Restaurants in San Clemente
Loading...
Best Restaurants
“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! 💯💞💞💞💞”
“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”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“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”
“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 🥰”
Restaurants with Delivery
“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.”
“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!”
“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”
“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 🥰”
“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!”
Outdoor Dining
“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!”
“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!”
“Valentine's Day at Buona Forchetta - San Clemente never disappoints. The ambiance is warm, the service is attentive, and the food is consistently excellent. I ordered the Lasagna Bolognese and my husband had the Cacio e Pepe with burrata. The lasagna was rich, hearty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Each bite felt like comfort on a plate. The Cacio e Pepe was creamy, perfectly balanced, and the burrata elevated it beautifully. Buona Forchetta always delivers a memorable dining experience.”
“So happy we finally tried this place and will be back. Sunday lunch- Excellent Belgian Bistro that checks all the boxes for high end tasty food and drinks in a clean and bright professional non pretentious great service. Belgian beer on tap and Beef bourguignon w fresh warm bread and butter was perfect. Partner had the salad and cocktails. Dessert Crepe w ice cream wrapped inside was unique and delicious. Been wanting to eat at the Laguna beach location for years and saw they have a San Clemente location. Wanted to try places other than favs like Nick's, Oak- LB, Bloom in SJC, Houstons and am happy that Brussels Bistro is a new fav as well. Thanks & please keep up the great work!”
“The food was very good and the service was excellent. I'm a glad I gave this place a try!”
“Best Indian food in town, never disappointed here, super authentic and delicious.”
“Valentine's Day at Buona Forchetta - San Clemente never disappoints. The ambiance is warm, the service is attentive, and the food is consistently excellent. I ordered the Lasagna Bolognese and my husband had the Cacio e Pepe with burrata. The lasagna was rich, hearty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Each bite felt like comfort on a plate. The Cacio e Pepe was creamy, perfectly balanced, and the burrata elevated it beautifully. Buona Forchetta always delivers a memorable dining experience.”
Online Reservation Available
“Bar Jane may or may not fit in with the rest of downtown San Clemente, but if you’re pondering this question, you soon realize that it’s beside the point. The cocktails here are fantastic, and if that’s an unexpected surprise, then just roll with it and change your expectations to fit the facts. Ethan has served us at each of our visits and has always taken great care of us with drink suggestions and overall service. My understanding is that they share a kitchen with The Cellar next door, but we’ve only ever ordered drinks at Jane. I just wish I lived closer.”
“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.”
“China Bros is some of the best Chinese/Asian food in the area. They are usually quite fast with orders and the staff is always friendly and attentive. The restaurant has kind of fast food seating and has a lot of take out orders coming out of this locale, so best to stay out of the high volume times or expect a bit longer wait times. Although I believe that they do tend to prioritize folks in house over those calling in. Prices are a bit high for this type of cuisine but about average for the area.”
“So happy we finally tried this place and will be back. Sunday lunch- Excellent Belgian Bistro that checks all the boxes for high end tasty food and drinks in a clean and bright professional non pretentious great service. Belgian beer on tap and Beef bourguignon w fresh warm bread and butter was perfect. Partner had the salad and cocktails. Dessert Crepe w ice cream wrapped inside was unique and delicious. Been wanting to eat at the Laguna beach location for years and saw they have a San Clemente location. Wanted to try places other than favs like Nick's, Oak- LB, Bloom in SJC, Houstons and am happy that Brussels Bistro is a new fav as well. Thanks & please keep up the great work!”
“Excellent experience! Excellent food! Excellent service! Fantastic little owner owned/operated Northern Italian cuisine restaurant. We will return!”
24 Hour Restaurants
“Love the cellar!!! And it is walking distance so it’s perfect”
Takeout Restaurants
“Excellent ice cream shop! The frozen bananas are top tier, perfect consistency. All of the toppings are amazing. The soft serve is excellent. You can't go wrong with anything you order. It's on the main drag close to a bunch of stops and restaurants. It's a must visit whenever I'm in SC.”
“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.”
“Outrigger Tavern is a classic San Clemente spot. Great drinks, friendly bartenders, and a laid-back local vibe that makes you feel right at home. Perfect place to unwind, catch a game, or hang out with friends without any fuss. Always a good time and a place I’m happy to come back to.”
“Listen heroes, every person is hustling to serve the customer well. The bathroom is basically edible and I could eat off any section of it. I was served by a lovely gal named Christian who has a smile as big as a house. The great baristas behind the counter made my drink in like 3 seconds. Highly recommend. Will be back as I come through here for work.”
“The owner/chef is a nice dude with portions as big as his personality. For those unfamiliar- think home cooked “el pollo loco” if you will. His wife is the other chef and prep cook. I like simple food and the Half chicken with rice and beans is my go to since 2018. Local tip: this is a couple who’s been running the joint for over 40yrs, the husband is the only cook and sometimes his wife hopes over to help turn out meals. Sometimes the chicken is underdone when they’re super busy, but in almost 10 years I’ve maybe gotten 3 under cooked meats and when I bring it up, he cooks it more, sometimes throws in a free leg or wing and some extra guac or beans. This is as close to hole in the wall/family as it gets. For what this place is, I hope it stays Open until they retire or a son/daughter takes over. Think el pollo loco before it became mainstream, for a day I’m not feeling burgers, I love coming here and sitting on the. Lot of good fish on the menu too, makes me think Baja or south gulf. Very refreshing eats”
“Docent is Decent. Got me a Mouthful of Church on Time, 8.2 DIPA. Lisa has a Peel Top.”
“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 😊”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Moulin in San Clemente is this adorable French bistro that's totally transporting. The vibe's cozy and it feels like a mini getaway. We sat outside and it was perfect, beautiful sunny day and the outdoor seating is gorgeous. I went for the omelette special with mushrooms and French ham and it hit the spot, eggs were perfect and the flavors were great. My wife loved the Croque Monsieur sandwich. Customer service was outstanding, the staff were super friendly and on point. Oh, and the fresh squeezed orange juice was amazing! They've also got this cute little market thing going on which was a nice touch. If you're in San Clemente, Moulin is a solid pick for a chill French meal. We'll be back.”
“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!!”
“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.”
“This is very much a classic diner the food is quick to arrive delicious and well prepared and almost so beautiful to look at but you feel bad eating it… You stop feeling bad after the first bite then you start to feel wonderful thinking that there’s no possible way you could ever put an end to this joy. I ordered the cheeseburger with fries and let me tell you each bite welcome the next they have wonderful parking outdoor dining and like I said before a classic feel. This is definitely one of those places you wanna come back to.”
“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.”
“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!”
Cheap Eats
“I ordered a dish that is not commonly found at the Thai restaurants I go to. Pad Prig King. I think I've only had it at two other places. I'm not going to claim to be an expert on that particular dish but I thought it was very good. I arrived exactly on time and the food was so hot it was hard to carry in my bare hand. Even the rice was very hot. I will be going back and trying other dishes”
“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.”
“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!❤”
“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👍”
“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!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Latest Reviews
“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.”
Most Popular Restaurants
“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.”
“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.”
New Restaurants
“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.....”
“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!”
“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”