Finding the perfect seafood enchilada is a culinary quest, but I think I just found the Holy Grail at Raya. 🌊✨
Located inside the stunning Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Chef Richard Sandoval’s team is doing something truly magical with coastal Mexican cuisine. If you know me, you know I’m a critic when it comes to this dish—it’s so rare to find a chef who balances the delicate nature of seafood with the bold heart of a classic enchilada.
But this? This is on another level.
The Details:
• The Filling: A decadent trio of fresh-poached crab meat, lobster, and tiger shrimp. No fillers here—just pure, buttery coastal gems.
• The Sauce: A rich, vibrant red sauce that tastes like it’s been infused with secret magic. It’s perfectly seasoned, elevating the sweetness of the shellfish without overpowering it.
• The Vibe: Pair that unforgettable taste with the panoramic Pacific views of Dana Point, and you have a core memory on a plate.
It is officially one of my favorite Mexican dishes of all time. If you’re a seafood lover, put this on your bucket list immediately. Your taste buds will thank you. 🥂🌮
📍 Raya at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel #RitzCarlton #RayaDanaPoint #SeafoodEnchiladas #DanaPointEats #FineDining
Sushanta Bhandarkar
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March 03, 2026
RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel — they did it again! 🌊
I repeat: It’s usually very tough for me to find good food with all my dietary restrictions, but everything you see here was custom made just for me — using fresh, local produce. 💚🌱 It's not on their menu. Add amazing ocean side views, if you are in Orange County, do stop by for an amazing experience.
The service? Impeccable.
The View? WOW!
The food? Thoughtful, flavorful, and plated to perfection.
The boys? Way easier on the chef 😄
Truly grateful for a place that gets it right. Again. Thanks to my hubby for picking the right place for a family vacation and birthday celebrations... ❤
ALEX MOSENDZ
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March 19, 2026
This is my second visit to this wonderful restaurant with its magnificent view—you won't find a better view in this city! I enjoyed all the food, and the service was also good; the only minor issue was that the broccoli was bitter and quite unpleasant. The chicken, however, was delicious—I highly recommend ordering it—and the mushrooms were tasty as well. The birthday cake I received as a complimentary treat was also delicious; incidentally, it’s not on the regular menu, so if you’re visiting on your birthday, come on in—you’re in for a little surprise! Overall, the setting is superb. We happened to visit while a business conference was taking place at the hotel, so there were a lot of people and it was a bit noisy, but all in all, the atmosphere was very impressive! Highly recommended!
Mia Kovin
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August 08, 2026
🌊✨ Amazing Ocean View & One of My Favorite Breakfasts at RAYA
We had breakfast at RAYA inside The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, and it was such a wonderful experience. The combination of incredible ocean views, great service, and delicious food made this one of my favorite hotel breakfasts. 🌊🤍
🌯 Machaca Burrito — A Must-Try!
I ordered the Machaca Burrito, and it was HUGE! Honestly, the portion was large enough to share between two people.
The burrito was packed with marinated, tender skirt steak that practically melted in my mouth, along with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and chilis. It was topped with guacamole and both red and green salsa. 🌶️🥑
The flavors were incredibly satisfying, and the steak was the highlight for me. This quickly became my favorite breakfast dish during our stay.
🌊 The View Is Stunning
The ocean view from RAYA is absolutely beautiful. The restaurant has a gorgeous coastal setting, and I highly recommend coming right before sunset if you can. 🌅
Watching the ocean and the sunset while enjoying breakfast or a meal makes the whole experience feel extra special.
🤍 Service & Atmosphere
The atmosphere was elegant but relaxed, and the servers were friendly, attentive, and helpful throughout our meal.
Between the incredible ocean views, delicious food, and excellent service, we had a fantastic experience.
⭐️ Definitely order the Machaca Burrito!
⭐️ Come around sunset for the best views.
⭐️ Great spot for a special breakfast or relaxing meal at the Ritz-Carlton.
Overall, a wonderful experience. We absolutely look forward to coming back! 🌊✨
wayne cheng
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February 14, 2026
Five-star ambiance with genuinely warm, neighborhood-friendly service — and some of the best ocean views around. From valet to table service, everything felt seamless and welcoming.
Taylor was friendly, courteous, and made our lunch even better. A truly comfortable and enjoyable dining experience — highly recommend!
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1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA
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Finding the perfect seafood enchilada is a culinary quest, but I think I just found the Holy Grail at Raya. 🌊✨ Located inside the stunning Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Chef Richard Sandoval’s team is doing something truly magical with coastal Mexican cuisine. If you know me, you know I’m a critic when it comes to this dish—it’s so rare to find a chef who balances the delicate nature of seafood with the bold heart of a classic enchilada. But this? This is on another level. The Details: • The Filling: A decadent trio of fresh-poached crab meat, lobster, and tiger shrimp. No fillers here—just pure, buttery coastal gems. • The Sauce: A rich, vibrant red sauce that tastes like it’s been infused with secret magic. It’s perfectly seasoned, elevating the sweetness of the shellfish without overpowering it. • The Vibe: Pair that unforgettable taste with the panoramic Pacific views of Dana Point, and you have a core memory on a plate. It is officially one of my favorite Mexican dishes of all time. If you’re a seafood lover, put this on your bucket list immediately. Your taste buds will thank you. 🥂🌮 📍 Raya at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel #RitzCarlton #RayaDanaPoint #SeafoodEnchiladas #DanaPointEats #FineDining
RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel — they did it again! 🌊 I repeat: It’s usually very tough for me to find good food with all my dietary restrictions, but everything you see here was custom made just for me — using fresh, local produce. 💚🌱 It's not on their menu. Add amazing ocean side views, if you are in Orange County, do stop by for an amazing experience. The service? Impeccable. The View? WOW! The food? Thoughtful, flavorful, and plated to perfection. The boys? Way easier on the chef 😄 Truly grateful for a place that gets it right. Again. Thanks to my hubby for picking the right place for a family vacation and birthday celebrations... ❤
This is my second visit to this wonderful restaurant with its magnificent view—you won't find a better view in this city! I enjoyed all the food, and the service was also good; the only minor issue was that the broccoli was bitter and quite unpleasant. The chicken, however, was delicious—I highly recommend ordering it—and the mushrooms were tasty as well. The birthday cake I received as a complimentary treat was also delicious; incidentally, it’s not on the regular menu, so if you’re visiting on your birthday, come on in—you’re in for a little surprise! Overall, the setting is superb. We happened to visit while a business conference was taking place at the hotel, so there were a lot of people and it was a bit noisy, but all in all, the atmosphere was very impressive! Highly recommended!
🌊✨ Amazing Ocean View & One of My Favorite Breakfasts at RAYA We had breakfast at RAYA inside The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, and it was such a wonderful experience. The combination of incredible ocean views, great service, and delicious food made this one of my favorite hotel breakfasts. 🌊🤍 🌯 Machaca Burrito — A Must-Try! I ordered the Machaca Burrito, and it was HUGE! Honestly, the portion was large enough to share between two people. The burrito was packed with marinated, tender skirt steak that practically melted in my mouth, along with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and chilis. It was topped with guacamole and both red and green salsa. 🌶️🥑 The flavors were incredibly satisfying, and the steak was the highlight for me. This quickly became my favorite breakfast dish during our stay. 🌊 The View Is Stunning The ocean view from RAYA is absolutely beautiful. The restaurant has a gorgeous coastal setting, and I highly recommend coming right before sunset if you can. 🌅 Watching the ocean and the sunset while enjoying breakfast or a meal makes the whole experience feel extra special. 🤍 Service & Atmosphere The atmosphere was elegant but relaxed, and the servers were friendly, attentive, and helpful throughout our meal. Between the incredible ocean views, delicious food, and excellent service, we had a fantastic experience. ⭐️ Definitely order the Machaca Burrito! ⭐️ Come around sunset for the best views. ⭐️ Great spot for a special breakfast or relaxing meal at the Ritz-Carlton. Overall, a wonderful experience. We absolutely look forward to coming back! 🌊✨
Five-star ambiance with genuinely warm, neighborhood-friendly service — and some of the best ocean views around. From valet to table service, everything felt seamless and welcoming. Taylor was friendly, courteous, and made our lunch even better. A truly comfortable and enjoyable dining experience — highly recommend!