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! 💯💞💞💞💞”

“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.”

“Perfect setting and atmosphere! The food and pastries were delicious. I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich, and it was absolutely yummy! The cappuccino was also perfectly made.

I loved sitting outside, enjoying my breakfast while watching the town come alive with movement. A perfect spot for solo travelers or large groups alike.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a less than 5 star In-N-Out experience. This was no different. California’s best chain by a mile and just so incredibly consistent.”

“I can’t believe I have never reviewed this place before. They always have fun bands, great food, drinks and service! Probably the most fun spot to hang out on Del Mar 🌊
TRY THESE:
ASIAN LETTUCE WRAPS
SALMON SALAD
POKE BOWL
BEET SALAD”

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

“This place is amazing. Could possibly be the best cookie I've ever had, and it was just the chocolate chip. Beyond that the staff is absolutely amazing. So kind, so sweet and just the epitome of what customer service should be. I would give more stars if it were possible. THANK YOU MARRIN, SOFIA AND SARAH, you three made my day.🩷”

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

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

“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.”

“Good people good times good beer. A+”

“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.”

“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”

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

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

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

“delicious breakfast best hashbrowns ever!”

“We love BF. My wife has celiac and they have great Pizza and Pasta that she loves eating.
Tonight we got the artichoke appetizer with the gluten free Focacia bread. A great combo.
I had the Puttanesca noodles and it was good. It was missing the anchovies, but it was still flavorful and great.
My wife had the Cacio e Pepe with gluten free noodles and the noodle have an interesting shape and good texture. She loved it.
We will he back”

“Seriously delicious breakfast burritos and killer deal. Our favorite breakfast food in the world but it makes us sad to spend more than $10 so this place hit the mark! Fillings were perfect with avocado and bacon and grilled to crispy chewy perfection. Thx Billy for starting the day off right! (Can’t believe I didn’t snap a pic)”

“This was my first time coming into this coffee shop, the barista recommended the spiced chai tea. My drink came out perfect, they have a wide selection of drinks to choose from as well as food options! I’ll definitely have to come back and try more items from the menu. Very welcoming atmosphere and friendly customer service highly recommend giving this place a visit!”

“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”

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

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

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

“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!”

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

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

“Excellent seafood on the San Clemente pier! Three of us got the yellowtail feast, and we all loved each of the four courses. Try dipping the complementary sourdough in the boil for the clams. The dressings are made in-house, and the blue cheese and ranch were great. While not part of the feast, the pasta that someone else in our fam ordered was also perfectly prepared and delicious. The kids meal was spot-on for our 6-year-old, with a cute portion of clam chowder and a generous portion of salmon. And we ended with an expertly-crafted creme brule. The staff was very attentive and friendly, despite being busy, and the majestic views and soothing-wave atmosphere from the pier are so refreshing to the soul. It can be a little chilly outside after the sun goes down, but they have heaters on the deck.”

“Great wines and knowledgable plus friendly staff!”

“An incredible menu—and drink menu! Try the Indian Summer, the Splash Zone or the blackberry infused Houdini! You will definitely want to try their burrata and heirloom tomato starter. Their sourdough ciabatta, freshly grilled, is the freshest, chewiest, bread anywhere. When the simplest items are this outstanding, you will appreciate the salads and entrees.”

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

“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!”

“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 location, excellent food and drink! Bring your friend ms for a great time!”

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

“I was there for dinner with friends on July 4th; the food was excellent, and everyone left happy and full—so much so that I even forgot my purse with my wallet! I called the next day, and a young man confirmed they had it. A special thank you to the staff for their honesty and kindness in returning my purse safe and sound! You really saved me from a massive headache! A wonderful establishment!”

“Beautiful vibe! I love sitting outside, sipping my iced coffee, and watching the liveliness of the town. The only downside was that they charged extra for oat milk, which is something I’m not used to in Florida.”

“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!”

“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!!!!!”

“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 ❤️”

“Watch out! The food is delicious, you just might leave with leftovers, and there are too many choices to choose from. The service is great as well. Great value and highly recommend if you're passing through San Clemente.”

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

“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.”

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

“It was something different and fun to try. We ordered both the vegetarian and chicken versions. The vegetarian one wasn’t really for me, but the chicken was amazing. And the mochi ice cream afterward was the perfect sweet ending to the meal!”

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

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

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

“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 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!”

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

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

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

“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!”

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

“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”

“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”

“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!”

“This is one of our favorite bars and didn’t realize they have a hotel below. Finally booked a room and are having a great experience. Not right on the water but walking distance to the main drag with restaurants and shops. Great spot for a night or two.”

“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 location! The restaurant was a bit small but they had a nice patio set up. Plenty of umbrellas and heaters. We had a party of nine, but since they weren’t busy when we got there, they were able to accommodate us easily. I think if we were to come at a little bit busier of a time it would be harder for them to accommodate just because of the amount of tables that they have. I would suggest calling ahead if you have a group larger than six.
The menu was good, small, but a variety of options. Their margaritas were good, nothing special.
Service was great, and we didn’t have much wait time on anything. Drinks were refilled quickly and the server offered modifications that made ordering for kids easier. She also quietly and discreetly asked if we wanted dessert. We ended up ordering it, but it was nice that she said it quietly that way my boys didn’t here. It’s tough going out and not getting dessert but when my boys hear the server offering it that’s all they want. It was very kind of her.”

“One of my favorite local dive bars. The crowd is always friendly, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with people. Liz behind the bar is the best—super welcoming and makes killer margaritas and lemon drops. They also serve pizza from Sonny’s, a local Italian spot, and it’s honestly some of the best bar food around. Definitely worth stopping in if you’re in the area.”

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

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

“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! 💛 ☀️ 🥤”

“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.”

“Best moscow mule i've ever had in my entire life.They use ginger ale instead of ginger beer.Which makes it taste one billion times better.For some reason, it's only the women who make good drinks.Don't let the men make your drinks.I am a woman writing this.Thank you, ladies, you make good drinks. Love u sisters”

“The food and service was amazing”

“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”

“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!”

“It would be nice if management would give your employees good tools to work with employee was very nice efficient, but he can only be as good as the tools like gloves you give him to work with. Step it up management!!!”

“The two amazing staff that work here are super nice! They got me to try the Ube croissant it was so good! Their Vanilla latte was so good as well! I will be coming back because the staff are nice and accommodating and very friendly!”

“Great service and great food”

“Pizza is Great! Loved the fast Service.”

“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.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a less than 5 star In-N-Out experience. This was no different. California’s best chain by a mile and just so incredibly consistent.”

“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!”

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

“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”

“Amazing taco 🌮 experience”

“The food and service was amazing”

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

“Perfect setting and atmosphere! The food and pastries were delicious. I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich, and it was absolutely yummy! The cappuccino was also perfectly made.

I loved sitting outside, enjoying my breakfast while watching the town come alive with movement. A perfect spot for solo travelers or large groups alike.”

“THE FISH TACO WAS STELLAR! My wife doesn't care for fish and she took one bite and loved it and as for me I'm getting them every single time. I would say the Tamarindo drink could be an area of improvement but no biggie still good food. I'm going back soon”

“The best I have been too.”

“Outstanding food at a fair price! Food quality, preparation and presentation far exceeded my expectations. Clearly everything was made from the finest fresh ingredients. I immediately checked if they were a franchise as I am traveling and wish there was one of these close to home. Unfortunately not, but if you are in San Clemente you will not be disappointed eating here!”

“Had a blast here, great food, service was awesome, and the atmosphere was incredibly fun. They have a great bar and amazing rooftop with a view. Anytime we are in town this is our new go to. Of note, the owner was walking around talking to everyone, he’s an amazing person who is passionate about creating a great experience for everyone! Shout out to Lori, she kept those glasses full, cheers!”

“Such a great place for us on the south side of town.
Great beer and the food has just gotten better and better since day one.
The new detroiter was delicious and their coliflower crust pizza is great.”

“Really tasty food and coffee. Person working was the only one there at the time and took the orders that came in very efficiently and was really nice. Everything was so cute, I'd definitely come back”

“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!”