and service was outstanding from start to finish. I originally planned to order the Chef's appetizer plus a main plate but once I saw everything that was included in La Parillada there was no need to look elsewhere. A fabulous family meal that I'll definitely return to enjoy. The only downside of is the lack of parking but everything else is 10/10. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - La Parillada: Queso Fundido, Peppers, Onions, Corn, Steak, Carnitas, Chicken, Shrimp, Rice, Beans, Tortillas & Salsas - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Came here with my husband, son, and our dog and sat on the outside patio. There were plenty of tables and heaters if it gets chilly, and the service was terrific. My husband and son split the La Parrillada (steak, al pastor, chicken, shrimp, corn, jalapeño, onion, cheese dip, and fresh tortillas), and I had the potato taquitos. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious, and our waitress could not have been nicer. We can't wait to come back. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - La Parrillada (steak, al pastor, chicken, shrimp, corn, jalapeño, onion, cheese dip, and fresh tortillas), Potato Taquitos Con Salsa Roja - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Five stars. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Carmelita's in Dana Point is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The food feels elevated, thoughtful, and clearly made with care. The first clue that you're in for something special is the chips, salsa, and beans that arrive at the table. Warm, fresh, and absolutely perfect. It set the tone immediately. We started with the queso fundido with chorizo and it was fantastic. Rich, flavorful, and exactly what you want from that dish. For the main course we went with the recommended fajitas. They came out sizzling and smelled incredible. The steak was cooked perfectly, though it could have used just a touch more seasoning. Still, a great dish overall. The ambiance strikes a really nice balance between classy and casual. You can see into the kitchen, which makes the whole experience feel lively and authentic watching the food come together. Parking was a bit of a beast, but honestly the quality of the food makes it worth the hassle. Service was outstanding. Our server Angel was proactive, enthusiastic, and incredibly attentive. His recommendations were spot on and he checked in at just the right times. One of the most memorable parts of the evening was meeting one of the descendants of the founder. He proudly shared stories about his grandmother Carmen, who the restaurant is named after, and his mother. Hearing about growing up around the original location in Roseville made it clear that this restaurant is built on something deeper than good food. There's real pride and family history behind it. You can feel that the secret ingredient here is love for family. Highly recommend. read more

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Carmelita's has a few locations. This location has both indoor and outdoor seating, and is loud enough to bring younger ones (though note there is not a kid's menu...but dishes are large enough to share and they can do plain bean and cheese burritos/quesadillas). Parking was surprisingly very easy for us on a Saturday evening, though I can see it getting difficult. There is parking on the main street and also above the restaurant in the back. We ordered the sampler plate (appetizer side) and the short rib enchiladas. The enchiladas were incredible, and so filling and flavorful. The sampler plate was huge and had so many fun appetizer type things on it. We could've easily just shared the sampler between the two of us. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Short Rib Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

So we ordered grub hub. Chicken fajitas. Very good 31$ nice portion but to have to pay 6$ for chips and one little salsa is ridiculous. Total bill 50$. Chips should be free. No other Mexican restaurant charges for this. read more

WOW. I can't believe it took us so long to try this! Delicious food. It is small so be prepared if you want an indoor table, plenty of outdoor tables with some heaters. We lucked out and they had a table for 4 for us during the week. The kids enjoyed their quesadillas. The guac was good. The corn was sooo good and the fajitas was on point. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Best Mexican food and service ever. Wish we weren't visiting so this could be my new favorite Mexican go to. The food was incredible, the service too notch. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful. She even gave our pup a bowl of water. Her name was Mufar (?) I think? Apologize for not getting her name right as she was a huge highlight. Recommend the short rib enchiladas and the chicken burrito bowl although everything we ordered was delicious, well balanced and flavorful, not the usually mush up of beans and rice where everything tastes the same. Highly recommend, plus you can bring your dog! read more

The food was just alright the meals consisted more of beans with cheese and cheese dip than anything. Most went to go as we were not thrilled . I made the reservations for my mom's birthday on open table and let them know it was a special occasion for my mom's bday and made sure to tell the waitress twice . We paid a pretty large bill and ordered two deserts. No candle , no happy bday nothing and I mean nothing for my mom for her bday. I tipped the woman $20 but indeed we won't be coming back and wanted to tip nothing at all. There was only one other table there when we arrived and shortly left after we arrived and another table came as we left. We encourage you to pay attention to what you are serving your customers for the price of a platter for a few people was the cheapest you could make it and was just alright . The dessert tres leches was not legit . We are Latino and the care left little to be desired . It had no condensed milk and the cake was dry not wet. Truly you must make a better effort if you want anyone to come here . My mother's bday was blah and not anything done by the waitress after mentioning it twice. So many other places to go to . Truly a waste of money read more

Stopped by Carmelitas for a casual lunch and was pleasantly surprised at the quality. I ordered the crispy taco ($17) from the lunch menu, which came out hot, generously filled, and packed with flavor. They started us off with fresh chips and salsa, and they are perfectly crisp chips and a salsa that tasted freshly made. The location is a bonus--just a short walk from the water, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch with a coastal breeze. My only callout: there are a number of fees subtly baked into the check, so the total can climb faster than expected. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

We keep "rediscovering" Carmelita's in DP, and every time we go back we're reminded why we love it. The food is consistently amazing and incredibly fresh. The staff is pleasantly attentive, and the mixed margaritas are surprisingly well made for a place without a full sit-down bar. I always try to categorize Carmelita's, but it really sits in a unique spot, not quite fine dining, yet definitely more elevated than your typical grab-and-go fast casual. It's that perfect middle ground. The steady presence of families says a lot as well; the menu genuinely offers something for all ages. The steak quesadilla is epic. Prices are a bit on the higher side, but the portions and quality make it absolutely worth it. Highly recommend from a local! read more

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First time here. Definitely not the last. Dana Point is a sleepy town but this is amazing. The meals were perfect. The shrimp & crab enchiladas are wonderful. We also had the short rib birria tacos and they were WOW! Service was exquisite with multiple people waiting on us. We did not get dessert but our neighboring table did and it looked great. At night theres fires for the patio. Great atmosphere read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Seafood Enchiladas (Shrimp & Crab) - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

We came to the restaurant with high expectations but left disappointed. The service was great. And so was the location. The food, though, was just avarage. read more

We were in the area and craving margaritas. Staff was friendly and service was good. They were able to accommodate a vegan diet. My husband ordered a veggie burrito vegan style (grilled veggies, no cheese, no sour cream).. I had some portobello mushroom tacos and my daughters had some whole black beans and a side of guacamole and flour tortillas (to build their own tacos). The portobello tacos were a bit too salty but the guacamole helped balance it out. In contrast, the black beans were unsalted. We ansi enjoyed some margaritas. I had the spicy pineapple and my hubby had a strawberry. Our waitress was also our bartender. Either way, the service was good, food presentation was good, and food was good considering they didn't really have vegan options on the menu. read more

Location was amazing! Service was amazing!! Food was amazing!!! I had a party of fourteen last night. We were visiting my Godmother, who lives in nearby Laguna Niguel. We took up more than half of the tables inside the restaurant. This is what I had: La Tampiquena - Grilled Skirt Steak, served with two Cheese Enchiladas with red sauce and Guacamole Simply Amazing! Diet Coke - Tiny, expensive bottle. Go here if you haven't yet. I'll be back. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - La Tampiquena - Grilled Skirt Steak, served with two Cheese Enchiladas with red sauce and Guacamole Simply Amazing! - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

One of best food we had at Dana point. Quality and quantity both good as well as prices. The margarita was solid and the service was warm and quick. Ambiance is nice outdoors, and they have lovely decor around the restaurant to make you feel closer to Mexico. read more

Amazing food great service. Love the street corn and the steak salad. appetizers portions were big enough to share.

This place has a really good menu and lots of options for everyone. Our server was so incredibly sweet and very accommodating! I ended up getting the wet burrito and I really enjoyed it. I ate the whole thing and I had no regrets! My friend got their nachos and she enjoyed them a lot as well. One of the other girls in our party ordered their soup and it looked delicious. The aesthetic is very cute and they had this portrait of Frida Khalo next to the bathroom that I thought was a nice touch . I will definitely be back to try more of their menu . read more

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Love Carmelita's but pretty bummed to see the portion sizes decrease. Shrimp taquitos are about half the size they used to be. Fish tacos used to come with 3 and now it's 2 with a tiny side of beans and rice. Can't help but feel like I'm being ripped off now! read more

I made reservations to eat here at 10:00 AM, they declined service because they opened late and told me to come back in an hour. It's Valentine's Day and everybody is at capacity and no one is taking walk ins. This is completely unacceptable and unprofessional from their staff. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Their hours clearly state open at 10:00 am. - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

Came here with Family from out of town! Food was great, drinks were great. Staff was very accommodating seeing that we had a big party of 12! Did not have to make a reservation. Beautiful patio set up overlooking PCH read more

We just had a fabulous breakfast at Carmelita's Dana Point! (Available Sundays only 9am-12pm). Chips with salsa and bean dip were brought to our table with friendly service as well as a great menu with variety and good prices. We had the Breakfast Burrito and the California Omelette--both were healthy portions and delicious. We ate half and took the rest home! Sat in their outdoor area with bistro lights and patio heaters. Would definitely recommend. read more

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First, the Grilled Chicken Nachos were delicious ! I see why this place is highly rated. Hats off to the chefs - thank you, these hit the spot (I was starving) & I appreciate that they were crafted with care even as a to-go order. Second, I was a little off put by the service /how I was treated by the staff. To me, who you hire and how guests are treated is just as important as the quality of the food. I was on hold to place an order to go and was hung up on so called back and was able to place the order the second go around (had to push for chicken nachos after being told they came with steak.) When I arrived I realized I only had cash to pay and I received a lot of push back. Felt like I was trying to pay with euros or Monopoly money. Just to be clear I wasn't it was USD. Anyway, finally a server took my cash and went in the back to get me change. The change was short by six cents, I know it's a minuscule amount but I don't like the principle of being short changed especially after receiving so much push back / attitude for only having cash. If it's that big of a deal please inform guests when they are placing their order over the phone. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Grilled Chicken Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

We came to Carmelita's with fairly high expectations. It didn't take long for our expectations to be exceeded. Carmelita's has great ambiance with music and traditional Mexican decorations. The service was top notch and our server was super friendly and helpful. We got started with complementary chips and salsa. We added guacamole which they served with cucumbers and cheese. We ordered Carmelita's version of the tableta which came with rice, beans, chicken, shrimp and carnitas. We finished off the night with an order of FLAN. The flan lasted about 6 seconds between my two dessert hounds and myself. Highly recommend. We'll be back. read more

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I avoided this place based off my disdain for the Laguna Beach location & WOW, was I completely surprised by how this location blows Laguna out of the water. I visited during happy hour which was awesome! Great deals, great food, great service. Elote was 10/10 as were the carnitas and asada tacos! The bean dip for the chips is heaven- and the chips were so fresh and perfect Our waitress was awesome and sitting on the patio was lovely! read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Spicy Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

YUMMY FOOD! There's usually a wait, but it's well worth it! When you sit down and they bring the chips and salsa they also bring out warm beans to go with your chips. It's such a nice addition to the usual salsa and chips. I typically order the fish tacos, which are scrumptious. They have nice outdoor seating and you can see the ocean. It's one of my favorite go to in Laguna Beach. Also I've always had great service! read more

4+ stars for the food 1 for service Fantastic chips and salsa. Very fresh. We had steak tacos and entree salad. Tacos delish but for $30 should have more than 5 bites of steak. Salad crisp and good. Problem was very long wait for food during non-busy time and server never checked on us. Not once. Also had to ask twice for our drinks and extra salsa - she never brought the salsa. So it made for bad experience - we had taken our elderly mom for lunch. Have been to other location and service is exceptional there. read more

We weren't exactly greeted when we walked up. Chips and beans made me forget about the greeting part. We had fish tacos and some drinks being that it was cinco de mayo but apparently they didn't ran a taco Tuesday or cinco de mayo menu read more

First time here! Silvia was my server, and she was very nice. We received our food quickly, and she checked on us often. The food was super delicious, fresh, and beautifully plated. If you need a high protein meal, there are so many options, but I recommend the chicken enchiladas. They are super packed with shredded chicken and super good. I loved the atmosphere. It is very clean and modern, and the music is upbeat and lively. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Carmelita's Kitchen + Tequila. - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Small cute restaurant located along PCH. There's street parking right in front if you're lucky. Service was great, and they checked on us often. We munched on the complimentary chips, salsa and beans while deciding what to order and while waiting for our meals. I had the short rib enchiladas, which was served with rice and beans. The meat was tender and flavorful, and sooo good. Just wish they served it with some chili or had hot sauces/salsa on the side. It was delicious but overpriced in my opinion; but expected for this area. read more

Carmelita’s - Dana Point - Short Rib Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Dana Point, California