Had a lovely lunch here- service was fast, food was delicious, and ambience was lively. Would consider this one of the more upscale Mexican restaurants; great if you're in the mood for surf and turf (though I'd have to say their seafood options are the star here), or could be a cute date spot! Love their complimentary chips and salsa- salsa has a good kick to it! Guac was really fresh but could've used some more lime. Overall all the options are yum but if I could only pick one type of dish here, it would definitely be an enchilada! read more

Javier's - Cabo Azul ; Arrachera ; Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Came to this location twice and I would say the Newport location is still the best hands down. The good thing about this location is that I've been able to walk in and get seated immediately. Service is always top notch. The first time I was here, we ordered the ceviche but they were out of the white fish. I just came back yesterday and ordered the seafood trio enchilada and the crab enchilada was full of shells. I was not able to eat the item. Unfortunately, this was the one that I packed home since I couldn't finish my meal at the restaurant so I couldn't let the server know. I most likely will not be back at this location. read more

Sadly, I feel the spark of Javier's has dimmed and not sure I'd return for awhile. Disappointed that rice and beans are no longer included with some entrees. They are a separate side order now. It's actually a steep price for the trio seafood enchilada plate (or any enchilada entree)...when it doesn't include a side of beans and rice. The chips and guac were fire and delicious though. Service - 2/5. Our waitress was not very kind. She was dismissive and impatient when we were ordering. After entrees came, she never checked in again until bill was placed on the table. This restaurant used to be our family's favorite, but this experience unfortunately changed that. We still enjoyed the food itself, but the service and high-priced entrees for few quantity is a deal-breaker to not return anytime soon. read more

I haven't been to Javier's in so long and I still love it! This was my first time at the Irvine Spectrum location though. We went on a Sat afternoon and while the spectrum was packed, there wasn't a long wait. The food was delish just as in remembered and the decor is IG worthy! Parking kinda sucks if you don't know exactly where you're going, we ended up doing Valet parking which was the easiest. read more

Javier's - The chips n salsa were great - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Jorge is our waiter again and we are sitting kind of outside on 4/21/26 for taco Tuesday. Chicken fajitas are a little bit better this time and I brought my own seasoning so that helped a lot. The surface is average in the food is mid level. I love the ambience here read more

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I recommend this place because it's a vibe it's sexy it's beautiful and upon walking in you hear the music smell the fragrant dishes you wanna be here and are looking forward to your dining experience. Once seated our server was right on it took our drink orders and dinner orders I don't remember his name but he was super nice and offered some drink and dinner suggestions. I ordered the pineapple margarita annnnnd loved it! The chili verde was fantastic! Carnitas dish came with rice,beans and guacamole the meat was really tasty. Four people 5 drinks, 3 dinners, I salad, 2 appetizers $270 Overall I recommend this place no complaints but at the same time there's was not a dish that I think I will be craving and think I need to go back. Food was ok good. The ambiance the drinks and the great for groups and celebrations yes I will think oh let's go to Javier's! read more

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People come here for the scene not for the food. The restaurant has a Newport Beach look and the service is good. But the food and cocktails are mediocre on the best day here. The menu prices are well beyond justification. For example: Salad with Salmon is $40. You get premix salad like you can buy at any grocery store, handful of cherry tomatoes, a sliced radish, over-salted grilled salmon that is nearly inedible, and a green dressing. This was a low priced menu item. Steak Taco al a cart (one/1/uno) is $12. It comes Taco Bell style with lettuce, tomato, cheese. Enchilada platter with 2 enchilada and beans and rice are ~$50 now. With lots more options in the $60-80 range. Total w tax/gratuity for: 2 Salads w/ Salmon, 1 house prosecco... $125.00. But I suppose that's the price to "feel seen" in OC read more

Great staff! Great with kids!!! Made us feel welcome and we didn't even have to ask for extra plates? Kids waters. The food is OK what's the price goes into the ambience and the quality of experience I get it. Being great for families and kids is the most important thing to me and they are always so great with this. read more

Javier's - Cheese enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Over ten years ago, I thought this place was elite. The margaritas, the chips and salsa, the chopped house salad, flan for dessert. It was my reliable monthly "catch up with the girls" spot and never missed. So, we took a little trip down memory lane and wow, that was a mistake. The margaritas tasted watered down and like it was made with the cheapest liquor available. The chips were blah. The salsa was just okay. The guacamole was $20 for not even a full cup. I have had better guac at El Torito, and that comparison alone should say everything. I will give credit where it is due. The house salad was still good. But, the steak tacos were laughable. Nothing special at all. It was something I could have gotten literally anywhere else (i.e. Baja Fresh). The bill, however, was very memorable and not in a good way. Way too expensive for what showed up on the table. Between the tiny portions, the drop in food quality, and the overall vibe, you will probably leave hungry and annoyed. Sorry, but this place is officially off my list. Goodbye, Javier's. It's been real. read more

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Beautiful setting and nice location at Irvine Spectrum, near the theater side. Service is attentive, and the complimentary chips and salsa are a great way to start the meal. Price point is quite high. The skirt steak Arrachera is $60, and Cabo Azul is $50. Mango margarita is $19. For a lunch for four, it was over $240. Still recommend this place though for its festive atmosphere. A fun place to bring friends. read more

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Great atmosphere. Food is great.went with the steak and enchiladas. Guacamole is a must.

Had a good time at Javier's. Large restaurant with plenty of seating and dark nooks and crannies! SERVICE: We had a good server. He was attentive and had a good sense of humor. The only issue we had was that our bartender messed up our drink and our food took a long time to get out. FOOD: Food was great! The server talked me into upgrading to carne asada and it was yummy. The rest of our food was tasty and they desserts hit the spot. I was jokingly complaining about how restaurants don't have enough dairy free desserts, so I said just bring me a plate with a sad face....and they did! (I love when they play along). Not sure why the ratings aren't better here. The wait time on food and the drink error were our only issues. read more

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The chips are salsa are good here but I don't think I will be back. This restaurant is located at The Spectrum. I went on the weekend and there wasn't much of a wait to get seated. What really made me uncomfortable though were that their water glasses were dirty. And when I pointed it out to a waiter walking by, he stared at it and couldn't see anything wrong with it. This was concerning. Maybe it's the way they clean their cups but the cups were all super faded and had streaks and specks on them (see pic). Apparently that is normal for them? In addition, I found the food to be over priced. You can get much better food at the Spectrum for less money for sure. Also our waiter looked really mad all the time. Made us uncomfortable to ask for anything. read more

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I came here on Sunday. It was a little sad to see the didn't really have a brunch menu but the service and the location were pretty great. One thing to mentioned is parking is not too easy. We parked in the structure and had a pretty decent walk to get to the restaurant so be prepared for that. They also will not seat you if your whole party is not there.. and if you drink soda they give you bottles. There are no free refills. The food was very good. I ordered the chopped salad with chicken and it was so refreshing. The vibe overall was very fun! read more

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I love sitting at the bar at Javier's. I just dip in here while shopping to cool off, have a cocktail I love their tamarind margarita and pineapple margarita. The black mamba was good too! read more

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I'm honestly not sure how Javier's is sitting at a 3.3 right now. The Irvine Spectrum location has a great energy and I've always wanted to try it, especially knowing Kobe Bryant was a big fan of Javier's (even if it was not this exact spot). My wife and I came on a kid-free double date with friends, which basically never happens, and we ended up having an awesome night. The place is beautiful inside, our server was attentive without being overbearing, the food hit the spot, the drinks were on point, and dessert wrapped everything up perfectly. I will not overdo the breakdown but the chips and salsa are ridiculous. We ate way too much before ordering. The guacamole is great too. We started with the aguachile and, if you are into shrimp, it is a must. For the mains we had the steak fajitas, the trio de enchiladas del mar, and the mole poblano. If I had to rank them I would put the enchiladas first, the mole second, and the fajitas last. For dessert we tried the tres leches which none of us loved, the churros which were really good and made in-house, and the cornbread which was the surprise winner. The ice cream makes it even better. Drinks were strong. We started with spicy margaritas and then tried a spicy pepino margarita. Both are very refreshing and absolutely worth ordering. The price was not bad at all considering how much we ordered and how good the service was. I would definitely come back, though part of me wants to try the Newport location next since I have heard so much about it. Thanks to Javier's for giving four tired parents a stress free night out. read more

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Javier's is one of the best spots for great food, drinks, and atmosphere in lower Irvine! First of all, the service tonight was outstanding. Between the waiters, expediters, and bussers, this staff is lock-stepped on great guest service. We ordered the ground beef empanadas for the appetizer, with a wonderful combination of flavor and texture. To drink strawberry daiquiris - delightful! The main courses were Relleno de Picadillo and Pollo à la Chipotle. The relleno had a perfect savory sauce, and just the right balance of cheese and filling. The pollo was tender and tasty. Personally, I love a not too brightly lit establishment, that makes for great conversation with my friends. We had an excellent dinner and memorable time. We'll be back soon. Enjoy! read more

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To start, the service was wonderful. We were seated immediately and brought chips and salsa. My jalapeño margarita came out quickly and was delicious. We got the chicken taquitos to start, they came with an avocado cream sauce that was amazing. It was topped with a fresh slaw. We got one of their chicken entrees and absolutely loved it. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was creamy and had amazing flavour. It was busy when we went and I can tell why. Very clean restaurant and delicious. read more

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Came here for V-Day on Saturday during a 3-day President's Day, Lunar New Year, Ash Wednesday weekend with reservations at 11:30 am. It was empty but they sat us (2 adults and 1 kid) in an awkward booth with another family facing us. We weren't in the mood to complain - so we did not. We got the Cabo Azul, combo beef enchilada and hard shredded beef hard taco, and kids soft skirt steak meal. Hubby had a beer and we both got margaritas. Total was $160 b4 tip. Idk. Ambiance is dark hipster high end. Service was just OK this time NO enthusiasm, recs, or knowledge about the food and/or history. It taste good but def overpriced. read more

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The Tomahawk pork chop was cooked perfectly but the gravy was too salty to eat. Service is always great! read more

Javier's - Tomahawk pork chop - cooked perfectly!! Gravy - too salty to eat. - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Amazing service, great music, delicious food! The enchiladas suizas are sooo good!! I have gluten allergy and they made sure the dish was made separate from the flour tortillas so there was no cross-contamination. Carlos was so funny!! (see attached photo) read more

Javier's - Carlos - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Not our first time dining at this location. Generally good food and great cocktails, but we have to say we were really here for that Javier ambiance! Complimentary chips and salsa are always a plus. The salsa had the perfect level of spice and seasoning. We didn't have to wait for a table since we were having a late dinner and our server was kind and attentive. Note: The combo plates can be shareable with one other person if neither of you is too hungry. read more

Javier's - Chile Relleno, Enchilada, Taco Combo Plate - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Delicious food as always with a very fun and lively ambiance. Love the large variety of food Options from light to heavy--all of which taste amazing. Their drinks pack a punch too. Definitely a go to for a "nice" meal! read more

Javier's - Guacamole Ceviche de Pulpo - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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世界上很多美好的事物，並非觸手可及，經過了時間的醞釀和打磨，等待的結果，會顯得更加珍貴，也更令人珍惜～別忘了，人生因堅持而非凡，歲月因努力而閃光～ 跟也是我們版上認識的吃貨美女們來Irvine spectrum 的Javier , 這家墨西哥餐廳到處都有分店，我知道遠到Vegas 也有一家，墨西哥餐廳很多裝潢都很華麗， 這家也非常吸睛，我上去看，yelp 的review 不佳， 不過好友們都來過，她們兩個點的菜都非常好吃， 這倒讓我有點驚訝， 從一坐下來點的飲料，就非常喜歡了， 蝦子ceviche 做的夠酸夠清爽。主菜的豬肉，海鮮pasta, 牛肉，每道我們都很喜歡，真的沒有一道可以抱怨， 所以跟會點菜的人來真的差很大，我覺得，三個女生聊的開心，也吃的很爽 ，唯一就是最近太熱了，在 Irvine spectrum 光從停車場走到餐廳，都快曬乾的感覺，走路時，才發現spectrum 也開太多好餐廳了吧，連上次我介紹過在Tustin 的名店Manaao 也在籌備了，真好，以後跟朋友來這逛街時，想吃什麼都有啦！ read more

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Stopped by for a drink and the ambiance here is obviously a winner!!! Both of the margs we got were fabulous & the bartenders were really nice and checked on us consistently. Complimentary chips & salsa is always a pleasant surprise, and the salsa was a bit spicy-- we loved it! I've had their food at other locations and can only imagine it's just as good. Would come back to all locations :) read more

Javier's - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Special ambience, amazing service and wonderful food! It's a must to try if you are looking for a great experience!!! We loved our visit today and will be back soon !!! read more

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Love Javier's, Irvine Spectrum Location!! Always A Nice Treat To Visit Here!! Love The Vibes, Ambiance & Lovely Decor!! Stunning Bar Lounge Area Too!! Decided To Visit For Lunch!! Nice Hostess, & Decided To Dine At The Bar Counter!! Great Extensive Menu!! Started With Chips & Salsa, Then Ordered The Chicken Enchilada, Chile Relleno & Taco Combo!! Great Lunch!! Bartenders Were Attentive & Courteous!! Will Return To Visit Again!! ThankU read more

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Pricey Mexican food but good quality. Some items were worth the price, but $20 for a side of guacamole is a bit ridiculous. The ambiance is nice and so is the staff. Yummy chips and salsa are served at each table which is nice. Overall, good experience! read more

Javier's - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

We absolutely love coming here before a movie, makes for a perfect night. The ambiance is always so bright and cheery, everyone always in a good mood. The food like always, was delicious. I had to try their mole so I ordered cheese enchiladas with their mole sauce (I don't eat meat so subbing was easy). Hubby had their Chicken Enchilada with a crunchy Chicken Taco. Everything was so delicious. Of course I ordered their Black Mamba Martini.. so I had two! We ended with their delicious flan. The service was always so friendly and our waiter was always so friendly. read more

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Nestled on the outskirts of the mall setting, Javier's in Irvine nails that romantic, upscale vibe without feeling stuffy. The place is dimly lit and cozy--perfect for date night or a special occasion. We were seated right away, and honestly, there seemed to be just as many staff members as patrons, but that meant the service never missed a beat. Glasses were always full, and the chips and salsa kept coming (and yes, they're dangerously addictive). The food? Absolutely delicious--beautifully plated and full of flavor. It's not your comadre or abuelita's heaping portions, but everything hits the spot and leaves you satisfied rather than stuffed. Overall, Javier's delivered on great food, great service, and a romantic atmosphere worth coming back for. read more

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Went to Javier's for a team happy hour. This is located in the Irvine Spectrum, so there were not any issues with finding a spot for parking. It was busy at that time, so expect to park on level 3 after you're going around 6:00pm We had a reservation for party of 9. They will allow for the party to sit as long as the majority is present at the time at check-in. The staff placed in a section that gave an illusion of a room. This had a nice dimly light interior, but natural sunlight coming in through the windows. Our table had a few appetizers throughout the table, which were all pretty solid. I nearly got full off of those, but still got an order of the trio de enchiladas del mar. This included shrimp, dungeness crab, and lobster, which I thought were all solid. read more

Javier's - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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LONG WAIT. EXPENSIVE MEDIOCRE FOOD. Will not return. Arrived on time for our 7:30pm reservation and waited a full hour in a chaotic crowd just to be seated, with no apology or attempts to make amends from management. The food is extremely overpriced for Mexican cuisine ($75 ceviche trio, $40 salad). Drinks were mediocre--a margarita was sent back for being overly strong, instead of remaking it, same drink was returned watered down in a taller glass. My salad was ordered with dressing on the side but arrived fully dressed, I was confused when I had to explain what "on the side" means. Our waitress was kind, but the experience was VERY poorly managed overall. read more

Javier's - People crowding just to check in and be seated. - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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A few weeks back my girl friends and I went to Javier's for dinner on a Friday night. It was a great time with yummy food and conversations about life. We had a reservation. *In my opinion, always make reservations if you're going to eat out on a Friday night. You never know if the restaurant will be busy that night, best to be safe so you don't have to wait too long to be seated. Our waitress was great! She helped us with recommendations on food and drinks. We didn't wait that long for our food. I already knew what I wanted which was an espresso martini and the enchiladas pueblo. Before our food arrived, we had their chips, salsa, and ordered a couple guacamole. All were so tasty. The enchiladas pueblo was Maine lobster enchiladas with garlic butter and tomatillo. It was delicious and flavorful! It was exactly what I wanted that night. Definitely recommend this restaurant for girls night or date night! read more

Javier's - Enchiladas Pueblo - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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Most of the negativity comes from the prices. People in Southern California love acting like they know the best Mexican hole-in-the-wall spot in the world and then run around the area comparing everything to it. Better yet, they compare it to their mother's cooking, who, no offense, probably uses cheap butcher meat and Mazola. You come to Javier's to experience good service, a nice ambiance, and good-tasting, somewhat overpriced Mexican food. If you accept it for what it is, you might have a good experience too. Must-haves: - Queso fundido - Jumbo prawns - Any of their enchiladas - Any of their steaks - Any of their drinks - Pan de elote (but only when it's warm) They are consistent in their service and food quality. Only once did I ever get my filet more rare than medium rare, but it happens to the best of us. The steak crust is there every time, though. My only other annoyance is the wait times at the Irvine location, which are awful even with a reservation. They've been in this business for years; you would think they would have it down by now. You're likely better off going to their Crystal Cove location if you want your time to be respected a little more. Javier's is a solid choice when I am craving good sit-down Mexican food because I don't want to worry about doing the dishes. read more

Javier's - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

Can't believe I reviewed this place 11 years ago and still had the exact same thought... Shocked they do not have a solid 5 star rating. This place is absolutely fantastic. The service is phenomenal the aesthetics of their food is always beautiful and not only does it look good, it tastes amazing. You can barely take two sips out of your soda or water without somebody right there to refill it. I accidentally dropped my napkin and literally within seconds someone was handing me a fresh napkin. This is always our go to spot when we are celebrating anything or just want a great meal. We love sitting out on their patio (and people watching) and just soaking up the great Southern California weather. I really just can't say enough good things about this restaurant. It's always packed and that should speak for itself. read more

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avier is one of those places that makes it easy to slow down and enjoy a leisurely lunch, and this visit felt especially relaxed. The complimentary chips and salsa arrived first -- simple but flavorful, a great way to start the meal. For the mains, both the steak and the cod were beautifully prepared. The steak was cooked perfectly, while the cod had a delicate texture and clean, balanced flavors. It was also a lovely surprise that our baby really enjoyed the cod, which made the lunch feel even more special for our family. The daytime ambiance was beautiful. Our table overlooked lush outdoor greenery, and every now and then a small bird would wander in, which completely fascinated our little one and added a playful touch to the experience. Service was warm, friendly, and attentive without feeling rushed -- perfect for a relaxed midday meal. The only dish that felt a bit underwhelming was the house salad -- fresh and fine, just not as memorable as the rest of the menu. Overall, it was a calm and enjoyable lunch with great food, a lovely setting, and an easygoing atmosphere that makes you want to come back. read more

Javier's - Mexican Near Me - Irvine, California

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I came here on a Thursday night with my boyfriend. We were seated right away. Service was okay. They were nice, but not very attentive. It was also extremely dim inside. Drinks are strong though, so that's nice. No strollers allowed even if your (quiet) baby can't sit up without support. You have to park your stroller outside and it's unattended. If you're looking for good Mexican food, there are many better options if you drive out, but this is one of the better places in the Spectrum area. read more

The thing about Javier's is that it's really not authentic Mexican food, and the flavor never quite hits. It's definitely more about the ambiance and aesthetic than the food itself. Feels pretty mid every time, but people go for the vibe. read more

I'm just gonna be brutally honest. Everyone has been hyping this up, but it was alright. They do give u big portions though, so I was surprised and happy about that. The only things I really enjoyed were the drinks and the ceviche! The ceviche trio with shrimp, OCTOPUS, and TUNA. Wow, the octopus and tuna is amazing. The servers were nice though and the interior was beautiful :) But for the price, that's a basic. Nothing super eye opening. I think I was expecting so much from all the hype it was getting. read more

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Went here for lunch about a month ago to celebrate coworker the drinks and food was amazing . The server Mario and the busboy he said call me Luigi we're so attentive and have the most professional and best service will definitely return read more