I would like to give a big shout out to Mayur who was so attentive when I asked for cold water! I really do not like luke warm water when I drink water at restaurants. I really appreciate you, 'Mayur!!!!' He brought several cups of ice cubes which were so helpful!!!!!!! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

The food was just ok. Not deserving of the high prices. I had a lemon drop martini and felt sick and eat my dinner. (Lamb Chops $68.00) When I got home I was very sick and still felt sick the next day. The other thing that bothered me was the $10.00 mandatory valet fee with no where else to park except down the street read more

Came here for my birthday dinner and had such an amazing experience from start to finish. The staff welcomed me with birthday wishes the moment we arrived, which immediately made the night feel special and personal. The atmosphere was beautiful -- elegant but still cozy and inviting. It felt upscale without being pretentious, which I really loved. Every dish we ordered was incredible. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the flavors and presentation. One thing that really stood out was how they paced the meal and fired the food in stages, so everything arrived fresh and at exactly the right time. It made the entire dining experience feel thoughtful and elevated instead of rushed. The service was absolutely top-notch. The staff was attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to care that we were having a great experience. This was honestly one of the best birthday dinners I've had in a long time. Can't wait to come back! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mezza Platter - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

Although our waiter was not as attentive, Mayur made sure we were very comfortable. I would be very pleased to see his as our main server as he has the competency and the compassion for the customers. read more

This was my second time visiting ILYA, but the first time having a sit-down meal rather than a couple drinks at the bar. Both experiences have been wonderful, but last night was really amazing. The food is top notch, the drinks are well-crafted and delicious, and the service was next level. We started at the bar, and the bartenders were quick to greet us, and it's obvious they are well-trained in their craft. Once we were seated at a table, Matt, our server, was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. He was friendly and helpful in recommending dishes and making suggestions. During our meal, we were visited by the GM, Zack, who made sure we were happy and enjoying our meal. I think it's apparent that everyone who works here, from what I've experienced, cares about the environment they're creating for their customers. read more

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The lemon tart dessert changed my life. Possibly top 5 best desserts I've had in my entire life. Like the chef is French or something and it might be better than any dessert I've had in Europe. But the entrees were pretty average. Like good but nothing out of this world. The service was so amazing like everyone was SOO nice. And like vibes were just so good and like the owner came up and talked to us and just a great experience. It wasn't too expensive so Id definitely come back with friends for like a little GNO dinner. read more

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The food was good however pricey for what it was. Service was amazing!!!! The server was super helpful, the water was kept full, the wine was kept full. The location is nice although the seats at our table were a little short for the table. Like they were purchased by look not function. I would bring a light jacket with you as it can get breezy. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Bread basket - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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If you want to feel like the restaurant's most valued guests, come here. This is our second time. The first time we had server Christian who treated us like royalty. This time we had server Mick who also happens to be the Sunday brunch bartender. He's phenomenal. Literally over the top hospitable. The restaurant manager, Sanjay, arrived at our table to welcome us back because he remembered we were second time guest. The happy hour menu and wine list continue to become more and more elevated. Honestly, the best service from top down. read more

Food was not great AND The bartender attacked and customer and threw him on a table because the restaurant severed drinks and should know the out come!! Very unprofessional. Lawsuit coming in hot. read more

The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful, and the setting is definitely one of its highlights. Unfortunately, the overall experience fell short of what we expected. When we arrived, my two friends mentioned that it was my birthday, and my birthday had also been noted when the reservation was made. Despite that, there was no acknowledgment at all during the meal--not even a simple birthday dessert or recognition. For a special occasion, that was disappointing and made the experience feel rather impersonal. The valet experience was particularly unpleasant. You have to pull directly into the valet area, and the charge is $10. More importantly, his demeanor was extremely rude. In all my years of dining out, this was one of the rudest valet interactions I have ever experienced. The restaurant itself is beautiful, but the lack of attention to a special occasion and, especially, the unpleasant valet experience took away from what should have been a memorable evening. read more

Food, ambience, service---excellent, excellent. Our waitress Teila .... Excellent I'm a vegetarian: recommendation: please add more than 1 vegetarian entree on the menu, I want to come back since I live 3 minutes from the restaurant, but I don't want to eat the only Vegetarian entree on the menu. Thank you read more

Our experience was overwhelmingly positive. While the open sliding door made the space a bit chilly and VERY loud, I believe closing it during this season would create a cozier atmosphere and provide more privacy for diners. The service, led by Tayla , was top-notch - friendly, attentive, and efficient. The food was impressive, with standouts like the baked feta and Truffle Tagliatelle. Unfortunately, the New York Strip didn't meet our expectations - it was tough and lacking in flavor. It didn't taste like a New York strip either and they should've told us that they will serve it cut, if we would've known, we would've ask for them to serve it uncut! The fries was our side dish and it was overcooked (see in the picture) it was hard and tasteless (unsalted) Also the corkage fee is $30 per bottle as we did bring a bottle of wine. Nevertheless, we're eager to return and try other entree options, aside from their steaks. I also did not like the way their reservation works. If you call the place they would direct you into an automated voice and it is just so much work and very hard to get ahold of them. It is easier to book online such as open table yes! But when you have to change your reservation time you have no other choice than to call and wait for how many minutes until they direct you to an actual person... This is why I would only give it a 3 stars... though we did have a good experience. I will also give them a chance since I do understand that they just open! read more

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Well, this is quite a surprise in San Clemente. Been open roughly a month in South San Clemente, my husband decided to plan a date night to this restaurant. Let's start with parking. There is valet parking at $10 per car or you can try street parking, which can be a little difficult. They will take a credit card. Now let's get to the restaurant and experience - we had a great time. We arrived at 7:30 and it took a few minutes just for our table to be completed and ready for us to be sat. Gorgeous first impression when you walk in. The host stand was very friendly and professional. It's kind of a indoor outdoor type restaurant. There's definitely an outdoor seating area that's covered. It does feel cozy and like a room and there are heaters and a fireplace. We sat into the section that was more like a regular dining room closest to the bar area. There is an open kitchen. The bar was pretty busy. To the right of the bar was quite a bit of soiled and used glassware that just needed to be washed and put away. Wasn't the best observation, but not the worst either. Since we visited an in January, I do recommend perhaps a sweater or light jacket for either room because both rooms were cool. We were promptly greeted and offered a choice of waters. Our server was very professional and friendly. I wish I remembered her name, but she had brown wavy hair. We opted to start with the bread basket, which was not very impressive overall. The only items that I did like were the pitas. The rest just seemed to be premade toasts and breads that were just put into the basket. Next time I would just ask for just the pita or not to get this starter at all. we then moved onto the goat cheese and endive salad as well as the barramundi crudo. We also ordered the potatoes brava. All three of these items are great. For the Main, we decided to share the Bavette steak, which is essentially a flank steak. It comes with chimichurri sauce. Now here's what I would do I would order the potatoes bravas as your side item with any of the meats. They do offer french fries but I think the Spanish potatoes are delicious and would compliment any of the steak entrées. They are double fried and seasoned and were delicious. The steak was actually very good. It was well seasoned and tender. We asked for medium rare. Water and beverage refills came throughout the night. Our only giggle of the night would be charging for a refill for a Coke. I'm not at all for nickel and diming guests but when you're already paying $60-$70 and up for an entrée, I think complementary refills add to the experience. I will say this is a fountain Coke. It was delicious. It had the perfect amount of carbonation and ice. It always frustrates me when I get those tiny little Coke bottles or cans at other locations around town. I want a crispy Coke. The dessert menu featured three items, including tiramisu, a lemon tart, and trace Leches cake. We opted to pass on dessert but next time we're definitely gonna try the tiramisu. we saw it go past us. It is served from a large bowl which looked amazing. The restaurant was full by the time we left around 8:40 PM. Good crowd. It felt welcoming and not snobby if that makes sense. I think there was a genuine air to making sure guests were comfortable etc. The manager came by our table to say hello, which was appreciated. Will definitely come back. It's a welcoming new location for the city. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Bavette - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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We had a great experience. The staff was incredibly attentive, but it never felt rushed or like they were trying to move us along. It truly felt like a full dining experience rather than a quick in-and-out meal. We even got to meet the chef, which was a special treat since we're big fans of Top Chef. Everyone was so lovely and kept checking on us, and the whole room had such a great energy. We ordered the octopus, baked feta, shrimp, endive salad, rack of lamb, oyster mushrooms, spinach, and carrots. Everything was delicious, but the octopus really stood out. We order octopus often when we're out, and this one was so unique--the accoutrements and presentation were exceptional. Also very creative and delicious desserts. A memorable meal all around! read more

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Top Chef alum Charbel Hayek brings us on a culinary Mediterranean journey at Ilya. San Clemente is the perfect spot for these coastal vibes - fresh seafood, wood-fired cooking, creative cocktails, house-baked breads, fresh seasonal local produce, and an array of perfectly-paired wines. I absolutely loved the Cycladic-inspired atmosphere and fiery elements. And the food and cocktails were delicious. We tried the bread basket served with a butter olive oil blend, the Barramundi Carpaccio, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Spicy Rigatoni, Branzino (my fave!), and Lemon Tarte. As for their cocktails, my faves were the Artemisia and the Vesuvio Margarita. The staff was incredible - so friendly and on top of it especially given how crowded it was when we went on a busy Saturday evening. Parking can be tricky but they offer a valet service for $10. Go during sunset for the most romantic views! read more

We have been here around 5 times now and every single time the food has been incredible! The fish entrees are my favorites. The wine list is fantastic if you like variety and European wine. Save room for the Tiramisu- it's the best I've ever had! The atmosphere is perfect for a special occasion. read more

Had a great brunch at Ilya in San Clemente! The space is beautiful and has such a nice atmosphere. We had mimosas and the steak & eggs, which were delicious. Everything was fresh and well prepared. Definitely a nice spot for a weekend brunch! read more

Didn't have a great experience coming here the first time. The food was great but the server was terrible. but, we gave it another chance tonight and Micah totally turned it around for us. He is absolutely fabulous! Food is wonderful and it is a beautiful venue. We will be back thanks to Micah's great service read more

Ilya by Chef Charbel Hayek is such an exciting addition to the San Clemente food scene. The menu beautifully captures the flavors of the Mediterranean coast - vibrant seafood, wood-fired dishes and classic mezze designed for sharing and savoring together. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The attention to detail in each dish really elevates the experience and gives it that refined, special-occasion feel. The interiors and overall ambiance are just as impressive as the food : warm, stylish, and inviting. Definitely a standout in San Clemente. read more

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Went last night with two girlfriends. The Building is absolutely beautiful and welcoming. Our Server Matt was nice, but the mail manager of the night was extremely helpful, kind, and really helped make our night special. He is extremely personable. Now I'm for the best part... The food was fabulous. We made the night of sharing we started with baked feta. It was so yummy and the homemade pizza was incredible.. We then shared steak Frites and truffle tagiatelle. The steak was cooked to perfection and had the most incredible seasoning and taste. It was served with chimichurri, which one of the girls could not stop raving about. The frites were nice and cooked well. But I have to admit my favorite thing was the truffle tagliatelle. The creamy Parmesan and truffle sauce was extremely perfectly balanced and delicious. We added shaved truffles to the top, which just made it even more special. For dessert we ordered tiramisu which came out and a huge bowl and they dished it out for you at your table. I would recommend this place. I'm not gonna tell you that it's inexpensive because it's not... But it was worth every penny. I'm attaching some pictures of the food and also of how beautiful the building is because that always makes an experience special. The only thing I have to admit it is very loud and difficult to hear the people at your table. read more

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What a beautiful restaurant! Every item we ordered made our date night beautiful and worth the long drive. It was recommended to us by a friend and it for sure didn't disappoint. The valet at the restaurant gave it a high-end feel. The decor is gorgeous as I love olive trees. But a bit cramped up when we were seated at our table. Service was definitely a bit slow. We ordered The Mezze which was pretty good and filling for 2 people, Grilled Shrimp were tasty but cold. We both got NY Strip with green sauce. Now that was very juicy and flavorful. We got glazed carrots. Too sweet and very cinnamony. Must try! read more

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The restaurant is nicely decorated. We liked the ambiance. Our server Teila was friendly. She was knowledgeable about the menu and answered all of our questions. Food- Baked feta- my favorite dish of the night. Would 100% get that again. Endive salad- very pretty presentation, good flavors and not overly dressed which is a plus Rack of lamb- glad we got it. Cooked perfectly. Nice flavors going on Duck- great presentation, cooked perfectly, lovely flavors. Chilean sea bass- best entree. Delicately cooked. Would get again. Green beans- perfectly crisp tender and good kind of spicy flavor Chocolate fondant- my husband said it was his best bite of the night and will be thinking about it for the next month. It was delicious. Tres leches- great texture and yummy sauce. Lemon tarte- cool presentation, good flavor and liked the crispiness of the hazelnut. All aspects were enjoyed. read more

Ilya is hands down my favorite restaurant in San Clemente. The space is beautifully designed, the atmosphere feels effortlessly elevated and the food is consistently exceptional. The Goat Cheese Salad is an absolute must!! I order it every time. The branzino is so flavorful and the Steak Frites is another go to of mine. Everything on the menu feels thoughtful and well executed and the service is always impeccable. Such a beautiful spot for an elevated dinner in San Clemente and one I highly recommend to all my friends and family. read more

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My husband and I had the most incredible experience at Ilya. From the moment we walked in, we felt this beautiful blend of Middle Eastern warmth and hospitality mixed with relaxed coastal Mediterranean vibes...it instantly made us feel at home. The food was UNREAL. The Wagyu bavette literally melted in our mouths, the endive salad was the perfect balance of so many of our favorite flavors, and the Ilya mezze is a must (you truly can't go wrong). The muhammara dip was absolutely life-changing. And the truffle tagliatelle... honestly, we were ready to marry it on the spot. So, so good. Creamy but not TOO creamy. It was just amazing!! What made the night even more special was our server, Dania. She had the warmest, most genuine energy and made us feel like family the entire evening. This is the kind of hospitality that makes you want to come back again and again. The restaurant itself is so beautifully done, and very different from other places in Orange County. We needed something like this around here!! Ilya is something really special. Can't wait to return. read more

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I had the chance to check out a stunning new Mediterranean restaurant in San Clemente for date night, and it truly felt like we were transported to another country. The space itself is beautifully designed.. elevated, intimate, and full of character. The restaurant is led by Chef Charbel Hayek, the Top Chef MENA 2021 champion, and you can feel his influence in both the flavor and presentation of every dish. To start, we ordered the Barramundi Carpaccio and the Ilya Mezze. The carpaccio was incredibly fresh--light, citrusy, and perfectly balanced with lemon and basil. A refreshing way to begin our dinner. I wasn't expecting much from the mezze (I assumed it would just be dips, bread, and veggies), but it completely surprised me. All three dips had so much flavor and depth -- we couldn't stop snacking! Even with the pita bread, everything still felt light and airy. I think my favorite was the muhammara (red pepper dip) it was so addicting! For our mains, we got the Truffle Tagliatelle and the Bavette, which is Australian wagyu served with chimichurri. The truffle pasta was rich and creamy with a strong truffle flavor. The steak, while good, didn't stand out quite as much. In hindsight, I wish I had ordered something more unique to the menu, like the rack of lamb or the branzino. I feel like that's where the Mediterranean flavors would really shine.. so I'm already planning to come back for that. We also tried two cocktails: the Artemisia (strawberry, basil, lemon, and vodka) and the Cheating Vegan (a butterfly pea flower-infused mezcal with passionfruit). Both were refreshing and beautifully presented. For dessert, I went with the Lemon Tart, which surprised me the most. I don't usually gravitate toward lemon desserts, but it looked the most interesting and it ended up being the perfect ending to the night. The crunchy crust, tart and soft cream topping, and the basil cream at the base all came together so well. Overall, this was such a memorable experience -- from the ambiance to the food to the service. The GM even came by to check on us, which added such a thoughtful touch. I'm already looking forward to my next visit, and if you're looking for a special spot for your next date night in South OC, this one definitely deserves a place on your list. read more

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Steak frites was mediocre at best. Chairs were super uncomfortable and not meant to sit in for long; waitstaff was eager to get people out of there. At least three separate servers tried to take our unfinished food prematurely. If you eat here, plan to choke on your underseasoned cold steak and prepare to protect your overpriced plate from waitstaff vultures. No thanks. Doesn't live up to the hype. read more

ILYA just opened in San Clemente and people are already talking about it and honestly, I completely understand why. We had one of those meals that stays with you long after you've finished eating. This coastal Mediterranean spot serves dishes that taste incredibly fresh, balanced, and full of flavor. The space is beautiful too, with stylish décor, soft coastal details, and a relaxed indoor-outdoor atmosphere that makes you want to linger. The service was just as impressive...attentive, warm, and truly elevating the entire experience. Chef Charbel Hayek brings the heart of his Lebanese background and blends it with a modern California touch, creating food that feels both comforting and exciting. We're already looking forward to coming back. If you're searching for your next great dining experience in Orange County, I highly recommend adding ILYA to your list. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The food is good but very pricey. 85 bucks for the branzino. It might be worth the money but for the outdoor seating. It's incredibly sub-par for a place with valet parking that represents itself as a fine dining restaurant. If you can get seating inside that is the place to be. The patio dining area is not what you'd expect for the prices they charge. The patio has been covered with plastic roofing that resembles galvanized roofing with undulations, it's not chic or cool. The open air windows are covered with landscaping netting like you'd get at Lowe's. The outdoor heating is propane stands like you might have on your patio. If you are cold they go down in the parking garage and wheel one up to your table but they need to open the landscape netting to let a breeze in or the whole place smells like propane. The outdoor dining at the local taco shop on Del Mar street is nicer as is almost every outdoor dining area in San Clemente. How they charge these prices for the dining experience they provide is beyond me. I recommend they install permanent natural gas heaters and clear pressed and polished plastic vinyl on the windows like is found on boats and yachts. There are much better choices in San Clemente and OC to spend an evening dining at until they make some changes. read more

This restaurant is beautiful! It's a patio with a tropical ambiance. We dined here for a birthday dinner and we enjoyed the food we had. Only the portions were small for four when our waiter mentioned about sharing. For starters we had two dishes. The Mussels in curry, lime, and tarragon with pita bread was wonderful. The mussels were soft in a tasty curry broth while we dipped the rest of the pita bread in it. The Ilya Mezze was good as well only if it were a bit more it would have been perfect. The Goat Cheese Endive Salad was superb. Very flavorful and appetizing. Then for our main we ordered the Australian Rack of Lamb in spiced yogurt with two side dishes of Glazed Carrots and Bloomsdale Spinach & Oyster Mushrooms. Ate them to the last bit! Cocktails were made nice and smooth like the Casablanca and the Vesuvio Margarita. And for desserts, the Tres Leches and Lemon Tarte, a nice way to end our meal with sweet satisfaction! Our servers were engaging. read more

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Perfect spot to impress your date, girls night out, but also can be a nice family night. I need to spend more time in San Clemente. There are so many nice places here but I'm just so used to going North... Ilya is definitely a gem in San Clemente. And shout out to our sever, Micah! He was amazing! ILYA Mediterranean restaurant @ilyasanclemente 1502 S El Camino Real San Clemente, CA 92672 What we tried: 1. Cocktail: Cheating Vegan $19 2. Mocktail: False Promise $15 3. Escargot $27 4. White fish carpaccio $22 5. Truffle Tagliatelle (Creamy truffle pamigiano sauce) $36 6. Branzino (Zhoug, Beurre Blanc, Cilantro oil) $64 7. RIGATONI A LA BOLOGNESE (Rigatoni, Bolognese Sauce, Béchamel, Parmigiano) $33 8. Dessert: Lemon tarte (Lemon cremeux, breton cookie, praline feuillantine, basil creme anglaise, hazelnuts, basil) $16 Parking: $10 valet or free street parking read more

Tried the new ILYA in San Clemente and loved it. The whole place has this fresh coastal Mediterranean vibe, super clean, bright, and welcoming. We started with the grilled octopus, mussels, and the ILYA mezze, and all three were amazing. The octopus was perfectly tender, the mussels were really fresh, and the mezze had so many good flavors to try. For mains, we had the sole meunière and the New York strip. The sole was buttery and delicate, and the steak had a great sear and tons of flavor. Finished with the tiramisu, which was light and not overly sweet, perfect ending. Overall, such a solid new spot. Great food, great vibe, and definitely worth checking out if you're in OC. read more

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This restaurant is gorgeous, opens to the patio area. But it's small, fits less than 100 people and very loud/noisy, we had to yell at each other. It's by the freeway so location is a bit odd. There's street parking in the residential area nearby but it's not easy to find parking so we were all forced to valet, which is $10. The food was ok, the tiger prawns were average, the carrots were way too sweet and drowned in sauce and the haricot verts had a weird flavor, also drowned. The branzino was amazing and I enjoyed that very much. the tres leches was good. It was all very expensive for what you get. Service was great in the beginning but it seemed our server got tired halfway through our meal. We were celebrating a birthday and she's vegan. What I thought was super strange is that they put a candle in my tres leches to give to her as her birthday treat. She was confused and said she can't eat that so I asked if he could just bring her some plain berries but he either didn't hear or didn't care but simply walked away. We realized later that it was my dessert, which she just spat into blowing out the candle. The worst part was when we got the check, the manager told us they could split the bill however we liked by item or people or whichever and as many ways so we wanted to get a check for each person but the server refused to do it. In the end we calculated our own bills and he was able to charge the amount we specified for each card. It was fine but just mixed messages and awkward. read more

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From the moment my family and I stepped into the spacious, luxurious restaurant with a beautiful indoor and light-filled outdoor patio space, we loved the place. While the reservation was for an indoor booth, we asked to change to patio seating because the weather was so great. We started with cocktails: a Casablanca (a bourbon/vermouth concoction) for me, and a Vesuvio Margarita (not your normal margarita) for my mother. Both cocktails had complicated, nuanced tastes. They were first-rate drinks. We ordered a lot of dishes that we shared: the Illya Mezze, Mussels, Goat Cheese endive salad, lamb and glazed carrots and spinach and mushrooms. All the dishes were delicious with high-quality fresh ingredients and were very well prepared. The standout dishes were the Ilya Mezze with the fluffy pita bread (although the portion size for humus, muhammara and baba ghanouj could have been larger), the goat cheese endive salad, the glazed carrots and the lamb --- which was very tender and a perfect medium rare. I'm not usually a dessert person, but my family and I shared two outstanding desserts: the Tres Leche cake and the lemon tarte. Both were indulgent, the right amount of sweetness. Just outstanding. Our waiter and all the staff, from the hostess to the servers, were professional, friendly, very knowledgeable. They worked as a tightly knit and friendly team. This is a special restaurant and one that I'll return to. (One thing to be aware of: to park at the restaurant is $10 valet parking. There is street parking too.) (The restaurant also serves what look like amazing steaks --- but pricey.) read more

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Adjacent to the 5 North on ramp and the 5 South off ramp, Ilya Restaurant is an unexpected new surprise in San Clemente. Upon entering this open air restaurant is a dramatic lobby with beautiful iron work leading to the outdoor seating area that seamlessly blends with the partially enclosed dining area. I had the lobster spaghetti which was delicious, but at $54 could use a little more in it. My daughter enjoyed the truffle tagliatelle. Our server Ryan was friendly and professional, providing amazing service. I was pleasantly surprised that given the freeway adjacent location the outdoor seating area was not over taken by freeway noise, perhaps because of the background music piped in or landscaping around the property. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a new South OC restaurant (non chain or fast food) that caters to later evening diners like me who want to have dinner past 7 or 8 pm, with a kitchen that stays open late till 10 pm on Saturdays! Yay! read more

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Very average and overpriced. Only the endive salad stood out. The pita was cold and sad. The sides were tiny and way too salty. The pasta bland. All our sides and appetizers came out at once. Zero spacing between plates is insane. Service was ok. Restaurant is beautiful. That's probably the only thing that's a plus. The lemon tart was strange and very sweet. Just an overall disappointment, especially coming into it with high hopes :( read more

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Found all the food to be very poor quality the first time, but figured we'd give it one more try... was so disappointing and solidified that we will never return. We ordered so many dishes and there was nothing that will "wow" you. Also worst beef tartar I have ever eaten. There are so many incredibly delicious restaurants I honestly do not understand how this place stays in business... yuck read more

The restaurant is beautiful, the service is excellent, the food is good but not fantastic and it's pricey. We had the Branzino, lamb chops, NewYork steak and pasta. There were no Lebanese dishes which was a shame read more

Ilya Restaurant - Pomegranate Martini - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

I have no idea why this place has so many 5 star reviews. We ordered the maze platter which was good but nothing special. The waiter recommended the octopus so we ordered it but it was super fishy and chewy. Horrible. We don't even eat it after the first bite. The waiter didn't even ask why and cleaned up our appetizer plates. Then we ordered the pasta which I honestly can make better at home. The cocktails were ok. But they have very limited options. We didn't want to have wine so we ordered the margarita which was a hit too sweet and the Amerisia which was also on the sweet side but ok. All in all. This place is pretty. But I think it's hyped up because it's new. I was very disappointed. read more

Brunch was lovely, even better than dinner service! Loved the chicken apple sausage. The truffle salad that came with the omelette was the star of the show for us. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Brunch Menu - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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All our food, from starters to mains and sides, was absolutely delicious! Great attention to plate presentations and added seasoning touches to each dish elevated the whole dining experience and made for a very special dinner! Knowledgeable and attentive wait staff! Vegetarian options as well as zero proof mocktails made this a perfect restaurant for our family!! OMG I should also mention their unexpected and rustic bread basket that was so delicious. It came with some sort of compound herb butter & oil that you will crave! It was perfect with the mezze platter! Our group had mussels, the mezze platter, the bread basket, two pasta dishes and the sirloin. PERFECTION! read more