Best Seasonal Restaurants in San Clemente

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanChinese

Regions

South Orange County

Neighborhoods

Dana Point / Monarch BeachLaguna BeachMission Viejo / Rancho Santa MargaritaSan ClementeSan Juan Capistrano

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

17 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Vine Restaurant & Bar restaurant

1. Vine Restaurant & Bar

4.8

Exceptional(3097)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • San Clemente

Booked 31 times today

Welcome to Vine Restaurant and Bar located in San Clemente. Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality and are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails.

2. Gema

4.2

Awesome(254)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • San Clemente

Booked 5 times today

With a moody Mexico City vibe & modern dining room, Gema has an intimate neighborhood feel & buzzy bar scene. Our scratch-made kitchen highlights the finest Mexican ingredients & the countries staples of corn, chiles & regional cheeses .Our craft cocktail program changes with the season & features house-made syrups & fresh daily juiced citrus. Our bar hosts over 100 bottles of Mexico's finest small batch Mezcals which can be enjoyed in a flight or purchased by bottle and housed for your convenience inour Mezcal Liabrary. Our wines are brought in from Valle de Guadaulape and offer an amazing taste into the emerging Baja wine region. Gema celebrates the vast & sophisticated cuisine of Mexico, its people & its culture. We are proud to serve authentic Mexican cuisine that moves beyond the stereotypical bean and rice culture often associatedwith Mexican eateries. We hope you join us at Gema to experience the true palate of Mexican dining.

3. Fig 313

4.7

Exceptional(863)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • San Clemente

Booked 5 times today

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.

A photo of The Tea House on Los Rios restaurant

4. The Tea House on Los Rios

4.8

Exceptional(2843)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 59 times today

Set in a beautifully restored 1911 cottage complete with a wrap-around veranda and lush gardens, The Tea House on Los Rios offers Orange County's premier high tea experience. Known for our famous scones, delicious tea sandwiches, and loose-leaf teas, we also feature a full luncheon menu and a weekend brunch menu, complete with mimosas and Bloody Marys. Join us for an unforgettable experience on Historic Los Rios Street in San Juan Capistrano. Take the train and making a day of it!

A photo of RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel restaurant

5. RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

4.7

Exceptional(2511)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 25 times today

RAYA, a restaurant concept by Chef Richard Sandoval, showcases Pan-Latin coastal cuisine prepared with sustainable seafood, local produce, natural and organic meats, and signature Latin flavors.

A photo of Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano restaurant

6. Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano

4.9

Exceptional(452)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 9 times today

**We are walk in only for Brunch. Reservations & walk ins available for Dinner**Mayfield combines modern Californian cooking with flavors from the Levant region, an area spanning the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. Made to be shared, our food is designed to be experienced and enjoyed together.Please include any humans, big or small, in your guest count so we can make sure we have enough space at the table for you all.

7. Ciao Pasta

4.8

Exceptional(1288)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 14 times today

Ciao Pasta offers the most authentic flavors of southern Italy in a historic setting reminiscent of the old world. Located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, we take pride in bringing the rich flavors and traditions of Italy right to your table. Our menu features a delightful array of dishes, from handmade pasta and artisanal pizzas to fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, all crafted with the finest ingredients.At Ciao Pasta, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in good company. Our cozy atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, romantic dinners, or casual nights out with friends. With a selection of carefully curated wines and house-made desserts, we invite you to indulge in the taste of Italy.Happy hour at Ciao Pasta includes discounted house wine and beer, where guests are free to indulge in the beverages as they share affordable appetizers and select entrees. Join us for a culinary journey that celebrates the passion and culture of Italian dining. Buon Appetito!

8. Harvest

4.6

Exceptional(2483)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Laguna Beach

Booked 36 times today

Our restaurant, bar and private dining room celebrate the storied history of California's organic farming, brewing, and oenology. Outdoor patio seating unveils stunning Aliso Canyon and golf course views. As an homage to the original homesteaders, fresh-made food and drink are a focus throughout your dining experience, with many ingredients harvested on property. What we don't grow here is thoughtfully sourced.Kyle St. John is the Executive Chef bringing his passion of farm-to-table cooking and fresh, locally-sourced cuisine. The menu changes with each season, integrating fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables grown and gathered from our own half-acre Harvest Farm. The new bar is a haven of sociability, featuring an innovative handcrafted cocktail menu, enticing wine list and 18 craft beers on tap—all for sipping along with earnest conversation.The Harvest team shares their masterfully creative and intensely local take on California coastal cuisine designed with food-lovers in mind.

A photo of Bloom Restaurant + Bar restaurant

9. Bloom Restaurant + Bar

4.8

Exceptional(870)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 37 times today

Orange County-based restaurateur Russ Bendel and partners are bringing a sister restaurant to his thriving wine country concepts to the San Juan Capistrano dining scene.Bloom is an all-encompassing dining experience, featuring craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and craft beer selections. Located directly across from the Mission of San Juan on the corner of Old Mission Road and Camino Capistrano. Check out our website for more information: www.BloomSanJuanCapistrano.comDon't forget to follow us on instagram to stay up to date about Bloom: BloomRestaurantAndBar

A photo of Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge restaurant

10. Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

4.6

Exceptional(759)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Booked 11 times today

Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a modern speakeasy with the allure of old Hollywood, offering a menu of east coast classics with west coast flavor and finesse. This chef driven, husband and wife owned restaurant provides a comfortable neighborhood dining experience. Scarlet offers local, quality ingredients carefully curated to meet every diners desires. Scarlet is a place for everyone to enjoy a date night or just a quick bite at the bar. Scarlet introduces a new menu every season courtesy of Chef-Owner Paige Riordan and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Martinez. Enjoy a taste of the season from Scarlet’s dining room or heated canyon-view patio and. Scarlet elevates the plate with a new menu of dishes brimming with bold, finessed flavor highlighting peak-of-season ingredients, humanely raised prime meats, and sustainable seafood, reflective of Riordan’s East Coast roots.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MADELYNN
Los Angeles •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Charming place. Waitstaff and hostesses very friendly and helpful. Would definitely return
More info
The Tea House on Los RiosPrice: Expensive• Afternoon Tea• San Juan Capistrano
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
I took my girlfriend here for a bday celebration dinner & also had the chance to go next door for the mezcal speakloud which was also amazing. It was a beautiful experience through and through.
More info
GemaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• San Clemente
•
4.2
R
Robert
Orange County •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The menu at The Vine offers great variety. The meals my wife and I ordered were very tasty and cooked to perfection. Adam made us feel very welcome and ably provided all the details about the menu that we needed to make a decision. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience!
More info
Vine Restaurant & BarPrice: Moderate• American• San Clemente
•
4.8
M
Margo
New York City •87 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Great food, service and Ambiance. Ambiance is enhanced by elegant decor and a garden-like setting, making it suitable for both casual meals and special occasions. Fig’s warm and inviting environment complements amazing menu and dishes are high-quality with fresh ingredients used in each dish. Fig 313 offers a delightful dining experience, combining innovative flavors with a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service.
More info
Fig 313Price: Expensive• Contemporary American• San Clemente
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Tampa / Central Florida West •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
Outstanding scene Great food Impeccable service Will be back
More info
RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna NiguelPrice: Expensive• Latin American• Dana Point / Monarch Beach
•
4.7

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