Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a future threat but a latent reality that accounts for more than 1 million deaths annually, based on recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO). This jeopardizes the effectiveness of healthcare treatments and poses a potential risk to global public health. The spread of AMR is related to factors such as the overuse of antibiotics and its global spread. Given the urgent need for natural antimicrobial alternatives with mechanisms of action different from conventional antibiotics, plant-derived compounds have emerged as promising candidates. Camellia japonica L. is a perennial shrub belonging to the Theaceae family, which has become popular for its garish flowers and the landscaping they provide. The species is native to East Asia and has been traditionally used both in the horticultural industry and for its medicinal properties. Although seed oil is known for its cosmetic and culinary uses as a preservative, the leaves have not been widely studied for their antimicrobial activity. In this work, the natural antibacterial activity of the leaves of C. japonica L., obtained by a simple and economical extraction method such as maceration, has been evaluated against food-borne pathogens in microbiological media. The screened exhibited antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones of 11.87 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 11.73 mm against Salmonella enteritidis compared to 12.53 mm and 18.41 mm for the positive control, lactic acid, respectively. However, against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, the leaves of C. japonica did not show any activity. These results suggest that C. japonica leaves have selective antimicrobial potential, particularly against P. aeruginosa and S. enteritidis. Further research needs to be carried out to identify and explore their potential applications.