50 Best American Restaurants near Ladera Ranch

“Great place! We went for breakfast on Saturday and dinner Sunday! Love it. Bacon biscuits and gravy was amazing!!! Love the Patio“

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

“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“

“Great experience and lovely stuff good service and food ❤️❤️❤️“

“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.“

“Every weekend feels like dinning at home with friends. Not since I lived in Rome have I found a place so welcoming. The service is always deliberate without being intrusive. Courtney is so authentic and in most cases, before we even sit down at our table, she already has my child's Sprite in hand and ready to pour it. Kathy at the front host stand is amazing! I appreciate how she always greets us by name and sits us at “our”table or one near it whenever we come in. I don't think people realize just how special and important those touches are... they demonstrate gratitude thru service. As always the food was wonderful! Loved the Wagyu Tacos, chef Josh! Yes, we have other options but there isn't any place I would rather hang out with my daughter on our “little dates” than here... the food is quality, the service, exceptional, and the energy is vibrant.“

“All the food was great wish they offered more gluten-free options, but our waitress was very helpful and helping to steer one of us towards gluten-free menu options. Service was very very good, our waitress was extremely attentive and very helpful, not overwhelming. Definitely will be back.“

“The food was great, but a bit overpriced for the quality. It's a popular spot and always busy so make a reservation unless you plan on waiting 1-2 hours for a seat. We got lucky and we're able to snag a place at the bar.

Wheelchair accessibility: Limited, but I'm sure they would accommodate“

“Everything is over-the-top, amazing and well above expectation. We will definitely be going back there again. Appetizers and service was top notch. This was the best dinner and night we’ve had in a long time. We’re happy to have found a new favorite restaurant.“

“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!“

“The Montage Loft restaurant is nothing short of exceptional! From the moment we arrived, the friendly and attentive staff went above and beyond to make our experience special. The highlight of the meal was the steak—it was hands down one of the best I've ever had, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. To top it off, the view was absolutely gorgeous, adding a breathtaking backdrop to an unforgettable evening. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience!“

“Stopped here based on reviews and was not disappointed. Had the flat iron steak which was one of their specials that day and it was cooked as ordered, which rarely happens. The sea bass fish was cooked perfectly and not over done, and the brownie for dessert was amazing. Will come back again when in the area“

“Breezy Experience #breezy #goodfood #filipinofusion #brunch #familybusiness“

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

“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.“

“great NY vibe with good food“

“Zach and Robert were so friendly! Great staff!

Vegetarian options: Great options

Dietary restrictions: Really great about food allergy modification

Parking: Easy

Kid-friendliness: Great place for families!

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“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.“

“There was 8 of us who came here for a dinner with friends. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the service was amazing. The pasta was so good and fresh, the ribeye delicious, and the tiramisu was spectacular. Highly recommend this place !!“

“My best friend was able to pull together a wedding by the beach in 10 days. The day before we called Sapphire to see if they could accommodate us with 30-40 people. They did and created a menu with their names on it and the meals available to everyone. The service was amazing, the food was delicious and the drinks kept coming. Everyone had an amazing time, they even allowed the newlyweds to have their first dance on the patio. I appreciate the owners so much for making this day so special for my friend and her family. ❤️“

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

“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.“

“Brunch with my bestie. We were sat outside with a view of the private beach. We watched the occasional surfer and serene waves while sipping prosecco and enjoying each other's company. The staff is lovely. The seating is comfortable. The food is delightful, and we enjoyed very nice surprises, such as precisely how big and delicious the cinnamon roll is. I've never in my life been excited about a cinnamon roll. This one changes everything. It's perfectly seasoned, perfectly browned outside and fluffy inside, and perfectly gooey - not at all runny. The seafood salad and eggs benny were just as good. I never thought about using focaccia for eggs Benedict, but here we are and it ruined us for any other configuration for this dish. Every single interaction was sincerely positive, and I can't say enough about how each encounter with a team member, even brief, remains on my mind. An unforgettable experience. Will return and will recommend.

Parking: Parking is valet only as far as I can tell.“

“I used to live in Santa Barbara and am a huge fan of Finney’s. Tried Laguna one for the first time.
Service and vibe are very nice but food was bad.
Chicken and waffle taste like precook and coconut shrimp isn’t seasoned. Pizza dough was very dry but taco was excellent.“

“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.“

“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.“

““Noon breakfast at Mollies Country Kitchen. La Paz Road. Laguna Niguel. Outside dining”. Super good.“

“We made reservations for Dublin4 and it seemed pretty wild so they walked next door and sat up at the high top at Wineworks. Such a better atmosphere. Both restaurants share the same kitchen and restrooms. And there’s a lot of similarities between the menus but this has the better options.I always complain that OC doesn’t have great food but this place knows the game. And the wine menu is excellent. I even had a Pinot Noir from Baden, Germany. All dishes were excellent and the service was even better. Only complaint is the parking is terrible so good luck, maybe the lot is bigger in the back.“

“Food quite good but service terribly slow and server never checked on us once. Soup and mashed potatoes were cold and took forever for server to appear and offer to fix the issues. Another long wait and when the Soup and potatoes finally came everyone else was finished and plates cleared.“

“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 ?“

“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.“

“I go to this cafe often. Their food is always fresh and they make their coffee perfect. Every time i go to Urbane after a long day, the employees always make me feel welcome with their enthusiasm and good attitude. Definitely would recommend if you are looking for a calm environment to eat great food!“

“Yummy Yummy Highly Recommended!“

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

“We visited The Ranch on a busy Saturday evening without a reservation, and to our pleasant surprise, the staff welcomed us warmly and offered us seats at the bar. Their friendly and accommodating attitude set the tone for a great experience from the start.
The vibe at the bar was fantastic — lively yet comfortable. It felt like the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a good glass of wine. We decided to go for a wine and cheese platter, and it was absolutely delicious.
The rest of the food was tasty and well-prepared.“

“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!“

“Drove down the Ortega Highway to San Juan Capistrano with friends.

Came here due to the number of reviews on Google. Over thousand with a score of 4.5 .

Service did not disappoint from the moment we arrived. Place was busy with customers. All the staff was friendly and engaging.

Our drinks were constantly topped off. Our waitress was accomadating. Always making sure our choices were to our likening.

The amount of food you get and price was on point.

Outside patio you are allowed to have your pet sit by your side.

Mollies does not disappoint. It's great experience from beginning to end.

You won't be disappointed with your choice!

Parking: Plenty of parking.

Kid-friendliness: Seating on the patio or outside. Indoor seating available

Wheelchair accessibility: Seating accomadating for wheelchair accessibility“

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

“We came down to the Irvine area for a baseball tournament. I reached out to a few restaurants to see who could accommodate a group of our size. Maulik was the first to respond and everything sounded great: order at the counter so you don’t have to split bills, reserved seating, games/arcade area for the kids. The food was fantastic, service was great, would 10/10 recommend.“

“Seriously some of the BEST Food I've Eaten in a long Time!! I'm truly going to tell everyone to try this place. Wow. it's Healthy.. affordable & DELISH!!!“

“Always a great experience at Rancho Capistrano Winery. We dine there a minimum of once a week and the staff always makes you feel at home. Janay knows our order when she walks up to the table and it is that personal detail that makes it a special local experience. Wine is always good, would like to see Zach come back on the menu. He and the wine are what also keeps RCW a favorite. If you are not a member, make the decision to be one....member nights on Tues and Thurs make for an affordable night out when everything else is getting priced high and higher. Customer Service is in some ways a lost art, the staff here knows how to take care of their customers“

“I love coming here for brunch with my boyfriend. We've been coming here for a year now. I love their Cambridge Eggs Benedict with Norwegian smoked salmon, red onions and capers with a side of house salad. Their house salad is to die for made with dates, candied pecans, mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette. Yum!! The East Coast Eggs Benedict is pretty good too. And the original Eggs Benny!!! My boyfriend likes ordering the El Capitan, that's good also. The price is reasonable. Their mini desserts are heavenly, the chocolate buttercream is drool worthy. I like my meals with their iced tea.
I love the service and atmosphere there too. I love sitting outside on a nice breezy day breathing in the ocean air!!“

“This place has become one of my favorites. I love the muffins and the cream puffs the most for take home. All food items are tasty and the staff go above and beyond to make customers happy, which is not easy especially with a very demanding eater like me who makes a lot of modifications in my orders. We had breakfast here yesterday and I just want to say that I received one of the best customer service I ever did in a restaurant.“

“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!“

“….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.“

“Wow, our 3rd night in town and we feel like we hit the jackpot. We recommend the Brussels sprouts, watermelon salad and mahi. Delicious! And live entertainment.

We loved hearing Ava playing guitar and piano thru the evening. Beautiful!“