Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ironwood

    4.4 (1.6k reviews)
    Open • 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Ironwood Takeout or Delivery

    Ironwood Photos

    Business Info

    IRONWOOD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Ironwood

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Hugh T.

    Ironwood is one of Laguna Hills' nicer establishments. I visited with colleagues to try their steaks, and the experience was solid. Our server, Justine, was fantastic, funny, attentive, and went above and beyond. The restaurant is clean with upscale decor. Call ahead for reservations. Appetizers: The hand-cut herb fries were crispy and perfectly portioned. The buttermilk fried green tomato is a specialty worth trying! Very unique and flavorful. The warm rosemary focaccia with honey butter is delicious. Entrées: The 45-day aged rib eye was cooked perfectly for my coworkers (rare to medium rare) with great texture and seasoning. My crispy jidori chicken schnitzel with maitake mushrooms was outstanding. The most unique dish and my favorite. The braised napa lamb shank was underwhelming and needed more seasoning. Overall: Ironwood is a well-executed, upscale spot with great service and solid food. Good experience, but nothing extraordinary. Recommended if you want a pleasant dinner without high expectations.

    Barbara S.

    I've always loved this restaurant and haven't been here in a while. I suggested it for a girlfriend's 83rd birthday party for six women Ann And what an incredibly fabulous night we had. Our waitress Madison I'm pretty sure that was. Her name was absolutely incredible and deserves a pat on the back by the owner she was helpful, kind answered all of our questions... Ann And our age sometimes we have too many... And we ordered the right amount of food and everything was delicious. I forgot to take pictures but we had chicken schnitzel that was out of this world with vegetables and Spoetzl underneath that was excellent. We had the flat iron steak with the fries. If I'm being honest, those could've been better the fries the steak was outstanding fries were mushy and cold. We had a plain salmon for a girl who can't have any seasoning with mashed potatoes and all six girls could not rave about how fabulous the mashed potatoes were. They were the best they'd ever had. The dessert was a tropical crème brûlée and it was very good. Really the only complaint I have is that you had no decaf coffee we ordered three and they didn't have any then we ordered English breakfast tea and they didn't have that either. They did bring Earl Gray and the cream curd when it was poured into the hot tea, but besides that it was a fabulous evening. We left a very big tip because she was very nice. We will be coming back and now that I know you have all these other restaurants. I'm going to have to try. I've been to Vine and bloom, but not the others.

    Keabreone B.

    The place was nice and small, with a very intimate atmosphere that made it feel cozy and relaxed. It seemed like almost everything at this restaurant had a slight tang to it, and I couldn't quite figure out why. In some dishes, that flavor profile worked really well, but in others, it definitely didn't land the same way. We started with the warm artisan rosemary focaccia served with whipped honey butter. The bread itself had that same subtle tang I noticed throughout the meal, but the honey butter balanced it out nicely. The added sweetness helped cut through the tang, making it much more enjoyable overall. Next, we had the baked skillet mac and cheese, which was easily the standout of the entire meal. I don't say this lightly, but it was about as close to perfect as mac and cheese can get. It was rich, creamy, well-seasoned, and had that ideal baked texture on top. This dish alone made a strong impression. We also ordered the cast iron roasted Brussels sprouts. These had a similar tangy-sweet flavor like the focaccia, and overall they were actually quite good. However, the raisins added to the dish didn't really contribute anything meaningful. At first glance, I even thought they were corn, which was confusing. While the sprouts themselves were well-cooked and flavorful, the raisins felt unnecessary and didn't elevate the dish. The Caesar salad was probably my least favorite item. I'm not entirely sure why it was labeled a Caesar salad, because it didn't resemble the classic version at all. The Tijuana vinaigrette was extremely overpowering and leaned heavily acidic, almost like eating straight lemon. It lacked the creamy, rich, balanced flavor you expect from a traditional Caesar, which made it disappointing. For the main, I had the prime 10oz flat iron steak frites. The steak itself was cooked perfectly and had great flavor, so no complaints there. Unfortunately, the fries were cold when they arrived, which took away from the overall experience of the dish. Overall, the meal was okay. It's not something I would rave about, but it might be worth trying at least once. With such a limited menu, I expected a bit more consistency and refinement across the dishes. It wasn't the worst meal I've had, but it also wasn't the best just somewhere in the middle.

    Friends celebrating friendship!
    Malissa B.

    Met my friend for happy hour so we ordered off the happy hour menu. Sliders were our favorite. Nice presentation. No cabs on the happy hour menu so we shared a bottle. We sat at the bar, and the server was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Normal people conversation noise. Perfect for catching up with a friend.

    Service was top-notch, but it did not match the food. The ravioli appetizer was cold but the broccoli soup was good. My chicken schnitzel was dry on the edges and the vegetables seemed like they were warmed up and not cooked. My wife's salmon was delicious but the same hardness with the vegetables.

    Brandy O.

    Man! What a let down! Let me just say that all those other reviews are LIES! This spot is a facade for sure! Zero flavors. Ok, lets break it down. The staff were very nice. Our waiter Sean was not as helpful as the other staff members. The appetizers were great, and exciting with vibrant colors. Now our Main dishes fell FLAT. I mean its a steak house, and the steak was cold in the middle and NOT even seared on either side. We sent it back and they MICROWAVED it because again No sear marks or any char when they brought the same piece of meat back! Zero seasoning and the Cold garlic butter they slapped on top of the steak made it worse. Like come on!!!! I had the meatball plate and GROSS! Zero flavor again, and it tasted like they boiled the meat and then threw it in the oven and threw some tasteless sauce on it. The meatball was SO soggy, Yes Soggy!!! The entire plate LACKED FLAVORS. Im sorry but steak and a meatball should be bursting with flavors! We ended up just calling it a night and left our food barely touched. Great appetizers but mediocre main dishes. We definitely will not be back. To bad because the restaurant was beautiful with the view and the cozy setting. Birthday dinner fail.

    Wagyu Burger
    Mark T.

    Another awesome meal! Wagyu burger and fries still slaps. Dad had the Ribeye, delicious as always. Wife had the lamb and it's her new favorite. Service on the patio was excellent. One of my favorite places in south county for a feed!

    Janet R.

    It's been at least 4 years since my last review and I must say overall the food and service has always remained consistent! Service is always impeccable! The whole staff works well together and always provides the utmost amazing experience. My husband and I tend to stick to our favorite meals every time we dine and each and every time our meals have also remained consistent with the flavors and fresh ingredients and we always leave the restaurant satisfied. The other night I realized that with each dining experience I've had at Ironwood, we have never had any negative complaints. Ambiance is great and reservations are recommended especially on weekends but overall it's easy to reserve on OpenTable/ online or call directly. Happy hour is a must try for there delicious crafted cocktails!

    Nick J.

    The service and the restaurant is really great. Our appetizer was really good too. We got the fried tomatoes. I would say that was the highlight of the show. I ordered the flat iron steak with fries upgraded to the garlic fries. The steak I asked for medium came out pretty much, medium, rare, more rare also it says it's a 10 ounce steak and I feel like this was like maybe six or 7 ounce steak not 10 ounces 100% but I was a business meeting, so I don't wanna send it back so I ate it other than that overall service and experience was good.

    Outside
    Julio C.

    This restaurant is so delicious. They have a great wine selection. The service was outstanding. I tried two entrees from the menu. Entree Number #1 Ironwood's Crispy Jidori Chicken Schnitzel with Maitake Mushrooms. It also has butternut squash herb spaetzle, seasonal vegetables, and Meyer lemon-herb emulsion. Man, when I say this dish is huge, it is enormous! It's the size of the plate. The Meyer lemon-herb emulsion was so bomb! I had to request more of the sauce on the side. This dish is a 10/10 Entree number #2: I tried their famous House-Made Giant Meatball. It consists of a blend of American wagyu beef, jidori chicken, and duroc pork. It is served with homemade herb pappardelle, spicy pomodoro, and ricotta salata. The meatball is massive. The meatballs was cooked well done. The homemade herb pappardelle was delicious. It was not undercooked or overcooked; it was cooked perfectly. The sauce is homemade, and it looks like they use fresh ingredients for their food. I highly recommend this dish. This is a great restaurant to relax and enjoy good selection of wine and a good conversation.

    Karen G.

    I came here last Thursday for happy hour with my girlfriend, and I'm so glad we did! Funny enough, I must have driven past this spot dozens of times without ever really noticing it. Now I'm kicking myself, what a find! We sat at the bar where the beautiful Brooklyn was bartending, and she gave us excellent service. Friendly, attentive, fast, she really had it all! My girlfriend and I went all in on the happy hour menu. Some we ordered are the Hand-Cut Truffle Fries, White Shrimp Ceviche, and the Creamy Burrata Caprese. Everything was good and paired perfectly with our drinks (we each had two). We got so caught up in conversation that we ended up staying longer than planned, but Brooklyn was super chill and never once rushed us. Loved the whole vibe. Next time, we'll definitely be back to explore the dinner menu.

    MJ H.

    Bravo to Chef Jared for curating the best 5-course Frank Family wine pairing dinner. Every course was perfection! Our Menu FIRST COURSE Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche Lesile Rose SECOND COURSE Chicken Fried Main Lobster Chardonnay THIRD COURSE Texas Quail "Coq Au Vin" Pinot Noir FOURTH COURSE Revier Ranch Filet Mignon Cabernet Sauvignon FIFTH COURSE Fromage Blanc Brownie with Nutella Ice Cream Zinfandel

    BURGER
    Tisty S.

    I've been to Ironwood twice so far and each time has been lovelier than the last. The management and waiters are incredibly attentive, approachable, and professional. Although delays are rare, they make them up by consistently communicating and offering appetizers. If there is an issue with the food, they make sure to fix it immediately and check in to make sure everything is to our liking. The food itself is always incredibly fresh and delicious. I had an incident where my pasta was not as warm as I would have liked it, and after communicating that to the waiter, they made it up by taking it off our bill which was not necessary, but a true sign of amazing service. As for the ambiance it is cozy and not too overwhelming which is impressive given how busy they are. I would recommend this place for a good date, to celebrate occasions, or to simply enjoy a nice meal with a wonderful service. Will be back!

    Pinot Noir

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jessica S.
    72
    38
    130

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Mark T.
    167
    33
    17

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nick J.
    426
    206
    296

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shabi M.
    20
    99
    65

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kas D.
    269
    59
    44

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Amazing customer service! I also loved the food it was absolutely amazing I would definitely recommend Ironwood to any family group lunches

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sean A.
    176
    7
    3

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 23
    Thanks 5
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of N M.
    0
    4
    1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    The food had a wonderful balance of flavors, and the presentation showed a lot of thought and effort.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The flavors were balanced, the presentation was beautiful, and every bite was enjoyable.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 40

    Ask the Community - Ironwood

    Is it a good place for kids berween 11 and 14?

    Not the best choice as they will be bored

    Do they still have outdoor seating/dining now in 2024? We prefer that, so wanted to check. Thanks!

    We were there for an event recently. We sat outside, but also saw a few other parties seated outside.

    Busy on Sunday evening?

    Reservations are recommended but there is usually space for walk in guests if you go early

    Do they have happy hour?

    Not so sure i was there for dinner time

    Is this place open on Dec 23rd? What's the opening hour like

    Their hours seem to be updated in OpenTable. They show that their open from late afternoon until after 9pm

    Do you serve Thanksgiving dinner?

    Hi Leslie, We will be closed Thanksgiving Day so our employees can enjoy time with their loved ones.… 

    Is there loud music?

    I did not notice the music being loud at all. We were able have easy conversation at the table. Hope that helps.

    Dressy or casual?

    Casual nice to dressy. ie: jeans and a button down shirt are fine. Slacks and a jacket also fine.

    Do you have options without onion, garlic, shallots, chives (alliums)? Is it easy for me to request meals without?

    I'm not sure if they have garlic/onion powder in the chicken schnitzel breading but if I recall correctly I did not see onion/garlic in the side veggies that came on the chicken plate.… 

    Do they have happy hour? If so, when is it?

    They do not

    Do they have a Mocktail menu?

    They do! I haven't had any but it was mentioned in a Yelp collection of spots for great mocktails!

    Is your food organic?

    I know the Jidori chicken on the Butter Lettuce salad is listed as organic on the menu

    Are there a lot of gluten free options? Is your giant meatball gluten free? thanks!

    To be honest with you, I cheated on my GF lifestyle that night, so I didn't even bother to ask about the meatball. On other occasions I've been there I've had them replace some sides (like couscous) with something GF (like steamed veggies) on the… 

    Hello, do you guys have gift cards?

    We have received gift cards from Ironwood in the past.

    Do you serve bison?

    There was no Bison on the seasonal menu in April 2023

    What seafood are you Offering now besides salmon and sea bass?

    We also offer a nightly Chef Seafood Special that changes every 3-4 days as an additional option.

    Do they have gluten-free options?

    Yes they do have gluten free options and will customize your plate to meet your dietary preferences. Amazing place, great food and great service.

    Will you have a special menu for Christmas?

    Do you have brunch on Christmas Day?

    Can you set up a wine-pairing dinner for 4 or so people, done family style i.e., each guest would have the same dinner; but based on that dinner, you would choose the most appropriate wine for each course (including dessert)?

    Yes, we would be happy to create a custom wine pairing menu for you. We have done it in the past and they are very fun. Please send me an email with date and time so we can coordinate.… 

    View All 28 Questions

    Belly of the Beast - The whole bar

    Belly of the Beast

    4.3(165 reviews)
    12.8 mi

    Definitely make a reservation here! I believe there are only like 4 booths!…read moreWe were able to secure a booth because someone missed their reservation. You will have to go through the main tikibar (Stowaway) and walk to a side door in the back. The theme is along the lines of Pinocchio. After you enter the side door, you will be transported and see a story book. You will walk through a whale's mouth to get to your booth. There is so much to look at all around so take your time admiring the decor while you drink. The tiki drinks are different from Stowaway and are delicious! It's definitely more intimate so you can talk to the bartenders. Though since it's all booths, you won't really see them make the drinks. Overall, fun spot - intimate if you want the tiki vibes in a quieter location

    The Belly of the Beast - Pinocchio Speakeasy at Stowaway Tiki Bar, Tustin…read more The Belly of the Beast is a Pinocchio-themed speakeasy tucked inside Stowaway Tiki Bar in Tustin, and it's definitely a fun experience. You actually enter through the mouth of a whale, which immediately sets the tone. The decor and theming are really well done, with plenty of unique details that make the space feel immersive. The atmosphere is more intimate and private compared to the main tiki bar, which makes it a nice change of pace. The food menu is limited, but what we tried was good. The drinks were definitely the highlight. I had the Farewell Jimmy, Smoke the Monster Out, and Geppetto's Last Words--all three were great. Smooth, tropical, flavorful, and definitely potent. Service was okay, but nothing particularly stood out. Overall, The Belly of the Beast is a cool place to check out if you enjoy themed bars and unique experiences. For me, it's probably more of a one-time experience rather than somewhere I'd regularly return to. Still, the creativity, decor, and cocktails make it worth experiencing at least once.

    Photos
    Belly of the Beast - A shot of the entire speakeasy.

    A shot of the entire speakeasy.

    Belly of the Beast - Coconut shrimp

    Coconut shrimp

    Belly of the Beast - Small place inside Stowaway.. floor can get wet when it's raining

    See all

    Small place inside Stowaway.. floor can get wet when it's raining

    Roost 374 - Whiskey!!!

    Roost 374

    4.5(66 reviews)
    9.7 mi

    Andrea, Sean, and the rest of the roost staff make this experience as special as it is. To start,…read morethe entrance is a fun adventure! There is a dress code (and a posted code of conduct), which I appreciate. It's a good excuse to dress up a little more and act a little more classy (is that ever a bad thing). The drinks are well balanced, unique, and delicious (and, there's pages of them)! The decor is fun (there's lots to look at), and I love the low lighting and no-phones policy. It reminds you to stay present! Shout out to Sean: Sean is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also such a kind and personable bartender. He made the experience extra special by giving us the perfect (and I mean perfect) drink recommendations our first time here. Andrea also gave us some fun insight on the drink names and history of Roost 374. I hope this place has years of success to come. Thank you Roost team for making this place as wonderful as it is!

    Woah what a cool, hidden gem! My friend and I came on a Thursday for their live music/ soft jazz…read morenight and finding and entering the place is a whole experience. We loved the hostess who made the whole thing feel so lucrative and she even took some photos of us in the waiting room before we had to put our phones away for inside. We had made reservations ahead of time but they placed us at the bar which was a bummer because there were definitely still tables available. Inside is cool with eccentric decor. The overall vibe though tailored an older crowd and not so much people in their 20's. There were a lot of drink options but not a lot of of that sweet and fun that I prefer. It's more sophisticated cocktails. Some staff reminded me to not have my phone out when I was clearly taking a picture of the receipt for my friend and I and that was upsetting. How do you expect me to remember prices and what we ordered lol Also there is no snacks other than like nuts and cheeses.

    Photos
    Roost 374
    Roost 374
    Roost 374

    See all

    Franco’s Famous Mexican Kitchen & Cocktails

    Franco’s Famous Mexican Kitchen & Cocktails

    4.3(570 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$

    We had a nice dining experience this evening at Franco's. Sophia was our amazing server and we also…read morehad an opportunity to visit with Taylor our amazing Bartender and a wonderful individual. We started with margaritas and chips, salsa and guacamole. The ambiance was chill and it was a nice cool evening. My wife had the chicken fajitas with corn tortillas, rice and beans and I had the Carne asada with a chicken enchilada, rice and beans. The food was great and the service was stellar. The other staff members were also helpful in clearing dishes and providing containers for our left overs. Yes, tomorrow's lunch. Great place, food and people. Highly recommended

    Came here for dinner on Friday night and have to say, I'll definitely be coming back!…read more The complimentary chips and salsa were superb. The chips were super crispy and light, and you can tell they're fresh. The salsa was well-seasoned with a nice kick. I ordered the carnitas plate, and it really hit the spot. The Spanish rice was some of the most flavorful I've had was super well-seasoned. The beans were good and complemented the rest of the plate nicely. The tortillas were fresh, soft, and tasty. The carnitas had great overall flavor and came in a huge portion. My only complaint was that there was a lot of lean meat, so some parts were a little dry. Overall, I really enjoyed the meal and will definitely be back to try some of the other things on the menu!

    Photos
    Franco’s Famous Mexican Kitchen & Cocktails
    Franco’s Famous Mexican Kitchen & Cocktails
    Franco’s Famous Mexican Kitchen & Cocktails

    See all

    The Lost Inferno - Hightop tables

    The Lost Inferno

    4.4(401 reviews)
    12.1 mi
    •$$

    A must stop for any goonies lover…read more The entrance leaves a lot to be desired, but I suppose it add more to the magic and experience once you've entered. It feels like we're are navigating the caves from the movie and the bar is the treasure ship. Once you enter there is decor and memorabilia spread throughout (whether any of it is authentic or not I'm not sure) they have speciality drinks after the movie and the bartender was very attentive. Overall it was fun to experience and a nice spot to explore while going around San Clemente.

    Really bummed out. My husband grew up in San Clemente, loved tiki bars and his favorite movie was…read moreThe Goonies. He sadly passed away recently and his memorial is this weekend, so we tried to go to Lost Inferno to celebrate him with all his high school and college friends. We called in advance and the person we spoke to said we couldn't make a reservation unless we could guarantee 20 people, but we could walk in with a smaller group no problem. Of course we got there right when they opened and they told us they couldn't seat us for an hour. We joined the wait list and walked to a bar a couple doors down waiting for the text that our table was ready. We received a text that our table would be ready at a specific time and then 2 minutes before our table was supposed to be ready we get a text saying we were removed from the wait list with no clarification or follow up. I understand being busy/booked up, but I would have liked to have received accurate information. We could have made reservations online if we had been told. I wore his favorite Goonies Hawaiian shirt and everything expecting to have a nice time talking about my husband. I guess I'm glad we never had the opportunity to experience this level of service with my husband, and guess I won't be back seeing that he's dead and all. Edited to add tips - don't believe anything they tell you on the phone and if you really want to go, make a reservation, and apparently they will close for you if you can guarantee 20 people.

    Photos
    The Lost Inferno - Ash Landing cocktail

    Ash Landing cocktail

    The Lost Inferno - Doors to get inside speakeasy

    Doors to get inside speakeasy

    The Lost Inferno - Ash Landing

    See all

    Ash Landing

    Ironwood - newamerican - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...