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    Nick's San Clemente

    4.4 (2.4k reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Nick's San Clemente Photos

    NICK'S SAN CLEMENTE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Nick's San Clemente

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    Bar area
    Rob C.

    Had The Local Market Salad. Yum! Then ordered the Cha Cha Rigatoni and the Chicken Piccata. Both were good! Chiara was very helpful and nice! She checked when it came to checking. Definitely awesome! The place itself, as is most Nicks is good! San Clemente Nicks is roomier than Laguna Beach. Overall, yes, we come back here most times!!

    Jim V.

    Outstanding in many ways. San Clemente in itself has a wonderful vibrant downtown shopping core. Parking was easy and the street busseled with strollers, shoppers and merchants all enjoying one of California's best weather days. The restaurant had That feel that everything would be perfect, you know the type of place with crazy prices. Everything was perfect and the menu is ultra aproachable. I found the prices and selection to be great, the wine list is something to behold and might be the main reason to return, most bottles all from reputable wineries were well under a hundred dollars. We opted for hand-helds on this visit trying the hand made veggie burger, a French dip, and an amazing steak sandwich. Sides included a side salad exceptional fries and sautéed spinach, but the parmisian asparagus fries stole the show. Crispy and firm but perfectly cooked, served with ranch show the kitchen doesn't take itself too seriously. We enjoyed that "California Cool" style of service and got everything we desired.

    Chocolate ganache cake
    Tina O.

    Love it here. First time visit. Celebrating a birthday lunch. We made reservations on Open Table. Easy and dependable. Reservations were definitely needed on a Saturday. Nick's hostess called me an hour before to confirm which was comforting. There is street parking which can be challenging as in any coastal community. I believe there is a close by public parking lot. The hostess was very welcoming and sat us right away. A.J. was an awesome waiter. He did not rush us and checked on us regularly and kept our water glasses full. Between the four of us we ordered the spinach and artichoke dip, three fresh Mahi Mahi blackened fish sandwiches. There are many side choices. We had the very yummy crispy fries and the tomatoes with blue cheese - so good. The sandwich and side was a huge portion. I had to eat it deconstructed as it was piled high with blackened fish, coleslaw, tomato, onion rings, fresh micro greens, tartar sauce all on a fresh grilled brioche bun. The sliced prime rib French dip was a home-run. The roll was toasted yet soft. The prime rib tender and flavorful served with Au jus (good enough to eat with a spoon or sip from the bowl). AJ made sure we had plenty of ketchup and ranch for the fries and creamed horseradish for the dip sandwich. My father was given a dreamy chocolate cake and card signed by everyone to celebrate his birthday. The dreamy cake was moist filled with chocolate chips and covered it a to-die-for chocolate ganache. We had an 11:15 reservation and the large restaurant and bar was filled up by noon. There were many celebrations going on around our table. San Clemente is a great coastal town and Nick's is equally as wonderful.

    Saundia S.

    Such a cool spot! The atmosphere and vibe is great. This restaurant is on a street full of other unique shops and businesses that line the street all the way down to the pier. There's a good amount of parking compared to most beach cities. We had lunch here and really enjoyed our service from our waitress Brooke. She was so friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was nothing short of amazing. The open air concept window seating really gave us a fun experience, being connected to the outside from the inside. I will definitely be returning, wonderful place to visit and eat!

    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.

    Halibut Special 7/10
    Vicki A.

    Wow! Met wo-workers for lunch and conversation at Nick's and enjoyed the entire experience. The great - The food was delicious. The drink menu looked legit (but didn't try any) The good - The glass diet coke bottle and the atmosphere was super chill The bad - na The ugly - na There were 4 of us and everyone enjoyed their food immensely. The service was good and the appropriate speed. We didn't feel rushed or forgotten about at any time.

    Hayley D.

    Celebrated our anniversary last night and had the most incredible evening! Our server, Valeria took amazing care of us and was so sweet. The food was truly outstanding! And of course their famous butter cake for dessert Just topped it all off! Cannot wait to come back here and try more of their delicious food! 10/10

    Ribeye melt with fries
    Leanne D.

    We met my brother and sister in law for lunch and had a wonderful meal at Nick's today. The servers were amazing and the food was delicious! Much of our food orders required special requests due to dietary restrictions and the server was excellent at accepting them. The table ordered the pan seared salmon at a medium rare, the petite bistro salad with chicken, the prime rib dip with the warm potato salad and the blackened halibut sandwich with the warm potato salad. All were cooked as ordered and to perfection !!! Great food and company wa enjoyed at Nick's today.

    Ribeye melt
    Megan P.

    Stopped by on accident thinking it was a different bar but we ordered a sandwich to share anyways before going somewhere else & we were glad we did. Elliot served us and was so friendly & attentive, as well as all the other staff members. When we have a bigger appetite we'll stop by to try out more of the menu because the ribeye sandwich was delicious, so flavorful & tender.

    Steph G.

    We were celebrating a birthday this time. And we were fortunate enough to get a reservation which we truly appreciated. This is a Monday night and the place is packed. After about 7:30-8 PM or so it did start to clear out a little bit. The bar was definitely more available. We opted to start with a Caesar salad as well as the corn chowder, which was delicious. And then the table ordered a variety of items, including the fried chicken sandwich, the French dip, and the prime rib sandwich. We also ordered a side salad and I had asked for a protein - grilled chicken. I should've managed my expectations and asked the preparation because it was served on the side, which is great, but it was thinly sliced cold, grilled chicken, and I actually expected an entire breast of hot grilled chicken. Next time I will definitely request that if possible and honestly the side salad and chicken was just OK. We finished off the meal with a butter cake for her birthday as well as the complementary chocolate cake which was delicious. Ambience is very loud. And the temperature is hit or miss. It could be cool than warm and cool and warm. Service is a little slow. Our guest to the table also felt that. We had to flag down a few times to get water and beverage refills. Parking can be a little bit of a challenge for street parking. There is a few municipal lots nearby. Overall, a good experience we do come back but not as often as we would like.

    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.

    Center cut filet
    Esther D.

    The food was good but it was so loud and crowded we couldn't have a conversation at our table. I kept getting bumped by people trying to squeeze between tables. There was loud music playing, games on the TV & people talking loud trying to be heard. Our server didn't seem to enjoy her work. It was not the great experience we have at other Nick's. My husband & friend did say their cocktails were very good.

    Humorous piece of art on the wall
    Brent M.

    So, they say a picture is worth 1000 words? Please take a peek, aren't these worth a few thousand? I bet your mouth is watering, you can almost taste it? San Clemente, beautiful town, nice location, high style, attractive façade. It's all there. Our server AJ was as good as they get: charming, kind, warm, friendly, a real professional. The food?- off the hook! I took a chance on the Housemade veggie burger and it was the BEST that I've ever had anywhere-and the bun? Holy cow, whole wheat with some kind of seed sprinkled on top. Beautifully assembled and plated, cut in half, looking like a masterpiece with the avocado sliced in a very artistic fashion. We had the asparagus fries with a special house ranch dip to share, which were just supreme and delicately breaded for a nice crunch. My side dish was a lovely warm sautéed spinach with a little bit of garlic and sitting on a bed of chopped lettuce and maybe some raisins, tasted a bit like a dry coleslaw, but it was off the charts. An ice cold Stella Artois to wash it down. My lunchmates had the PRIME RIB DIP served on a high-quality brioche bun and an ORIGINAL RIBEYE MELT served on grilled parmesan sourdough. Spectacular throughout and scores at least a 10 for ambience, service, and food! A trip to the restroom, which was stunning and a testament to a caring restauranteur. From the moment you enter the door it smells like a high-quality frankincense, and the soap was simply divine. A well appointed clean restroom elevates a restaurant to new Heights and this one went to the heavens. Ding dong, ringing all bells! A terrific experience and we thank you.

    Cioppino

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    10 days ago

    So elegant so amazing their prime rib French dip so yummy. The staff is super nice clean absolutely amazing.

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    13 days ago

    Nice staff, love San Clemente and Laguna beach locations. Really love the atmosphere on a dark, cold, stormy evening!

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    Page 1 of 62

    Nick's San Clemente Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nick's San Clemente

    Is there a breakfast menu?

    NICK'S San Clemente doesn't offer breakfast, but NICK'S Laguna Beach offers Breakfast on the Weekends from 8:30-11am and it's Awesome! The menu is on their website!

    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.… 

    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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    Finally got to try this place! Been wanting to come here for quite some time, and we finally did…read morewith family visiting from Vegas! They too were WOW'd! It was perfect timing we arrived after the major rush...apparently the 30th annual classic car show had just wrapped up for the day! It was a beautiful day as always in DTSC, but we opted to sit inside since we found a table for our party of 6! You place and pay for your order at the counter and they give you a number, and your order is brought to your table. There were plenty of food and drink options on their menu. I went for the Carne Asada Tacos (seriously, one of the BEST I've ever tasted, bonus points for the tortilla keeping its form till the very last bite!), and my husband went for the Cali Brisket Cheesesteak, which he enjoyed wholeheartedly (omg, those housemade chips though!!!). I washed mine down with a Ginger Lime Booch, which was so refreshing! This place was a hit for me, and we will definitely come back again very soon! Side note: We even got to meet the owner that day (super nice and chill guy) and saw his classic car parked out front, which was a beast with the roar of the motor equally majestic!!! LOL. Thank you for the great hospitality. Looking forward to coming back soon! CHEERS and happy eating till next time...

    We moved to SC in early May and have been wanting to try Coastal Cowboy ever since. No seed oils…read moreand garbage in their food, our kind of food. The first move is you walk in and order at the counter, the line moves quickly and the girl who took our order was very knowledgeable and friendly. You can tell these employees are trained well. They give you a number and you grab a table. We were there on a Saturday night at 6:45 and we had no problems getting a table. Pro tip: Order beers & appetizers at the counter and then hang and have a couple of drinks and order dinner with your waitress. The food: Tallow Fries - Must order, the best fries you'll ever have. With the homemade ketchup good lawd! We got 2 baskets for 4 of us. We should have gotten 3 baskets. Coastal smash - 2 Pattie's, no seed oil sauce, pickles, onions, cheese on a fabulous brioche style bun. My wife LOVED this. Brisket tacos - An absolute winner. Smokey, salty, tangy, plenty of umami with cilantro and pickled onions. Fire! The only thing i would have loved was some sort of salsa. Maybe there was and I missed it. Caesar salad wrap chicken - this was a sleeper hit. My daughter is a Caesar salad conissuer and this was right up her ally. And with avocado oil Caesar dressing, no garbage! Comeon. Grilled fish tacos - very fresh and good. I think there was a sauce but these were dry. It needed more sauce and some salsa. Mind you the quality was there, so I had no problem eating them. But they were a bit bland honestly. 10/10 friendly service 10/10 easability if ordering and seating. 9/10 Food This will become one of our favorite family spots no doubt. Thank you Coastal Cowboy for caring enough to be seed oil free and health conscious with your cuisine.

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    Brussels Bistro - Mussels Provencal!

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    MAKE SURE TO TRY THE LAVA CAKE!!! Will go back for that cake and coffee ice cream on top!! The…read moreBranzino was also amazing. Also the bread. We loved the ambiance. Very nice decor and cute overall vibe. Felt authentic. Great restaurant and great people. Both servers were very kind and made the experience great. We did not catch their names but the male (curly blonde hair) was very nice and made sure we got the beer and food we wanted. The female (brunette) made sure we got the dessert we wanted. The hostess was very nice and was able to accommodate to get our requested table right away. Everyone was lovely and made us very happy to be there. Thank you all!

    came on a Saturday afternoon. the street of Avenida Del Mar was pretty packed with customers and…read morestreet parking was pretty much all occupied. they were located on a popular area for sure. we came a bit early for dinner. the restaurant was not biz yet. the place looked clean and bathroom was as well. We sat on a booth. the server had an accent, almost felt as if I was in Belgium. he took care of our orders but we never saw him again afterwards so his service wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. we ordered few things: 1) beef carpaccio- looked like any other beef carpaccio dish but this one wasn't as good. the meat wasn't cut as thinly as others. it was adequate dish but nothing great. 2) small mussels and fries- pretty good. wish there was more pieces for $29 3) pork shank- the presentation was avg. But this dish was fantastic. the meat fell off the bone, literally. meat was very tender. great dish. 4) beef bourguignon- very good dish too. not salty like most places. meat was flavorful and tender. 5) brazino- not bad but I've had better. felt like the skin needed to be crispier. 6) Profiteroles au chocolat- I've never had this before. amazing dessert. perfect. the ice cream inside the dough, choux pastry, was superb.

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    Brussels Bistro - Inside decor

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    Inside

    Nick's San Clemente - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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