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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?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Javier's

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    Reviews With Photos

    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.

    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.

    Jamie S.

    Carlos was extremely attentive and anticipated all our needs. Super polite and even placed all our napkins on our laps for us (we are a group of 7) Carlo's even spoon fed the birthday girl her first bite of her birthday ice cream, super pleasant experience, we will be back and ask for carlos!

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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!

    Inside
    Mster M.

    I would say the ambience is a 10 out of 10. Really cool vibe. I think that's what you're paying for.. don't get me wrong. It's a great place. You'll have a good time. I think the food could be a little bit. Better drinks are really good. Service is very attentive. I had a great time when I went last month.

    Enchilada trio
    Jason T.

    Had another amazing meal at Javier's Newport Beach with the wifey. She had the enchilada trio which she loved I had the Cabo Azul which was perfectly cooked. The lobster enchilada and the stuffed crab chile relleno were so delicious. You get a little bit of everything with this dish. It really is the best Mexican restaurant in California but don't forget your wallet as it can get pricey with the margaritas. Still you get a great view sitting at the long bar and have amazing bartenders! Coming back next week!

    Steak fajitas

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    26 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Ambiance was great and food was delicious I'm just a little disappointed I didn't have the chance to meet Javier so, 4 stars

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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

    Chelas Mexican Kitchen - Best Tacos ever!

    Chelas Mexican Kitchen

    4.5(75 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Phenomenal food. The fish tacos are excellent. Packed with flavor. Topped with a killer crema. You…read morecan get them fried or grilled. I came here with a friend and we just happened to be there during happy hour. $7 for 2 fish tacos and chips! That's a great happy hour deal! My friend had the chili verde wet burrito and kept interrupting our conversation to comment on how good the burrito was! We also ordered the cinnamon chips and they are excellent. The staff is super nice. The restaurant is order-at-the-counter and seat yourself style. They give you a number. And bring your food to you. There is both seating downstairs and upstairs on a patio deck with a limited ocean view. The patio is charming with market lights and shade. We were there at 5pm and by the time we left the restaurant was full! I would definitely go again!

    Came on a Tuesday night and sat on the first floor patio, which has all high chairs. There's also…read morean upstairs patio. Staff were friendly and service was quick ~10 minutes for food to come out. You order at their counter and they'll bring the food out to wherever you sit. There's a good selection of drinks inside the fridges from Mexican sodas to beers. Would love to see some aguas frescas in the future though! Got the La Calle Taco Combe with steak ($13.99). The tacos were packed! The meat had a great balance of flavor with char. The beans were so smooth--it was delicious. And of course the rice and chips completed the meal. No leftovers from me. Highly recommend and will have to be back to try the crispy chicken tacos.

    Photos
    Chelas Mexican Kitchen
    Chelas Mexican Kitchen
    Chelas Mexican Kitchen

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    Playa Mesa - A house favorite: Taco Combination with our Spicy Cucmber Margarita

    Playa Mesa

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    OMG!!! What an amazing experience from the time we came in the door till the time we left! Friendly…read moreand inviting atmosphere! We were in from out of town and celebrating 31yrs of marriage. We sat at the Bar and really enjoyed our time with Mario! He was great and really took care of us, not to mention the food was amazing!

    What a great find. I had not eaten at this place before, but it came highly recommended from a…read morefriend of mine so I thought hey I'm going to check this out. I am so glad I did, especially since it was happy hour. The place definitely has a great vibe to it. Plenty of seating throughout the restaurant. I recommend sitting at the bar as that's where all the action happens. You definitely want to make sure you get there for happy hour and Taco Tuesday especially, $10 Margaritas $4 tacos and these are not cheap tacos. These are like serious tacos that will fill you up. Their salsa is great, not super spicy and makes great for munching while you're talking with friends. The margaritas are definitely strong, which is nice, as some places tend to water them down for happy hour. I would say that this is a great choice to go check out and have a taco or two or three or four. I had the carne asada, the carnitas, and the pastor, every single one of them was perfect and the salsa that they came with was out of this world. Bottom line? This is a great place for Taco Tuesday as well as just a hangout and have a drink after work. Whenever I am in Costa Mesa. I am definitely coming here again.

    Photos
    Playa Mesa - Margarita flights!

    Margarita flights!

    Playa Mesa
    Playa Mesa - Weekend Brunch served Sat - Sun, 9am-2pm.

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    Weekend Brunch served Sat - Sun, 9am-2pm.

    The Bootlegger Bar - Korean skewers

    The Bootlegger Bar

    4.1(96 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Nice bar with a great view. The Korean Steak Skewers were so good. The Kung Pao Calamari was just…read moreokay. The Watermelon Mojito was one of the best cocktails I've had. I'd order it again in a heartbeat. The drinks and view made it a spot worth coming back to.

    Great Pre-Lunch Drinks with a View. We stopped here for…read moredrinks while waiting for our lunch reservation at Beachcomber, and it turned out to be a great way to kick off the meal. Located on the rear side of the restaurant, this bar shares the same drink menu, so you're getting the full experience before you even sit down. The bartenders were attentive and kept things moving despite a pretty packed crowd -- impressive given how busy it was. Service was quick and efficient, which made the wait fly by. We tried two cocktails -- the Big Bad Bloody Mary and the Beachcomber Cocktail. The Bloody Mary was the clear star of the show. It came loaded with crab, shrimp, pickled olives, carrots, and beans -- practically a meal in itself and absolutely delicious. The Beachcomber Cocktail, on the other hand, was a bit too sweet for our taste, so if you prefer something more balanced, you may want to explore other options on the menu. Drinks are on the pricier side, but honestly, the location justifies it. You're paying for the ambiance as much as what's in the glass. Bottom line: A fun and lively spot to grab a drink before your meal. Skip the Beachcomber Cocktail if you're not into sweet drinks, but don't leave without trying that Bloody Mary -- it's a standout.

    Photos
    The Bootlegger Bar - Beautiful nasturtium nearby

    Beautiful nasturtium nearby

    The Bootlegger Bar
    The Bootlegger Bar

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    Javier's - mexican - Updated May 2026

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