San Clemente Restaurants
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Brussels Bistro - San Clemente
Price: Moderate•Belgian•4.8(743)Since 2004, Brussels Bistro has brought the best of Belgium's flavors to Southern California.
Brussels, Capital of Belgium, is also the Capital of Europe. Brussels Bistro restaurants, Chef Thomas Crijns (From the prestigious Namur Hotel School) and his teams offer a unique and authentic experience of the Belgian and French cuisine in the Heart of southern California. Come travel with us, enjoy and taste the Brussels Bistro Experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere in both Laguna Beach and San Clemente.
Come enjoy our Special Mussels & Belgian Fries, the Chef's Boeuf Bourguignon, our Famous Pork Shank, amongst other unique Belgian and French Selections.Nick's - San Clemente
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(3,200)Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.
Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.
Buona Forchetta San Clemente
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.8(341)Experience a piece of the Buona Forchetta San Diego heritage through authentic Italian recipes that have been handed down through generations. Today, there are five locations around San Diego, with our sixth in San Clemente (plus a recent seventh in Newport Beach). Buona Forchetta’s Italian wood-fired pizzas—with the perfectly soft-yet-crispy crusts—continue to garner awards including San Diego Magazine Best Pizza 2023 Critic’s Choice, Gambero Rosso Best Pizzeria, Gayot Best Italian Restaurant San Diego, OpenTable Diner’s Choice and more. Our handmade pasta dishes bursting with rich flavors, fresh seafood specialities and decadent desserts will all leave you craving more. All Buona Forchetta locations also offer gluten-free Italian options and rotating specials.Rare Society - San Clemente
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.8(63)Sink your teeth into Rare Society - a modern homage to the golden age of the American steakhouse. Chef and owner Brad Wise reimagines vintage upscale dining with a bold, contemporary edge: a wood-fired grill fueled by red oak, an in-house dry-aging program, sustainably sourced seafood, and a progressive cocktail menu that nods to the classics while pushing boundaries. The space hums with energy - smoke curling from the grill, the scent of fire and flavor wafting through the air. It’s easy to picture a Rat Pack-era dinner party in full swing: elegant, indulgent, just a little unruly. Rare Society doesn’t just pay tribute to steakhouse tradition - it revives it, reinvents it, and serves it with just a little bit of swagger.
Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Clemente
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.7(162)Located in the heart of San Clemente, the Rancho Capistrano Winery location exudes a captivating charm that seamlessly blends with the coastal beauty of the surroundings. The architecture, adorned with rustic elegance, creates an inviting atmosphere for wine enthusiasts and visitors alike. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, and Winner of San Clemente Best of awards in the wine category, the San Clemente location at Rancho Capistrano Winery invites guests to savor fine wines, enjoy exquisite cuisine, while immersed in the coastal beauty of Southern California.Fig 313
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.7(889)Built in 1927, Fig313 stands today as an original historical landmark of San Clemente, with a history that is meant to be shared with its seaside community. Carefully constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, distinctive design features include red-tile roofs, white stucco walls, hand-crafted windows and arches, painted tiles, and open-air courtyards.
Originally owned for the first 33 years by John and Jeanette Riley, 313 El Camino Real was renowned as Riley’s Waffle and Coffee Shop. Legend has it that actor John Wayne frequented the restaurant for a hearty American breakfast along with many travelers from all over the world. From 1960 on, Riley’s Café would change ownership many times, evolving into a furniture store, French restaurant, tequila company, and catering business. In 2012, the current owners purchased the property and began renovations and restoration, while staying true to the integrity of the original style.
See what locals rave about in San Clemente
- AAndreaOrange County •1 review5.0Dined 1 day agoJ was an awesome server….she had great recommendations, took time to ask our opinion about food and drinks, chatted with us a bit about why we were there and what we were celebrating and even sent out a very special surprise for our boys…she was AWESOME! The food was creative, tasty, and very enjoyable. You MUST try the wings appetizer…a family fav! And the mushroom pizza (add sausage) was a hit! The Whipper Snapper was a delicious bourbon cocktail….would definitely order again. There is so many fun options on in the menu….we will definitely be going back to try more.More infoParlor, Woodfire Kitchen & CocktailsPrice: Moderate• American• San Clemente•4.7
- DDianeVIPOrange County •4 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoGreat food and exceptional service. Can't wait to go back.More infoNick's - San ClementePrice: Moderate• American• San Clemente•4.8
- CcatherineDenver / Colorado •5 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoThe food and service were excellent it was just a little noisy even being at a back table in the cornerMore infoSouth of Nick's - San ClementePrice: Moderate• Mexican• San Clemente•4.8
- MmikeSan Diego •22 reviews4.0Dined 4 days agoMy wife and I completely enjoyed this restaurant, the food and the service. My wife had the pork tomahawk which was done to perfection, meat removed from the bone, sliced, arranged on the plate covered in a reduction sauce, onions and pineapple. I had the prime ribeye (perfect although medium rare was a little more rare than my experience at other places), Parker House rolls, scalloped potatoes and roasted mushrooms, all excellent.More infoRare Society - San ClementePrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• San Clemente•4.8
- AAnneLos Angeles •7 reviews5.0Dined 6 days agoThe Vine welcome’s you in as if you are part of their family the service and food is amazing! Will definitely return again.More infoVine Restaurant & BarPrice: Moderate• American• San Clemente•4.9
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Discover San Clemente
San Clemente is located in the rolling hills of Orange County. Cross-cut ribs are particularly popular at bistros and small restaurants here. More generally, steakhouses dominate the culinary industry. These steakhouses range from upscale establishments to smaller eateries that serve homemade foods. Chefs use beef from local ranches, guaranteeing freshness for all cuts of meat. Indian food also has a surprisingly large influence. On the West End, Indian restaurants form a small community that shares facilities and staff. The food here has been lauded by critics who recognize its authenticity and complex flavor. Overall, San Clemente has luxurious food in casual environments, an awesome combination that leads to a unique cuisine.
Frequently asked questions
Dog friendly restaurants in San Clemente include Buona Forchetta San Clemente, South of Nick's - San Clemente and Nick's - San Clemente
Child friendly restaurants in San Clemente include Parlor, Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails, Nick's - San Clemente and Brussels Bistro - San Clemente
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