50 Best American Restaurants near Ladera Ranch

“Wow! RANCHO CAPISTRANO WINERY is a hidden gem! The ownership is great. Kyle is always found within the crowd getting feedback and listening to his customers. And their World Class Chef Adrian is just outstanding. So many dishes to please everyone. The tastiest appetizers with many award winning main dishes. And some awesome wines. You can’t go wrong here. We’ve been here for breakfast on the weekends, lunches during the week and many many dinners. Just all fantastic. So bring friends and family. Order up and enjoy excellent wines and music. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️“

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

“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.“

“Eat outside, simple non extravagant tables. Inside is posh but becomes crowded/noisy. Dress in layers for outside seating, can be chilly near ocean. Pizzas are simple and tasty. Be sure to try the food parings with tastings. Small plates are always a big hit to taste buds! Congenial staff!“

“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.“

“Lovely sitting next to the open windows on a Sunday morning. Our food was cooked to perfection and very flavorful. Though the cinnamon roll put us over the edge and we couldn’t finish our meals. It was a lot of food which is good when restaurant costs have gone up so much. I got the pork belly Benedict and it was really 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.“

“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!“

“We were in town visiting for Labor Day Weekend and ended up meeting some friends here and it was delightful. Everyone from the hostess to random staff were incredibly hospitable. We left something on the table and someone who didn’t even wait on us chased us down to return it, greatly appreciated. Food was exceptional, drinks were exceptional, and service was equally exceptional, believe our servers name was Jazmine and couldn’t have been a sweeter gal. They had a live band that was very enjoyable and weren’t so loud you couldn’t maintain a conversation, perfect vibe for a SoCal Saturday. Happy with our decision to meet there and would 100% be a regular if we were local. Check it out!“

“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.“

“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.“

“We absolutely love this neighborhood gem. Their specials rock flavors we love, and the chef is always coming up with something tasty. They are very accommodating. They aim to please. Servers Mario and Cruz and are top notch, and make every meal so enjoyable. My favorite (and there are so many here!) pick is almost always their fresh fish special. Last night I had the halibut with the sauce made up of blistered tomatoes, Greek olives, and tomato puree. Sooo delicious. Trying to calm down on the carbs and Mario was happy to offer me veggie alternatives of spinach and asparagus, then made a special effort to make it beautiful. I look forward to returning to that exact dish again! We just love Jack's.“

“The executive chef, Evan, is truly a force to be reckoned with in the culinary world. Every bite we had was delicious. I would highly recommend the filet mignon. The ambiance was comfortable, getting a front row seat to a lovely sunset over the ocean was divine. I will be back as soon as I can. Make dining here a priority.“

“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 ?“

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

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

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

“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.“

“you’re looking for a place that still serves good old-fashioned breakfast, Snooty Fox is the spot! The food is delicious, made with that classic homemade taste, and the portions are just right. The staff is welcoming, friendly, and always carry positive vibes that make the experience even better. Definitely a great place to start your morning!“

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

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

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

“great NY vibe with good food“

“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.“

“We stumbled upon this hidden gem in Laguna on our last day there. Can’t believe we missed it! After visiting Finneys in Santa Barbara, we were expecting a lot, but this place totally exceeded our expectations. It’s right off the beach, with an incredible selection of beers. The service and food were also top-notch. If you’re looking for a great spot to grab a bite or a drink, definitely check them out!“

“This was our first time back to Splashes since the resort had been renovated. The ambiance was fabulous, the service was very attentive and friendly and the food was incredible. The menu is diverse, sophisticated California cuisine, with something for everyone. I would highly recommend Splashes for any occasion!!“

“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!“

“Call to confirm our reservation when we were at the resort was done by a girl who spoke too quickly and mumbled so we couldn't understand the phone number to call back and confirm our reservation. Had to walk to the front desk to confirm our dinner reservation.“

“Love the pastries and bought a cake“

“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 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 💕“

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

“Great wines and knowledgable plus friendly staff!“

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

“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.“

“Always great wine and food here!“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“The atmosphere is a wonderful and relaxing change from the high tech look of too many restaurants today. It's softly lit and comforting. The food is excellent. The branzino was cooked perfectly, the side dish of french lentils was a treat and the apple pie delicious. It's a treasure.“

“I’m giving Eureka a solid four-star review. The quality of the food and the warmth of the hospitality were truly excellent. Everything from the ingredients to the preparation of the dishes was top-notch, and I really have to commend them on that. The only reason I’m taking off one star is because of the air conditioning setup. The vents are arranged in a way that blows air directly onto guests, which can be a bit uncomfortable. I’d kindly ask the management to adjust the airflow so that it’s not blowing right onto people and making them feel uneasy. Overall, though, a fantastic experience with just that one tweak needed.“