Came here for dinner around 7 pm on a Tuesday and we were able to be seated right away on the patio with our dog. They start you off with complimentary chips, salsa and beans. I really enjoyed the beans and liked that it was offered as something different. I also ordered a spicy michelada with Modelo which was really good. For food we shared the pollo à la chipotle and seafood enchiladas. Both entrees were really good! You could taste the crab in the enchiladas and the sauce on the chicken was really good. The chicken was also moist and not dry. I enjoyed the chile relleno but felt like it wasn't needed. My boyfriend really liked the rice. They offered us more chips once we ran out and brought out a fresh batch. Oh my, the chips were amazing when they were still warm! If I wasn't full I could've eaten the whole basket myself. Our server was also friendly and brought water for our dog without us having to ask. Great location near the beach for a nice dinner with a breeze. We would definitely return! read more

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I should have taken photos! Every bite was delicious. The fresh tortilla chips were warm and the guacamole was so tasty and was served with chopped cucumbers and a wonderfully smoky chipotle sauce on the side. Why? Who knows. Who cares. They were delicious. We ordered several types of tacos, on both regular corn tortillas and crispy tortillas. WOW! Each bite was better than the one before. Is that possible ? Yes, it's possible. The food was so delicious, we ordered food to take with us for later. ( photos of take out attached. We were too busy eating out sit down meal). The service was exceptional. My water glass stayed full. The room is nice and cozy. We had no problem with parking, but I can imagine it may get tight during the dinner hour. We will return, because I look forward to trying several other menu items. I highly recommend Carmelita's. read more

Carmelita's - Chicken Taquitos - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Boyfriend brought me to Carmelita's on a date and I loved it! It's a cute restaurant in main beach Laguna with a nice ambiance. We started with their chips and salsa and beans. The chips were super fresh and crispy, with just the right amount of salt. Their margarita was classic and simple in the best way, with a salt rim (my fav). I ordered their burrito bowl and they were able to add fajita veggies instead of a protein as a vegetarian option. This bowl was loaded - rice , beans, cheese, guac, veggies, cucumber, lettuce, and tortilla strips. Huge bowl and everything tasted so so good! The lettuce was tossed in a fresh lime dressing and the fajita veggies were spiced to perfection. Would def come here again. They made what could be so simple into an elevated meal. And staff is also super friendly! read more

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

First time here and I had a great experience! Sat at the bar, ordered a marg, some guac and a seafood enchilada! Food was great and service was also nice and the scenic view is beautiful. Great location and great set up. read more

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

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We stopped by here with my parents on the Fourth of July for a quick drink & a small bite. It seemed like they were a little overwhelmed & possibly had some newer staff, which I completely understand since it was a busy holiday. The only issue was the seating process. The sign said to wait to be seated, but my dad waited around for about 10 minutes without seeing anyone at the host stand. The bartender told him it was okay to go outside & find an available table, so we weren't trying to skip any rules...we were just following what we were told. When we finally spoke with the hostess, she explained she was trying to manage multiple tables, which was understandable, but the communication could have been a little clearer. Once we sat down, everything was great. The drinks were delicious, we enjoyed a quick snack with chips and guacamole, & the service was friendly & efficient. We didn't try the food, but it seems like a nice spot for a casual drink or quick bite. Overall, we had a good experience and would come back. read more

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Carmelita's had a cute little vibe! Nestled right in front of Laguna Beach. Our server was super friendly and attentive. Upon seating, you're provided with chips, salsa, and black bean dip. We love free chips/salsa! I ordered the wild blackberry cocktail and the short rib enchiladas that came with rice and refried beans. The rice and refried beans were average, but the short rib was tender and flavorful. The enchilada sauce is a house-made secret, not your typical red sauce/green sauce. The wild blackberry cocktail was refreshing and not artificial tasting. read more

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

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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I'm going to start by saying that the food was good..... no complaints there but as my friends and I were sitting at the bar we couldn't help but notice how unappealing the bar area was and also unkempt in a timely manner. Also a huge mistake on our waitresses part was .... The two friends that I was with were drinking margaritas and I was drinking a beer and a little later during our meals she brought two free margaritas to my friends but ignored me ‍ What was that about? Not a smart move on her part but also not the reason for this review. In addition we wanted to use the restroom before leaving but the bathroom was so gross that we just washed our hands and left then proceeded to go to another restaurant to use their restroom . Please see pictures for this rating Come on management/owners please take some pride in your restaurant...... this is Laguna Beach!!! read more

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Food service and ambiance all hit the mark. Mom and I shared the streak tacos. OMG. Huge chunks of steak perfectly cooked on a bed of caramelized onions and cheese. Great salsa and warm chips and bean dip were so good to start us off. I can honestly recommend this place after one visit. I can tell it's quality read more

Carmelita's - Mom and I at lunch today. - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Carmelitas is a delicious mexican food restaurant with great drink options and outdoor seating. Upon seating you're immediatly greeted with fresh chips, salsa, and a delicious bean dip. We ordered the mexican corn for the table and it was delicious. I ordered the mahi mahi tacos and they were flavorful, moist, and filling. The margarita options are plentiful, I got the blackberry margarita and loved it. We sat outside on a beautiful night and its so close to the beach! read more

Carmelita's - Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos and Blackberry Margarita - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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

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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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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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

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

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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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

I've always liked Carmelita's, but my last 2 visits at the Laguna Beach location has turned me off. On one visit, a habanero pepper was accidentally dropped in my food. I wasn't able to finish my meal and for the remainder of the evening my mouth was on fire even after drinking milk. I was so uncomfortable the entire evening. My most recent visit, the food was terrible. I got sizzling fajitas, they were not sizzling and the chicken and veggies were so bland. The price of the food doesn't match the quality of the food you're receiving. I've always thought highly of Carmelita's. Perhaps the recipes are not the same at their original location in RSM, but the Laguna location isn't worth going to anymore. 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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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

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 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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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

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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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

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

I was here with my wife on a date. This was my 1st time here. The vibe and the music and the food was very good. At one point it seems that I had two server. My 1st server was missing for a few and another one the was behind the got me another order of drinks and I ordered food. Any, my 1st server came back and wanted me to close my tab. I wasn't quite ready to leave, but did close it. My tab was $250 and I wanted to order desert. It got weard at the end, but the 2nd server behind the bar was nice. I might go back. But I did order another beer with a new tab and left and pack up my food to go. read more

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

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Portions were decent butI would not consider it generous sized especially compared to other Mexican restaurants. Food was good but I would not call it extraordinary. Over priced for what you get. There are some hidden cost that they didn't point out such as the $2 charge for habanero sauce and the 3% automatic added on service fee. They don't give you a copy of the check to review, they just charge you at the table. Tipped them 20% and didn't realize until I asked him for the printer receipt that they've already charged me the 3%. read more

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

Typically, I seek reviews online before trying a restaurant. Today however, we walked into Carmelita's on a hope that it would suffice. It was hands down, the best food, the best service, and a very reasonable price point, certainly better in all aspects than we could ever hope for. The chiles relleno was exceptional, the chicken burrito with red sauce as requested- wonderful, and the chicken tortilla soup hit all the right spots on a cold, rainy day. We are going back tomorrow, it was simply that great! Thanks to ALL. jana mar 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

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

It use to be a great spot! They had a great happy hour and great food. The menu changed for the worse and locals don't go there like they use to. Whoever the owner is, they made some poor business choices and got greedy. read more

I really wish I had checked the 1-star reviews beforehand. I came in thinking the food was going to be good, but I was honestly disappointed. The service was great--our waiter really took care of us--but the food was not it. It didn't taste authentic at all and reminded me of the kind of "Mexican food" you'd get at a hometown buffet. The salsas were horrible, and overall the flavors just didn't feel right. I should've gone to Urth Café instead. Food: 1/10 Cocktails: 7/10 Service: 8.5/10 read more

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

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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

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

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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