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Best Contemporary Mexican Restaurants in Lake Forest

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5 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
1. Puesto Los Olivos
4.6
Exceptional(1813)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary mexican • Irvine
Booked 52 times today
Puesto Los Olivos in Irvine sets the bar high for Cocktail Bar cuisine with its exquisite and innovative offerings. Known for its vibrant bar program, the restaurant serves handcrafted cocktails that "showcase the best of Mexico City," featuring fresh ingredients and housemade Micheladas. Diners rave about the "beautiful and refreshing" cocktails, with the Puesto Perfect Margarita being a standout. The bar also offers unique tequilas, mezcals, and rare Baja craft beers, making it a true haven for cocktail aficionados. The ambiance complements the drink experience, providing a lively and inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying their renowned drinks.
A photo of Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Lake Forest restaurant
2. Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Lake Forest
new
4.8
Exceptional(4)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary mexican • Lake Forest
Booked 7 times today
Morena’s Mexican Cuisine is owned and operated by the Rosales family. They opened their first location in Rancho Mission Viejo in 2019. Since then have plans to open several more locations in Orange County and the Inland Empire.We offer our customers authentic Mexican food made with the freshest ingredients. We never use pre-made sauces, mixes, or frozen ingredients in our food.All of our cocktails are made with fresh ingredients like freshly muddled blackberries, organic agave and fresh lime juice.Lunch Specials: Our lunch menu also features tacos, burritos, huevos rancheros, chile relleno and more. All dishes are $12.99 from 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
A photo of Hacienda on the Lake restaurant
3. Hacienda on the Lake
4.4
Awesome(147)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary mexican • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 8 times today
Hacienda on the Lake, nestled in the picturesque setting of Mission Viejo, presents a culinary delight with its authentic Regional Mexican (Baja Med) cuisine. Renowned for its vibrant dishes, this restaurant offers a taste of Mexico with a unique Baja Med twist, combining fresh ingredients and innovative flavors. Diners rave about the "fantastic atmosphere" and "great food and service," making it a favored spot for both locals and visitors. The lakeside view enhances the dining experience, while the menu’s standout dishes, like the Hacienda Enchiladas, reflect the quality and authenticity that Baja Med cuisine is known for. "Highly recommended" for anyone seeking an exceptional Mexican dining experience.
A photo of Puesto Park Place restaurant
4. Puesto Park Place
4.4
Awesome(1127)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary mexican • Irvine
Booked 33 times today
Puesto Park Place in Irvine offers an exceptional Cocktail Bar experience, standing out with its vibrant and authentic Mexican craft cocktails. The bar is celebrated for its skillfully crafted drinks such as the "4 Copas Cadillac Margarita," which customers describe as "tasty" and "amazing." The atmosphere is lively and inviting, ideal for both casual outings and special occasions. Diners frequently praise the bar's "beautiful cocktails" and the "great experience," highlighting both the creativity and quality of the beverages. With a blend of high-quality ingredients and innovative flavors, Puesto Park Place is a must-visit for cocktail enthusiasts seeking a true Mexican flair.
A photo of Xacalli Kitchen restaurant
5. Xacalli Kitchen
4.6
Exceptional(279)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary mexican • Silverado
Booked 15 times today
Xacalli Kitchen, nestled in the picturesque Silverado Canyon of eastern Orange County, is an exceptional showcase of Regional Mexican cuisine. With a menu crafted by Executive Chef Vincent Espinoza, Xacalli is celebrated for its authentic and visually stunning dishes that invite sharing and exploration. Diners rave about the "absolutely fantastic" ceviche and "amazing" shrimp tacos, highlighting the innovative flavors and quality ingredients that define the menu. The restaurant's commitment to service excellence is evident, with patrons noting the "impeccable" service and warm, inviting atmosphere. A visit to Xacalli promises a memorable culinary journey, making it a hidden gem worth discovering.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • MaryVIP
    Orange County •62 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Puesto Los Olivos has the most unique and flavorful tacos that are literally a party in your mouth. I love the chicken pastor and filet tacos, but tried the mushroom tacos for the first time and they were delicious. Puesto Los Olivos never disappoints and the ambience and service are top notch. I’d like to give a shout out to our server Ash for his professional, friendly and excellent service- thank you for making my birthday special.
    More info
    Puesto Los OlivosPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• Irvine
    •
    4.6
  • DaleVIP
    Orange County •47 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We had a wonderful time and the food and service was terrific. Kevin was great, very attentive and friendly. Was a delight to talk with. Thanks for a top notch experience.
    More info
    RED O Taste of Mexico - Newport BeachPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• Newport Beach
    •
    4.6
  • OpenTable Diner
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Food was great. Our server was amazing. Overall a great experience.
    More info
    Puesto Park PlacePrice: Moderate• Mexican• Irvine
    •
    4.4
  • Joe
    Orange County •2 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on Mar 2, 2025
    No Happy Ending 😞Service was wonderful by Maria & Oscar who assisted with finding flowers and saving special table by the water for a special date. However, unfortunately the waiter didn’t seem to want to be there or just didn’t care. He was was clearly watching us but no water, no offer for expensive drink re-orders, the bill could have been doubled. ( I needed drinks for the lady 😉) No checking on us, and no desert! Said you were closing. It was around 7pm. I finally had to insist. He wasn’t too happy about that. My lady loves this place and patronizes very often. She was very unhappy & apologetic for waiters service. The food was great! Sea food enchiladas. Sat night 3/1 5pm.
    More info
    Hacienda on the LakePrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
    •
    4.4
  • DianeB
    San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 27, 2025
    Chile Verde platter and an organic margarita with agave and lime…perfection!
    More info
    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Lake ForestPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Lake Forest
    •
    4.8

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