Xacalli Kitchen

This is the second time my wife and I have been here. First time was good but they have a new menu and wow. We started off with the camarones🤌🏻 The peppers were sweet and spicy. My wife got a sangria she won’t shut up about. And the Brussels sprouts were delicious as well. Lamb chops were so unique and service was on point. We are glad we live close because we WILL be back.

Some of the best things in life are meant to remain hidden—waiting to be discovered by those unafraid to venture out and try something new. Tucked away in the historic mining town of Silverado, Xacalli Kitchen is truly a culinary hidden gem, embraced by canyons, creeks, and scenic beauty. I was fortunate enough to be invited by close friends and teachers to experience this farm-to-table Mexican restaurant, and from start to finish it was an unforgettable evening. Leaving Huntington Beach on a late Friday afternoon, I made the drive through the scenic Silverado canyons, where golden light and pleasant weather set the perfect tone for the evening ahead. The road reminded me of a past trip through the Santa Monica Mountains—leaving the chaos of the city behind as the quiet beauty of the canyon unfolded. To my left, the newly built Saint Michael’s Abbey emerged on the horizon, striking and picturesque. My GPS assured me I was only three minutes away, and with a sense of nostalgia, I pulled into the restaurant. There’s something grounding about this place. It reminded me of simpler times—when food was honest and fresh. That is exactly what Xacalli Kitchen delivers: simplicity rooted in farm-fresh ingredients. The dishes were a delight for the senses. My favorite was the 24 oz Bone-In Porterhouse Carne Asada, perfectly tender with just the right smoky char that deepened its rich flavor. The Branzino grilled fish, served boneless, was succulent, delicate, and surprisingly approachable—as it carried none of the “fishy” taste one might expect. To finish, the Mousse de Chocolate was nothing short of divine: semi-sweet chocolate paired with cojeta, hazelnut, Dukkah, hibiscus, gastrique, and oblea. Each bite felt like a carefully composed symphony. Xacalli Kitchen is more than just dinner—it’s a culinary journey. Every dish radiates care and passion, surprising and captivating you in the best ways. Here, surrounded by delicious food and great company, the world feels lighter and more peaceful. And the gems you uncover here remind you to relax, be present, and truly enjoy the moment.

Super cool little place off the beaten path. I had no idea what to expect - just that it was Mexican food. Atmosphere was ok. A bit disappointing. Some really cool materials and execution and then some not so cool - less designed areas. Staff was friendly and welcoming and super knowledgeable about the menu and types of food. Our server was in his teens and he spoke like he was a seasoned chef himself. Pretty cool. Small menu - much more fine dining than I was expecting given the location. I assure you there is no tortilla chip or bowl of guac to be found on this menu. This is authentic, farm to table Mexican cuisine created by a truly talented and imaginative chef. There were a lot of things on the menu i had never even heard of and needed explanations from our server. Super unique pairings, unique ingredients. Everything came together so well - it was such an adventurous menu! The presentation of each dish rivaled that of a five star restaurant in a city - just gorgeous. The food was so fresh, and clean and healthy and again, adventurous! The tastes all worked together in each dish - nothing overpowering - just harmonious. By meal’s end I was satisfied but not overstuffed at all. Just perfect. The Basque cheesecake…just wow. Do not miss that.

I would highly recommend Xacalli Kitchen as they have an organic farm to table seasonal menu. Every item is unque and delicious. The concierge customer service was top notch. Thank you to Zach Daniel ! A special cheers to the mixologist and it was a true pleasure to enjoy the chefs creations!!

It was our first visit. The food was amazing. Ceviche was the best I ever had. Queso Fresco (appetizer) was superb. Appetizers are big enough to share. Service was a bit slow. I wish Mexican wine selection was better.

Atmosphere is very nice, service is excellent. The cocktails are delicious, I recommend having mezcal! The food is delicious and authentic to its region!

Food was pretty good, not the best but decent for the surrounding area. Service was extremely slow. We waited 15 mins to get seated, or even acknowledged by the staff when the restaurant wasn't even a quarter full. Unfortunately, that seemed to be the trend the rest of the night. Food dishes were being executed poorly, our main dishes came out long before our appetizers. Our dinner took over 2 hrs to complete due to slow service, and we came long before any dinner rush at 6pm, again, when the restaurant was pretty empty.

Our first time here and what a gem! We had an incredible dinner with outstanding service. We started with a mole enchilada - the sauce was so delicious. The fish was excellent and perfectly prepared. The chicken was also really flavorful. I highly recommend Xacalli. We already plan to go back in a few days for brunch.