Great location! Right by the beach; fresh air and sunshine in the patio. Received warm complimentary chips with warm beans and salsa; so good! Beans taste homemade and traditionally made. Salsa had a little kick to it but not too spicy. Ordered the parrillada; the chicken was tender and moist. The shredded pork carnitas were crispy yet juicy. The steak was perfectly medium rare and tender to eat. Shrimp was cooked beautifully and firm. The corn was cold but it was still good! Came with a side of onions and jalapenos. The flour tortillas were taco sized. Great shareable plate for 2-3 people. Had the virgin margarita and it was one of the best virgin drinks I've had. Not just a bunch of sugar and soda water like other mocktails. It had freshly made syrups and with chunks of cucumbers. So refreshing! read more

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We drove about 25 minutes to Carmelita because the posted hours said they were open until 10 PM. We arrived around 9:30 PM, but the doors were already locked and we weren't able to get in We completely understand if the kitchen closes early or if there are reasons for closing before the posted time, but it was disappointing to make the drive only to find the restaurant closed 30 minutes before the listed closing time At the very least, it'd be helpful if the hours were updated to 9:30 so customers don't make the trip unnecessarily read more

This place is a complete waste of money. The food is overpriced, undercooked, and honestly embarrassing for a restaurant in Laguna Beach. The servers act like they're being inconvenienced by having customers, and the attitude is just as bad as the mediocre food they're serving. And trust me--El Torito has better food and friendlier staff, which says everything. I've lived in Laguna Beach for ten years, and even with the nice location, this spot is absolutely not worth it. Even grabbing a beer feels like a scam--prices are about 20% higher than Las Brisas or Marine Room for no reason other than greed. I once spoke to the owner, Marco, and he couldn't have been more uninterested. He came off fake, detached, and clearly not invested in the guest experience. At least Javier's down the road has leadership that actually cares when something goes wrong. Here? Not even close. Carmelita's serves stale, salty, disgusting food, paired with rude service and ridiculous prices. Save your time, your money, and your appetite. This place is a hard pass. read more

Came here on a Saturday around 11am no wait to be seated. Restrooms available outdoor and indoor seating. Staff friendly. Ordered the crab and shrimp enciladas. Not spicy enough filling. The chips and salsa were good. All in all good for a one time try. read more

Carmelita's - Crab and shrimp enchiladas - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

This is such a cute spot in Laguna! It's located on the busy street entering Laguna but very walkable wherever you end up parking and super close to the beach. There were so many items on the menu we wanted to try but ended up ordering the fajitas, ceviche, and set of tacos and these did not disappoint. Will definitely be back to try the other items on the menu! read more

THE ABSOLUTE BEST & MOST FESTIVE HOLIDAY LOCATION EVER!! Exceptional Service (thank you Daniel and Rodi!) ~ Holiday Decorations ~ Lively music - Delicious food ~ great Music - and full house of celebrating visitors from all over SoCal. We had a WONDERFUL LUNCH and can't wait until we return in 2026!! read more

Carmelita's - Great Tree!! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Solid pick for some Mexican food in Laguna Beach area. The inside is well lit with these fun star-shaped lights. The service is friendly and pretty attentive. We came here for a quick bite and drink. We got the Chef's combo platter and a margarita. A good amount of food for 2-3 people with a little bit of everything. The margaritas here are also very good too. Great place and would come back! read more

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Free chips & salsa--Food always smacks each time we come here quality in the food is always the same. There's no changes we always come to this location to enjoy the nice beach and some great food and chips and salsa. I would recommend coming in this place. The ambience the service are really nice. The food's are great too. read more

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Place is in a great location and I know it's laguna but I visited for lunch with my family I order a diet coke and was given a tiny bottle of diet so I switched to bear problem solved, there's lots of employees walking around but our server avoid eye contact we ordered guacamole it was OK I was hoping for a nice serving but like everything else our food came in small portions disappointed our fish micro tacos tiny,refried beans serving are a also a smudge its laguna its all priced accordingly but when your portions are tiny you are very disappointed in the end, maybe the place is for cocktails and appetizers read more

What a great Mexican Restaurant. I would have to say it is some of the best Mexican food I have had in a long time. The margaritas were tasty, both types of enchiladas I tried were phenomenal and the flan was a perfect ending to the meal. The waitress was charming and described the entrees in a way that made it very easy to choose what we wanted to eat. You can't go wrong by having dinner or lunch here. read more

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Food is always amazing and we have enjoyed coming every time we are in town . Highly recommend EVERYTHING!!! read more

This place has such a welcoming atmosphere starting from the front door. I felt like my server knew me, even though we had never met before. That is a sign of elite service. My order was taken promptly and my food arrived quickly. It was so fresh and tasted amazing. The portions are very nice. I ended up having to take some home. I went by myself, but would highly recommend Carmelita's for groups as well. Next time I need to try a margarita. The fresh chips at the table are extraordinary. It was everything I wanted after spending some time at the beach. read more

Carmelita's - Grilled Burrito Bowl - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Excellent service. Comfortable leather boot seats that are goldish, Make you feel like a king or queen! We had the shrimp taquitos, very tasty And had a kick to them. It was a little bit pricey given the portion size, and the menu overall seemed pricier than I imagined, but that might just be the beach pricing. Upscale ambiance with Mexican music. read more

Carmelita's - Shrimp taquitos - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Guac was 16 bucks each, but the tiny portion was not worth it. The server asked us if we wanted guac right when we sat down, and then she immediately answered for us before we could look at the menu pricing. I did not like that she took advantage of our group, because we did not get the time to browse through the appetizers and discuss our orders. She brought out 3 orders of guac before we realized the cost. First impression - Restaurant decor was nice and clean! The servers were prompt with getting us seated quickly and bringing out drinks. Final impression - I would come back for the grilled salmon. However, the guac incident left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

Beautiful location across the street from the beach in Laguna. Service was nice just extremely slow I waited to order my second drink But never got a chance to because I finished my meal before she came back to check on us. Flavors were lacking and not much food for the prices. read more

It's been a while since the Pandemic.... We are back to eat their yummy black beans and chips, tacos, and more today. We missed the tacos and my fajita on cast iron. Today my husband chose lunch special, short rib shredded beef crispy taco plate w Spanish rice and beans for $24. I got short rib enchilada plate for $26. House classic margarita is $17. Beer IPA is $9. I got the bottle tea. We were so happy to be back here on Monday. Little slow around 11:30, might be Monday is slower. The service was so welcoming. Nothing was changed, only lunch special menu was added from 11 to 1 Mon to Fri. Same quality, the price was affordable. We love the black beans and chips. Heavenly!!!! My husband's crispy taco was so good, my enchilada was delicious. The Short rib is so tender, flavorful. Love love all!! We will be coming soon to eat more tacos, black beans.....haha... We had a great brunch time before we went to Dana Point, Ritz Carlton by Trolley. So much fun inside trolley to look all the boutiques, restaurants, and ocean. So much fun, yummy, great service!!! read more

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We were an early bird to the place so glad we got seated Indoor since it was hot during the summer. We were greeted nicely and served immediately hot tortilla chips and salsa/beans. They were really delicious and definitely caught our attention to the menu. Decor of the place is vibrant with the view of Laguna beach. We ordered nachos with carnita, wet burrito with carnita and Al pastor and fish tacos. All food were amazing. Wish we were alerted that there was a service charge for the extra tortillas when asking for more tortillas. Glad there was an online option to pay for the meals. Definitely up to date on technology. read more

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Came here for Valentines dinner. We had a reservation for 8:15, we arrived early around 7:40 because we were sure it would be crazy for the holiday. We sat at the bar while we waited for our seats and had some margaritas and chips and guacamole. They were both really delicious and we enjoyed the ambience. There was other guests there experience same issue with not being seating at their set reservation time because they like most restaurants over book on this holiday. We didn't end up getting a table outside until about 8:30. All of this wasn't too much of an issue, but when we finally ordered I got the steak fajitas and was excited to see them come out sizzling hot, however when they arrived they were not steaming in the slightest. Everything still tasted great and I'm sure it would've been a better experience had it not been on a holiday, but they still dropped the ball on service and presentation. read more

Carmelita's - Steak Fajitas - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Came in for dinner and it was very busy! Reccomend going a bit early to account for finding parking. Price per person ranges from 20-30$ a person and they give generous portions! They also give a side of tortilla chips and the salsas were very delicious, will be back again! Dim lighting at night, very romantic and quite loud if you sit inside! read more

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During my Spring break stay in Laguna, I had the pleasure of dining at Carmelita's, a truly exceptional restaurant that left a lasting impression on us! Its beachside location, paired with its spectacular ambiance and 5-star service, set the tone for a memorable experience. Everything from the fresh guacamole , chips and salsa to the delectable birria tacos and short ribs enchiladas, were expertly crafted with unique spices and flavors that truly stood out. Every dish was full of fabulous flavors with each bite feeling incredibly fresh and delicious. The ambiance is Spectacular. Oh I said that already huh? It deserves mentioning twice. Whether you choose to dine inside or take in the beautiful views from the outdoor seating area, Carmelita's is a must-visit destination that I highly recommend! I would eat here again and again! read more

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Amazing service and great food! Although it is a bit pricey it is worth it. We went on a Friday night and were seated quickly. The outside seating is nice but keep in mind it's right next to the street, so it'll be very loud. They started us off with complementary chips and dips (I loved the beans). Our server was very chill and checked on us many times. As for the food it was actually filling and flavorful, so no complaints there. Lastly, we came in for a birthday dinner, so they gave us churros on the house! read more

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We are back to Camelita's. We missed the tacos and black beans. We got there at 11:30. I chose lunch special, crispy taco plate w shredded short rib for me and short rib enchilada for my wife. The price is not too expensive for the entrée. $24 , and 26. Only classic margarita is $17. No deal!! I got IPA for $9, everything was soooo good. We both love black bean dip w chips here. 5 stars for chips, beans. My taco plate was always good. The quality is consistant for years. That is why we always came again for tacos, cast iron fajita, and enchilada. My wife had short rib enchilada and she loved this food. Happy time and fun time in Laguna beach. The service, foods, and ambiance all are 5 stars. Great Mexican restaurant for friends and family. Always 5 stars for the foods. Thanks. read more

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Honored our reservation on Mother's Day. Great staff and great food. Love the Guacamole, salsa, and bean dip. Nachos were big.

How have I missed this place over the past 15 years? I thought I had already been to the best upscale Mexican restaurant in Orange County, but I was wrong. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu, friendly and a professional who checked on us at appropriate times. The outside patio was perfect for dinner with the ocean and main beach across the street. And the food! Wow. The chips were fresh and crunchy and were accompanied by outstanding tasty salsa and bean dip. I've never had steak fajitas like these: tender steak, rich in flavor and perfectly prepared peppers and onions. For those not familiar with this restaurant I want to introduce you to an exceptionally good one. read more

Carmelita's - Steak Fajitas - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

A bit overpriced in my opinion. The food was ok, not the best most authentic Mexican food. I ordered the crispy tacos that came with 2 tacos and a side of rice and beans. Small portion for $24, and they charged me $2 for a side of salsa lol. They didn't warn me beforehand, and it's definitely not stated on the menu. The vibes are nice and the drinks looked tasty but didn't get to try them. Probably would come here for the vibes, but don't have high expectations for the food itself. read more

Carmelita's - Crispy tacos - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

My mom and I came here for brunch. The food was delicious! The ambiance is very nice. The service is also nice. My mom and I shared the Pomegranate and Apple salad and the potato taquitos. Delicious food and gorgeous view! We would definitely come here again. read more

We ordered dinner this evening from Carmelitas in Laguna Beach and it was wonderful. We ordered the shrimp taquitos and two chicken enchilada dinners with chips, salsa and drinks and they hit it out of the park. The delivery service was terrific and timing perfect. The ambiance was that of our home with the fireplace roaring and a good Christmas movie on! Thankful will full tummies. Highly recommended. read more

Carmelita's - Living room ambiance and a great meal from Carmelitas - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Unfortunately, after waiting 1 hour for seating (I was told it would be 20 min), I waited at my table for 20 minutes, and no one showed up. When we were seated, we asked for hot water and were told it was not available. Asked them to bring a heater, as the place we were seated was outside and cold; we were told 'no'. If feel sad, as it was a promising place to eat. I have no food pictures, we left. read more

Still a great place to go, sit at the bar watch them make some fresh food and cocktails. Love this place read more

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We requested a high chair in our reservation; when we arrived, we were told that the restaurant doesn't provide high chairs. This left us to hold our toddler in a booth while we ate, which was very difficult. If they don't want young children to eat at the restaurant, they should make that clear at the time of reservation. In addition to this, the food was extremely low quality. Appetizers were ok, but the shrimp entree was overcooked, and the chile relleno entree was tough. The cheese quesadilla entree for our one year old son was extremely expensive for a literal plain cheese quesadilla. All of the food was overpriced for the quality. Two appetizers, two entrees, a quesadilla, and two soft drinks cost $160. This was a terrible experience, and we will not return. There are too many good restaurants in Laguna to deal with this. read more

Delicious off menu item! Came here on a Sunday morning on a double date. We asked for recommendations from the waitress, we told her we would be sharing the meal family style and wanted to try a variety of their offerings. She recommended the Parrilla, which was essentially a variety of grilled meats (steak, al pastor, chicken, shrimp), corn, jalapeño, onion, and a cheese dip. The Parrilla also came with tortillas which we ordered both corn and flour. We loved the variety that the Parrilla offered. One advice when ordering this dish is not to wait too long to finish the cheese dip because once it's cooled it not as spreadable. read more

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You've guac to be kidding me. $16 guacamole was not good... however everything else was delicious. Complimentary chips with salsa and warm black beans were good. Short rib enchiladas- tender meat and flavorful Champagne salmon salad- refreshing and delicious. It comes with salmon, iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, pickled red onions, and corn. I was nervous about the dressing but it was delicious! Service was great and staff were very attentive. There's indoor and outdoor seating with paid parking on the side. The restaurant has 10 minute pick up parking at the gas station. read more

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Been wanting to come here for years, so we finally made the trip today. We ordered the crispy chimichanga...so delicious. We also ordered the short rib enchiladas, also very good. The black bean and salsa was great! I highly recommend this place. Definitely a comeback restaurant. read more

Been here twice and the food is consistently delicious. Unfortunately, this last visit left me really disappointed with the service. Once a large group walked in, our table was basically abandoned. After our food arrived, we needed several things--an extra spoon, a knife to cut the corn off the cob, napkins, drink refills, tortillas--and the person who dropped off our plates didn't say a word or check if we needed anything. Neither did our waiter. For about 25 minutes I kept trying to get our waiter's attention, but he was busy making drinks behind the bar and didn't come back until it was time to pay. I honestly expected at least a quick apology or some acknowledgment that we hadn't seen him in a long stretch, but there was none. Great food, but the lack of attention and accountability from the staff made the experience really disappointing. read more

I was really disappointed today when I ordered take out Mahi Mahi tacos. I haven't been there for about a year and I was very surprised by the significant price increase in all of the items on the menu. My two taco rice and beans lunch was $27.00!! I was there early before 11:00 am but they would not take my order until it was exactly 11. The menu has really changed and not for the better. The prices are really high and the choices are even less than the previous menu. The tacos had a small piece of fish in them and lots of cabbage and avocado to fill the space. The beans were super salty and the rice was ok. But I still can't believe that the cost was $27.00. Sorry, but I can no longer recommend Carmelitas in Laguna Beach. read more

The best enchiladas we've ever had! It's not the normal heavy enchilada sauce, it was so much better! The meat was tender and flavorful. The vibe is so cute, right in the center of Laguna! The chips, bean dip & salsa were delicious to start & our meals were fantastic!! The birria tacos were good, the broth was a little thicker than usual. We will go back! So good! read more

I can't say enough nice things about Carmelita's! The food is top notch, high-quality Mexican in an upscale setting. The waiters are also very attentive and welcoming. I will absolutely be back to try more of their amazing menu read more

The butter garlic shrimp is a must try! Mario took it to the next level with habanero sauce and amazing service !

$25.00 for a couple of tacos is steep and was not great. Your paying for location. Service was good.

This place is beyond amazing. First Mexican spot my husband and I tried after moving to the area. Luckily for us, we're 10 mins away. Love this place! They have an amazing selection of tequila and Mezcal. It's a small spot, so be sure to make a reservation, because it's popping on a weekend at night. Service was excellent. Atmosphere was cool. Prices are very fair considering the quality and taste of what you're getting. We started with margaritas, how can you go wrong with a Cadillac, and a tamarind margarita ? We then started with calamari, it was absolutely delicious. It was light, crispy, and extremely tender, which tells me it very fresh. It was served with a an amazing chipotle aioli - just perfect. My husband then ordered the seafood trio which had shrimp and crab, epic sauce, one of them was stuffed in a poblano pepper. This was most definitely the highlight, and I would imagine a star is the menu. The flavour was so delicious, so creamy, not over salted or spiced, and just out of this world. I chose the birria tacos, which were so tender, flavourful, and perfect on their homemade corn tortillas. We can't wait to come back ! read more

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