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Best Neighbourhood Gem Restaurants in San Clemente

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18 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Buona Forchetta San Clemente restaurant
1. Buona Forchetta San Clemente
4.8
Exceptional(279)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • San Clemente
Booked 30 times today
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 opening this month in San Clemente, CA. 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.
A photo of The Tea House on Los Rios restaurant
2. The Tea House on Los Rios
4.8
Exceptional(2807)
Price: Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • San Juan Capistrano
Booked 64 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
3. RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
4.7
Exceptional(2498)
Price: Expensive
• Latin American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 20 times today
RAYA, a restaurant concept by Richard Sandoval, showcases Pan-Latin coastal cuisine prepared with sustainable seafood, local produce, natural and organic meats, and signature Latin flavors.In celebration of love and friendship, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has several elevated dining experiences available to resort guests and locals alike. Indulge in a three-course Valentine's Day menu or afternoon Heart Tea in RAYA.This Galentine's Day, we invite you to join us at 180blu for Amigas & Agave featuring a four-course pre-fixe menu accompanied by Don Julio tequila pairings. Toast to friendship as you enjoy culinary delights, photobooth with friends, and a golden California sunset. Amigos are welcome too!Tickets may be purchased through EventBrite: https://qrco.de/AmigasandAgave
A photo of Coastal Kitchen restaurant
4. Coastal Kitchen
4.8
Exceptional(4994)
Price: Moderate
• American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 96 times today
Christina and Mike Grant, the owners of Coastal Kitchen, have created an experience that will delight and satisfy the most discerning guest. Fueled by their passion for food and a love of hospitality, the Grants have established Coastal Kitchen as the go-to spot in Dana Point. The menu is clean and fresh consisting of fish and steaks cut in house, great salads, freshly ground burgers and more. Coastal Kitchen has a full bar, patio with fire pits, and fresh coastal design. Our mission is to deliver a quality dining experience in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with a consistency that will bring guests back again and again. We look forward to serving you.
A photo of Wind & Sea Restaurant restaurant
5. Wind & Sea Restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1865)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 28 times today
The Wind & Sea Restaurant is located on the water in the Dana Point Harbor. With water on three sides, every table has a spectacular view. We serve fresh fish selections daily as well as Lobster tail, shrimp, steaks, and vegetarian dishes.Monday through Friday (not available Holidays and Special occasions) we have Hawaiian Happy Hour from 4:00 to 7:00 featuring our world famous Mai Tai's as well as draft beer, wine and food specials. Big screen TV's, keep the lounge exciting at all times. The waterfront open-air patio serves the full menu and is heated at night, perfect for an order of nachos and a margarita or a full dinner under the stars. Private banquet facilities accommodate 20 to 75.
A photo of Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Juan Capistrano restaurant
6. Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Juan Capistrano
4.8
Exceptional(351)
Price: Moderate
• American • San Juan Capistrano
Booked 17 times today
Voted 2024 San Juan Capistrano Business of the Year!Winner of multiple Best of San Juan Awards including best restaurant, best dinner, best lunch, best ambiance, best wine and many more. Rancho Capistrano Winery has become the must go destination for locals and visitors alike. In addition to producing over 40 different wines from the finest grape growing regions in the West, we are known for our award-winning signature dishes that blend perfectly with our wines. Our grapes are sourced from different premier wine regions, including Paso Robles, Lodi, Northern California and Washington. Rancho Capistrano Winery has proudly grown to be the largest winery in Orange County,
A photo of Luciana's Ristorante restaurant
7. Luciana's Ristorante
4.6
Exceptional(3451)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 37 times today
Located in a historical home in the resort town of Dana Point, California, Luciana's Ristorante has been serving the Orange County community for over 40 years. The decor is reminiscent of a cozy European-style inn, establishing it as one of Orange County's most romantic restaurants. Awarded the Southern California Restaurant Writers gold medal since 1996, three stars from the California Restaurant Writers, Zagat's Survey "America’s 1,000 Top Italian Restaurants 2008" and an Award of Excellence for its wine list, Luciana's has been setting the standard for classic as well as innovative Italian cuisine. Whether visiting our cozy restaurant or our Bed and Breakfast and Cooking School in Tuscany, Italy, you are sure to experience the best and freshest combination of the old and new worlds.
A photo of Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant restaurant
8. Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1509)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 18 times today
OPEN FOR DINING INDOORS AND ON OUR WATERFRONT OUTDOOR PATIO Join us dockside for dining with sweeping Harbor views; for a weekend breakfast, or lunch/dinner daily... in the evenings we have patio heaters to keep you warm!Harpoon Henrys Seafood Restaurant is proud to offer a spectacular waterfront view, fresh seafood, and the latest in California Beach Cuisine. We offer our guests harbor views from our dining room and our outdoor waterfront patio. For 46 years, we have provided the best in service, ambiance, and cuisine. We have been winners of awards from the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association”, a finalist for Dining Excellence from both the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and the County of Orange, and our wine list has been awarded a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence.”
A photo of CRAFT HOUSE Dana Point restaurant
9. CRAFT HOUSE Dana Point
4.8
Exceptional(1514)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 20 times today
At Craft House Restaurant we focus on serving the freshest local ingredients to our guests. From working with local fishermen in the Dana Point Harbor to sourcing ingredients from the local farmer's markets. At Craft House we pride ourselves on having one of the best American whiskey selection in South Orange County. From you daily drinking whiskey to the one's you've spend your life trying to taste (all of the Pappy van Winkle collection).
A photo of Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge restaurant
10. Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge
4.6
Exceptional(753)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 5 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.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Katie
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We’ve loved The Tea House on Los Rios for so many years now. Celebrated birthdays and just being with loved ones here. The food is great, the teas are AMAZING, the service is always wonderful and the whole experience leaves us happy and cared for and always anticipating our next visit. Highly recommend them.
    More info
    The Tea House on Los RiosPrice: Expensive• Afternoon Tea• San Juan Capistrano
    •
    4.8
  • Jesse
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Some of the best food I’ve ever had. Had a great view with live music. I can honestly say that I had the best customer service that I’ve had in my life. Dean was absolutely phenomenal professional, attentive, and even brought a rose to the table being it was valentine’s Day. Definitely a great ambience because of the amazing customer service and overall experience of ambience and view will definitely be returning highly suggest.
    More info
    RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna NiguelPrice: Expensive• Latin American• Dana Point / Monarch Beach
    •
    4.7
  • LisaVIP
    Orange County •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Fabulous restaurant! Excellent food, ambience and service. Highly recommend! The pizza is authentic & amazing, the seafood delicious and everything is fresh. Great for a date night or a meal with friends. Nice wine selection too!
    More info
    Buona Forchetta San ClementePrice: Moderate• Italian• San Clemente
    •
    4.8
  • MarkVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •153 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Our experience at this Javier's was overall fantastic. The food and service were what you always hope a restaurant of this caliber would be. We would recommend that if you are dining at a busy time of day to arrive early as this is an extremely busy restaurant and center, and the parking lots can completely fill up and the valet can get backed up. Other than that, our experience was top notch!
    More info
    Javier's Crystal CovePrice: Expensive• Mexican• Newport Beach
    •
    4.7
  • Jille
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    I made reservations. I chose this restaurant because none of my guests had eaten here before and to celebrate a friend's 91st birthday. for a friend. When I made the reservations I requested a table overlooking the nursery. There was no wait when we arrived. They accommodated us with a table I requested. The overall service was excellent. The waitress, Becca was pleasant, knowledgeable about the menu, and very attentive. She came back several times during our lunch to make sure everything was okay and to see if we needed anything. Everyone raved about the food. Three or us ordered the tuna sandwich and one ordered the burger. It was all excellent. Remembering we were there to celebrate a birthday, Becca brought out a complimentary dessert with a candle. The whole experience for me and my guests couldn't have been better. We will definitely be returning and bringing more friends.
    More info
    Farmhouse at Rogers GardensPrice: Expensive• American• Corona del Mar
    •
    4.8

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in San Clemente

San Clemente, located in South Orange County, is home to a delightful array of "neighborhood gem" restaurants that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. These establishments are renowned for their intimate ambiance and exceptional dining experiences, which make them stand out in the local culinary scene. Each restaurant offers unique menus that often highlight local ingredients and showcase innovative culinary techniques. The dining scene in San Clemente is characterized by its casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, appealing to both locals and visitors seeking a memorable meal. These restaurants not only provide excellent food and service but also contribute to the community's charm and appeal. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot for a romantic dinner or a vibrant setting for a family gathering, San Clemente's neighborhood gems offer something special for every occasion. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes them must-visit destinations for anyone exploring the culinary delights of South Orange County.

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