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Catrina Café

4.6 (365 reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 months ago

Catrina Café Photos

Business Info

CATRINA CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Catrina Café

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Reviews With Photos

Mari B.

This spot was pretty good it wasn't a long wait but it was busy on a Saturday afternoon. They are generous with their servings I got the chilaquiles & I couldn't finish them. I got the café mexicano it was strong but good. My friends got an iced matcha latte and a breakfast burrito. They liked their orders as well. Parking was easy to find. There's one restroom inside. The place is decorated with dis de los muertos type of feel because it's la Catrina.

Ana R.

Stopped by on a Saturday morning a little after 10am and waited about 10 minutes to be seated as a party of 2. Friendly service. Great music playing softly in the background. Seating indoors and outdoors. I feel they had a good selection of food options. I opted for something I've never had, the smoked salmon benedict with house potatoes. The potatoes were seasoned perfectly. I ordered my eggs medium & they were delicious. Everything paired so well together. Next time I would definitely get fruit as my side just to have a balance of sweet to savory. I hope to be back soon!

Barb B.

This location is right off of Main Street in downtown seal beach. Parking is ample and walking from a local neighborhood wouldn't cost you any parking cost. It's hardly ever busy, but we came here on Halloween, which is exceptionally busy for whatever reason. The people are super friendly and my friend who I went with knows everyone. The food is very good although this dish was a little bit expensive because it doesn't come with any protein. $28 including the tax and tip I thought was a bit pricey for the salad, but nonetheless, the quality was excellent.

Spicy BLT with egg and bacon
Kat N.

Food portion is massive! The service was amazing. We waited 20 minutes for a table of 6. I would say the food came out 30 minutes later. I got a Cobb salad with side potatoes. My friend got a half salad half sandwich. The spicy blt with egg and bacon was so good, the bacon was so crispy and a savory million dollar bacon type!

Catrina Cafe at 12:30 when I was denied seating at a larger table

Came in at 12:20 and the place was empty. Told, very surly, by owner, Craig Lyon, that since I was only one person I couldn't sit at a table for 4 (despite the items I needed on the table with me) because those tables were ALL being held open for a "possible" lunch rush and 4 people pay more than one for food. He added that he would run his restaurant any way he chose. I counted at least 6 vacant larger tables and noted that a couple that came in after me was told they could sit anywhere. Not the customer service I expected or the community appreciation Craig claims to have For us who kept his establishment going throughout the pandemic. Note: At 1:30 pm there were still empty tables there while Crema Cafe (next door) was filled with customers the entire time.

No service...
Gee M.

Was excited to try this place out. Walked inside and told the waiter i would like to sit outside. He brought me a menu, napkin and utensils. 15 minutes later and still not waiter. I left. Will not be returning. I shouldve went to Le Crema where i was going to begin with.

Breakfast burrito
Tiffany O.

Had brunch here with some friends and their kiddos recently. Atmosphere: Bustling on a Sunday morning. Place was filled but we didn't wait too long for our party. Food: Had the breakfast burrito. It was fresh and filling and the salsa was very, very good! I also tried some of the crepe with berries and that was good as well. Overall, the breakfast here tastes homemade (which is a good thing). Prices are reasonable. I will note that my friend's kid got the kid sized breakfast burrito and it was pretty small. Service: very friendly folks here!

Breakfast sandwich was fine
Simon K.

The breakfast sandwich was fine. Be sure to ask for a side of mayo. Next time I want to try the breakfast burrito.

Cubano Torta - steak
Sherwin C.

We parked in front of this place by chance this morning. Original plan was to go to Crema Cafe next door. But something drew us to come here instead, and I'm glad it did. Inside is a clean and well lit dining area. The servers were nice, timely, and attentive. The food was fulfilling! The chilaquiles was probably top 1-2 I've had (but I forgot where I ate the other one, :)) and the cubano torta was plenty for 1. Ordered with a glass of OJ, and the rest was all she wrote. Highly recommend, esp if you don't want to wait inline next door. This is my new spot on Main St!

Veggie Wrap
Karen G.

I've passed by this cute little restaurant so many times on the way to Crema Cafe, and I'm so glad I finally stopped in! I wasn't in the mood for eggs, so I ordered from the sandwich menu and got the veggie wrap. It was delicious and HUGE so I saved the other half to go. My boyfriend had an omelet and really enjoyed it. It was busy, but not overwhelmingly so it's definitely more chill than the usual wait at Crema. I still love Crema, but tbh, this place might have just won me over. The space is small but very clean, service was fast, and the staff were all super attentive. You could flag down anyone and they'd gladly help. We'll definitely be back. Thanks, Catrina Cafe!

Outside Catrina Cafe
Judy B.

The food was delicious. I ordered the Catrina Benedict with fruit. I enjoyed the food temperature, simple presentation, and flavor. Rewind, I arrived on a Saturday morning (around 7:45 AM) and observed 2 single parties seated - 1 person eating at a 2-seat table the other person not eating at a 4-seat table. I was greeted within a minute of entering the restaurant. The restaurant had a mix of 2-seat and 4-seat tables. I requested sitting at a 4-seat table in the corner. I was told promptly - "no, I am saving the 4-seat tables for larger parties. We get busy in the morning." Mental note - this IS MORNING and only 3 parties in the restaurant. Hmmm... later, as people entered the restaurant they were told to sit anywhere. One of the couples chose a 4-seat table yet were not asked to sit at a 2-seat table. They ordered and received their food by the time I had the opportunity to order. What is the point? SERVICE... A restaurant should create a warm inviting ambiance allowing you to feel like a guest. I ordered and received my food in a timely manner. During my meal, I noted no follow up or check in by staff. AND, the seating was at less than 50% capacity. As I walked out the door, I did not hear a "thank you - come back soon" like the other guests leaving the restaurant. Good food... Service, ambiance, and feeling like a valued guest - meh... I probably will not come back soon but will probably take a few extra steps to Crema Cafe. Crema Cafe gets crowded (like a huge group of people waiting outside the restaurant) in the morning. AND, yet, on a busy Saturday morning, the Crema Cafe's staff offer a wonderful SERVICE experience whether you are a regular or not. The food is delicious too.

Banana Nutella waffle- major crowd pleaser!
Emily B.

A true Seal Beach gem. The owner, Craig, and his team stay true to a classic diner vibe yet, the menu is full of fresh, new dishes that showcase a Mexican twist. Maria handles the entire floor like boss. Kendall handles the drink/food run station like a boss. Together, those 2 make it happen! Food favs-- Talk about bang for your buck, the portions are plentiful. -Chiliqualis- the heat of the green salsa is right in the middle, not to hot, not to mild -California benedict- true decadence -Breakfast sandwich- old school and packs a punch of flavor (a fav for the weekly customers) -Banana Nutella Waffle- the ingredients are balanced perfectly for both the young and forever young -Bonus! Mimosas with 5 different juice options!

This is salad & half a sandwich. It's the BLTA sandwich it was so good and the salad very tasty and fresh !
Sherri C.

Yes, yes, yes ! The best cup of coffee I've had in years hands down. Service was great. The eggs Benedict was fabulous. Looking forward to trying the different versions of their eggs Benedict next time. The ambience is ok.

Molette with pico on the side and salsa

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Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight the fresh, flavorful food, excellent coffee and drinks, friendly, attentive service, and a cozy and lively atmosphere.

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this place! Staff is amazing. Went once, went back 2 wks later & the waitress remembered us & our order. Food was as great as the staff

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3 months ago

Beautiful underrated brunch spot on Main Street in Seal Beach! Always good quality food and delicious lattes. Kind staff!

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9 months ago

Great place for breakfast. Good food and friendly employees! Can get busy so plan ahead.

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Catrina Café Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Catrina Café

What time are bottomless mimosas offered?

Our bottomless mimosas are always offered!

Do they offer bottomless mimosas? Weekend only or weekdays?

Yes we do, weekdays and weekends!

Is there outside seating?

Yes. Extremely limited.

View All 7 Questions

Avila's El Ranchito - Guacamole Fresco

Avila's El Ranchito

3.7(505 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

We ended up here on a spur-of-the-moment stop while we were at the Vernon swap meet and getting…read morehungry. We wanted a nice sit-down indoor spot, checked Yelp, and found this place--and I'm so glad we did! My whole family loved it. My husband had the menudo with handmade tortillas--10/10, amazing flavor. My son ordered the Guadalajara burrito and literally cleaned his plate . My daughter got what I think is called the chimingo (like a chimichanga), and she loved it. Even my baby enjoyed a cheeseburger and fries! I had the Avila's soup combo, and it was so flavorful--definitely a standout. Overall, everything was a 10/10. Highly recommend checking them out!

This place went severely downhill. Chips and salsa are now $2 which would be fine, but with the up…read morecharge of chips I would hope the food quality would improve or AT LEAST stay the same but that was not the case unfortunately. I ordered 1 taco with rice and beans, the rice was very dry, hard and cold. The beans were also cold and crusty on top like they had been sitting for a long time. My husband ordered a carne asada burrito which alone was $20 yet there was maybe 5 pieces of meat in total in the entire burrito. We asked if they could add a little more or if we could order a small side but that would be another up charge of $7 which to me isn't fair when the burrito barely had meat to begin with. We also asked for more chips and salsa and water multiple times which we never received. We explained that we were not satisfied with our meal but they refused to give us a refund or even a discount. We didn't feel like arguing so we just paid the bill but I will definitely never be back

Photos
Avila's El Ranchito - Inside the restaurant

Inside the restaurant

Avila's El Ranchito - Guacamole Fresco

Guacamole Fresco

Avila's El Ranchito - Steak Fajitas

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Steak Fajitas

Ola Mexican Kitchen

Ola Mexican Kitchen

3.7(1k reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

We decided to grab lunch at 2nd and PCH after going to the Sunday Farmer's Market, and decided to…read morefinally check out Ola. Palapa next door offers the same food menu but has more drink options. Many opted for outdoor seating on the terrace due to the gorgeous views, but not wanting to wait we agreed to indoor seating. The interior of the restaurant is also very beautiful. The bathrooms were too dark for my tastes though. Our waitress was absolutely phenomenal, super friendly and anticipating all of our needs (water refills, leftover containers, etc.). Service overall by all staff was friendly. We were actually presently surprised with the taste of the food, thinking it might be more Americanized but they actually had very authentic and tasty totopos (tortilla chips). The tomato salsa that came with the chips was also very refreshing. We asked for hot sauce too and the house habanero salsa really packed a punch! We ordered carne asada nachos, pork belly chilaquiles (from the brunch menu), a breakfast burrito, poke, and steamed clams. The steamed clams came in a rich tomato broth and the breakfast burrito was massive. The poke was just okay and the chilaquiles a bit too soggy for me, and the carne asada nachos a bit dry. Nonetheless, presentation and portion sizes were respectable. The last comment is that food here is quite pricey but that reflects the likely high rent of a restaurant in 2nd and PCH. Ola still exceeded expectations and provided a more than pleasant meal.

Chill sunny and beachy vibes…read more Went for a quick drink to enjoy some of the so cal sunshine. Had a beer and they provided some chips and salsa. Appreciated being able to soak in the sun while sipping on a beer. Will def be back for happy hour.

Photos
Ola Mexican Kitchen - Indoor and outdoor seating available!

Indoor and outdoor seating available!

Ola Mexican Kitchen - Chips and salsa

Chips and salsa

Ola Mexican Kitchen - Hibiscus Margaritas

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Hibiscus Margaritas

Palapa - Poke nachos

Palapa

4.0(48 reviews)
1.0 mi

We found our favorite Palapa seats over the holiday on Friday July3rd , and the place was slammed…read morebut Alex behind the bar handled the rush brilliantly. He was attentive and warm, making us feel completely taken care of even with a packed house. :) Amanda was helpful and on top of everything, and Abe, one of the managers, always has a quiet, steady competence about him that makes the whole place feel grounded. The team works together beautifully. And the food! Gorgeous, generous portions, hot and perfectly executed even during the rush. Steve and I love Palapa. The Palapa team makes it feel like home (if home was overlooking the marina with palm trees in the foreground and people bringing us delicious food we didn't have to make ourselves). :)

Great vibes and view, service was hella slow, lavender yuzu martini gave me a good buzz but was not…read moretasty at all, and poke nachos were yummy to snack on. Every single time I needed something, whether it was to order or ask for the check, I had to go up to the bar when my server was there to ask cuz I already waited hella. She was super nice so no complaints in that regards, just not good at checking in with our table at all. Even getting a menu took forever. Idk if it's cuz they're short staffed but the service def needs to be improved. The poke was well seasoned and fish was fresh. Great shareable item. I would come back again cuz I liked my friends drinks that I tried (def would not get the lavender yuzu martini again), the food, and the outdoor seating vibes. Docking stars for service and cuz how bad my martini tasted. Hopefully it's a better overall experience next time.

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Palapa - Complimentary chips and salsa

Complimentary chips and salsa

Palapa - Steak enchiladas

Steak enchiladas

Palapa

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Catrina Café - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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