Tamarindo Del Mar — Restaurant in Del Mar

A WELCOMING VIBE ! My wife and I hit this fairly new Mexican/ Latin American restaurant for dinner on Friday evening. I had made a 5pm reservation earlier in the day with Steve the co-owner. And reservations are a must now ( if you don't want to wait for a table ) as this well run eatery has become the most popular dining spot in upscale coastal Del Mar. We tried this place for dinner a few weeks ago...the day after they opened on March 18th ( serving just dinner initially )...and we were very impressed with our meals, drinks and the friendly service. After parking our wheels in a free spot just up the street we arrived at the hostess desk just before 5pm. The lovely young hostess kindly showed us to a table for 4 inside. This place has a really great vibe....the flow from the large outdoor patio to the inside dining zone is virtually seamless. The interesting decor and fittings are a perfect match for the type of cuisine they are serving. We had barely sat down when I spotted Steve the co-owner heading our way to welcome us back. Allison the friendly restaurant manager was kind enough to snap a pic of us both. A charming female server named Ariel announced her presence shortly after and proceeded to do an excellent job satisfying our whims during our dinner visit. The mandatory complimentary Salsa & Chips arrived within seconds plus glasses of water. I ordered a local Thorn Brewing Relay IPA which was delivered to our table by a smiling server named Chris. The restaurant was pretty much packed out inside and on the outdoor patio but the efficient serving staff seemed to be handling it with ease. I decided to order the Chorizo + Mussels Starter ( Pacific Black Mussel, Chorizo, Tequila, Onion, Serrano, Garlic, Cilantro & Telera Spears ) followed by the Carne Asada Plate ( Grilled Skirt Steak, Onion, Corn Salsa, Chimichurri, Black Beans, Cilantro Lime Rice, & Flour Tortilla ). My wife had her eyes on the Scallop + Corn ( Seared U15 Scallops, Corn Puree, Corn Salsa, Micro Radish, Chili Thread + Oil & Smoked Paprika ) for her entree. Our good mate and top server Tyler came over for a quick chat....I took a selfie of us. My Chorizo + Mussels Starter was brought out by Tony the Chef...I had to get selfie of us ! Between my ice cold IPA, the Salsa & Chips plus my Chorizo + Mussels...I had a lot to keep me occupied. Our entrees arrived within a short time and looked outstanding. The sheer size and presentation of my Carne Asada order blew me away. My wife got stuck into her Scallop & Corn dish and looked very contented. My humongous Carne Asada Plate entree tasted beyond excellent....the tender & juicy skirt steak was grilled to perfection. Somehow I managed to eat everything in front of me..it was too delicious to waste ! Our helpful server Ariel ( who had been checking on us every now & then to make sure we were happy ) dropped by to see if we would want some dessert. My wife and I agreed to share some Fresh Churros. They looked very inviting when they came out with a side of rich Chocolate Sauce. We thought they tasted fine ! This very interesting restaurant has fitted into the local Del Mar dining scene perfectly and has made it better in our opinion. Now open for lunch and dinner 7 days week....put this fun place...

Located in the heart of Del Mar Village, Tamarindo Del Mar offers a vibrant dining experience that showcases the rich flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine. This restaurant has quickly become a favorite spot for both locals and visitors, thanks to its excellent food, lively atmosphere, and prime location just a short walk from the beach.

Fish Tacos: One of the standout dishes at Tamarindo Del Mar is their fish tacos, which are often praised as some of the best in the area. The Baja Fish Tacos, made with beer-battered white fish, cabbage mix, cotija crema, jalapeño crema, and avocado on a corn tortilla, are a must-try. The mahi mahi tacos also receive high marks for their fresh and flavorful preparation​​.

Other Favorites: Beyond the fish tacos, Tamarindo Del Mar offers a variety of delicious dishes that have garnered rave reviews. The grilled shrimp and zucchini tacos, chicken enchiladas de mole, and Peruvian salmon ahi ceviche are popular choices. The elote corn strips and short rib tacos also come highly recommended for their unique flavors and satisfying portions​.

Ambiance and Experience: The restaurant features a festive and colorful decor inspired by Mexican traditions, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. With plenty of outdoor seating, including a pet-friendly patio, Tamarindo Del Mar is perfect for enjoying a meal al fresco while soaking up the Southern California sunshine. The live music and happy hour specials add to the lively vibe, making it a great spot for a fun and relaxed dining experience​​.

Conclusion: Tamarindo Del Mar offers a delightful blend of flavorful cuisine, excellent service, and a welcoming ambiance. Whether you're in the mood for their highly acclaimed fish tacos or exploring other menu favorites, this restaurant is a fantastic choice for a memorable meal in Del Mar. With its close proximity to the beach and vibrant atmosphere, Tamarindo Del Mar is a place you'll want to visit...

We've been to this place a couple times this summer and most recently went on Saturday, labor day weekend. The food is usually decent, but we really like are the cocktails and the atmosphere, the tables are lovely to sit at outdoors.

This most recent time around we stopped by for apps and drinks. A couple sips into my house cocktail, we noticed there were large dead bugs (either large flies or bees) at the bottom of the drink, under the ice (so they hadn't just flown in there). We tried flagging down the waitress but nobody came by for about 20 minutes - this was just after ordering food. Most tables were empty since it's was about 2:30pm

Eventually the food came out and we showed the food runner the drink. We didn't have to say much, he saw it and said "Oh my god!" And took it to get a new one made. We were pretty grossed out and didn't end up eating all of the food because of it. Eventually the bartender came out with the remade drink, this time with no salt on the rim. I only mention because it's a $17.50 drink, which is pretty pricey.

Through the window we could see the bartender talking to our waitress and pointing us out. We never got any follow up and the waitress wouldn't talk about it when she came back, but would just stare at the new drink.

When the bill came out the drink and all were still listed. I'm still pretty disappointed to be presented to have to pay for something like that, and just grossed out in general. I've worked in food service myself so I'm not ignorant to the matter but I'm exhausted at having to advocate for myself against things like this; I know to be kind to those folks, they gave a stressed job, but that was ridiculous. For such a nice place in a nice area I expect much better.

We will not be back anymore as we don't want to pay upwards of $20 for gross and incomplete drinks in the future, especially if we're going to be ignored and expected to...