Carmelita's

My husband and I had intended to take his teenage son to Stacks for breakfast. When we saw the line was out the door at Stacks, we peeked into Carmelita's to what their breakfast menu. It looked great, so we were happy to grab an open table. The house-made tortilla chips are to die for. Thin, crispy, served hot with salsa and refried black beans. Husband and I both had the California omelette with extra spinach. Ample portions, served with crispy potatoes. Delicious. His son had the Classic Breakfast, which included a stack of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and potatoes. He said the pancakes tasted better than the ones at Stacks! Also, it's a lovely ambiance, and service from Mario and Daniel was impeccable. We'll definitely come back -- Taco Tuesday and Happy Hour specials look solid, and I'd be excited to try the dinner menu, too.

We came here for Valentines dinner and it was one of the best meals we’ve had in California!! Javier and our other server were absolutely incredible and so hospitable. Best margarita I’ve ever had coupled with an incredible burrito, they truly went all out and gave me a rose and everything. If you’re looking for a new place, this should absolutely be on your list!

Really tasty food, I get the bowl carnitas and everything was delicious of course with my beer, really good and quick service, the space is comfortable and nice, there is not to much parking outside but is worth it to walk a little bit in case need it! Enjoy!

Ordered the short rib enchiladas for pickup. They were out of this world. Pricey but worth it

The food was tasty, and the service was terrific. We will come back again to try other foods on the menu.

The service here is great and food is spectacular. Very happy and full when we leave :)

The Champagne salad 🥗 with Salmon was excellent! Along with the Strawberry 🍓 Cadillac Margarita

Entree plate was fabulous. The skirt steak was well cooked and flavorful. The avocado salad and Mexican corn was the real star of the plate. Decently priced. Will return.

I’m officially obsessed. I had the enchiladas, taquitos, and guacamole—and I’m still dreaming about them. The enchiladas were absolute perfection—melty, flavorful, and packed with just the right amount of heat. The taquitos were super crispy on the outside and tender inside—exactly how they should be. And don’t even get me started on the guacamole… SO fresh, chunky, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. I could eat it by the bowlful (okay, I basically did). The vibe at Carmelita’s is warm and welcoming, with a great mix of locals and visitors. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive without being overbearing. If you’re anywhere near Dana Point, GO. And order the guac—you’ll thank me later.

Delicious food and great service! I ordered the asada bowl and my husband ordered pollo burrito. The asada was such high quality and flavorful, and the other many ingredients in the bowl were so fresh and tasty. I especially loved the guacamole! My husband liked his burrito but wish it had more chicken than it did. We ate outside on the patio and enjoyed that too. The prices seemed a bit high for a quick serve restaurant but the food was great.

I went to this place with my family for lunch! Food was so fresh and yummy. Food took little longer to come as they had a big catering order. 5 stars for our server, Antonino, who kept us posted about the catering order and checked on us multiple times!! I will surely go back to this place!!

+1

Nicole, guy with the Epic Mustache, every awesome soul working on the weekly International Holiday, TACO TUESDAY- - - Cheers y’all! The drink we call The Steven, the Carne Asada Street Tacos, chips, salsa, and bean dip :o) the happiness every bite brought to me with the love you all put into the experience in the food! Thank you all very much, and may all who celebrate life enjoy a delicious meal at Carmelita’s!

+2

We didnt have a reservation, but they kindly squeezed us in anyway! We only had the queso app, but it was so so good! My sister loves it here and highly recommends it. Edited we went again two nights later and tried the birria tacos which were super juicy and very flavorful, and the spacy mango margarita was great with just the right amount of kick to it to it to offset the sweetness of the mango. The blackberry margarita was also refreshing and not overly sweet.

Food is delicious and atmosphere is great. Only downside is the prices keep getting higher. Great to come for happy hour!

Best food outside of Mexico! Excellent service, excellent food and great atmosphere. If anyone on here has anything less than five stars than they don't know good Mexican food!

Restaurant was full on Saturday evening, but we were seated quickly and handed chips, salsa, and warm bean dip. Menu prices are a bit higher than the 2022 photos, but same general food options. I ordered the veggie enchiladas and my husband ordered chicken enchiladas. We both thought they were the best enchiladas we have ever had! As a vegetarian I was very pleased with the option, and absolutely loved the taste. The waitresses were checking tables and filling water quickly in the full restaurant. We highly recommend!

This restaurant is adorable and offers great service. We thoroughly enjoyed the guacamole and street corn. The fish was incredibly flavorful and fresh. Additionally, the parking is available on the roof.” I made the necessary grammar corrections and rephrased the sentences for clarity.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Carmelita’s (Dana Point) We had an excellent experience at Carmelita’s in Dana Point. From the moment the food hit the table, you could tell this place takes pride in both flavor and presentation. We ordered a mix of dishes, including the short rib enchiladas with verde sauce, which were rich, tender, and perfectly balanced. The sauce had depth without overpowering the meat, and the crema, queso fresco, and fresh microgreens tied everything together beautifully. The birria rolls were a standout—crispy on the outside, packed with savory shredded beef inside, and absolutely addictive with the guacamole and crema on the side. We also tried the sliders with fries, and they did not disappoint. Juicy, well-seasoned, and paired with hot, crispy fries and house-made sauces that elevated the whole plate. Nothing felt rushed or careless—everything tasted intentional. To top it off, the handcrafted margaritas were refreshing and well-balanced, not overly sweet, and perfect for the coastal vibe. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for date night, dinner with friends, or a relaxed evening out. Great food, great drinks, and a laid-back Dana Point energy. Carmelita’s definitely lives up to its reputation—we’ll be back.

Amazing. Officially my favorite restaurant we’ve eaten at yet in our 1.5 years living in the San Diego area. So many fancy Mexican restaurants are just so-so, but this place is delicious and good quality. The staff is also very friendly. We ate here in May, and I wasn’t sure if I was just really hungry or it was “that!” good. It’s a bit of a drive (normally with traffic :/) so it took us a while to come back, but today I confirmed it really is amazing! We ordered 4 meals and all 4 were delicious, and the warm chips with salsa and bean dip are perfect. The dip is unique and tasty. The slow braised short rib meet is exceptional, and good quality (I didn’t find fatty, inedible pieces). Silvia is helpful and friendly, as is the kitchen and waitstaff. I remembered the waiter from May, I could tell it was the same man, so friendly! Absolutely great experience. I wish we lived closer! Thank you, Team Carmelita’s!

Carmelita is a small, cozy gem that never disappoints! The flavors are bold and authentic, and every dish feels made with love. The short rib enchiladas are my absolute favorite—tender, rich, and comforting—while the skirt steak salad is light, fresh, and perfectly balanced. It’s the kind of place you keep coming back to for both the food and the friendly, welcoming vibe.

Everything was so fresh and wonderful here! The staff was friendly and attentive, excellent service and delicious food. I recommend the crispy taco plate (hot and crispy) with the short ribs. YUM! Will tell our friends about this place, amazing!

We went to carmelitas during the week .... Everybody was so welcoming. Everything on place. Very delicious, excellent service, very clean, Alma was great... My daughter love the quesadillas,beans and rice ,the flan and the churros ...... If you haven't try it. I definitely recommend to give a try.... Nice place to spend with the family...

​We stumbled upon what feels like a fantastic hidden gem in Dana Point with Carmelita's. For anyone looking for fresh, authentic Mexican food, this is a spot you have to try. We really enjoyed our dinner here and will absolutely be back. ​The quality of the food is evident from the moment you sit down. The chips they bring out are fresh and warm, served with a good salsa and a delicious bean dip which was a welcome surprise. That commitment to freshness carries through the entire menu. I ordered the chicken fajitas, and the difference that their fresh, handmade tortillas make is incredible—it elevates the entire dish. My wife ordered the chicken tortilla soup, and her reaction was, "This is amazing! It's a whole bowl!" The portion was so generous and flavorful that she happily took some home for leftovers. A big plus was how quickly our food came out from the kitchen. ​You can tell the front-end staff works incredibly hard. They were efficient and hustling all evening. It seemed like they might have been a little understaffed for how busy it was, as it took a bit to get a table cleared for us, but this was a minor point in an otherwise great experience. The effort from the team was clear and appreciated. ​Carmelita's is a standout place for delicious, high-quality Mexican food. We left very impressed and are already looking forward to our next visit.

Food was wonderful. You have to try their corn appetizer. It is so delicious. We had leftovers and it was my dinner another night. Their fajita nachos so good and large quantity. Chips and salsa yummy!!

This used to be an order-at-the-counter restaurant. And we thought it was about the best around. Then they changed it to be a seated and served restaurant, and it's still about the best Mexican food around. We love sitting outside on PCH, you get the occasional loud motorcycle, but not a problem, it's still very easy for conversation. Also, they have the outdoor heaters, just in case the marine layer creeps in at sunset. They are quick to bring out the awesome chips, salsa and bean dip to start. We got the steak burrito bowl and the chicken tostada. Both were very generous sizes and we were left very satisfied. Heads-up for parking up above, drive your compact car, my truck is very tight in the parking spaces. We will continue come to Carmelita's for their tasty food and awesome servers.

Free parking on the roof and curbside. It may be tough finding spits when the center is busy. We were there at Happy Hour, and the chicken nachos were great. We had classic margaritas as well, very good. We also split the chicken fajitas. Both chicken portions were good amounts and very tasty. The vegetables with the fajitas were some of the best I've had in a long time. Cooked to perfection on a sizzling platter.

Lively and upbeat atmosphere. The service was amazing and the food was incredible! Highly recommend the Tampiquena skirt steak.

BREAKFAST! Awesome experience. Everyone is attentive to the customers’ needs. Truly a hidden gem. Pleasantly surprised. Can’t wait to come back!😃

Great place. Outstanding service. Very friendly, prompt, and attentive. Food was delicious and presented beautifully. Chips and salsa with bean dip before meal was great. Only negatives, a little expensive and portions not huge. Also, they charge a lot for things such as kids drink and soda water which at most places is free. But overall I’d highly recommend this place.

We are frequent visitors the area, but this was our first time staying in Dana Point. The service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. Our meal was so good on the first night that we returned the next evening to try more dishes. The tacos de calle and flan were exceptional. The seafood dish (pictured) included a chile relleno stuffed with seafood and was absolutely superb. The frijoles negros served as a dipping sauce for the chips added an extra touch of flavor.

Michelle Bud

Amazing. Officially my favorite restaurant we’ve eaten at yet in our 1.5 years living in the San Diego area. So many fancy Mexican restaurants are just so-so, but this place is delicious and good quality. The staff is also very friendly. We ate here in May, and I wasn’t sure if I was just really hungry or it was “that!” good. It’s a bit of a drive (normally with traffic :/) so it took us a while to come back, but today I confirmed it really is amazing! We ordered 4 meals and all 4 were delicious, and the warm chips with salsa and bean dip are perfect. The dip is unique and tasty. The slow braised short rib meet is exceptional, and good quality (I didn’t find fatty, inedible pieces). Silvia is helpful and friendly, as is the kitchen and waitstaff. I remembered the waiter from May, I could tell it was the same man, so friendly! Absolutely great experience. I wish we lived closer! Thank you, Team Carmelita’s!

Mari Osuna

We went to carmelitas during the week .... Everybody was so welcoming. Everything on place. Very delicious, excellent service, very clean, Alma was great... My daughter love the quesadillas,beans and rice ,the flan and the churros ...... If you haven't try it. I definitely recommend to give a try.... Nice place to spend with the family...

Ben Holtzendorff

​We stumbled upon what feels like a fantastic hidden gem in Dana Point with Carmelita's. For anyone looking for fresh, authentic Mexican food, this is a spot you have to try. We really enjoyed our dinner here and will absolutely be back. ​The quality of the food is evident from the moment you sit down. The chips they bring out are fresh and warm, served with a good salsa and a delicious bean dip which was a welcome surprise. That commitment to freshness carries through the entire menu. I ordered the chicken fajitas, and the difference that their fresh, handmade tortillas make is incredible—it elevates the entire dish. My wife ordered the chicken tortilla soup, and her reaction was, "This is amazing! It's a whole bowl!" The portion was so generous and flavorful that she happily took some home for leftovers. A big plus was how quickly our food came out from the kitchen. ​You can tell the front-end staff works incredibly hard. They were efficient and hustling all evening. It seemed like they might have been a little understaffed for how busy it was, as it took a bit to get a table cleared for us, but this was a minor point in an otherwise great experience. The effort from the team was clear and appreciated. ​Carmelita's is a standout place for delicious, high-quality Mexican food. We left very impressed and are already looking forward to our next visit.

Julia MacLaren

Everything was so fresh and wonderful here! The staff was friendly and attentive, excellent service and delicious food. I recommend the crispy taco plate (hot and crispy) with the short ribs. YUM! Will tell our friends about this place, amazing!

Gina Rogers (G4Grace)

Food was wonderful. You have to try their corn appetizer. It is so delicious. We had leftovers and it was my dinner another night. Their fajita nachos so good and large quantity. Chips and salsa yummy!!

Ron Hoopes

This used to be an order-at-the-counter restaurant. And we thought it was about the best around. Then they changed it to be a seated and served restaurant, and it's still about the best Mexican food around. We love sitting outside on PCH, you get the occasional loud motorcycle, but not a problem, it's still very easy for conversation. Also, they have the outdoor heaters, just in case the marine layer creeps in at sunset. They are quick to bring out the awesome chips, salsa and bean dip to start. We got the steak burrito bowl and the chicken tostada. Both were very generous sizes and we were left very satisfied. Heads-up for parking up above, drive your compact car, my truck is very tight in the parking spaces. We will continue come to Carmelita's for their tasty food and awesome servers.

Dylan & Delia Chatwin

Lively and upbeat atmosphere. The service was amazing and the food was incredible! Highly recommend the Tampiquena skirt steak.

Garry Kepes

Free parking on the roof and curbside. It may be tough finding spits when the center is busy. We were there at Happy Hour, and the chicken nachos were great. We had classic margaritas as well, very good. We also split the chicken fajitas. Both chicken portions were good amounts and very tasty. The vegetables with the fajitas were some of the best I've had in a long time. Cooked to perfection on a sizzling platter.

John

BREAKFAST! Awesome experience. Everyone is attentive to the customers’ needs. Truly a hidden gem. Pleasantly surprised. Can’t wait to come back!😃

Edward Buckler

We are frequent visitors the area, but this was our first time staying in Dana Point. The service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. Our meal was so good on the first night that we returned the next evening to try more dishes. The tacos de calle and flan were exceptional. The seafood dish (pictured) included a chile relleno stuffed with seafood and was absolutely superb. The frijoles negros served as a dipping sauce for the chips added an extra touch of flavor.

Steven the Gray

Nicole, guy with the Epic Mustache, every awesome soul working on the weekly International Holiday, TACO TUESDAY- - - Cheers y’all! The drink we call The Steven, the Carne Asada Street Tacos, chips, salsa, and bean dip :o) the happiness every bite brought to me with the love you all put into the experience in the food! Thank you all very much, and may all who celebrate life enjoy a delicious meal at Carmelita’s!

Kristi

We didnt have a reservation, but they kindly squeezed us in anyway! We only had the queso app, but it was so so good! My sister loves it here and highly recommends it. Edited we went again two nights later and tried the birria tacos which were super juicy and very flavorful, and the spacy mango margarita was great with just the right amount of kick to it to it to offset the sweetness of the mango. The blackberry margarita was also refreshing and not overly sweet.

Go Eagles

Great place. Outstanding service. Very friendly, prompt, and attentive. Food was delicious and presented beautifully. Chips and salsa with bean dip before meal was great. Only negatives, a little expensive and portions not huge. Also, they charge a lot for things such as kids drink and soda water which at most places is free. But overall I’d highly recommend this place.

Shannon Leuschen-Laster

Food is delicious and atmosphere is great. Only downside is the prices keep getting higher. Great to come for happy hour!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The short rib enchiladas were absolutely divine – some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had! The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced, and every bite was amazing. The service was just as impressive: our server was always on time, attentive, and got everything correct without a single hiccup. Truly amazing service that made the whole experience even better. I’ll definitely be bringing more friends and family here – Carmelita’s has set the bar for top-notch Mexican cuisine and hospitality.

I visited twice in Dec 2025, and had the fish tacos, which are so fresh and tasty. I love the rice and guacamole!! The beans are too spicy for my taste. My husband had green chicken enchiladas which were great too, but he'd ask for less spicy next time. Keep in mind we like very little spice! The service is great!

Karen Williams

I visited twice in Dec 2025, and had the fish tacos, which are so fresh and tasty. I love the rice and guacamole!! The beans are too spicy for my taste. My husband had green chicken enchiladas which were great too, but he'd ask for less spicy next time. Keep in mind we like very little spice! The service is great!

MrBoi M

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The short rib enchiladas were absolutely divine – some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had! The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced, and every bite was amazing. The service was just as impressive: our server was always on time, attentive, and got everything correct without a single hiccup. Truly amazing service that made the whole experience even better. I’ll definitely be bringing more friends and family here – Carmelita’s has set the bar for top-notch Mexican cuisine and hospitality.

Visited for happy hour. Short rib flautas were delicious. $12 Cadillac Margaritas also nice.

I liked the food here, the staff was always checking in and filling up the complementary salasa and chips. I got the veggie chimichanga and my wife got the wet burrito. I really appreciated them working with my customisation of making it a veggie chimichanga, however, I wish they have a side of the rice and beans which would normally be in there. Other than that, I think the overall food tasted good. We also liked their drinks, we tried the Spicy Mango and the michelada. This was a cute date spot, definitely on the little pricer side bht still good.

This is a very cute and cozy Mexican restaurant located steps from the beach. They have a delicious selection of Mexican cuisine. They serve you complementary fresh chips and salsa. I got the California burrito, which comes stuffed with fries. Only downside is they drizzle tartar sauce on the outside so it's very messy to hold and eat. That wasn't stated on the menu. Overall great place and ideal restaurant for a date!

Yash Patel

I liked the food here, the staff was always checking in and filling up the complementary salasa and chips. I got the veggie chimichanga and my wife got the wet burrito. I really appreciated them working with my customisation of making it a veggie chimichanga, however, I wish they have a side of the rice and beans which would normally be in there. Other than that, I think the overall food tasted good. We also liked their drinks, we tried the Spicy Mango and the michelada. This was a cute date spot, definitely on the little pricer side bht still good.

Bayaa

This is a very cute and cozy Mexican restaurant located steps from the beach. They have a delicious selection of Mexican cuisine. They serve you complementary fresh chips and salsa. I got the California burrito, which comes stuffed with fries. Only downside is they drizzle tartar sauce on the outside so it's very messy to hold and eat. That wasn't stated on the menu. Overall great place and ideal restaurant for a date!

Nice place for a quick Mexican bite to eat and a drink. It’s right on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point and the prices reflect that. It’s a bit spendy for what you get, but the food is decent. It’s not huge portions, but enough to fill you up. Parking can be tricky. There is parallel parking on the street and a free parking lot above restaurant. During busy hours, they are all full!

I give this place 3 stars mainly to based on the cosmetics of the place. I think they did a fantastic job in making it stylish regardless of the fact that it's by the side of a road and small. You can tell they put an effort to make it look the part and I think the style is beautiful. There is free parking and there is an elevator to go straight to the restaurant. No kids menu. I liked to receive the chips with salsa and beans , although they did not refill the chips even though we were still waiting for our food. I think the margarita tasted great. Food was really average. I personally think that when a place can't have a view as a selling point it needs even more to have amazing food. I ordered something that was supposed to be a chef plate with a mix of things that did not really taste of much , it was very oily and bland, most of it was nachos and not something that would make me go back for. Check your receipt! When we were there it was not busy and they still added us an extra drink to the charges, a service fee and at the bottom it said that if you use a credit card you will be charged extra 3 % too. On the top of that there was a request of tip of course. Considering how pricey everything was and again for a small place on the side of the road with not remarkable food it did not feel like the best approach to have all of these fees . It doesn't make a person want to go back.

Elite

I give this place 3 stars mainly to based on the cosmetics of the place. I think they did a fantastic job in making it stylish regardless of the fact that it's by the side of a road and small. You can tell they put an effort to make it look the part and I think the style is beautiful. There is free parking and there is an elevator to go straight to the restaurant. No kids menu. I liked to receive the chips with salsa and beans , although they did not refill the chips even though we were still waiting for our food. I think the margarita tasted great. Food was really average. I personally think that when a place can't have a view as a selling point it needs even more to have amazing food. I ordered something that was supposed to be a chef plate with a mix of things that did not really taste of much , it was very oily and bland, most of it was nachos and not something that would make me go back for. Check your receipt! When we were there it was not busy and they still added us an extra drink to the charges, a service fee and at the bottom it said that if you use a credit card you will be charged extra 3 % too. On the top of that there was a request of tip of course. Considering how pricey everything was and again for a small place on the side of the road with not remarkable food it did not feel like the best approach to have all of these fees . It doesn't make a person want to go back.

Our server was very kind, friendly, helpful and accommodating.  Unfortunately the restaurant is letting her down. We will not be back. Their food is good, but ridiculously overpriced. Their Tacos START at $25 and go UP to $69—TACOS! That isn’t even their entrees, just the tacos menu. Their appetizers are good—we had the Queso Fundido and Shrimp Taquitos and a side salad. All apps are pretty much $20 and up. The side salad did not have a price listed on the menu, I don’t base my order on a price as I assume it will be reasonable. I assumed it would be around $7-8, wrong.  $14 for a small bowl of lettuce, a few cherry tomatoes, some corn and shredded cheese. Margaritas start at $20 and go up from there and then at the end you get to be subjected to a service fee and a credit card fee on top of the outrageously expensive prices we were already charged. This will be our last time going there even though we live in the Lantern District. We normally don’t really bother checking the bill or prices, but this menu was so out of whack with normal prices we ended up being totally focused on it. I’m surprised they don’t really dig in and charge for plates, napkins, chips, salsa, water, air, etc. Too bad because the food is good and I could see us becoming regulars, but when restaurants gouge like that we can’t support them.

I had wet chicken burrito, it was very dry/tasteless and $22.00. The best part was salsa and chips. Did not taste like authentic Mexican food! Even the complimentary water was in a small child size glass served to adults and no ice unless requested. Food is overpriced. Guess the owners & managers really want to keep as much profit in their pockets even at the expense of their hard working waitresses suggestions.

Disappointed by the hidden fees on the bill. The restaurant added a 3% service fee and an additional 3% credit card surcharge, which was not clearly disclosed upfront. That’s a 6% increase that only shows up after you’ve already eaten. Prices should be transparent, customers shouldn’t have to do math at the table to understand what they’re actually paying. The food was okay, but the surprise charges left a bad taste and will make me think twice about coming back.

Mikki Paek

Disappointed by the hidden fees on the bill. The restaurant added a 3% service fee and an additional 3% credit card surcharge, which was not clearly disclosed upfront. That’s a 6% increase that only shows up after you’ve already eaten. Prices should be transparent, customers shouldn’t have to do math at the table to understand what they’re actually paying. The food was okay, but the surprise charges left a bad taste and will make me think twice about coming back.