Wonderful experience! The cheese plate with the fig paste was divine. Wine list would take me a decade to go through. But the best part of the night was the duo they had playing, she sang Piaf in french... with a blues type tempo, it was captivating. I will return! read more

Good food, good atmosphere, friendly staff. Love all the imported cheese. My only real complaint is that the burger isn't grass fed, particularly given the quality of the rest of the menu. Try a chocolate chip cookie. They're divine. read more

This is an amazing place. I don't know where to start with the praise, because everything is so good. The atmosphere - so cool, the food - so delicious, the wine - great variety, the service - excellent and the location, well it is downtown San Clemente, so how could it get any better! Go there now. You won't be disappointed. The Cellar is a gem. read more

Burrata! Nice wine selection. Always great dinner specials. Live music every night. This place is pretty awesome. Lunch service could be improved, had a few instances of being ignored when trying to dine during lunch hours, so we would end up leaving, sadly. Definitely a neighborhood favorite of mine for dinner. read more

Tried it because it was listed as the best live music in San Clemente. The musician showed up an hour late and was a single women with a guitar, so much for the best live music. Food was very average, cheese board was the best but other items were not as represented. Waite staff was mediocre and seemed over worked. All an all might be ok for a drink or happy hour but I would skip the music and faire. read more

I love this place!!! Any time of the day its awesome. The people are great, wine is great and food is delicious!! Friday nights are so fun with the piano playing. Just a fun place read more

We love The Cellar when Elliot is playing the piano. They have some great wines and a fun atmosphere, but we only make the trip down when we know Elliot is playing. He plays a great mix of old tunes, newer stuff, and perennial bar favorites. We wish he played more often! read more

Great atmosphere, fantastic service, good drinks and a great cheese selection. What else could a girl ask for. The place is also very comfortable and super chill. Perfect place to unwind after a long day. read more

Great atmosphere, live music some nights, excellent wine and food. Loved the burger too!!

What a great place to for a pleasant evening with friends or just stop by the bar. They had entertainment and after a couple of drinks I sang one of my songs {I'm a singer}. Great selection of wine and cheeses and great food. Love this place I will come back someday. read more

LOVE this wine bar. The ambiance when you walk in makes me smile every time. I love live music so this is right up my alley. The girl that sang last night (Wednesday) with the gentleman on the piano was wonderful. Thank you for sharing your talent! Always excellent service! Can't wait to go back! read more

Love the ecstatic hour!! The kale Caesar is incredible. I dream about it sometimes. Great ambience, excellent service. Wish we could go more often! read more

I love The Cellar! The wine, the food, love music, and great people working there make you feel welcome. I'm not super knowledgeable about wine, and they always have great suggestions. My favorite food from the menu are the Brussels sprouts and, of course, the cheese platters! And I love that they have live music all nights and stay open later than most restaurants in the area. read more

Locating right on Del Mar parking can be a little bit difficult but defiantly worth it. I personally love the Truffle lobster mac n cheese. Large selection of wine and good atmosphere with enjoyable music. read more

Large portions, all items were great, wonderful service, fun and cozy atmosphere! Great find !

had to drop my rating a star because more often than not when we come, the music is too loud to talk... and tonight the performer is especially loud and awful. they off fun wine flights, variety plates to share. limited options for the veg/vegan diners but an enjoyable place to sit, sip and chill. have yet to stop in for breakfast but will do so! read more

The Cellar has the best coffee in San Clemente, to-go or sit-in. I've been to all of the other new/old coffee shops in the area to work but The Cellar is now the only place I go. Great coffee, free WiFi, friendly service. read more

The staff are entitled. They serve breakfast but the issue is this place is a bar. IT smells like a bar and it's not sanitary. I was a regular for a little while but over the past year it has become more and more unsanitary. Me and my boyfriend both got terrible food poisoning from the breakfast a few months back and will never eat here again. It has one of those smells that when you walk in it feels Germy. read more

Love the Cellar! It seriously never dissapoints. Nice little hidden wine bar in San clemente great Ambiance! The people that work there are great and dont make you feel like a wine idiot when talking. Food is awesome always spot on I always get the soup ! Home made nice and hot! Daily specials .... have to order the bacon jam ! Great Cheese selection! read more

Love The Cellar!!! Great food/atmosphere and staff!!! Their cheese selection is fantastic and their beer and wine selection doesn't disappoint! read more

We came here twice and both times it was full of energy and happy folk. The first time was in the afternoon for a champagne flight and spanish charcuterie plate. The champagne wasn't our favorite but it was refreshing (and we really don't know spotted dick about champagne anyhow). Later in the night we returned for some live music and wine. It's cozy, well decorated and the service is good. Late night was busy and had a lively atmosphere with an acoustic cover band (actually it was just a dude). read more

Wow! What a disappointment. Food quality has diminished as well as food options all while prices have increased. Food served on paper plates. Surly waiter. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't wait staff work for tips? Happy Hour is a joke. This used to be one of our favorite spots in town. Sadly, this is no longer the case. read more

Great service each person is patient and can explain any questions you may have about the different cheeses available. Loved the food and the wine and the cheese will definitely come back again! read more

ambiance was wonderful, staff was attentive and friendly, food was OMG good! I wasn't crazy about my flight (earth, wind, fire). It was a little watery for my taste but it was still drinkable. I got a couple appetizers and small plates and didn't have any complaints. I will RAVE about the mac n cheese though. I love mac n cheese and this was by far the best mac n cheese I've ever had. It comes with Foie Gras which I'm not crazy about but they put it on the side for me which was kind. Its seriously the best, salty, al dente pasta, lots of gourmet cheese. I highly recommend, its too good to share!! read more

What's not to love? Stunner Cheese selection, Stunner Wine choices, and a great cellar-like restaurant vibe all around. Especially fun when live music. My top choices: #1Hummus Board #2Truffle Popcorn #3Mac and Cheese. XOX read more

I went here with my girlfriend for Valentines Dinner. I've been here several times before but never for a meal. It's always been a fun place to listen to music and socialize. Valentines Dinner was another story. The servers were friendly enough but inattentive. I had to track them down most of the time when we needed something. The dinner was very bland, cold, and served on paper plates. I sent mine back and it came back cold again. I ended up taking most of my meal home which I never ate. We were hoping for a far better experience for our special night. read more

I like this place when I'm in town and on vacation. My job takes me around the globe and this is a gem. Great food and drinks! The workers are very personable too. read more

This place is awesome, love the food, wine and environment. My friend discovered this place when we were coming back from SD and wanted to get a little something to drink. It was a Sunday and the place was quiet, then this guy came and started playing the guitar and he was great, more people came in and the place was nice and festive! Was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday, there are no many places that offer a nice environment on this day. I really wish this place was closer to me; I'll just go there all the time! I have nothing negative to say, this place is very consistent. I always have a great time when I come here, not only because the environment, the live music, the food and drinks, but the customer service is also great, the staff is super friendly and fun to talk to. When you come to have a little bite to eat, always look at the board next to the bar, they have specials that are worth a try! The Pizzettas are delicious, my boyfriend doesn't like Gorgonzola much, we ordered the Pear, Gorgonzola and walnut Pizzetta, he loved it. The slow braised short ribs is a must try and the cheese platters don't disappoint. If you are only here for drinks, they have a very nice selection of wine, sake and beer. I always have the flight, last time we had the sweet nectar flight and the sake flight, they were great. I'd rather order flights than ordering one glass of something; I can get drunk easily so flight gives me the opportunity to try all these different things without getting too festive lol This place is tiny so I don't think is good for big groups. I think it is a wonderful place to share with your partner, because the cozy environment and the live music, I believe they have live music everyday. Parking can be a pain especially on weekends. One thing I have to say is that they only take reservations for parties bigger than 6 people, really? This place is tiny! They also sell the cheese they serve in the cheese platters and they have other really good variety of cheese for sell. read more

I would give this place 5.5 stars if I could. CUTEST setting ever! There are four types of seating: bar, high tables, regular dining tables, and comfy sofas. There was a live band the whole night playing the most upbeat music ever (put me in a great mood after work). Friendly service, excellent cheese and food, and plenty of wine options. read more

It seems like blasphemy to compliment such an establishment on this site. The food is delicious. That being said, service for our table was slow, and cutlery, napkins, and menus were forgotten. The way they served us had me thinking that it was just a fluke. Stuff happens. Was I the only non-Caucasian in the entire restaurant? Seemed like it. Corn soup (seasonal?) is divine. I was carefully rationing it out so that my last bite of food here would be delicious cold corn soup, but my dinner partner slurped the rest of the bowl dry while I was watching the jazz singer do her thing. Too bad they don't do refills. Date night #2 at The Cellar is not too far away. read more

Cute place, nice atomosphere, cheese trays overrated, over priced. Felt ripped off by what I paid and actually got. You're paying for bread when it comes to the cheese trays. I don't eat bread I went their for a cheese tray not bread tray. Disappointed :-( read more

Best cheese and meat plate ever!!! Loved all the combinations of the cheese with the jams and other treats. Nice ambience and the staff are very friendly and informative. read more

i've been living in the area for quite some time now but i just madee the effort to go down and try this amazing food! gosh i took my kiddos down for some brunch as per usual and i was blownnnn away!! very good! :) read more

The Cellar is a great addition to downtown! The ambiance is fantastic, complete with a singing piano player.They have an extensive wine list and a handful of small plates including some nice stinky cheeses. Great place for a night out with friends or a date. read more

Love, love, love this cool San Clemente wine bar. The food is great. The service by Carolyn last night was fantastic. We had the cheese plate, kale salad, grilled cheese and wings. I know sounds sort of ordinary, but it was anything but. Redeemed my post card for a glass of birthday wine too. I love the ambiance and who knew they had promo pricing on a Saturday? We go at least once a month and have never been disappointed. Their red pepper jam and other items in the retail section up front are first rate. We shared a table with some other people and all were friendly and engaging. We went early, before 6, so we got a space. By 6:30 the place was packed. I know wine bar sounds snobby, but this is a local beach crowd. They also have live music and special events. Cheers! read more

I've been here once before a long time ago and decided to come back with a friend for lunch. We ordered the BLT and hummus to split. We each also tried a syrah and were both pleased with it. The sandwich was unbelievable. One of the best sandwiches I've had. Ciabatta, avocado, bacon, garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato. So good. Like, damn good. The hummus were perfect to snack on between bites too. Such a good meal. Must stop by if you're in the area. read more

The Cellar - Bacon, avocado, garlic mayo, lettuce, and tomato on ciabatta. Wow. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Clemente, California

Went here for breakfast with my Mom and we had such a lovely time, food was great and service as well. We ordered the french toast and eggs Benedict and both dishes were really good. I loved the lavender caramel latte, must try when you are here. read more

We love the Cellar and have been coming here probably once every few weeks since discovering it! Fantastic food and whine and the ambiance is great! The staff here is amazing, always so friendly and accommodating and I absolutely love that they're currently taking orders for food and have been selling pantry goods to help alleviate the strain on the community during this difficult time. Thank you for keeping our community healthy and fed! read more

Detlev made sure i was a customer who would tell others to visit The Cellar in San Clemente.

I used to like their cheese but I can't give them more than 1 stars because of one of their workers. My husband and I went to buy some cheese in sunday afternoon and There was one girl with short hair and dark frame glasses. I asked her the cheese that I wanted pointing it because I didn't know the exact name of the cheese. She treated me as a dumb and reacted very unkindly and after I paid mine, she didn't even ask or give me a receipt and went to help another customer. So I waited and tried to contact my eyes on hers and asked her my receipt. She handed it to me in her looking displeased without any apology. My husband was about to say something to her and ask refund but I dragged him back to home. I normaly don't write a bad review because it can affect somebody's business. Most of time I understand the waiter, waitress or the cashier is not kind at all because I know how hard to serve the people. I also have such a job serving customers so I understand or try to accept that it could happen sometimes. But you know.. for buying a piece of cheese.. It was too bad. I mean horrible. If you are not ready to serve the customers happily then don't work for it. I study the restaurant management in school so I know the rule. The customer service 101, Customer is a customer and customer is always right even though they are wrong. I don't mean I am the queen or something like that. But the behavior she did to me was so wrong. We felt really uncomfortable during whole day after that happening. You are not paid for ruining customers' day. I used to go there for getting some cheese and it was one of my favorite places. But since then I don't want to go there again anymore. However I am writing this review because of wishing the owner will read this review so that they can train the employees better. These days, service is everything for such a business and one rotten apple can spoil the barrel. At least I believe so. read more