My impression is right in line with the average of the 4 star rating. This is a really fun place to come to. I was a tiny bit disappointed with the beer selections. A place like this should offer multiple options for each style of popular beers. My burger was excellent. It's been a while since I was last here but I always enjoy the atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back again when I'm in the area. read more

I made reservations here last night for 20, having never been there before but needing a semi private area for a group to gather. The venue was perfect for our size. They could have had more servers there for sure. That said, the guy serving us worked his butt off, gracefully, friendly, and attentively. Any gaps were filled by the bartender delivering drinks and (I think) the manager here and there. We were well taken care of. Food was great, bacon old fashioned my buddy had looked (and reportedly) was incredible, beers were great, staff were awesome (despite being low in numbers). Highly recommend.! read more

I came here for dinner on a Sunday night, and it was a very good experience. This restaurant has loud, trendy bar vibes for a family dinner, a date night, or even a girls night out. The parking is definitely limited, as I saw from other reviews on Yelp. On a Sunday evening it was very easy, however. The menu is fairly limited, and I wish they had a few more fish options, though the salmon I saw looked absolutely incredible. I had the chicken caesar salad. The chicken was a large portion, and so tasty. The dressing was SO good. They did forget dressing on both of our salads which was kind of annoying for a simple caesar (so we had to get a side of it). That being said, once we did get dressing, I seriously could've drank the stuff it was so yummy. They also scorch their tomatoes in the salad to perfection. I also tried the crispy tuna appetizer, which was surprisingly different from similar versions I have had at sushi restaurants (not in a bad way). The fish was very fresh and I would order this appetizer again. I think it came with five fairly small pieces (just so you know how many to order for a crowd). If you are feeling dessert, they have an incredible (and massive) butter cake! read more

Great Saturday evening dinner. The front staff are very friendly, great upfront team. 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. read more

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Ugh. What's not to love about this place? Killer service, great food (ZERO SH!TT* Seed oils, local pole caught fish), and patriots who works their booties off and celebrate the freedom to live here. They are always amazing at catering to my gluten free needs as well. Whats disheartening- is that angry unhinged psychos are constantly stealing photos from the bathroom (you'll get it if you've been here)- but beyond that- you've got a beautiful restaurant that is obsessed with taking care of your fur babies (and real babies if you have them too!). Go see uncle Frank or Nate for the best experience. And don't come here if you've got a bad attitude! Go somewhere else with that! read more

Craft House - Potato Tacos (3) - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Awesome experience at Craft House! We did a last minute reservation switch after seeing the weekly specials on Instagram. The staff was amazing, and the music and atmosphere was spot on. Sitting outside was nice with the weather. The shrimp enchiladas are so freaking good read more

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The best food, service and views! The best Cesar salad and shrimp enchiladas I've ever had! I would highly recommend!! We sat on the patio it was so amazing!!! Best flavor food I've had in a long time! read more

Craft House - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

They charge 75 cents for a tiny side of ketchup. My $45 steak frites did not come with any so I asked for some and the charge showed up on the bill without me being told there is a charge for it. WTH. I can afford 75 cents but it's insulting and soured an otherwise nice experience. If you need the money that bad then keep the ketchup. Updating my review from 2 stars to 4, however, because they get major credit for being seed oil- free and ostensibly they are finally serving draft beer in 16 ounce glasses (at least according to the menu). Portions on the fried chicken were smaller than Nicks in San Clemente which charges the same price. I'll go back. I just won't ask for ketchup with my fries. read more

Craft House - 75 cents extra for ketchup to go with my $45 steak frites. - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

This is the best restaurant in Dana Point! Chef Blake and his amazing team are always looking to impress guests. Their menu is filled with so many options morning, lunch and dinner. One of the only places on the weekend to have a happy hour during the day primetime 2-4pm. They have a great happy hour from potato tacos, crispy tuna rice, verde fries, sliders etc. I love that their brunch menu has both breakfast and lunch, so whatever you are in the mood for they have you covered. Dinner specials change weekly with local sourced fish and veggies. My favorite thing on the menu is Santa Ana Chicken Salad (add avocado). The chicken is grilled to perfection and juicy. This hearty salad is delicious and filled with flavor. I always add a side of tots that are perfectly crispy (Napoleon would be proud). On top of an impressive menu and drink options, the team is so welcoming and friendly. Kate, Hudson, Nate and Frank will make you feel like a regular instantly. Always check-in and making the whole experience special. Highly recommend sitting on the patio for a great view and sun action. read more

Craft House - Santa Ana Chicken Caesar - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

We've driven by the Craft House so many times and we kept saying we needed to try this place one day. Well today was the day. We decided to check it out on a Sunday afternoon during their weekend brunch hours. We opted to sit out on the patio and while there is no ocean view it was a nice casual atmosphere. Our server Stephanie was great. We ordered their naughty Mary that came with a 4 oz beer chaser. Very good with a little kick. We also ordered their chicken and waffles and the smash burger with tots. While the fried chicken lacked flavoring as it needed more seasoning or even salt, the waffles with the honey butter were delicious. My husband's burger was pretty good too but the tots were not hot. I'm sure they would have given him fresh hot tots but my husband didn't want to make a big deal over it. My overall rating is a 3.5 based on what we ordered but we will definitely give them another try since we liked the vibes here and it may have just been an off day for the Craft House today. read more

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Wow this place is so nice. The ambiance is really chill and the workers are super welcoming too! Frank was really kind and so bubbly. He had a great personality! The charred snap peas and the shishito peppers were yummy. The sauce was savory and a bit sour and spicy. Loved it. I will be coming back next time I visit the area! read more

Had the best girls brunch today!! Of course the food was absolutely amazing as usual! The wait staff was so attentive to the private party and so sweet and accommodating despite the heat outside today. The Dj and music were just what I needed today for this fun girls brunch, can't wait for the next one! read more

Craft House - Girls Brunch! - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

Came for brunch after paddle boarding with my husband and MIL. Made a reservation through Open Table 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. read more

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Loved this place! Great atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor seating. Fabulous happy hour and food was delicious. They don't cook with any seed oils and that's a major plus for us. Our server was great, he made some recommendations, and didn't rush us. We had the charred snap peas, tuna on fried rice, carnitas tacos, asada tacos, smash burger, and the verde fries. All SOO good. read more

Found this small but great restaurant on PCH in Dana Point. We sat at the bar for drinks and dinner while watching sports on the big screen TV's. I had the Braised Short Rib Pot Pie and it was amazing. The three bartenders behind the bar kept us well taken care of and were very nice. The Chardonnay was excellent and the decor was epic. They also have valet parking. Try this colorful establishment, you will be surprised. read more

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There is no doubt that Craft house is 5/5. Best team works here. Customer service is great. Their food is also delicious...I felt im very so welcomed in this place. We order beer (Hazy IPA) for $9, dirty totes $12, santa Ana chicken Caesar salad $22. So we ended up paying $45.33 (before tip). The food was very well maid and fresh....The waiters never left our side and that made us filled welcomed. Overall reasonably priced and the ambiance was layback, fun, cozy. read more

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Lovely meal for Birthday/Valentines with family. The food was on point. Our server was excellent!! The place is lovely and we were seated inside but the door had to be open to the patio and it was entirely too cold. We ask to be moved but they said that they couldn't accommodate us. Menu was great. They were able to accommodate my grand daughter who is celiac. We had a delicious coffee cake which was gluten free. read more

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Fun atmosphere. Great menu choices including a variety of local beers. Fun atmosphere. A little noisy when it gets crowded , but great outside seating where it's quieter read more

Last Sunday, the 26th, I attended a special event with a few friends of mine. It was "Ladies just want to have Brunch" - with DJ Kimber and DJ Matty. It was the first of its kind at the Craft House and we were all SO impressed. There were about 40 women all laughing, singing, dancing and enjoying some amazing food and drinks! The heat did not stop the Craft House Staff from providing A+ service - friendly, attentive, professional and fun! Thank you Craft House owner and staff, Kimber, and Matty for a wonderful summer day! Looking forward to the next one! read more

Came in for happy hour last night. Bar area was full. Small bar area but there was a table behind the bar and my friend and I sat there. My friend ordered wine and we ordered some food from the happy hour menu. It was all really good. The guy helping us was the bartender, Jeff, really nice guy. I told him I like tiki style drinks. He said he'll make something up for me which he did and it was perfect. Not sure what was in it but I had a couple of those. :) The hostess was so sweet. Her name was Sienna. She was all smiles. It got a little hectic in there with all our shenanigans. I think she deserves a raise! :) I had a good time and I'll be back. Great happy hour, great staff and nice crowd! read more

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Came here a few days before Christmas. Even though it was a weekday the staff said it's been packed and felt like a Saturday. Our waiter and all the staff were really nice. The place was cute and bigger than it looked when you first came in. Not sure if I loved walking right into the bar, but whatever. The parking lot is real small and had no space to turn around so keep that in mind! My husband and I came here for drinks and dinner and we were starving. The drinks were good for sure. Craft- definitely! We ordered the shoshito peppers which were huge and I loved the salty sauce they came in. Some were a bit undercooked for our taste though. We also go the crust tuna which were weren't a fan of. The tuna wasn't spicy at all, it's like they just counted on the jalapeño slice to make it spicy, which it wasn't. I expected better tuna being that close to the ocean honestly. The rice too was not crispy like it just came out of the fryer or pan, it was like old, chewy. So I wouldn't get that again. For both entrees, I got the stroganoff which was decent. I liked it less and less as I went through it though. Too much creme frache and mushrooms! I wanted more meat! Same thing for my husband who ordered the steak frites! It says 8 oz of meat and it was like half of that! He almost said something to the waiter but was pretty full after the appetizers so decided not to. Overall, I'd go back and try some different items. read more

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Awesome! Phenomenal bar with great food, awesome bartenders and a great place for date night. The bar is always full - for a reason. They pour great stiff drinks and they can get super creative as well. Bartenders are friendly and efficient. Food is legit. I've had their meatloaf, hamburger, scallops and salmon. All were phenomenal. Their salad has an Asian dressing that's insane. Lots of windows lots of light. Great bar. Awesome!!! read more

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Heavy food. Would only come here for happy hour or at the bar. It's somewhere where you can eat a meal but not of your trying to eat healthy

Went to a Ladies Just wanna have Fun brunch event today! It was in the back patio area which is a great space. I have never had breakfast there before but dang....The food was delicious!! Ate too much and had fun! Thanks to all for putting this together! read more

AMAZING! I was very hesitant to try Craft House. I looked at the menu and saw a few things that looked good. I'm not much of an Old Fashioned drinks person and that's what they are kind of known for so I thought I wouldn't really like it here. But you can say it's LOVE at first SIP. I tried the East 8 hold up and Part time lover, SO GOOD! My husband and I went for a date night and sat out in the patio area very cute and next to the bar so you get best of both worlds. We shared 3 sharable plates which were the Tacos, Poke and Crispy Rice, all 3 were perfect, lots of flavor and quite a bit to share as well. Our waitress was very nice and made great suggestions for food and drinks and reassured us that our choices were great. Also she told us they have a Happy Hour on weekends so I will definitely be coming back to check that out! If you are in Dana Point check this place out! read more

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Really love Craft House. The menu changes but I have gotten their various mushroom pasta dishes. In the past they have been incredibly rich and thick, but my recent experience (Hidden Pearl Mushroom Pasta) there was so enjoyable. The Dirty Fries were insanely good. I had the Light + Bubbly to drink and it was so fun and light. And the Coffee Cake for dessert... are you joking it was SO good. We ordered it for the table and I wanted it all for myself. Would absolutely go back just for that!! read more

If you are anywhere near Craft House, make a reservation. Everything was so delicious and the service was outstanding (thanks, Courteney!). The potato tacos were a standout appetizer, perfectly crispy and packed with flavor. The short rib pot pie was rich, savory, and pure comfort with tender, flavorful meat in every bite. The butter cake was the best I have had in Orange County. Warm, perfectly sweet, and absolutely unforgettable. A special thank you to our server Courtney, who was the perfect mix of attentive but not overbearing and anticipated our needs before we even had them. She made the whole experience seamless. read more

Craft House - Butter cake - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

They were able to seat our large party on the outdoor patio. They have heaters but there was still a chilly breeze. The ambiance was great and even better was that they had the World Series being projected on a huge screen. This didn't make it feel like a sports bar though. Valet parking was backed up but they allowed us to leave our cars. No free parking on site fyi. Everyone was shocked at how delicious the food was. From the street corn, smash burgers, and stroganoff there was not one complaint. The service started off to a slow start but after getting drinks on the table everything seemed to flow seamlessly. We will be back! read more

Craft House - Patio at night - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

This spot is wonderful! The vibe is chill and upscale without being stuffy. The menu is always good and makes it difficult to decide what to eat, and we are never disappointed! Been here for dinner and weekend brunch. The drinks are masterful. Got the bloody nauti and it came with a light ale that could be mixed in or separate. Have had other drinks there and again never disappointed. The service is fantastic, everyone is friendly and patient, and on their game. Glad this is easy to get to and it is in such a lovely location. If you haven't been, get there! read more

Craft House - Bloody nauti - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

We had a fun date night here. Delicious food and drinks in a beautiful setting. I really enjoyed my Steak Frites.

The ambiance is a warm but industrial style. There are limited parking spots available on site but there is street parking close by. The staff were friendly and extremely attentive. Our server Alex communicated beautifully to adjust my mother's selection to adjust to her dietary restrictions. Diego as well was just as attentive in checking in and busing our table post haste. We never had to look for someone if anything was needed because they'd already offered it ahead of time. Every meal on our table was amazing, we did not regret any of it. From the chowder, the potato taco, steak taco, spicy tuna on crispy rice, to salad.. every plate was packed with flavor, showing the exceptional technique & quality of ingredients. We'll definitely be back. read more

Craft House - Chief - New American Near Me - Dana Point, California

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This review is difficult to write because Craft House has been one of our favorite restaurants for years. We've always had great experiences here, which is why this visit was so disappointing. When we arrived, we were seated quickly, but then waited about 10 minutes before anyone came to our table. We weren't sure if our section had been missed, but it took a while before we were greeted and received water. After ordering cocktails, we waited about another 30 minutes for them to arrive and were told the bar was backed up. We ordered the mussels because Craft House has always been known for its seafood, and we've enjoyed seafood dishes here in the past. Unfortunately, this time the mussels didn't seem as fresh as we expected. There was quite a bit of sand in them, and the flavor seemed off. We mentioned it to our server, who was very kind about it. She spoke with the manager and ended up removing the dish from our bill, which we appreciated. For our entrees, my boyfriend enjoyed his meal. I ordered the duck and had asked if it could be prepared a certain way, but was told it is only served as the chef prepares it. That's completely understandable, but when it arrived, the skin wasn't crispy and the fat underneath was somewhat congealed, which wasn't what I was expecting from a dish at this price point. Unfortunately, my boyfriend ended up feeling sick later that evening, which added to our concerns about the mussels. What made this experience especially disappointing is that we've always had such positive experiences at Craft House. The server did her best to help and was professional throughout the evening, and we appreciated that she took our concerns seriously. However, between the long waits, the issues with the food, and a bill that still came out to around $200, it just wasn't the experience we've come to expect from a restaurant we've enjoyed for so many years. We're hoping this was just an off night because we've had some wonderful meals here in the past. read more

Yum yum yum!! I love their cheese burger! It's so so delicious. I have had it on their brunch and dinner menu. With brunch it comes with tater tots and with dinner it is fries. I prefer the fries more but the tots are also great. They have some super good ranch too. Servers are great! Hostess honestly could be better if we are getting into the weeds of it. Vibes are lively and tight. Love the outdoor patio! I literally come here for the burger. So sad I forgot to take a picture. read more

Exceptional Service!! Very inviting and personable. Upscale causal vibe. Beautiful restaurant. The food was fantastic. We got Coconut Curry Mussels, Scallops w/ Wild Mushroom Risotto, and Hidden Pearl Mushroom Pasta. We will definitely be back. read more

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Came here for dinner with family and I ordered the chicken sandwich. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. The fries were equally impressive - crispy and seasoned just right. I especially appreciated that they were fried in beef tallow, which gave them a great taste! Bonus points for using olive oil in the cooking - it's rare to find a place that's both flavorful and mindful of quality ingredients. Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more

Craft House is a fantastic upscale American restaurant with a great menu. To start, we got the potato tacos which were scrumptious. Soft potatoes folded between a crispy corn tortilla shell. For the main, I opted for the farmers market burrata salad and added grilled chicken. It was fantastic! The greens and fruits were fresh, it came with a whole burrata, and the chicken was tender and seasoned well. I had a few bites of the mushroom pasta and it was creamy, umami, and everything you'd imagine it to be. Service was attentive and on point. I'd highly recommend. read more

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First and foremost I want to start off this review by saying the service we received was flat out excellent. Bella was extremely friendly, kind, and flat out on top of it. The inside of this place is extremely clean and they do a good job from an ambiance stand point. The 3 stars is strictly food driven. The burger was solid. The friend chicken dinner had great potato's. The friend chicken itself was decent. The braised beef pasta was a miss for us though. Felt like a meal they just threw a lot of ingredients at and hope it stuck. The beef was tasteless. Hope this helps with anyone looking at these dishes! Cheers! read more

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I came here with my son a few months ago and we ordered the fried chicken sandwich and tacos. The food and service were great! But what really stood out to us and why I recommend it to friends and family is that they don't cook with seed oils!! I mostly cook at home for my family, so when we go out to eat I truly appreciate restaurants that prioritize cooking oils, tallow and butter the way I do at home. We didn't know this when we chose to eat here, but when we saw that printed on their menus we were both super happy about it. We will definitely be back. I just recommended to my friend today so it reminded me to leave a review. read more

To start, they have a fabulous patio that looks out at PCH. A relaxing vibe with attentive and friendly service. We came for brunch. They have a small brunch menu and we were hoping for the banana bites we saw on other reviews. Unfortunately, we were told that they were removed from the menu a week ago. Oh darn. In place of that they were offering a pistachio cake with pistachio mousse. It came warmed and moist. Perfect to share. We also shared the breakfast scramble. This was very tasty. To top it off - a pineapple and guava mimosa. They also have a bar inside to get your drink on. Small parking lot. A great place to come enjoy with friends or by yourself. read more

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My husband and I have tried to dine/ grab a drink here multiple times mid day. Each time they're either closed for a private party or their rude 16 year old hostess says there is a 45 minute wait.. at 3pm? When there are 15 empty tables? Go anywhere else in Dana point. So many better options! What a great passive aggressive response I received! We still will continue to never dine here! We didn't receive any type of accommodating response from your hostess that you're so quick to defend instead of a customer! We would have happily had one drink at a table within 30 mins and left! Learn how to reply nicer to customers and then you won't lose so many read more