San Clemente Restaurants
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South of Nick's - San Clemente
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.8(2,014)An essential stop in Orange County for Southern California Mexican Cuisine.
South of Nick's Mexican Kitchen & Bar features Classic Mexican favorites, prime steaks and seafood with a So Cal twist. Fine Tequilas & Margaritas
Our food and drink meets the highest standards of quality, freshness and seasonality and combines both modern-creative and traditional styles of cooking.
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.Vine Restaurant & Bar
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(3,111)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.
Brussels Bistro - San Clemente
Price: Moderate•Belgian•4.9(717)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.Fig 313
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.8(867)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.
Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Clemente
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.5(141)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, 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.Gema
Price: Expensive•Contemporary Mexican•4.2(255)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.
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See what locals rave about in San Clemente
- MMargoNew York City •88 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoThe menu at Fig313 is thoughtfully curated, offering a blend of seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Each dish we tried was meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. Standout items included the fresh seafood appetizer and a perfectly seared steak that was tender and full of flavor. The wine list is extensive, with knowledgeable staff offering great pairing recommendations. Service was impeccable. The staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the pacing of the meal was just right, allowing us to savor each course without feeling rushed.More infoFig 313Price: Expensive• Contemporary American• San Clemente•4.8
- CBChrisBVIPOrange County •3 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoFood was fantastic, as was the staff and management.More infoVine Restaurant & BarPrice: Moderate• American• San Clemente•4.8
- BBarbaraVIPLos Angeles •66 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoWe love Brussels. The food and service are consistently good.More infoBrussels Bistro - San ClementePrice: Moderate• Belgian• San Clemente•4.9
- SSimiVIPOrange County •12 reviews5.0Dined 6 days agoFood was excellent, waitress had a great attitude friendly and very service oriented, I appreciate that.More infoParlor, Woodfire Kitchen & CocktailsPrice: Moderate• American• San Clemente•4.7
- TTerryDenver / Colorado •16 reviews5.0Dined on Mar 11, 2025Outstanding. Will return Great drinks, appetizers, entrees and dessertMore infoDrift Distillery and SmokehousePrice: Moderate• Barbecue• San Clemente•4.6
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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
Child friendly restaurants in San Clemente include Buona Forchetta San Clemente, Parlor, Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails and Nick's - San Clemente
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