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! 💯💞💞💞💞”

“Super Bowl Express has been one of my go-to spots in San Clemente for years and after today I had to leave a review.

Not only is the food consistently amazing, but the people there genuinely care about their customers. Joo, the owner, is one of the kindest business owners I’ve met and went completely above and beyond for us today. Martha was also incredibly welcoming and took amazing care of us.

The spam musubi is hands down the best in town, the beef bowls are unreal, and the Korean ribs are always a must order. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and consistent every single time.

Highly recommend supporting them if you haven’t been already.”

“Excellent bakery with indoor and outdoor seating, quieshe(spl?) Lorraine was excellent as was the pecan sticky bun, both came warmed and fresh. Really good. Would love to head back. They greeted me as soon as I walked in, had my order ready by the time I actually placed and paid for it at the counter and brought it out almost immediately.”

“This new San Clemente location is the most beach vibed location I've been to. Don't be surprised if you see patrons barefooted in their wetsuits with their e-bikes loaded to the tilt with rip sticks. Shakasbrah!”

“Tyler, our server, was amazing, attentive, and just so cool! Thank you for being so nice by providing such excellent service! Lively spot with the entire bar full on a weekday. Cool live music. Food was prepared deliciously. Clean restaurant and restrooms. Will be coming back😊”

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

“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. 🍪”

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

“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!!!!!”

“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”

“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 people good times good beer. A+”

“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 ❤️”

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

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

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

“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.”

“The best restaurant with mussels in South Cali. Highly recommend!”

“Acai bowls and signature coffees- this is a mandatory stop on the way to Capistrano Beach Park. The service is light and friendly, and the decoration is delightfully eclectic.”

“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.”

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

“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”

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

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

“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!”

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

“Excellent service and the food is incredible. Highly recommended if you enjoy a good steak and incredible drinks.”

“We sat outside. It was delightful. We listened to the waves crashing. They had heaters for the cool evening temperature. The service was great, friendly and efficient. Our meals were the best of our vacation.”

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

“Great wines and knowledgable plus friendly staff!”

“We attended a private Mob Wives themed event at The Parlor Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails and it was a fantastic experience. The team handled all the food accommodations and offered a great variety of delicious dishes.

The speakeasy was transformed into an Italian mob wives dinner and the attention to detail was amazing. The staff was attentive, the service was on point, and we felt so well taken care of all night.

Big shoutout to Joe for helping create such a fun and memorable event! Highly recommend.”

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

“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!”

“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.”

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

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

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

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

“Has the potential to be great. The baklava had great flavor but was overly chewy and couldnt be cut with a fork. Like the bottom was over. Beef Gyro was phenomenal. Got the garlic fries had like a literal jar of garlic in it. I live garlic but even I couldnt eat it.”

“Kuli gets several points for a great atmosphere and vibe, but the coffee and breakfast items we got left a bit to be desired. I wouldn’t recommend the breakfast sandwich or the Lani Chata Latte.”

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

“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.”

“My wife and I go there about once a week. The ice cream is so good that there can be a line out the door on a cold day. The girls that work there are mostly friendly until it gets close to closing time. However Sunny is friendly at all times and has the greatest smile. South Swell also caters and its a favorite at wedding receptions. I highly recommend!”

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

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

“Food is amazing. The waiters are friendly and its pretty quiet and when I went, it wasn't busy at all. I got this massive burger and it looked good and was good.”

“Such a cute place! Amazing bowls and flavors. also gave free extra smoothies to my kiddos ❤️ Staff is very nice and welcoming 10/10”

“delicious breakfast best hashbrowns ever!”

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

“The drinks are solid across the board, whether you’re going for a classic cocktail or something a little more tropical. Everything is well-made, and they don’t skimp on quality. It’s a great place to unwind after a long day or hang out with friends on the weekend.”

“I spent years in Japan and for an hour I forgot I was in California! The food is outstanding and authentic. ありがとうございました!”

“The employees are very friendly and accommodating. I recommend this place to anyone who loves coffee.”

“Sur Coffee on El Camino Real is one of those spots that immediately communicates the quality of life San Clemente offers. Brought clients here after a morning of showings near the pier area — the coffee was excellent, the minimalist space was thoughtfully designed, and the overall vibe was exactly right for a seaside town that attracts discerning buyers. The espresso program is serious and well-executed. When I'm helping clients envision their daily routines in a new community, a place like Sur Coffee does a lot of the heavy lifting. It's the kind of neighborhood anchor that tells buyers they've made the right choice.”

“Docent is Decent. Got me a Mouthful of Church on Time, 8.2 DIPA. Lisa has a Peel Top.”

“Watching TV and saw Pad Thai and had to have some. Wanted chix/shrimp and couldn't get any of the platforms to give me that option. Pad thai near me got me to Thai Dara 2 and my order had lots of both perfectly cooked shrimp and big white meat chicken pieces. The order left me with enough for dinner. I will definitely be back.”

“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.”

“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!”

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

“This place is delicious. The ramen was so good and it was a first time here so first impression is really good. We will be coming back. My stomach is sensitive but this didnt do anything to me”

“Thai Palace was an amazing experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely incredible, and the staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. If you’re looking for a great Thai food experience in Orange County, I highly recommend giving Thai Palace a try!”

“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!”

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“Food is good pastries coffee sandwiches quaint . Near San Clemente beach n MetroLink station. Short walk to beach pier restaurants n shops bike surf board rentals. Fantastic views of ocean”

“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.”

“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!❤”

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

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

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

“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!!”

“I love Juice My Heart in San Clemente! It is my go-to place for fresh carrot juice and good sunshiney vibes. See Diana for your shot of wheat grass and vegetable juice chaser. I highly recommend! 💛 ☀️ 🥤”

“The food and service was amazing”

“Took me back to my Navy days. The smell. The duct taped seats. There were board games, pool tables, and ping pong. The chicken wrap was soooo yummy. Affordable night out.”

“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.”

“Just about the best hotel and bar/restaurant around. Excellent location. Spacious very clean room. Better than expected for the hotel portion and the restaurant has a great selection at reasonable prices. Always feels like vacation to hang out here. Will be back, next time with my daughter.”

“Their food is always delicious!! My fav is the teriyaki char burger & sweet potato fries are the bomb”

“Just popped in and ate here for the first time tonight. I ordered the shawarma chicken bowl. It was soooo good!!! Like hands down! So good 😊”

“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!”

“The guy in there tonight made the absolute TASTIEST sub I've ever had from Subway! Just wanted to say good job and thank you! That's what Subway is all about!”

“Stopped here yesterday with a bunch of hungry Harley riders the staff was super cool & friendly my hamburger was out of this world now that’s what I call a hamburger & fast service we all left a good tip for the hardworking staff I gotta hit this spot again soon”

“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.”

“Watching TV and saw Pad Thai and had to have some. Wanted chix/shrimp and couldn't get any of the platforms to give me that option. Pad thai near me got me to Thai Dara 2 and my order had lots of both perfectly cooked shrimp and big white meat chicken pieces. The order left me with enough for dinner. I will definitely be back.”

“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 ?”

“Just popped in and ate here for the first time tonight. I ordered the shawarma chicken bowl. It was soooo good!!! Like hands down! So good 😊”

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

“This new San Clemente location is the most beach vibed location I've been to. Don't be surprised if you see patrons barefooted in their wetsuits with their e-bikes loaded to the tilt with rip sticks. Shakasbrah!”

“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!”

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

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

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

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

“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!!”

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

“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! 💯💞💞💞💞”

“The food and service was amazing”

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience”

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

“Excellent bakery with indoor and outdoor seating, quieshe(spl?) Lorraine was excellent as was the pecan sticky bun, both came warmed and fresh. Really good. Would love to head back. They greeted me as soon as I walked in, had my order ready by the time I actually placed and paid for it at the counter and brought it out almost immediately.”

“First time trying Pedro's last night. Heard it was a very popular San Clemente staple. Ordered the Carne Asada burrito - words cannot describe how dank it was. Without a doubt, might've been the best burrito I have ever had in my entire life.”

“The best I have been too.”

“Amazing place! Perfect place to enjoy great food in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. We are from out of town and found this place so welcoming. Our daughter knows us and suggested this place for us to go and experience California while enjoying dinner in a comfortable setting.”

“Popped in here for a pizza and a beer. Both were great. Craft brew made by their nearby in house brewery. Nice west coast IPA. Pizza was awesome. Craft made, nice crust, and classic sauce. Good vibes at this place and worth a stop or make it your neighborhood favorite.”

“Our food was very tasty! Fish & Chips good portion and Qunioa Beet Salad was dee-lish. Service is excellent. They demonstrate care for your choosing them to dine with.”

“We were really impressed with the Picnic Cafe who we hired for a recent event. Their lavish grazing board was gorgeous and they did all the set up and take down which made the process super seamless. It’s definitely a wow moment if you’re looking for something a bit more creative than average catering for your event!”

“Visiting area for weekend and as craving something a little bit light for lunch. Decided to stop by and was greeted by a friendly female staff member all by herself. Walked me through the menu and helped me keep smiling and laughing while she made my smoothie. Kudos to her friendly customer service but also more importantly my acai pistachio smoothie was bomb!”