50 Best Seafood Restaurants near San Juan Capistrano

“First time at this restaurant. We had to sit outside because there was a party going on in the indoor part of the restaurant. Even though the heat lamp was on, it was still on the cold side. Through no fault of the restaurant, being outside on the patio facing the street, a car horn was going off for about 5 minutes which was very annoying. The waiter made several mistakes, I asked for no bacon on the salad and it came with bacon. My friends were half way done with their salad by the time my replacement came. The entree was very good, Tandoori shrimp, very tasty and unusual. I had asked for separate checks when we placed our order but when he brought the bill it was all on one check so he had to go back and redo it. I liked the food but not sure I'd go back. The menu didn't have a ton of options for vegetarians and I wouldn't want to get stuck eating outside if it was cold again. My friends enjoyed their meal as well.“

“Super fresh, smelled clean inside. Owner is quite friendly and really cares about making a nice bowl.

Got the large bowl with brown rice, and a selection of great sides and toppings. Not *too* many, but each one worth considering. Flavors and spice level were spot on, not too salty or sweet, which highlighted how good the fish choices are.“

“I like Nono's Affordable Mexican food, and a front patio to also eat at. I like there enchiladas, tostados, tacos.“

“Went here for our anniversary and had such a wonderful experience. Usually restaurants never pay attention when there is a special event flagged on OpenTable but they were so sweet and attentive and the service was amazing and recognized our anniversary multiple times. The food itself was right up my alley and I'm so sad I couldn't keep eating but I think I'll just have to come back a few more times! Definitely on my list of spots I'll come back to.“

“Have been here multiple times and they have been consistently serving authentic Mexican food. There’s seating indoors and a few tables outdoor. We got the. Carnitas, birria and carne asada tacos and all of them were delicious! Do give them a try.“

“I recently had the chance to go to The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar with my husband, and I absolutely loved it. From the start, the oceanfront atmosphere made the whole experience so special — nothing beats enjoying a good meal while listening to the waves in the background.

I ordered the Salmon BLT, and it was simply delicious. The bread was fresh with the perfect texture, the salmon was juicy and well-seasoned, and the avocado, lettuce, and tomato balanced everything beautifully. The crispy bacon added the perfect touch. The side of mushroom rice was flavorful yet light, which paired really well with the sandwich.

My husband went for the classic Fish and Chips, and he was just as impressed. The fish was perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while tender and fresh on the inside. The fries were hearty, and with a squeeze of lemon and the dipping sauce, it was spot on.

I enjoyed a chilled glass of white wine with my meal, which rounded out the experience perfectly.

Overall, it was a delicious lunch with spectacular views and very good service. I left feeling so happy to have shared such a wonderful moment with my husband. We’ll definitely be coming back soon.🙊🫨💃🏻🙌🏻“

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

“The staff here is excellent!!!! These guys are always running around doing their best to serve people. I FORGOT you okay it the front so bring cash for a tip. I felt I didnt5 leave as much as I sgould have, I'm sorry. Really awesome and welcoming. Haven't been here since I was a kid. Totally fun for the nostaliga love. The salad bar was awesome, glad to see it open again. Good prices for everything as well. Life you get tons of healthy options here! They still have the cheese toast! That was my treat with the salad. The food is good and simple. Perfect spot for picky eaters, I saw plenty of kids getting food and actually eating it.“

“This is a stellar restaurant with a great family-owned vibe. Chef Rob is brilliant and the apps, entrees, and desserts are all exquisite. His creativity that he lets loose in his Flight Club events is unparalleled. They have extra-friendly staff and elite customer service. And the fine dining experience comes with a fair price and an amazing value. Check it out and meet the Chef, you won’t be disappointed.“

“This has got to be some of the best poke in SoCal! Their fish is super fresh and the sauce doesn't mute the flavors of the fish. Everything is added carefully and you can choose any topping you want to add in making the meal very filling if you get a large! I left their ahi, salmon, octopus combo. It was so good!“

“So many good things. Soba noodle salad. yum! My favorite is the healthy fish and chips. The cajun whitefish was unbelievable! Everything is that I’ve had there.“

“Gunther was an amazing host,friendly.Being 35 years in the food and beverage industry I tend to notice more than most...The food fresh and delicious.Nice variety of drinks.Offered extra water cup which I would have asked for anyways..Watching the crew they work well with each other always trying to keep busy not lazy...and this place was clean!! Front doors looked good as the saying goes (dirty doors dirty kitchen). Everything is superb thanks for the great food and atmosphere“

“Great service, great food!!👏“

“We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria however the Monarch Bay Beach Club shined-Our server Kristen was absolutely fantastic! Attentive, friendly, and truly made our experience feel special from start to finish. Manager Mado also went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect for us [unfortunately the Waldorf didn't do anything special for our celebration] The food was absolutely delicious, and we chose the Beach Club for our meals over the resort. Kristen and Mado turned our stay and experience around!“

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

“This food truck is tucked in the same lot as George’s Episcopal Church. Pro tip: map the church so you don’t get lost. There are several eateries in that lot, but don’t get distracted just look for the green food truck and you’ll know you’ve found the right spot!

I came here right after my workout and ordered food to go. OMG, I had no idea the tacos were humongous! They are literally the size of my palm spread out! Jeeesuz!

I ordered three tacos:

Gobernador: I didn’t get to it until the next day, but the shrimp were so big and juicy, and that Chipotle aioli? Pure genius. I could put that on everything!
Octopus: The only one I ate fresh that day and oh my goodness, flavor explosion! The melted cheese, the seasoning, the texture… everything about it is 10/10!
Spicy Shrimp: I accidentally doubled up on shrimp tacos so I saved this one for the next day too, still delicious, still worth it.

Service can take a little while since there’s only one person taking orders and they’re cooking everything fresh in the truck, but trust me , it’s absolutely worth the wait!

Who would’ve thought a little food truck could make such a big impact? Don’t sleep on this hidden gem please come and taste the goodness for yourself!“

“Very good stuff! Being picky and in the same type of business, it's difficult to find. Great job guys. will be back next time I'm in town“

“The Sunday Brunch at Lantern's Edge was amazing - from start to finish. The restaurant host, Christine, warmly welcomed us when we arrived. The decor and ambiance of the restaurant was coastal and the floor to ceiling windows filled the room with natural light. Our server, Miguel, provided top notch service throughout our meal. I opted in for the endless brunch option that had unlimited mimosas, regular breakfast items, and premium items (jumbo shrimp, crab legs, prime rib, and more) all for $65. We sat outside in the patio that had amazing ocean views accompanied by live entertainment. I noted on my reservation that we were celebrating a birthday and Boran, sous chef from the kitchen came out and personally greeted us and wished my friend a happy birthday. Lantern's Edge is truly a hidden gem in Dana Point. I will 100% be coming back and let everyone know this is the place to be for great food, amazing service, and impeccable vibes!“

“We live right up the canyon and had never visited. Highly recommend!! Great food, reasonable prices, our waitress, Cassidy was so great! She was efficient with everything and just had the nicest personality. We will be back!!!“

“So much fun! Came here for my birthday and they did everything right- food, ambiance, staff, etc“

“Really enjoyed my stay! The rooms were quiet and comfortable, the hotel bar was fantastic, and the room service was excellent. Loved the thoughtful little amenities—they really made a difference.“

“Delicious and fine food, stunning scenery, exceptional personnel. Absolutely recommended!“

“AXEL was great! Super fast and eager/willing to help. My wife was being a ‘lil needy on the kiosk and he wasn’t phased in the least bit…he even offered us a complimentary drink when I forgot to order it and went back to order it separately and pay. He said “don’t worry about it,” and handed me a cup…it was a small gesture that spoke volumes about his customer service ethic! THANK YOU!“

“Food was delicious, especially the Chilean seabass. Service was fast and friendly. Lost my wallet. Went back and the manager Brian Dogotch had it saved for me. Thanks for a great experience!“

“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.“

“Each dish is spectacular. Love the calamari ….can be an appetizer to share or eat on your own with a salad. 230:Forest Avenue never disappoints!!!“

“Great food, service and atmosphere.“

“Best birthday dinner and celebration! Alix was a great server and the Chouffe brewery representative added to our great experience. Having spent a lot of time in Brussels, we always love and order the moule and frites. Superb! Don't miss ordering the delicious side dish roasted vegetables cassolette. One other favorite we had was the trout almondine. Perfection. The flaming birthday dessert made our daughter's night. Thank you, Brussels Bistro San Clemente!“

“Wonderful food and great service!“

“excellent food atmophere and service!“

“The three of us all ordered the traditional Thanksgiving turkey diner which was pleasantly severed on the restaurant's newly remodeled terrace. The food and service was excellent and portions were more than ample so that we each had "seconds" of turkey, dressing and potatoes to take home.“

“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“

“Had a wonderful evening out with my wife at Ironwood Cellars in Laguna Hills. We had reservations for 5:30 p.m. and arrived early. We were greeted by Joe, the manager on duty, who was very kind, professional, and welcoming. Art was our server and is amazingly gifted in customer service professionalism and overall people skills. Yes, showing the love. We started with tequilla drinks from the bar, and we each had a wedge salad. Joe sent us over a wonderful Agnolotti appetizer as well, which was more than kind. The ambiance was positive and upbeat, perfect for the evening. Sergio was also quite attentive in making sure our table was serviced properly. We ordered our entrees with my wife having the halibut dinner, and I had the famous giant meatball dish. Both meals were hot & tasty and presented well. We had a terrific time, and Art surprised us with a complimentary dessert 🍨 with berries. The restaurant is so nice and offers an outdoor patio and bar seating as well. The wine list is extensive, as are the craft beers. Highly recommended.“

“Our first time! Fresh seafood and excellent service. Didn't like the screaming music from the single speaker. It is on the harbor, the ambiance is beautiful no need for such noise!“

“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 ?“

“Great spot! View and food were great!!“

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

“Fresh fish expertly prepared by friendly chef with equally cheerful service staff! We will be back“

“This restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is incredible, the service is amazing, and we love the live piano music. There are so many restaurants in the area to choose from, but we find ourselves always choosing Luxe.“

“pasta , lasagna very friendly polite and helpful waiter“

“Delicious and healthy options, well seasoned, salsa bar great atmosphere 20/20 Yummylicious 😊😋You just have to visit Baja Fish and you won't regret it. Affordable prices, good portions. They have plenty parking in Laguna Hills, and also in Laguna Woods. 🥗🍲🥑🍋🍋‍🟩🥗“

“Delicious 🥰familiale belle vague 🌊 beach 🏝️☀️“

“Súper recomendado muy sabroso 😋 y muy amables todos 💕🙏“

“The Lumberyard located in beautiful downtown Laguna Beach is a great place to have lunch or dinner. There is a new $16 lunch menu and I decided to try the fish tacos. There was a choice between salmon or halibut for the tacos which included shredded cabbage with a pink cream sauce and a side of black bean and corn salad. I chose the halibut for my taco and it was cooked perfectly. It was a generous portion of fish in each of the tacos so it could easily be split with a friend. The service was excellent. Our orders were taken within about five minutes of sitting down and the food came out quickly after we ordered. I would recommend the Lumberyard if you are visiting Laguna Beach. You will need to have reservations during the Art Festivals or when there is a play at the Playhouse.“

“Great flavor, great service and great prices“

“What A Dish provided the catering for my niece’s baby shower, and I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about them. From start to finish, their care, attention to detail, and genuine concern for making the day perfect were evident.

They listened closely to my niece’s wishes and delivered above and beyond. Every dish was absolutely amazing — fresh, beautifully presented, and delicious. They arrived on time, set everything up flawlessly, and even cleaned up afterward. Without us even asking, they left one of their team members to help serve guests, which was such a thoughtful and unexpected touch.

I want to give a special shout-out to Tim, who was truly a godsend. His kindness, professionalism, and warm presence made the entire event feel even more special. He went out of his way to ensure everything ran smoothly, and our family can’t thank him enough.

If you’re considering catering for any event, look no further. What A Dish exceeded every expectation. We will absolutely be using them again!“

“Tasty, delicious food every time. They are consistent. I especially like their house salad with ranch dressing, free pizza bread, garlic bread, chicken parmigiana pasta with meat sauce. These are my faves here. I love their pizza too.“