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    Truly Pizza

    4.2 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    TRULY PIZZA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Truly Pizza

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    Cheese Pizza
    David L.

    First time here and was compelled to try it, based on all the hype. I drove over an hour for take out and it wasn't worth my effort. I ordered two pizzas: the Smokey Vodka and the Cheese Pizza. Both of the pizzas were good, but, just kinda mid. While the crust is good, it should never be larger than the pie itself. These are pricey pizzas and I shouldn't have the true main ingredient be the crust. Dana Point is beautiful and their restaurant is a very nice vibe. The people at the take out window were nice.

    Suprema (lots of meat and other good toppings) was very good.
    Craig W.

    Does this place meet the hype? Mostly, yes. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation well in advance, like, three or four weeks ahead. Really. This is not a pizza joint. This is a casual restaurant from all appearances that happens to specialize in pizza. The ingredients used for the pizzas, drinks, appetizers, etc. are excellent. Our service was top notch. Kids are ok, and dogs are ok; in fact, the crazy old lady near us held her dog on her lap and allowed it to drink the water directly out of her water glass. I love dogs and all other animals but this was a bit too much. Additionally, many parents allowed their kids to roam freely around the restaurant. This is never a good idea. The place itself is attractive. The lower level is open air, as is the upper level. There is a big fake lemon tree in the middle of everything that spreads its big fake branches with its big fake lemons everywhere over the diners and it is delightful. For an appetizer, we went with the ricotta. You get an ample scoop of fresh ricotta with balsamic, olive oil, and chili flakes, and four pieces of beautifully grilled garlic bread. This delicious dish is a home run. The pull-apart garlic bread appetizer looked amazing, too, but our bellies are only so big. We're obviously trying to make our bellies bigger. They really push the thin crust and extra thin, crackery crust pizzas here. We tried the "famous" one, the "Champion" (because it beat all other pizzas in the known universe in some contest, apparently) and it was fine. There is a hint of tomato sauce on it, maybe a sprinkling of cheese, and some nice salt. That's it. So THIS is the pizza that aliens from other planets visit Earth to try? I don't think so. The crust was raised and salty and good but otherwise, I found this pizza to be quite boring. The square pan Suprema, with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and peppers, and cheese (what a concept--cheese!) was much more my style. The ingredients really shined here. This one was delicious. For dessert, we tried the soft swirl ice cream and it was delicious. Vanilla was the only flavor of the day and the ice cream tasted homemade. You get one topping and we added crumbled Oreos which was a good choice. The drink game here is strong. They have a few cocktails, a few mocktails or non alcoholic selections, and very strong and interesting beer and wine options. I never get spritzers but I got a spritzer here and it was terrific and far boozier than I expected (and I am not complaining). Would I come back? You bet. The Champion was a huge miss for me but the cooking here is top notch and the ingredients used are very fresh. This is a professional outfit that is putting out a quality product. And if you bring your dog, have enough thought and courtesy to bring a small water bowl from home for your lovely thirsty hairy companion.

    Chelsea V.

    I'm usually let down by overpraised restaurants, so when I kept hearing about this place, I honestly didn't go in with high expectations. Well, I was wrong. It completely lived up to it. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a really great atmosphere. The service was also very good from start to finish. The pizzas were flavorful and amazing. I also loved the ricotta cheese appetizer. The butter lettuce salad was good too, although I think it could have used a little less dressing. Still, really enjoyable overall. I wanted to try their signature ice cream dessert, but I was so full by that point that I couldn't do it. I also appreciate that they're dog friendly, which is always a plus for me. Obviously this place requires reservations well in advance, and after going, I completely understand why. I'd definitely go back.

    House salad has nicely placed leaves. Missing dressing and needs more cheese to be decent.
    Ricardo S.

    Very photogenic food and establishment. The food is basic though. Pizza needs more sauce. The "Sweet and Spicy" tasted like sugar. Service of waitress was excellent, hostess's leave much to be desired.

    Umami Mushroom
    Katarina O.

    Friday night walk in!! Only took about 45 minutes for two of us, and we were sat at the counter top. Started off with the garlic pull apart bread with vodka sauce for dipping. Love how fresh and gooey with the crisp on the outside!! The pear cider was delicious, but the frizzante wasn't my favorite, needed stronger flavors. We did the umami mushroom pizza & sweet and spicy. My bf's favorite was absolutely the umami and mine was the sweet & spicy! Worth the hype overall - amazing ambience & beautiful food options!!

    Loved our Mother's Day celebration
    MaDonna W.

    Truly Pizza never disappoints. Mother's Day was an overly packed day in the restaurant, Yet they were right on top of it. The staff was amazing. Our pizzas came out hot right on time following the salads. Great wine list great company. We just really enjoy this location and we cannot wait to try the Laguna Beach location.

    Siria F.

    Had brunch here with a friend and we loved it! The food was amazing! The pizza is delicious, drinks were great and the view was amazing! Our waiter was fantastic . She was so sweet and attentive. We made reservations and got seated right away. Overall, had an amazing time and I will definitely be coming back. There's a small parking lot but mostly street parking.

    Ambiance for my little girls 17th bday!
    TJ Q.

    So didn't get as many pictures as I wanted but we basically tried most of the menu. This included the garlic knots. Oh man if you love garlic. Get these. So good. Wedge salad was also a hit for the family. I loved how they added dates never had those on a salad before. Highly recommend getting a mix of both types of pizza. We got the Champion Tomato and Cheese which is the only one you can get with the sea salt crust. There's a reason why Thai won. Next up was the Dante. I liked it but wasn't my favorite. Mama Mia was the families favorite. They liked it a lot. My favorite was the smoky vodka. Greta flavor and overall amazing pizza. Service was great as well they totally made my daughter's birthday dinner. The outside patio makes you feel like you're in an Italian patio. Will be a great place to hang out this summer!

    Crispy Pepperoni (added chicken sausage)
    Leah Y.

    Money well spent! I LOVE Truly pizza so so much. It's definitely one of the best sit down pizza restaurants on the West coast. Make your reservations weeks in advance if you're coming on a weekend during spring/summer. Their wait times otherwise can be up to 2 hours on the weekends for any party size. Parking is a bit tough, give yourself some extra time for it. They have about 10 spaces in their lot which always fill up. You can street park in front of the restaurant or around the corner in the residential area. The vibe is great. It's an outdoor restaurant that's covered with either plants and fake lemons (they also have real lemons all over, just not above) or shades if you're on the mezzanine. Take the weather into consideration if it's cold, but they do have heaters prepared. Food is outstanding. Love their drinks - they have a great mix of spring/summer cocktails and zero proof options - their signature Truly spritz is lemon-y and delicious with the option of alcohol or not. Love their appetizers like the seasonal burrata, the focaccias, and the fries with ranch and ketchup are out of this world. Pizza is DIVINE. They've perfected the triple fermented sourdough crust, their pizza sauces, and their toppings combos. Highly recommend the Sweet and Spicy, La Foresta, and the Crispy Pepperoni. If you're up for it, ask for a side of hot honey and ranch. Will change your brain chemistry! Dessert is also fantastic. They have the most delicious soft serve and rotate their flavors quite often. Tried the lychee yuzu soft serve a long while back and can't stop thinking about it to this day. Service is also great! We always feel welcomed and well-taken care of. Server today was Brandon and he never missed a beat - got us everything we needed without needing to be reminded, was friendly, quick, and patient with our large group. Currently making a list of other friends/family to bring in the future! Glad to be a guest here.

    Lorelie C.

    It's been a while since we last came here. They're just outdoor seating and I don't really like the cold, so as much as we love this place, we didn't go during the cold months. They provide blankets though to keep you warm! As usual, we love the ambiance. Service was not as good as last time but still okay. As usual, we love their pizza! Pizza on focaccia crust! We usually order the sweet and spicy and add pepperoni. So full of flavor and that crust! Oh so good! I honestly cannot enjoy other pizzas as much anymore since we first tried this place a few years ago, when they just newly opened. This time we also got the chicken wings. Looking forward to this weekend, as we will be back!

    Charlene C.

    THE CRUST IS CHEF'S KISS! I've been desperately wanting to come here for months now after hearing about how Truly Pizza ranked in the top 100 of the world's best pizzas. Having tried pizza from Pizzeria Sei, Apollonia and Quarter Sheets, I was on a mission to try this place, but getting a reservation was the difficult part. Luckily, my friend snagged one for our group of 8 so we could try several pizzas since most of us were travelling from LA to Dana Point. PARKING There is a small lot (8 spaces) behind the restaurant that are reserved for the restaurant. We got lucky and snagged a spot but it was the only one available. There are other strip malls nearby so there is limited parking, as well as street parking. Since we had a reservation, we were seated right away. The restaurant has only outdoor seating which was surprising but perfect for the type of weather we had that day and it was beautifully decorated with real and faux lemons trees adorning the entirety of the space. Brandon was our server and while a whippersnapper, he was super sweet, attentive and gave some great recommendations. We tried the following: COCKTAILS Truly Spritz - Super refreshing, not too sweet and perfectly balanced. I really enjoyed this one. Truly Frosé - Fun frozen rosé slushie to drink though just a touch sweet for my palate, but I could easily drink a few of these. APPETIZERS 1) Harissa Honey Chicken Wings - Pretty tasty wings and you can definitely taste the harissa which has a distinct but enjoyable flavor. I would stick to pizza next time but if you're in the mood for wings, then this is a great option and has a nice warm kick. 2) The Dana Point Wedge Salad - Beautifully presented and just what you expect and want from a wedge salad. Refreshing and delish! ROUND THIN CRUST PIZZAS 3) Champion Tomato & Cheese - They say sometimes less is more and this pizza is an expression of that. While I can appreciate the simplicity of this pizza, I'm not sure that I would order this again since I just love the beauty of many flavors and textures. 4) Crispy Pepperoni - Solid choice if you like thick pepperonis with edges that curl up 5) Potato Bianca - I really enjoyed this one. Imagine a variety of cheeses, garlic, onion.. umami.. so underrated and yet so delish! As a I reflect on the pizzas I ate, this was definitely a memorable one. 6) Umami Mushroom - This was unique one that had a very strong shitake-esque flavor to me. While I enjoyed it and the mushroom varietal, I'm not sure I will be racing to order it since there are others that I preferred. SQUARE PIZZAS 7) Smoky Vodka (Added Pepperoni) - YUMMY!! Our group really enjoyed this pizza and the added pepperoni elevated it even more (thanks for the rec, Brandon!) I think this was our group's resounding favorite pizza. There were so many flavorful elements! 8) Sweet & Spicy - YUM TOO! This was a close second and would absolutely order this again. So good! There was a simplicity yet complexity that I couldn't deny. 9) Mamma Mia - Lasagna as a pizza! It was good but when compared to the other two, this was not our favorite but still very good. DESSERT "The Truly Way" soft serve - Just when most of us thought we couldn't handle any more food, the sweet tooth's of the group ordered this and we gobbled it up. Who would've thought to add olive oil, salt and lemon zest to vanilla soft serve?!? It was pretty remarkable THE CRUST - Wow, I think the take away message about this restaurant is that they really know how to make a really AMAZING crust. It was crispy, fluffy and light. Despite trying 7 pizzas, I never felt bloated or filled with cardiovascular regret. Yes, all the different pizzas were great, but it's the crust that makes Truly.. truly special. I can't wait to try their Laguna location!!

    Order receipt
    John S.

    ** THIS REVIEW IS STRICTLY DUE TO MY RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH TRULY'S PIZZA's ONLINE ORDER / TAKEOUT OPTION ** I was in Escondido this afternoon and decided to order online/takeout from Truly Pizza in Dana Point. I ordered a Traditional Italian sandwich at approximately 2:53 pm.. The earliest that I could pick up my order was 4:38 pm, approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from the time I made my order. Since I was driving home from SD County, I submitted / paid for my order, with the "hope" that when I arrived, I could pick it up. Traffic was average and I arrived at Truly Pizza in Dana Point at approximately 4:10 pm. The young lady that that met me at the Takeout window asked me for my name and order and told me that it would take 30 - 40 minutes to prepare. I shared with her that I made the order over 80 minutes ago and asked if it could be available earlier. Candidly, she made no real commitment to get my order earlier, as I truly believed that she was going to deliver my order at the scheduled 4:38 pm time frame. I sat outside to wait for my sandwich to be prepared and as I expected, I received a text at 4:39 pm that my order was ready. When I went inside and met the same individual, she looked at me like she had never seen me before and asked me my name and what I ordered. This is a serious training opportunity for restaurant management. When I got my order, there was a Supervisor reasonably close to the window and I inquired on how pickup times are established, items that could be ordered, and why a sandwich ordered online could seriously take close to 2 hours to prepare. The Supervisor gave a host of issues that could impact takeout orders - sharing main kitchen oven, food prep at the Laguna Beach store, busy restaurant times, and items that may be running short due to demand. So I asked her again, why would it take close to 2 hours to prepare an Italian sandwich on a Wednesday evening at 4:38 pm? I sat in front of the restaurant and there were many empty tables and only two people picked up takeout orders during my 30 minute wait. When she asked me when I placed my order - I showed her my Order Acknowledgement (copy attached). She told me that amount of time was unusual and was sorry that I had to wait. Here is some perspective and thoughts and hopefully Management will see an opportunity to address and improve: * Properly train service people when meeting customers and make sure they remember them throughout the process; * Eliminate the Online / Takeout order option if you can't properly serve it in an efficient manner; * If your Dana Point store doesn't have the space to accommodate in-restaurant dining and Online ordering, seriously consider offsite prep facilities that could easily facilitate both options; * As mentioned above - ditch the online/Takeout order option until you have the resources to accommodate it. Another idea, just close it down during your busiest hours - 11:30 - 2:00 pm and 5:00 - 9:30 pm. Just some perspective.....

    Smoky Vodka
    Brock L.

    This is the biggest 5 star review I can possibly give! I've tried a lot of pizza's in Orange County and this one is tops for me. My wife and I tried two different pizzas the Champion Cheese, and the Smoky Vodka square pizza. Both were heavenly. A great pizza restaurant has to absolutely crush a basic cheese or margherita pizza and Truly definitely does with incredibly light crust and the perfect tomato sauce. The real standout for me though was the smoky vodka pizza. The crust on this pizza is mind blowing and the flavors pair so well together. I will also give the service a lot of credit. They did completely mess up the timing of our order and we did wait a long time for our pizzas. They went above and beyond afterwards and felt so bad for the error, they made it up to us with a free appetizer and comped one of our pizzas. It was a great time and the outdoor patio there is super cute!

    La Foresta

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    Page 2 of 41

    Truly Pizza Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Truly Pizza

    I've been trying to get a reservation for quite a while because we've heard it's great. Online reservations are fully booked for dinner through the 30-day window and I've called but the reservation line just rings. What's the best way to get through?

    They are so busy making it hard to get through. We wanted to eat there so we took a chance and stood in line for those without reservations for an hour. It was worth our wait. Take a chance and just go. It's delicious!

    Are there any vegan and gluten free options? I see you offer a gluten free crust 😊

    Yes, Gf crust was good. You can get it on any pizza besides the champion award winner pizza for $6 extra.

    Is a reservation required?

    Highly recommend. Walk ups have to wait quite a bit of time.

    Accept Apple Pay? (can confirm yes)

    Yes I used there 3 xs

    Accept walk in?

    Yes, but just be prepared for a long wait. Unless you go on a slow time. If busy be prepared to wait.

    Are dogs permitted?

    Yes, we're dog friendly!!

    How big are the pies? How many people for one pie would you recommend?

    This place is quality over quantity while still being affordable imo, live a little and get a 2nd or 3rd pie . They have alot of options so indulge a little. I say one pie is good for 3 people

    So hard to get rez.....can I bring my dog or would that their seating options for me? Don't want to show up with my dog and not have a place to sit.

    I know some days are tougher than others, like Friday and Saturday evenings, but I find the most success planning my visits 3-4 weeks out and I haven't had any issues securing a reservation. Also, dogs are welcome! There is only outdoor seating, so… Read more

    Are walk ins available as open table reservations are full for a week plus? What is outdoor seating like?

    Yes, we saw walk-ins sign up before the restaurant opened. Both the ground floor & 2nd floor are… Read more

    Is there a take out option or is everything dine in only?

    Yes, Truly offers take out and you can order online and there is a side entry for pick up.

    Is there indoor seating?

    Yes there is

    Hopefully you have room for a wheelchair inside?

    I don't believe the second floor would be wheelchair accessible but the first floor should be no problem for access.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes!

    Is there public restrooms?

    Public ? Truly has restrooms upstairs for customers yes !

    Has anyone tried the gluten free crust? Is it good? In what ways is it different from their regular crust (taste and texture)? Thanks

    I would rate it as more on thin crisper side than thick fluffy crusts. It's just above average in my opinion but not spectacular.

    Is downstairs patio dog friendly?

    It is a great space for dogs. Try and get one of the many tables that line the outside so your dog can remain mostly separated from waitstaff and any other dogs

    What are the vegan options that are mentioned on the menu?

    https://www.trulypizza.com/menus/ Here's the menu. I suspect you can ask for anything meatless.

    Do they have a happy hour menu?

    I'm not sure. Call Truly Pizza in Dana Point. Thanks

    What is the difference between just "patio" seating and "patio terrace"? When booking a reservation online those are the two options . Which would be better?

    Upstairs is the terrace. Downstairs is patio. Downstairs is a larger area. When I've gone it's been louder & more lively. I personally prefer the terrace which a smaller area.

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    Wine Experience Dana Point - Chorizo stuffed dates

    Wine Experience Dana Point

    4.8(54 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    Free parking
    Casual dining

    We kicked off our evening at Wine Experience with the chorizo stuffed dates--sweet, smoky, and…read morewrapped in crisp bacon with a touch of whipped fig crema that made each bite worth while! If you can, try the warm smoked almonds and olives; they're smoked perfection with bright lemon zest and paired beautifully with whatever you're having. The food throughout was absolutely delicious, with thoughtful, elevated small plates that felt refined. The standout on the spring menu? Those beef Wellington puffs--tender filet mignon wrapped in golden, flaky pastry and served with Dijonnaise!! They were rich, elegant, and utterly irresistible; we couldn't stop reaching for more. 3rd order anyone?! What truly made the night special was the team. From the moment we walked in, the knowledgeable staff was genuinely helpful and enthusiastic, guiding us through their wine selections with thoughtful recommendations that perfectly complemented each dish. Their passion turned a lovely dinner into a memorable experience--approachable yet refined. Highly recommend for a special night out. We left smiling, a bit fuller, and already planning to come back. Five stars!

    This was truly one of the best wine bar experiences I've had in a while!…read more The staff is what made our night - owner Mike is so attentive and intelligent and kind! He took time to walk us through our tastings and sat down with us for almost an hour to chat wine and food. Everyone else working was also awesome and they make you feel so comfortable and at home. Lovely wine selection and house made pasta and flatbreads as well!! Highly recommend :)

    Photos
    Wine Experience Dana Point - Inside - Wine Experience Dana Point

    Inside - Wine Experience Dana Point

    Wine Experience Dana Point - Fig and goat cheese flatbread

    Fig and goat cheese flatbread

    Wine Experience Dana Point - Beef Wellington puffs

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    Beef Wellington puffs

    Coastal Kitchen

    Coastal Kitchen

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    I've been here many times and I love everything on their menu. I would recommend making a…read morereservation especially on the busy weekends. Restaurant is nice with some booth seating in the back and even some outdoor seating. Parking itself-there's a small lot next to it but it's almost always full so you can do some street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. When I last came here, we ordered the red pepper hummus to share and I ordered the French dip! It was excellent as per usual and the service was good. One critique I would have though is that one of the people in my party was a vegetarian and had ordered a veggie burger. The people bringing out the food accidentally swapped the plates of someone else in the party who had ordered a chicken blt when placing the dishes in front of each person. Unfortunately the vegetarian did take a bite of the chicken blt before realizing it was not the veggie burger and spit it out. It is what it is and was an honest mistake. But, maybe confirming the dishes before placing it in front of the person would be good. First time it's happened but we hope it doesn't happen again because we love this place!

    To start off, parking is an absolute nightmare. Aim to get there earlier and don't be surprised if…read moreyou have to take use the side streets for parking in the neighborhoods. As for the food, it was pretty good. We got the Salmon, Rotisserie Chicken and Baby Back Ribs. The baby back ribs was definitely the best bang for your buck thing on the menu and they were delicious. The Salmon was ok and the chicken was a little dry. The fries and Cole slaw were very good and our dessert was also very rich. The service was solid and it felt like a place to dress a little nicer but no pressure to wear a suit or anything.

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    Coastal Kitchen
    Coastal Kitchen
    Coastal Kitchen

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    Craft House - Started out looking promising

    Craft House

    3.9(911 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Great Saturday evening dinner. The front staff are very friendly, great upfront team…read more Started off with the Meatballs, this was not a very good dish. They were hard and dry on the outside...not moist...must have been heated up poorly. The Farmers Market Salad was great...fresh peaches and burrata cheese...so good! The Wedge Salad is exceptional, as well. Not pictured. The Crispy Rice Sushi was very, very good. Spicy and the Wasabi was just the right mix. The Steak Frits was prepared perfectly at Medium Rare with the chimmi-churi green sauce complimented the steak perfectly. Although getting fries with your steak dinner seems more of a lunch side and not a dinner side. However, the fries were seasoned and tasted good. We didn't order drinks...we were more hungry and wanted to save room for the Butter Cake dessert! Incredible...this is a must have. I highly recommend this place. You'll have a very good time...food, et all.

    Came for brunch after paddle boarding with my husband and MIL. Made a reservation through Open…read moreTable just in case they were packed. Got a table outdoor, the weather was beautiful. The only downside was it was a bit loud when cars passed by. Restaurant is beautiful, love the vibe. Our server Sean C. was very pleasant and attentive. I had the avocado tartine with tots on the side, everything was fresh and tasty. Hubbs had the smash burger which he devoured quickly. For drinks i only got a decaf, wish they had matcha - it would've been a perfect meal for me.

    Photos
    Craft House - Inside

    Inside

    Craft House
    Craft House - Patio seating

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    Patio seating

    Gelson's Dana Point Wine Bar - Award-winning Gelson's Wine. Made in California.

    Gelson's Dana Point Wine Bar

    4.2(12 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Lovely wine bar located right when you walk into the store in Dana Point…read more Very nice wine menu and food menu. You can also bring food from the to go section into the wine bar, it's Lovely , easy and a very nice treat to be at this wine bar!

    I began frequenting this wine bar almost a year ago. Thought it was a great idea by the management…read moreto have such a thing inside some of their high-end markets. As someone who know his way around wine bars, I think they have a nice,though somewhat limited, selection of wines, but their pricing is totally fair, and Tony, who is a practicing Sommelier, is quite knowledgeable as well as a welcoming and jovial "host". Having read a few of the negative reviews, I note that it is the Food Service they offer which gets almost all the criticism. I like just about everything I've ordered there (they have a good selection of appetizers, 'shared plates', salads, burgers, sandwiches) but depending upon who is in the kitchen, I have witnessed overly-lengthy waits for simple orders, both from my orders and from other customers. That said, it is positively one of THE best burgers around, especially at $15 INCLUDING a side. They also have a very competent sushi chef in-house who makes great stuff. Please note this location is closed Mon & Tue; the Irvine location is 7 days. And it does close promptly at 8pm. All in all, I think it's a hidden "gem", and Tony runs a first-class operation.

    Photos
    Gelson's Dana Point Wine Bar - Gelson's Dana Point's 
Upgraded Wine Bar

    Gelson's Dana Point's Upgraded Wine Bar

    Gelson's Dana Point Wine Bar
    Gelson's Dana Point Wine Bar

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    Whitestone Restaurant & Bar - Octopus appetizer

    Whitestone Restaurant & Bar

    4.2(369 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    I wanted to like this place more, I really did, it was good but not great. We made a…read morereservation-which we obviously didn't need at the time-and were greeted and immediately taken to our table of choice, especially since almost every table was available at our early time around 5 pm. Quite a few regulars hanging around the bar, this looks like a Dana Point watering spot for many elderly locals. But the ambience was pretty quiet for a Friday night, not exactly reassuring. We started with the blackened baba ganoush, which I no longer see on the web menu, and it was the best dish of all. Truly delicious, with some nice breads and harissa, the combination was a delight to soak up with the bread provided. I had a blue crab and avocado salad, well done and tasty. Scallops were also well prepared, short rib was good but not spectacular, and the jumbo shrimp cocktail-well, it was a shrimp cocktail-hard to screw that up, but nothing remarkable either. The let-down here was definitely the dessert, which is really hard to mess up. The flourless chocolate cake tasted like a vegan cake made with aquafaba or some other not good flour substitute. Dense to the point of almost being chewy-why not go with a molten chocolate cake instead? Chef needs a new recipe for this one. Glad we did not order anything else because if it was on this level, it would have been double my disappointment. A few of the cocktails were good with a strong pour. For these kind of prices and food, there are better options out there. This is not a bad place, but not one I'd put on my bucket list.

    I wondered why this place was empty. On paper it looks great, but in reality it's more of a tourist…read moretrap than a local favorite. How could it improve? 1. Expand the menu. We came for the photos on Yelp. None of which are on the menu anymore. Guessing some consultant told them to cut costs by streamlining the choices. Bad advice. 2. Increase portion size. I know this isn't Cracker Barrel but the portions were cartoonishly small. Another bad suggestion by that P/E minded consultant. 3. Hire another server or two. Our server was nice, but we barely saw him. Given the prices and white table ambience, the service was unacceptable. Won't be back and don't recommend. Dana Point has too many better options.

    Photos
    Whitestone Restaurant & Bar - Wall decor

    Wall decor

    Whitestone Restaurant & Bar
    Whitestone Restaurant & Bar - WHISKEY, PASSION FRUIT, AJI AMARILLO,
 HONEY, MINT

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    WHISKEY, PASSION FRUIT, AJI AMARILLO, HONEY, MINT

    Truly Pizza - pizza - Updated May 2026

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