As you pull your car into the gravel parking area behind the café, the sound of laughter and the smell of freshly baked bread will lure you inside. Most likely, the laughter is that of Carmelita, the owner and chef of the family-run restaurant which bears her name. As you follow the sound inside, you’ll pass by a lady artfully pressing and grilling fresh tortillas right in front of you. The smell of the masa cooking is intoxicating and will make your stomach growl. Carmelita will then greet you, likely with a hug and kiss on the cheek, and take you a table in their open-air dining space under a pergola cover draped with plants. Her passion for the food she is making is contagious and you’ll soon find yourself ordering one of everything, if Carmelita doesn’t beat you to it. For 12 years, Carmelita owned and ran and food stand at the airport, until (we imagine) the demand grew so high and her reputation spread so far that a brick and mortar establishment was in order. Carmelita’s Café is a place of family. It is owned by family and once you experience it, you are family too. For every ounce of queso fresco and herbs on top of a dish, 10 pounds of love has also gone into it. The sweet dulce breads, breakfast empandas, enchiladas, quesadillas… are simply amazing. Chef’s from all over, including Michael Symon and Marcus Samuelsson, have come to enjoy her famous dishes. The cuisine at Carmelita’s is authentic, the flavors are exciting and unique, and every bite is more delicious than the last. We guarantee you will fall in love with this place and the people, and Carmelita will be the reason you book your next trip to Zihuatanejo.
