Thoroughly impressed with Tia Carmen. My husband had a conference at the JW Marriott, and I ended up dining here multiple times. The decor is gorgeously coastal, and the food was incredible. For dinner, my husband had the lamb shank, which was attached to a Flinestone bone. It was tender and full of flavor. I had the mesquite chicken tacos, and they were FIRE. I absolutely loved the charred pineapple brussel sprouts. The drinks were phenomenal - Get the "century of passion" mezcal cocktail! For lunch the next day, I had the cod fish sandwich. Let me tell you!!!! The fish sandwich was probably my favorite dish, as I ordered it two days in a row. I also had the Wagyu kebabs, with a side of mole and it was 10 out of 10. I would highly recommend Tia Carmen! read more

See all

Very disappointing experience, especially for a birthday celebration. We had reservations to celebrate my son's birthday. When we first walked in, the restaurant was beautifully decorated and had a great vibe, so we were excited for the evening. Unfortunately, we were seated all the way in the back, in the room where they serve breakfast. There were no decorations, no atmosphere, and it was extremely quiet compared to the lively setting we had seen when we walked in. There was also another family in the room with a screaming infant. We have kids ourselves, so we completely understand that babies cry, but combined with the lack of atmosphere, it made the experience even less enjoyable. We politely asked if we could be moved to the main dining area, but they were unable to accommodate us. Since we were there specifically to celebrate a birthday and were looking for a fun, celebratory atmosphere, we decided to leave after having one appetizer and water. This simply was not the experience we were expecting when making a reservation for a birthday celebration. If we had known we would be seated in that back room with such a different atmosphere from the main restaurant, we would have made other plans. Thankfully, the evening was saved by Kembara across the way. My husband spoke with their manager while I closed out our bill, and despite us having no reservation, they went out of their way to accommodate us and make my son's birthday feel special. Their kindness and willingness to help truly turned the evening around. read more

Staying at the hotel for our anniversary and heard good things. At first glance it seems like a very nice place and it is, just have to understand it's a hotel restaurant so there's a mix of fancy and people coming off a day at the pool. Service was good, food took a little while but it was beautiful on the patio so we didn't mind enjoying our time together. Food was okay. The tri tip kabob was a 10/10. Guac was good, their specialty chicken dish was not my favorite and my wife got the chicken tacos which she thought were decent. Overall it was fine, wasn't bad but wasn't worth the price. read more

Food was consistent and service was great. I also enjoyed the atmosphere in the restaurant. I would recommend the establishment.

Absolutely beautiful, food is of excellent selection, taste and structure. Top-notch staff, professional, courteous, and very well attired.

My mom's middle name is "Carmen" so it's no surprise that I enjoyed Tia Carmen. Located inside the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, this Mexican/Southwestern upscale restaurant has impressive root. The chef performed on Top Chef. I've stopped by for both brunch, dinner, and drinks. Since I live in Desert Ridge, I walked over all three times (so I can't comment on the parking situation). Ambiance (4.5/5): I've sat both outside on the patio, inside in the bar area, and inside at a booth. All three experiences are awesome. Outside, there is some cabana style seating. This makes for some enjoyable al fresco dining when the weather is nice. The bar area has a relatively short bar seating area and some comfortable seating on the other side of the bar. This is where I sat. And lastly, a booth is always nice. The restaurant is trendy, which makes for good vibes whether you're outside or inside. Service (3.5/5): The service, overall, has been good. Friendly, although a little slow at times. They don't have free WiFi unless you're staying at the hotel (you need a passcode). On the other hand, they bring you a traditional bill which I appreciate. I hate the electronic handheld devices which have become the new rage. Drinks (4/5): At brunch, they have four varieties of agua frescas. I was very excited to see this. When I was in the bar area, I had one of their cocktails. The cocktail menu is inventive, and as you would expect, is heavy on tequila. A little pricey ($8 for an agua fresca at dinner, for example), but well done. Food (4/5): Now to the good stuff. When I came for brunch on a Sunday afternoon, I definitely got my fill. It's a brunch buffet consisting of both classic American dishes (think an omelet station, breakfast sausage, eggs, fresh fruit, breads, pastries, and more) and Southwestern dishes (tostadas, various meat dishes, and more). It's not cheap again, but quality. For dinner, I had the birria pasta and a side of the bruleed yucca. I love birria tacos, but I had never had birria pasta. Served with some burrata, even though it's listed in the small plates section of the menu, it's a hearty dish. And while I've had yucca fries before, this was my first time having yucca in mush form. It tasted a lot better than it sounds. The burnt flavor on top (where the brûlée comes in was a little off-putting), but once you get deeper into the dish, it was delicious. While the prices are a little high for my taste, the quality is there. One of the best restaurants I've checked out in Desert Ridge. read more

Tia Carmen - Brunch buffet - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

How do I describe Tia Carmen? Well, let's start here-a bird flew into the restaurant during dining hours and made itself at home atop an unoccupied seat. It was not shooed, the restaurant kept moving in the same choreographed fashion as before. I didn't bat an eye, that bird felt equally as qualified to occupy the space, and as a lover of most things nature, I knew I was in for an adventure. Nestled in a resort hotel, you'll find Tia Carmen. I didn't stay in the hotel, I wasn't there for an event, or conference, I just couldn't resist visiting Tia Carmen on my annual Phoenix/Scottsdale trip. The Tulum vibes brought me in, but the corn broth in the tuna crudo earned the restaurant a return visit. Seriously, I could bathe in their corn broth. The rest of my meal was just a meal, but experiencing this spot is a must. While Tia Carmen is expensive, imo it's worth trying for anyone who enjoys experience mesls read more

See all

Great vibe and very pretty aesthetics. Inside the jw Marriott at desert ridge. Service was good, our server was nice and knowledgeable. The food was good but nothing to write home about. We had two of the tacos (tuna and beef), the fried bread, whole trout, the lamb ragu and the yucca. Everything was just okay. The yucca was a different texture than I was expecting, almost like a melted cheese. Overall it was fine but I probably wouldn't be dying to come back. read more

See all

You HAVE to come here for sunset hour! It is sooo nice and worth it. The food was incredible, and the vibes were perfect. Whether you're sitting outside or inside, you feel like you've been transported on a vacation. We sat at the bar and made conversation with others there. The bartender was also so nice and attentive. We ordered the house made salsas and chips... HUGE. Enough to share for 4-6 people. I got the tostada for as my main. I thought the tuna would be my favorite, but wow the beef cheek and corn tostadas were incredible! My friend loved her birria quesadilla and pan frito. If you've been wanting to come try this place out, their sunset hour is the way to go! I will definitely be back to try more of their menu! read more

Tia Carmen - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We had the most perfect anniversary dinner at Tia Carmen! Our server Mel was perfect, she checked in often and was very helpful with recommendations. We got some delicious cocktails, oysters, tuna tostada, birria empanadas, roasted purple yam (definitely order the queso on the side, it was delicious with and without), roasted cod and cocoa pod dessert... and every single thing was outstanding! We would return in a heartbeat and order it all over again. Even our toddler was VERY happy with her grilled cheese, and a banana split for dessert. read more

See all

We stayed at the resort and as a result of being Bonvoy members, we got a breakfast included each day. It was the Mercado breakfast, which is similar to a continental breakfast, but with many more options. Both days we were there, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. On one day, we both got the base breakfast and the other day one of us got the upgraded breakfast that included things that you would normally see on a buffet like bacon, omelettes and sausage. The restaurant opens at 6:30 and on one day we went there just after opening and found that some of the items had yet to be put out. The staff apologized, and when the food came out, we both got free upgrades. We recommend the breakfast, but would advise going there a bit later than when it opens. read more

See all

Great service and attention to details Both the dinner and the breakfast were excellent read more

The breakfast buffet is five stars. It had all sorts of wonderful food, and even for guests who don't necessarily want to indulge in carbohydrates. (Although the breads and pastries looked amazing.) There were plenty of meats, eggs, olives, grilled vegetables, and everything else. I only wish that there had been a plane Greek yogurt to top with some of the delicious berries that were on the buffet. But as far as the variety in general, it was out of this world! I also went here for dinner. That was harder for those of us not trying to overload on carbs or sugar. I had a salad along with a beef kabob on a skewer. I really would have loved another option of a different protein (like shrimp!) but the server said they cannot offer that on salads. He said people ask for that all the time and he has told his manager, but they do not want to ruin the integrity of the dish. I guess I get it. The beef skewers were still quite good- I just wish there were a choice to compliment their salad offerings. It was not a cheap dinner. We actually sat outside, which would not have been my first choice, but my party chose to sit outside there. It actually was NOT BAD. I thought it would be way too hot, but in the evening it was not unpleasant. Service was a bit slow, albeit very friendly. read more

Tia Carmen - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

This is a very nice spot. That decor is very very nice. I love the vibe of this restaurant. They have an awesome breakfast buffet which on Saturdays and Sundays goes all the way till 1 PM and they do a slight change over at 11 for some lunch items for the brunch buffet, which is very nice. The staff and management was very friendly and helpful. I also went for dinner and the dinner even better than the brunch. I had trout, which was very delicious and we also had a chicken dish and mussels and the mussels were amazing. The staff was very attentive and wonderful as well. I will definitely go back for the trout. It was seasoned and cooked. Excellent lots of natural herbs exactly how I like it. Food 5/5 Location 5/5 Parking 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Service 5/5 Staff 5/5 Return Factor 5/5 read more

See all

We had great buffet breakfast here today! Excellent variety of cold and hot foods, all delicious and beautiful presentation. Service was outstanding - courteous, professional and friendly. The space is light, bright and beautiful, patio is wonderful & clean! read more

See all

I've heard great things about this place. Wasn't going to have a chance for a full meal yet had to get an order of pan frito and I'm so glad I did! Delicious little balls of heaven. Service snobby at the bar which is annoying. Especially when not busy and too many of them standing there. Ambiance gorgeous as is the hotel. Would have loved a chance to try some other items Maybe next time read more

Tia Carmen - Pan frito - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Second visit to Tia. On a Marriott junket which included dinner at the JW. Went early so didn't see much action but really enjoyed our meals. Wifey started with the strawberry salad which was very large and had a wonderful dressing. Easily could have feed two. Went with the lamb entree which was cooked to perfection. Three chops presented on cauliflower mash and mint herbs. Superb choice. I took a step of faith and tried the Wagu beef appetizer. It was terrific. Chunks of beet on short skewers and wrapped with a large basal leaf. The beef itself was exceptionally good. For an entree, I went with the New York strip with a side of asparagus and off the cobb corn elote. The strip was slightly overcooked, I ordered medium and it came well done. Bummer! Asparagus was very grilled and tender. We wrapped up the meal with two pieces of Flan topped with coconut. Delightful ! Restaurant is a little unusual with respect to layout but very functional. Service, by Mel, was friendly and attentive. We enjoyed our experience. Bring your wallet. High recommend without any reservations. read more

Had a wonderful Valentine's Day meal here. The 4 courses were all amazing. Service was great, Connor was always attentive. read more

See all

I met my friend at Tia Carmen for brunch. What a pretty restaurant. All the bohemian decor is lovely. We sat on the patio under the palm trees. We decided on the "Mercado Experience" for brunch. They offer three options, the mercado experience, the petite mercado, and the kids mercado. Each offers different parts of the buffet. The buffet has a large assortment of pasties, yogurts, fruits, as well a variety of southwestern dishes. They had an omelette station and a great charcuterie section plus lots of flavors of aqua fresca. We each had a glass of champagne, food was delicious, and our service was great. The only issue I ran into was on their native grain fried rice. It's labeled as having shellfish due to the oyster sauce in it. On the label it lists other ingredients, but doesn't say it contains pork. It wasn't until I was at our table that I realized there was pork in it. I brought it to our servers attention to make a note on the label for future. read more

See all

Incredible experience at Tia Carmen. Our server, Connor, was attentive, helpful, and kind. Same with the front host station staff :) We ordered the street corn, asparagus, purple yam, and lamb chops. Everything was exquisitely prepared and seasoned-- with just the right portions. The cocktails were great as well-- especially the cucumber margarita. Beautiful restaurant inside and out :) read more

Tia Carmen - Lamb chops, asparagus, purple yam, and street corn :) - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

We have to Tia Carmen multiple times and it is consistently notable for such amazing service and amazing food. Our waiter Tim was really amazing at being so attentive. The drinks were just strong enough but so refreshing (I got the 5 citrus spritz). Our favorite dish was the Ember purple potatoes, but you can't go wrong with the Taco Night Tostada and the Tuna Tostada. The strawberry salad, birria pasta and the striped bass were also delicious. We were overall very happy with our experience and can't wait to return! read more

See all

I honestly think my review would be better and overall experience if the hostess who sat my family didn't have some sort of attitude? It was just not very welcoming. Our server on the other hand was personable and helpful. I enjoyed the elote and crudo, those had great flavor. My entree however was lacking some depth and salt meanwhile my husbands was too salty!! It was a nice vibe and gorgeous restaurant, but personally would be a "once to try out" thing for me. Was nice as it was for my mom's birthday, but no true wow-factor probably wouldn't return. read more

See all

Fabulous experience, amazing service and really good food. It was different and not what you would expect but every dish had a special touch. The design and architecture were stunning and I loved the vibe. read more

See all

We went here for breakfast while staying at the resort and it was so yummy! We had two small children and one who has a peanut allergy and they were so accommodating to us! The variety was unmatched and my entire family was very full when we left. I feel like the ambiance for dinner would be so romantic if it were just me and my husband staying here. read more

What a beautiful gem! Located inside JW Marriot, this restaurant is so beautiful, loved the decor, and I was so thrilled with the staff friendliness and just fun to be around. They made us feel so welcomed and made us laugh also! Just absolutely loved it from the start. I also can honestly said I had a fabulous brunch. Everything was great & they have birria tacos also in the branch menu! Yum! read more

See all

Lynn is the best server. Food was amazing but the service exceeded expectations, I would come back with here just for Lynn!

Truly an excellent Arizona experience. Bartenders Ben and Damon helped me choose items from the Sunset Hour menu (ceviche, quesadilla, margarita) and it was delicious. Damon took great care of me at the bar and suggested a cimarron reposado decaf espresso martini that was divine! Definitely order one for dessert. read more

See all

Tia Carmen has been on my list to try forever and I finally got to try it last weekend. This was the perfect spot for our double date with friends. The ambience alone is absolutely to die for. Located inside of the JW Marriott at Desert Ridge you get to walk through the beautiful resort which makes it feel like you're on a vacation. Tia Carmen is one of the restaurants on property and the aesthetic is so elevated, as if you've just been transported to Tulum. The service was great and attentive. We were educated on the menu and they had so many delicious drinks, including an array of mocktails! We started out with the tri-tip kebabs that are not only served on a cool, edible leaf but also have a wonderful flavor. For my entrée, I ordered lamb chops and my husband had the rib eye. My lamb chops won and they were so tender and flavorful we were eating them off the bone! We shared the street corn and spiced fingerling potatoes as sides. Everything was so delicious. The ambiance here truly stole my heart and I will definitely return! read more

See all

We enjoyed this restaurant so much when we were in Phoenix last year that we went back on this year's trip. We ordered the fish sandwich again but this time we split it. Again, the ambiance of both the inside and outside dining areas were delightful and again, we chose outside. The only thing we didn't like was the bread and butter appetizer. It was little bread balls in a bowl lined with softened butter. Again, the service was spectacular. I love it when restaurants I enjoy on vacation maintain their high quality so I can enjoy them again on the next vacation. Thank you Tia Carmen. See you next year. read more

See all

Our breakfast at Tia Carmen could not have been more disappointing. It is long overdue for the Executive Chef--or the celebrity chef whose name is attached to Tia Carmen--to step out of the office, taste the food being served, and observe the restaurant's customer-facing operations, firsthand. There were so many things wrong with our breakfast that it's difficult to know where to begin. Marriott International markets and represents the JW Marriott brand as one of their luxury brands/tiers--the same luxury tier as The Ritz-Carlton. Yet our breakfast at Tia Carmen was comparable to what I would expect at a Residence Inn by Marriott or an airport lounge, like the American Airlines AAdmirals Club. Tia Carmen in our opinion, serves industrial-grade food, nowhere near what should be expected at a luxury resort. I have to wonder whether the Executive Chef has ever actually seen or tasted the bagels being served at Tia Carmen. They were mass-produced, low-quality, and reminiscent of something of Dunkin Donuts--hardly appropriate for a JW Marriott. I also wonder when Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International, last had breakfast at Tia Carmen. If this is Marriott's definition of "luxury," the company should be concerned. I have eaten at roadside truck stops that served a better breakfast. In fact, a truck stop in Butte, Montana, offered a noticeably superior experience to Tia Carmen. The fruit on the breakfast buffet was equally disappointing. The quality fell well below what one would expect from a luxury property. We routinely purchase better fruit at Costco. Green bananas at a JW Marriott? Really? Where are the Executive Chef and the resort's general manager? This is not consistent with a luxury brand. I was also left wondering whether the omelet station uses fresh shell eggs or pre-packaged liquid egg product. If it is the latter, is it 100% egg, or does the liquid egg product contain fillers? Our omelettes did not taste like the eggs were 100% egg. Again, this falls far short of the standards I associate with the JW Marriott brand. There was a time when Marriott employed some of the finest culinary professionals in the hospitality industry. That legacy seems absent here. The service was equally unacceptable. At $44 per person, plus tax and gratuity, I expected attentive, professional service. Instead, it was among the poorest breakfast service experiences we have had in years. Our server, Javier, was rarely visible, miserable, not professional or efficient, and seemingly miscasted for a customer-facing position. Throughout most of our meal, our coffee cups and beverage glasses sat empty. Used plates remained on the table until we specifically requested that they be cleared. Rather than feeling welcomed, we felt like an inconvenience. The restaurant also appeared to be significantly understaffed, perhaps as a result of cost-cutting measures that prioritize profitability over guest experience. The individual who appeared to be supervising the dining room showed little evidence that service standards were being actively managed. I know several graduates of Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, and I have no doubt they would be highly critical of the operation we experienced at Tia Carmen. The disconnect between the restaurant's pricing, the JW Marriott brand promise, and the actual guest experience is extraordinary. Equally concerning was the buffet itself. I observed multiple guests handling buffet items with their bare hands rather than using the provided utensils. One guest sneezed into her hands and immediately handled bread that was then placed into the communal toaster. Staff either failed to notice these obvious sanitation issues or chose not to intervene; if 1 in 5 guests handled the food on the buffet, with tongs, I'd say that number was high. At a luxury resort, food safety and hygiene should be monitored proactively. Overall, in my opinion, Tia Carmen represents a significant liability to the JW Marriott brand and, by extension, to Marriott International. The restaurant fails to deliver the quality of food, service, cleanliness, and operational excellence that guests reasonably expect from a luxury property. Based on our experience, Tia Carmen is not merely disappointing--it is fundamentally inconsistent with the standards Marriott claims to uphold. read more

My husband and I were staying at the resort on site and decided to dine here for the evening. This restaurant is absolutely stunning and the staff were exceptional. Our waiter was very nice and went out of his way to serve us. That being said, the food here was not our favorite. The fried plantains were absolutely delicious and my husband enjoyed his bass. I got the roasted purple yam and did not enjoy it. I wish the menu had been more upfront about the dish. The dish is described as having a queso sauce and a mole negro. The dish was absolutely covered in a cheese foam substance that depleted the flavors of the dish and I had more cheese sauce than I did potato. It also did not look very appetizing. My husband's menu item also did not say it would have a foam on top. Our meal with tip came out to 97$, which was a little pricey for what we ate. read more

See all

Food - This is my favorite go-to place for breakfast when I can't decide where to eat. The buffet is an experience you can't beat, offering a very well-prepared spread of Southwest-themed warm breakfast foods, along with a creatively curated selection of cold foods and pastries. The fried rice is a must-try, and all their salsas are very well made. They even have a station where a cook will prepare eggs to order, and they've mastered the soft-scrambled egg--a feat for a buffet. You can even create your own lox bagel. It's a truly luxurious breakfast buffet, and as a self-proclaimed foodie, I appreciate the creative and high-quality options. Service - The service is fantastic. Everyone is very friendly and attentive. You have several choices of drinks that are prepared for you to pour yourself, or you can order a classic option from a member of the waitstaff. The cooks at the made-to-order stations are ready to take your order and are very accommodating. The staff's strong sense of hospitality adds to the feeling of being on vacation, even if you're a local just coming in for breakfast. Ambiance - The moment you walk into Tia Carmen, you are greeted with a very refreshing, light, and airy feel. It's a terrible description, but I couldn't help thinking it felt like a breakfast spot fit for royalty from the Dune movies. The whole resort has a strong sense of a holiday feel (in the sense of a vacation spot), and this restaurant carries that theme perfectly. It's an upscale but comfortable atmosphere, making it a place where you can feel good about indulging in the joy of a well-prepared buffet. read more

We are at Tia Carmen during a conference at the hotel resort. The ambiance was nice and area was clean and well lit. Our server was very attentive until the very end -- we waited ~15 minutes for the check. The food was pretty good for hotel restaurant food. The beef birria pasta was exactly what I expected. The yucca brûlée was very rich and starchy. The omakase dessert I would not recommend to anyone. read more

See all

Ambiance: 4/5; very chic yet organic vibes, minus a star for noise level and the three of us were seated at a round 6 top, while a four top table with a bench was available. We had a reservation but it took the host a few minutes to figure out where to seat us. Service: 3/5, friendly enough, but minus a couple stars for not being very prompt at all, and did not come by once to check on us, only to bring items. We ordered two drinks to start and they came at different times. Never asked if we cared for another drink after we finished the first. Brought the wrong item for a food order, which was fixed quickly enough, but still a misstep. For this price point, I would just expect a bit more attentiveness and attention to detail. Food: 6/5 stars!!! Everything was beautiful to look at and eat! The food really rescued this back up to four stars, almost five. Would I eat here again if not staying at the resort? Probably not, but I would certainly consider it! Would I, if I was at the resort? Most definitely, especially if they had a new menu to try some new things from this talented kitchen crew. read more

Stunning restaurant and delicious food! The service was amazing. I do not eat meat on certain days of the year and the waitress walked me through the menu kindly. They have a lot of great options with tons of flavor! read more

Tia Carmen - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Since we staying here it was a easy decision to make to dine here and lucky we did. Came here around 7pm not too busy. We ended up sitting outside which was perfect. We ordered the crispy plantains to start. We shared the smoked chicken and ribeye and that was more then enough food for us four. Service here was awesome. Server always came by to check up on us and refill waters. Food was delicious. This a must eat spot if you are in phoenix read more

The service was impeccable. We happened to be there in a night when they were introducing new items to the menu. The server suggested cocktails which were very good. There were 4 of us and we shared all our dishes. We loved every one we had! All in all a memorable experience! read more

Recently I visited Tia Carmen for breakfast buffet , and like always I never get disappointed about their quality of food, variety and warm service. The buffet offered an impressive variety of options catering to diverse tastes. The selection of fresh pastries and bread was outstanding -- flaky croissants, buttery danishes, and perfectly baked muffins were irresistible. For those seeking healthier choices, the fruit station featured vibrant, freshly cut options alongside yogurt, granola, and assorted nuts. Another impressive part is if you have small appetite then you can opt for petite mercado , where as my husband opted for mercado experience. I absolutely loved the ambience, specially outside cabana seating.. I would love to go for dinner next time . read more

See all

Pretty good but inconsistent food. Lovely setting and servers. Flan was really really good read more

Tia Carmen - Cesar - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

See all

Wasn't sure what to expect. Our family walked in, not crowded at all, I wanted to treat my niece, nephew to a nice Sunday dinner. Tia Carmen exceeded our expectations! The steaks, the pasta, appetizer, drinks were all superb! And my nephew truly Loved the flan dessert! Made for a wonderful, memorable family dinner. read more