36 Best Mexican Restaurants near Carmel By The Sea

“This is one of the most unique and exciting restaurants in Carmel. Amazing cocktails and the food is both creative and authentic. Wine list is great too! Never disappoints.“

“This place is a winner on all fronts.
Everything about this place from the wonderful family run Restaurant
To the beautiful ambience
And now let’s address the food
It is out of this world
The very Talented chef is engaging and brilliant at what he does and it has open kitchen concept
Run don’t walk to Nicolas cocina de Herencia“

“Let me be clear. I do not write glowing reviews, especially for Mexican food. This is something we make at home, always better, cheaper and tastier. There are so many Mexican places out there it is hard for one to stand out. Island Tacos is a standout. I had the Mahimahi burrito and the tofu street taco. Wow, I was blown away. One of my new favorite places to eat. In Carmel at the Crossroads, go figure. Not where I would look for a place to eat, especially with Salinas and Castroville so close by. DON'T MISS THIS PLACE.“

“Great Customer Service. And the food was Great“

“I loved dining by candlelight. I had the camarones al mojo de ajo and it was delicious. Oh and the palomas were amazing!“

“The fantastic vegan meal option took me back to some of my favorite eating places in Oaxaca. However, the mezcal was priced for Carmel, as it was double the price of any restaurant that I have been in the US. One is charged $11 to $24 for a 1oz pour. An normal pour is 1.5 to 2 ounces depending on the bartender.“

“We were long- time Casa Rosita fans ( the former name) and were quite pleased with the new owners menu, service and hospitality. A very welcoming staff with authentic dishes ( especially seafood plates) at a reasonable price. The owner, Francisco , wants customers to come, feel like family, eat delicious seafood plates as well as traditional items. Which we did! I highly recommend eating here.“

“It’s pricey but it’s the best Mexican food I’ve ever tasted. Soooo good.“

“good food and Service and the waiters are nice and Ploit“

“Un lugar familiar buena y deliciosa comidas esmerado servicio.“

“I'm going to start by saying OMG, Sarita s Shrimp Burrito and homemade Menudo, it can't get any better than this . Not only is the food delicious, but the staff are welcoming. Make you feel like you chose the right place to eat. When your in Monterey you must stop by the beach but also Sarita s !“

“I will tell you if you're in town and you have a chance to stop into this little spot you will absolutely love it it's off the beaten path on style cooking my wife could not stop Heating and shrimp cocktail it was the best we had since being in Cabo San “

“The best kept secret in Monterey! First of all the FRESH hand-made corn tortillas! OMG! Best in town without question. Huevos rancheros and Chilaquiles were amazing! Authentic. You want spicy? They have the spicy. You prefer mild? Their tomatillo is super mild and DELICIOUS! Fast service with a smile. Plenty of parking. AND THE PRICES ARE SO LOW“

“Mom and pop, order at the counter type of place. I had the seafood chimichunga and it was delicious. Hot, golden, with creamy mix of tender fish and shrimp inside. 10/10!

Side note: the chimichunga was fried on a flat top, not deep fried in a frier“

“Amazing food and drinks. Friendly and fast service!!!“

“Stopped by for lunch here with my lady and the food was very delicious. The staff are all very friendly and kind. They have a chip and salsa bar which is a plus because you get to choose how much you want to eat and the chips are freshly cooked. If you're in the area, this place is a definite must to stop in and grab a bite to eat. We'll definitely be back here in the future. Thank you Papa Chano's.“

“Ya know a place so well, that when you move to a different region in this country, nothing compares to your favorite Mexican Restaurant. This was it, from their Fajitas to the breaded shrimp and above all the steak. I miss this restaurant and the owners. I'm glad to see it's still open. This review comes all the way from Arkansas. GOD Bless.“

“Best fish Tacos and our server Mariah was the sweetest!! This place is a gem!“

“This is a liquor/grocery store that sells food. Nothing special. They have a sitting area that is OK, old seats, but works.

The tacos were yummy and my boyfriend enjoyed his burrito. Decent affordable taco joint. I'll probably stop again when I need a cheap meal!

The staff was very friendly.“

“Huge menu with very filling plates! The waitresses were super attentive and our food came out quickly, even though it was pretty busy around 1 pm on a Monday. I tried the Caldo 7 Mares and the Molcajete Oaxaqueño — both were absolutely delicious! I’ve also had their Coffee Cake and it’s a 10/10 — so moist and full of flavor. Definitely recommend stopping by if you’re ever in the Seaside area!“

“best tacos for miles! thank you for being delicious!“

“Ordered the carne asada super burrito and the chicken taquitos. Both were great and came with red and green salsas. Also ordered two kids quesadillas and they were a hit.
Next time we’ll try the taco plate and carne asada nachos.
They also serve breakfast burritos at very reasonable prices starting at 7am.

Parking: No issue with parking, large lot and easily accessible.

Kid-friendliness: Kids menu available with three options. Recommend the kids quesadillas.“

“Delicious! Authentic, cool atmosphere, and great prices. Service was amazing. Will come back!“

“Visiting from out of state. Stopped by and oh my word. The food is so good! Definitely recommend this place.“

“Amazing place food is well prepared and tasty!“

“The food was so good here after I was done paying I asked them if I could wash the dishes! 😋 they offer different types of tacos 🌮 the Mexican tacos are outta this world with flavor!! My favorite is the tortilla soup 🍲 I wanted to order a bucket to go! This restaurant is poppin!!!“

“Hands down the best burritos, tacos, birra in Monterey. They are super polite and so nice! Their super burrito is huge and delicious. Ate a tripas, carnitas, and asada taco and they are soooooo good. Had their Birria before and tried most places in Monterey but their Birria is the best. Sorry no picture of the tacos ate them all!“

“This is a nice place to eat. The place is supper clean, the ladies there keeps on cleaning and takes away any plates that are not being used.
The food is served very quick, that means that the chefs are on top of the game. We requested to drain a cup and they were very kind to offer us a new one.
The food is fresh and comes hot.“

“A real mixed bag here. Let's start with the positives.
This is one of the most beautifully painted Mexican restaurants I've ever been into especially for a counter-service one. Very comfortable with high ceilings high top and low top table seating options. To dining areas. A beautiful salsa bar with fresh everything fantastic marinated carrot onion medley.

I can't comment on the meats. I had huevo ranchero ranchera with scrambled eggs.
I specifically asked for soft scrambled eggs and I had told the counter girl very specifically and gave her a image to take to the cook. They still brought back eggs that were hard scrambled with brown on them. Pathetic excuse for a cook can't help himself from burning eggs. They didn't even apologize or offer to remake the eggs. That's bad service.

On the positive side the portions were huge the rice was cooked well in the beans were delicious. The price was fair for what you get these days I guess including a very well stocks also bar with chips that were delicious. They just need to learn how to cook eggs in this place 🍳🥚😣“

“Authentic mexican and south-american food restaurant. The service was friendly and quick. The atmosphere could be a little bit more comfortable. The food was on point (although the fish in the ceviche was cooked and shredded) and the michelada is a great choice!

Parking: More than five spots directly in front of the restaurant but there is space to park on the street, also.“

“The best Mexican food around! Always fresh and always feels like every bite is made with love! And if your a breakfast lover like myself then the breakfast burrito is always a great choice with different meat options! Did I mention it's breakfast all day?!? Run don't walk to mando's for some authentic cooking! Don't miss them at the Beacon Film Festival may 18th at 1pm and may 19th at 5pm“

“The adobada burrito is the first thing I tried here, and I can’t make myself try anything else, it is so delicious!! I must have it every time I’m in town!“

“Muy buen servicio y la cómida deliciosa 👌“

“good food and Service and the waiters are nice and Ploit“

“Here on Vacation and had a great visit the service was amazing and the food was so good. I loved this place in Roseville but they closed it so it was glad to have it again. yum 10/10“