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    Javier's

    3.6 (4.5k reviews)
    PriceyMexican, Bars, Desserts
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Javier's Photos

    Business Info

    JAVIER'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Javier's

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    Reviews With Photos

    5.10.26- enchilada plate
    Kim I.

    We came here on Mother's Day- they opened a few hours earlier than they normally do because it is insanely busy on this day (obvs). I made sure to make reservations about a month in advance for 11 am. There was 8 of us total, we were seated in the best seats I could have dreamed of. Our view of the ocean in the back just really made it seem like we were on another tropical island eating brunch. Our waitress was so attentive and patient with us so thank you! And the food, I mean it's been years since I've been to Javier's and that was at the spectrum location. Nothing was disappointing. The queso fundido was incredibly cheesy and perfect with warm tortillas, endless chips, and from the look of everyone's faces each bite was savored entirely. They don't have a kids menu but they are very accommodating and able to make a brc burrito with chicken and chicken quesadillas for the little ones. The one thing we noticed was that the napkins were almost pilling and left white residual fabric on your clothes, but I mean that's just one thing that really you can ignore unless you wear all black BUT.. food makes up for it and really that's what you are here for. Reservations were for 2 hours so we really took our time and just enjoyed the ambiance with family

    Brenda D.

    Went to Javier's for a dinner party and had a great experience. Beautiful views, delicious food, attentive service, and amazing company made for a memorable night. The food is upscale, traditional Mexican that reminded me of a classic carne asada at home, with sides like guacamole, grilled onions, and spicy salsa, but elevated with a refined touch. You can tell there's real culinary artistry behind it. The queso fundido is a must have appetizer along with the taquitos (great for sharing). I also ordered the sea bass and it was great! The restaurant itself is stunning, and I also appreciated the Spanish-speaking staff, it made the experience feel even more welcoming and authentic.

    Grey C.

    You like authentic Mexican food with a view of the Pacific Ocean? If you do, this place is for you. Now in High School I worked at the best Mexican restaurant in San Jose so I am speaking with that background...this place is better. I kept the order simple...a test of the basics. Tacos Dorado (crispy tacos) with a side of rice and beans. The carne asada tacos were amazing. Perfectly roasted and pan fried to give it that crisp. Chips perfect and the hot sauce they can elevate to habenero...just ask for it. Service was on point as well and the place had a really good Newport Beach vibe on it. Great food and...well lots of tattoos. If you are in SoCal...give this a try...you won't be disappointed.

    Enchilada and stuffed poblano.
    Bridgette R.

    First let me say that Javier's Newport is a total vibe! This has just been crowned my new favorite spot! The service was amazing the bartenders were friendly made amazing drinks the servers at the tables were amazing prompt at tentative and the vibe in the restaurant was just welcoming. The outdoor inside patio was beautiful and gave a very relaxing upbeat vibe everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the food was absolutely amazing the shared two persons fajita dinner was simply delicious and tasted like heaven! There was a huge line outside for people to get in it's a holiday weekend graduations are happening celebrations at every table birthdays are happening a great place to go and hang out and enjoy friends and family. If you haven't been it a MUST TRY!

    Fajitas
    Caleb D.

    Good food. Great service. Ambiance wasn't my favorite. I've always saw Javier's as a place to get great food and service but I think the atmosphere wasn't what I expected. The music was very loud, the front of the restaurant was a bit busy and crowded and the dining area felt way less demure than what I'm used to. We often found ourselves trying to yell over the music. The food was very well made. Chips came out warm, steak and white came out fresh. The service was exceptional. Our server (Evaristo) was hospitable, patient, responsive and made sure we enjoyed our food. Overall the craftsmanship and serving of the food was great but the busy, loud feeling I got while in the restaurant threw off my experience. Would go to Javier's again if it was a different location.

    Noemi S.

    We went here for my cousins birthday. I would give the atmosphere a 5 star review because it is very pretty and elegantly designed. My drink was pretty good I will say! My ceviche was not great. My husbands food was better than mine but for the price it's definitely not worth coming back. The service was ok at best since we were a larger group we wanted to split the bill in two parts but they did not allow that. Then when we used cash they somehow uncharged my cousin and they spoke with the manager to fix the mistake. Great photo ops, enjoyed the music and vibe is upscale but for dining purposes not impressed.

    Enchiladas mariscos
    Shahram M.

    We here for a business lunch on Tuesday after about 10 years. Sat in the newly renovated outside bar area. It was so nice. View of the ocean across PCH. Light an airy. Margaritas tasted good. Guac ($20) was also good. I had there asada salad which was done very nicely. My coworkers got the enchiladas mariscos and they both devoured it. Service is primo.

    Sitting at the bar having lunch with my hubby
    Janice B.

    What a beautiful place to enjoy lunch in Crystal Cove! The restaurant is absolutely stunning! We sat at the bar and enjoyed fantastic service from Tony. We had the shrimp empanadas and they were delicious. The dough was super thin and the shrimp filling was cooked and seasoned perfectly. We also ordered the queso fundido that was very good. What a great way to start our vacation. We will definitely be back the next time we are in town.

    Churros
    Lisa C.

    I hadn't been back since the remodel, and the transformation is impressive. The restaurant is significantly larger with ample seating, beautiful décor, and a stunning ambiance. From our table, we caught a partial ocean view, and as the sun set, the staff lit the patio torches which was a lovely atmospheric touch. We visited on a Wednesday evening and were surprised to find it packed but thankfully we had reservations. I started with the tamarind margarita, which was a perfect balance of sweet and sour. We then moved on to the guacamole and the Aguachile de Camarón. The guacamole was creamy and delicious. The Aguachile, however, had a slight bitterness to it which likely came from the cucumbers though the shrimp itself was fresh and we finished it regardless. For my main, I ordered the Corte Vaquero and was disappointed to find the steak bland and dry despite being cooked medium rare. A friend had a similar experience with the pork tomahawk. We ended the meal with the churros, served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream -- enjoyable, but nothing memorable. I've always been a fan of Javier's and have visited their Irvine location as well. In hindsight, I should have stuck to what I know they do best: their enchiladas, appetizers, and salads. The entrees fell short this time around, but the setting alone makes it worth a return visit.

    La Tablita
    An C.

    Came here to celebrate a birthday. The atmosphere is what you come for. Beautiful interior, dim and moody during dinner (my favorite), and right on the coast. Parking is horrendous, but there is valet or you can drive farther into the plaza and park for free and walk 200 feet. Thursday night was absolutely packed, I thought it was the weekend. Food is standard. The one notable item was specifically the steak in our La Tablita platter. Very smokey and tender. Otherwise, the platter is $120 and comes with rice, beans, two slices of cheese, some guac, canned pickled jalapenos... underwhelming! This is described as serving 2, but for us it served 5 girlies. Perhaps because the food took so long that we filled up on chips and salsa. Trio de Ceviche: Fish ceviche was boring, lacked citrus/tartness. Preferred the shrimp for this reason. We got 2 of the same ceviche because they ran out of other options by 8pm. The drinks are also VERY strong. I'd come back for drinks and ambiance and special occasions. If you care about value, lower your expectations for the food!

    Chicken Enchilada & Taco plate with beans and rice.
    Joel F.

    Javier's is absolutely stunning from the moment you arrive the exterior alone sets the tone for a really upscale experience. We checked in right away since we had a reservation, and although we did have to wait about 15-20 minutes, it wasn't too bad. Just a heads up, they do require your full party to be present before being seated. Once inside, the ambiance is dim, elegant, and perfect for a date night or celebrating something special. After being seated, they brought out chips and salsa along with the menus. Service throughout the night was attentive, with servers checking in often to make sure we had everything we needed. The food did take about 30-40 minutes to arrive. I ordered the chicken enchilada and taco place with rice and beans which was good overall. I'd give it about a 7/10 but the green salsa was a bit disappointing. It tasted more factory made than fresh, which didn't quite match the upscale vibe. The biggest issue came at the end. When we asked for the check, a different server handled the payment. We split the bill using cash and three cards (which is their max). I carefully counted and explained exactly how we wanted everything divided. After going to the back, he returned saying we were short $97. Then after "double checking," he came back again claiming we were actually short $150 and that it needed to be paid in cash. At that point, it felt very off. I asked to speak with a manager, explained everything clearly, and after they reviewed it, we were suddenly told everything was fine. The restaurant is beautiful with a great atmosphere and solid service during the meal, but that final interaction left a bad impression. Just be cautious when it comes time to pay.

    Sandeep D.

    I love the vibes, seating, lighting and the service here. Though loud if still feels fine dining experience. As vegan, I have always found decent and tasty options, though not many. No problems at all explaining food restrictions. Always a good experience here.

    Outside
    John M.

    I'm very surprised to see anything less than a five star review. I LOVED this whole experience. And I was there with a large group! I think there were 12 of us... maybe more. They took care of us very well. The atmosphere is sexy and fun. The service was great. And the food was just as good! I got the seafood enchiladas, which were *chef's kiss. I liked the lobster enchilada the best (of the three). We also got several apps to share before the entrees. Some ceviche, queso, maybe more. There was so much food on the table. But everything was delicious! And the margaritas, strong. And then to finish it off, we got churros and tres leches cake. The tres leches cake was perfection! I really had so much fun here, and enjoyed everything about it. I can't wait to come back next time I'm in town. Cheers!

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    Page 1 of 114

    Javier's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Javier's

    Do they show nfl games?

    Not sure! I Am always hanging out with friends talking and laughing. Never had attention to that!

    Do I need to reserve?

    It's very busy. I would

    Does Javier's offer take out options?

    Yes they do have the option for take out orders ☺️

    How can I make a reservation ? They don't answer the phone and no option online

    Depends for how many people... I came for a table for two, and they were able to just do a walk-in.

    How can i get a gift card for a gift?

    Last time I bought a gift card, I went in and the hostess got one for me. This current Javier's is under renovation and closed right now, but there is another one in Irvine at the Irvine Spectrum.

    Do they take reservations for the lounge?

    On their website, it states they take reservations over the phone. However, we tried calling for a while and no one answered. However, we just decided to try walking in and managed to get seated right away on a Monday evening during the dinner rush.

    Is there a dress code?

    Not really. Guests are dressed from beach wear to business casual.

    Do they have any gluten free options or make gluten allergy accommodations?

    I am also gluten-free so and dairy free so I just ask for chicken enchiladas with corn tortillas and a green sauce no cheese but you will have to ask if they have specific gluten-free things and as usual the chips and salsa are gluten-free enjoy!

    I hear this place is really a 'meat market' is it true?

    In my opinion. I go with friends or family at lunch time or dinner, so I am not sure what would happen later on in the evening...

    Are they dog friendly?

    NO!

    Do they sell gift cards?

    Yes they do, need my address to send me 1,lol.

    What is the restaurant's corkage policy?

    I was there this summer- it was $30

    Do you have self parking or valet only?

    There is self parking in the lot surrounding the area!

    Are they dog friendly?

    Yes, they love dogs and plenty of outside seating!

    What time is happy happy hour?

    They don't have one

    Can you walk in and stand at the bar for drinks or do you need to sit with a reservation?

    I've been trying to call to make a reservation and I can't get through?

    That's typical for that place. You might want to try open table.

    Does the Newport Location take reservations?

    Yes, They do!

    Is this place 21 and over?

    No, family friendly

    What is the max amount of people per table during this time?

    Most of the outdoor tables were set up for parties of six. But, I ate there on Saturday and I saw a group of 8 at a table.

    View All 49 Questions

    Bear Flag Fish - Salmon, ahi tuna poke

    Bear Flag Fish

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Bear Flag is my favorite spot to go to, especially the PCH location since you can view the ocean…read morefrom some of the tables. The food consistently tastes fresh, and the quality keeps me coming back. The only downside is the parking situation, it's almost always a challenge, especially during busy hours. My favorite order is the Bear Flag Burrito. The fish is always fresh and gets a nice sear, which adds great flavor and texture. I do wish they were a little more generous with the Cajun seasoning, though, as the fish could use a bit more spice and depth. The half-pound tuna poke is another staple for me. The tuna is consistently fresh and marinated with shoyu sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and scallions, creating a simple but delicious flavor that lets the quality of the fish shine. I always pair it with their chips, which are incredibly crunchy. That said, I feel like the chips changed about a year or two ago. They used to be thicker and sturdier, which made them perfect for scooping up poke. The current version still tastes good, but they seem to break more easily, and I definitely prefer the original chips. Overall, Bear Flag continues to deliver fresh seafood and satisfying meals. Despite the parking headaches and a few minor tweaks I'd love to see, it's still the best spot for poke and fish burritos/tacos in OC.

    I had a disappointing experience at Bear Flag. My burrito took over 25 minutes, and while I…read moreunderstand it was busy, the line itself moved quickly and there wasn't any communication about there being a long wait for food. My friends ordered clam chowder bowls, which were served right away, and they were done eating before I even received my burrito. I also noticed a dog on one of the outdoor dining tables directly outside the restaurant, which raised sanitation concerns. Bear Flag later explained that those tables are public seating and not owned or controlled by them, those were their customers and it still impacts the overall guest experience since the area is right by the restaurant entrance. I wonder if the health department would be ok with them ignoring their customers creating a health code violation. When I reached out, the response felt dismissive rather than helpful. They said 25 minutes is fairly standard because they're one of the busiest restaurants in Orange County. I would have appreciated more accountability and a more customer-focused response. The experience left a bad impression.

    Photos
    Bear Flag Fish - Order counter

    Order counter

    Bear Flag Fish - Black cod tacos

    Black cod tacos

    Bear Flag Fish - Smokey the Bear and a Coke

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    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Burrata salad

    The Deck On Laguna Beach

    4.0(2.3k reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    Took my mother-in-law here for her birthday and we all had such a great experience!…read more We got there around 4-4:15pm and had about a 20 minute wait, but we were able to find a high top table that we got to sit at and were able to order drinks from the bar, so that helped to pass our time. We got seated at our table at our table around 4:30p and had the most perfect view of the ocean! *we went on a Friday night and noticed the patio cleared out about 4:45-5pm and I didn't appear to have a lot of people waiting during that time. The main patio was covered with umbrellas, so once you are seated for dinner, there was plenty of umbrellas for shade and heaters for when it got a little cooler. For our food orders, and as recommended by our server, we went with their seafood options and ordered their Pacific Ceviche for an appetizer and for Entrees my husband got the Roasted Halibut and me and my mother-in-law both got the Scallop and Shrimp pasta. We all loved our dishes and were very satisfied with our choices. Their menu does have non-seafood options, but why not to try what they're most prominent for? They don't have a dessert menu, but they heard that we were celebrating mom's birthday so they brought us a little Toffee Cake to share and enjoy...and for a place that doesn't have dessert, the cake was pretty delicious. Such a cute place all around. My husband and I can't wait to go back! Parking - they have valet parking available right in front of the restaurant or theres street metered parking in the surrounding area.

    a bit difficult to find and is really small. i didn't eat here because of how busy it was. it was…read moreso busy there was someone in the way at the end of the stairs. wasn't a big fan of the environment. probably not a place for younger people or something because older people that were there were staring, of course i know it's not the restaurants fault just saying. got there around 5pm put name on wait for 2 people and was told about an hour. i was told to not order from the bar while i waited, never heard of that before as i also work at a restaurant. not sure what the policy is here for that. i was ok with waiting, but i went back to ask for a table by the rail since i was waiting a bit already anyway. the lady in front of me put her name down and was told her wait time would be 30-40 mins, so i was confused why hers was shorter than mine maybe the wait time changed and i'd wait less? anyway i told the host my request to sit by the rail and she said it would be a little longer, but that's ok that's what i expected. i actually never received a text that my table was ready and i thought maybe it was the wrong number put down, but who knows. kind of disappointed because i saw this place online a year ago and was excited to finally try it. i didnt get to and just went to eat somewhere else

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    The Deck On Laguna Beach
    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Tuna Tartare

    Tuna Tartare

    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Ice Water for the table

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    Javier's - mexican - Updated June 2026

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