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Lares

Mexican Restaurant$$$$

Santa Monica

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Lares

8.5^/10

225

ratings

Ranked #3 for carnitas in Los Angeles
"Order the carnitas, best on the west side."(9 Tips)
"I recommend the Chicken Chipotle, margaritas & the breakfast!! ❤️"(19 Tips)
"Very authentic mexican food, awesome taste and quality service."(3 Tips)
"Ceviche (ceviche) pescado es muy bien."(3 Tips)

62 Tips and reviews

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Mexican food
margaritas
good for dates
daily specials
spicy food
great value
breakfast food
tres leches cake
chicken
casual
bar
music
dinner
salsa
bacon
salads
good for special occasions
chips
lunch
camarones
(15 more)

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Natalie GuerraNovember 19, 2015
Definitely one of the most authentic Mexican Food places on the west side. The setting is great and the food is even better. I recommend the Chicken Chipotle, margaritas & the breakfast!! ❤️
Ophelia BradleySeptember 11, 2017
My favorite Mexican Restaurant in town. Try the margaritas, the Savanitas, and the fish tacos :)Complete with live Mariachi music. A bar both down and upstairs. I prefer hanging upstairs :)
Upvoted 1 week ago
Eve *August 3, 2015
Chips/salsa worth coming for. Service good. Some delay w/ coffee I ordered. (It came after dinner) but the food was delicious. Ordered off menu bc I don't eat meat, and the been burrito was amazing.
Maria OruzcoMay 5, 2014
Lares Restaurant specializes in authentic Mexican food and famous dishes of the South. We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Come see us today! Visit us online at http://www.lares-restaurant.com
Dmitri KhotiaintsevJuly 30, 2016
Try the shrimp ceviche! Very authentic mexican food, awesome taste and quality service. Margaritas are a must.. good for families too. Absolutely loved it!
Jodie EscobedoJuly 15, 2016
We have been going to Lares for 16 years now. It is our favorite restaurant. The food is good mexican fare - their albondigas is fabulous
silly allyFebruary 16, 2019
Been here 5+ times
If you come here often enough the servers get to know you and they are super nice
Jon SanchezJuly 29, 2016
Great Mexican food. We were looking for a change from the places we normally frequent and this restaurant was on the list. Food is tasty!
Troy DeversFebruary 9, 2019
Been here 100+ times
For breakfast definitely try the Macuca, it sounds strange but it’s soooo good. Ask for chicken instead of bacon if you want. 😋
Nick Don VitoSeptember 5, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Great food! Love the daily specials...Fridays my fave, grilled red snapper tacos rice and beans $8! Great margaritas too 👍
Troy DeversJanuary 27, 2016
Been here 100+ times
Really great food, a wonderful staff, and cheap and amazing margaritas! What else could you want? :)
Clean Bay Restaurant ProgramOctober 8, 2012
Lares is a certified restaurant of the Clean Bay Restaurant Program, helping to reduce stormwater pollution in Santa Monica Bay! Learn about or find more certified restaurants at Read more
Samir LakhaniSeptember 30, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Chicken fajitas are delicious
Sylvia DiazJanuary 2, 2012
U can always tell a good mex rest. By the salsa & beans. Good spot! Margaritas r fantastic! As a Latina women -thumbs up
Troy DeversJune 15, 2013
Been here 100+ times
Make sure to ask for the house spicy salsa with your chips, fantastic!
Beenish MaqsoodMarch 11, 2014
Amazingly good Mexican place. Must must do in LA. And really friendly staff with super good food.
Thai LiuFebruary 18, 2010
Great place to grab some delicious Mexican food with friends. Don't forget about the margarita's they are tasty here. If your feeling dangerous try the Lengua or tongue.
Tom HowellMay 5, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Service is great, food is consistently awesome and the house margaritas are hand poured not pre mixed.
Winnie KhooFebruary 16, 2015
Faves: Sr. Maclorio Especial, Chips & Salsa
ozzy chavezApril 17, 2016
The entire menu but most importantly... Torta de Carnitas.
Nik NadolskiSeptember 4, 2014
Carnitas, check. Margarita, check. Need I say more?
Nedra AJuly 5, 2014
Been here 50+ times
Bedt home made Mexican dishes. The machaca is excellent!
Jessica RollisonApril 23, 2012
Carnitas in chile verde. And a Casadores margarita on the rocks with salt. Do it.
Paul SchrodtDecember 18, 2019
Been here 5+ times
Carnitas, chicken mole, chips and salsa 👌🏻.
Bruna ImaiJune 12, 2015
The beans here are awesome!
Carlos GutierrezJuly 13, 2019
Been here 100+ times
Margaritas are the best!
Daniel KronovetMarch 12, 2020
Local institution. Great food and nice staff 🙏🏽✨
Lisa WeathersApril 3, 2013
Tacos and enchiladas are grrrreat! Very quaint place w lots of pizzaz
Heather SpohrNovember 26, 2011
The camarones a la diabla are delicious but are also VERY spicy!
David CottrellJanuary 14, 2012
Been here 100+ times
Most want to eat upstairs. Some of us like eating family style with the owners downstairs.
Anneke JongJune 11, 2012
great for birthday parties. order the carnitas.
Ballio ChanAugust 8, 2014
Carnitas enchiladas here are great.
Paul Mason-FirthApril 1, 2017
Been here 25+ times
Steak and shrimp fajitas are the bomb !
Joann DeFilippoAugust 15, 2013
The margaritas were great
Ken CordovaMarch 28, 2013
Chicken enchilades in red sauce rock!
BettyMarch 21, 2013
More room upstairs. Margaritas are good. The salsa is great!
Jeremy MoehlmannJuly 31, 2013
Been here 25+ times
Order two small guacamoles instead of one large. Basically the same amount for a few dollars cheaper.
JamezDecember 23, 2012
Great! Tip os too short
Offbeat L.A.February 5, 2016
Opened in 1968.
Troy DeversJuly 4, 2013
Been here 100+ times
Seriously, I'm a margarita expert, and the margis here are amazing!
lyndsey wilsonSeptember 3, 2011
The carne asada tacos are the best around!
Don ThompsonMarch 12, 2015
Good food but no Kids menu. Combo just didn't work for us.
Juliana MaylahnNovember 18, 2012
The margaritas are great!! :)))
Anand SomasundaramMay 25, 2013
Get the tres leche
Jen RobinsonApril 3, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Whoa there, tiger! A word to the wise: the margaritas are stronger than they taste.
Sylvia DiazJanuary 2, 2012
Hard shell Taco's r yummy
Ryan WJanuary 28, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Carnitas all day, every day.
Matthew PollockJanuary 9, 2010
Order the Carnitas and thank me later. Best in the city. Read more
Jim AubreyJune 5, 2011
Been here 25+ times
They have the best margaritas here!
Scott ReillyApril 28, 2012
Bacon-wrapped shrimp!

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