Carmelita’s Kitchen is a vibrant Mexican restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita, where warm hospitality, bold flavors, and a welcoming atmosphere come together to create a memorable dining experience.
Located in a busy shopping center at 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, this local favorite has become a true gathering place for guests looking for everything from a relaxed lunch to a lively dinner out.
With a strong 4.60-star rating from 1,018 reviews, it’s clear that Carmelita’s Kitchen has earned a reputation for delivering consistently satisfying meals and a dining experience that keeps people coming back.
The menu offers something for every craving and every occasion. Guests can enjoy tacos, Macho Burritos, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, and thoughtfully prepared comfort food, along with organic dishes, small plates, and local specialties that showcase the restaurant’s personality and care.
Whether you’re stopping in for a casual meal, celebrating with margaritas, or enjoying a romantic evening over cocktails and wine, Carmelita’s Kitchen makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the moment.
The restaurant is also known for its fast service, great beer selection, great cocktails, and an impressive wine list, making it a popular choice for both solo dining and group gatherings.
With outdoor seating, dine-in, delivery, and takeaway available, it provides the flexibility customers need to enjoy great Mexican food in the way that suits them best.
Carmelita’s Kitchen is designed to feel inviting, cozy, and stylish all at once, with hacienda-inspired decor, a casual yet trendy vibe, and a bar on site that adds to the experience. Guests can also take advantage of Wi‑Fi, free Wi‑Fi, clean restroom facilities, and table service that helps make every visit comfortable and convenient.
Accessibility is thoughtfully supported with a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet, ensuring more guests can enjoy the restaurant with ease. Reservations are accepted and recommended for dinner, especially since wait times can be common, a reflection of how popular the restaurant has become.
Payment is simple and flexible with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted. For those seeking a dependable, high-quality Mexican restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita that combines excellent food, a welcoming setting, and dependable service, Carmelita’s Kitchen stands out as a place that turns everyday dining into something special.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Carmelita's Kitchen
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
made to order with hand picked avocados
citrus cooked with pico de gallo and avocado
pan roasted cheese, longaniza sausage, poblano, onion, and mushroom
baked nachos with melted cheese, pico de gallo, beans, sour cream and guacamole
house-made aioli, lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo
champagne dressing, corn, cheese, cucumber, onion and tomato
corn, pepitas, veggies, avocado, cheese and chipotle apple dressing
with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese and cilantro ranch
made in-house daily with pork, cheese and salsa verde ( limited availability)
grilled poblano chile filled with carnitas and topped with pico and red salsa.
chicken, beef, or cheese with choice of house-made red, green or mole sauce
choice of a grilled soft chicken taco or crispy beef taco with lettuce, cheese and pico
shredded pork in achiote marinade, rice, beans and guacamole
with crispy onions and home-made creamy short rib sauce
grilled chicken, cheese, corn, onion, cilantro, mushroom and chipotle cream
with rice, beans, cheese, guacamole and sour cream
with cheese, cilantro, onions, guacamole and salsa quemada
baked over melted cheese, mushrooms, and onions
with rice, beans, avocado, cheese, sour cream, red enchilada sauce and pico
flown in and filleted in house daily, with avocado, baja cream sauce and pico
baked with roasted tomatillo salsa, avocado, and sour cream
white rice, black beans, and chipotle flavored lemon butter sauce
on homemade corn tortillas with melted cheese, fajita veggies and salsa valentina
bacon shrimp taco,shrimp lobster enchilada and a shrimp-lobster chile relleno
organic jidori chicken, serrano cream sauce, rice, poblano and avocado
served fajita style with rice, beans, guacamole and cream
slowly roasted with cilantro, onions, garlic and fresh tomatillos
our original family recipe using hand selected prime kurobuta pork
served fajita style with rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole
hand-cut prime skirt steak served over red cheese enchiladas
Hear from our valued guests
We had a wonderful dining experience with great service and fantastic food. The restaurant has an authentic feel and the heating patio with lake view is absolutely wonderful.
Kelly and Christina did a terrific job as our servers. This was the first time we have been to Carmelita’s and will definitely be going back. We sat out on the patio and the patio cover helped keep it very pleasant. We had tacos and enchiladas. I also had the cilantro and cucumber margarita—excellent! I also highly recommend the street corn cut off the cob. Don’t miss Carmelita’s!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My wife and I have been loyal customers of Carmelita's for over 15 years, and during that time we have enjoyed nearly every item on the menu. Simply put, Carmelita's is one of those rare restaurants that never disappoints. The flavors are absolutely incredible, the portions are generous, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service has always been outstanding. And if you've never tried their black beans, you're missing out, they are hands down the best we've ever had! Over the years, we've recommended Carmelita's to countless friends and family members because we know they will leave happy, satisfied, and already planning their next visit. However, this review is about much more than great food. Recently, my wife and I stopped in for an early dinner on a Saturday evening. We were looking for a little comfort and normalcy during an incredibly difficult time in our lives. My wife's mother had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had just endured a grueling course of chemotherapy. After months of emotional highs and lows, doctor appointments, uncertainty, and watching someone we love suffer through the side effects of treatment, she was finally scheduled to undergo the Whipple procedure, one of the most complex and aggressive surgeries a patient can face. The Saturday before her Monday surgery, the weight of everything became overwhelming. Since the restaurant was busy, we decided to sit at the bar, where Erik was working. As always, Erik greeted us warmly, took great care of us, and made us feel welcome. While we were waiting for our food, my wife became overcome with emotion and began crying uncontrollably. As her husband, it was heartbreaking to watch, and in that moment there was little I could do to ease the fear, anxiety, and sadness she was carrying. When Erik noticed what was happening, he immediately approached us with genuine concern. After I explained our situation, something remarkable happened. Erik didn't simply offer p
So peaceful on the patio. The food so amazing! Goldie was our server. Excellent service from her. Spicy pineapple margarita was the best I’ve had. (No picture)But I demand you try it! We also tried the halibut tacos, yum! And my hubby had the steak fajitas!! Ceviche as your appetizer won’t disappoint.
I had a fantastic experience at Carmelit's . The service was attentive and friendly, and the ambiance was perfect. The food was exceptional, especially [mention a standout dish]. Everything from the presentation to the flavors was top-notch. Highly recommend for a memorable meal!
The food is packed with flavor and super creative. The stars of the night were definitely the Shrimp Taquitos and the Pork & Pineapple Tacos. The taquitos came with shrimp wrapped in this crispy spring-roll-like shell (so fun and different!), and the pork with pineapple was an absolute flavor bomb. Didn’t expect it to be THAT good, but wow. Oh, and don’t skip the drinks! Sitting by the lake, with the warm lights, sipping on a cocktail—it was the perfect vibe to just chill and enjoy the night.
We had a great time at the restaurant. Our waitress Irfa was a pleasure and made it special for my dad’s birthday. All the servers were nice and food was amazing. Everything we ordered from drinks to dessert was flavorful and beautifully presented. Would definitely recommend.
areille what a sweet welcoming professional with genuine love and smile! 😊 Thank you for being such a soft sweet wonderful person She cared about my birthday more than I do ,,🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍 I appreciate the service the food and my special day here at Carmelitas And at the End Belle ,🥰🥰 Thank you for your amazing service ❤️🥰
Such a great place to eat! I love the fresh chips and salsa + black bean dip (and I don't normally like black bean dip). The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, plus, the outdoor patio has the best view of the lake. My go to is the chicken quesadilla bc I don't care how old I am, there's nothing better than a warm, crunchy tortilla with perfectly cooked chicken and ooey gooey cheese.
Absolute S tier Mexican restaurant that family owned and operated. The chips and salsa are made in house, and the bean dip is absolutely amazing. The Carmelita combination is the best value, and allows you to try so many different items which are all delicious. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly, and the atmosphere is amazing overseeing the lake.
Common questions about Carmelita's Kitchen
Carmelita's Kitchen is located at 31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, United States, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, United States.
You can reach Carmelita's Kitchen by calling +1 949-709-7600.
Carmelita's Kitchen has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 1018 customer reviews.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Organic dishes, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following dining options: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Romantic, Trendy.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations, Usually a wait.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Carmelita's Kitchen features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
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