Pierside Kitchen & Bar

Makes no sense to me...a GREAT location! Opposite the Pier and beach. But the ambiance, etc show such indifference. Menus are town, wrinkled and beat up, but still in use. Inside restaurant has very little decor or ambiance. What this COULD be and what is, are two different things. Food was good but nothing special. I doubt I would take out of towners there again unless Pierside picks it up a notch. As a local, I'm bummed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Inside and outdoor seating available. Got seated fast but it took awhile before a server came to us. But our server was friendly
Food was delicious. I got the chicken tacos

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Thank you for making us delicious, spontaneous takeaway fish and chips in the morning for our train ride! ???

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything was wonderful!! I had brunch ( Amazing Cali Benedict & smashed Potatoes ?) the hubby had lunch(chicken sandwich & salad) - We both left happy and satisfied. Everything was cooked perfectly ?- shout out to the cooks!! And our waitress was excellent!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is my go to restaurant in San Clemente. Never been disappointed. Get the Brussels sprouts starter!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder

Pierside Kitchen & Bar is located inside of the Casa Tropicana Boutique Beachfront Hotel. This quaint coastal themed spot is right across from the San Clemente Pier. You can see the beautiful sunset from the patio area, although it’s better by the pier. There’s also a monorail train that goes by, which can be loud. After our meal, we walked across the street to the pier to get a better view of the ocean.

We had made a reservation for a big group so they set up a great spot for us. Service was attentive.

Appetizers: Truffle Fries, Coconut Shrimp (FAVE), Crispy Brussel Sprouts (MUST-TRY)

The Salmon BLT was huge and looked fantastic. It was one of those dishes that comes to the table and you wish you had ordered that lol.

I ordered the Herbed Salmon. Pan seared Atlantic Salmon with asparagus, herbed rice and a truffle chimichurri. Perfectly cooked. Needed more chimichurri.

Others ordered: Beer battered Fish and Chips, Double Smash Cheeseburger, Crispy Shrimp Tacos

There is a big paid parking lot just around the corner but can get full during peak beach times.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So, this place is an absolute joke. Had to go in search of someone to seat us. Charlotte brough us out three grubby, food stained, cumpled up photocopy menus. We settled on what we wanted, only to be told that two of the items are no longer served from about a month ago. Hmm, crappy disposable paper menu, crossing it off might have been a good idea.

We ordered the chowder tots, but what eventually showed up was clam chowder. By this time, we were tired of waiting for her to come back since she was the only server for more than a dozen tables.

The food overall looked great. Taste was overall lacking the use of spices, herbs and seasonings.

Caesar salad was unremarkably average.

Shrimp scampi lacked garlic and butter and was more of a thin clam sauce over penne even though the menu said linguine. This was the best dish.

Herbed salmon was ok, but not at all a crowd pleaser.

Then there's the shrimp ceviche... bland, no spice, no lime juice, no spice, watery; really disappointing for an easy dish.

I was the driver, so I had iced tea. A refill cost me for a second drink. I've never seen an iced tea in the US where refills were a 2nd charge. Even starbucks will refill a drip coffee for free.

Honestly, avoid this place and walk out to the pier instead; you'll enjoy it way more.

Food looks great, but looks are deceiving.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

This is my favorite place. Don't come here, it's not big enough for all of us

Excellent service and food. Great location very telaxed

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Sit on porch with son and daughter in law.Nice setting,right at beachside overlooking pier.Waitress was awesome,Have had better breakfast burritos,as I traveled the US as a truck driver Just seemed to be all egg which is filling .Clam chowder was excellent with plenty of clams and creamy not watered down.Son and daughter in law enjoyed being able sit on porch with dog,but I did not notice any water dishes for them as when came was a little hot.All in all very pleasant and enjoyable experience.Would definitely return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cali Sandwich, Taste

Usually have good experiences here. Food is okay nothing special, but the FRIED CHICKEN literally is not salted, and if it is… it’s with a pinch. Second time trying it with months apart. Hoping for new food choices in the future.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

We were a group of 6 and everyone enjoyed their individual dishes. Service was good although we were there when it was not busy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Service was slow as well as looked like they didn’t want to be there. The food was overpriced and genuinely I have had left overs from the dining hall better than the chicken.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Berry French Toast

Food all tasted the same, oily and bland. Very expensive and not a lot of food either. Server was not friendly and food came out at different times.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

The food was not great, very expensive, and below average service.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1