50 Best American Restaurants near Ladera Ranch

“I'm impressed with the many selections of entrees on their menu and the drink options as well. I ordered the veggie egg scramble (with egg whites) which came with potatoes and a yummy homemade biscuit. The house margarita was very good too but was a little small for me and on the saltier side. I love that the portions are generous and that when I asked for pico de gallo they returned with a big portion of that as well. My friend ordered the chicken and waffles entree, and although I am unable to enjoy dishes like hers I looked over and drooled a little. Lol Best part is our server was amazing!! John was so accommodating and always checked on us. His drink service was top tier.“

“First, we definitely had a great night at Rancho Capistrano Winery. The staff was incredibly kind, but service was a bit slow on Friday night. We received our first round of drinks quickly but our empty glasses sat for about 15-20 minutes before our waiter came by to ask about refills. We probably would have gone for a third round but I barely had time to finish my second drink due to the delay. Not a big deal at all though, they were clearly busy. It is very noisy inside and every voice echos from all the hard surfaces. It is themed fantastically though. Unfortunately the outside noise level isn't much better and while the fresh air is nice, there was very little ambiance and it didn't feel like the restaurant theme and decor made it to the patio. We were sat next to a very loud table and found ourselves almost having to yell to each other to hold a conversation due to the echo. The dinner was great and the dessert was even better. My pizza was very greasy and floppy but the crust was fantastic. Quality was there for sure. Not a bad restaurant at all and the staff is very friendly but I don't see us returning.“

“This place is a gem for breakfast. It has everything you need. Great service, coffee always refilled. Excellent food and specials. Adults 55 and over have access to value seniors meals. They also have great specials. I went twice last week.“

“Been coming here for years and am always so glad to be served by Amanda. She is always happy to see me and makes me feel welcome from the second I walk in to the second I leave. Our order is always correct and she makes sure it comes out in a timely manner. Amanda is what keeps us coming back to the Ranch and what has made my family loyal to this establishment for life.“

“Nick's is a wonderful place in the heart of Laguna Beach, right across from the beach. You'll need a reservation.Ambiance is crowded and noisy. Hey, it's a popular joint. Booths give you some room.Service is courteous and knowledgeable. Highly rated.The food is very good, and the menu covers a lot of ground. Shrimp taquitos are the start of starters, but Bacon deviled eggs and asparagus fries are great too.The Bistro Plate is a fun sampler type of entree. San Francisco Cioppino is top notch. For a sandwich, give the Prime Rib Dip a go (while it's available each day).Dessert: Warm Butter Cake! A must.House cocktails are tasty. Wine menu isn't very deep or broad, but adequate for what you might want.“

“Very quick service. Sandy was super helpful since I’ve never been here to this location and only had their food one other time. The salmon was a bit bland but cooked well (I must have got a different one last time I came) the mashed potatoes and asparagus were delicious“

“I rarely write reviews, but my experience here was so phenomenal that I feel it is necessary. Two friends and I went for a leisurely family style dinner and everything we ordered, from the drinks to the appetizers to the entrees, exceeded our expectations. Beyond that, everything came out impossibly fast, our server was stellar, and they gave us a complimentary dessert. I can't wait to go back.“

“Great food, nice atmosphere with music. Not cheap, though. An appetizer, salad, (shared), two drinks, two meals - not steak- bill was &220.00 before tip. I think they added $10 for the music. I am not complaining, I knew going in it would be a bit pricey. Just letting others know what to expect.“

“My family decided to eat lunch here. We had ceviche, chowder for appetizers and scallops, fish and chips, and sea bass for the main entrees. All tasty and came with great portions. All seafoods and salads are extremely fresh and refreshing with lemon flavored sauces. Servers are very kind. One downside is that fried sea bass was very dry and not tender at all. Halibut was juicy and tender but dried Sea Bass?“

“After a long day at a conference at The Ritz, ten of us took an uber to this gem of a restaurant. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. The smell of wood-fired pizza immediately set my mind on pizza and wine. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. Everyone in our party raved about the food they ordered. Our server was delightful, fun, and knowledgable and she managed our party perfectly. I look forward to returning.“

“Smoked salmon appetizer was incredibly good....But they stopped serving it. I really wish it would come back, it was easily the best thing on the menu in my opinion.EDIT: October 2021, the smoked salmon appetizer is back!!EDIT 2: February 2022, alas the smoked salmon appetizer is gone again. That didn’t stick around very long.EDIT 3: July 2022 - It’s back again!The server mentioned that the smoked salmon appetizer is kind of a seasonal thing. Apparently it requires a lot of prep work. ?‍♂️EDIT 4: April 2024 - Smoked Salmon has been gone for a while now. It was easily the best appetizer item they had and it’s disappointing they can’t offer this anymore.“

“Sound stupid to go to a fine dining restaurant to get a burger. But the fig burger is an experience. Everything, I have ever got here is great but the burger is special. I wish I could remember his name but the Czech waiter is the man. If you Don't know what to order have him order for you. One of my top 10 places in so cal“

“Bloom is the #1 spot for brunch! I love the location, the food, and the ambiance! The people who work there are also exception, especially our server, Makenzie! She was friendly and informative about the dishes. I highly recommend the waffles! Will definitely visit again “

“Nick's has excellent service, friendly enthusiastic staff, delicious quality food, and reasonable prices for fairly large serving sizes. Very clean sleek modern design with a lively crowd of customers which at times can make it difficult to hear dinner conversations.“

“If you're looking for the perfect place for a special occasion with great food, drinks, atmosphere and excellent service the staff and our waiter were great. It sits on the cliff over the ocean the view is amazing. I can't wait to go there again“

“A definite must try! Great food and easy to work with as they catered my wedding. Food was fresh and tasty. Great feedback from all my family and friends. Will for sure be going back to eat at the restaurant. Owners are very accommodating and will work with you to make your ideal menu for catering.“

“We love Ironwood and frequent it regularly. One of the draws is Coty. An energetic, sweet, fun and always smiling manager. We will give the new guy a chance .... But I just can't see him being a positive addition. We tried to engage him last night ..but he just lacks the personality for a restaurant with so many young and energetic employees. Time will tell.“

“Decided to try RJ's for breakfast when visiting friends in Dana Point. We had to wait about 20 minutes because it was packed with people. The service was very good and all employees helped each other since it was so busy. The breakfast menu was huge and everything was made from scratch. Definitely worth the wait! Would highly recommend RJ's to all my friends and family.“

“The atmosphere here is amazing! Hearing and seeing the train pass by is a fun experience and the ambiance with live music makes it even better! Staff is friendly ,Delicious food ( Ahi nachos, Salmon, Mac and cheese , skillet cookie - we will have all these again ) Price is reasonable for great food, good vibes and a great experience. It’s a delightful treat for out of town guests.We will definitely be back .Parking: On a weeknight, Parking was somewhat challenging. We arrived for dinner around 5:30 , circled around but found and used outdoor paid parking ($8) . When we left, around 8:00 pm, i saw cars circling looking for open spots. Keep looking, it’s WORTH it!“

“For many years was my favorite place in town. I would give it five stars, but they no longer have the blue cheese, bacon burger that I so desire. The art there is amazing and affordable. It's a real kick ass place to relax. The people that worked there are very nice. And if you can find Captain Frank you will have a loyal friend for the rest of your life.“

“Today was a good day because it's the weekend, skies are blue and I got to go to The Hat for lunch! So many items on the menu but I always get the Pastrami Dip. I've tried other places but it's just not the same. My kids always get the chili cheese fries. Again, something you can get anywhere but The Hat does them the best! Went through drive-thru, fast service, no complaints at all.“

“Happened upon this place by chance while looking for vegetarian/vegan options and all I can say is that it did not disappoint at all!!! The food was so good! Every single dish that my husband and I tried ( he’s not vegetarian/vegan) was incredible, we had the dips with bread and veggies and I had the fried eggplant and the falafel while hubby had the beef kebabs and we ended with coffee and sticky toffee pudding (yum) we now have a new place to go for future lunches and dinners. It was THAT GOOD! Service was great, our waiter was Knowledgeable and attentive.. we really enjoyed it ( can’t you tell ha) and will be returning soon!“

“Great all -american fare,we are on the patio which is clean and relaxing our waitress Janel.was a doll,so helpful, attentive and together, explained how the dishes were prepared that we were interested in and just all together made our dining experience first class.I had the seafood bisque soup which was perfect,not much of it but it was delicious.The Swordfish entre with mash potatoes and sauteed vegetables was great,the, swordfish was prepared just right as were the vegetables and potatoes,just the right amount of seasoning and the vegetables sauteed in a sauce that was light and tasty.All I all the food,service and ambience were just right,I would suggest asking for Janel.as your waitress we returned for dinner a few days later,food was still just as good but our server was fine,but nowhere near as good as Janel.who was working that evening but was super busy with a bunch of other tables,but she helped us just because she could see we needed a couple of things and was close by and because she really is that good at her job and cares,am A -Class Person and waitress.This place is well worth the visit.Vegetarian options: Not a great place for vegetarians,I saw NO vegetarian or Vegan four way tasting offering.Parking: Saffire is definitely worth a visit,great food,not unreasonably priced,portions are honestly a little small for my liking(but that's me) but would highly recommend.Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair ramp at both entrances,very easily accessible.“

“Situated at the cusp of suburbia of Lake Forest and the nature of Trabuco Canyon is the famous and popular roadhouse biker bar, Cook's Corner located in South Orange County. It is a cute wooden structure that holds a kitchen and full bar, which is connected to a large patio area with lots of additional outdoor seating and a large stage where many live bands have played on the weekends. This is a great spot to stop for a drink and some bar food. This past weekend we stopped in for an early dinner and all enjoyed different selections of burgers and fries along with a few beers. We will definitely be back!“

“Always fantastic.The kung pow calamari is delicious.Tonight I tried the Roasted Cauliflower, amazing with olive oil pesto, Hummis. I'm sure to have it again.Its busy for the Pagent of the Masters, so get there early.Update: As alway great food, great service. I love the roasted cauliflower. I have noticed the portion of cauliflower has gotten larger, almost a whole cauliflower.The prices have gone up slightly, to be expected in these times of continued inflation.I will continue to return for more great food and service.Vegetarian options: Salads and Cauliflower“

“Went here for breakfast today with family and everyone loved it. The staff were attentive and polite, ensuring we got the best service. The local ambiance of the building proved that it was going to be a great meal, and it certainly was. Me and my missus got penguin melts that were filling and delicious, while the rest of our family ordered various things, all with rave reviews. A must go if you're visiting Laguna.“

“The atmosphere is very nice and comfortable, the service was excellent, and the food was superb. We started out with a buffalo mozzarella and tomato in an age, balsamic vinegar, and then shared an Osso Buco entrée between my wife and I. One of the best Osso Buco we have ever had. And my wife and I are foodies.“

“Ramos House Cafe was our first stop in San Juan Capistrano, on a Tuesday in April. It was a beautiful spring day and the al fresco seating of the cafe was perfect. We were greeted by amazing service. We ordered the apple beignets, crab hash with a side of fresh biscuits, and americano. Everything was delicious. Freshly made is an understatement. I can't wait to be back!“

“We were here a few days ago and were ignored and left, gave it another shot tonight because we really like the place. Tristan did an awesome job taking care of us. Thanks Tristan.I used to go here pretty often but I've moved away. This weekend we were in town for a few days and I stopped in for lunch. It was horrible. As a bar owner I understand the business and whoever is managing the place is in way over their head and failing miserably. The food was prepared terribly. I ordered a really simple thing. A teriyaki chicken bowl. The chicken was apremade US Foods product that they recook to the point of overcooked. It was so overcooked I would consider it a cremation. The dish also gave away a terrible secret. The kitchen is in poor shape. There were a few macaroni pieces in the bowl. The server was really trying but I kept hearing him having to apologize to just about every table he was helping. He had to apologize to me because I ordered a beer on the menu and after not getting it for 10 minutes he came back to tell me they were out of my selection. No big deal, I picked something else. That beer was delivered 20 minutes later with my food. He apologized that the order didn't go in because the printer was out of paper. Like I said, this is a management issue. Whoever is managing doesn't have processes in place. Closers should be checking that printer and openers should verify. My guess is the kitchen staff doesn't have processes in place for organization and cleaning either. And if you want to have a nice restaurant, you have to start with good ingredients, not cheap trash sold premade. Honestly I have had better food handed to me through my car window.“

“We went here for dinner. It’s a laid back beach town atmosphere; a little loud but that’s to be expected in a beach town. It was peak rush hour and service was a little slow which we knew would happen. The food was very good. We had coconut shrimp, wagyu burger, mushroom and truffle pizza. All items were delicious. Reservation highly recommended, especially on weekends.“

“Chef's kiss! Food was amazing! My husband ordered a Vietnamese coffee and soufflé pancakes with a side of biscuits and gravy. I ordered a strawberry lemonade and a sausage breakfast burrito. So filling! You order at the counter and your food is brought to your number. Outdoor seating but it was such a beautiful sunny day which made the experience even better! Everyone was so polite and helpful especially since it was our first time and not knowing the menu. First timer and definitely a next timer!“

“This Irish pub is our frequent stop when we are in the mood for its authentic European food experience. A small patio makes for intimate dining, weather permitting. Heat lamps abound for more robust weather. It is not to be missed near St Patty's Day. The place bustles with good old Irish exuberance! Though extremely rushed, our waiter took his time with our large party of 9, and did not make a mistake when serving what everyone ordered. He even added accoutrements without our asking. Definitely stop by during St Patty's to have a rousing good time. And plan to drink a lot of Guinness!“

“The food here is pretty good and priced relatively compared to the other nicer restaurants around San Clemente. The chilaquiles were really good and the avocado toast was great as well. The drinks were well made and decently priced. Our only concern/negative feedback would be the staffing. The people are great, kind and wonderful to be around. There were just a few moments where we had to wait a bit longer than necessary due to the bartender(the only one serving) was overwhelmed with the guests. To be fair, there were a couple of larger tables, but an additional server would have made this a 5 star experience. We will definitely be back!Parking: Riviera Restaurant is located inside the San Clemente Inn. Both the Inn and Restaurant share a large parking lot.“

“Love this little diner. So glad like many others it has not closed through these last few years with the pandemic. I’ve always had a great meal from there. One of my fav’s is the Machaca and eggs! It’s so good with their homemade salsa!“

“What a lovely late lunch experience. Visiting family and arrived late looking for a bite to eat after a long drive. This was perfect, I love the concept of the box, and I ordered the recommended pulled pork (on gluten free bun) with 3 sides (spiced green beans, roasted carrots, seasonal salad). I thought everything was delicious. All the dishes had a home made quality to it which I adored. Vegetables tasted fresh (although carrots and beans were a bit over charred IMO, but the flavor was still yummy). The dressings and sauces complimented their respective dishes. I loved the gluten free bun as it was served warm, and the dough was light and fluffy. If I'm back in the area again I'll definitely be back.“

“I highly recommend In n Out Burger. I love their burgers, fries and Root Beer when I go. But why can't I get a burger well-done late night? With the patties nice and thin, I should never bite into a burger that's red or pink inside. I even tell them to burn it a little bit. But that doesn't change a thing. I'm not going to stop eating here. I'll just aim for earlier when not at a peak rush with a long line. Wish me luck!“

“I don’t typically leave reviews, like ever. But I gotta say this place was such a treat. We came across it randomly and were drawn in by the photos of the brunch, and oh man did it not disappoint. The staff were incredible thoughtful and nice, and while ordering the owner (amazing woman) overheard me trying to decide between two options and was kind enough to point me in the right direction. I decided to get the breakfast burrito, but chose not to upgrade the meat to the steak because of the 10$ price difference. The owner caught us sitting outside and asked me what I went with, when I told her I had gone with the standard breakfast burrito she told me she was going to upgrade it to the steak FOR FREE! I’m not kidding when I say this was the best breakfast burrito I’ve had in years! Food was amazing, coffee was amazing, service and atmosphere were top notch. The owner was so passionate and focused on our experience, she went above and beyond for us! Thank you!!!!“

“Came to SC Cafe while visiting San Clemente the past weekend. It was a rainy Saturday morning but there was luckily only a 10-15 minute wait for so. The cafe is small and busy, but has a great friendly vibe. All the workers seemed to know everyone which was a good sign. One even stopped taking our order to say bye to someone lol For food I got the Gringos Burritos--hash brown egg and cheese burritos covered in ranchero sauce and more cheese. So good! Very different. I'm not big on ranchero sauce but finished it regardless. Everything else my table got looked good. Most items have a south-of-the-border touch which always makes for a good combination. Def recommend if you're in town!“

“Sun-dried tomatoes has an amazing catering service that is reasonably priced for the high-quality food that they serve. I have used their services 3 occasions. recently, I picked up several items to serve on Easter Sunday for 20 people that we're gonna be at my house. The favorites were the chopped salad, the traditional, deviled eggs, the espresso brownies, and the other fancier salad that had berries in it. Everything was great, and the woman who helped me decide what to get, was incredibly pleasant and professional as she gave me great advice about what to order. The braised beef is the only thing that I might not get again becauseit might not have been enough all by itself to serve 20 people. We had also gotten sliced turkey breast from honeybaked ham, so it was a nice mixture. Try them out.“

“Liam is an exceptional individual who consistently demonstrates a friendly and respectful demeanor. His genuine concern for others is evident in his interactions, and his expertise is widely recognized. It is clear that he is a valuable asset to the company.“

“Not sure if my review was posted but....Will come here again... Alonzo was an excellent waiter....very kind and patient..took the time to answer my questions and made sure I had a good dining experience... The loaded baked potato was delicious.. perfect place for a birthday dinner...“

“This is one of the hidden gems in Laguna Beach. The location in Aliso Canyon is beautiful, it overlooks the first hole of the golf course and the steep canyon walls. The food is a little pricey but always excellent. The staff are friendly and attentive. The deck is our favorite spot to eat if the temperature is warm. The atmosphere for inside dining is very nice too. They have live music every day on the patio outside the front entrance.Parking: Free valet parking“

“Came in with my Family tonight for dinner and I have to say that the service was 10/10!!!! The manager there was super lovely she went out of her way to bring my son water and I was so grateful for that thanks Davina!!! The meal was delicious we have to say thanks to the cook for such amazing dinner. Over the team was amazing! Definitely going to go back and people should come on down! I’am a mom 2 under too and a 8 year old we were Home away from home eating and having a nice time with the family.“

“I am going to be honest, it’s taken me a long time to get to this review. To be frank, I just do not have the vocabulary to accurately describe my experiences at Broadway. I’ll get to the important details. The food, and I mean the whole menu, is fantastic. Do you see an ingredient in the menu that you think you normally don’t like? Order it. You will be blown away at how good they make it taste. There’s literally not a bad item on the menu. The staff? Some of the friendliest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. The chefs? They manage to be both highly skilled and incredibly entertaining.“

“My first time to have brunch here at Snooty Fox. It was a Saturday around 11am. Place was packed, however, it was not too long for us(party of 2) to get seated. We ordered Garden Omelette and Harvest Omelette and additional 3 stack of pancakes.The portion is generous enough that I could only finish half of omelette. The pancakes looked fluffy but when I took a slice, it was a little hard. The taste was okay but it was not as soft as I expected.This place can be a bit pricey. We paid $60 for 2 omelettes, pancakes and 2 glasses of unlimited coffee.“

“Always busy, long drive-thru line, inside can feel cramped… but food is always solid, service is accurate and friendly, inside is clean and well stocked, and prices are reasonable (esp. compared to other fast food).And love an animal style + chopped chilies cheeseburger.“

“Amazing place, amazing service, fun vibe and great food. We had a Spicy California burger and it was deeeelllliiiiiissshhh! We also had a pineapple under the sea and it was so yummy! U would love to bring my friends and fam here. Big recommendations!!“

“The burger and ahi tacos were delicious! The view and atmosphere are wonderful. The only issue was the desert. We got the donuts and ice cream. They were just alright. When the waiter asked how they were we said so so and he just kind of shrugged and said oh. No apologies or offer to give us something different.“

“Great service and great food! First time and im very happy! I got the sticky wings and the house burger. The wings were perfectly cooked and tasted amazing and the pickled slaw on the side, I could snack on all day. Burger was exactly what I wanted tonight and I have no complaints. Will be going back??✔️I ate the burger before I could take a photo lol“

“This could be my new favorite spot, for meeting up with friends for a delicious meal. We met on a Sunday at 10:30, sat on the patio which was covered and shady but also with heaters. We had breakfast and I loved my avocado toast, I added a fried egg on top and it was perfect. Really peaceful & pleasant atmosphere with a beautiful view of the golf course, where we could hear each other talk. Really enjoyable, definitely will be going back!“