Best Restaurants in San Clemente: A Local Guide to Where to Eat

One of the things I love about San Clemente is that you really
don't have to leave town to have a great meal.

For a relatively small coastal city, San Clemente has an
impressive restaurant scene. You can grab a bagel on the way to the beach, meet
friends for dinner on Avenida Del Mar, have sushi in Old Town, enjoy upscale
Mediterranean dining, celebrate a special occasion over a great steak, or eat
right by the pier with the Pacific in front of you.

I've definitely developed some favorites of my own over the years.
Nick's, South of Nick's, Zov's, Dark Magic Sushi, The Cellar and ILYA are all
places I genuinely enjoy. I've also been to The Fisherman's and The Bagel
Shack, which are two very different experiences but both fit the San Clemente
lifestyle in their own way.

Rather than give you another giant list of restaurant names, I
thought I'd answer a more useful question:

Where should you eat in San Clemente depending on what you're in
the mood for?

Here are some of my personal favorites, along with a few other San
Clemente restaurants worth knowing about.

One of My Favorite Restaurants in San Clemente: Nick's

Nick's is one of my personal favorites and an easy recommendation
when someone asks me where to eat in San Clemente.

It's right on Avenida Del Mar in the heart of downtown and strikes
a really nice balance. It feels upscale without feeling stuffy, so it works
just as well for dinner with friends as it does for a date night or special
occasion.

The menu leans toward elevated American comfort food, steaks and
seafood, but I think part of Nick's appeal is the overall experience. It feels
polished, comfortable and very much at home on Del Mar.

The location doesn't hurt either.

You're right in the middle of downtown, so dinner can easily turn
into a walk along Avenida Del Mar or down toward the San Clemente Pier.

If someone were visiting San Clemente for the first time and
wanted a good meal along with a feel for downtown, Nick's would be high on my
list.

For Elevated Mexican: South of Nick's

I love South of Nick's too, but it's a completely different
experience.

Located on North El Camino Real near Avenida Del Mar, South of
Nick's takes Mexican food in a more polished direction, with Mexican favorites,
seafood, steaks, margaritas and cocktails in a lively setting.

This isn't necessarily the quick taco stop you make on the way
home from the beach. It's where Mexican food becomes more of a night out.

It's a great choice for dinner with friends, celebrations or
anytime you want a little more energy.

San Clemente has plenty of casual Mexican food, and that's part of
what makes eating here fun. But South of Nick's fills a different niche: a more
elevated Mexican dining experience that still feels comfortable in a beach town.

For Mediterranean: Zov's San Clemente

Zov's is another restaurant I've been to and really love.

Located on Avenida Del Mar, Zov's brings Mediterranean and Middle
Eastern influences to downtown San Clemente, which gives us something a little
different from many of the other restaurants nearby.

The menu includes Mediterranean-inspired dishes, mezze, kebobs,
seafood and other California-influenced choices, along with a full bar.

What I like about having Zov's downtown is the variety it adds. If
you're in the mood for something other than steak, Mexican or traditional
seafood, it's a completely different option without leaving Del Mar.

And because you're right downtown, you still get the whole San
Clemente experience before or after dinner.

For Upscale Mediterranean Dining: ILYA

ILYA is another San Clemente restaurant I've been to, and I was
really impressed.

Located on South El Camino Real, ILYA offers a more upscale
coastal Mediterranean dining experience. The restaurant has a polished,
sophisticated feel, but it doesn't feel overly formal—which I think works
really well in San Clemente.

The menu draws from Mediterranean flavors with seafood, wood-fired
dishes, meze and other shareable plates, along with cocktails and a curated
wine selection.

But for me, ILYA isn't only about the food.

I really like the overall atmosphere, especially the bar area.
It's the kind of place where you can go for a nice dinner, meet friends for
drinks or make the evening feel a little more special without having to leave
San Clemente.

I've eaten there personally, the food was really good, and I think
it's a great addition to the dining scene here.

It's definitely earned a place on my list.

My Sushi Pick: Dark Magic Sushi

Dark Magic Sushi is another personal favorite of mine.

It's tucked into the Old Town area on Avenida Palizada, so it has
a completely different feel from the restaurants along Avenida Del Mar.

The restaurant is relatively small, with sushi, sashimi and
creative specialty rolls. It's the kind of place you may not necessarily notice
when you're first exploring San Clemente, but once you know about it, you know
about it.

That's something I like about our restaurant scene.

Some of the best places aren't necessarily sitting on the most
obvious block in town.

Dark Magic is one of those places for me.

For Wine, Food and a Relaxed Night Out: The Cellar

The Cellar is another place I genuinely love.

Located right on Avenida Del Mar, it combines food, wine,
cocktails and a cheese shop in a space that feels social without being overly
formal.

It's a great place to meet friends, share something, have a glass
of wine or settle in for dinner.

And there's something about walking outside afterward and already
being in the middle of downtown that I really like.

That's part of what makes restaurants on Avenida Del Mar different
from simply driving somewhere for dinner. The restaurant can be just one part
of the evening.

For the Classic San Clemente Pier Experience: The Fisherman's

I've been to The Fisherman's, and this one really needs to be
considered as an entire San Clemente experience.

You're right at the San Clemente Pier with the Pacific in front of
you, surfers in the water and one of the most recognizable views in town.

That's hard to duplicate.

I like The Fisherman's, but for me, what really earns it a place
on this list is the setting.

If friends or family are visiting San Clemente, there's a good
chance you're going to take them to the pier anyway. Sitting down for something
to eat or drink while you're there turns it into more than just another
restaurant meal.

Go around sunset and you'll understand why the location has
remained such a memorable part of San Clemente.

For a Quick Breakfast: The Bagel Shack

The Bagel Shack is about as far from a special-occasion restaurant
as you can get.

And that's exactly why it belongs on the list.

I've been there and like it for what it is: an easy, casual
breakfast stop where you can grab a bagel, breakfast sandwich and coffee and
get on with your morning.

Sometimes breakfast in San Clemente isn't supposed to take two
hours.

You want something good and portable because you're heading to the
beach, going for a walk or just starting your day.

The Bagel Shack fits that kind of morning perfectly.

For Date Night: Vine Restaurant & Bar

If you're looking for something a little more intimate, Vine
Restaurant & Bar is one of San Clemente's better-known dinner spots.

Located on North El Camino Real, Vine has a Wine Country-inspired
approach, a strong wine focus and a warmer, more intimate atmosphere than some
of the larger restaurants downtown.

It's the type of place I'd consider for an anniversary, birthday,
date night or dinner with another couple when you want the evening to feel a
little more special.

It also shows another side of dining in San Clemente.

Yes, we're a laid-back beach town. But that doesn't mean every
restaurant here involves tacos and flip-flops.

For a Steakhouse Night: Rare Society

Rare Society brings a completely different atmosphere to Avenida
Del Mar.

It's a modern steakhouse with a darker, moodier feel and more of a
big-night-out experience.

This is the type of restaurant to consider when dinner itself is
the event—a birthday, anniversary, celebration or simply a night when you're in
the mood for a steakhouse.

I also think having a restaurant like this downtown says something
about how much the San Clemente dining scene has evolved.

You can spend the afternoon walking around Del Mar in shorts and
flip-flops and come back that evening for a completely different dining
experience.

That's pretty San Clemente.

For a Romantic Setting: Fig @ 313

Fig @ 313 stands out partly because of its atmosphere.

Its Spanish-style setting feels right at home in a city
historically known as the Spanish Village by the Sea, and the courtyard and
patio give it a different feel from many of the restaurants downtown.

For a slower dinner, date night or special occasion, it's another
San Clemente restaurant worth knowing about.

Don't Overlook San Clemente's Casual Side

One mistake I think people make when searching for the best
restaurants in San Clemente is looking only for the nicest restaurants.

That's only part of the story here.

San Clemente is a beach town.

Sometimes the right meal is sushi. Sometimes it's a steak.
Sometimes it's Mediterranean food or Mexican food and margaritas.

And sometimes it's a breakfast sandwich before heading to the
beach.

That's why I don't think there's one single "best restaurant
in San Clemente."

The better question is: What kind of San Clemente day are you
having?

If You're Visiting San Clemente for the First Time

If I were showing someone around San Clemente for the first time,
I wouldn't send them to one restaurant and call it a day.

I'd have them experience the city along the way.

Start with breakfast or coffee. Spend some time around the beach.
Walk the Beach Trail and the pier. Head up Avenida Del Mar and explore downtown.

Then choose dinner based on what sounds good.

Want one of my favorite all-around restaurants? Nick's.

Want elevated Mexican? South of Nick's.

Mediterranean downtown? Zov's.

Want a more upscale Mediterranean dinner and a great bar
atmosphere? ILYA.

Sushi? Dark Magic.

Wine and a relaxed downtown evening? The Cellar.

Want the classic San Clemente oceanfront experience? Head down to
The Fisherman's.

Want a steakhouse night? Rare Society gives you another completely
different option.

That's a lot of variety for one relatively small beach town.

And that's one of the things I like about living here.

What Restaurants Tell You About Living in San Clemente

This may seem like an odd thing for a real estate agent to say,
but choosing where you live isn't only about the house.

I've been selling real estate in Orange County since 1989, and one
thing I've learned is that people don't experience their community through
square footage and bedroom counts.

They experience it through everyday life.

Where do you get coffee?

Where do you meet friends for dinner?

Can you walk downtown?

How quickly can you get to the beach?

Where do you go on a Friday night when you don't feel like cooking?

Those things matter.

And different parts of San Clemente offer very different versions
of that lifestyle.

If you live near downtown, being able to walk to restaurants on
Avenida Del Mar, local shops, the pier and the beach can become part of your
normal routine.

Move farther inland and you may trade some of that walkability for
larger homes, newer communities, different lot sizes, views or neighborhood
amenities.

Neither is automatically better.

It depends on how you want to live.

That's why when I'm helping someone find a home in San Clemente, I
think the conversation should go beyond bedrooms, bathrooms and price.

The neighborhood has to fit the life you actually want once you
move in.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Clemente Restaurants

What are some of the best restaurants in San Clemente?

Some of my personal favorites are Nick's, South of Nick's, Zov's,
ILYA, Dark Magic Sushi and The Cellar. San Clemente also has a wide range of
other restaurants depending on whether you're looking for seafood, steak,
Mexican food, Mediterranean food, sushi, breakfast or something casual.

What are some good restaurants on Avenida Del Mar?

Avenida Del Mar is the heart of downtown San Clemente dining.
Nick's, Zov's, The Cellar and Rare Society are among the restaurants you'll
find along Del Mar, with plenty of additional choices within the surrounding
downtown blocks.

What's a good Mexican restaurant in San Clemente?

South of Nick's is one of my personal favorites when I want a more
elevated Mexican dining experience. San Clemente also has numerous casual
Mexican restaurants and taco shops throughout town.

What's a good Mediterranean restaurant in San Clemente?

Zov's and ILYA are two very different options that I personally
enjoy. Zov's is located downtown on Avenida Del Mar, while ILYA on South El
Camino Real offers a more upscale coastal Mediterranean experience with a great
bar atmosphere.

What's a good sushi restaurant in San Clemente?

Dark Magic Sushi is one of my personal favorites. It's located in
the Old Town area on Avenida Palizada and offers sushi, sashimi and creative
specialty rolls in a smaller setting.

Where can I eat near the San Clemente Pier?

The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar is located right at the San
Clemente Pier and offers one of the city's most recognizable waterfront dining
settings. Downtown Avenida Del Mar is uphill from the pier and provides many
additional restaurant choices.

Where should I eat for a special occasion in San Clemente?

It depends on the experience you want. ILYA is a great option for
upscale Mediterranean dining and cocktails, Vine offers a more intimate,
wine-focused setting, Rare Society offers a modern steakhouse experience, and
Fig @ 313 has a distinctive Spanish-style atmosphere. Nick's and South of
Nick's are also personal favorites of mine for a nice evening out.

Is downtown San Clemente walkable for restaurants?

Yes. That's one of downtown San Clemente's biggest lifestyle
advantages. Avenida Del Mar and the surrounding blocks have a concentration of
restaurants, cafés and shops, with the pier and beach downhill from downtown.

One Last Thought

Any list of the best restaurants in San Clemente is going to be
subjective.

That's part of the fun.

Ask ten people who live here where they like to eat and you'll
probably get ten different answers.

These are some of the places I've personally enjoyed, along with
several others worth knowing about if you're exploring San Clemente.

And I'm sure my list will continue to change.

New restaurants open. You discover places you've somehow driven
past for years. And eventually everyone develops those few spots they keep
going back to.

That's when a restaurant becomes more than somewhere you eat.

It becomes part of living here.

And to me, that's the bigger story behind San Clemente's
restaurant scene.

It's not simply about finding the "best restaurant."

It's another part of what makes San Clemente such a great place to
call home.

Tom Bertog

Tom Bertog Real Estate | San Clemente, CA

Serving Orange County since 1989