25 Best American Restaurants in Dana Point

“Took my cousin and her son to Jack's this evening. We all had never been, and being beach town residents, we gave it a try. Orange Roughy for me with the spinach and mash, Rainbow trout and Ravioli for remaining dishes. All outstanding! One dessert (pictured) which tastes even better than it looks. Waiters were punctual and fantastic. A great dining experience. Recommended 5 stars.“

“Great atmosphere with great service. Loved how an entire team look out for you from the greeting to the end.“

“Consistently Fantastic Brunch Spot Near the Marriott!

Every time we stay at the Marriott Laguna Cliffs in Dana Point, we make a point to walk over to What A Dish for brunch, and it never disappoints. The outdoor seating is charming and relaxed, perfect for soaking in the coastal vibe.

This visit was no exception, the food was absolutely delicious. Everything we ordered was spot-on, flavorful, and came out quickly. You order at the counter, but don’t let that fool you, the service is top-notch. The staff was incredibly attentive, regularly checking in to top off coffee and water, and making sure we had everything we needed.

What really impressed me is how consistently every staff member went out of their way to be helpful and kind. Everyone had a smile, and the whole experience gave off warm, happy vacation energy. You do tip at the time of ordering, which can be a gamble at some places, but here the service went above and beyond. Honestly, one of the best service experiences I’ve had anywhere. This is how it should be handled everywhere.

Can’t recommend this spot enough if you’re in Dana Point. Great food, great vibes, and genuinely lovely people. We’ll be back, again and again!“

“Always enjoy staying at the Waldorf Astoria. Nice escape, great location, attentive staff. Perfect getaway.“

“This is a wonderful relaxing spot to enjoy good food, beer and wine, kick back around a firepit and watch the beach go by! Live music started just last night and going through the fall, TBA. See you on the sand!“

“I like stopping there on bike rides“

“👍 Great food and drinks. A locals favorite. 😍“

“I absolutely love this restaurant. The customer service is above and behind. The street tacos are my favorite. It melts in your mouth so good. We have had many things off their menu. Nothing disappoints. The selection is huge and everything you could order will be the best. Enjoy you will certainly be back.“

“Great sports bar with great food options. I highly recommend the Thai pasta and pizza. Wings are perfect and cocktails are amazing!!!“

“Eggplant Reuben wins!“

“Comprehensive menu in a casual family style restaurant. Indoor booths and tables and outdoor tables. Free parking. Friendly staff. Everything from sandwiches, breakfasts, to full dinners. Not noisy.

Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp for wheelchair access“

“Great food, service and atmosphere.“

“great food large portions very hospitable. made changes to our order perfect for us.“

“Love this place after a paddle around Dana harbor. The Doheny omelet is my go to, and they make great Bloody Mary’s.“

“Food is excellent, pool games are legit. Good times by all“

“I’ve never had a bad meal at the Craft House. Every single thing I’ve ordered was delicious. Kate & Nate are the very best and make dining there so fun!!! I could eat there every day!!!!“

“Best Place in Dana Point best margaritas“

“we visited from the UK & we had an amazing time. the food was great & the live band was brilliant. your staff were very friendly also“

“I'm giving it a 5 for the staff. I briefly looked at it, thinking it was an independent rooftop bar, not realizing it was connected to the hotel.Our drinks were ok, prices were average. If you were staying at the hotel, this would be a great experience. If you were bar hoping or anything of that nature, I would go here if everything else was packed.Again, staff was incredibly nice and we stayed for them ?“

“great food large portions very hospitable. made changes to our order perfect for us.“

“So glad we could have a last dinner there before it closes on 8/10/25 after 50 years! Got in right away. We had our rehersal dinner there before our wedding. My 60th birthday party was there. Celebrated my husband's birthday and our 37th wedding anniversary last night. So sorry to see it go!“

“The food? IMPECCABLE. I went with a large group of friends and we decided to try just about everything, sharing around the table. Yum! Best. Idea. Ever. The Ambiance was just as we had hoped - ideal for us to comfortably hang out and yap a bit. It was a perfectly fun and inviting atmosphere. The service? AMAZING. We had Mikey as our server. He was so fun, so attentive, so friendly. You'd think he was just one of our group. He made us feel welcome and watched over. I can't wait to come back to Salt Creek! And, Yes! We are asking for Mikey! So should you!“

“nice breakfast this morning, always enjoy HH Cafe when we visit.“

“Let’s be honest, you go here to drink not eat. And if you do eat here, it’s only bc you’ve thrown a few back and you’re starting to get the munchies.

They have a large indoor dining room with a bar but every time I’ve been here it’s rather sedate. The outdoor patio is where it’s at. They have a full bar, TV’s, sports, vibes, and all the goods. We did get nachos which are pretty basic but good. To reiterate, just go for the bar and booze.“