Location: Carmel
Top Restaurants in Carmel
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California, United States Food Guide: 5 Mexican food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Carmel
Find out what Mexican restaurants to try in Carmel. The first thing you need to know about Carmel: Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, so don’t come here if you’re a hooligan. But if you’re after a romantic getaway to a seaside, art-filled village, Carmel might be perfect for you. You can even bring your dog—Carmel’s hotels, restaurants and galleries are remarkably Fido-friendly.
Things to do in Carmel
1. Baja Cantina & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By totomau
During our stay at the Quail Lodge we noticed this place across the street. Since we arrived late we went for a late lunch during a beautiful day - picked a nice table outside. Service came immediately and guided us with menu. They say that when get served chips immediately - check itâs freshness and it will tell you something about their food - well it was a crisp of Chip one can have without all the grease - salsa was even better!Mauros Burrito caught my attention as itâs a wrap Burrito (having my name on it made even more interesting). It was bigger then I thought and equally delicious. Wife had a Rosemary Quesadilla along with a basket of onion rings. A note on Burritos - if you order one - make sure itâs not a wet Burrito unless you like the sauce on the top - my daughter was surprised it came that way without notice. Otherwise this is a fine place to eat and enjoy the atmosphere! We will be back for sure !
Most Popular Pizza food in Carmel, California, United States
2. Cultura - comida y bebida
Overall Ratings
4 based on 129 reviews
A Unique Carmel Restaurant & MezcalerÃa/Agave Bar: Offering Culinary Inspirations from Modern-Contemporary Mexican Cuisine, with a Oaxacan lens. Heavily Influenced by our Muse and Passion--Oaxaca. Menu's Change with the Seasons and Creative Whims. Expansi
Reviewed By CA49
Really enjoyed the meal at Cultura. Staff were knowledgeable & passionate about what they were cooking. Would thoroughly recommend the tacos & steak. The margaritas were also good.
3. Pescadero Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Pescadero is an homage to my time spent in Mexico. It reflects the warmth and friendliness of the people and the simplicity, honesty, and quality of life there. Itâs a testament to how traditional preparations and fresh ingredients shared with friends can
Reviewed By ChristineToo
Just writing this review makes my mouth water! We ordered the fish and shrimp taco platter, which the waiter had modified to feed two, and they were scrumptious. Their chips were delicious and crisp and served with 4 different salsa choices - such fun trying each and deciding that one was w-a-y too hot! We also had the best margaritas we've ever had and enjoyed chatting with our waiter. This restaurant was a bit hard to find, set back in a little courtyard, but well worth the extra time - we walked by it twice! It's pretty much in the middle of San Carlos St, toward 7th Ave, on the east side of the road - a real find and we look forward to returning next year.
4. Island Taco
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By textornado
Island tacos is in the Crossroads Shopping Center off Hwy 1. Itâs in a cute little section of the shopping center where there are fun little shops and such. Itâs easy to miss as itâs at the back of a little courtyard but itâs painted red to try to stand out. We stopped in for lunch and had our pup with us so it was really great that there was outdoor seating, but we were in a bit of a hurry so we got our order to go. There were 5 of us so the orders included a quesadilla, a fish taco, a shrimp taco the chicken tortilla soup, the pork mini taco meal a steak burrito and chips and salsa. There is a salsa bar with several salsas which ranged from very spicy to mild. You canât really mess up a quesadilla and this one was pretty simple just cheese with sour cream and a fresh guacamole on the side. The fish taco was definitely over fried and not very good. The shrimp taco was just ok. The pork mini tacos were extremely greasy but tasted ok. The chicken tortilla soup looked and tasted like a chunky tomato soup and had no toppings?!? The steak burrito was pretty plain, not much flavor just ok. The front desk girl was nice but not very helpful or quick. There was only 1 person in the shop when we walked in but it took 20 minutes to get our food?? Nothing about our experience remotely reminded me of the islands or any fish taco from there. This was just an average Mexican taco shop in a cute shopping center.
5. Villa Sombreros
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By PattiCNS
Went here on a Sunday afternoon. Walked in and couldnât figure out where to check in for our reservation. Guy behind the bar pointed at two tables and told me to sit wherever. Very gracious welcome. Started with margaritas and queso fundido. Both were good, but tortillas for queso came five minutes after dip. My husband ordered the carnitas. The top was dry and the bottom was greasy. My entire entre was a total fail. I ordered the tostada salad - a towered of layered tortillas, chicken, and veggies. I ordered the salsa on the side. Since I had previously ordered the onions on the side, the waitress assumed I didnât want the onions and had the cook add chopped tomatoes. Unfortunately, I really didnât want the salsa - I donât like tomatoes. After scraping off the tomatoes, I still had issues figuring out how to tackle this âsaladâ. Beyond everything else, everything we tasted was just short on spice, bordering on bland. We wonât be back in.
