Nicolas Cocina de Herencia

Name: Nicolas Cocina de Herencia
Address: ocean avenue & Mission St suite 111, Carmel, CA, United States, 93921
Telephone: (831) 574-8802
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

118 Reviews

$31 to $50

Mexican

Top Tags:

Reservations are not needed but are recommended, Walk ins are Welcome.

The newest creation from the owners of the beloved Villa Azteca in Downtown Salinas (Salinas City Center), the eatery honoring the Alvarez family patriarch will open Summer 2023 in Carmel Plaza. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will have indoor dining, bar seating and a small outdoor space, serving specialty Michoacán dishes as well as other Mexican favorites, incorporating three generations of family recipes.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Apr 26, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Mexican
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(831) 574-8802
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Andres Becerra & Susana Alvarez

Location
ocean avenue & Mission St suite 111, Carmel, CA 93921
Neighborhood
Carmel
Parking details
Private Lot
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Wine

What 118 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Innovative
California Central Coast
Hot spot
Monterey / Carmel
Innovative
Monterey / Carmel
Hot spot
Monterey / Carmel
Lively

118 Reviews

JM
JamesM
San Francisco
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great authentic traditional food. Meals were prepared with fresh ingredients. A new favorite Carmel restaurant.
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DF
DavidF
San Francisco
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The ambiance of the place is nice. The wait staff is pleasant and accommodating. The menu is interesting but the execution is poor. The task buds of the chef have been dulled as everything was over-salted. The mussel in a broth with hominy is original however the mussels were not good. They had been sitting way too long. I hope the owner can work out the food prep and execution of this interesting menu.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our waiter, Sergio, was fantastic. All of his recommendations were delicious. The mixologist, Alvaro, made great drinks. The Abuelita’s Martini was the best!
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GR
GregR
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant is a nice addition to Carmel-by-the-Sea. The ambiance was great and food was absolutely delicious. We had the pleasure of being served by Sergio and he was amazing. He checked on us along the way to make sure our dining experience was on point. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food with great flavors and service; this place is it!
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K
Karen
Central Coast
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious! And the service outstanding. Such a nice addition to Carmel.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on April 15, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The restaurant was clean, nicely decorated and seemed well organised - everything had a high end feel (which was slightly let down by a hand written out of order bathroom sign). Staff were all polite - it did take a while for our food to come, but we weren’t in a rush. The food itself was fine, nothing overly special or exciting. Overall, the price was just too high for me - probably should have done better research before coming. If I lived in the area and had deeper pockets I’d probably come back from time to time…. In summary - if you’re not too price conscious give it a go.
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w
williamt
Central Coast
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on April 14, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Service was horrible, the food was ok. We tried, we didn't like it, we don't return
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MH
MichelleH
Central Coast
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This has been my third time in, and by far the best experience yet! The owner Leo came over and introduced himself and we enjoyed a nice conversation. We tried three appetizers, our favorite being the elote which was actually more of a warm corn dip with chips, it was absolutely delicious. We tried the enchiladas, the fish, and the molcajete and everything was wonderful. Only wish was for larger serving of rice and beans because they are so tasty! Can't wait to go back.
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B
laleB
Central Coast
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 13, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I like this place. It didn’t exactly exceed my expectations, but I will give it a second try for sure.
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TS
TonyS
Central Coast
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is our second visit and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner both times. As a fellow restaurateur, I was privileged to meet the owner who came to our table to introduce himself and check on us. They are now open for lunch as well!
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AT
ATLAliB
Atlanta Metro
27 reviews
vip
3.0
27 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
We had a group of 6 and had 3 of the same main entrees/dishes come to the table barely warm (outside of dish was barely warm too). We sent it back, and they took 15min to make the 3 again. They arrived hot to us, but after the other 3 guests in our group were already finished eating. No one came back by our table again for more water or to ask if we needed anything including drinks which we were out of. Nothing was compensated from the meal when the bill came either. Food was pretty good just very disappointing service.
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P
Patty
Los Angeles
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious, cocktails were perfect and the staff was extremely friendly!
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SC
SamCarmel
Central Coast
9 reviews
vip
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on April 3, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lively, friendly atmosphere. Competent wait staff. Food was disappointing! I've ordered the same shrimp enchiladas that I've enjoyed and this third time this dish was super spicy and salty. Two of us ordered it and felt the same way. I still will come back and give it another try. I also wish they'd add some basics, such as cheese Chile relleno, that they carry at their Salinas branch. Not every dish has to be "upscale" Mexican. PS. The Mexican Chardonnay is terrific--do try it.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Sacramento
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on March 31, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Staff was friendly and restaurant was beautiful. Food was not good for the price you pay. The cocktail I got was the best thing we tried.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and ambiance. Went here for my birthday and will definitely be back!
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D
Dave
San Francisco
59 reviews
vip
4.0
59 reviews
Dined on March 29, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The drinks and food are good but the service continues to be very inconsistent.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 28, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
First time visiting, ambiance and decor were great. Not too loud not too quiet. You could hear some music but I think it came from the kitchen. Our appetizers were great. Got the birria taquitos and bone marrow esquites. One of them came with two sopes which unfortunately the masa was a little raw. But besides that all tasted great. For entree we had the aguachile and the lamb chile relleno. Both tasted good. Aguachile was not very spicy at all. But it’s perfect for those that don’t eat spicy. It is a little pricey. But it was good for nice date night out.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent all the way! Great Food and drinks. Absolutely beautiful inside and everything from beginning to end was fantastic!
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M
Mawr
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved everything about it! It’s pricey but of worthy value for the quality of the food. Unique flavors that are delicious and beautifully presented. The service was great and the aesthetic/ambiance transports you to another dreamy place. Can’t wait to return!
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M
Michelle
Tahoe
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nicolas Concina is fastly joining its sister restaurant Villa Azteca in becoming a favorite given delish dishes -- from apps to dessert along with yummy drinks - as well as attentive but not obtrusive service and beautiful space and ambiance.
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M
Margaret
San Francisco
44 reviews
5.0
44 reviews
Dined on March 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful environment, wonderful service and inventive food. We had a great time with our friends. We ordered the street corn and the taquitos to share which were both delicious and then individual entrees. I got the crab rellenos and loved every bite. We will definitely be back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The shrimp enchiladas and Lamb Chili Rellano were fantastic. Ambiance is great. Service was top notch. Multiple people check on us multiple times. It does get kinda loud but that’s what happens when people are having a great time in a fantastic establishment.
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MF
MattF
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Simply the best authentic Mexican food I've ever eaten. Time after time. The cocktails are amazing and the staff is always friendly and courteous. Can't wait to go again
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KG
KatherineG
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
This is a show place of ambiance and unusual food. All very good and the owners are on the job over seeing all that goes on. A wonderful experience.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Joaquin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food. Amazing Ambience. Fantastic service. A must go for a special night in Carmel. Can’t wait to come back.
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BK
BenK
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of the finest restaurants in Carmel. This is a great new restaurant with great food, a wonderful ambience and attentive staff.
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SK
SKEIN1
Central Coast
44 reviews
5.0
44 reviews
Dined on March 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was such a nice atmosphere, really first class, we had a couple starters, Guacamole with corn, and the fried cheese dish with home made corn tortillas which were amazing, we ended up splitting the crab Chile relleno, was excellent, really enjoyed it all.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A 10/10 experience! I cannot recommend Nicolas enough. If you even remotely like Mexican food then you need to try so many things. We had their birria taco appetizer, chicken enchilada entree, and their flan for dessert. Best meal I’ve ever had at a restaurant… like ever.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful inventive REAL Mexican food. I felt like I was in Polanco, Mexico City. Beautifully decorated, exceptional service
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c
carolynb
Houston
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on March 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food! Service excellent. Owner was lovely and appreciated attention and story of menu preparation.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 2, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
The service was slow. Took forever to get water with our meal. The noise level made it difficult to have a conversation. Most of our plates were great. However, one was absolutely awful. No flavor at all. Tasted like we put plain corn meal in our mouths. I’m hoping it was a rare issue.
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g
golfer7
Greater Boston
600 reviews
vip
3.0
600 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
This place is beautiful with a great menu and drinks list. But the food needs to be stepped up. Specifically: the guacamole has WAY too much lime and cilantro (you can’t taste any other flavors), they don’t serve enough chips with the guacamole, my wife’s halibut was beautifully cooked but swimming in sauce that ruined the fish, and my chicken enchiladas were tasty but not hot. They still have to work out the kinks, but the bones of a great restaurant are there. We’ve been twice now and it was uneven both times.
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LS
LorettaS
Central Coast
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sergio was our waiter. He is fabulous and we will ask for him again and again. He has a lovely, appropriate sense of humor and goes way above and beyond in accommodating his customers. I have an aversion to chicken and all chicken products--he was super diligent in working with the kitchen to make sure no chicken stock reached my lips. So much so, that owner, Susana, made the sauce that accompanied my chiles rellenos which were divine. I am passing through a period of sobriety and thankfully, NCdH has a lovely list of mocktails, the ginger, basil, green apple not sweet and delicious. The seating is comfortable with cushioned chairs and well-spaced tables which is rare these days. The decor is lovely--Restoration Hardware makes this space look and feel elegant and welcoming. We enjoyed our evening so much that I have decided to return for my 70th birthday dinner. I think it's that special. If you read reviews that comment on the pace being a bit slow, that's true; however, they are new and quickly figuring out inventory and pacing. I don't imagine this to not take too long and when they settle into the well-managed spot that they are heading for, reservations will be quite valued in Carmel.
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RA
RickA
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Can't wait to go back to try more of the menu. Bone marrow, taquitos, halibut, and crab chile relleno all outstanding.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great food expensive but very good Nice service and ambience
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RB
RayB
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful and delicious with surprisingly original menu choices as well as old favorites done with a fresh twist. Don’t love the painting of the grand dad in such a huge prominent location as it sets a rather serious vibe, almost as though he’s watching us. He’d be better in an important corner so we could still see him but put something more joyous/celebratory in the center of the room. The room is so pretty with the plentitude of gorgeous chandeliers . Loved the evening!
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C
Catalystgirlkl
Sacramento
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was amazing. I brought a friend who loved everything and couldn't wait to bring her friends back to try it. The tortillas and queso appetizer was incredible. The best tortillas EVER. For dinner, we both had Shrimp Enchiladas, rice, and beans. They were amazing as well. All of the servers and the hostess were attentive and very kind. I love this place. I will be back often.
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J
Jana
Central Coast
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This place is so nice! The ambience is amazing, very elegant without being too bougie. Very polite and helpful staff — shout out to Paula, our server. The food and drinks are so tasty, an explosion of flavors in your mouth with impeccable presentation. I’ll definitely be back with my friends and family again and again.
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A
Alex
San Francisco
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Not your regular Mexican restaurant. Creative and sophisticated that comes at a price. Good cocktails and very friendly service. We will return
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C
Chickfitllc
San Francisco
34 reviews
vip
4.0
34 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Margaritas were good and we loved the house made chips and salsa trio. At least 5 employees served us or brought us water, cleared plates etc. The enchiladas had good flavor and service was excellent. The only thing to complain about is the food came out so quickly we felt a bit rushed. Will try it again soon.
1 person found this helpful

FAQs

Nicolas Cocina de Herencia is rated 4.6 stars by 118 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Apr 26, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Google Map for Nicolas Cocina de Herencia

ocean avenue & Mission St suite 111, Carmel, CA 93921

Additional information

Neighborhood
Carmel
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Mexican
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Private Lot
Executive chef
Andres Becerra & Susana Alvarez
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Wine

Phone number
(831) 574-8802

Nicolas Cocina de Herencia

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 118 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Nicolas Cocina de Herencia restaurant rated?

Is Nicolas Cocina de Herencia currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information