Review Las Olas Mexican Restaurant - Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Lunch special was spot on. Crispy taco with savory shredded beef... and a chicken enchilada! Also, try the Cole slaw. It's vinegar based, so if you like that style, go for it. Margarita was standard. Tasty. Could be stronger, but ain't that always the case?? Very nice atmosphere and the staff was great. Salsa was good too. Will be back!

Las Olas is the epitomy of a great Mexican food restaurant in an authentic location. The flame broiled carne asada was so tender! The spicey bean dip makes a great appetizer.

I've been coming back to Las Olas for many years as it is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. During COVID they switched to more of a self-service model where they don't take your order at the table. As such, they've been able to keep their meals affordable. The chips and salsa are fresh and delicious. You can't beat their lunch specials. They have lots of outdoor seating, and beautiful ocean views. Recommended!

Authentic , great price, amazing food, great atmosphere, informal , great people, service! It’s very difficult for me to find an authentic Mexican that is not spicy, I eat ZERO spicy food and Las Olas was perfect! You can add salsa if you want but nothing comes spicy! Their guacamole and chips are amazing and portions are great served! Super reasonable prices! Definitely a must to go! Shrimp tacos are amazing also.

This is a local favorite and now more people are starting to catch on. I was in town for the weekend visiting family and the food quality is still fantastic. Their presentation may not be as flashy, but don't let that affect how you feel about their food. Their meats are flavorful and generous portions. Price is also pretty damn good still for the quality of food! I will say that now you have to order before you sit. It used to be a legit sit-down restaurant but it probably changed due to recent industry demands. Small inconvenience, but nothing to really worry about.

You order when you walk in, no waiters, only busboys that clean the tables and retrieve your dirty plates. Good selection of food.

Las Olas in Cardiff, CA, has a lot going for it. They give you a nice-sized bowl of crispy tortilla chips. The salsa, filled into small cups, as well as your cutlery & drinks, will require you grabbing, at their salsa/drink bar. This restaurant is a bit different. You order, & pay just inside the front doors here. There's a large menu sign before you walk in, plus one directly above cashier. It's self-seating here, so we snagged one of the last open tables, on their large outdoor patio. From here, you can see the edge of Cardiff State Beach, directly across the highway. The rest of the beach is hidden, due to a sand berm, which obscures the blue ocean water from your view. This doesn't stop you from enjoying the cool ocean breeze, though. It felt so soothing, on 8/9/23. It was a Photo Shop-type day in Cardiff, with lovely blue skies, and majestic white clouds overhead. There are perhaps 12-15 large picnic tables out on the patio, covered on top with plastic, so they're easy to clean. There's also seating inside the restaurant, should you so desire. Our food arrived just in time. We'd just polished off our chips & salsa, when it was delivered. My wife ordered a Cheese Crisp, which was a feathery light, crisp tortilla, topped with loads of tasty cheese. She loved it!👍 I got 2 tacos- a Fried Shrimp Taco, & Carne Asada Taco. Both were good, but the steak taco I liked best. It was loaded with a symphony of delicious flavors, from all the tasty steak, & accompanying ingredients inside this one. We loved the food here, & the setting, right by Cardiff State Beach was ideal. The free tortilla chips were super tasty. The bus boys were quick & friendly, too. I gave Las Olas 3 stars for service, since you must do some of the work here yourself, ie...grab your silverware, drinks & salsa, plus whichever refills you need.

This place is in a stunning location and that is all that you need sometimes. The margarita flight is fun and sitting outside by the beach is the best atmosphere anyone can want.

Good Mexican food across the street from the beach. Came highly recommended, but for us, it wasn't all it was hyped up to be. Margaritas were good; food taste was good but not mind bending. Lastly, our stomachs were all off for the rest of the night.

This place is awesome! Possibly the best Mexican food in North County. Pretty place, great location, friendly staff. It reminds me of restaurants in Mexico, as opposed to most places around. Highly recommend, we're lucky to have this place!

We were in Solana Beach and we recommended to stop by and try Las Olas, apparently it’s a popular eatery amongst the locals and tourists. This has got to be the best location. On one side, they have an ecological site that is pretty serene. And right across the 101 you have the water and beach. Such a great location. It’s definitely worth the experience. If you’re lucky, they have seating outside near the ecological site which is where we sat. But also have indoor as well as an outside patio space. For food, we had a Carnitas burrito ranchero style with tomatillo sauce inside. Five stars for that burrito. My guy Nick had a shrimp battered taco. It was presentable but for me lacked flavor. It was good but bland. Their salsa and chips were decent. We washed it down with some local brew native to the area, sorry I don’t remember the name. There will be a link to a YouTube video with more details. All in all, it was a great experience. The staff were friendly, the views were epic and the food was good. If you’re in the Cardiff or Solana beach area you’ve gotta come for the location and food experience for sure. Happy eating Fam!

On June 3rd 2023 my husband and I renewed our wedding vows on the beach across the street from Las Olas. We were able to park in there parking lot through the ceremony then we were treated like Royalty when we came back! The food, service and atmosphere was outstanding! It was the most memorable experience ever. We will most definitely make a trip back to California to visit Las Olas again.

A must stop if your visiting the area! Absolutely great food, staff is friendly and attentive. And of course with the beach access for sunset views it’s a must to enjoy dinner and a sunset. Highly recommend the fish taco platter

Great little place for some good Mexican food. We came here on a Saturday right as they opened up and had a nice lunch. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Our food came really fast but we were only the second ones to sit down. The have a nice atmosphere and a cool patio style seating area. The prices were what we expected. 40 bucks for two fill meals and just water to drink. Bu the time we left they were already getting pretty busy so it seems like a popular place. We will be back for sure.

Excellent service I have been a couple of times now and will definitely be a regular. The food is amazing and it's extremely affordable considering the location. 💜

Good food, strong margaritas. We went on a Saturday night around 6. Self seating. There was a line but it went pretty quickly and we had no problem finding a table. Food arrived at a reasonable time. We got the tall Cadillac margarita and they were great. Chips are extra but you get a lot for $2. Fish tacos were good. A little pricey, but you're paying for the location across from the beach. 2 people, food and drinks cost $85. Parking sucks but luckily I was able to find a spot in their sandy, lumpy parking lot. If you have a very low car park on the street.

Chips and salsa are good and great price too if you ordered a second batch you only pay $1 extra ... I had the pineapple spicy margarita . I was good .. and we also got the 5 mini one margarita board .. but I think the house margarita it's the best of all. The smoke quesadilla it's a must to try and it's pretty big you can share it! We did spend around $50 on a Friday afternoon during happy hour

Right across from Cardiff beach, we got to watch an amazing California sunset from this shabby, yet not so shabby street side restaurant. We have been here before (3 years ago), this place came highly recommend from a friend that is a San Diego native (so you know he wouldn’t steer me in the wrong direction...). After a long day at the beach - this was perfect. Strong, Patron margarita on the rocks along side my combination plate of grilled shrimp with cabbage taco and charbroiled chicken and sour cream - screams Baja California from first sight to the amazing flavors in my mouth. Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.

This place does not have good authentic Mexican food. I always know a good Mexican place from their rice and beans. Their rice was very bland and the beans were most likely from a can. I also had the taquitos and they tasted like the frozen Costco kind. I really doubt anything in this place is actually made there.

Great customer service..good authentic Mexican food...The guacamole, chips & salsa were delicious. ..The chips where fresh & warm. The food is priced decent based on location...Our server didn't disappear, she actually stopped by to ask if we needed anything. The food portions are a good size. I shared my breakfast with my friend. :) definitely will go back & will recommend this place. ♡

Had eaten there 6 years ago and the food was good and waiters were handsome. Took us awhile to find it again but the food was still spectacular and our waitress Sophia was fabulous!

The chili verde burrito was awesome! Great flavor and the cheese way super good! Salsa was a bit spicy but good. I am kinda a baby!

This place is awesome. It has excellent food, and the atmosphere is the perfect balance between casual and fancy.

Awesome. Super good margaritas and the best tostadas ever. The avocado lime salad dressing is a must-have no matter what you're ordering. Great laid-back atmosphere super great service.

Great food, great service and nice location. I highly recommend!!!

Great food, stein tasty margaritas, great management and staff who are so friendly and know our names. We go every Friday and won’t be stopping!

Consistently good food and service! Always take out of town guests to enjoy the food, drinks and view.

Never have a bad meal here - always our go to place for Mexican food and a favorite to our out of town guests as well!

Staff was so friendly and they had the best authentic chili rellenos I've ever had! Great location by the beach���

Great place, great employees beautiful view of the ocean

Very limited menu and below average food. I don't know why this place is so busy. I will not be eating there again.

You can’t beat the location of longstanding Las Olas restaurant on Coast Highway 101. The service is friendly and efficient in a colorful Mexican setting. I did find the heaped glob of food on my plate called a tostada disappointing. The rice and beans were bland and the mild salsa failed to compensate for the lack of spice. However, they do a great happy hour weekdays from 4-6pm.

I love the food - it can't be beat. But the service was awful. Our waitress kept disappearing and no one else would respond to our requests.

This used to be my favorite place for fish tacos anywhere. Something has changed. The fish, the salsa, even the once unbeatable mango margaritas. Not do good anymore.

Favorite Mexican Restaurant. Las Olas is my favorite Mexican restaurant in San Diego. I agree with Gary, the FIre-Roasted Chile Relleno is the go-to dish. None of that egg-dipped Relleno style. Simple salad, with a yummy avocado dressing, that's always super fresh and crispy. The Margaritas are tasty, the service is always friendly, and the beach-side location with lagoon views (and even an occasional train) to add to the scenery.

Great!. I go here ONLY for the broiled (NOT BREADED OR FRIED) chile rellenos. They are FANTASTIC. Every time I say "I'm gonna order something else" and I never do. Why should I?!! And of course the beer and tequila...

Locals Paradise. `Las Olas has been around since before I can remember. It has always been a staple in the community and will always hold strong ties with all the locals. When I went to eat there I had a fish plate that I was not particularly excited about, but it was probably my fault for straying away from what I know to be amazing...The fish tacos and the Margs!!!!! Definitely get to this place and try it!!!

The ultimate grunge beach Mexican! Surfer dude and girl waiters, superb fish tacos, salty margaritas and a pacific coast sunset. Epic! You feel like you are in a Patagonia catalog photo. It was given to me by a fellow las vegan 20 years ago, and I have passed it on to people I like ever since. The only place we visit every time; on tough days I dream of a Road trip to las olas...

Gidget Works Here!. Great food, service and a beach shack atmosphere. A regular stop when I'm driving the beach route. I've never had a bad meal here.

Flew in to San Diego and wanted a great Mexican restaurant on the way to Anaheim. Las Olas did NOT disappoint. Located across the street from the beach it had a great view. Food and service were top notch. Highly recommend!!

Great food, excellent margaritas! Friendly staff & great view! What else do you need? Too bad our favorite bartender is gone. Miss you Grim!

MAngo margaritas ate great when they have them otherwise don't bother. Food is so so mexican food. Too busy to keep quality up

Strong Margaritas, authentic Mexican food and a great view!

Owners are super nice and food can't be beat. Try their homemade fresh salsas and anything fish! Yum! -tell them jim Hardison sent you.

I enjoyed my meal - the fresh ingredients really stood out.