Conveniently located across from the pier. It offers several options for food and pastries. Their coffee/drink menu is ambitious. I appreciate the amazing staff for everything they are doing here. I made the mistake of sitting near a water bowl for pets. My daughter was bitten by mosquitoes while eating. Additionally, I did not appreciate one of the locals allowing their pet to roam while we ate. read more

See all

Absolutely terrible experience. The owner was incredibly rude and completely unprofessional. I had a coffee from next door, while my wife--who is 38 weeks pregnant--purchased a matcha from this shop. The moment we sat down, the owner came over and started yelling at us to leave because of my drink. Not a polite request--straight to hostility. There's a way to enforce policies, and then there's treating paying customers like garbage. Showing zero patience or basic human decency, especially toward a visibly pregnant customer, is unacceptable. If this is how they treat people, I would strongly recommend staying away. Plenty of other places nearby that actually value their customers. read more

This place has some of the best food in San Clemente. Don't let the reviews deter you. Do they have a habit of chasing people away from their patio who haven't purchased anything from them? Sounds like it from the reviews. I'm legitimately wondering if any of these people have tried the food here, which is phenomenal. Two recent favorites were the Brie, pear panini and the Brekkie Biscuit, both some of my favorite meals I have had eating out in a very long time. Do yourself a favor, try it!! It's the bomb! read more

I don't know why people are complaining about this place! How this place is rated below three stars has me doubting the rating system! We visit this location EVERY TIME we come to San Clemente and have nothing but great things to say. The breakfast bagels are great, the coffee is incredible, and the ice cream is fantastic! The patio is very accommodating and allows consumers to enjoy their food and beverages while looking out over the ocean! MUST VISIT WHEN YOUR IN TOWN!! read more

Caterina’s - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

Great spot across from ocean. I use to come regularly for lattes but stopped since they charged $1 more for milk substitute. I hope they eliminate the extra charge for those that choose a more humane alternative. Came recently with some of town family for lunch so we could relax, eat and get an ocean view. I thought the food was just decent and overpriced. My vegan chicken sandwich ($18) was dry and hard. The truffle pizza ($22) was better but not worth coming back for. Clearly pay for the view not the quality of food. read more

See all

If I could put zero stars, I would. Probably one of the worst coffee shop/ gelato experiences I have ever had in my entire life. Quality of coffee is worse than cheap gas station coffee, hot chocolate tasted literally like it came from the Swiss Miss powder , and their chocolates are stale. On top of all this, whoever the guy is at the checkout is manager or the owner - had so much attitude l, was so rude, sour and un welcoming. Definitely not coming back to displace ever again. read more

DON'T GO ENOUGH SAID Owner is rude Take your business software. I went there a few days ago, and as I walked in, I got yelled out immediately and left. read more

Their Vegan Breakfast Panini was so delicious. I'm definitely coming back. Glad that they had vegan options. read more

Caterina’s - Vegan breakfast panani - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

Caterina Cafe What should have been a simple coffee stop on a beautiful pier turned into one of the most unpleasant customer experiences I've had in a long time. The service was shockingly rude and unwelcoming from the moment I approached the counter. No greeting, no patience, no basic courtesy -- just irritation and attitude, as if customers are an inconvenience rather than the reason the place exists. The coffee itself didn't come close to justifying the price. Bland, forgettable, and rushed -- which somehow made the bad service feel even worse. When you're paying pier prices, you at least expect basic quality and professionalism. This had neither. What really kills it is the location. You're standing on one of the nicest piers in Southern California, surrounded by ocean views and tourists having a good time -- and this place manages to suck all the joy out of the moment. There are plenty of nearby spots where you'll be treated like a human being and get better food and drinks for your money. This isn't one of them. Won't be back. Not recommend hmmmmm grrrrr read more

See all

Friday am We decided to dine in our condo this a.m. I walked down to order to go. The restaurant is outdoor dining only. The menu has a lot of options some of the options are duplicated as wraps and/or paninis. The service was awful. The woman with gray short hair is kind of rude and curt. Not too helpful either. We ordered panini sandwiches one with smoked salmon, herb cream cheese, red onions, sliced tomato, capers and arugula. I ordered the porchetta with Italian porchetta, carmelized onions, , Dijon, mustard, arugula, Swiss and provolone cheese. I ordered an iced mocha with light ice it was a little on the sweet side. Everything was great tasty and perfectly toasted. Saturday afternoon We were at the beach and decided to grab a sandwich. We ordered their club sandwich it was tasty. A little overpriced for what you get. It is very conveniently located near the beach to order to go. Their outdoor seating is great. read more

Caterina’s - Italia Italian Club - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

Every time I have come to Caterina's lately I'm so surprised by how empty it is. They have great seating on their covered and non-covered patios. I love the outdoor couch and accent wall...and the pink umbrellas. Totally cute and really inviting. Their food is A+ and they have nearly every type of latte you could imagine. They also have delicious gelato and chocolate treats too! I will continue coming to Caterina's for the great food, drinks and views! read more

See all

Today I had one of the most unpleasant experiences I've ever had at a shop. I was simply trying to pay for my order when the owner suddenly raised her voice at me, saying something completely unrelated like, "We don't provide service here," and then rushed to take the next customer behind me. I was also a paying customer, yet she treated me as if I was in her way. It was shocking and extremely disrespectful. I honestly don't understand why I should spend my money only to be yelled at by the owner. I ordered two small gelatos and one coffee, and the total came out to $19.98. The coffee alone should be around $5, so I have no idea how the total ended up that high. To be fair, the employee working there was very kind, and I actually felt bad for them. It must be incredibly difficult to work under an owner who behaves so aggressively and hysterically toward customers. The gelato itself didn't taste fresh at all--it had that old freezer taste, like it had been sitting there for a long time. My kids wouldn't eat it and left most of it untouched. Overall, the experience ruined my mood for the entire day. I still don't understand why I had to be treated that way. read more

This store is located at the base of the pier bowl. A lot of out of town people go in as it serves gelato. The owner and I think her son work the store. The both of them are the most unfriendly servers I've ever encountered. I was born and raised in San Clemente and I also work in a popular retail store in town, if I ever treated customers in the same manner as these two I wouldn't have my job!!!! If you don't like what you do, then get a new job. Or at least smile!!!!! read more

I have to agree with others regarding the poor customer service and the overly strict policy about outside food. Unfortunately, the owners were quite rude about it, which made the experience uncomfortable. What shocked me most was when we asked for two takeout boxes, the owner felt the need to double-check what we were putting inside them. I've never experienced anything like that before especially considering we were paying customers who ordered two meals and a drink. I did enjoy their nitro coffee, but the food itself wasn't anything particularly memorable. I wouldn't recommend coming here specifically for the food. That said, the location is great, and the seating area has a beautiful ambiance. Overall, because of the rude and unwelcoming experience, I wouldn't return. read more

Gelato and cookies and more right by the beach. Lovely place to stop by after a walk on the pier. The outdoor seating area is so nice with great views. The gelato is good and they also have variety baked goods and drinks. The ambiance is great here. Customer service is ok could be more friendlier. Overall a great stop while in the area. read more

Caterina’s - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

I am fantasizing about gluten free bagels with smoked salmon but no cream cheese or red onion just tomato on top and found exactly what I needed at Caterina's. The crabby guy wasn't here this time, luckily!! read more

Caterina’s - Outside is so pretty - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

Caterina's was a godsend on a hot beach day, when we really needed some cold drinks, shade, and good food. The patio was spacious and misted, which plenty of comfortable outdoor seating. Their menu is super extensive, and they have every type of snack, sandwhich, dessert, candy, or gelato you can think of. I know they also have a lot of good gluten-free and vegetarian options as well. We tried their brown butter latte, and it was very creamy and sweet, I really liked whatever flavoring they used. The prices were all super reasonable, more so than many of the surrounding restaurants and cafes. I absolutely recommend for anyone wanting to spend the day on the beach or pier, or who is in the area and needs a quick pick-me-up! read more

See all

I have seen this place many times and never try it before, my first time here and it's such a nice place, I love everything from the menu, menu is very big they serve almost everything during the entire day, their selection of drink menu is also really good. Inside the place the do have like to go things when it is very convenient and big ice cream bar menu which I love. The whole restaurant is pretty, they do have a nice sit down area indoors and outdoor, but something that I did not like was the costumer service was not so great they were probably tired and about to close when we came and they seem not in their best mood. read more

See all

I tried the Trolley Stop panini today and it was so good I wanted to update my review and recommend it! I also love the smoked salmon panini and the breakfast burrito here, but will definitely be getting the Trolley Stop more often now that I've finally tried it. read more

This place is amazing. I lived in Orange County for seven years and they have the most extensive gluten-free menu. People don't talk about that as much as they should. The food is delicious the people are nice and the ambiance is overlooking the San Clemente Pier. The cute pink umbrella tables are what brought us to look at the menu, but the food is what kept us coming back. It's open late as well which is a bonus! When everything else was closing at five, we could still go to them when we wanted a late night bite. Great food, great ambiance, amazing gluten free options! read more

See all

Needed a sweet treat after dinner so we stopped here for gelato. Cute shop with various treats and drinks to choose from. I went with a small cup of their hazelnut gelato, so good! read more

See all

Worst experience ever! Me and my family came to enjoy Mother's Day coffee and pastries. First of all what seemed to be the owner or manager had more attitude than a teenage girl. Secondly, The coffee tasted like cheap instant coffee that was sitting out for a day, the pastries were stale and dry and didn't seem fresh. The only complaint I have is the other workers, there where 2 girls working and they where respectful and way easier to work with then the old man (manager or owner) if you want a good caffe bring your service to the spot to the left of Caterina's (bear coast coffee) I had a much better experience there. read more

DONT ADD AVOCADO. It's 6 bucks extra and they don't tell you. Not listed on menu. Felt like a scam

Okay, not great - I absolutely agree with the 3 star overall review (which usually means the place has a couple of great things so stick to what they do good and leave the rest). For the good: This place is just across the street from the beach & pier so it was nice eating listening to the sound of the waves crashing onto the sand and the cool ocean air since it is an open restaurant. The other great thing about this place is their specialty coffee & lattes. Breakfast not so much. For coffee, I had the Lavender Caramel Latte ($5 for small $5.50 for large) which was Ghirardelli caramel, lavender syrup, double espresso & milk - and it was FANTASTIC! My girlfriend got the Brown Butter Latte (same prices) and that too was FANTASTIC!! We both got the SoCal Breakfast Burrito ($12) which is scrambled eggs, black beans, cheddar cheese, bacon and potatoes and ice assembled it is heated up in a panini press which kinda dried it out and made it crispy and dryer than I like. It was also too hot and stayed hot the entire time, which is an odd note but I don't like burning my mouth with every bite. It has the ingredients of the breakfast burritos I love but they were a bit lackluster and wee not very big. We both thought the taste was just meh. We would definitely come back for the coffee but not the food. read more

Caterina’s - SoCal Breakfast Burrito - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

Bad customer service!!! Despite the beautiful location, the manager/owner Josie is flat out rude!! The gelato is good, but not worth the price especially when the service is so terrible. I refuse to go back and spend money somewhere that treats others so poorly! Don't you want customers to come back?!? read more

Will never return. We brought our visiting Australian family here for breakfast and had an appalling experience. While my father was at the counter placing a sit-down breakfast order for himself and our whole family, my husband briefly stepped next door to Bear Café for coffee (they're quite literally two steps away). An older woman--clearly the owner or someone in charge, overheard this and refused us a table, speaking rudely and dismissively to my father in the process. The level of hostility was shocking and completely uncalled for. I would understand for non paying patrons, but we were literally in the process of ordering food from Caterina's. Turning away paying customers because they have coffee from a neighboring café is absurd, especially for a cafe/breakfast and lunch spot. Needless to say, we cancelled our order promptly and went to the pizza place at the end of the row. I recommend everyone to do the same. We come from Australian beach café culture, where hospitality actually means something, and I have never witnessed behavior this unwelcoming. You didn't just lose our business, we will warn everyone we know to avoid your business. No food or view is worth it when the hospitality is rude and unwelcoming. Learn to treat your customers better. read more

Seems like a cool spot Close to the beach Open later than other nearby coffee shops Comfortable Couches outside I liked this: _hot chocolate read more

Caterina’s - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

Horrible iced coffee - it tasted like dirty water. I went back in to let them know and ask for something else to fix it and she just started ringing me up expecting me to pay again. Most places would generally replace it for you but instead here they wanna charge you again for an overpriced drink. The woman was older and extremely rude. Would not recommend. read more

Great spot for people watching in San Clemente. I got the breakfast tacos and they were good. They were only 2 but they were good size. Overall the menu was extensive so plenty of options to chose from. They also sell pastries, gelato and candies/chocolate. My family ordered lattes but they were inconsistent even though they were the same drink. Service was okay. I think it's a good spot for a quick bite and the location is great. The trolley stops right across the street. read more

See all

We thought we hit a gem. One that my mom with Celiac could eat nearly anything because next to the description of the item it said (gf). Don't be fooled. I worked in restaurant hospitality for nearly a decade. I designed menus and collateral. I know a thing or two about how to identify allergies. We offered the Surfer Breakfast Panini. In addition to assuming it was made with gluten free bread because of the "gf" we also assumed that because the description says turkey sausage that's what we would get but turns out they typically give it with pork sausage. We are used to asking for the item to be gluten free. No big deal but if your menu implies the item will be gf then it should be. Instead they told us we had to pay for another sandwich plus $4 up charge for gf bread. Our total bill for two people to have breakfast sandwiches (no hashbrowns or sides) was $96. We tip very well and had three coffees. read more

Caterina’s - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

Went to Catrina's with my Mother in law and Wife and as we found a table we were looking at menu when the owner approached us and told us we had to leave for bringing a outside water bottle.As I looked around I seen others with a coke bottle and other tables with outside beverages. Since I'm African American and my wife is Latin American we took it personal.But we chose to leave because the lady was very mean.We went to Frenchies Next door and the Lady was amazing. We hear Caterina has a horrible reputation for being this way. read more

Would give zero if possible. The old woman owner is a power tripping b word and wouldn't let my 2 year old daughter sit on her patio with snacks we brought from home so we could order something from her store. Needless to say we didn't order anything and sat 5 feet away on the public tables not under her awning. Do not support, many other local options in San Clemente. read more

Never again. I've heard the stories about how awful the owners are and have witnessed it myself. Despite that, I gave this place another chance. I'll be fair: the food and coffee are good, and the location is prime. I also understand not allowing non-customers to take up space. However, the owners take this policy to an extreme that is rude, petty, and hostile. They don't allow customers to bring anything with them, even when spending a lot of money. The owners are openly unappreciative and seem to genuinely hate their customers. I once witnessed them shame a young mother for bringing her disabled son's medical diet, even though the rest of her large family ordered full meals and drinks. I've been personally confronted multiple times. Once, I met friends there, everyone ordered food and drinks (including me), but I was yelled at because I had a Bear Coast coffee with me. Another time, we ordered about $100 worth of food and drinks while sitting with our kids. My older daughter stopped by briefly after surfing, but had a slice of pizza in a to-go box, and they came running out to yell at her to get rid of her pizza even though she wasn't sitting with our party and had just briefly stopped to say hi as she was walking by. I had been a regular at that point, but that was the final straw and I stopped going on principle. Fast forward a couple years later to yesterday, I went back because I was hungry after a morning walk. I ordered avocado toast, a fried egg, and a black iced tea and asked ice water. I was told they aren't allowed to give ice water and I would need to buy a bottle of water. I explained I preferred ice water and asked if I could at least have a cup of ice, I was again told no and that I would have to buy a plastic bottle of water to get ice. Even while spending $25-30 plus tip, and even though I was ordering a paid tea drink-they wouldn't budge. I almost paid but stopped myself- I just couldn't bring myself to give this business a dime after that. Before leaving, I told them how ridiculous the owners' behavior is and that I felt sorry they had to work for people who treat customers and employees so poorly. My daughter's friend also had briefly worked there and shared how badly the owners treat staff, so I told these two girls I felt sorry for them and I hope they find better. The audacity is astounding. I truly don't know how people this ungrateful stay in business. I'm considering posting in San Clemente Life to make our community aware of this behavior- especially since this is common knowledge and already talked about among locals and so many people will be able to relate! Sadly, they cater to tourists due to location and give our town a bad name with their entitled greedy attitudes. I've never wanted to cancel a business before, but these owners honestly deserve it. I'd like to mention that after this, we walked over to the French cafe next door, where the owner was incredibly kind and welcoming, brought us ice waters right away without asking, took our food orders, and after we ate offered to give me an iced tea to go since I had ordered one there! So nice and because of her warm hospitality I will continue to go frequent her business and I gave her a 40% tip. Catarinas should take a page from that book! read more

It was the prime location and quaint tiled exterior which led us to choose Catherinas. The menu was very basic, nothing extraordinary. Ordered an egg , bacon, and cheese muffin sandwich as I wasn't able to order a steak breakfast burrito because they ran out of steak. The egg muffin was just fair. Went next door to bear coast for coffee. read more

Caterina’s - Muffin - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

I try to eat clean ingredients. When I asked the owner if the sourdough bread was made with "enriched flour" (which is horrible for you BTW, he said, "sourdough is sourdough." Sir, some of your customers actually care about what they put in their body, and it would serve very well to know the ingredients in the food you buy. I'll go to Maison in Dana Point where the owner is well aware of what ingredient constitutes inflammatory hell in food and doesn't use seed oils. ^since I can't respond to what the owner posted I'll respond here, first of all, I didn't know high schoolers had tattoos. Second of all, I was right there when she turned and asked you and you responded with the rude comment instead of the answer I was looking for, so your argument isn't even valid. Kick rocks dude. read more

I love the selections, so many items looked delicious. My coffee was average and the warmed cinnamon roll was very good! I would definitely order the cinnamon roll again. However, I wasn't a fan of the service. We felt rushed when ordering. And when asking a question about one of the menu items, I was met with a rude response. Seating is limited, but the area is cute with a nice view of the beach. Easy access. But service is such a huge component, it's three stars for me. read more

Caterina’s - Cinnamon Roll - Gelato Near Me - San Clemente, California

See all

Excellent gelato and service! Great way to end a day at San Clemente right after sunset. read more

See all

They will upcharge you for milk alternative and give you regular milk and a lot of attitude if you question them. Out 50 dollars after treating my child for the day. Go elsewhere save yourself time. Not allergy friendly read more

No wonder this place has 3 stars. I don't typically go out of my way to write reviews when places are ok, but after experiencing the older lady at this restaurant to be so rude to me and her staff, I needed to say something. We had already spent $50 dollars at the restaurant and my kids wanted one cup of water. I asked one of the employees and he nicely gave me a water cup. The lady proceeded to come from behind him and say. Did she pay for that? We don't give water or cups out for free. She then proceeded to tell me that legally she didn't need to provide free water even though I was eating in and spent money there. Snatching cups out of peoples hands and no apology? How do you expect to stay open and when tourists are the main people who are supporting you. All the locals clearly go next door. If you look at the other reviews, there's a theme to their customer service and penny pitching quality. read more

The pink umbrellas and colorful tile drew us in. I like the variety of pastries, gelato and breakfast. We both settled on the avocado toast. It was great sitting outside and enjoying the sun, wind and view! read more

See all