The food was extremely salty and overpriced for the quality. We were charged about $50 for ~9g of truffle, which didn't feel worth it--especially since it wasn't weighed in front of us, so there was no way to verify the amount. For a per-gram item, that lack of transparency is disappointing. Also, the heater next to our table was visibly dirty with spider webs, which is not acceptable for a restaurant at this level. Disappointing overall. read more

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This restaurant is the talk of San Clemente. We couldn't figure out exactly where it was from the map or if it took the place of something else. Apparently the building has been there for 5 years with no tenant. Parking is valet unless you can find street parking. Very cool space with their "patio" covered with some air flow and heaters with a fireplace. Very cozy. The enclosed space had the bar and more seating. Seated in front of fireplace. Ordered bread basket to start. Wonderful. Only drawback was the only "butter" they had was a zataar butter. I like zataar but when we also wanted plain butter they did not have any for the table. The sole is cooked with loads of butter so not sure why they couldn't accommodate. Strange. Ordered the baked feta and mezze plate for appetizers. The mezze was very big and came with more pita. Realizing the feta would also come with more pita we told them they could hold back the pita on that one. Pita was homemade and delicious but we had enough to eat. Mezze was delicious and very nicely presented. The feta was good but seemed harder to negotiate. Not gooey but more chewy. Delicious nonetheless the less. Ordered two salads, the Greek and truffle market salad. Both good but want to save our appetites for the sole meunière. Yummy. Haven't had fish this way in a long time. I'll be back with friends and family. read more

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Go to Ilya RIGHT NOW. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients, impeccable atmosphere and presentation. Service was incredible. I cannot recommend it enough. The entire meal from beginning to end was an absolute TREAT and delicious beyond belief. Go!!!! read more

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We had such a great date night at Ilya. It's a beautiful coastal Mediterranean spot by. The space feels warm and inviting, with both indoor and patio seating. A few highlights from our visit: The butterfly pea flower mezcal cocktail was a standout--super unique and refreshing The Ilya Mezze Plate was fresh and full of flavor Barramundi carpaccio was a 10/10--easily one of our favorites Rigatoni bolognese was rich and comforting (8/10) The Australian rack of lamb with Moroccan spiced yogurt was incredible--probably the best lamb we've had Tiramisu was light, smooth, and the perfect way to end the meal read more

Ilya Restaurant - The Ilya Mezze Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

To begin, the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. All areas to sit are top notch, with each section of the restaurant having some kind of inviting piece of decor. We were sat on the patio, in front of the fireplace and it was beautiful. Everyone was very kind, from the moment I was greeted at the hostess stand, to our waiter, and even the manager who popped by to say hello. I love a restaurant with staff who knows to periodically check in on you, answer any questions, and fill glasses. It truly was top notch service! The food was delicious, to say the least. Each dish has such a fun flair by combining flavors that blend effortlessly. We loved the baked feta with the fresh pita bread, and the New York was delicious. The endive salad wasn't my favorite only because I wasn't too keen on the bitterness of endives (noted for next time). However, it was still really tasty with the goat cheese and walnuts! Finally, the tart. Who knew Basil would pair so well with lemon? It was fantastic and a work of art. Overall, I am so pleased with this restaurant and can't wait to go back! I would love to see some additional Lebanese or middle eastern options, such as a steak or kebab rice plate. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Decent interior but the service was a bit slow for the number of guests to servers. A bit overpriced for the location and quality.

Food 5 Star Service 5 Star Ambiance 5 Star A great evening spent at this restaurant. Very flavorful food, extremely friendly staff and an over all beautiful restaurant read more

Opener less than a month. Brilliant young chef and a must try. Tough reservation so be patient. Items are must try: mezza app; meatballs, and especially Dove sole. Zach the general manager is a real pro. Beautiful interior and excellent location in San Clemente read more

First time trying this new restaurant in San Clemente. The ambience is fantastic and perfect for a date night. Our server was Tim (10/10 ) who was awesome and incredibly knowledgeable. The General Manager Zach stopped by our table as he did most tables in the restaurant, asking how our experience was going which always helps to make us feel welcomed. The food was superb, my favorite was the octopus and the Bronzino, both cooked to perfection. The liquor/spirits selection at the bar is very well curated and the bartenders moved with incredible efficiency. Overall, I would highly recommend. this restaurant. It's great to see San Clemente with so many new fantastic options for Elevated dining. Thank you again to the team at Ilya for making it an incredible experience and date night for my wife and I. Here's to seeing you again very soon. read more

We had a great experience at Ilya. Emmon was an excellent server, very professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, with great attention to detail throughout the meal. The food was tasty and well executed. We ordered the Ilya mezze, endive goat cheese salad, wagyu steak, truffle pasta, and potatoes. Everything was flavorful and enjoyable; the only small note is that the potatoes were a bit too salty for our taste. For drinks, we had the martini and the Old Fashioned, and we preferred the martini. The music was a bit too loud at times, but overall it didn't take away from a great evening. Definitely worth checking out the menu. Overall, 9/10. read more

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Way too pricey for what you get and the parking was a hassle ! The Mediterranean appetizer plate was great but all sides are very expensive ! read more

ILYA was spectacular for so many reasons! The ambience was beautiful and the setting is perfect for a nice evening out. I started with the truffle greens salad which was deliciouss, fresh, and totally worth it. I then had the meatballs (omg, these were so good), and the grilled shrimp. I think the cocktails are a major highlight of the restaurant. The manager Hanna was incredible and made the whole visit extra special. The city needed something of this caliber, and ILYA brought it! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Cheating Vegan drink - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

Perfection ! Worth a 1-2 hour drive for sure. 3rd time back in 2 weeks. End destination is San Clemente so arriving early or staying late in town is the play. Locals who are used to flip flops and t-shirts are walking from their homes wearing blazers , jeans, and closed toe shoes for this place . Dresses or smart casual seems to be the vibe. There is valet parking. The building is amazing and fits the "Spanish by the sea" design. Zach manages the restaurant and his years of experience makes sure your evening is fantastic. The Sole Meunière is the best I have ever had anywhere in the world. Cocktails are crafted with love. The staff is professional and friendly. You can tell the staff training is for a culinary night out and not just food service. This all comes at a cost but well worth it!! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Sole Meuniere , fries, glazed carrots - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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I felt extremely unsafe after my night. Unfortunately, an employee assaulted a family member of mine. Glasses were shattered, the fight gave me an extreme panic attack afterwards as I saw a staff member grab the neck of my family member. Unneeded violence to ruin the entire experience. read more

Wonderful new restaurant, with excellent food and beverages. The Staff is top notch. Hanna one of the Managers does such a great job knowing names and being very personal. Matt and Emmon are great wait staff. Highly recommend the beef tartare, the mezza platter for appetizers. In addition, the lobster spaghetti, steaks, and lamb chops are all top notch. The drink menu is great as well, the clean sheet drink and wine menu are superb. read more

If you're looking for a solid Mediterranean spot in San Clemente, ILYA is a great choice. The location is beautiful and fits perfectly with the coastal vibe, making it a nice place for a relaxed dinner or a night out. The menu offers a good variety of Mediterranean dishes, from fresh mezze to grilled options, and everything we tried was flavorful and well prepared. I also appreciate that they're accommodating with customer preferences and offer some vegan-friendly options, which makes it easy to find something for everyone. The drinks are just as impressive, and the overall atmosphere feels elevated without being too formal--just a nice balance. Parking is convenient with valet available for around $10, which is helpful in this area. Overall, a great spot if you're in the mood for high-quality Mediterranean food in a beautiful coastal setting. read more

We were very interested in coming to Ilya since he is a "Topchef" winner. We go to overpriced and exceptional restaurants a lot - Michelin, 50 Best, Topchef etc. This is not exceptional, except the prices. Ambiance: You are basically sitting in a big enclosed patio with heating lamps. It is super loud when the restaurant is full. That will be like that for a while until the novelty dies down. I cant hear anything my wife is saying or what the tattooed waitress (thats one of the jobs you can get as a tattooed girl) is saying. Service: The two appetizers came out pretty quickly but then our main dishes took 1h20min to come out. Obviously an incompetent expediter in the back. Food: We had feta cheese with tomatos and "Tiger Prawns" from Spain, as appetizers. The cheese/tomatoes was ok but was more tomatoes than cheese. The prawns were four oversized shrimp.. Four shrimp for $24, $6 each cause you put some olive oil on and put them on the grill? And definitely frozen from Spain. Isnt there an ocean not too far from the restaurant? I had the NY strip (the menu is more like a steak house menu with some fish options than a Mediterranean, Californian with French influences as advertised). The steak came out precut, like for a toddler, thats probably why they gave me a butter knife initially until they figured that out and switched it to a steak knife. Never had that in a steak house, I guess they dont know how to cook a medium steak in the back and want to check before they bring it out. And when sliced, it looks a little bigger since they charge $62 for it. My wife had the "lobster" spaghetti. No Maine lobster (thats what one thinks of when you read lobster) in or near that dish. Instead it had very small pieces of crayfish in it. Yeah, they look like little lobsters I know. We just came back from Italy where we had the same dish for half the price with lots of langusta (clawless lobster from the Mediterranean) in it. I dont know what he served Tom and Padma to win but my guess is it wasn't this. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Everything was exceptional at this restaurant! Chelsea was our server and she was phenomenal and we were greeted by the GM, Zach. We enjoyed our meal and cocktails, every dish was tasty and flavorful. And the ambience and aesthetics of this new restaurant is definitely what South OC needs. We will be back! read more

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I would like to say that Mayur was the greatest server. Better than our main server. Please make him an official server. I think he is great and so attentive! read more

What an awesome addition to OC! A restaurant like this truly has a chance to put a city like San Clemente on the map. The ambiance and customer service were top notch. The decor was high-end and upscale--yet approachable and inviting. This is a type of restaurant where you order everything from the outset and then they course it out for you. For those who have not done this style of dining-- it could be confusing on what and how to choose. Roughly speaking- for parties of 2-4 people (Depending on how hungry you guys are)--My recommendation is to pick 2-3 things from the appetizer, +/- salad, a pasta, 2 protein entrees (steak and fish) and 2 sides. This will give you a good balance of flavors and will keep you satiated. What we ordered (party of 3): 1. The Bread Basket--an absolute must! 2. Ilya Mezze--delicious 3. Baked Feta--delicious 4. Tiger Prawns--could have done without but not bad 5. Spicy Rigatoni--delicious! 6. Greek Salad--great! 7. Bone In Rib-Eye--perfection 8. Branzino--delicious--and apparently was sold out by end of the night! 9. Glazed Carrots--trust me and order 10. French Fries--can't go wrong Congratulations--we will be back! read more

Five stars all the way! We had an incredible dinner service from start to finish. Huge shoutout to Zach, Katie, and John for absolutely knocking it out of the park--attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced. You can tell they genuinely care about the guest experience. What's most impressive is that this place just barely opened, yet it already runs like a well-oiled machine. From the seamless service to the overall flow of the dining room, everything felt dialed in beyond its opening stage. If this is how strong they are right out of the gate, I can't wait to see what's next. Highly recommend--this spot is doing it right. read more

Back for my second time. Had such a great experience even better than the first thanks to my server, Emmon! The food is genuinely impressive from start to finish. The grilled tiger prawns were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I also loved the Artemisia cocktail. It was refreshing without being overly sweet and paired really nicely with the food. For mains, the rack of lamb was excellent, but the standout for me was the sole. Our server Emmon actually recommended it and completely sold me on it, and I'm so glad he did. It was delicate, flavorful, and cooked beautifully. Emmon made the experience even better. He was knowledgeable about the menu, gave great recommendations, and was attentive without hovering. You can tell he really knows what he's doing. When you mix fresh ingredients in the food and drinks with amazing service I just can't see why anyone would dislike this place! read more

Food was good, not great Very expensive. The deco was upbeat and our server was pleasant and did a great job serving us. Not sure if i"d go back. Easy access from the 5 freeway. My 3 star rating is because the company we invited made a good night for all. read more

Amazing experience! The food was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. Everything we tried was fresh and beautifully prepared. The service was excellent--friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Definitely a spot I'd recommend and come back to! read more

Great atmosphere for a date but the food was very overpriced and the quality was so so. I won't go back unless "invited".

Me and my fiance absolutely love coming here! Tucked into the ambiance of its own Mediterranean oasis, it altogether makes you forget you're in San Clemente. Not only is the food phenomenal, but the staff and management are extremely friendly, personable and welcoming. Huge shout out to Mauricio the manager and our server Iman. They are knowledgeable about the menu and how to pair entrees and appetizers, they also create a warm and inviting experience for their guests. This was our second time coming here (the first being the night of our engagement) and they remembered us and our previous dining experience. They truly go above and beyond here, making us feel truly special! As for food, you can't go wrong ! Must try the meatballs for an appetizer, the sole for main is so decadent, and the tiramisu was simply heaven. 5 stars is not enough to rate this lovely place. read more

Ilya Restaurant - A delicious Lemon tarte - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

A lot of great things to say about this place. The build out is stylish with a modern coastal vibe. The service is attentive and on point and the food presentation is creative. The appetizers were especially satisfying. great vibe. But atmosphere and vibe only takes you so far. wow! Expensive in all aspects. My short pour pretty mediocre wine was way overpriced at $22.00 a glass. While the cocktails were nicely done, they were also so expensive for the brands and portions they poured. The whiskey choices are pretty slim as well. $200 for a rib eye steak? the owner thinks this restaurant is in Beverly Hills or Vegas, not in the South part of town next to a yoga studio. Everything on the menu is just pushing the boundaries on pricing. I was also disappointed in the dessert menu. Just three choices, all non inspiring. So, great vibe, on point service, food is really good but be prepared for "ouch" level pricing. If we return, it will most likely be to sit at the bar, have a drink and an appetizer. no $200 rib eye for me. read more

The steak was cooked perfectly--tender, juicy, and full of flavor, with a beautiful sear that really stood out. The pasta complemented it well, rich and comforting. Service was good. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Bavette Steak and the truffle pasta. - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

Ate here last night as we were excited to try the new restaurant in town. Added bonus when I found out it was a Chef Charbel owned restaurant. The restaurant itself is beautiful inside and I really liked the indoor/outdoor flow. Flavors were unique and with such a large menu, I am surprised that after eating there it may be the first time I'm still confused on how to build a meal here. With so many starters and a nice cocktail menu, I may only go back for drinks/apps if at all. There were many proteins available but so few sides. Be sure to ask your server on how to build a meal as we were disappointed with our selections by the end. Not because of the flavors, but because it didn't come together as well as we had hoped. What we ate: Mezze Platter - The dips were great! Especially enjoyed the muhammara and the hummus was top notch. Would have liked more vegetables or another piece of pita to be able to finish the dips. Tiger Prawns - These were a disappointment. Especially after being recommended by our server they lacked excitement. Goat Cheese Salad - This was great! Would recommend adding to the table and treat it as a shareable side dish. Glazed Carrots - Highly recommend! The za'atar seasoning was so unique that we kept going back for more. You've got to try these. Spicy Rigatoni - This might be the best pasta in town but served more as a side dish than an entree. Portion was smaller than a normal pasta bowl and there was no option to add a protein. Pork Chop - Probably my favorite item we ordered. The chimichurri was amazing and such a large pork chop was served. The only issue was for a boneless pork chop, I still found multiple bites with bones which I'm not sure was intentional. Lamb - Excellent! This recommendation from our server was great. Again, served more like a steakhouse with meat only but the flavor was worth it. Overall, it is definitely a place worth checking out as the flavors are unique and the food is cooked very well. I'm going to give them some grace as I believe we went on their second night, but they definitely have some things to work out if they're going to last in town. read more

Had the best time, super attentive staff and amazing food. General Manager Zach was incredibly accommodating and friendly. If you go make sure to try the Casablanca cocktail - out of this world! Thank you so much! read more

Came with a friend to check it out. The space is super cool with an indoor / outdoor environment. The cocktails are delicious and the food was good. We only had. A few menu items but all were good. read more

The food was absolutely amazing here. Love this beautiful new restaurant in town. Service is always top-notch and everything I have ordered so far has been fantastic. read more

My wife and I went to Ilya for a long‑awaited date night, and I walked in with high expectations. When a restaurant is positioned as a destination spot -- especially one led by a Top Chef winner -- you naturally expect something on the level of places like Zahav in Philadelphia, Shaya in New Orleans, or Zaytinya in D.C. Even compared to West Coast Mediterranean favorites like Dishdash in Mountain View, Evvia in Palo Alto, or Kokkari in San Francisco, I was hoping for something in that tier. Unfortunately, the experience didn't land there. The Good - Drinks: Excellent. My margarita was fantastic, and my wife's Santorini white wine was crisp and delicious. - Service (early on): Warm and attentive. - Haricot Vert: The surprise hit of the night -- beautifully cooked, flavorful, and easily the best bite we had. Starters We ordered the baked feta and the grilled shrimp. - The baked feta was fine but lacked the salty punch and richness I usually look for. Tomatoes were good; the pita was light but not memorable. - The shrimp wasn't my favorite flavor profile, though my wife enjoyed it. Where Things Fell Apart We were seated at 8:00 p.m. on a Saturday. Appetizers arrived around 8:15-8:20, which was reasonable. But our mains didn't arrive until 9:18 p.m. -- nearly an hour later. We checked in multiple times and were told the dishes were "being fired" or that the kitchen was slammed. When the plates finally came out, they were staggered: - My wife's steak frites arrived first. The sauce was excellent, but the fries were cold and soft -- clearly sitting too long. - My lamb arrived almost 8 minutes later. It was okay, but nowhere near the level of lamb dishes at places like Kokkari or Evvia. By the time we finished, it was nearly 10 p.m., and not in the relaxed, European way -- more in the "we've been waiting forever and are now starving" way. Value Our bill was around $335 (after tip), and for that price, I expected a special‑occasion experience. Between the long delays, the uneven pacing, and dishes that didn't meet the hype, I can't recommend Ilya as a destination restaurant or a place for celebrations. Bottom Line - Drinks: Excellent - Haricot Vert: Outstanding - Everything else: Not at the level expected from a Top Chef winner or a restaurant marketed as a culinary destination I really wanted to love this place. I love seeing great restaurants thrive in San Clemente, especially downtown. But based on this visit, it didn't live up to the hype or the price. read more

My husband and I went here on a date night and WOW this place is special! Ilya Restaurant in San Clemente is absolutely beautiful, truly one of those places you walk into and immediately feel relaxed and taken care of. The space is gorgeous, with a clean, coastal Mediterranean feel that really does transport you! The wait staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, which really elevated the whole experience. We never felt rushed, and everything flowed effortlessly from start to finish. We ordered the Ilya Mezze Platter and Baked Feta to start, followed by the truffle tagliatelle and Australian wagyu for dinner, and finished with tiramisu, and everything came out beautifully presented and absolutely delicious! Overall, Ilya delivers not just great food, but a full dining experience. Between the stunning space, warm service, and thoughtfully crafted menu, it's an easy place to recommend and one I'd happily return to!! read more

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Nice ambiance, great service and food ! Great addition to San Clemente. The food was very flavorful, high quality and inventive presentation. Careful consideration to decor and ambiance ! read more

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What an amazing spot ! The staff are so professional and friendly, the service is 10/10, the ambiance 10/10, and the food is just WOW !! Can't wait to come back ! Small advice: Try the Salmon dish and you'll have a dish to remember for the rest of your restaurants journey. Chef Charbel Hayek never fails us ! read more

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We were there last night and walked away with almost the same exact experience as Erik O. Beautifully designed indoor/outdoor experience. Cocktails were good and great appetizers. The main course was lacking. Ideally the servers will become more in-tune with walking you thru the menu. Again, it was only night 2 and there was enough promise that we will likely give them another try. read more

Cocktails very good service was excellent. The lobster spaghetti was excellent steak and fries was excellent. Best grilled octopus ever! read more

Our family had a very nice evening at Ilya and the entire experience was enjoyed by all. We were actually celebrating 5 birthdays so it was nice that our combined birthday restaurant this year lived up to our expectations. Our waitress Tayla was the best and very helpful throughout our evening. read more

Couldn't get reservations & there's no parking, other than the street. We finally got a reservation for Sunday night; but they called back saying they no longer serve dinner on Sunday nights. read more