Our experience was overwhelmingly positive. While the open sliding door made the space a bit chilly and VERY loud, I believe closing it during this season would create a cozier atmosphere and provide more privacy for diners. The service, led by Tayla , was top-notch - friendly, attentive, and efficient. The food was impressive, with standouts like the baked feta and Truffle Tagliatelle. Unfortunately, the New York Strip didn't meet our expectations - it was tough and lacking in flavor. It didn't taste like a New York strip either and they should've told us that they will serve it cut, if we would've known, we would've ask for them to serve it uncut! The fries was our side dish and it was overcooked (see in the picture) it was hard and tasteless (unsalted) Also the corkage fee is $30 per bottle as we did bring a bottle of wine. Nevertheless, we're eager to return and try other entree options, aside from their steaks. I also did not like the way their reservation works. If you call the place they would direct you into an automated voice and it is just so much work and very hard to get ahold of them. It is easier to book online such as open table yes! But when you have to change your reservation time you have no other choice than to call and wait for how many minutes until they direct you to an actual person... This is why I would only give it a 3 stars... though we did have a good experience. I will also give them a chance since I do understand that they just open! read more

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Well, this is quite a surprise in San Clemente. Been open roughly a month in South San Clemente, my husband decided to plan a date night to this restaurant. Let's start with parking. There is valet parking at $10 per car or you can try street parking, which can be a little difficult. They will take a credit card. Now let's get to the restaurant and experience - we had a great time. We arrived at 7:30 and it took a few minutes just for our table to be completed and ready for us to be sat. Gorgeous first impression when you walk in. The host stand was very friendly and professional. It's kind of a indoor outdoor type restaurant. There's definitely an outdoor seating area that's covered. It does feel cozy and like a room and there are heaters and a fireplace. We sat into the section that was more like a regular dining room closest to the bar area. There is an open kitchen. The bar was pretty busy. To the right of the bar was quite a bit of soiled and used glassware that just needed to be washed and put away. Wasn't the best observation, but not the worst either. Since we visited an in January, I do recommend perhaps a sweater or light jacket for either room because both rooms were cool. We were promptly greeted and offered a choice of waters. Our server was very professional and friendly. I wish I remembered her name, but she had brown wavy hair. We opted to start with the bread basket, which was not very impressive overall. The only items that I did like were the pitas. The rest just seemed to be premade toasts and breads that were just put into the basket. Next time I would just ask for just the pita or not to get this starter at all. we then moved onto the goat cheese and endive salad as well as the barramundi crudo. We also ordered the potatoes brava. All three of these items are great. For the Main, we decided to share the Bavette steak, which is essentially a flank steak. It comes with chimichurri sauce. Now here's what I would do I would order the potatoes bravas as your side item with any of the meats. They do offer french fries but I think the Spanish potatoes are delicious and would compliment any of the steak entrées. They are double fried and seasoned and were delicious. The steak was actually very good. It was well seasoned and tender. We asked for medium rare. Water and beverage refills came throughout the night. Our only giggle of the night would be charging for a refill for a Coke. I'm not at all for nickel and diming guests but when you're already paying $60-$70 and up for an entrée, I think complementary refills add to the experience. I will say this is a fountain Coke. It was delicious. It had the perfect amount of carbonation and ice. It always frustrates me when I get those tiny little Coke bottles or cans at other locations around town. I want a crispy Coke. The dessert menu featured three items, including tiramisu, a lemon tart, and trace Leches cake. We opted to pass on dessert but next time we're definitely gonna try the tiramisu. we saw it go past us. It is served from a large bowl which looked amazing. The restaurant was full by the time we left around 8:40 PM. Good crowd. It felt welcoming and not snobby if that makes sense. I think there was a genuine air to making sure guests were comfortable etc. The manager came by our table to say hello, which was appreciated. Will definitely come back. It's a welcoming new location for the city. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Bavette - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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We had a great experience. The staff was incredibly attentive, but it never felt rushed or like they were trying to move us along. It truly felt like a full dining experience rather than a quick in-and-out meal. We even got to meet the chef, which was a special treat since we're big fans of Top Chef. Everyone was so lovely and kept checking on us, and the whole room had such a great energy. We ordered the octopus, baked feta, shrimp, endive salad, rack of lamb, oyster mushrooms, spinach, and carrots. Everything was delicious, but the octopus really stood out. We order octopus often when we're out, and this one was so unique--the accoutrements and presentation were exceptional. Also very creative and delicious desserts. A memorable meal all around! read more

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Top Chef alum Charbel Hayek brings us on a culinary Mediterranean journey at Ilya. San Clemente is the perfect spot for these coastal vibes - fresh seafood, wood-fired cooking, creative cocktails, house-baked breads, fresh seasonal local produce, and an array of perfectly-paired wines. I absolutely loved the Cycladic-inspired atmosphere and fiery elements. And the food and cocktails were delicious. We tried the bread basket served with a butter olive oil blend, the Barramundi Carpaccio, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Spicy Rigatoni, Branzino (my fave!), and Lemon Tarte. As for their cocktails, my faves were the Artemisia and the Vesuvio Margarita. The staff was incredible - so friendly and on top of it especially given how crowded it was when we went on a busy Saturday evening. Parking can be tricky but they offer a valet service for $10. Go during sunset for the most romantic views! read more

The food is good but very pricey. 85 bucks for the branzino. It might be worth the money but for the outdoor seating. It's incredibly sub-par for a place with valet parking that represents itself as a fine dining restaurant. If you can get seating inside that is the place to be. The patio dining area is not what you'd expect for the prices they charge. The patio has been covered with plastic roofing that resembles galvanized roofing with undulations, it's not chic or cool. The open air windows are covered with landscaping netting like you'd get at Lowe's. The outdoor heating is propane stands like you might have on your patio. If you are cold they go down in the parking garage and wheel one up to your table but they need to open the landscape netting to let a breeze in or the whole place smells like propane. The outdoor dining at the local taco shop on Del Mar street is nicer as is almost every outdoor dining area in San Clemente. How they charge these prices for the dining experience they provide is beyond me. I recommend they install permanent natural gas heaters and clear pressed and polished plastic vinyl on the windows like is found on boats and yachts. There are much better choices in San Clemente and OC to spend an evening dining at until they make some changes. read more

Perfect spot to impress your date, girls night out, but also can be a nice family night. I need to spend more time in San Clemente. There are so many nice places here but I'm just so used to going North... Ilya is definitely a gem in San Clemente. And shout out to our sever, Micah! He was amazing! ILYA Mediterranean restaurant @ilyasanclemente 1502 S El Camino Real San Clemente, CA 92672 What we tried: 1. Cocktail: Cheating Vegan $19 2. Mocktail: False Promise $15 3. Escargot $27 4. White fish carpaccio $22 5. Truffle Tagliatelle (Creamy truffle pamigiano sauce) $36 6. Branzino (Zhoug, Beurre Blanc, Cilantro oil) $64 7. RIGATONI A LA BOLOGNESE (Rigatoni, Bolognese Sauce, Béchamel, Parmigiano) $33 8. Dessert: Lemon tarte (Lemon cremeux, breton cookie, praline feuillantine, basil creme anglaise, hazelnuts, basil) $16 Parking: $10 valet or free street parking read more

Ilya by Chef Charbel Hayek is such an exciting addition to the San Clemente food scene. The menu beautifully captures the flavors of the Mediterranean coast - vibrant seafood, wood-fired dishes and classic mezze designed for sharing and savoring together. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The attention to detail in each dish really elevates the experience and gives it that refined, special-occasion feel. The interiors and overall ambiance are just as impressive as the food : warm, stylish, and inviting. Definitely a standout in San Clemente. read more

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What a beautiful restaurant! Every item we ordered made our date night beautiful and worth the long drive. It was recommended to us by a friend and it for sure didn't disappoint. The valet at the restaurant gave it a high-end feel. The decor is gorgeous as I love olive trees. But a bit cramped up when we were seated at our table. Service was definitely a bit slow. We ordered The Mezze which was pretty good and filling for 2 people, Grilled Shrimp were tasty but cold. We both got NY Strip with green sauce. Now that was very juicy and flavorful. We got glazed carrots. Too sweet and very cinnamony. Must try! read more

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The restaurant is beautiful, the service is excellent, the food is good but not fantastic and it's pricey. We had the Branzino, lamb chops, NewYork steak and pasta. There were no Lebanese dishes which was a shame read more

Ilya Restaurant - Pomegranate Martini - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

My husband and I had the most incredible experience at Ilya. From the moment we walked in, we felt this beautiful blend of Middle Eastern warmth and hospitality mixed with relaxed coastal Mediterranean vibes...it instantly made us feel at home. The food was UNREAL. The Wagyu bavette literally melted in our mouths, the endive salad was the perfect balance of so many of our favorite flavors, and the Ilya mezze is a must (you truly can't go wrong). The muhammara dip was absolutely life-changing. And the truffle tagliatelle... honestly, we were ready to marry it on the spot. So, so good. Creamy but not TOO creamy. It was just amazing!! What made the night even more special was our server, Dania. She had the warmest, most genuine energy and made us feel like family the entire evening. This is the kind of hospitality that makes you want to come back again and again. The restaurant itself is so beautifully done, and very different from other places in Orange County. We needed something like this around here!! Ilya is something really special. Can't wait to return. read more

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I had the chance to check out a stunning new Mediterranean restaurant in San Clemente for date night, and it truly felt like we were transported to another country. The space itself is beautifully designed.. elevated, intimate, and full of character. The restaurant is led by Chef Charbel Hayek, the Top Chef MENA 2021 champion, and you can feel his influence in both the flavor and presentation of every dish. To start, we ordered the Barramundi Carpaccio and the Ilya Mezze. The carpaccio was incredibly fresh--light, citrusy, and perfectly balanced with lemon and basil. A refreshing way to begin our dinner. I wasn't expecting much from the mezze (I assumed it would just be dips, bread, and veggies), but it completely surprised me. All three dips had so much flavor and depth -- we couldn't stop snacking! Even with the pita bread, everything still felt light and airy. I think my favorite was the muhammara (red pepper dip) it was so addicting! For our mains, we got the Truffle Tagliatelle and the Bavette, which is Australian wagyu served with chimichurri. The truffle pasta was rich and creamy with a strong truffle flavor. The steak, while good, didn't stand out quite as much. In hindsight, I wish I had ordered something more unique to the menu, like the rack of lamb or the branzino. I feel like that's where the Mediterranean flavors would really shine.. so I'm already planning to come back for that. We also tried two cocktails: the Artemisia (strawberry, basil, lemon, and vodka) and the Cheating Vegan (a butterfly pea flower-infused mezcal with passionfruit). Both were refreshing and beautifully presented. For dessert, I went with the Lemon Tart, which surprised me the most. I don't usually gravitate toward lemon desserts, but it looked the most interesting and it ended up being the perfect ending to the night. The crunchy crust, tart and soft cream topping, and the basil cream at the base all came together so well. Overall, this was such a memorable experience -- from the ambiance to the food to the service. The GM even came by to check on us, which added such a thoughtful touch. I'm already looking forward to my next visit, and if you're looking for a special spot for your next date night in South OC, this one definitely deserves a place on your list. read more

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Very average and overpriced. Only the endive salad stood out. The pita was cold and sad. The sides were tiny and way too salty. The pasta bland. All our sides and appetizers came out at once. Zero spacing between plates is insane. Service was ok. Restaurant is beautiful. That's probably the only thing that's a plus. The lemon tart was strange and very sweet. Just an overall disappointment, especially coming into it with high hopes :( read more

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Brunch was lovely, even better than dinner service! Loved the chicken apple sausage. The truffle salad that came with the omelette was the star of the show for us. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Brunch Menu - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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ILYA just opened in San Clemente and people are already talking about it and honestly, I completely understand why. We had one of those meals that stays with you long after you've finished eating. This coastal Mediterranean spot serves dishes that taste incredibly fresh, balanced, and full of flavor. The space is beautiful too, with stylish décor, soft coastal details, and a relaxed indoor-outdoor atmosphere that makes you want to linger. The service was just as impressive...attentive, warm, and truly elevating the entire experience. Chef Charbel Hayek brings the heart of his Lebanese background and blends it with a modern California touch, creating food that feels both comforting and exciting. We're already looking forward to coming back. If you're searching for your next great dining experience in Orange County, I highly recommend adding ILYA to your list. read more

Ilya Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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This restaurant is beautiful! It's a patio with a tropical ambiance. We dined here for a birthday dinner and we enjoyed the food we had. Only the portions were small for four when our waiter mentioned about sharing. For starters we had two dishes. The Mussels in curry, lime, and tarragon with pita bread was wonderful. The mussels were soft in a tasty curry broth while we dipped the rest of the pita bread in it. The Ilya Mezze was good as well only if it were a bit more it would have been perfect. The Goat Cheese Endive Salad was superb. Very flavorful and appetizing. Then for our main we ordered the Australian Rack of Lamb in spiced yogurt with two side dishes of Glazed Carrots and Bloomsdale Spinach & Oyster Mushrooms. Ate them to the last bit! Cocktails were made nice and smooth like the Casablanca and the Vesuvio Margarita. And for desserts, the Tres Leches and Lemon Tarte, a nice way to end our meal with sweet satisfaction! Our servers were engaging. read more

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This restaurant is gorgeous, opens to the patio area. But it's small, fits less than 100 people and very loud/noisy, we had to yell at each other. It's by the freeway so location is a bit odd. There's street parking in the residential area nearby but it's not easy to find parking so we were all forced to valet, which is $10. The food was ok, the tiger prawns were average, the carrots were way too sweet and drowned in sauce and the haricot verts had a weird flavor, also drowned. The branzino was amazing and I enjoyed that very much. the tres leches was good. It was all very expensive for what you get. Service was great in the beginning but it seemed our server got tired halfway through our meal. We were celebrating a birthday and she's vegan. What I thought was super strange is that they put a candle in my tres leches to give to her as her birthday treat. She was confused and said she can't eat that so I asked if he could just bring her some plain berries but he either didn't hear or didn't care but simply walked away. We realized later that it was my dessert, which she just spat into blowing out the candle. The worst part was when we got the check, the manager told us they could split the bill however we liked by item or people or whichever and as many ways so we wanted to get a check for each person but the server refused to do it. In the end we calculated our own bills and he was able to charge the amount we specified for each card. It was fine but just mixed messages and awkward. read more

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The food was extremely salty and overpriced for the quality. We were charged about $50 for ~9g of truffle, which didn't feel worth it--especially since it wasn't weighed in front of us, so there was no way to verify the amount. For a per-gram item, that lack of transparency is disappointing. Also, the heater next to our table was visibly dirty with spider webs, which is not acceptable for a restaurant at this level. Disappointing overall. read more

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From the moment my family and I stepped into the spacious, luxurious restaurant with a beautiful indoor and light-filled outdoor patio space, we loved the place. While the reservation was for an indoor booth, we asked to change to patio seating because the weather was so great. We started with cocktails: a Casablanca (a bourbon/vermouth concoction) for me, and a Vesuvio Margarita (not your normal margarita) for my mother. Both cocktails had complicated, nuanced tastes. They were first-rate drinks. We ordered a lot of dishes that we shared: the Illya Mezze, Mussels, Goat Cheese endive salad, lamb and glazed carrots and spinach and mushrooms. All the dishes were delicious with high-quality fresh ingredients and were very well prepared. The standout dishes were the Ilya Mezze with the fluffy pita bread (although the portion size for humus, muhammara and baba ghanouj could have been larger), the goat cheese endive salad, the glazed carrots and the lamb --- which was very tender and a perfect medium rare. I'm not usually a dessert person, but my family and I shared two outstanding desserts: the Tres Leche cake and the lemon tarte. Both were indulgent, the right amount of sweetness. Just outstanding. Our waiter and all the staff, from the hostess to the servers, were professional, friendly, very knowledgeable. They worked as a tightly knit and friendly team. This is a special restaurant and one that I'll return to. (One thing to be aware of: to park at the restaurant is $10 valet parking. There is street parking too.) (The restaurant also serves what look like amazing steaks --- but pricey.) read more

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Adjacent to the 5 North on ramp and the 5 South off ramp, Ilya Restaurant is an unexpected new surprise in San Clemente. Upon entering this open air restaurant is a dramatic lobby with beautiful iron work leading to the outdoor seating area that seamlessly blends with the partially enclosed dining area. I had the lobster spaghetti which was delicious, but at $54 could use a little more in it. My daughter enjoyed the truffle tagliatelle. Our server Ryan was friendly and professional, providing amazing service. I was pleasantly surprised that given the freeway adjacent location the outdoor seating area was not over taken by freeway noise, perhaps because of the background music piped in or landscaping around the property. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a new South OC restaurant (non chain or fast food) that caters to later evening diners like me who want to have dinner past 7 or 8 pm, with a kitchen that stays open late till 10 pm on Saturdays! Yay! read more

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We had such a great date night at Ilya. It's a beautiful coastal Mediterranean spot by. The space feels warm and inviting, with both indoor and patio seating. A few highlights from our visit: The butterfly pea flower mezcal cocktail was a standout--super unique and refreshing The Ilya Mezze Plate was fresh and full of flavor Barramundi carpaccio was a 10/10--easily one of our favorites Rigatoni bolognese was rich and comforting (8/10) The Australian rack of lamb with Moroccan spiced yogurt was incredible--probably the best lamb we've had Tiramisu was light, smooth, and the perfect way to end the meal read more

Ilya Restaurant - The Ilya Mezze Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

Tried the new ILYA in San Clemente and loved it. The whole place has this fresh coastal Mediterranean vibe, super clean, bright, and welcoming. We started with the grilled octopus, mussels, and the ILYA mezze, and all three were amazing. The octopus was perfectly tender, the mussels were really fresh, and the mezze had so many good flavors to try. For mains, we had the sole meunière and the New York strip. The sole was buttery and delicate, and the steak had a great sear and tons of flavor. Finished with the tiramisu, which was light and not overly sweet, perfect ending. Overall, such a solid new spot. Great food, great vibe, and definitely worth checking out if you're in OC. read more

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All our food, from starters to mains and sides, was absolutely delicious! Great attention to plate presentations and added seasoning touches to each dish elevated the whole dining experience and made for a very special dinner! Knowledgeable and attentive wait staff! Vegetarian options as well as zero proof mocktails made this a perfect restaurant for our family!! OMG I should also mention their unexpected and rustic bread basket that was so delicious. It came with some sort of compound herb butter & oil that you will crave! It was perfect with the mezze platter! Our group had mussels, the mezze platter, the bread basket, two pasta dishes and the sirloin. PERFECTION! read more

Decent interior but the service was a bit slow for the number of guests to servers. A bit overpriced for the location and quality.

I have no idea why this place has so many 5 star reviews. We ordered the maze platter which was good but nothing special. The waiter recommended the octopus so we ordered it but it was super fishy and chewy. Horrible. We don't even eat it after the first bite. The waiter didn't even ask why and cleaned up our appetizer plates. Then we ordered the pasta which I honestly can make better at home. The cocktails were ok. But they have very limited options. We didn't want to have wine so we ordered the margarita which was a hit too sweet and the Amerisia which was also on the sweet side but ok. All in all. This place is pretty. But I think it's hyped up because it's new. I was very disappointed. read more

Food was good, not great Very expensive. The deco was upbeat and our server was pleasant and did a great job serving us. Not sure if i"d go back. Easy access from the 5 freeway. My 3 star rating is because the company we invited made a good night for all. read more

Wonderful new restaurant, with excellent food and beverages. The Staff is top notch. Hanna one of the Managers does such a great job knowing names and being very personal. Matt and Emmon are great wait staff. Highly recommend the beef tartare, the mezza platter for appetizers. In addition, the lobster spaghetti, steaks, and lamb chops are all top notch. The drink menu is great as well, the clean sheet drink and wine menu are superb. read more

Go to Ilya RIGHT NOW. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients, impeccable atmosphere and presentation. Service was incredible. I cannot recommend it enough. The entire meal from beginning to end was an absolute TREAT and delicious beyond belief. Go!!!! read more

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Me and my fiance absolutely love coming here! Tucked into the ambiance of its own Mediterranean oasis, it altogether makes you forget you're in San Clemente. Not only is the food phenomenal, but the staff and management are extremely friendly, personable and welcoming. Huge shout out to Mauricio the manager and our server Iman. They are knowledgeable about the menu and how to pair entrees and appetizers, they also create a warm and inviting experience for their guests. This was our second time coming here (the first being the night of our engagement) and they remembered us and our previous dining experience. They truly go above and beyond here, making us feel truly special! As for food, you can't go wrong ! Must try the meatballs for an appetizer, the sole for main is so decadent, and the tiramisu was simply heaven. 5 stars is not enough to rate this lovely place. read more

Ilya Restaurant - A delicious Lemon tarte - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

This restaurant is the talk of San Clemente. We couldn't figure out exactly where it was from the map or if it took the place of something else. Apparently the building has been there for 5 years with no tenant. Parking is valet unless you can find street parking. Very cool space with their "patio" covered with some air flow and heaters with a fireplace. Very cozy. The enclosed space had the bar and more seating. Seated in front of fireplace. Ordered bread basket to start. Wonderful. Only drawback was the only "butter" they had was a zataar butter. I like zataar but when we also wanted plain butter they did not have any for the table. The sole is cooked with loads of butter so not sure why they couldn't accommodate. Strange. Ordered the baked feta and mezze plate for appetizers. The mezze was very big and came with more pita. Realizing the feta would also come with more pita we told them they could hold back the pita on that one. Pita was homemade and delicious but we had enough to eat. Mezze was delicious and very nicely presented. The feta was good but seemed harder to negotiate. Not gooey but more chewy. Delicious nonetheless the less. Ordered two salads, the Greek and truffle market salad. Both good but want to save our appetites for the sole meunière. Yummy. Haven't had fish this way in a long time. I'll be back with friends and family. read more

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Came with a friend to check it out. The space is super cool with an indoor / outdoor environment. The cocktails are delicious and the food was good. We only had. A few menu items but all were good. read more

If you're looking for a solid Mediterranean spot in San Clemente, ILYA is a great choice. The location is beautiful and fits perfectly with the coastal vibe, making it a nice place for a relaxed dinner or a night out. The menu offers a good variety of Mediterranean dishes, from fresh mezze to grilled options, and everything we tried was flavorful and well prepared. I also appreciate that they're accommodating with customer preferences and offer some vegan-friendly options, which makes it easy to find something for everyone. The drinks are just as impressive, and the overall atmosphere feels elevated without being too formal--just a nice balance. Parking is convenient with valet available for around $10, which is helpful in this area. Overall, a great spot if you're in the mood for high-quality Mediterranean food in a beautiful coastal setting. read more

Great atmosphere for a date but the food was very overpriced and the quality was so so. I won't go back unless "invited".

To begin, the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. All areas to sit are top notch, with each section of the restaurant having some kind of inviting piece of decor. We were sat on the patio, in front of the fireplace and it was beautiful. Everyone was very kind, from the moment I was greeted at the hostess stand, to our waiter, and even the manager who popped by to say hello. I love a restaurant with staff who knows to periodically check in on you, answer any questions, and fill glasses. It truly was top notch service! The food was delicious, to say the least. Each dish has such a fun flair by combining flavors that blend effortlessly. We loved the baked feta with the fresh pita bread, and the New York was delicious. The endive salad wasn't my favorite only because I wasn't too keen on the bitterness of endives (noted for next time). However, it was still really tasty with the goat cheese and walnuts! Finally, the tart. Who knew Basil would pair so well with lemon? It was fantastic and a work of art. Overall, I am so pleased with this restaurant and can't wait to go back! I would love to see some additional Lebanese or middle eastern options, such as a steak or kebab rice plate. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Food 5 Star Service 5 Star Ambiance 5 Star A great evening spent at this restaurant. Very flavorful food, extremely friendly staff and an over all beautiful restaurant read more

Opener less than a month. Brilliant young chef and a must try. Tough reservation so be patient. Items are must try: mezza app; meatballs, and especially Dove sole. Zach the general manager is a real pro. Beautiful interior and excellent location in San Clemente read more

ILYA was spectacular for so many reasons! The ambience was beautiful and the setting is perfect for a nice evening out. I started with the truffle greens salad which was deliciouss, fresh, and totally worth it. I then had the meatballs (omg, these were so good), and the grilled shrimp. I think the cocktails are a major highlight of the restaurant. The manager Hanna was incredible and made the whole visit extra special. The city needed something of this caliber, and ILYA brought it! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Cheating Vegan drink - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

First time trying this new restaurant in San Clemente. The ambience is fantastic and perfect for a date night. Our server was Tim (10/10 ) who was awesome and incredibly knowledgeable. The General Manager Zach stopped by our table as he did most tables in the restaurant, asking how our experience was going which always helps to make us feel welcomed. The food was superb, my favorite was the octopus and the Bronzino, both cooked to perfection. The liquor/spirits selection at the bar is very well curated and the bartenders moved with incredible efficiency. Overall, I would highly recommend. this restaurant. It's great to see San Clemente with so many new fantastic options for Elevated dining. Thank you again to the team at Ilya for making it an incredible experience and date night for my wife and I. Here's to seeing you again very soon. read more

We had a great experience at Ilya. Emmon was an excellent server, very professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, with great attention to detail throughout the meal. The food was tasty and well executed. We ordered the Ilya mezze, endive goat cheese salad, wagyu steak, truffle pasta, and potatoes. Everything was flavorful and enjoyable; the only small note is that the potatoes were a bit too salty for our taste. For drinks, we had the martini and the Old Fashioned, and we preferred the martini. The music was a bit too loud at times, but overall it didn't take away from a great evening. Definitely worth checking out the menu. Overall, 9/10. read more

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Perfection ! Worth a 1-2 hour drive for sure. 3rd time back in 2 weeks. End destination is San Clemente so arriving early or staying late in town is the play. Locals who are used to flip flops and t-shirts are walking from their homes wearing blazers , jeans, and closed toe shoes for this place . Dresses or smart casual seems to be the vibe. There is valet parking. The building is amazing and fits the "Spanish by the sea" design. Zach manages the restaurant and his years of experience makes sure your evening is fantastic. The Sole Meunière is the best I have ever had anywhere in the world. Cocktails are crafted with love. The staff is professional and friendly. You can tell the staff training is for a culinary night out and not just food service. This all comes at a cost but well worth it!! read more

Ilya Restaurant - Sole Meuniere , fries, glazed carrots - Mediterranean Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The food was absolutely amazing here. Love this beautiful new restaurant in town. Service is always top-notch and everything I have ordered so far has been fantastic. read more