Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Clemente

Christmas or New Year dinners at a restaurant are, by their very nature (i.e. a time everyone wants off and demand outstrips supply) going to be a compromise scenario. The experience here was surprisingly uncompromised. The service was fantastic, the appetizers (clam chowder, spinach salad, artichokes) were uniformly wonderful and generously proportioned, main courses were very good as well, although the prime rib wasn’t quite as well seasoned as one might expect, it too was cooked properly and properly proportioned. Don’t read that as a complaint, not on Christmas, nope, that was a minor compromise that did not diminish from a wonderful experience.

Harpoon Henry's has been a wonderful restaurant on the harbor for many years. I have enjoyed many great meals and happy hours here over the years. Ambiance is warm and cozy with great harbor views, the Christmas Day turkey dinner was prepared to perfection and the service was outstanding as usual. I understand that this wonderful restaurant will close in the spring. It is so unfortunate that Dana Point Harbor Partners is driving away all that is good around the harbor for the love of more money. Thanks to all at Harpoon Henry's for today and for all the happy times in the past.

You have to try the Chart House for the holidays! Their special holiday menu offered many selections- there was something for everyone! I had the New York Strip steak medium rare and it was cooked to perfection. Others in our party had the Chilean sea bass with lobster risotto and raved about it! The service was excellent and well paced! Our experience at The Chart House made a great Christmas memory! And you can’t beat the view of the Dana Point Harbor! Merry Christmas everyone!

A nice stop on the way to the airport. The bell desk held our luggage while we checked out the beach scene before our lunch reservation. Service and food was good. Restaurant honored a Yelp 50% off appetizer as a bonus. The brussel sprouts was a good choice. Would return if we’re back in the area.