Restaurants in San Clemente

“The best açaí I’ve ever had. And I’m from Brazil and know what a good and authentic açaí is! And the service at this place is outstanding! Our attendant Bryan was very kind and attentive with our order! Loved it! Thank you!”

“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.”

“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 ?”

“Just had a fantastic lunch at HotnChili! The garlic naan was so yummy. We also had the chicken tiki masala & the tandoori chicken. It was all delicious & served quickly. We will be back! 💯💞💞💞💞”

“they have a way-big menu of dishes we don't see anywhere else in town, well prepared too, and enough different beers to keep me busy all year just tasting. i look forward to every visit.”

“Best place to enjoy the best coffee and the place has the best workers”

“At a time when inflation has driven even lame chain fast-food to premium prices, I find myself loving Chaupain bakery more and more. I truly feel like every dollar is well-spent here. Their pastries? Phenomenal, well-made and beautiful, with some of the smoothest pastry cream I've encountered. Their breakfasts? SO delicious, with great portion size. Highly recommend their bacon mushroom and leek quiche! Every time I've been here, staff have been quick and helpful. The only tricky part is finding a table haha, there's a reason this place is so popular!”

“In-N-Out Burger isn’t just a fast-food joint — it’s a California institution, and for good reason. From the moment you roll up to the red-and-white storefront, there’s a nostalgic charm that immediately sets the tone. The menu is refreshingly simple: burgers, fries, shakes. But don’t let that minimalism fool you — every bite delivers a masterclass in quality and consistency.

The star of the show is the Double-Double: two perfectly seasoned patties, gooey American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, and that iconic spread, all hugged by a soft toasted bun. It’s fresh, never frozen, and you can taste the difference. Want to take it further? Go “Animal Style” from the not-so-secret menu — grilled onions, extra spread, and mustard-cooked patties take it to another level.

The fries are hand-cut on-site and best enjoyed hot and fresh. Pair them with a creamy, real-ice-cream shake and you’ve got the quintessential In-N-Out experience. The staff is always friendly, the service impressively fast, and the prices feel like a throwback in the best way.

In-N-Out doesn’t need gimmicks. It wins with quality, tradition, and timeless flavor. It’s more than a burger — it’s a bite of West Coast soul.”

“This place was amazing from the food to the service. Excellent menu options. And the art on the wall gave the atmosphere a much more authentic feel. Highly recommend”

“The chocolate they use for their bananas is dairy free. Love the allergy friendliness. I wish they’d keep the Rocky Road topping more frequently. It’s so great and gluten free. Otherwise they don’t have gluten free options besides the drizzles.”

“Cookies galore, if you want a cookie, look no more, this confectioners hole in the wall is one of my girlfriend's favorite sweet tooth cures. Small but worth standing in the line of sweet-heads, who all know: Crumbl is the G.O.A.T. 🍪”

“Their food is so good! I love their beef bowl and their Musubi. Everyone there’s really friendly and they always get your food out quickly and it’s always hot! Thank you!”

“Came for lunch with my gran about a month after my grandfather passed. It was my gran's first outing since the funeral and i was worried but our server was this adorable silver haired woman named Rebecca. She had my Gran laughing the whole time. We ordered combos and the suggested jalapeño watermelon margaritas, which were spicy and refreshing. We needed a nap afterwards because we were too stuffed! My gran won't stop asking when we can go back. Thank you South of Nicks for lovely meal, and Thank you Rebecca, for helping a family member feel normal after tragedy. You are in our prayers”

“We've come here twice. First time we stumbled accros Antoine's because it was close to our hotel. The 2nd time we came to the same hotel because it was close to Antoine's! Excellent food. Excellent Service. Enjoyed having breakfast and listening to all the locals visiting with each other. Dave can cook a STEAK!!! Perfect! Thank you Dave!”

“Great views, good food, and fabulous service. What more could I ask for 😊

The restaurant is located right on the pier in San Clemente Ca on one side is the bar with bar type bites and the other side houses the restaurant. Both sides share views of ocean, surfing action, and pier.

My husband and I both had a shrimp cocktail and tacos. Sourdough bread is excellente 🥰”

“The food was very good and the service was excellent. I'm a glad I gave this place a try!”

“delicious gelato, family friendly and the people are so nice there! they answered all my questions regarding allergies, from nut allergies to gluten free options, we're very happy to have found this gem ❤️”

“Quality food at fair prices! Can't wait to come back & actually sit down in the nice dining area. 👍🏼”

“Was recommended by a friend to check this place out on our trip in California. We got there when they opened, so we were served immediately. Our waiters were super friendly and made sure we were well taken care of. Wish they had a little bigger of a menu selection, but the food is amazing regardless!”

“Great place and pretty authentic food and top margaritas.”

“Anyone who comes to San Clemente should check out this coffee shop .An incredible combination and synergy of top notch customer service , robust / organic coffee ,and atmosphere make it Rapport.”

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

“Best Indian food in town, never disappointed here, super authentic and delicious.”

“Best Ice Cream around, so many great flavors. I can't wait to try them all”

“delicious breakfast best hashbrowns ever!”

“Excellent experience! Excellent food! Excellent service! Fantastic little owner owned/operated Northern Italian cuisine restaurant. We will return!”

“Aloha Açaí is absolutely amazing! From the moment you walk in, the energy is so welcoming and refreshing..you instantly feel at home. The bowls are vibrant, fresh, and packed with flavor, and it’s the perfect spot to slow down, relax, and just get lost for an afternoon.

It’s more than just a place to eat..it’s an experience that leaves you feeling nourished and uplifted. 🌺✨”

“Always have had a great experience here, and I have going here for over 40 years!!!”

“Outstanding Burgers, Salads, Carnitas sandwiches, hot dogs! I’ve had them all.. Best place to enjoy with family and friends.”

“Love the cellar!!! And it is walking distance so it’s perfect”

“Great wines and knowledgable plus friendly staff!”

“Buona is one of the best italian franchises. We love the food, we love the service. It really cannot be beat. We have tried all but Newport beach and truly enjoy the fresh pasta, the wood fire pizzas and the beverages. San Clemente is one of the top two of the franchisees. Must try this place”

“Every drink we’ve tried has been excellent. Bartenders are knowledgeable and super nice.
And the steak!! I can’t say enough good things about the steak and beef tallow fries. Out of this world”

“great food!!!! reasonable pricing!!! please experience their food!! nice people fast service!! love this place!!!”

“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!”

“Such a great place. Nice addition to San Clemente.”

“This place is nice! The brookie dessert is awesome. The service is excellent. Hannah and Lauren were amazing! The atmosphere is a wonderful mix of casual and sophisticated.”

“My daily simple lunch for remote work offers many options for a pescatarian/vegetarian. Clean, organic, and delicious!!! 🙌🏾👏🏾👍🏾”

“Great music venue! We had a blast playing here Mother's Day for Kim and her outstanding team. Thanks, Barnoa!”

“We celebrated an early Mother’s Day Saturday evening. Outstanding👏😎flavors, presentation, dessert, cocktails/ vibes..And our waiter(Luca) was personable , fun.”

“Always a great time at The New OC Tavern . Kevin the owner is the greatest host. Always checking on us . Making sure we’re having a good time. The bartender are great. Love how they know what I like to drink 🍹.”

“One of the blessings of having a competitive swimmer is visiting new cities. This was one of the few healthy places open at 8:30pm after Winter Age Group Championships ended. I didn't take a picture because I didn't know that the food would taste great. Get the mediterranean bowl with beef/lamb gyro. After 13 hours at San Clemente Sports Park, it fueled me enough to make that nighttime drive home safely in thick fog on the 405. True nutrition not just empty calories.”

“Best pizza I’ve had since moving to CA from NY. Amazing food, great atmosphere and impeccable service. My go to place!”

“Excellent customer service. Food was very good. Great location.”

“Soy dueño de las franquicias desde hace 28 años estoy esperando su comunicación de mis ganancias y más con sus derivados tengo mi. Contrato de franquicias con Dennys restaurantes cocos bakery restaura”

“Great place to get some classics. Great service, awesome vintage Dennys sign off the interstate”

“Amazing venue, Great beers and pizza! A must do if you are in the area!”

“Great Food. Creative interior design. Wonderful staff. Unique comfort food. My favorite is the Smoked Meatloaf Breakfast Sandwich. Very cozy. Only 12 tables, that are always full. Lots of “Regular” customers. This is a place that you want to return to, time and time again.”

“Wow! I had the best coffee and my husband a delicious smoothie prepared by Ethan!!! Congratulations! Awesome atmosphere!!!! We loved it and will recommend this place a 100%! Keep up with the good job!! Thank you Ethan!!!!!”

“Good people good times good beer. A+”

“This is a simple, clean, and efficient setup. Serving staff were knowledgeable and able to help us with our choices. The food was fabulous. Go early, we understand that the line goes out the door after 5.”

“Billy's has the meats and the cheeses and the breads and all the fixings you would want on one of the most delicious sandwiches you will ever have the pleasure of consuming. So take my money and make me happy.”

“Yum!!!! The fruit was fresh and their granola is so good. Loved the Hawaiian influence in here and they always have good vibey music playing. Sweet staff. Tasty bowls!!!”

“Andrea was rocking it! I'm from AZ and she made me feel extremely welcome. Everyone was nice. I can't wait to go back. Such a cool spot. Thank you Andrea!”

“Amazing pizza and atmosphere! Can’t wait to come back again!”

“I stopped in for an iced latte, and it was fantastic. There’s plenty of parking both in front and back, which made it super convenient. The vibe inside was awesome—surfboards and a vintage motorcycle added a cool, laid-back touch to the decor. The staff were friendly and casually dressed, which matched the relaxed atmosphere perfectly. The customers all seemed easygoing and chill, making it a really comfortable spot to hang out. If I had more time, I definitely would have stayed longer. I’ll for sure be coming back whenever I’m in the area.”

“Decent spot for coffee, but the real draw here is the vibes.

Steps away from the ocean! And a great people-watching bench outside alongside some small tables.

Coffee (got a latte) was okay. But loved the location and much-needed bathroom haha”

“Great flavor, great service and great prices”

“Great selection of flavors, high quality ingredients and so delicious! You won't miss the dairy 😉”

“Thai Dara 2 is great! I went in today to order takeout for our medical office staff. I noticed a mistake when I picked up my food (likely poor communication on my part), and they fixed it very quickly and kindly. Above 5 stars on service! The food is fresh and delicious. The lunch specials are priced very well and are big portions. There are options for everyone's dietary restrictions, too, which is so great to find.

The interior of the restaurant is cozy and would be a great place for an intimate lunch or dinner.

I'm writing this as I gobble down my delicious pad Thai with shrimp, and I'm also very impressed at how well the food was packaged, it's still piping hot.”

“Moulin is one of our favorite places to stop for breakfast or lunch. Their pastries are irresistible so be careful. Their crepes and omelets are great too. They have indoor and outdoor dining.”

“Fantastic comedy night, been three times now and each night was awesome! Especially hilarious set by Robert Duchaine.”

“Fantastic atmosphere. Felt like sitting in the hull of a pirate ship. Best selection of rums I've ever seen (more than 100). All that and surprisingly reasonable prices on expertly crafted drinks!”

“Food is absolutely delicious! The ramen has been hitting with these rainy days so happy this place is nearby. You can order online for pickup or on the phone too. The staff is super nice and the food is moderately priced but the quality is worth it.”

“If you live in the south end of town and looking for a cold beer and some fun conversation this is the place. Great drink specials and it’s like a party every time i am there.”

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience”

“I will say this place is amazing I’ve been very happy with every bite of my Baja beef wrap I had the spinach tortilla as my wrap and the secret sauce as my condiment and I can’t recommend it enough the outdoor seating area was perfect for socializing and enjoying the weather. The flavor is perfect with portion and I ordered the small size drink which for my weight loss goals was ideal!!”

“Tracy and her team have exceeded my expectations both times I've ordered custom cakes. Not only do they look amazing they taste amazing too!”

“First time, and our family is sold on Smashburger. My wife who does not like eating beef, really liked the smash chicken burger while my boys and I really enjoyed our smashburgers. Fries are quite delicious, also. Next visit we will try their shakes.”

“Always the best of everything and the staff is fabulous”

“When we searched for the best sushi place in San Clemente, Malulu Sushi came up first on the list.

Good things come in small packages, right? Well, this is a small place, but it doesn't matter because the food & service are excellent.

To me, service is very important!!! At Malulu, the Japanese hospitality is on full display. Then, the food came, and we realized that we had found our favorite sushi place in SC.

Everything we ordered was tasty. And to our surprise, the female sushi chef made the best spicy yellow tail handroll. It reminded us of a sushi roll that we could only get at a sushi restaurant in Laguna Niguel (sadly, the chef moved to Japan).

We are already planning to go back this week & bring some friends along.”

“The foxx is the best If you want a good place This is it”

“Is a quiet little diner on the main strip. Food is great, service is great, coffee cup hasn't run dry. Biscuits and gravy is 🤤. The chorizo is 🤌. Its my wife's regular breakfast place since moving so san clem. 100% will be back again....and again...and again.”

“This has turned into a locals hang out. Waitresses seem to know the clients well. The outside dining is perfect for happy hour as the sun starts to set and the afternoon breeze sweeps in. Umbrellas keep you in the shade earlier in the afternoon. I LOVE the FLAUTUS. Light and crispy on the outside with a moist protein topped with a generous portion of guacamole. The bar is a fun place to hang. Bartenders are busy but friendly enough. This place has patrons with the San Clemente friendliness.”

“Spend a bunch of time in San Clemente, can’t believe I’ve never found this place before. Great food, great drinks, great peeps…ended up staying at hotel too-Great Experience!!!”

“Great food and a great staff. This place has been in San Clemente for a very long time, and this restaurant has been a go-to for my friends and I for years.

I ordered x2 Orders of Panang Curry with Beef as meat and I requested to make the curry more spicy for the order just to see what it would be like. Verdict: It was excellent! The food was delicious and very nicely done. The staff was accommodating and welcoming when I showed up. For clarification, it was a pick up order at around 7:30 tonight (11/5/2025 Wednesday).

The place has a cozy atmosphere if you decide to dine at the restaurant. It is a little tight quarters but ultimately isn't a huge deal. Check out Thai Palace on Pico!”

“Great place & Beer list. Smokehouse & plenty of room. Very friendly place”

“The Owners/Staff were very friendly from the time I took 1 step into their door. This was my first time here since I am visiting my family here in California from Pennsylvania. The food was delicious and came to me nice and hot as well as my coffee. When I finished EVERYTHING on my plate which was eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and a bagel with cream cheese, I was so full and very sleepy. I would definitely and highly recommend eating HERE instead of the other breakfast places nearby. You will thoroughly enjoy your meal.”

“Fun and unique flavors like tarot, cucumber & elderflower, pineapple & ginger. They also offer dairy free and vegan ice creams as well! So delicious and their staff is super friendly too!”

“Great food and service. Was very impressed to see all workers wearing gloves and masks. Other restaurants need to follow your example. These are uncertain times and every precaution is necessary. I want to help support local businesses but if they don't protect both staff and workers, I won't be back. Kudos to you Guichos!❤”

“Wonderful, Fresh Fish!! Best Macaroni Salad & Sesame Slaw!! Great Vibe!!! San Clemente!!”

“The staff are always courteous and welcoming. The sandwiches are always tasty too!”

“Local spot, good service, and the burgers were amazing! Was able to drop in and upon the first bite the Dodgers won game 1 of the world series and it was a pretty cool core memory moment.”

“One of the last great dive bars in the US with a great selection of local craft beers on tap. Awesome bartenders, great live music and an amazing hidden wine store and lounge in the back.”

“First time just passing through the town... will be stopping again on our back through. The young man that waited on us was so kind, patient and helpful. A lot of menu items... fried rice, SPAM, and other Hawaiian items.
We had an omelet, pancakes, fried potatoes and a few other breakfast items... all very good! The omelet was great. Variety of coffees, shakes, and sodas...

Plenty of seating and parking. Encourage you to stop by👍”

“The Best coffee I've ever had. Nice outdoor seating. Friendly staff!”

“While on my morning walk I found this cute lil cafe that sits directly on the beach by the San Clemente Pier. My son got the bagel breakfast sandwich & coffee, my daughter got the nutella toast & I got the acai bowl. We all thought our food was good. We will def be back on our next visit there!”

“Came to the Pier on a cold day in December 2024 and it was nice seeing this Pier serving hot chocolate! Wasn't the greatest hot chocolate but wasn't the worst. Just having it made us feel warm and good!”

“I eat at wow poki more than anywhere else (besides my own restaurant) because I love their product. This is one of the very few poke spots anywhere that offers yellowtail or gluten-free ponzu or brown rice. That alone is worth 5 stars. The fish is almost always really fresh. Some days it's less so, but I know the fish market closes one day per week and I go anyway because it's that good. The owners are there a lot and they're always nice to me and my family. I usually get it to go, so don't pay much attention to the vibe. The only thing I'd change would be to add a fresh brewed tea option. Then I might just eat there every day.”

“The food and service was amazing”

“We love their breakfast burger? It’s actually the only breakfast my son likes. We went in and they told us they no longer serve the breakfast burger all day. Today I went to San Juan and Eddie said they actually do serve them all day and the San Juan Carl’s Jr got it done for our family. I’m not sure why San Clemente is no longer doing it all day. Armando and Alex are always very helpful at San Clemente but they were not there the day I was told they don’t make them.”

“Came for lunch with my gran about a month after my grandfather passed. It was my gran's first outing since the funeral and i was worried but our server was this adorable silver haired woman named Rebecca. She had my Gran laughing the whole time. We ordered combos and the suggested jalapeño watermelon margaritas, which were spicy and refreshing. We needed a nap afterwards because we were too stuffed! My gran won't stop asking when we can go back. Thank you South of Nicks for lovely meal, and Thank you Rebecca, for helping a family member feel normal after tragedy. You are in our prayers”

“I have to rate The Mediterranean Rim on Del Mar 5Stars. Their food is Always consistent, and always consistently delicious. Such a cute and cozy place. Its our favorite “date night” restaurant in town. I personally Love the goat cheese salad, Squash Soup, Skirt Steak, Fish, ?Wine sections are great, and the sauces they create are fantastic. Must add the best homemade cheesecake for desert. Thank you.”

“Best Tomo fried rice, smothered fries, and Ramen I've had since moving to south OC. And the staff is super friendly! I drive 15 to 20 minutes just to get their food.”

“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 ?”

“Excellent food. Some of the best around. I highly recommend it.”

“In-N-Out Burger isn’t just a fast-food joint — it’s a California institution, and for good reason. From the moment you roll up to the red-and-white storefront, there’s a nostalgic charm that immediately sets the tone. The menu is refreshingly simple: burgers, fries, shakes. But don’t let that minimalism fool you — every bite delivers a masterclass in quality and consistency.

The star of the show is the Double-Double: two perfectly seasoned patties, gooey American cheese, crisp lettuce, tomato, and that iconic spread, all hugged by a soft toasted bun. It’s fresh, never frozen, and you can taste the difference. Want to take it further? Go “Animal Style” from the not-so-secret menu — grilled onions, extra spread, and mustard-cooked patties take it to another level.

The fries are hand-cut on-site and best enjoyed hot and fresh. Pair them with a creamy, real-ice-cream shake and you’ve got the quintessential In-N-Out experience. The staff is always friendly, the service impressively fast, and the prices feel like a throwback in the best way.

In-N-Out doesn’t need gimmicks. It wins with quality, tradition, and timeless flavor. It’s more than a burger — it’s a bite of West Coast soul.”

“The best açaí I’ve ever had. And I’m from Brazil and know what a good and authentic açaí is! And the service at this place is outstanding! Our attendant Bryan was very kind and attentive with our order! Loved it! Thank you!”

“We celebrated an early Mother’s Day Saturday evening. Outstanding👏😎flavors, presentation, dessert, cocktails/ vibes..And our waiter(Luca) was personable , fun.”

“Amazing venue, Great beers and pizza! A must do if you are in the area!”

“Great place to get some classics. Great service, awesome vintage Dennys sign off the interstate”

“Very pleasing atmosphere calm peaceful elegant great peace of mind I enjoyed my food there and drinks are great as well”

“Awesome food!! Been visiting (I’m from Chicago) since my daughters family moved to CA and discovered in 2008. I love the Mama Avila soup, very hearty and so delicious. There’s nothing that I’ve tried that I didn’t like. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!!”

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience”

“Quality food at fair prices! Can't wait to come back & actually sit down in the nice dining area. 👍🏼”

“Amazing pizza and atmosphere! Can’t wait to come back again!”

“Great selection of gelato 🍨 plus food and desserts 🧁!!!!”

“The food and service was amazing”

“Excellent breakfast burrito spot close to San Clemente Beach. There’s one bench in front of the order counter but no other tables or chairs to sit and dine. Looks like a to go place.

Breakfast burrito with steak, egg, and cheese (with no beans) was $14.20. House made salsa was on point.

Highly recommend.”

“The best I have been too.”

“Best place to enjoy the best coffee and the place has the best workers”

“Loved the magician that came around, food tried to be different by adding random flavors on traditional items could work for some maybe not others, loved it though 😊”

“Wifey and I tried the new hot spot in town today.
We both had their coastal smash burger and we shared fries and chips.
We both agreed the burgers and fries were excellent. YUMMY.
The bbq chips we weren't so thrilled by.
Too Maple-y.
The place is really clean and comfy and the service was great, but I have to say, the choice of music could be better.
If you have to play country music, maybe intersperse the whinging 21st century C&W with some good old Hank or Dolly or Merle or Waylon or Willy or.....”

“Delicious pizza. Thin, crusty, slightly salty and greasy dough. We had the cowboy surfer and black and blue pizzas. Exciting and thoughtful flavor combinations. The staff was really friendly. Not too cheap, but it’s 2025, what do you expect really.”

“As a local- i love to find new friendly , delicious cafes . Try this place it’s amazing.

As I was strolling down Del Mar I mentioned to most merchants how lunch was amazing. All agree .”

“Great coffee, limited food items. Tons of indoor tables for seating (even a huge square bar -- no alcohol and you order at the same place as everyone and bring your coffee and any snack to the bar seat you select) -- and outdoor seats/tables on Avenita Del Mar for people watching.”

“Stopped in today for the first time. Wow! I didn’t think we needed another Acai shop but apparently we did. It’s adorable! Brand new interior, bright, modern and sparkling clean. They have a big menu - signature and make your own bowls with a ton of toppings, smoothies and refreshers. The friendly and great service was the cherry on top!”