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    The Cliff Restaurant

    3.9 (4.4k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Cliff Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    THE CLIFF RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Cliff Restaurant

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    Surfin Cowboy
    Larry H.

    We ordered the Surfin Cowboy $26.00 A 1/2 lb wagyu patty topped with melty pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, onion rings, and tangy BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. And Macadamia Chicken $33.00 Succulent chicken breast crusted with macadamia, with a delicate champagne cream sauce and garnished with fresh mango and papaya. The views are great at this restaurant. It was super sunny which made it hot but, the server accommodated us and put up the umbrellas which made it comfortable. Another person in our party dinner was not satisfactory so the server took it off our bill. This was really appreciated and unexpected. Great place to enjoy if you want to eat outside.

    View from waiting to be seated but the view was the same from our table.
    Marcy H.

    We went here to celebrate a birthday on a Saturday night. There are no reservations but you are able to join an online waitlist. Joined the waitlist at 4pm and received a notification three hours later that we were next up. Once we checked in we had to wait another 30 minutes. Our waitress was amazing and the food was delicious. Place can use some updating but the view can never get old.

    John P.

    The Cliff is a special place in Laguna Beach. The restaurant and bar have the most spectacular ocean views you can find in SoCal. If grabbing a great meal and cocktail while watching a glorious sunset is what you're looking for you should run to the Cliff when you're in Laguna Beach. Sorry I didn't get shots of the actual restaurant but the sunset distracted me. We had a delicious shrimp cocktail with our top shelf margarita. It was perfect. They added a float of Grand Marnier and Mezcal on our Cliff Margarita and it was amazing. The service was some of the best I've had in a long time. Jose our server was a blast and provided great recommendations for us. They were very open to some of our custom cocktail requests. They're all about creating a great experience while enjoying incredible views. Go to the Cliff if you're in Laguna or Newport. It will be memorable. Salute @thejohnnycocktail

    Crab and shrimp salad
    Coni B.

    A fun lil place to escape from the beach, without feeling like you left the beach. You have to zig zag your way through the little shop but eventually you will find the host station and they will find hit a great seat. I came with some family on a Friday afternoon. The weather was great! We sat outside and they open an umbrella for us. I had the crab salad and Bloody Mary. Both soooo good!!! Another in my party had the club sandwich and loved it. It's pricy just like the rest of Laguna is but worth it everyone once in a while. The only meh is the bathroom is shared with all the outside shops this is an outside bathroom for the public as well. Not the best.

    The duo turkey bacon sandwich with New England Clam Chowder Lunch
    Irah L.

    This is a great chill outdoor patio restaurant with an amazing Laguna beach ocean view!! Furry babies are welcome and staff are super friendly. Super fast service and very attentive. Food was wonderful and very fresh. We ordered the duo half turkey bacon sandwich and the cliff burger. The burger came with a brioche bun and the burger was cooked perfectly. This is a must go if you're visiting. The place has local beach jewelry stores around it where you can buy souvenirs. I highly recommend it.

    Brian K.

    The view was great and the service was good, but the food was definitely the weak spot for us. We got the poke, the coconut shrimp and the fish tacos. I thought the tacos were ok, but the poke had a sauce that was super thick and the coconut shrimp was a little lacking in the seasoning dept.

    Fish $ Shrimp Combo
    David K.

    The Cliff is one of those spots you bring friends and family to when you want to show off what Laguna has to offer. With breathtaking ocean views, it's the perfect setting for an amazing dinner date or a casual lunch with friends. The food is just as impressive as the scenery, and the staff is incredibly kind and they graciously offered plenty of recommendations which everything they suggested was phenomenal. There's onsite parking (valet for $6) or street parking right in front. Plus, there are plenty of shops and bars nearby if you want to hang out before or after your meal, and the beach is just a few blocks away. Ps. Make sure to check them out for breakfast as they have an amazing menu to pick from.

    Spicy chicken sandwich
    Michael S.

    My wife and I had a nice mid-week sunset dinner here during a freak heatwave in February! You can park on the street, but PCH was so busy, we happily paid the $6/hr for valet. The menu is simple but has a variety of options, including a menu for pets. I had a spicy chicken sandwich with fries and it was pretty good (but not amazing). My wife had a 1/2 turkey sandwich and small clam chowder (both good). We saw lots of people here just for drinks and appetizers. Considering the view and location, prices were very fair. Service was friendly and quick, but not memorable. But let's be honest, you're not coming here for an elevated dining experience -- you're coming here for the stellar vista! Perched on a cliff between Main Beach and Thalia St., you have clear views of Laguna Beach and out to Catalina Island. If you're visiting from out of town, this is the quintessential SoCal experience you shouldn't miss.

    Fish and chips
    Sage S.

    Parking is valet only & it's not validated (you get $1 off if it's cash and you validate) so I would reccomend parking on the street if you can. Ambiance is old style nothing fancy but unbeatable views of Laguna. Service was fast & friendly. I got the fish & chips which were tasty. Slightly expensive but to be expected with location & view.

    David M.

    If Laguna Beach had a front row seat, this would be it. The Cliff Restaurant delivers one of the best oceanfront dining experiences in Southern California. Perched above the Pacific, the views alone are worth the visit, especially at sunset when the coastline lights up and the waves roll in below you. The food more than holds its own. The poke bowls are incredibly fresh, clean, and well balanced. High quality fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and thoughtful toppings that let the ingredients shine without trying too hard. It feels coastal, intentional, and exactly what you want by the ocean. Service was friendly, relaxed, and on point. No rush, no attitude, just good energy and great pacing. Whether you are a local or visiting Laguna, this is the kind of place you remember and come back to. Great food, unbeatable views, and a true Laguna vibe.

    Sunset view from our table
    Veronique W.

    What a fantastic dining experience! Since they don't take reservations, we got on the waiting list before we left. Our table was ready just a few minutes after we arrived. Perfect seating right along the cliff overlooking the ocean just in time for the sunset. Driving through Laguna Beach can be challenging as well as parking, but there was valet parking available at the venue for only $6. Bunch of cool shops and beach vibe in and around the restaurant. Large portions of food, very fresh and tasty, and very attentive staff. Will definitely be back and will be bringing new people to share this experience.

    Judy L.

    What a special restaurant with amazing food and views! We came on a Sunday late morning and didn't have to wait! We ordered the Ahi Poke, Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos, and the Cliff Burger! The Ahi Poke portion size was decent and the poke was so fresh; the house-made taro chips were such a good pairing! The portion size for the Mahi Mahi tacos were also great, though the texture of the fish was a bit harder than I expected. The Cliff Burger patty was well cooked and came with a large portion of fries! Service was quick and can't forget the beautiful view around! FYI, the breakfast/ brunch menu is only available on the weekends!

    Coconut shrimp
    Courtney M.

    This place is 100% worth it! Especially on a beautiful day between four and six pm watching the sunset. They have fire heaters on the patio when it gets getting a little chillier. The food was delicious. We absolutely loved it. And the service was amazing. They were busy, but we're still very attentive. I will definitely be back to this place. Such a fun experience.

    The view right after sunset

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    The Cliff Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Cliff Restaurant

    How to make reservations for Saturday for 8?

    They dont accept reservations but allow you to join the wait list on the website. I'd suggest a few hours before trying to join just to see how long the wait is for your party and then readjust your join time to come as close to your time as… Read more

    Hi, Would you be able to accommodate 12-14 on a Wed for lunch? We'd love a view table(s) on the patio!

    I believe so. I saw a larger area with multiple tables set up in another section of the venue. Unknown if its open to regular customers.....

    Can i come solo for music and dinner?

    Yes just make a reservation to insure a place to sit!

    Are the concerts outdoors or indoors?

    Our live music is played outdoors at our fire pit theater. There are three fire pits, cocktail tables and an outdoor bar where our live music is played seven nights a week. Our main bar is indoors adjacent to where the band plays. We offer full food… Read more

    Are there outdoor heaters?

    Yes all over the patio

    Is their shading for rain?

    There are large umbrellas over the tables

    For breakfast, do you serve, gluten-free toast, pancakes, or GF waffles? Also, do you serve hashbrowns?

    Last time I was there two weeks ago for breakfast, they did NOT have any Gluten Free options. They only serve breakfast potatoes, no mention of hash browns on the menu.

    Company from AZ today I want to take them there for dinner?

    I would show up a little early from when you want to go and when you're close enough to the restaurant you can check in on Yelp. It'll hold your place in line. When you get there I suggest walking over and asking if they have anything available.… Read more

    Are dogs welcomed?

    No they aren't

    Do you accept reservations for lunch days in advance? Or is it just the "Get a table" button on Yelp for same day visits?

    It's first come first serve but you can put your name in on their website in advance.

    Do you have gluten-free pancakes, French toast, or gluten-free waffles?

    We do not offer pancakes and our waffles and french toast are not gluten free.

    Is this place ADA compliant?

    We are ADA compliant on both the restaurant and event venue levels. We have a side entrance with a very gradual ramp to the restaurant dining terrace and we have a wheelchair lift for the event venue.

    Do you serve, gluten-free pancakes, waffles, or French toast?

    Yes, they do

    When are dinner hours?

    After 5pm

    Is there parking there?

    Yes, either valet or public parking structure within walking distance.

    What are lunch hours?

    After 11:30 am

    What is the parking situation ? Cost? Free? Validation?

    Valet parking $3/hr! There's no validation.

    Hi, I left my wallet during brunch today. Can you help me find it? My full name on my ID will be inside the wallet: Abhyudit Bisht

    I would definitely give them a call or head over there right when they open, they may not check their Yelp daily.

    If I put myself on the waitlist days in advance, will I know in advance of what time I should arrive or will I be notified the day/morning of the day I want to come there?

    Yes you will know in advance

    Do you have gluten-free brats or your impossible burger? Do you have any gluten-free pizza pasta? Thank you

    You need to contact the restaurant or Google the restaurant when I make a review it's not that I own the restaurant

    View All 86 Questions

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    Splashes Restaurant

    4.1(1.7k reviews)
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    10/10 stars. Such a special birthday brunch I had here, we ran 15 minutes late to our reservation…read moreand they accommodated us so kindly. Everyone that works here is so lovely and they even hand wrote me a card?! Breathtaking views even from someone who lives here. Will definitely be coming back for future lunches

    I booked this restaurant for an early Mother's Day celebration, and my mother was very pleased…read more First, the views this restaurant sits right by the coast beachfront and has amazing views. Secondly, the service and wait staff is impeccable. We received great recommendations, attentiveness, professionalism, and hospitality. We never had to ask for anything because our needs were anticipated. Lastly, the food, we ordered several different things. The lobster bisque, Parkhouse rolls, octopus, the special of the day, which was tuna Hamachi. We also ordered the scallops, mushrooms, green beans, mashed potatoes and sea bass. The items that stood out the most were the lobster bisque. the Parkhouse rolls, the Seabass, the scallops and the Hamachi tuna. I was taken back that the octopus was fried and it was tough and had an interesting flavor. I'm used to octopus legs being grilled and tender, so I was quite disappointed with that. We also ordered a couple of cocktails that we weren't thrilled about. The flavors didn't work well together in the drink, but I did like how the glasses were ice cold I just wish the cocktails were more impressive. I feel like that's the gift and the curse. When you have a restaurant that is oceanfront. Typically oceanfront restaurants their food isn't that great because it doesn't have to be because of the ambience. The only place I've ever been where they had the oceanfront location and the food was amazing was Nobu Malibu specifically. I wouldn't mind coming back here for some light bites like I mentioned the lobster bisque and the rolls were tasty. Everything else was good, but not great for the price point.

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    Splashes Restaurant
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    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Burrata salad

    The Deck On Laguna Beach

    4.0(2.3k reviews)
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    The deck is a great place to have a meal and look out over the vast Pacific Ocean. The views from…read morethe outdoor seating area are absolutely stunning. The service is great and the food is really good. This is the second or third time we've been to the deck while visiting Laguna Beach and it does not disappoint. We shared several different items between the four of us and enjoyed delicious cocktails. Definitely recommend this restaurant if you are in Laguna Beach during the day & really take in those view!

    a bit difficult to find and is really small. i didn't eat here because of how busy it was. it was…read moreso busy there was someone in the way at the end of the stairs. wasn't a big fan of the environment. probably not a place for younger people or something because older people that were there were staring, of course i know it's not the restaurants fault just saying. got there around 5pm put name on wait for 2 people and was told about an hour. i was told to not order from the bar while i waited, never heard of that before as i also work at a restaurant. not sure what the policy is here for that. i was ok with waiting, but i went back to ask for a table by the rail since i was waiting a bit already anyway. the lady in front of me put her name down and was told her wait time would be 30-40 mins, so i was confused why hers was shorter than mine maybe the wait time changed and i'd wait less? anyway i told the host my request to sit by the rail and she said it would be a little longer, but that's ok that's what i expected. i actually never received a text that my table was ready and i thought maybe it was the wrong number put down, but who knows. kind of disappointed because i saw this place online a year ago and was excited to finally try it. i didnt get to and just went to eat somewhere else

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    237 Ocean Avenue - Brunch Sundays 11am to 4pm

    237 Ocean Avenue

    4.5(75 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    We came on NYE. There was music happening at 9pm, but we…read morecame early and missed it. That was our fault. We were the only ones there. The experience was all over the map. The owner served us initially, and he was really friendly and funny. We ordered a bottle of wine, and some cocktails. We put in some salads and an appetizer, they were really really good. But after that, our server (the owner we were told) left, and another server introduced himself. The new server was inattentive. He sat chatting with the other servers at the bar, leaving empty glasses and empty plates on the table. We had to flag him to come back to fill water. Having been myself in the service industry for years, my biggest pet peeve is when servers sit and chat where you can see them, and when they do come, they don't do a sweep and take care of things on the table. We had to put our empty glasses and trash on a side table. It was weird. The bolognese had hardly any meat in it. It was mostly tomato and onion. I've been to Argentina. Meat is a staple. Also weird. We ordered dessert and after waiting for 5-10 minutes, the server came back and told us they were missing crucial ingredients to make it. The owner came back at the end and was really gracious, but all in all, I think the execution was lacking. The service was not great. The food was 3.5/5 I love to support small business, perhaps we will try again another night.

    Karaoke Tuesday was a disaster! It's all about money…read more We spent $120 on drinks for 3 people. Plus Tips. We were on the Q. Until we're NOT. Because (they actually announced) someone paid more. Go ponder.

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    237 Ocean Avenue - Our beautiful indoor dining space!

    Our beautiful indoor dining space!

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    Best Argentinian wines ever !!!

    The Cliff Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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