Wow! We unexpectedly ended up here tonight & every single thing was incredible. The octopus, Greek salad , & the porterhouse were all phenomenal. We sat in a cozy booth & our server Micah gave us the best advice & led us in the right direction with every decision. Hands down one of the best new spots in San Clemente. We were hesitant to go since it originally came across as just Mediterranean food. ( which I love) However, we weren't in the mood for...but saw they had some good steaks on the menu so decided to try it out. They have everything from Mediterranean to French cuisine to delicious steaks. Don't pass up the opportunity to go to ILYA! I'm sure all their servers are excellent but if you get the chance to ask for Micah, he made our experience so wonderful! Thank you Ilya ! read more

No view and loud next to freeway but cute place. If I'm paying a lot of $ in San clemente I wish there would be a view. My salmon was basic at $36. The escargot was delish. I do wanna return to try something else. The waiter barely refilled my tea only 1x read more

Destination dining in San Clemente, you will need to make a reservation well in advance. Restaurant is beautiful, atmosphere is relaxed indoor outdoor with good heating. Service is excellent especially Micah. with food runners and friendly hosts. Enjoyed the rack of lamb, and sole meniure. Hot bread and mezza combo with Greek salad are nice. Carrots are a favorite. This place would be better for a group I noticed, eating the dishes family style. Bring your wallet. read more

Very pretty restaurant, but an excruciatingly loud main dining room (and I'm a drummer). The menu is a bit pedestrian and suffers from somewhat of an identity crisis. Food was fresh and prepared well, albeit pricey, and the service was great. But if OpenSesame in Long Beach is 5-stars, Ilya is a 3. read more

The food is exceptional, though it's priced as such. I love the breezes in dining room. Great ambiance. This is the third time I've been and first time for brunch. Wait time for seating and food was overly long, but they were very nice to compensate some of the price about it. read more

Had an early valentines dinner with my husband and we had the loveliest time. The staff was so kind and knowledgeable. The ambiance and restaurant is beautiful. If you go you need to order the baked feta and the Grilled Baguette with chimichurri. Can't recommend enough. Can't wait to be back. read more

Amazing service, beautiful ambiance and excellent food! Welcome to OC chef Charbel Hayek!

Nicest restaurant in San Clemente. Expensive. $300 for 2 people. Delicious food. A little noisy. Chair not very comfortable. Service was exceptional nice vibe great crowd of high quality people . Will definitely go back. read more

This was our first time here and what a special place. The food, the cocktails, the service and the ambiance were all 10/10. Our server, Victor, was so attentive along with the entire team. read more

My wife and I were excited to try this new Mediterranean restaurant on Valentine's Day, but we were very disappointed. The location is on a busy main street right under the freeway, so the noise level inside was quite high for an open-concept space. We were first seated near the entrance, which made it even louder, but the staff kindly moved us to a different table farther inside. The vibe missed the mark for us. The olive tree in the center is a nice touch, but that's about where the charm ended. The lighting felt cold and harsh, and bright lights from the open kitchen windows really ruined the ambiance. It felt more like an upscale food hall than a fine-dining spot. A harpist was playing, likely to add romance, but it didn't fit the noisy, brightly lit atmosphere at all. The food was another big letdown. The baked feta dish was lacking in flavor, and the grilled tiger prawns were completely tasteless. Four small prawns for $24 felt like poor value. The Greek salad was just okay. The rack of lamb arrived noticeably undercooked (raw in parts), which was worrying. Worst of all was the tiramisu: the server brought a bowl, scooped out a sloppy blob with a big spatula, dropped it on our plate, and hurried off. It was mostly whipped cream with some coffee grounds on top, nothing like proper tiramisu. All in all, the experience felt extremely overpriced, inconsistent, and poorly defined. We won't be returning and can't recommend it. read more

It's a beautiful restaurant. Had the salmon which was pretty bland looking and taste as was the shrimp appetizer. Not to mention they delivered the shrimp to the wrong table and had to wait for it for quite awhile for the replacement because that table preceded to eat the appetizer they did not order. The service was ok as our bus girl was more on it than our waitress was. For the premium prices, the food should be a lot better tasting, tried it, won't be back. read more

We were excited to try Ilya, so I made a reservation for date night (Saturday). Location is odd. It shares a small building with a pilate studio on S El Camino Real where the 5 crosses overhead. Nothing really around it of interest, just freeway noise and an onramp on the south side of the structure. It's not something you would stroll past while shopping or experiencing the fun parts of San Clemente. Parking has few options as it borders the freeway and there is no parking on El Camino Real there. There is a crowded residential street going west toward the beach but packed with residents vehicles. They offer valet which is odd in San Clemente. $10 to park, except the valet's conveniently could not break a $20, so $20 to park. Decor and design was beautiful, really impressive work. We were seated in a medium size room around a small tree. The tables were tiny and the seating arrangement odd. We were sandwiched between the central circular 2-top tables and the 4-top, half-booths against the outer wall. Basically had staff and guests brushing past both sides of our little table which is not enjoyable. Twice, the staff bumped into me. I tried to keep my elbows tucked in but I just wanted to enjoy my date and my food without worrying about getting hit again. All those hard surfaces (floors, walls, ceiling) make it impossible to hear anything when they are busy. Our waitress could not hear us. We could not hear each other without shouting. The outer half-booths are oriented so that all the noise points toward the center of the room. Very odd arrangement. Was funny watching guests try to contort in to those tiny booths. Someone broke a martini glass trying to get up and use the restroom. Way too cramped in there. The cocktails on the menu were okay, nothing great. I tried the Old Fashioned but it was horribly bitter. Too bitter to drink. Not sure if they made it wrong and my waitress couldn't hear me anyway so it sat, untouched even as I paid the check. The food was good, nothing memorable. The baked feta was tasty, except for being drenched in acidic tomato, drippy sauce. It distracted from the feta and made a mess trying to serve. The salmon was okay, not great. The bavette is a great choice of meat to offer but my portion was very small and overcooked. I asked for rare, but as I said before, the waitress couldn't hear anything, so well done is what I was served. I've seen review photos where the bavette was twice the size of what they served me so maybe just bad luck with the cut that night. French fries were tiny pieces of ends, not whole fries. They tasted great, but impossible to dip as the pieces were no more than 1-inch long. The garlic aioli unfortunately shared a ramekin with ketchup!? Please put ketchup in a separate ramekin. I know the tables are small, but this is not the answer. Overall, disappointing. There are far better restaurants in San Clemente that offer better food, better service in better locations with better prices. My wife described it best: "The LA experience in San Clemente - cramped, loud, overpriced". I don't think that's what people look for in San Clemente. I wish Ilya luck, but probably won't return. read more

Food and the service was impeccable. Ambiance is lovely. The only negative to a slight degree was the noise, it's challenging to carry on a conversation inside. read more

The only reason that I'm giving this one star is because the interior is nicely done. Everything else about the restaurant was subpar and we certainly will not be going back. First of all, it is $10 to valet park your car. If you are a local San Clemente resident, you know you can park on the street and save the $10, plus the tip for the valet. Once inside, you'll immediately notice how noisy it is, even on the patio. It was so noisy. In fact, that my husband and I were basically yelling at each other trying to carry on a conversation. This is not a very relaxing way to have dinner. The server could not even hear us and had to ask us to repeat our order. If you have any special dietary requests, such as being vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, or some combination thereof, they have very few options on the menu. Other than the hummus appetizer, with crudité substituted for pita, and a couple of salads, there really were no other options for those who eat a plant-based diet. Being someone who eats vegan and gluten-free, I ordered the hummus appetizer and a Greek salad without cheese. My husband ordered the lobster pasta and it was very oily. We spoke to another couple when we were waiting for our car, and they had a very similar experience with their food stating that they would never return. Maybe this is a place to go and be seen, but it is certainly not a relaxing atmosphere for a quiet dinner. As we were leaving, our server said keep checking the menu. The chef is always interested in adding new things. For us, that won't happen because we will not be going back. read more

Ate at the bar and had the octopus appetizer and pork chop. It was very delicious and the bar tender provided excellent service. Will come back soon to try other items. Parking is tough unless you valet for $10. read more

This place is legit! The food was out of this world. I took my girlfriend out for date night and stumbled onto this place. The ambiance was beautiful and the only thing better than the food was the service. Micah gave us a full tour of the menu and every recommendation was perfect. Get the porterhouse. It was one of the best steaks I've ever had. And if you don't get the Greek salad you've made a huge mistake. We were on the fence about a salad and Micah made sure we didn't miss out. We will be back! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Would've taken a picture sooner but it was too good to wait. - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

Great local restaurant with such a warming and clean decor. Already been there three times. Last week we had Micah as our waiter. Thank you! And desserts are fabulous! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Beautiful restaurant, delicious, unique food and very nice staff. However, the food is so expensive and just not worth it. This is NOT Beverly Hills. Whoever decided to open this type of restaurant at this location has definitely overestimated the culinary wallets of the locals. I just don't know how a place like this with such expensive food and an odd location in south San Clemente is going to make it. Try to visit it before they go out of business because I just don't think it'll be here long. read more

We were excited to spend New Year's Eve at Ilya and booked early for a party of six. The restaurant and ambiance are beautiful. Communication ahead of our visit was challenging. The restaurant uses an AI answering system, and despite several attempts, we didn't receive a callback, which ultimately required two in-person visits just to confirm our reservation. The food was good overall, though for the price point we were hoping to be more impressed by the flavors. Appetizers included escargot, shrimp, patatas bravas, and hummus, followed by entrées such as sole (priced at $85 without sides), lamb chops, and salmon. Sides are ordered separately, and these were excellent--especially the endive salad, carrots, and fries--which stood out as highlights of the meal. We all raved and greed on the side dishes! Our server was polite and clearly trying, though attentiveness and pacing were inconsistent throughout the evening. With drinks, the total came to approximately $990 for six people. While there were some positives, particularly the sides and the effort from staff, we walked away hoping for a more memorable experience. As a new restaurant, there's potential, and we hope to see continued refinement over time. read more

Very expensive for such small portions. The food was good, but I've had filet mignon at other steak houses that was just as good and a bigger portion. Also all side dishes cost extra. Almost every steakhouse I've eaten at included a salad or vegetables with the main dish. At this restaurant, if you want salad or another side dish, plan on paying extra. With at that said, the filet was very good as was one of the salads we got. read more

Don't let the off the highway location fool you - the atmosphere here is hard to beat. Warm light, perfect California room fresh air, indoor fountains and lots of plant life -- absolutely STUNNING. Feels like you went to the Mediterranean with bougainvillea galore. Came here for my birthday and did not disappoint. Great food, great vibes, and great service. Perfect booths for managing a toddler at a fancy restaurant. Check it out! read more

Chef Charbel does it again!!! The food was absolutely amazing and the service was the best. Food was extremely tasty and our host Tom was so attentive and funny! Would highly recommend to anyone out there! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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We had such a great experience! Micah our waiter was warm and friendly, and the GM Zack was so much fun! It was a beautiful atmosphere on the patio. We enjoyed New York steak, lobster pasta, and delicious carrots. Oh and the barramundi carpaccio was extra special! Thanks to all! read more

Took my wife for her birthday and we had an incredible time. Amazing food and vibe. Servers were very helpful and kind. Highly recommend.

Can EASILY give this restaurant 5 stars. Between the absolutely stunning modern theming and furniture to the food that is top-notch, this restaurant is a MUST. We had the best service, too. Friendly, knowledgeable, and he always made us feel like a priority. Make sure to try the baked feta appetizer, it's beyond delicious! Thank you ILYA for all the care and hard work you put into your restaurant! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

Nice ambiance, good service, but Not worth the price very small portions will not be coming back

My wife and I chose Ilya as our date tonight tonight and couldn't be happier with the decision. Just a perfect fit for San Clemente. Coastal vibes with a Mediterranean influence, friendly staff and fantastic food. The owner/chef and the GM made it a point to visit every table as well. We shared the octopus as a starter and had the lamb and branzino main dishes with carrots and fries as sides. Ended with the tres leches. Everything was top notch. read more

My husband and I had an amazing dinner at Ilya the restaurant is beautiful and the food and service were nothing like the local restaurants. Our server Micah was well educated on all the menu items and gave us great recommendations and service. We are not big dessert people our server talked us into it and it did not disappoint the table side tiramisu was fantastic! We can't wait to go back and try more items on the menu. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Beautiful space and a very nice addition to the San Clemente dining scene. We had a bottle of wine, patatas bravas, baked feta, sole meuniere, and NY strip and everything was quite good. To top it all off, Micah gave us excellent service all night. Looking forward to coming back! read more

My husband and I had the most wonderful evening at Ilya! The ambiance is warm and charming with beautiful decor, and the food was incredible! Our server Micah was also fantastic - great recommendations on the menu and amazing service. Highly recommend Ilya! read more

Such a great dining experience. The restaurant is beautiful and welcoming, and every dish tasted fresh and well-seasoned. The branzino, wagyu steak, and seafood starters were all standout plates. Cocktails were carefully crafted and balanced. A wonderful addition to San Clemente's dining scene. read more

Finally made it to ILYA and literally cannot stop thinking about the food!! The atmosphere is stunning, perfect for a date night or a fun night out with friends. The mezze, goat cheese endive salad, and bavette steak frites were all standouts, they were all so so good. Service was great. If you're in the OC area, this is definitely worth the drive to San Clemente! read more

Went here for the first time and was excited to try it. Service was very good and all the staff were beyond excellent. The food was ok but I probably won't go back. May be what I ordered but it was just ok. Had the meatballs and they were good but not amazing. Had a Greek salad which I figured Greek place so must be good. Way too much dressing and below average actually. I also had the pork chop. It came out cold. They heated it up and it was very good. Very fatty in fat but crispy outside and delicious. Was very expensive and the ambiance on the deck was just eh. Almost like they want to be more bougie than they really are. Like I said it was good but not great. read more

Had dinner at Ilya and loved it. The vibe was really nice and the place looks beautiful. The food was amazing--my favorite dish was the branzino for sure. Drinks were solid too. We had a great seat with a view of the kitchen, which made the experience even better. Definitely a spot I'd go back to. read more

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Pro Review: Wow, just wow, Ilya you have bless my soul. Tastebuds I never knew I had were brought upon me today. After trying numerous meals and starters. I couldn't stop eating. The food was amazing, pretty pricey but highly recommended. Don't even get me started on our waitress and service, what an amazing job! Every time I went to the my shoulder to ask for something. There they were, at my service ready to help me. I felt like a king. I will 100% be returning. As a Pro Double Champ Yelp reviewer I recommend you take my advice and try this spot out. Tommy J out! read more

The food was good, the place had a really good pasta and the pita bread was tasty. The service was ok not great and not bad either and the ambience had a unique style to it as well that doesn't fit the vibe of San Clemente once you're inside. read more

We were excited to try this new restaurant in San Clemente to celebrate a birthday, and it did not disappoint at all. The interior is stylish with a coastal vibe, and we were welcomed right as we walked in. The service was attentive, and our server was knowledgeable about the menu and full of recommendations. Even the GM came by to talk and make sure to answer any questions we had. Based on our servers' recommendations we had the goat cheese endive salad and breadbasket for starters. She even brought us a serving of hummus on the side. For the main entry we chose the Bevetta and Rack of Lamb with the Haricot vert and glazed carrots. Everything was delicious and we will being coming back again in the future either for dinner or to stop at the bar for drinks and appetizers. read more

Just had dinner at Ilya for my wife's birthday. Wonderful experience. Food was delicious. Our server , Mika and the rest of the staff were great read more

San Clemente needed a restaurant like this. Food was excellent. I've had meat ball appetizers in many places, and this was by far the best I've ever had. The fish was excellent also. Beautiful buildout of the space. Service was professional and attentive. This will be our go to place when we have guests in town. read more

Wow!!! Just had an Amazing 's Experience in our very own hometown of San Clemente! Ilya a must try....Did not disappoint! The Ambiance takes you away and has the feel of a Beautiful Venue in Italy or maybe Greece or Paris. The food is beyond Excellent, it was Exceptional and left you wanting more. It was Absolutely Delicious! One of the finest Restaurants in our town! We are Truly Blessed! The service was Excellent, Staff was Welcoming, Attentive, Professional and Friendly. They were kind and knew the menu well as well as shared some of their favorites with us to help us decide, especially the Assistant General Manager. Beautiful & Professional Hannah welcomed us and made us feel at home and like we were family. She greeted us and gave us a Beautiful spot by the fireplace on the patio. The indoors is equally as Pretty with a Beautiful Bar and fun Ambiance! Although the Restaurant was full, she followed up with each table personally to make sure all was running smooth and all needs were met! Each of our selections were perfectly prepared!!! We are looking forward to Dining here again soon! read more

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