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    Nick's San Clemente

    4.4 (2.4k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Nick's San Clemente Photos

    NICK'S SAN CLEMENTE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Nick's San Clemente

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    Burger with these delicious tomatoes, and blue cheese
    MaDonna W.

    It really pays to make a reservation at any of the Bucks locations. Extremely popular on the weekends. We were lucky to get one of the remaining tables at 4:45 on a Saturday. You can always take your chance at the bar, but that also is very crowded. The food is nice. I will say their burgers are one of my favorites. I usually get that every time I come here. And the tomatoes tonight were so fresh with a heaping mound of delicious blue cheese. Everything was so fresh and so delicious. It was very busy however the service was surprisingly quick. Parking is always a challenge. Be prepared to walk just a bit unless you get lucky and find a spot on the street. They do have lots here and there.

    Warm Butter Cake
    Melika J.

    Great service, and even better food! The staff is knowledge about the menu items and all have a pleasant and upbeat attitude. Never had to ask for a water refill or anything of the sorts cause they were already on it. We started with the tuna crunch and asparagus fries which were both fresh and delicious. Then we had the steak with salad along with the chicken sandwich and rigatoni. And my favorite part would have to be their butter cake and sundae, I remember every bite! The ambiance was great for a date night out or a family dinner, with dim lights and modern decor.

    Blackened Fish Sandwich
    Steven H.

    Had a really solid meal at Nick's San Clemente. I went with the Prime Rib Dip and that was easily the star of the night -- super tender, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib on a soft brioche bun, with a red wine au jus and a nice kick from the horseradish cream. The fries on the side were just okay, but honestly felt like an afterthought next to the sandwich. My partner ordered the Blackened Fish Sandwich and was a big fan -- clean flavors and cooked really well. Drinks were on point too. The Cucumber Collins was crisp and refreshing, and the Espresso Martini had just the right balance. Service was great for most of the meal and our waiter was attentive, but it tapered off at the end. We waited longer than expected to close out, which was a bit of a buzzkill after such a good experience. Overall, really good food and drinks -- just a small stumble at the finish line.

    Cioppino
    Jonathan R.

    We had dinner with some friends at Nick's in San Clemente and the food and service were both outstanding! I had the top sirloin with the baked potato and it was amazing. My wife had the Sea bass and our friends had the salmon and cioppino and they were all delicious.

    Fish sandwich.
    Ken G.

    Ho Ho Ho! The wife and I came here for Xmas Eve dinner this year since we are staying local. Had a reservation and we were seated right away. The place was hopping! Everyone was in the Christmas spirit! We eaten here before and were seated in the bar area which was nicer than the main dining room. Food came out fast, hot and yummy! Dessert was to die for! The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars might sound petty but when we asked for boxes for our leftovers, they were brought to our table quickly. My petty issue is that the couple next to us did the same thing, but our server packed and bagged it for them. We had to do it ourselves. Petty, maybe. But are we less of a customer than anyone else?

    Kale and Quinoa Salad
    Kerry S.

    Wonderful, classy, and impeccably clean restaurant. The entire staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. One thing about Nick's restaurants is their consistency, no matter which location you visit, you can always expect the same high quality. Over the past 10 years, we've tried about 95% of the menu, and everything has been absolutely delicious.

    At the bar Salted Pear
    Jus E.

    Our favorite go to for dessert in town!!! the service is always great! When we eat dinner here we do get a table but since it is only for dessert this time we usually go to the bar! always enjoying the ambiance!

    Blackened Fish Sandwich
    Kathryn G.

    I've been to the Nick's in Newport and Laguna several times, and I can say this Nick's has the best food quality. The asparagus fries had thicker asparagus, the avocado and spicy tuna on top of the crispy rice spicy tuna was more generous, and the blackened fish sandwich had the thickest (and best cooked) piece of mahi mahi I've had. It was hard to eat but delicious! The location is nosier than the other two, which my grandma didn't care for, but we all agreed this location had the best food.

    Evelynn K.

    Nick's San Clemente offers great American Fare in an upscale diner atmosphere. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken dinner is always a sure bet and a hearty choice. The Tuna with Crispy Rice is a great appetizer choice for sushi lovers and the butter cake is an all around crowd pleaser. Great for a nice family dinner, gals night or date night.

    Warm Butter Cake
    Maddison H.

    Great service and exceptional food! It's a nice interior and people who come wear a mix of casual and slightly more dressed up clothes. It's a bit bigger than the LB nicks and has more outdoor seating. I ordered the Oaxacan old fashioned and it was great! One of the best mezcal drinks I've tried. My husband & dad loved their cocktails as well. I ordered the ribs and they were perfect- fall off the bone, not overly sauced, absolute perfection. The side salad and fries were also great! My dad got the sea bass and raved about it, and my husband got the steak sandwich and it was also just perfect! You have to get their butter cake- it's sort of what they're known for and *so* good. Warm, gooey, crispy goodness. A great spot for a date, celebration dinner, or just whenever you want a good meal.

    Warm Butter Cake
    Carlah S.

    One of my all-time favorite places to go never disappoints the butter cake is to die for the service is great. The ambience is amazing chicken and biscuits are delicious Highly recommended

    Linda V.

    Amazing dinner with the right company is nothing short of pure bliss in my book, especially when I can turn to the bf as I get the check to tell him he better put out Went here for the first time 3 years ago and thought the place was good, but not enough that I remembered the name. I leave yelp reviews to remember what I ordered when I go to a place. A quick yelp search for bacon deviled eggs took me right to the place to book the reservation (the last time I came here we didn't and there was a 45 minute wait on a Saturday). now that I can go back here and be myself (instead of on a date with someone I barely knew) I realize this place is even more awesome than I originally thought, even though I ordered the SAME DAMN THING and didn't recall until after seeing my old yelp review For starters we had the bacon fried deviled eggs and a carafe of a white wine. My seared filet medium rare was tender, absolute perfection that sat on a comparably sized piece of garlic toast topped with arugula and 2 slices of roma tomato in just the right portion paired well with kale salad and tomato bisque. He ordered their pan seared scottish salmon topped with capers, sauteed spinach and garlic, slivered almonds and lemon, paired with whipped potatoes. Definitely want to come back the next time I'm in San Clemente

    Bar area
    Rob C.

    Food - this Nick's has a similar menu as Laguna and Newport and they may have a couple of items more unique to the place. Had the aged top sirloin and also the cha cha spicy rigatoni. The rigatoni was very good, even if meatless, although some Italian sausage would definitely make this a hit as an add-on option! Creamy sauce with basil. The top sirloin was good, but with this type and cut, it's not the most tender nor juicy when compared to a Ribeye, which I wish they had as this place would rock with that type of meat. Here's to hoping someday. Ambiance - as with any Nicks and South of Nicks, it is always a joy to go to this place and we try to visit as often as possible. Regular and bar seating. Bar is first come, first served. Verdict - as always, good! This San Clemente outfit doesn't disappoint! Reserve on busy times as you may have to wait without it. Service - good and attentive enough. They clean up fast and well. No complaints here.

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    Bbq beef ribs ste not listed on the posted menu. Im not sure why they say they have it on yelp when they don't

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    10 days ago

    Kale salad was delicious! I had the chicken added to it. Friend had the avocado added to hers.

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    5 months ago

    Great afternoon with Brent at the bar. Good food and drinks. The creamy French onion soup was a game changer.

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    Page 1 of 61

    Nick's San Clemente Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nick's San Clemente

    Is there a breakfast menu?

    Nick's does not offer breakfast.

    Is there a kids menu?

    We happily offer a verbally featured kid's menu. Please contact us at 949-481-2200 or hello@nicksrestaurants.com for the current offerings.

    How long has Nick's been in San Clemente?

    Since January, 2010

    Can we order dinner at 3:30 or just lunch?

    Many of the same entrees and appetizers are on the lunch menu as the dinner menu. Recommend calling the restaurant to confirm.

    Are dogs allowed?

    They unfortunately do not allow dogs, unless a certified Service dog.

    Do they serve breakfast?

    No lunch and dinner only

    Do you still have chicken pot pies?

    Yes I was just there and they had it.

    Do you have a gluten-free breads? Maybe for your veggie burger or sandwiches? Thank you?

    i know you can get burgers lettuce wrapped but i don't think they have gluten free breads. you could always call

    What is the parking situation at Nicks?

    Currently it is touch and go. With outdoor seating on Del Mar, you will probably have to cruise the block a couple of times. Something usually opens up. But there is parking right out front. No seats in the street here.

    Can I bring my baby in the stroller or just bring the car seat in and set it in the booth?

    Yes. There is room for strollers in the outside area

    What's the corkage fee?

    $15

    Do the have Happy hour?

    No, they don't.

    Anyone know if they allow you to call first to put name on wait list before heading down there?

    Yes, it is better to call them first. Strongly recommend to call them first to go down there.

    How about watching any NFL games on Sundays ? I don't see any TVs in any of the postings with pictures?

    They have two TVs in bar area but they are super small. South of Nicks has two bigger TVs

    Obviously dining in is ideal.. such a gorgeous atmosphere, but do they do take out? Babysitting this weekend and hoping to bring home a delicious meal!

    Hi. From what I know, they do not do take out on weekends, however; you might be able to stop by nicks and order something to go but not sure if you can call it in beforehand.… Read more

    Are they dog friendly?

    We love our furry friends at Nick's. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets in our dining areas.

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    We love our furry friends at Nick’s! Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets in our dining areas or patios.

    View All 24 Questions

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    Rare Society

    4.1(448 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    Oh my god!!! Rare Society was hands down the foodie highlight of our entire trip and it wasn't even…read moreclose. We did the steak platter and it was genuinely one of the best things I've ever eaten!! Perfectly charred crust, gorgeous pink center, and served with three dipping sauces... plus roasted bone marrow on the side for those that like to indulge! I'm not a fan but everyone else loved it! Honestly the presentation alone on that round board was its own moment. Made it so much fun to share this way The cocktails were actually looked as good as they tasted as well! The whole vibe of the restaurant is warm and elevated. Perfect date night out! Service insanely good too! Our server was so sweet and made sure we were always happy! If you're anywhere near Solana Beach, this is a non-negotiable stop. Make a reservation, order the platter, and thank yourself later!

    Sure this place is a bit pricey but that's what it is these days…read more A very nice place. I like the vibe. The dim atmosphere. Very upscale feel. You can dress up or be casual. My husband likes his $30 whiskey sour. Our only complaint is it could've been served in a whiskey cup and not a cocktail cup. My drink was good, forgot what it was called. We were served by everyone. Our main waitress was wonderful. Our water was always refilled. Our order was taken by another gentlemen who had memorized our order. The waiter who brought out our executive board explained the whole board. SO MUCH MEAT!!! It all tasted excellent. Their bread roll on the appetizer portion was like nothing I've ever tasted. How on earth does it stay so fluffy!? I mean, that's every carb lovers dream. We had a wonderful dinner. We will be back again.

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    Private dining room

    Rare Society - Truffle fries

    Truffle fries

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    Vine Restaurant & Bar

    Vine Restaurant & Bar

    4.7(1k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$
    Romantic vibe
    Takes reservations

    We've been to Vine in San Clemente several times now, and it never disappoints. This last visit we…read moreshowed up with a group of 12 on a Saturday night (last minute, which I know is not easy), and they completely knocked it out of the park accommodating us. No one in our group had been before, and every single person loved it. The ambiance is perfection..... great lighting, the perfect mood, and just an all-around vibe that works whether you're on a date night or out with friends. The cocktails are excellent and you honestly can't go wrong. The Old Fashioned is legit, and they make a really great martini. And the food... so good. Standouts for us were the schnitzel, stroganoff, burger, zucchini, and the veggie pappardelle. The wedge salad is also a must. Excellent service, food, drinks, atmosphere .... It all just works here. We love this place and will absolutely keep coming back.

    It was my first time dining here. I can tell you I surely hope it won't be the last. Five of us…read morecame here to celebrate one of my friend's birthdays. We tried several appetizers. They vanished before I could take a picture. All were absolutely delicious. We had pumpkin ravioli, brussel sprouts, fries and cauliflower. I had the Kobe burger for dinner. It was good. One had halibut, two had pasta and my other friend had Chicken Schnitzel. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dinners. One thing I want to make sure to mention is that the service was impeccable! Sloan T. was our waiter. We had our water, drinks, wine out asap. I was surprised how quickly the appetizers were served too. Everything was top notch, I mean everything! It was quiet inside. I have hearing issues. I could hear my friends easily. It was so nice not having to strain to hear over loud music as is often the case at other places. I highly recommend Vine.

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    Vine Restaurant & Bar
    Vine Restaurant & Bar - Loup de Mer, Seabass from Greece

    Loup de Mer, Seabass from Greece

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    South of Nick's - Birria tacos

    South of Nick's

    4.4(3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite spots for delicious Mexican food in South OC! They have plenty of great options,…read moreyou really can't go wrong with anything! I tried the stacked birria enchiladas for the first time and they were phenomenal, the red sauce was amazing! Plenty of drink options as well, I got a blood orange margarita and it's definitely one of the best margaritas I've ever had. Definitely recommend giving that one a try! Service was excellent and staff were all very friendly and professional. Can't wait to come back again to try more yummy things!

    It's been years since I've been here. Ambience inside is very sort of sports bar around the bar…read morearea and masculine with a Mexican touch booths and seating. Our young waiter was very peppy and friendly in what I consider an overly familiar kind of way. Not my style but I can't fault them for it. Chips and salsa were brought to the table, good as before. Plates-beautiful presentation, some items better than others. Pork Mole Enchilada-meh, the mole was on the sweet side, not very punchy, not memorable. Shrimp Taquito-amazing, tasty shrimp with nice spices and garnish, pinto beans well pureed and good. Mexican street corn-pretty good, a little heavy on the mayo. Food was good and solid, but not a WOW! There is better Mexican out there around here for the same or lesser prices, so don't go here for the value, go for the ambience and if you like drinks and/or expensive tequilas, they've got plenty of those too. Desserts were very generous, flan with caramel and candied pecans was delicious, creamy, firm, not flabby like some flans can be. Churros-rolled into a circle and fried, served with vanilla ice cream, caramel, candied pecans too. Desserts were the best part of the meal. I enjoyed eating here, once. Twice, I won't.

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    South of Nick's - Check In Here Reservations Highly Recommended

    Check In Here Reservations Highly Recommended

    South of Nick's - Filet salad

    Filet salad

    South of Nick's - Get the mezcal with smoked pineapple cocktail. It's so drinkable

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    Get the mezcal with smoked pineapple cocktail. It's so drinkable

    The Cellar - Quaint and clean place

    The Cellar

    4.5(892 reviews)
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    I had a wonderful experience at The Cellar and was honestly surprised to see a negative review…read moreabout a server's "attitude," because that was the complete opposite of what I witnessed. The owner has created an incredible space warm, intimate ambiance, an outstanding food menu, and one of the best wine selections I've seen in a long time. Everything felt thoughtful and elevated without being pretentious. Our server, Tatum was professional, attentive, and extremely patient. I happened to be seated nearby during an interaction with a group of women who were openly rude and condescending toward her from the start. Despite that, she remained calm, polite, and handled herself with grace. If anything, she showed remarkable composure under unnecessary pressure. Service jobs aren't easy, and it's disappointing when unfair situations get misrepresented online. Based on what I personally observed, Tatum did nothing but her job and did it well. Highly recommend The Cellar for the food, wine, atmosphere, and overall experience. We'll absolutely be back.

    This was nothing short of an incredible brunch experience. We were sad there were no seats…read moreoutdoors, but then were immediately appeased by the AMAZING vibe indoors with live music and a hilarious interactive musician. Our server was very nice and led us right by telling us to order the lavender latte and French toast. That was the best French toast I've ever had. The ceviche was also bomb. Everyone else had similarly great experiences with their food. Loved this and hope to be back someday.

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    The Cellar - Draft Cabernet Sauvignon and Espresso Martini

    Draft Cabernet Sauvignon and Espresso Martini

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    Brussels Bistro - Mussels Provencal!

    Brussels Bistro

    4.4(467 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    We are so glad to have found this place when looking for brunch option this morning…read more We ordered little mixture of lunch and breakfast and who doesn't love oysters on a half-shell first thing in the morning! They were nice and fresh-served with a little butter mixture, and of course, lemon and Tabasco on the side for preference. The oysters were a little small, but they were a good try anyway. We also started with a basket of sourdough slices which came out toasted and hot. Next was the Boeuf Bourguignon was just delicious! They definitely slow cooked the beef as advertised. And also a Mediterraneenne omelette w/some added Gruyère-the egg alone was probably the best fluffy omelette I've ever had! Everything was cooked with delicacy and care in the quality of the ingredients. You definitely get the quality of food that the prices call for. We will definitely be back because it's good quality food, and pleasant vibe with good service!

    This is our first time at this location it has been a go to in Laguna for years. Mussels and frites…read moreare the must have and no one does better. Good service parking is on the street or in the small lot behind. Good beer list they do have some specials son week days . We order two pounds for two people ( this time we did have a lot of empty shells Overall great place to stop. To us this is a comfort food and you can site in the front to enjoy the open wall to the street . This is a small restaurant so you may want to call ahead

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    Brussels Bistro - Inside decor

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    Hapa J's - Hapa Nachos w/ Kalua Pork

    Hapa J's

    4.1(1.4k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Was in town for a wedding and decided to give this place a try…read more If I could give more stars I would. Delicious! I've never had a Spam tempura and now that's all I want from now on! The bar area was cute and TV's playing sports games. We were seated quick, our food came just as quick and left with full happy bellies. Will comeback when craving a Spam Musubi and in the area!

    Went here for date night last week- it has a lot more seating inside than I had expected!…read more Good service- 5/5 The ambience - 3.5/5 - the ambience wasn't my favorite, maybe it's a little better in their main restaurant area but we were seated to the left when you walk in and while there are a few booths in that area it was mostly outdoor chairs and tables and sort of odd lighting. Just very very casual and not totally comfortable. Food- 3.4/4 out of 5 - I got the Luau plate and LOVED the chicken!! Everyone else was right- that chicken thigh deserves its own plate. I also really enjoyed the coconut pudding/jello thing that came with it and the sausage link. The pulled pork was just okay, not very well seasoned but not bad. The side of "dressed greens" was just some lettuce without dressing on it, and I thought the macaroni salad was fine. The last thing that really disappointed me were the sautéed veggies :/ they were just soo oily and had no seasoning to them at all. I didn't eat any of them or the un-dressed 'salad'. My husband got the chicken katsu plate, he said the chicken katsu was fine but the fries on the side were cold and not crispy, they were kind of chalky in the mouth and didn't taste fresh. Some parts were definitely a 3/5 but my chicken thigh was so good and the portions are *huge* so I feel like they deserve a 4/5? All in all, I think I'd come back if I wanted to go out with someone but save some money and we'd split one of the plates (the portions really are huge).

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    Hapa J's - DA BIG MIXED PLATE

    DA BIG MIXED PLATE

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    Rancho Capistrano Winery - Our Pacific Cioppino.

    Rancho Capistrano Winery

    4.4(231 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Boutique
    Healthy dining

    Friday night, downtown SAN CLEMENTE if you have Ben then you know parking is horrendous…read more... Recommend you make a reservation at any one of the main street restaurants and hope that the parking fairies are in your favor This cute little restaurant reminds me of a café you would see in downtown Manhattan food is actually quite good. They're kale harvest salad is a lot. I had the salmon on top and it was delightful. They do have some very nice red wines. They offer one I think maybe two Pinos some Chardonnay's but they're all made by the Rancho Capistrano winery so you really can't go wrong. Because the space is so small it does get very loud, it is intimate, cozy and romantic. Even though we shared the space with several babies that night and toddlers. We still had a great time. (if you want a little bit more space, the Rancho Capistrano winery in San Juan Capistrano is bigger and they have a huge fireplace in their back patio, it's actually one of my favorite favorites) however, the SAN CLEMENTE property is very cozy. Highly recommend for a date night.

    Had this on my list for quite some time now and finally came here. Charming place along the main…read morestrip in San Clemente. Menu is full of everything from seafood, chicken and beef. My brother got the Seared Halibut and Jumbo Shrimp and he wasn't disappointed. Portion size was good. I started with the jalapeño soup and it was perfect. Not too spicy but had a kick to it. It would've been perfect if I stopped there, but for the meal I got the Lemon Tortellini with a side of chicken. The dish came out looking like a mess and it didn't taste any better. They throw some mushrooms and tomatoes with spinach which they say adds a vibrant twist. Well it didn't add anything to the dish and there was too many mushrooms and no flavor. A dish I think they should consider taking off the menu. As the old saying goes, two out of three ain't bad.

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    Rancho Capistrano Winery - Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

    Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

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    Seafood Pasta

    Nick's San Clemente - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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