It was my first time coming here & I've been wanting to try because it's looked so cute! My friend & I came here for Happy Hour & I got the 2 tacos & margarita special & it was soo good!! I got a carne asada taco & chicken taco; the carne asada was sooo yummy!! I got the spicy pepino margarita & it's sooo good! They also have 2 for 1 margarita special too. The server is also very friendly & nice. Will be coming back soon! read more

Desvelados - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Absolutely loved this place! Thank you Daniel, Sebastian, Fernando for making my friend's birthday fun, the service was amazing! The best Micheladas in Santa Monica! 10/10 recommend, and I can't wait to come back! read more

Desvelados - Metichelada - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This place is awesome and you can clearly tell they care. The food was awesome. The space was a vibe, especially being able to watch the World Cup in. Francisco was one of the best host we've had in a little minute. Definitely coming back! read more

Great food and great drinks. I came with the family and everyone loved what they ordered. The cabeza was the stand out of the meal. The Ensenada taco was a little underwhelming but not a bad taco. Salsas were good as well but none of them were spicy. The service was great as well and we were seated fairly quickly and they continuously checked on us. read more

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Drinks were amazing and service was fantastic. In inside was fresh and fun while still being able to have a conversation. Thank you Rafael and Sebastian! read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Pleasantly surprised with this Mexican spot. The "El Sonora" taco was loaded with protein and had a perfect tortilla. The ceviche tostada was definitely lacking some flavor, though. Would skip and try another taco. My fiancé had their classic burrito which he said was spectacular. read more

Desvelados - Ceviche de Pescado Tostada - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The service was great. The ambiance was very nice. My husband and I always share our food because it's usually a decent portion. You cannot share here. Although the taco we had was delicious. $13.00 for 1 taco without rice and beans is absolutely ridiculous. We will not go back because it was so overpriced. But if you fancy, fancy... then- enjoy. read more

The food, drinks and customer service was OUTSTANDING! I definitely recommend this restaurant! Sebastian and Rafael were also GREAT! read more

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Desvelados Santa Monica offers a beautiful setting, convenient parking, and an inviting atmosphere. My cousin and I visited after picking up a friend from LAX who was visiting from Texas and looking for excellent tacos in a comfortable sit-down restaurant. Having previously visited the Maywood and Glendale locations, I was excited to try the Santa Monica restaurant, and it lived up to expectations. The interior is elegant, stylish, and perfect for photos, with comfortably spaced tables, inviting seating, a stunning bar area, and clean restrooms with a full-body mirror. The service was attentive throughout our visit, and the FIFA game playing on the screens added to the lively yet relaxed atmosphere, especially since nearby restaurants appeared very crowded. The food was excellent. We ordered El Sonora, El Desvelado, El Durango, two Vampiros with shrimp and carnitas, and a side of beans. Since everything looked so good, we shared the dishes and were pleased with both the flavors and portion sizes. The handmade tortillas were a standout, with a fresh, comforting quality that felt homemade. The shrimp was hearty and flavorful, while the meats were well-seasoned and served in generous portions. Although I am usually not a fan of chipotle sauce, I enjoyed the balance of flavor here when used lightly. I only wish we had more time to enjoy drinks at the beautiful bar, which gives us the perfect reason to return. Overall, Desvelados Santa Monica is an excellent choice for a date night, especially when followed by a walk along the beach or pier. read more

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The restaurant is very nice and the decor is cool. The burrito was delicious and filling! The jamaica/hibiscus juice was also delicious and refreshing! It came in a very large pitcher, which was awesome because it is one of my favorite drinks. Eveyone there was friendly and the food came out fast as well. The price is a littler higher than most burritos cost, but it is a fun, fancy dining experience. :) read more

Desvelados - El Brick Burrito with carne asada. Jamaica hibiscus juice. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Stopped in for lunch on a Wednesday as a party of 8 with 4 kids. We were graciously offered high chairs and sat right away with no wait. The service was great and they made adjustments for the kids requests & even served them first. Bathroom had a changing table. The food was delicious and fresh A+. read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

When we walked in, the host/waiter just told us to "sit wherever." The restaurant was basically empty. We chose a booth, but the table was never actually set the previous guest's used napkin was simply pushed to the side. Not the best first impression. When we ordered the flight, the waiter seemed surprised and commented that people "don't typically order that," but not in a friendly or upbeat way. It felt more discouraging than helpful. Service throughout the visit was very minimal: - We had to ask for water -- it wasn't offered. - No suggestions for chips, salsa, or appetizers, even just as a recommendation. - No real engagement or upselling at all. We were interested in playing bingo, and that interest came up afterwards. Even then, the waiter didn't ask if we had played before, didn't explain how it worked, and didn't bring an extra card. It felt like we had to initiate everything ourselves. Once the bill was paid, the service dropped off completely -- no check‑in, no follow‑up, nothing. On the positive side, the food was genuinely good -- especially the sushi‑style quesadillas -- and the drinks were great, including the jamaica. The menu has strong items; the service just didn't match the quality. Overall, good flavors but the service needs improvement. read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Parking: Santa Monica public parking structures nearby have reasonable rates. Reservation: Was able to walk in with a group of 5. Ambiance: Nice interior, romantic and upscale decor. Service: There was a large group upstairs so the server notified us that service would be a bit slower. The restaurant was relatively empty otherwise so we took the chance but we soon realized why it was empty. It took over an hour for food to arrive and after an hour, we realized one plate that was ordered was never put into the system. Our server didn't speak English either and we happened to be lucky to have two fluent Spanish speakers at the table, otherwise we'd have to resort to pointing and not asking questions, though one person had a gluten allergy which might've been harder to communicate. Drinks came more than 30 min after ordering. We watched multiple other tables walk out after sitting down and having no one come over to take orders or others that waited too long for food to arrive. They're newer so it seemed like they were still learning how to handle different capacities and were maybe understaffed but it was an early dinner on a weekday so not a peak time. Maybe we just came on an off day... Canasta De Los Pobres - most reasonably priced tacos on menu and good overall but after our negative experience with service, will just go to my local street taco stand for the next craving. read more

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Loved the drinks and food! So many margarita choices. Picked the lime cucumber - refreshing! The passion fruit was not too sweet but strong. Rafael and Sebastian helped make it all happen. read more

Amazing atmosphere and attentive waiters. Food was amazing. Definitely recommend the michelada! So good and refreshing. read more

Desvelados - Amazing drinks and aesthetically pleasing! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Desvelados Santa Monica has been on my list since they opened this new location and it fully delivered. Already a fan of what they do across their other spots, so expectations were high going in. We ordered the guacamole with carne asada, ribeye tacos, and the lengua burrito. The guacamole comes out in a molcajete, which already sets the tone. Fresh, well-seasoned, loaded with carne asada on top. The mixed blue and yellow chips were solid and sturdy enough to actually use. No complaints there. The lengua burrito is the move. They griddle it so the outside gets this perfect golden crust, and inside you've got rice, melted cheese, and lengua that's genuinely tender and flavorful. They cut it in half so you can see the cross-section and honestly it's just a beautiful burrito. Plated with watermelon radish, cucumber, and lime on the side, which was a nice touch. Ribeye tacos were great too, quality meat, well executed. The whole meal felt intentional. You can tell they care about what they're putting out. Glad they brought this to the west side. Santa Monica has no shortage of Mexican spots but Desvelados is doing something a little different and worth seeking out. Will be back. read more

Desvelados - Lengua burrito - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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It's a new and modern looking restaurant. When I went it was relatively empty but it's more of a modern or a fusion take on Mexican food. The decor feels elevated but the menu doesn't. Think hot Cheetos and other finger foods are on the menu. I got the ranchero roll but it might have been better as a burrito since everything falls apart pretty easy. Service was excellent though and they were attentive to our needs and questions. read more

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What a great find!! Surprised at interior, it looks so fancy and hip!! But the vibe wasn't that at all, the server (perhaps the manager or owner?) was AMAZING! He was so funny and welcoming and warm, we felt very comfortable inside and had good vibes. Food is EXCELLENT!! Definitely check this place out! Please don't ever stop making those chips the way you do... read more

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We were meeting friends in Santa Monica and looking for a place to meet up for dinner. I'm glad I found Desvelados here on Yelp. I called ahead and the waiter said he would have a table waiting for us and there was parking conveniently located in the structure just a few storefronts down from the restaurant. Sure enough when we arrived our table for eight was all ready to go. The restaurant looked a little bit fancier than I thought it would be (we're a loud bunch!) but it turned out to be just fine. The waiter was very friendly and the food was very reasonably priced. We ordered a variety of dishes and they were all delicious. I had la mulita with asada and a margarita and it was perfect! The homemade tortillas and the salsa that came with the chips were especially tasty. The Horchata is also made in house and was very good. read more

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First time coming to Desvelados in Santa Monica 10/10! Food was delicious. Drinks were good. The staff was very attentive and welcoming. The ambience is beautiful and very aesthetic, would recommend for anyone thinking of coming and dining in. read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Lovely ambiance and nice service. The chips and salsa was very good! If you are a vegan, I would think twice about going here. Although I only ordered one dish, mushroom tacos (it had another name) so I'm basing my review only on this dish. It was terrible!!! I tasted like they had overcooked the mushrooms in a can of tomato sauce! The only flavor was 'tart'. They did serve it with chopped pineapples, but you didn't taste it in the sauce. When the waiter came to check on us, he could see that I only took a couple of bites. I told him that my dish wasn't very good. He just said, I've never tried the dish so I couldn't advise you on it. I think he should have offered me an alternative dish or comped me. He did neither. For that they get two stars. My friend, who ordered shrimp tacos, enjoyed it. I regret tipping him well. Lesson's learned. read more

We had an awesome early afternoon cocktail at this great place! Chatting with our new bartender compadre Fernando made our day. The mezcal selection is awesome and the ambiance will keep us returning! Thank you Fernando (The Owner of the Santa Monica location). That bar top is incredible! read more

Sebastian was so sweet and helpful. The drinks are great. A lot of Mezcal and Tequila variety read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came an hour before closing time and they were so rude when we came in.. we barely walked in and they yelled they were closed when the restaurant was full.. its one thing to deny a table it's another thing to be extremely rude. Came in 6/23 at 8:50pm read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This place does not disappoint. Whether it be tacos or burritos, or cold beer, it's amazing all around. I've done dine in and take out. Both are equally impressive. I rotate between tacos Tijuanenses and El Brick Burrito, but I've tried most of the menu. All great by the way. Price wise it's a bargain for this area. You can go down to the promenade to the chain building your own burrito place and get less for the same price, not as good. Service has always been amazing. All the servers are kind a very friendly. read more

Desvelados - Tacos Tijuanenses - asada - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Food is great -- slightly overpriced, but I understand. I've passed by this restaurant many times before, and today I finally decided to give it a try. Service was very short from the beginning. I asked the bartender about happy hour, and he simply responded, "Only margaritas." I said okay. Being in the industry for 20 years, this is usually the perfect opportunity to explain the menu, make recommendations, and try to connect with the guest, but unfortunately that was not the case here. Another server later asked if I was ready, and I ordered a margarita and a burrito. The margarita was good, and the burrito was excellent. I really liked that they give you both red and green salsa with small spoons so you can serve yourself at your own discretion. Both salsas were well balanced in spice and flavor. My biggest issue with the experience was the lack of hospitality. No one checked on how my food was, and no one offered me another drink. I would understand if the restaurant was busy, but there were literally only three tables, mine included. For the prices this restaurant charges, you would expect strong service, but instead it felt like I was bothering them. What really left a bad impression was when I got the bill and noticed I was charged regular price for the margarita ($19) instead of happy hour pricing. I honestly didn't mind paying it, but when I asked the server about it, he responded that only the skinny margarita was part of happy hour. I didn't want to argue, so I just paid and left. What amused me was that my burrito cost $16, while my well tequila margarita cost more than the food itself. In this tough industry, I think it's very important to value the guest experience more than anything, whether it's a one-top or a party of five. My review is not meant to put down the restaurant, but rather to encourage management to focus more on guest service and hospitality. The bartender acted like it was a privilege to sit at his bar, and the server passed by me several times without once asking if I needed another drink or how my food was. Service: 1/10 Food: 10/10 read more

While the food was four-to-five star worthy, and the decor was quite nice, the slowwww service really brought down my recent visit to Desvelados. I'm not sure if I came on a night when the restaurant was short staffed or something, but from getting seated to paying to leave was over two hours (for a group of two people). We were only one of four tables seated in the restaurant (two came in after us and got their food and check first), but had to ask our server for drinks and the check because he wasn't checking on us. The good news is that I believe service is fixable. But unfortunately, as much as I liked the food, I can't in good conscience recommend Descelados until I see significant customer service improvements. read more

Beyond exceptional food. Needed a lunch while in between trail and bam I scored. Everyone is friendly and the ambiance and space is amazing. read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Went here yesterday for dinner for the first time and really enjoyed the food. The place is very nice and surprisingly empty - so please go visit them. They are very friendly as well. I had 3 different tacos- asada, carnitas and pastor. I would say the asada was my favorite and the carnitas the least. We also ordered the montaditos (cucumber with shrimp) which was super tasty. The chips and guacamole is also delish. The churros were kind of hard/overcooked so I wouldn't get those again. Excited to go back and try other items. read more

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Nice quaint restaurant with Mexican food and good music playing. Stopped here for a late night munchie and enjoyed the chicken nachos. Generous portion to share and the drinks looked good. We stuck with water after a night out but decor was nice , friendly staff, and enjoyed that Latin decor. read more

Desvelados - Generous portion of Chicken nachos to share - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Gabriel and Sebastian have been awesome. We came here all the way from El Paso, Tx and they have done nothing but make us feel at home. Thank you for your great service and hospitality. Saludos. read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Great service thanks to Raphael and Sebastian, great food, and awesome atmosphere. Also great music!

The moment we walked in, Sebastian greeted us with a warm welcome and immediately cleaned off a table so we could be seated right away. Even though he was also taking care of tables upstairs, he made sure to come back and check on us downstairs, providing exceptional service throughout our visit. His attentiveness, professionalism, and friendly attitude truly stood out. We'll definitely be coming back the next time we're in Santa Monica and will be asking for Sebastian again. He absolutely deserves a raise! read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I found myself in Santa Monica for work after a long hard work week and was starving and so thirsty (for margaritas). I found this place on yelp and am so happy I did!!! Sebastian and Daniel took excellent care of me, allowing me to post up for a lengthy time as I ate and drank my way through the menu. The sonora taco was particularly delicious, and the cocktails were balanced and tasty. This place is pretty new and the aesthetic is fitting for this corner of Santa Monica (read: lux and lovely) but the vibes and service are fantastic. They also do brunch! read more

Desvelados - Mexican Near Me - Santa Monica, California

OK I'm not one to write reviews, but the food ambience and service here is EXCEPTIONAL!!!! My girlfriends and I had a blast with our server, Sebastian! This guy is hilarious! Such a personality and very personable! He really took the time to interact with us throughout our meal. The restaurant was so busy but he and Daniel would check in with us and make sure we were good! We're definitely coming back! read more

Sebastian and Daniel are so sweet and life of the party! They know how to hype people up and enjoy their time. I can tell that they enjoy their job which is always nice to see wherever I go. They deserve a raise! The best toastadas!!! Everything we tried was soooo good. The jamaica is not too sweet and has a slight kick of the flower at the end which was really nice. Aguachile top tier 10/10 must try!! read more

We had such a great experience at Desvelados! The food was absolutely delicious and everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The portions were generous and every bite was worth it. You can really tell they take pride in their recipes. read more

Service was great, Francisco was attentive and personable. Asada was flavored deliciously. We ordered hibiscus and cucumber lemonade, both were tasty and served in large cups. The music was so good!!! Will definitely come back. read more

We had a wonderful experience. We had a large multi-family party, and they were very accommodating. I was enjoying time with family, so I didn't take pictures of our food and drinks. The atmosphere was beautifully decorated. We ordered a variety of tacos, and they were all delicious!! The guacamole was fresh and the tortilla chips were freshly made. We would come back! read more

This is my first time at this location, I've been to the Pasadena location before. I think this is a new location and it looks great! The space is open, bright, and modern. I got the La Gordita with cabeza today. Pros: big portion, good balance in the quantity between the meat and guacamole and beans. Ingredients were fresh and the meat was incredibly tender. Cons: it was very under seasoned. I usually prefer food on the blander side, but this was surprisingly under seasoned, almost like they forgot to add salt. I know you're meant to eat it with salsa - the salsa was properly seasoned (but not salty), so it wasn't enough to add seasoning to the overall dish. I had to add a fair amount of salt to get it to taste as expected. The tortilla was also a bit soggy throughout, I was hoping for a bit more crispiness, at least for the top layer of the tortilla. This is my first time getting La Gordita so I don't have any point of comparison vs. other Desvelados locations. Overall it was fine after adding more seasoning, but it wasn't anything special. I'm planning to come back in the future to order more dishes to get a better sense. They have a huge menu and an endless variety of dishes that I want to try. Overall Desvelados is still my favorite Mexican place in the city and I plan to return. Service was good but doesn't factor into my rating, the rating is just for the food. read more

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