29 Best Mexican Restaurants in Newport Beach

“There is a God!! I have been away for years working in North Dakota praying for a shrimp burrito. I was in Balboa over weekend and got my Shrimp fix. So darn good! The best shrimp soze and taste anywhere. They have not changed anything during this bad inflation. Miss the salsa bar but they gave us plenty. Most great places come and eventually go but GM is still.#1. Thank you Peter and staff!!.“

“My wife and I come here whenever we are in Dana Point and always have a great experience. The food was delicious, and the service was friendly and attentive. It’s a great spot for a date night or a family meal. We really enjoyed ourselves and will definitely be back! 🌮❤“

“The best Mexican food! Going there since 1995! Love it🙏“

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience“

“okay so truthfully i’ve never actually step
foot inside this establishment, BUT, i have ordered food off their app and gotten it delivered like honestly 15 times in the last 2-3 months. i live in grad housing at UCI and order food from here often when i have a late workday. there’s not been one delivery where i have not gotten exactly what i ordered. sometimes they even hook it up with an extra salsa or two for my tortilla chips. i order the double chicken bowl and 10/10 times that bowl slaps. always hits the spot. food is great quality, chicken is always spot on, never dry. great food portions that make other places look like they need to step up their game. lowkey may never physically visit this place but will mostly mobile order from here over other food places. gg staff. also highly recc the app if you don’t have it.“

“Beautiful and delicious food“

“After living in Oceanside for seven years, Rockin' Baja Lobster became one of those places I could always count on. Great food, cold drinks, and a laid back harbor atmosphere made it a regular stop whenever I wanted to relax by the water. So when I started spending more time in Newport Beach, I was excited to find out there was a Rockin' Baja Lobster here too.

The Newport Beach location has its own personality, and that's something I really appreciate. It captures the same fun, casual Baja inspired experience while fitting perfectly into the Newport Harbor scene. Sitting near the waterfront with boats coming and going all day creates an atmosphere that's hard to beat. You can grab a table, order a drink, and before you know it, you've been sitting there for hours just enjoying the view.

The food is exactly why I've always loved Rockin' Baja Lobster. The seafood is fresh, the lobster is outstanding, the tacos are packed with flavor, and the portions are generous enough that nobody leaves hungry. Everything has that relaxed coastal feel that makes you want to order one more appetizer and stay a little longer. Whether you're there for a full dinner or just stopping in with friends after a day on the water, the menu never disappoints. And if you're going to eat anything there and you're coming to spend real money, you should go for any of their sombreros—loaded with shrimp, lobster, and meat, all insanely good.

The drinks are just as good. Ice cold beers, strong margaritas, and plenty of options make it easy to settle into vacation mode even if you're only there for an hour. The staff has always been friendly and welcoming, and the service keeps everything moving without ever making you feel rushed.

What I really enjoy is how the Newport location has developed its own vibe. Even though it reminds me of all the great memories I made at the Oceanside location, it doesn't try to be the same place. Newport Harbor brings its own energy with boaters, beachgoers, locals, and visitors all coming together to enjoy one of the best waterfront dining experiences in town. It feels authentic to Newport while still giving me that familiar Rockin' Baja experience I've always enjoyed.

As the founder of Beerslut, I spend a lot of time visiting bars and restaurants that create memorable experiences because that's where the best stories usually begin. Rockin' Baja Lobster has been part of a lot of great memories over the years, both in Oceanside and now in Newport Beach. Some places earn your loyalty, and this is definitely one of them.

If you're looking for fresh seafood, great drinks, beautiful harbor views, and a fun atmosphere that captures everything people love about Southern California, Rockin' Baja Lobster in Newport Beach absolutely deserves a visit. It may have a different backdrop than the Oceanside location I grew to love, but it's every bit as welcoming, every bit as delicious, and just as beloved.

Five stars from me. I'll be back every chance I get.“

“I had an absolutely wonderful experience celebrating my birthday at RED O Newport Beach with my wife and friends on Saturday September 19, 2026!

From the delicious food and fantastic atmosphere to the outstanding service, everything contributed to making my birthday celebration truly special and memorable.

I would especially like to recognize and express my sincere gratitude to Robert, the Manager, who went above and beyond to accommodate our group and ensure that everything went smoothly. His kindness, professionalism, flexibility, and genuine willingness to help made all the difference. Thanks to his efforts, we were able to enjoy a beautiful, stress-free evening surrounded by our loved ones.

The food was excellent, the vibe was amazing, and the entire staff made us feel welcome and well taken care of throughout the evening.

Thank you, Robert, and the entire RED O team, for making my birthday such a happy and memorable occasion! We truly appreciate your exceptional hospitality and look forward to returning for many more celebrations.

Highly recommended! 🥂🎉“

“The vegan pozole was amazing! Even the meat-eaters loved it.“

“This place is great! Fabulous tacos 🌮!!!!“

“My buddy and I stopped over here for lunch after hanging out at the beach. We loved the atmosphere of getting a window seat and the tacos that our server (Shoutout to Meg, you're awesome) recommended was bomb.

Great service, fun place to hang out and share some food and laughs. The location is perfectly located right off of Balboa Pier. Definitely recommend.“

“the taco stand delicious every bite 🔥🔥🔥 i love how delicious my asada tacos were and the salsas had the perfect heat just that touch of heat that makes them mouthwatering and i asked and their open fairly late around 1 AM so thats awesome given almost all places close way earlier. theres of plenty of parking at night to feed the hunger of a bear without a doubt!!!“

“Tiny burrito joint with taco in the name, lol. Literally one of my top two burrito joints in the universe. If you are nearby, you are foolish if you don’t stop by and get a tasty meal.“

“Every time I come to Cali for vacation I must visit the JUICE BAR at Whole Foods for my morning fix of greens. I love this location. I never come to Orange County without visiting this particular location for my morning fix of greens. This is one of my favorite Whole Foods for their JUICE BAR. Awesome!!!“

“It was a good Mexican quick stop and good atmosphere“

“We enjoyed everything about the restaurant. Service was great and food was excellent. I will say that the setting / occasion was a bit disappointing due to some photographer that was there insisting on pictures and urgency on submitting the QR code survey. We were there for an anniversary with family and that continual pressure and interruption was not appreciated. Took away from the occasion.“

“If you’re looking for the perfect spot in Newport Beach, Javier’s at Crystal Cove is a must! 🌮🍹 The food is absolutely delicious – authentic Mexican flavors with fresh seafood and so many great options to choose from. The atmosphere is vibrant yet elegant, with stunning ocean views 🌊 that make every visit feel special. Having lived in this area for a few years, I can honestly say it’s one of the most beautiful places around – the kind of spot that makes you fall in love with Newport Beach all over again. ✨“

“Friendly and good service“

“I’m a regular customer for 10 years working in the mall and most days of week going for lunch with my colleagues. I just want to appreciate Gladys she is one of the best workers whenever we go there she provides an exceptional customer service/ Bar now we don’t look at the menu we just ask her what should we order and everything and every time she recommends something we love it. She is absolutely amazing person she welcomes every single customer with smile and she keeps on checking with us if everything is good. We truly appreciate her. Thank you so much.“

“Always a good time. Will be back“

“Fantastic service and delicious wings and a salad.“

“Tiny burrito joint with taco in the name, lol. Literally one of my top two burrito joints in the universe. If you are nearby, you are foolish if you don’t stop by and get a tasty meal.“

“The food was great the desert was better“

“A beautiful place to dine for date night or with friends. Tonight we celebrated a cherished friends bday. Cocktails weren’t excellent nothing watered down. The food was everything! Our server was cheerful & helpful. Its why we like to bring our friends…never disappointed.“

“If I’m honest, the atmosphere was actually a ONE STAR. But that WASNT THE WORKERA FAULT. It was the Fourth of July and the customers were being delinquents. The workers kept their cool and still had the food coming out with high quality. And they were nice. THE CUSTOMERS WERE BEING AWFUL seriously I feel so bad for these workers. I hope they get a raise and blessings.“

“Our first time visiting Kalaveras. The delicious salsa got me excited about the quesadilla we ordered, but it was a bit dull. My friend said her tacos were “fine.” Service was inconsistent, like maybe they were short one server? Music was oddly loud for a very sparsely populated early dinner crowd on a Sunday evening.“

“Great experience! Came in to wait for my mobile order pick up and the nice man at the cashier on at around 6:45 pm on Nov 29 (white guy dark hair) offered to give us our drinks beforehand. he went above and beyond to give us a great experience better than what we typically expect. He was so much more attentive than restaurant waiters. Very pleasant experience and they are lucky to have him on the team! The food was also very quick to come out thanks to the chefs in the back.“

“Best burros in town“

“Chipotle never disappoints! The food is always fresh, flavorful, and made exactly how I like it. Their burritos and bowls are packed with high-quality ingredients, and the portion sizes are generous. The staff is friendly and efficient, making the ordering process smooth even during busy hours. Plus, the outdoor patio seating with fountain vibes adds a great touch—perfect for enjoying a meal in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a post-game meal, Chipotle is always a great choice. Highly recommend!“