El Matatan

8 gals had a birthday lunch on The Roof Food was…read morewonderful...we all had something different. Service was outstanding. And view is truly unobstructed and we enjoyed the ocean view 5 starts for sure

Come here during happy hour for an experience with better value. It's located inside La Casa del…read moreCamino. The decor fits perfectly with the beach and happy hour menu is available in all seating, so you can still grab an ocean view table. Staff is friendly and checks in throughout. Food is the typical wings, coconut shrimp, and calamari, which are all delicious and well portioned. Pair it with local draft beer or a classic cocktail for $12. No parking with the hotel so start looking for street parking as you approach the hotel

Sunset hour

Cocktail Hugo spritz

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Aperol Spritzer

Splashes Restaurant

4.1(1.8k reviews)

1.0 mi

Our waitress Jhoanna was probably the most attentive sweet waitress I've ever had! I didn't know…read morewhat wine I wanted to try (I have the hardest time knowing what I like) and she was so informative and sweet, she was very knowledgeable and definitely made this dinner more special!

this is the brunch on my birthday! great staffs with very good customer service. i really enjoyed…read morethe view spot seating

Lunch at Splashes

Girl & Dug Winter Salad

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Breakfast at Splashes

The Deck On Laguna Beach

4.0(2.3k reviews)

0.3 mi

The Deck is one of those places we have to come to every time we're in Laguna, which is usually at…read moreleast once a year :) And once again, it did not disappoint! Grilled Cheese - Seriously a MUST order. My picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice. So so good! Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos - We've loved these for years! They took them off the menu for a while and we're so glad they're back because they're sooo good. Burger - 10/10. Juicy, cooked perfectly, and really flavorful lots of fresh ingredients. Ceviche - A little on the small side, but super fresh and great flavor :) The location is right on the beach with ocean views and that makes everything better We had a group of 7 and our server was awesome. She was really sweet, kept checking in on us, and made everything easy even with a bigger group. If you're in Laguna and looking for a spot with good food, great views, and a chill vibe, The Deck is always a great choice. There's so many options and haven't had a bad dish here ever. I didn't order them this Time but we normally get the dozen oysters and they are delicious too

Order the burger and it came with potato chips and ketchup. No fries because no fryers for them…read more Air fryer would have been a good solution for these guys. No more ciopino so we ordered the ahi poke. Was good. This place is set to close September 7, 2026 to make room for the new hotel setup. So sad to see this place close down as the location and vibe was so nice! Food was ok. Not the best, but okay. And they had a bar too! Byeeee if we don't meet again and thank you!

Tuna Tartare

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Ice Water for the table

237 Ocean Avenue

4.5(75 reviews)

0.0 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.

First beer release from 237 Ocean. I'm a beer guy so love that they're making their own beer now…read moresince I remember coming here when it was a brewery. It's definitely been upgraded with higher end furnishings and a farm-to-table menu. The servers and staff are always friendly and welcoming and do their best at getting to you when it's busy. We love the various types of seating with some family-style seating as well as outdoor couches and chairs to watch the people go by.

Wednesday Wine Dinners

237 Ocean Avenue - Italian Wine Importer Ciro Cirello sharing his favorite Italian wines paired with chef Leo's 4 course meal at our Bartoletti Wine Dinner

Italian Wine Importer Ciro Cirello sharing his favorite Italian wines paired with chef Leo's 4 course meal at our Bartoletti Wine Dinner

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Chef Leo's creations

The Saloon

3.8(176 reviews)

0.1 mi

Amazing place. Lovely local vibe. The bartender James was great, lovely fella. Would recommend to…read moreeveryone!

My guy and I went here after having dinner at a location nearby. I didn't feel like ending the…read morenight, so we decided to find a spot for drinks. We initially wanted to go to another place, but the line was too long and we didn't feel like waiting. We walked a few doors down and found this spot. When we ordered our drinks, I immediately noticed that the two bartenders looked agitated for whatever reason. It was as if they both didn't want to be there. No smiles, just angry faces, like they didn't want to be there. I read the other reviews and totally agree with the ones that mentioned the same thing. We still stayed for a while longer and ordered a few drinks. At one point, my guy and I were standing and talking at the bar, practically chest to chest, because it was a little crowded. This blonde guy who apparently was supposed to be a bouncer came right in between us to put away a glass at the bar. I thought it was rude and unusual of him to do that when there was actually room behind my guy or me for him to do that. Yeah, I won't be coming here again and don't recommend. Three are plenty of much better bars in Laguna Beach where the staff are friendly and the vibe is awesome.

The motto says it all ... it's the real deal here.

Bar shot

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Great gear!!

Stateroom Bar

4.6(27 reviews)

0.3 mi

My brother took me here for my 60th birthday, thinking I'd like the vintage old wood vibe of the…read moreplace. He chose wisely. Enjoying a cocktail on an old tufted leather couch with a fire just a few feet away made the experience very relaxing and enjoyable. It helped that we were the only people in the bar. We ordered the oysters, which were okay, but the accompaniments were lacking. We also had a charcuterie board that was pretty good. The best part of this place is just being there, enjoying the room. If I were to complain, it would center on the pours. As a former bartender, I know what a six count looks like, and how much whiskey should be in a manhattan. They were a bit short here. I'd still go back, and just order another drink.

I've been to pacific edge hotel many times. I've eaten at the deck and driftwood kitchen. I wasn't…read moreaware of the stateroom which is the bar area of driftwood kitchen. We arrived on the busy holiday weekend excited to fine bar top dining which my husband and I enjoy. The area is cozy, calm vibe and a couple TVs. Will definitely go again.

Tequila selection

Lobster pasta

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OC housewives skinny margarita

South of Nick's

4.6(1.2k reviews)

0.2 mi

Holy smokes! There is a reason this place has a nearly five-star reputation on Yelp! We came here…read moreon a friend's recommendation while we were in Laguna shopping for some art for our home. It was the most delicious Mexican food I have ever had! I got the flautas and my BF ordered the soft taco variety plate. We also got the chips, guac, and salsa as appetizers, and we absolutely devoured it all! Sorry we didnt waste time with photos, but the presentation was gorgeous, and whole vibe of the restaurant was bursting with happy people and good energy. The views of the ocean were spectacular from where I was sitting, and I'd say it's probably a beautiful spot to watch the sun sink into the ocean! We were lucky to get a same-day, late-afternoon reservation, which was easy enough. There is a charge for cancelations and large parties, but other than that, everything was amazing! Service was phenomenal, even though it was super hot and muggy, no one seemed like they were unhappy to be working there. The restroom was clean, nicely decorated, and whatever scented room freshener they're using made me want to find out how to buy some for myself...lol. The only drawback is the ladies restroom is small, with only two stalls and one sink, so there was a line and it was a little too crowded, especially on a hot day. Otherwise, a top-notch dining experience, and will be our go-to when we spend time in Laguna!

This review is long overdue: Nick's restaurants always deliver, and South of Nick's is no…read moreexception. It's my go-to recommendation for anyone visiting Laguna Beach, because you can't visit Orange County without having Mexican food at least once, and for an elevated experience with consistently great food, South of Nick's is reliably that. The view is amazing in particular Laguna Beach, you get that great ocean view, and the inside is large and spacious with big windows, so you can see the water from just about every seat. They start you off with complimentary chips and a trio of dips (two salsas and a bean: the bean is amazing, by the way). The guac is great too if you want to add it on: nice large chunks of generous avocado, seasoned perfectly. The enchiladas are delicious and my usual order. I admit that once I like something, I hardly ever want to try anything new, but I've never heard a complaint about anything else on the menu. They do have a combo plate option if you want to try a few things, so that's a good call for a first-timer. Overall, love South of Nicks and really happy this is a staple of the city!

Bar area with chips and dip

Mini Soft Taco Platter; carnitas, roasted chicken, al pastor, and steak

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Pork mole enchilada and chicken chipotle enchilada

The Cliff Restaurant

3.9(4.4k reviews)

0.2 mi

The food was good, but not great. I would certainly go back however because of the incredible view…read moreand the relatively good prices. I was expecting that the prices would be crazy, simply because of the location of the restaurant, but it was entirely reasonable (relatively). Our server was lovely and the service overall was exactly as expected. Like I said, I'll be back because the sunset view is unbeatable

Roast beef dips were very dry and chewy…read more Supposed To be an hour wait so we ordered a cocktail and after about 20 minutes they had our table ready but seated it right where a yucca plant is located that totally blocked the sunset Service was fast

Sunset from the The Cliff.

Fish, shrimp, and chips

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Lemon drop, martini and Modelo from the patio

Marine Room Tavern

3.5(336 reviews)

0.0 mi

How has this bar been around since 1934, while we've walked up-&-down these streets visiting the…read morebeach and nearby establishments for decades, only to discover this bar now?! Searching for "bars" while in the area, Marine Room Tavern immediately sparked my interest being described as a "whiskey bar" (they have over 200!)! What a cool place -- with the long, dark wood bar top; rich, sophisticated, luxurious leather furniture; and dim lighting. It's visually interesting, inviting, classic -- not what I consider a dive bar (as I understand it once was). I can imagine the vibe is quite different at night, with entertainment; however, this first visit, within the first hour of opening, on a Monday afternoon was peaceful and relaxed at this locals bar. Kaleo made us feel welcome and at ease, making this experience an enjoyable one. Fun find!

Took about 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge us at the bar. So that was disappointing. It…read morewasn't even peak hours. We decided to just get a drink and get out of there Not really the vibe

Interior

Oh yeah, this place is calling your name.

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The Sandpiper Lounge

3.7(260 reviews)

0.8 mi

Last Sunday was my first and not my last! Brad the bartender is the absolute sweetest man ever!! Me…read moreand my girlfriend stood for 3hrs just having the best time ever. Great conversations along with getting offered tacos!! Best dive bar in Laguna by far Can't wait to come back!!

The sandpiper made for a fun night! When we came around 11, there was live music and lots of people…read moredancing. I got a domestic beer that was five dollars, an imported beer that was seven dollars and two rums and Cokes. I went on a Friday after 11 pm and there was a five dollar cover. Cash only. There's an ATM inside but there's a three dollar fee.

Drinks

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Tee Shirts for sale $18

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Luis C.

0

81

9

3 months ago

I recently had the chance to eat at Matanan Restaurant, and honestly, I was very impressed. From the moment we walked in, the place felt warm and inviting. The décor is beautiful without being over the top, everything is clean, and you can tell they really care about maintaining the restaurant. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from start to finish. What I loved most about Matanan is that it doesn't feel like every other restaurant out there. So many places seem to copy the same menu and ideas, but Matanan has its own identity. The menu is creative and full of dishes that make you want to come back and try something new. You can tell a lot of thought goes into every item they serve. The food was absolutely amazing. Every dish we ordered was packed with flavor and made with high-quality ingredients. The presentation was beautiful, but what impressed me most was that the food tasted just as good as it looked. It's clear that quality is a priority here, and that's something you can appreciate with every bite. The drinks were also fantastic and paired perfectly with the food. Whether you're stopping in for dinner, drinks with friends, or a special occasion, this place delivers a great experience all around. What really stood out to me was the effort they put into everything. From the atmosphere to the service and especially the food, you can tell this isn't just another restaurant trying to follow trends. Matanan has created something unique, and that's hard to find these days. I don't write reviews often, but this is one of those places that deserves the recognition. Great food, great drinks, great service, and an overall experience that makes you want to come back. I highly recommend giving Matanan a try. read more

Yamy C.

47

30

7

2 months ago

My boyfriend and I came to this restaurant last night and had an amazing experience. From the moment we walked in, we felt genuinely welcomed. The atmosphere was inviting, the energy was positive, and the staff made us feel appreciated. They even surprised us with drinks on the house, which was such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture. The oxtail and ropa vieja were some of the best we've had, absolutely delicious and full of flavor. The drinks were amazing as well. Everything about our visit was wonderful, and we highly recommend this place. We can't wait to come back! read more

Spencer B.

0

1

0

17 days ago

our first time visiting great was amazing and delicious. Staff was very friendly and helpful. definitely will return again when in the area highly recommend. read more

Meadow H.

0

1

14 days ago

The food was delicious. The service was amazing it was fun and exciting. Our server was Renee. he treated us well!! excellent service!

El Matatan - latin - Updated August 2026

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The food is delicious. Fish and calamari tacos Warm chips and salsa Caesar salad…read more The service was wonderful. Valet Greeted by all employees Wait staff Water glasses replenished Pleasant conversation Ambiance is lively. Fun interior colors and design Ocean view Small and cozy

We were recommended to try this place for their enchiladas! We had both the chicken enchilada and…read morechicken verde enchilada. These were good but felt that something was missing, maybe salt or maybe something in the sauce. That being said, there was a TON of chicken inside. What we REALLY enjoyed was the coconut shrimp. These were huge, crispy, and coconutty. I'd also recommend the calamari tacos - my dad really enjoyed these. He said they were generous on the calarmi and flavorful. The service was also great. (Sit at the patio - beautiful view of the ocean)

K'ya Laguna

4.2

(1.4k reviews)

K'ya is back in Laguna Beach -- and the food is just as good as I remember…read more I used to be a regular at K'ya Bistro years ago before the space changed concepts, so I was really excited to see it return to the same location. Walking back into the space brought back a lot of great memories. I was actually surprised it wasn't busier on a Thursday night just a week after their grand opening, because this place used to always be packed. The food was great across the board. We ordered a mix of happy hour items and entrées and everything was well done. Highlights: Happy Hour / Starters * Bacon-wrapped dates - Incredible. Perfectly crispy bacon, creamy blue cheese inside, and the sweetness of the date. Easily one of the best bites of the night. * Coconut shrimp - I'm not a seafood eater, but my friend devoured them and said they were excellent. * Hummus platter - Generous portion with cucumbers, carrots, plenty of pita, and a large serving of hummus. * Wine - Very generous pours for happy hour. Entrées * Steak tips - Cooked perfectly and well seasoned. * Sausage with polenta - Really flavorful and comforting. * Salmon bites - I didn't try these, but my friends loved them. There were four of us and we ordered quite a bit -- and still couldn't finish everything. Portions were generous and the pricing felt very reasonable, especially for being right on PCH in Laguna Beach. One note for the owners: I'd love to see this place succeed long term. The food and location are great, but I think a stronger marketing push could really help bring people back in -- things like inviting local food reviewers, boosting social media, and making sure the website clearly shows the current menu and happy hour specials. Overall it's a great space with solid food and good value for Laguna Beach. I'm really excited to have K'ya back and look forward to coming again.

We went to K'ya on a Thursday night. It was pretty empty so I was a little skeptical. The drinks…read morewere yummy and they had live music. She was pretty good! It's a really fun menu and all sharing plates. We ordered the hummus, deviled eggs, olives, bacon wrapped dates, beef, and meatballs and it was all really delicious. We need to keep our local eateries going! Try it, the food was great!

Talay Thai Kitchen

4.4

(9 reviews)

I hope and pray Talay makes another debut in June 2026. It far surpasses Studio which is overpriced…read moreand extremely disappointing. Talay is the best thing that ever happened at the Montage hotel in Laguna Beach. Please invite then bacckkkk.

Laguna Beach, Ca. This will be my second time to be able to…read moreget a table here at this wonderful pop up located on the grounds of the Montage. I try to make it once a year; I had to skip a year because I was a bit late trying to secure reservations last year. I've nothing but good things to report about this dining experience, it is indeed special. I came here with my wife for her birthday this year, accompanied by our two young sons. The setting is outside as well as a mini kitchen and bar. A cool breeze was blowing off the ocean and the ad airplanes were passing over trying to sell stuff to the throngs of beach goers below. It was peaceful and a bit romantic. There is an unspoken ( For the Most Part) camaraderie amongst the patrons, we all know this is a treat not often offered. My suggestions are few but perhaps helpful: Get a first sitting reservation. It's easier and you get a lot of attention from the wonderful waitstaff prior to them getting really busy. Be a party of at least four people, you will be able to sample many more dishes that way. Bring a light jacket just in case the ocean breeze becomes chilly. The cushions on the bench seats are really comfortable, a great feature. The food, as I have implied, is delicious. Some variations on traditional Thai, but all were exquisite. Here is what we tried: Watermelon Temptation, a thirst quenching, not too sweet delight. Pretty too. Thai Iced Tea, a wonderful version Virgin Ma ka Ri ta, a superb creation Lobster Satay Toast, excellent. Crispy Pork/ Moo Tod Kluk Fhun, amazing, this one we had to order a second. Papaya Salad/ Som Tam Thai, great spices, fresh greens. Thai Dumplings, we are not typically fans of dumplings but these were awesome. Tom Kha Hed, most likely the best I've ever had. Be sure to order this no matter what. Yellow Chicken Curry/ Gaeng Ka-Ti, oh this is so good... Pad Thai Shrimp, wow, I loved this dish. Spicy Beef Pad Ka-Prow, this was a real winner, the short ribs are cooked perfectly. Thai Tea Popsicle, very nice. Coconut Ice Cream, perfectly tempered artisan treat. Mango Sticky Rice, I loved the ample mango slices that had been soaking in a very flavorful light syrup of some sort. Fried Bananas w/ Sesame Ice Cream , flavor infusion! Birthday Surprice, a white chocolate covered cake, applause all around. We attended the last weekend before the chef returns to his restaurant in Mexico. I am looking forward to being here next year!

Maro Wood Grill

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One of the best gems in Orange County; Maro Wood Grill is an incredible spot serving up delicious…read moreArgentinian meats and seafood dishes. The flavors of all their offerings are always fresh and vibrant and it's always cool to check out the Argentinian grill (I believe it's called an Asado?) they have rockin' in the kitchen! The place itself has such a warm and intimate vibe and staff are very personable. One of my favorite spots in Orange County for sure, so CHECK THIS PLACE OUT !

I would much rather come in here and sit at the bar then order on Uber Eats but I had cravings plus…read morethey had a two for one special so I ordered pasta with shrimp for the BF. I just had a. $17 completely undercooked almost inedible artichoke and grilled edamame. I love the staff here I can't wait to come back and have them cook my artichoke to perfection!

Laguna Beer Company

4.3

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Bobby and Jules set the tone the moment we walked in warm, genuine, and welcoming with great…read moreenergy. We ordered the special tacos of the day, the arugula salad, and the hot honey pizza... and everything was absolutely on point. The flavors, the freshness, the consistency just incredible, as always. This spot has become our go-to every time we're down in South County OC. It never misses. My girlfriend and I both had the hazy (highly recommend), and I went for a flight to sample a few more perfect way to kick off the weekend. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and even better service. Big thank you to Laguna Beach Brewery and a special shoutout to Jules and Bobby for making the experience next level. Definitely a must if you're in Laguna Beach. - Ian Lantz

Very lovely ambiance (right next door to the sawdust festival). Parking can be so difficult if…read morethere are events going on around. Got the carne asada burrito and it was really good! there was pickled carrots in the burrito which was surprising/unique and tasted delicious.

Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

3.9

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my younger brother needed to use the bathroom, the waitress at the front told him to go down to the…read moreleft (allowed him in). what im guessing is the owner of this place literally stopped him and said there were public bathrooms next door. he went next door and that led directly into their restroom so he used it! as he exited the door she stopped him and said "it was really disrespectful for you guys to use the restaurants restroom after i told you to go next door". she got into my face and was extremely disrespectful, i expressed how it was extremely rude for her to speak to us this way. she kept being extremely hostile with us and told me "go back to where you came from" i understand that i wasn't a paying customer but the way she treated my family and i was disgusting. she said this with a smile on her face!! think twice about supporting someone so disgusting

I never, ever leave a review for a business I have not actually been to, but this is the exception…read more I made a reservation via Open Table for Nirvana months ago, at least three; I was excited to finally dine here because I have heard so many good things about Nirvana. We are going to POM on opening night. Everything was planned to the minute (see my other review for tailoring!). Personally, I needed this night and was looking forward to it, it has been a rough couple of years. My reservation was finally confirmed on June 25. Imagine my surprise tonight as I got a message saying that my reservation would be cancelled due to a party reserving the entire restaurant. Well, then..... It is six days before the show. I have gone every year for almost a decade, it is an event to beat all events. I am so disappointed. I know it is first world problems, but it is still rude and inconsiderate. The message I received tonight, July 3, at 7:31PM follows: "Hi Angelena, this is Hillary from Nirvana by Chef Lindsay. I'm so sorry to reach out with disappointing news, but due to a private event that has reserved our entire restaurant and rooftop on Thursday, July 9, we unfortunately have to cancel your reservation. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, especially on such short notice, and we understand this may disrupt your plans. We truly appreciate that you chose to dine with us and hope you'll give us the opportunity to welcome you on another evening. If you'd like, we'd be happy to help you find another reservation that works for you." I cannot tell a lie. I am peeved.

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