50 Best American Restaurants near Ladera Ranch

“Always a great experience here. Staff is so polite and friendly. Food is amazing and portions always require a to go bag. Highly recommend“

“Phenomenal experience every time! If you are not a member of the Rancho Capistrano wine club you are missing out!!!!“

“A treasure trove of an establishment, the staff's commitment to excellence is evident and the bartenders are warm and welcoming. The cultural essence is a highlight, I hope they continue to host more Latin-inspired evenings, the energy is electric and the crowd is fantastic.“

“So much fun! Came here for my birthday and they did everything right- food, ambiance, staff, etc“

“We were visiting friends in San Clemente and had dinner at Vine Restaurant & Bar. The service was outstanding and the food was delish. Great experience“

“We had. not been here in years and our recent visit did not disappoint. Our server Cole was excellent. The food was superb. Highly recommended.“

“Had dinner reservations for 4 with my sister who was here from out of town. Seated very promptly , our waiter Jason and Manager were outstanding, very attentive yet not hovering. The food was delicious, the meatloaf was outstanding a combination of three different meats, so flavorful, and tender. My sister's chicken piccata and the shared appetizers amongst us were over the top good“

“Ok, so first up it was a bit pricey. But holy cow the burgers were all amazing, the place was clean, staff was wonderful. If you want ridiculously tasty burgers and don't mind paying for it... I'll give this place 5/5 stars for sure.“

“I love this place! I am on an anti-inflammatory diet and this is one of the few places I can eat. Double bonus - they serve grass fed beef, which is the only beef I can have. Their burgers are one of the best I have ever had. My personal favorite is the California Burger. It is amazing!

Dietary restrictions: They have grass fed beef, which is perfect for anti-inflammatory diet.“

“I chose this restaurant due to its proximity to downtown, situated just off the main street. The ambiance, both indoors and outdoors, was exceptionally warm and welcoming. The patio featured outdoor heaters for comfort during meals, complemented by live entertainment that enhanced the experience without being overwhelming. Inside, we were seated in high-backed chairs by the window, allowing us to observe the trains arriving and departing. The service was outstanding, with the staff promptly attending to our needs. The food was exquisite, with generous portions that were satisfying without leading to waste. They offered wine samples to help us select the perfect pairing for our meal. We decided to order the Mac-n-cheese to take with us for a late-night snack after the concert, which proved to be an excellent choice to share. The overall atmosphere was friendly and courteous. I would highly recommend this establishment and eagerly anticipate my next visit.

Parking: Multiple spaces to park, easy to find and pay for parking. Approximately $2 for each hour. Ticket was clear on how long you could park and even provided the time you had until.“

“My new favorite Happy Hour place in Laguna Beach.Great deal! Excellent price for good quality wines plus discounted food menu. Pizza of the day is half off during HH. Artisan wood fired pizzas are fabulous. Extensive wine list you won’t find in any other pizza place. Great place for larger parties.“

“Had a wonderful evening out with my wife at Ironwood Cellars in Laguna Hills. We had reservations for 5:30 p.m. and arrived early. We were greeted by Joe, the manager on duty, who was very kind, professional, and welcoming. Art was our server and is amazingly gifted in customer service professionalism and overall people skills. Yes, showing the love. We started with tequilla drinks from the bar, and we each had a wedge salad. Joe sent us over a wonderful Agnolotti appetizer as well, which was more than kind. The ambiance was positive and upbeat, perfect for the evening. Sergio was also quite attentive in making sure our table was serviced properly. We ordered our entrees with my wife having the halibut dinner, and I had the famous giant meatball dish. Both meals were hot & tasty and presented well. We had a terrific time, and Art surprised us with a complimentary dessert 🍨 with berries. The restaurant is so nice and offers an outdoor patio and bar seating as well. The wine list is extensive, as are the craft beers. Highly recommended.“

“It was my first time here, and the food is delicious. Love the simple & quaint decor. Definitely will be back!“

“Súper recomendado muy sabroso 😋 y muy amables todos 💕🙏“

“good service food it's so delicious 😋 atmosphere everything is incredible“

“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 location in San Clemente for delicious food and great service. I recommend the brussel sprouts! Yum.

Parking: There is a free parking lot just around the corner that had plenty of spots, but I imagine on weekends it's probably harder to find parking.“

“If you want a unique dining experience this is the place to go. The wait staff and servers they were all on point very attentive I never had to look around to look for anyone if I raised my head somebody was right at my table to find out what I needed or how they could serve me. Awesome awesome experience wonderful food. I will be back!“

“great NY vibe with good food“

“The Chili Fries, and the Stand Burger is the Best.“

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

“I highly recommend this fine dining establishment. The service and food was impeccable. Maren and all of the bus boys did a spectacular job, including the bartender assistant. Maren, our waitress, made our anniversary celebration very special.“

“A true gem of a restaurant, offering delicious food and a delightful atmosphere perfect for a date night. The culinary experience is matched by the ambiance, making it an ideal spot for a romantic evening.“

“Food wasn’t bad, the A5 Wagyu burger was underwhelming, however blue cheese burger and wings and Truffle fries were good
Be careful you automatically get charged 3$ if you just touch the iPad
Though it is written on it however we didn’t know that just by trying a silly tik tak tok game just twice for fun we were charged 3$ on the bill!!!
It didn’t feel right at all!!“

“My fiancé and I eat here all the time. There is a lot of variety, and the dishes are flavorful! I really love their chicken club sandwich and cheeseburger, but you really can’t go wrong with anything you choose. Staff is super friendly and helpful as well - shoutout to Lali and Nathan for providing amazing service!“

“Easter Brunch 2023 was outstanding! So many options for a Starter, Entree and Dessert. Frankly, when our beautiful server came over to see what I wanted, I wanted ALL the starters as I have enjoyed them for years! The Filet Mignon eggs Benedict was perfect. The bottomless, large mimosas were so fun with choices of orange juice, pineapple or watermelon; I tried them all😊 We all passed around our desserts. The Crème Brûlée and Flowerless Chocolate Cake were standouts for sure“

“My wife and I love this place! The food is great and the service is good too. I would have given the service 5 stars, but they get so busy on the weekends that sometimes you wait a while. The servers themselves are very cool and accommodating though.“

“Rafael the bartender was very gracious to surprise is with this delicious dessert for our anniversary. He made us a delicious liquor, coffe drink called Callejito yummy. The appetizers were tasty. We had the octopus in lentil curry sauce and the grilled artichoke. Very tasty. We will be back in 2 week.“

“My wife found this little gem whereas we stopped in on a beautiful Saturday morning for brunch. Ramos Cafe did not disappoint. Brunch was delicious and the atmosphere quaint.“

“Lovely experience Charming All around and great food 💕“

“The Lumberyard located in beautiful downtown Laguna Beach is a great place to have lunch or dinner. There is a new $16 lunch menu and I decided to try the fish tacos. There was a choice between salmon or halibut for the tacos which included shredded cabbage with a pink cream sauce and a side of black bean and corn salad. I chose the halibut for my taco and it was cooked perfectly. It was a generous portion of fish in each of the tacos so it could easily be split with a friend. The service was excellent. Our orders were taken within about five minutes of sitting down and the food came out quickly after we ordered. I would recommend the Lumberyard if you are visiting Laguna Beach. You will need to have reservations during the Art Festivals or when there is a play at the Playhouse.“

“Food is usually superb as is the atmosphere. Service quality depends on the staff… possibly understaffed when we were there, but overall it’s a go-to place for brunch or a nice local time out. We often hit up the outdoor scene for live music, drinks, and the best ambience in town.“

“Great wines and knowledgable plus friendly staff!“

“The hamburger, shrimp and chicken sandwich were very good. The summer salad was very disappointing. It was just lettuce with barely any fruit or any of the other things indicated on the menu. I would not order it again. The bread was too soft and uninteresting. The service was great.“

“It was our first choice for our anniversary dinner! Good decision!!“

“Always great wine and food here!“

“It was fantastic! Amazing craft cocktails I've never had anything like before. Food was also fantastic. Local fish, local produce, how can you go wrong. Get the Tessie for a drink, amazing cocktail ?“

“Fresh, tasty, great combination of flavors and options on both salads and sammies. The natural sodas are a nice touch. Gotta try a cookie!💛 Staff has been consistently courteous and responsive. I’ve been three times. I CRAVE their salads.“

“When you taste them, you'll know he qualities they possess that you can't resist“

“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!“

“Wow! Super yum to say the least. It’s always great when the new local restaurant hits it out of the park! My wife & I started with the bacon & meatballs appetizer. She then had the fried green tomatoes & French onion soup while I had the ribeye. Delicious!“

“Love the pastries and bought a cake“

“I mostly always build my own omelette and its always amazing. Great fast service with a smile😎“

“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!“

“Our Server, Brian was outstanding! My friend is allergic to garlic and onions and he went out of his way to check with the Chef only to learn that onions had been fried earlier that day in the same fryer/ oil as my friends French Fries and would have been contaminated. He took our concerns to heart and made sure the food was prepared safely. Bravo Brian!“

“Iris, the owner and the main man in the kitchen are nothing short of awesome. Happy hour rules, food is great, and the best service. Love this place and I encourage everyone to come try at least twice.

By far the best place in MV for beers and a game. Kids will have fun too!“

“….Eureka!

That’s what I wanted to say when I discovered the place..Eureka! …From the outside, you’d never guess this place existed. But once I stepped through the front door, I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was captivating, and, believe it or not, they backed it up with great food.

Our server, Carissa, was perfect through our Labor Day lunch!, so I tipped her generously—she earned it.

I kicked off the feast with a Mexican beer called Explorado Lager. I lost count of how many I had, but it was something special—fruity, as my date noted, and I have to agree. It was different, in the best way!

We shared a plate of slow-roasted pork nachos and a plate of wings, they were definitely worth it.
I wrapped things up with the Napa chicken sandwich, which was spot on—the sauce was a perfect hit. Honestly, it felt like I was dining in a four-star restaurant. These folks really know their sauces.

Background Story

Will Adler and Jack Montero, childhood friends turned entrepreneurial duo, founded Eureka! in Napa Valley, driven by their shared love for California’s landscapes and culinary traditions. Will, an architect, and Jack, a chef with Michelin-star experience, combined their talents to create a restaurant that embodies the spirit of discovery. Eureka! features farm-to-table cuisine with modern twists, designed with a blend of rustic charm and contemporary elegance—a true celebration of California’s heritage in both food and design.

Eureka’s innovations lie in their seamless fusion of farm-to-table cuisine with modern culinary techniques, creating dishes that surprise and delight. Signature offerings like the “Gold Rush Burger” and the “Sequoia Salad” elevate classic flavors with local, seasonal ingredients. Their philosophy centers on discovery and creativity, celebrating California’s rich heritage while pushing culinary boundaries. Eureka! isn’t just about food; it’s about crafting an experience where every detail, from the architecture to the wine list, tells a story of innovation and a deep respect for the land.“

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

“We eat at Polly’s Yorba Linda quote often and are always happy with our food and the great service! However, recently we have been very disappointed that Polly’s has discontinued two menu items that we always enjoy! We love your dinner salads and always try to include one with our meals! But, recently you have stopped offering ITALIAN DRESSING, and that was a horrible decision, as far as we are concerned! Couldn’t you at least have some little single serve packets of it available, when someone requests it? The second choice that we are missing is ENGLISH MUFFINS, which used to be offered with the breakfast menu as a bread choice! These were bad decisions, as far as we are concerned, and has made us choose another restaurant on a few occasions, now! Especially, for the Italian dressing!“

“I like stopping there on bike rides“