Stayed at the hotel across the street and this placed was highly recommended to us by the hotel staff. Came and we were hesitant because the portions did appear small and the menu was super over priced. Most of the items were about $30 each plate. We got the chefs sampler platter that was $35 and they charged us a 3% service fee and a credit card surcharge of 3%.
However despite the price and my initial thoughts
The chefs sampler platter had a very decent portion of food and came with the following
Chicken, potato and shrimp taquitos
Quesadilla
Chicken nachos
Chipotle sauce was phenomenal.
All of these items were great 5/5, definitely would come back again.
Not too many options around but this place was well worth the $$
Michael Tejeda
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February 02, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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.
Shane Jacksteit
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March 15, 2026
Five stars. I’d come back in a heartbeat.
Carmelita’s in Dana Point is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The food feels elevated, thoughtful, and clearly made with care.
The first clue that you’re in for something special is the chips, salsa, and beans that arrive at the table. Warm, fresh, and absolutely perfect. It set the tone immediately.
We started with the queso fundido with chorizo and it was fantastic. Rich, flavorful, and exactly what you want from that dish. For the main course we went with the recommended fajitas. They came out sizzling and smelled incredible. The steak was cooked perfectly, though it could have used just a touch more seasoning. Still, a great dish overall.
The ambiance strikes a really nice balance between classy and casual. You can see into the kitchen, which makes the whole experience feel lively and authentic watching the food come together. Parking was a bit of a beast, but honestly the quality of the food makes it worth the hassle.
Service was outstanding. Our server Angel was proactive, enthusiastic, and incredibly attentive. His recommendations were spot on and he checked in at just the right times.
One of the most memorable parts of the evening was meeting one of the descendants of the founder. He proudly shared stories about his grandmother Carmen, who the restaurant is named after, and his mother. Hearing about growing up around the original location in Roseville made it clear that this restaurant is built on something deeper than good food. There’s real pride and family history behind it.
You can feel that the secret ingredient here is love for family.
Highly recommend.
Larry Nelson
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May 13, 2026
A nice mexican restaurant on PCH near Doheny State Beach.
It is pricey, we paid $28 for 2 fish tacos, but that price is seemed normal for the area.
It is right across the street from the Best Western and around the corner from the Marriott.
They do have a happy hour from 4-6pm.
The service was amazing.
Friendly and helpful.
The fish tacos, were very good. (Mahi-Mahi)
Lydia Liem
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February 05, 2026
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.
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34255 Pacific Coast Hwy Unit 109, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA
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Stayed at the hotel across the street and this placed was highly recommended to us by the hotel staff. Came and we were hesitant because the portions did appear small and the menu was super over priced. Most of the items were about $30 each plate. We got the chefs sampler platter that was $35 and they charged us a 3% service fee and a credit card surcharge of 3%. However despite the price and my initial thoughts The chefs sampler platter had a very decent portion of food and came with the following Chicken, potato and shrimp taquitos Quesadilla Chicken nachos Chipotle sauce was phenomenal. All of these items were great 5/5, definitely would come back again. Not too many options around but this place was well worth the $$
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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.
Five stars. I’d come back in a heartbeat. Carmelita’s in Dana Point is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The food feels elevated, thoughtful, and clearly made with care. The first clue that you’re in for something special is the chips, salsa, and beans that arrive at the table. Warm, fresh, and absolutely perfect. It set the tone immediately. We started with the queso fundido with chorizo and it was fantastic. Rich, flavorful, and exactly what you want from that dish. For the main course we went with the recommended fajitas. They came out sizzling and smelled incredible. The steak was cooked perfectly, though it could have used just a touch more seasoning. Still, a great dish overall. The ambiance strikes a really nice balance between classy and casual. You can see into the kitchen, which makes the whole experience feel lively and authentic watching the food come together. Parking was a bit of a beast, but honestly the quality of the food makes it worth the hassle. Service was outstanding. Our server Angel was proactive, enthusiastic, and incredibly attentive. His recommendations were spot on and he checked in at just the right times. One of the most memorable parts of the evening was meeting one of the descendants of the founder. He proudly shared stories about his grandmother Carmen, who the restaurant is named after, and his mother. Hearing about growing up around the original location in Roseville made it clear that this restaurant is built on something deeper than good food. There’s real pride and family history behind it. You can feel that the secret ingredient here is love for family. Highly recommend.
A nice mexican restaurant on PCH near Doheny State Beach. It is pricey, we paid $28 for 2 fish tacos, but that price is seemed normal for the area. It is right across the street from the Best Western and around the corner from the Marriott. They do have a happy hour from 4-6pm. The service was amazing. Friendly and helpful. The fish tacos, were very good. (Mahi-Mahi)
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.