RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Finding the perfect seafood enchilada is a culinary quest, but I think I just found the Holy Grail at Raya. 🌊✨ Located inside the stunning Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Chef Richard Sandoval’s team is doing something truly magical with coastal Mexican cuisine. If you know me, you know I’m a critic when it comes to this dish—it’s so rare to find a chef who balances the delicate nature of seafood with the bold heart of a classic enchilada. But this? This is on another level. The Details: • The Filling: A decadent trio of fresh-poached crab meat, lobster, and tiger shrimp. No fillers here—just pure, buttery coastal gems. • The Sauce: A rich, vibrant red sauce that tastes like it’s been infused with secret magic. It’s perfectly seasoned, elevating the sweetness of the shellfish without overpowering it. • The Vibe: Pair that unforgettable taste with the panoramic Pacific views of Dana Point, and you have a core memory on a plate. It is officially one of my favorite Mexican dishes of all time. If you’re a seafood lover, put this on your bucket list immediately. Your taste buds will thank you. 🥂🌮 📍 Raya at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel #RitzCarlton #RayaDanaPoint #SeafoodEnchiladas #DanaPointEats #FineDining

RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel — they did it again! 🌊 I repeat: It’s usually very tough for me to find good food with all my dietary restrictions, but everything you see here was custom made just for me — using fresh, local produce. 💚🌱 It's not on their menu. Add amazing ocean side views, if you are in Orange County, do stop by for an amazing experience. The service? Impeccable. The View? WOW! The food? Thoughtful, flavorful, and plated to perfection. The boys? Way easier on the chef 😄 Truly grateful for a place that gets it right. Again. Thanks to my hubby for picking the right place for a family vacation and birthday celebrations... ❤

This is my second visit to this wonderful restaurant with its magnificent view—you won't find a better view in this city! I enjoyed all the food, and the service was also good; the only minor issue was that the broccoli was bitter and quite unpleasant. The chicken, however, was delicious—I highly recommend ordering it—and the mushrooms were tasty as well. The birthday cake I received as a complimentary treat was also delicious; incidentally, it’s not on the regular menu, so if you’re visiting on your birthday, come on in—you’re in for a little surprise! Overall, the setting is superb. We happened to visit while a business conference was taking place at the hotel, so there were a lot of people and it was a bit noisy, but all in all, the atmosphere was very impressive! Highly recommended!

Five-star ambiance with genuinely warm, neighborhood-friendly service — and some of the best ocean views around. From valet to table service, everything felt seamless and welcoming. Taylor was friendly, courteous, and made our lunch even better. A truly comfortable and enjoyable dining experience — highly recommend!

I celebrated my birthday last month at Raya. I chose the Ritz because it’s such a beautiful spot and was hoping to catch the sunset at 180blu, but we didn’t make it early enough this time. A couple of years ago, Raya had a wonderful vegan menu, but currently there’s just one plant-based entrée available, and it did not disappoint. The Black Beluga Lentils with roasted heirloom carrots, orange carrot purée, grilled scallions, and ancho chili red wine sauce were flavorful and perfectly balanced. To the guests next to me who ordered the half chicken, it looked “too healthy,” but honestly, it was delicious and I enjoyed every bite. I also tried the Fresh Press mocktail made with blackberry, basil, lemon lime soda, and sparkling water. It was refreshing and not overly sweet. For dessert, they offered three kinds of sorbet, and the coconut was incredible. 🥥 It was a Friday night and not too busy, though everyone at our table noticed that our waitress wasn’t very attentive. Next time, I’ll probably stop by the outdoor bar just to enjoy the ocean view and sunset. 🌅