My friends and I wandered into this charming French café while strolling around Dana Point, and it did not disappoint. They recently opened, and knowing the owners previously operated Citrus City Grille and Pandor Bakery, I knew the food and dessert would be good. We ordered the Niçoise Salad, Prime Hanger Steak, Wild Mushroom Penne, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Chocolate Soufflé. Everything was so good but the standout was the Chocolate Soufflé (with espresso martinis). It's perfectly rich with a warm, molten center. Just be sure to order it early while you're enjoying your meal since it takes about 30 minutes to prepare. If you're in Dana Point and looking for an excellent food, delicious desserts, and outstanding service, Bon Appétit Café definitely deserves a spot on your list. read more

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First time trying Bon Appetit- nice ambiance - I was seated immediately. The host said he would bring water - it never came. Many staff walking around seemed busy but no one brought me water or came to take my order. Finally, Georgetta came and took my drink order- black coffee with cream & sweet & Low. The coffee was lukewarm when she brought it to me with a milk pitcher that was half filled with half & half (according to my bill - and I was charged $1.00 for that !!!!!!). I ordered French toast - wasn't even hot enough for the butter to melt!!!! There were 3 larger pieces of toast covered with berries - blueberry sauce covering it all - very pretty but so messy to eat !!! Georgetta was great but not the food & drink - don't think I'll be back. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Lukewarm coffee & charged $1.00 for that small half filled milk pitcher - unbelievable - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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We chose this restaurant because of its excellent reputation and were excited to enjoy a nice dinner during our vacation. The food tasted great. We ordered the grilled octopus appetizer, my wife had the Chilean sea bass, our child had the penne, and I had the restaurant's signature ahi salad, which is lightly seared on the outside and raw in the center. Unfortunately, about three hours after dinner, I developed severe stomach pain and have been running back and forth to the restroom ever since. It completely ruined the rest of our evening and put a damper on our vacation. This wasn't just a mild stomach ache--I experienced significant abdominal pain and frequent trips to the restroom shortly after eating here. Regardless of the reason, that is simply not acceptable for a restaurant at this price point and with the reputation it has built. It's especially disappointing because we were on vacation and had been looking forward to this meal. Instead, I spent the rest of the night dealing with severe stomach issues rather than enjoying our trip. The food was flavorful, and I wanted to love this restaurant. But when a dining experience ends this way, it's impossible to overlook. I sincerely hope management reviews its food preparation and handling practices so future guests don't have a similar experience. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Ahi salad - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Loved loved loved their egg white frittata! Normally I wouldn't order anything with only egg whites fearing that they came out of a carton but I could taste the freshness in these eggs. The feta spread on top and refreshing salad on the side? I'm gonna be back! That croissant breakfast sandwich was no joke either. Full thick slab of fluffy eggs and cheese on top of a gorgeous croissant, I'm hungry just looking at the picture. Bon Appétit café is also an incredible place to people watch, on top of being a delicious breakfast/brunch eatery in Dana Point that's not a pizza joint. I heard it's an epidemic. Pizza parlors opening here. Also their coffee cups have a fun special handle so it feels comfortable to hold! read more

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Bon Appetit is a lovely new addition to the Dana Pt restaurant scene, and a real upgrade from the previous place! The elegant French style interior is a perfect space to enjoy the delicious food and attentive service from the owner and staff. We had the pleasure of meeting Steve, an owner and gracious host who made sure everything was to our liking. We started with an off menu appetizer we had heard about from friends- baked peaches with goat cheese, pancetta and arugula which was incredible! The branzino was fresh and tender with crisp roast potatoes to die for. Beef stew was so filling and delicious and as full as we were we had room for the best dessert in town-chocolate soufflé! The only thing I'd change next time is order wine instead of a cocktail. The Aperol, St Germaine one I ordered tasted only of prosecco and lemon juice, which was kindly replaced for the Elevated Margarita which was so strong I couldn't finish it. The wine list looks appealing and I think is a better choice for this exception French cuisine. read more

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Our server was Perry and he was very accommodating and friendly! There was also another employee that served our food that was great and brought a water bowl for my friend's dog. Food was delicious and the drinks were great. Loved the berry vinaigrette dressing as well as the goat cheese appetizer. Perry was very attentive and gave lots of good recommendations on what to order. I ordered a salad and my friend ordered the French Dip. Definitely recommend and love that the patio is dog friendly :) read more

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The branzino was absolutely amazing--fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. The service was excellent and very attentive. Highly recommend! read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Grilled branzino - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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We eat out several times a week and often try new restaurants that turn out to be mediocre at best. This place is fabulous! We've driven by many times and thought it was a breakfast/coffee shop. It's a full menu, lunch & dinner. Room is romantic and beautiful, music is my favorite (I suspect it's Kelly Boesch). Best French onion soup, salads, entrees. I encourage you to try it! read more

You can tell the chefs put effort into the food quality here! The Dark Chocolate Soufflé is required to have 30 minutes as it comes out freshly made. The soufflé with ice cream was the perfect pairing to match the decadence of the warm gooey soufflé. The ice cream also tasted house made as the vanilla bean flavor really came through. The ambiance was fancy and there was also plenty of outdoor seating. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Dark Chocolate Soufflé Ice Cream - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

You really can't go wrong when they serve lavazza coffee and throw in some delicious pastries and entrees The two young ladies working were so sweet and did a great job on my coffee. Even the little bathroom is decorated so pretty!! This cafe is in the heart of the Del Prado neighborhood next to the full restaurant which is serving wonderful food. I can't wait to return and try some other items read more

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The service was good the staff were always checking on me... The ambiance inside was a bit loud but was good outside( since no one like to eat outside) The food was okay... the hanger steak was okay, it wasn't season properly so cannot really taste it, the french onion soup was so, so... probably because it wasn't cooked as much ‍ I ask for a basket of bread without them letting me know that I had to pay for it... so had to pay $6. The bread basket wasn't warm and was ok. Overall I do like the place but it is overrated and too pricey. The food is ok but won't pay for that price. read more

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Nice cafe with good vibes for a quick morning bite. The croissant sandwich was good but I preferred my wife's soufle pancakes which was the perfect amount of sweet and savory. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Croissant sandwich - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

I didn't realize this restaurant changed hands in March 2026. Perry is our server and he's very nice. They have a few gluten free options and Perry raved about the salmon so bf is ordering it medium rare. The octopus looks really good so I'm going with that. They have WiFi but you need a password. We had an unexpectedly good dinner here and I loved my octopus which was so TENDER and juicy! Bf really liked his salmon and I gad a bite and wanted more!! We didn't have dessert but will be back soon! Definitely a solid 4 stars which is great!! I can't wait to come back and try the calamari and shrimp. read more

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Ooh La La! I can't believe it took us this long to get to bon appétit Café in Dana Point. We were celebrating a birthday and we were pleasantly surprised with a slice of fresh delicious cheesecake with a strawberry coulis with fresh strawberries Maryann, was our gracious waitress. ( she was very sweet to come by several times as we could not decide what we wanted off the menu. Everything looked so delicious and so on point with our appetite.) Every dish came out perfect. The salmon with sautéed spinach and potatoes was so flavorful and delicious. The French dip was devoured. We are looking forward to coming back and enjoying the Tartines and croissants. This restaurant is everything! We are so happy that they have arrived here in Dana Point. They have done everything to make you feel warm and invited in a very Parisian way. It's on a corner so there is patio seating we sat in the main dining. So comfortable. Parking can always be a bit of a challenge on Del Prado. Give yourself time to find parking in one of the lots or on the street as we did. Bon appétit Café is a culinary delight. I get the sense that this will be a staple for a very, very long time in this community. read more

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Went for brunch yesterday for my daughter's birthday! The menu offered lots of great options at reasonable prices. The server was super attentive and friendly and took great care of us. We had the Greek Salad and a side of potatoes and a pancake souffle with a side of bacon. The food was excellent and generous portions. The server gave my daughter a chocolate croissant as a free birthday treat. The location is great and the interior of the restaurant is beautiful with tall ceilings, comfortable upholstered benches and comfy chairs. The place is light and airy and reminds one of a small French cafe. Definitely planning to come back and try dinner. read more

What a cute new restaurant where the former Maison Restaurant was. Atmosphere is very French Cafe very chic, light open and carefree. Our food was simple and delicious. The homemade Yogurt was excellent I can't believe how creamy and delicious it is! The honey added is so flavorful. I recommend this dish! I recommend highly! read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Bruschetta Tartine - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Came to Dana Point for my best friend's birthday and visited this cute place! Plenty of delicious pastries, we tried the peanut butter cookie and cheese danish (both were 10/10!) Friendly customer service and great ambiance, very beautiful inside. My coffee was pretty strong but still very good, I added some sugar and it was perfect! Great experience! Would come back. read more

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Fun fact about French dip since I loved it so much here: Did you know that French dip was actually invented in the early 1900s in Los Angeles, California? We were welcomed with the kindest staff and the most beautiful cafe I've probably ever seen. I loved the blue, vintage, classy interior. French dip- (9/10) My favorite French dip I've ever tried so far! Meat was so juicy and soft! Melted in my mouth! Perfect baguette! Savory and tasty sauce! Salad on the side- (10/10) Best salad ever. Sweet, tangy, and fresh salad with grapes, pear, raisins, and nuts. Highly recommend French dip, especially as the first thing you get here if it's your first time. My dad had the eggs Benedict and loved it! I tried a bit and the poached eggs were very delicious. Overall, I wish I could give this cafe a 6/5 stars! Worth the wait and hype read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - French dip - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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10/10! Everything we ordered was delicious, fresh and high quality. Service couldn't be better, very friendly, knowledgeable and they do a great job at crating the ambiance. read more

Incredible food, great service, excellent cocktails. Great menu with so many amazing choices. The Grand Marnier soufflé was insanely good. One of the best meals I have had in a long time! Will be back ... often! read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Grand Manier Soufflé - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

My wife and I came here for lunch. We love French bistro food and decided to give it a try. My wife ordered the Angel Hair pasta (fire-roasted tomato, garlic confit, basil, extra virgin olive oil), and I ordered the French Dip (roast beef on a baguette, au jus, spicy aioli, onions, house greens with a side of horseradish). Both dishes were very good and the ingredients were fresh and well prepared. The roast beef on my French Dip was very tender and flavorful. The portion sizes were adequate. Definitely not large. The ambiance was cozy with comfortable tables and chairs, with an abundance of natural light. I would describe our waiter as efficient but a little brusque and not all that friendly. I would definitely return to try other dishes and experience the pleasant atmosphere. read more

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Delicious solid French food at this chic restaurant. Having lunch here feels like being in Paris, I guess! It's bright and airy on a sunny day. The French Dip with salad was hearty. The roast beef was tender as well as the baguette was soft enough that wasn't tough to bite. The Angel Hair Pasta was very good too! Simple and yet very satisfying with tomatoes, basil, in olive oil. It's definitely a nice restaurant to hang around all afternoon! read more

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Bon Apetit continues to impress with its consistently high level of service, cuisine and attention to detail. Having dined there several times, it's striking how they have maintained this over time. The owner is omni present, ensuring that clientele is happy and the restaurant is running as smoothly as a Phillipe Patek watch. Last night, we were treated to an off menu appetizer of calamari in a tabasco tinged beurre blanc sauce over a bed of arugula. This unusual sounding combination was a big hit and absolutely delicious. For our mains, our group ordered beef bourguignon, penne with wild mushrooms and roasted salmon, all of which were delicious and well presented. For dessert we ordered Grand Marnier souffles; make sure to order one, they are well worth it. read more

My friends brought me to Bon Appetit on Sunday to celebrate my birthday and it was such a wonderful day. The staff were so friendly and made sure everything was perfect for us - including a check in from the owner! I love the new paint job - the blue is so elegant and the gold chandeliers are classy. Has a French cafe vibe for sure! And the food, as pictured, was amazing!! We'll definitely be back! read more

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I went to Le Petit Cafe attached to Bon Appétit. Same owner and everything, I ordered the blueberry pie latte (seasonal item) and it was AMAZING. It was a thoughtfully made and had such a beautiful presentation. It was worth every penny, huge shoutout to the owner, Rafael, who made it for me :) I will definitely be back and bring friends! read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Iced blueberry pie latte - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

Loved the ambiance and decor, friendly service, and good food. Food came out quickly and they also have outdoor seating. Great place for breakfast/brunch. read more

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Bon Appetit Cafe is a nice addition to the Dana Point restaurant scene. The cafe took over the previous Maison location, retaining much of its charming decor, while brightening up the space and opening up the seating. It too has a French inspired menu, along with Mediterranean inspired dishes, including the Poulet Roulette, which appears to be an homage to the new owner Stephanos' Greek Heritage, with its spinach, feta and dill filling, along with a French beurre blanc sauce, is delicious. The Penne in Marsala wine sauce is also very tasty. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Yummy Penne in a Marsala wine sauce - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

We have been looking for a "go to" restaurant. A place where you know that you'll always get a good meal. A very good casual breakfast. A good hamburger. An excellent salad. Or my favorite, branzino. This is a place where you can take family and friends who will appreciate the ambiance, the professional service, and what is particularly important to me, a feeling of hospitality. This is not a chain! At least one of the owners has been there whenever we have gone and they will make sure that you have a good experience. read more

So happy I stopped here for breakfast today! Was seated right away on back patio, beautiful day outside. My server and the entire staff were so friendly and accommodating. Service was nicely timed, you can tell the staff really communicates with each other. My coffee and breakfast were not only delicious but an elevated version of what I have had at other restaurants. 12/10 highly recommend! read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Honey lavendar latte - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Was down at the Dana Point car show and stopped in with a family member who has had sone medical issues...the manager (maybe owner) noticed us and immediately made sure we got a table. The staff was caring and considerate...this alone has made me a customer for life...but then we got the food...as if the customer service wasnt enough the food spoke for itself...the french toast was heavenly with fresh berries and the quiche was near perfection. Even the butter on toast was delicious..I will be back...the place is small but thats what makes it special read more

Centrally located on a corner in Dana Point. Friendly staff and we seated right away despite a busy brunch service. Nice decor, very relaxing shade of blue gives the place a very chill vibe. The breakfast was very good, soft scrambled egg in a croissant with bacon. The pancake souffle and avocado toast also delicious, everything was well made and tasted fresh. Nice place for brunch, will return when we are down in this area again. read more

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Perfect! Great food, excellent service. Try the Eggs Benedict, absolutely delicious. read more

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I absolutely loved this place--it was our first time visiting yesterday! We ordered the clams, octopus, branzino, and a salad. Everything tasted fresh and delicious, and we had such a great experience while we were there. Unfortunately, a few hours after eating, I developed severe stomach pain and have been going back and forth to the restroom ever since. I even noticed undigested pieces of the clams afterward, which made me believe they were what upset my stomach. I've been feeling awful all day. I'm genuinely disappointed because I really loved the restaurant and was excited to come back. I'm hoping this was just an isolated incident, but I wanted to share my experience so the restaurant can look into it. read more

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Super pretty inside! Good food, great service! Amazing pastries, strong coffee! Omg bar a must try! Almond croissant is very good! read more

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My date and I walked in and quickly noticed that it was very busy, we anticipated this since it was a Friday evening, however, what we didn't expect was the restaurant seemed crowded due to its relatively small size. However, the staff here were hustling and working hard, they even managed to sit us down within 5 minutes of walking in. We were seated in their small patio area which was cute and nicely decorated, keeping us away from the loud indoors. Our server was prompt and attentive, despite the chaos going inside the main restaurant. With that said, we ordered water, their elevated margarita, beer, humus, steak and salmon. The water was nothing fancy, nor cold, kind of tasted like faucet water. The elevated margarita was very strong and delicious, the beer was light and crisp, the humus was delicious which came with pita bread and what seemed to be chickpeas on top of the humus, the steak was a bit underwhelming, however, the salmon was rich and plentiful. Overall, we had a nice and enjoyable dinner despite it being so busy and crowded. A nice gesture was when the chef came out to greet us and thank us for dining in at their restaurant. 5 stars for their service. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Steak with asparagus and buttered potatoes. - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

Great french inspired place for breakfast, lunch, or brunch located in the heart of Dana Point on Del Prado. Benedict is perfectly prepared with a hollandaise sauce that tastes so fresh. Pancake Soufflé is absolutely amazing and not overly sweet. Coffee drinks are a win as well. A must try if you're looking for something more than the usual breakfast. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Benedict - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Lovely decor and great service! The pasta dish was delicious and I loved all the fun cocktail options. read more

Bon Appetit Cafe - Salad Near Me - Dana Point, California

Got the eggs benedict and croque madame... it was surprising how our eggs were half hard boiled and half wet, I don't even know how thats possible. The hollindaise tasted like vinegar lemon mayonnaise and the hollaindaise had no taste. The canadian bacon was cold cuts of ham. Tried it, not going back. read more

Wonderful first visit to Bon Appetit Cafe. Sat at the bar and had a lovely meal. Live music from next door wafted in at just the right volume. Service was great; food was delicious! read more

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We had an amazing experience at Bon Appétit Café! We tried a variety of dishes, including the sea bass, salmon, octopus, Caesar salad, branzino, and linguini?, along with several of their drinks. Every single plate was a 10/10--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. There honestly wasn't a single dish we didn't love. The restaurant was spotless, the portions were perfect, and the service was exceptional. Our waiter (I believe his name was Javier) was attentive, friendly, and made the entire dining experience even better. Will be coming back! read more