Carmelita's

Best Mexican food in town! Seriously! Had their steak fajitas, steak quesadilla, and also the shrimp taquitos. Not all at once, of course! You can sit at the bar and watch the chefs expertly prepare your meal and have a libation while you wait. 😉 The service is on point and the atmosphere is great for lunch or dinner!

We tried chips and guacamole, fish tacos, chicken tacos, and sampler platters. All were tasty. The portion of refried beans was very small. I love the warmers outside on the patio. Great service.

We spent our first anniversary having dinner at Camelita's in Laguna Beach. Our server was Rodi (ROH-dee). So friendly and the sweetest personality! She was THE BEST💙!! (👈Attn Management!) We started off with the Roasted Queso Dip with fresh tortilla chips! Wow! Absolutely amazing! Highly recommended 👍👍 Our entrees were the Crispy Chimichanga with Short Rib and the Green Chicken Enchiladas. The chimi had a good crispy shell just as advertised. The beef had a nice rich flavor. Easily, among the best chimis I've ever had! 😋 Upon finding out that it was our anniversary, we were treated to the Churro dessert that was so so good!! Even though we weren't hungry and we're taking food home with us, we devoured it. It was so tasty!! It was a great experience for our first anniversary night out! 5 stars across the board! Highly recommended! Thanks, Rodi, and Carmelita's! We'll be back! 💙💜

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Laguna Beach. Great view of the beach and very tasty food. One of the best in the area. I highly recommend them. Good food and great service. Short rib enchilada is amazing.

My first visit to Carmelita's was a bit of a mixed bag, so let me start out by discussing the good things about the restaurant. With a big patio just across the street from the beach, Carmelita's is an ideal location to fuel up for the Pageant of the Masters. Most importantly, our server Pedro was excellent, as was all the rest of the staff that we interacted with. Carmelita's is a place you can go to for just margaritas (which are served with a salted tajin rim) and you will stumble away very pleased. I ordered the off-menu Julio's Margarita (which has Grand Marnier and muddled orange) and it was perhaps the best margarita that I've ever had. The Strawberry Cadillac Margarita is pretty but my companion said that the Spicy Mango Margarita is even tastier. For dinner, I ordered the Slow Braised Carnitas, which were tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. The refried beans on the side were also delicious. But the corn tortillas were dry and chewy. My companion ordered Grilled Fish Tacos but the food on her plate she was most impressed with was the rice. She did like the fish inside the tacos but they broke apart when she picked up the tacos because the tortillas were so dry that they started cracking. Corn tortillas are the foundation of Mexican cuisine, so any Mexican restaurant worth its salt should at least serve delicious corn tortillas. Considering that Carmelita's claims they cook their tortillas fresh on the premises, that part was a disappointment. But our experience overall was pretty good, so I will give Carmelita's a second chance the next time I'm in Laguna Beach.

Very relaxed but classy atmosphere. Strawberry margarita was so delicious, fajitas were beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Service was impeccable.

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.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE! NOT RESPONSIBLE STAFF AND MANAGEMENT! I got online order and as soon as I get in my car every thing spilled into my car and outside. When I talked to them they didn't care about it and treat me calling the cops! They messed up, their fault but they want to call the cops! Very amateur place irresponsible, rude staff and managers! I DON'T RECOMMEND ANYBODY THAT PLACE!

Stephanie made the best pineapple jalapeño I ever had. I will definitely be back for more drinks and the kind service.

The only reason we ended up here is because we found a parking spot. Dark and loud inside it was a popular place to be on a Saturday night. We didn't have reservations and waited about 10 mins and Sat at the bar. As a plus size person I was comfortable at the bar. Service was good, fun watching the guys work the line and the bartender slinging his drinks. Service was good. We had a vodka tonic and Michelada. We ordered the sampler and the queso. Was more than enough for a meal. The taquitos and fried shrimp things were so so good. Such a happy accident to end up here.

Food Good but "Pricy". Cocktails good but $18 + for a cocktail. Nice decor. Was not happy when the check arrived and there was a $3 service fee added to the bill. What was that for? We paid cash. Prices are already high, now we have to pay a service fee?

I've been to Carmelita's many times and their food is always great. Every time I've ordered the Pollo A La Chipotle and my friends have always agreed that it's the best chicken breast they've eaten, but I'm disappointed that they no longer serve it with the stuffed cheese pepper as that was one of my favorite parts of the dish as well. I hope they can bring that back!

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.

Delicious off menu item! Came here on a Sunday morning on a double date. We asked for recommendations from the waitress, we told her we would be sharing the meal family style and wanted to try a variety of their offerings. She recommended the Parrilla, which was essentially a variety of grilled meats (steak, al pastor, chicken, shrimp), corn, jalapeño, onion, and a cheese dip. The Parrilla also came with tortillas which we ordered both corn and flour. We loved the variety that the Parrilla offered. One advice when ordering this dish is not to wait too long to finish the cheese dip because once it's cooled it not as spreadable.

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.

Came here with some family who were in town on the recommendation of a local who worked at an art store in Laguna Beach. And Carmelita's did not disappoint! My family was so impressed with this spot. The space is really gorgeous, rustic, and classic-looking. We ordered the La Parillada, a grill for 2 filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, spicy cheese, and corn. It easily fed the three of us! It also came with lots of tortillas. We also ordered the Short Rib Enchiladas because we heard they were legendary. My family members loved them, but they were a little to spicy for me personally. All in all, a great lunch!

Before work schedules changed this was our go to Mexican date night place. Chips and salsa are delicious, atmosphere is nice but the food every time has been delicious. Numerous times here and one day will be back!

Staying nearby with a small dog, I searched for restaurants that are pet friendly. With no opinion on the type of food, we were so surprised that we never knew of Carmelita's although we have visited Laguna Beach dozens of times. We sat on the patio and were promptly greeted by Rhodi, who made dinner a great experience! We had a couple of Margaritas with short rib enchiladas and a short rib chimichanga. The delicious chips, bean dip and salsa to start were complimentary which was a surprise. Everything was great which makes this a place to visit every time we are in town.

good takeout burrito . the server was chill; Bradley, I believe his name was. Thanks, dude .

After our ride down PCH, my husband and I stopped at the Downtown Village in Laguna Beach to walk around, and we stumbled across Carmelita's. We requested outdoor seating because the day was gorgeous and it's across the street from the beach area. There was no wait on Saturday afternoon, and we were seated right away by the lovely host. Complimentary chips, salsa, and black beans were brought to our table. We opted to order guacamole and a couple of drinks. The guacamole serving is huge and easily shareable among four people. We were so hungry; we impulse ordered and did not expect the serving to be as big as it was. I ordered a blackberry margarita, which packed a punch - if you enjoy a strong drink, this one's for you. My husband's spicy mango margarita was more balanced. He did not scrunch his face after the first sip like me. While the food was delicious, I recommend sharing as the portions are quite generous. I ordered the crispy chimichanga with chicken, and they offered me a choice of shredded or whole pieces of chicken. I went with shredded, and it was quite tasty. Halfway through, I was already stuffed. It's served over rice and topped with sour cream, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and guac. My husband had the short rib enchiladas, which come with two enchiladas and a serving of beans and rice. It's worth noting that the beans and rice are excellent. I've been to many Mexican restaurants where the food is great but falls short with the sides. Here, the rice is buttery, and the black beans have great flavor. Next time we're in Laguna, Carmelita's is a must-visit. It's an ideal spot to enjoy a couple of drinks and share starters or main plates with some friends. If the weather is nice, I recommend sitting outside, but the interior ambiance is equally inviting.

The chicken fajitas are the best I have ever had! Their chips are so thin and crispy! The food has so much flavor! So-So good!

Carmelita's is a cute indoor/outdoor restaurant right off the exit into Laguna Beach. Outdoor seating is cute, across the street from the ocean, but is right next to a gas station. Their drinks are good (esp the spicy cucumber one.) I got the seafood enchilada and we also got the crispy tacos (which were delish!!) It is a little overpriced, but expected. Super cute indoor dining, would return!

The margaritas here are strong and super tasty! Feels like there was fresh squeezed juice in mine and I was obsessed! Carne asada was steamy hot in the best way possible. Appetizers and entrees came out in good timing. Great for our party of 3.

Was here with my boyfriend on Valentine's Day. Aside from them not finding our reservation (lucky he saved a text!!) & having to be outside, we had a lovely time.. However, I'm eating my leftovers tonight (day after) and found something HARD in my mouth. There was literally a toenail or fingernail embedded in my quesadilla. Absolutely unacceptable!!!! I don't know how this happens unless intentional?! A full piece of nail. Attaching photo below. I don't know if/when we'll be back but yowza.

Amazing food and service! I was served way faster than expected by polite staff and enjoyed the ambiance!

Unbelievably great food! Seriously the best meal I've had in ages. Everything was so fresh and delicious. A little pricey but portions were large enough to share. Adorable interior. Lots of seating inside with tables and he bar. Seating out on the patio as well, with heaters when the cool ocean breeze comes along. Rodisela was our waitress and she was positively delightful and attentive. May be heading back tomorrow night! Highly recommend!

Great food and an amazing scenery right next to the beach. Dillon was our waiter and he did a great job. Don't forget to try the guac and Coffee

We've been here many times before and the food and setting/location never disappoints.

We had a wonderful night at Carmelita's. Service was great! Food was great! Mark the owner was very hospitable! We had the paradilla which is incredible! Just love everything about the place! I also had a jalapeno pineapple margarita which was awesome! See you soon!

Came here for brunch after a hike and the complimentary chips, salsa, and bean dip was the perfect appetizer to help our ravenous appetites! Chips were warm and crispy. The bean dip was so tasty! And they were generous with refills too! I almost got full scarfing down the chips and dip alone. Friend and I split the huevos rancheros and chilaquiles (with egg). In hindsight, the chilaquiles was not a smart move because I already had so many chips and dip already. But they were pretty good, I just couldn't have that many chips. Only had a little bit of the huevos rancheros because it looked like there was some ground meat in there. I thought huevos rancheros is normally vegetarian but I guess I was wrong here. I also didn't tell the server I was vegetarian so maybe my bad. Service was super friendly. Not hard to find metered parking nearby. Patio is dog friendly.

Made a reservation before arriving. Jose was our server and he was welcoming and spent a great deal of time helping us decide what to eat. He really went above and beyond and we truly enjoyed his company. The appetizers we got were the shrimp taquitos and the stuffed jalapeño with crab and bacon. A bit spicy, so if you like spicy this one is for you. The shrimp taquitos were tasty. There were several items on the menu I would love to try, like the crab and shrimp enchiladas. We will be back!

Alex the Maestro of Drinks! Makes the best margaritas around! This man takes mixing a good drink to a whole other level. Ask for him at the bar, very attentive, professional, courteous, and all around good dude! Carmelitas is a great way to enjoy some of the best Oaxacan dishes I've ever had! For a taste of some real traditional Mexican food deeply rooted in traditional Mexican food, this is your spot! Service is outstanding, the chefs can be seen at grill masterfully creating your requests, and the wait staff is on point! You can't go wrong with Carmelitas Laguna Beach!

We had a girls lunch at Carmalitas in Laguna Beach. We moved away from CA several yrs ago and had often ate at the Rancho Santa Margarita location. How I missed their food from the warm bean dip, salsa and chips to their many traditional and seafood entrees. The server at Laguna was wonderfully patient & attentive at accommodating our party of 5 for lunch and quickly refilled our chip, salsa and bean dip. I ordered the 3 carnitas tacos. They were a little larger than street tacos loaded with plenty of carnitas, guacamole, onions and served with beans and salsa. Very filling. My friend got the 3 tacos but instead opted for the carne asada. The beef texture was a bit tough and dry and they were disappointing. The other lady in our party enjoyed the crispy chicken taco plate served with cilantro lime rice and refried beans. Our meals were served promptly and it was a nice quiet midweek lunch in Laguna. Prices are a bit more than your average combo plate Mexican restaurant with a tex/mex flair.

Across from the beach in laguna beach, this place has some excellent Mexican food. Came in and was seated outside under an umbrella table. We had 5 people and the waiter brought out an extra chair for us. He was super attentive and helpful. As we were ordering, they brought out some fresh tortilla chips and fresh salsa/bean dip. Super crispy, warm and authentic tasting. I ordered the enchilada which was made just right.

Had a lovely late evening snack on the patio with the extended fam (the girls and 2 dogs...) So yes, the patio is pet friendly (there were at least 3 other groups with pooches). We just had apps, but all were good. The guac was a very large portion, the street corn was tasty, and the girls liked the ribs (as did the pups like the extra meat). I like that the chips & salsa also come with a bt of beans, something that I see occasionally, but I think it is a nice touch. Drinks were fine, perfectly good margaritas. We'll likely be back, especially since it is open late-ish.

Double dang! Freaking so good! I honestly don't know where to start with my rave review. Honestly there are some decent places in Laguna but nothing that stops ya at first bite and you say whoa. Carmelita's made me say whoa. Full disclosure I am very picky with my Mexican food. Naturally I am a soul cal kid that is of Mexican heritage. So bad or bland Mexican food makes me angry. But I really liked it here. Bring the locals, bring the tourist bring everybody. The inside and outside seating on the corner of PCH and Broadway is a beautiful site so it also makes this spot easy to find. Maybe a bit noisy on the patio during peak traffic times but that is your choice. I prefer to always be inside because I catch a chill much faster/easier than others. The staff is great and fast. Never had to wait on anything. Even got a show watching all the staff take turns trying to keep one of the local homeless out of the property. They didn't make a scene or cause any noise. Only reason we notice was because it started all in front of us haha! No one else in the restaurant saw it happening. Safe to say none of us left anything on our plates. Not even the free chips n salsa and beans. The food has amazing texture, taste and aroma. It's true authentic Mexican food but with very tasty cocktails. Mmmmm, mmmmmm, mmmmmmm. Go and enjoy this great place!

3.5 stars Nice place across from ocean. Service was good. Drinks great. Food was ok/good. Cheese dip good. Fajitas ... the veggies were a pile of oil. Disappointed. It was pretty bad. Everything else good. Told waitress she didn't try to fix it. Churros over done.

Carmelitas offered a mixed dining experience for me and my daughter. While the main courses were delicious, a couple of incidents overshadowed the enjoyment. Meh Margarita: The jalapeño margarita lacked the promised kick. Salsa Success: The chips and salsa were a delightful start to the meal, with a delicious and fresh-tasting salsa. Stringy Surprise: Unfortunately, the refried beans had a red string dangling from them, which was quite off-putting. The waitress handled it professionally with apologies. Fish Taco Triumph: My fish tacos were delicious, showcasing fresh ingredients and flavorful preparation. Carnitas Craving: My daughter's slow-braised carnitas were equally delicious, although the tiny portion of guacamole left her wanting more. Tiny Portions: The initial portion of guacamole was very small, prompting an additional request. Charged for Guac: To my surprise, the tiny additional serving of guacamole remained on the bill at $4. Managerial Misstep: Incomplete Apology: While the manager apologized for the string in the beans with a complimentary dessert offer, it felt incomplete considering the additional charge for guacamole. Carmelitas has the potential to be a great spot, with delicious food and friendly service. However, the stringy beans incident and the charged-for guacamole left a negative impression. A more comprehensive apology addressing both issues would have been a more customer-centric approach. Suggestions:A more generous portion of guacamole, especially considering the initial serving size. A more comprehensive solution to compensate for the stringy beans incident, perhaps waiving the charge for the additional guacamole. I hope Carmelitas takes these suggestions to heart and delivers a more consistent dining experience for future customers.

I've been a loyal customer of Carmelita's in Laguna Beach for years, but my recent visit left me disappointed on multiple levels. First, they now add a 3% service fee to the bill, which is not shared with the customers in a transparent way and is supposed to be voluntary. When I politely asked to have it removed, they informed me that the charge had already gone through because they had run my credit card without giving me the chance to review the bill. On top of that, a manager is required to override the charge, but--get this--there was no manager on duty. Really? As for the food, the quality has significantly declined. Dishes that once felt fresh and flavorful now taste mediocre. Also the prices have risen astronomically--far beyond what feels reasonable, even for Laguna Beach. I understand that times are tough for restaurants, but between the sneaky charges, lack of management, and declining food quality, it feels like customer care is no longer a priority here. Sadly, I won't be returning. Would not recommend until they fix these issues.

So good. Warm, free chips and a delicious bean dip and salsa when you sit down. The corn was fab and served piping hot off the grill. There was a generous amount of fish on the tacos. The best bartenders too. Go!

I'm Celiac and they are very gluten friendly. The waiters know their dietary restrictions.

good homestyle Mexican food. I had the crab/shrimp enchiladas. Also ordered Street Corn and Guacamole sides. Was glad the guacamole was deconstructed as we were with little kids. Really good salsa and chips. Good service. Some of the items that were on the online menu weren't on the actual menu.

Carmelita's was a great experience. We got to sit outside on their patio on a beautiful sunny day to enjoy excellent food. Their chips, salsa, and black beans were the bomb. Then we had a round of margaritas. The margarita mix was excellent. Too often margaritas (in my opinion) are way too sweet. These were mellow and delicious. We then leaned into a fabulous brunch. Our server was happy, and observant and made our visit very comfortable. Top it all off with a wonderful environment on a nation in Laguna, about a half block from the beach and it was just what we wanted for a Sunday morning.

Very good Mexican cuisine. A typical upscale menu with what you normally would see at a Mexican restaurant. The execution is what makes the difference. The slow cooked carnitas were perfectly prepared. Really delicious fish tacos and perhaps one of the top three guacamole appetizers I have experienced. Chips were served warm (a must). I took the chips and Guac back to the hotel and had it for breakfast. Service was excellent and a very nice helpful staff. We will be back to try menu offerings. Good price/value relationship

Loved starting off with the salsa and bean dip! Ordered the Pineapple Jalapeño and it was 'chefs kiss'. Went at 2:00 on a Saturday so it wasn't too busy. Great service

We went for a late lunch on a weekday afternoon. We were promptly greeted and seated. Chips and salsa along with drinks came right away. We ordered short rib tacos and chicken enchiladas both of which came with great tasting rice and beans. The chicken enchiladas were delicious and the serving was generous. I should have taken home half, but I couldn't help myself and it's all of it. Thanks for a great meal

Hi you guys I know you've had no time to miss me because I've been steady on the reviews . Now that my boyfriend is in town we have been trying all kinds of places from our master list. Evidently, this wasn't one of them though I've come before. I remember this place being great but even better this time than the last. We ordered so many items you can see my pictures of them The order of corn is literally huge you could share it with all your friends and pals then the bean dip is one of the best features of this place AND If you've been following me for some time you know I LOVE beans heavy. just so simple but delicious and we found out from our nice lady it's a special recipe. Whatever Is in it this stuff rules As did everything here and you have to go 5/5 STARS

Good food - there are share plates and large plates Accommodating service - all staff were extremely friendly and wanted to accommodate as much as possible Nice indoor and outdoor seating - not all outdoor seating is shaded! Pro tip: we came with a young kiddo and there were no high chairs available, just FYI :)

Service here was amazing. We were happily welcomed and got a table almost right away. The ambiance of the restaurant perfectly captured the view of the sea ahead. It was busy when we went so the food took a while to come, but it was well worth the wait. The appetisers, main courses, and desserts were all great. I can't wait to return and will definitely be recommending this gem to friends.

We ordered the paradilla which is an off menu order. I would recommend it. It's a lot of food and delicious. We also had a couple of pineapple jalapeno drinks which were also wonderful! We will be back soon!

Food was very authentic... service excellent. Ambiance was warm and welcoming. As if we had crossed the border into Mexico.

We were visiting from Chicago and stayed in Orange. Took an Uber to Laguna Beach to watch a beautiful sunset, then walked around, looking for a place to get dinner and drinks. We came upon Carmelita's and sat at the bar. The bartender was so nice (I wish I got his name) and the food and drinks were so good! We will definitely be back if we come back to the area!

The family and I recently visited Carmelita's in LB. We haven't been to the LB location in about 8 years. We didn't have reservations but came on a Tuesday, so luckily they were able to seat us. It wasn't a hot day and was probably in the mid 60s by the time we sat down for dinner. We had a table at the window which was still letting in some daylight. At one point of our dining experience though, it got excessively hot and felt like no air was coming in. It was so uncomfortable for us that we rushed packing the leftovers so we could leave. The restaurant is still as cute as I remember it. Indoor seating is very limited, but I see they've added some outside since Covid. Our server was attentive and checked on us often. Our chips, bean dip and salsa, were always full as was our water. Service was good. FYI - they don't have a dedicated kids menu but will make quesadillas and tacos for them. What we ordered this time; 2 carnitas plates - unfortunately these was very salty and was difficult to eat. We still packed the leftovers so we could repurpose it as a burrito or omelet at home. 1 Chicken quesadilla for the kids. 2 Cesar side salads - the picture I attached doesn't look like a Cesar salad. I sent it back but it came back again, and were told it was in fact a Cesar. So I am not sure what to think. It has some white corn, tomatoes, what looked like Parmesan shavings and tortilla strips. It didn't taste like a Cesar dressing but either way, we ate it and I liked it. It wasn't anything special but good. This time around our food was 3/3.5 stars for us which is still considered good for a rating between 1-5. I would still return but I would likely not order the carnitas and stick to the steak fajitas or the seafood enchiladas and salads. That's what we usually order whenever we visit any of their other locations.

I love the food and atmosphere! Great bean dip and salsa to start. I love the carnitas but I don't think the chicken fajitas are great

I'm always looking for a Mexican place that's not over-the-top... not too crazy to get into, not too expensive etc. I just want a place where I can hop onto the bar, grab a cold beer or a nice Margarita and have some delicious tacos. If you feel the same and you're around downtown Laguna... this is your spot.

I cannot believe it took me so long to finally try this restaurant It had one of the best Mexican dishes, i've tried in a while. I ordered the cheese enchilada with the Carne Asada on top. It was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.

This really is now one of my favorites by the beach. We had a nice table outside on a great evening. The waitress was really nice and I'll start with the chips. They were really those homemade kind that are nice and crispy and freshly made. Salsa was a great a complimentary flavor. My wife ordered the carnitas plate and I got the wet burrito. Both were worthy dishes that we would eat again and probably will one day. Great location right by the beach and close to some desserts, even though next time I'll probably try the deep fried ice cream I saw someone eat on the way out.