Chimayo Grill at Fashion Island: Southwestern Dining in Newport

I will be honest, I wandered into Chimayo Grill because I needed somewhere to sit down after a few hours of walking Fashion Island, and I left a fan. It is the kind of place that does not announce itself loudly but quietly does everything right, good Southwestern food, a relaxed Santa Fe vibe, and a tequila program that will sneak up on you.

Newport Beach has no shortage of restaurants, especially if you miss the big Food and Wine Festival in May and need to scratch that itch some other way. Chimayo Grill is one of the local favorites, and after eating there I get why it keeps people coming back.

The setting on Fashion Island

Chimayo sits right on Fashion Island, the open-air shopping center, which makes it the natural landing spot after a day of browsing the shops. There is something genuinely satisfying about a long afternoon of walking ending at a table with food on the way and your feet finally up.

The location is the whole convenience pitch. You do not have to drive anywhere or plan around it, it is just there when shopping wears you down. If you are making a full day of Fashion Island, a reusable shopping bag and a comfortable pair of comfortable walking shoes will keep you going until dinner, and Chimayo is the reward at the end.

Those tequila infusions

The thing everyone mentions about Chimayo is the tequila infusion, and it deserves the reputation. Fresh fruit marinated in tequila, served light and fruity, the kind of drink that tastes deceptively gentle and then quietly reminds you it is, in fact, full of tequila. Treat it with respect.

It is the perfect way to start a meal here, especially if you have just finished shopping and want to shift gears into vacation mode. If you fall for the style and want to recreate it at home, a cocktail shaker set and a good bartending guide book will get you most of the way to your own fruit-infused tequila experiments. Just maybe not three of them on a Tuesday.

The Santa Fe style and the food

The decor leans Santa Fe, casual but distinctive, warm and a little earthy without trying too hard. It is comfortable rather than fussy, which fits the menu. The Southwestern food is consistently good across the board, and the menu is broad enough that you could come back several times and still have things left to try.

That breadth is part of the appeal, it is not a one-trick place. If you find yourself wanting to cook in this style after the trip, a southwestern cookbook and a decent cast iron skillet will let you chase that flavor at home. But honestly, half the fun is just working through the menu in person over a few visits.

When to go and what to order

Lunch and dinner both work here, and they have slightly different energy. After a shopping-heavy afternoon, a late lunch on the patio is the move, you get to sit, decompress, and ease into the food without the dinner rush. Evenings have more of an occasion feel, which suits it if you are making the meal the main event rather than a pit stop.

As for what to order, start with the tequila infusion, work your way through the Southwestern plates, and do not over-plan it, the menu is broad enough that grazing across a couple of visits is the smarter strategy than trying to pick one perfect dish. If you tend to eat here on a busy weekend, a reservation saves you standing around, and a travel umbrella is handy since the patio seating means you are partly at the mercy of the weather.

Good for families too

One thing that surprised me, Chimayo works as a family spot. The setting is nice without being precious, so you can bring the kids without feeling like you are imposing on a romantic crowd. It pulls off the trick of being date-night appropriate and family-friendly depending on who you walk in with.

That flexibility makes it an easy default when your group has mixed needs. A night out as a couple, a relaxed family dinner, or just a solo refuel after shopping, Chimayo handles all three. Keeping the kids occupied is easy with a travel activity book tucked in your bag while you wait for food.

Worth the stop

Chimayo Grill adds a bit of spice to Fashion Island, and by extension to Newport Beach itself. It is not the flashiest restaurant in town and it does not need to be. It is reliable, it is well located, the food is genuinely good, and the tequila infusions give it a signature that sticks in your memory.

If you are spending time at Fashion Island, or just looking for a solid Southwestern meal in Newport Beach, put Chimayo on the list. Go hungry, start with the tequila, and give yourself enough time to actually relax. After a long day on your feet, it is exactly the kind of place you want waiting at the end.