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    Nick's San Clemente

    4.4 (2.4k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Nick's San Clemente Photos

    NICK'S SAN CLEMENTE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Humorous piece of art on the wall
    Brent M.

    So, they say a picture is worth 1000 words? Please take a peek, aren't these worth a few thousand? I bet your mouth is watering, you can almost taste it? San Clemente, beautiful town, nice location, high style, attractive façade. It's all there. Our server AJ was as good as they get: charming, kind, warm, friendly, a real professional. The food?- off the hook! I took a chance on the Housemade veggie burger and it was the BEST that I've ever had anywhere-and the bun? Holy cow, whole wheat with some kind of seed sprinkled on top. Beautifully assembled and plated, cut in half, looking like a masterpiece with the avocado sliced in a very artistic fashion. We had the asparagus fries with a special house ranch dip to share, which were just supreme and delicately breaded for a nice crunch. My side dish was a lovely warm sautéed spinach with a little bit of garlic and sitting on a bed of chopped lettuce and maybe some raisins, tasted a bit like a dry coleslaw, but it was off the charts. An ice cold Stella Artois to wash it down. My lunchmates had the PRIME RIB DIP served on a high-quality brioche bun and an ORIGINAL RIBEYE MELT served on grilled parmesan sourdough. Spectacular throughout and scores at least a 10 for ambience, service, and food! A trip to the restroom, which was stunning and a testament to a caring restauranteur. From the moment you enter the door it smells like a high-quality frankincense, and the soap was simply divine. A well appointed clean restroom elevates a restaurant to new Heights and this one went to the heavens. Ding dong, ringing all bells! A terrific experience and we thank you.

    Jim V.

    Outstanding in many ways. San Clemente in itself has a wonderful vibrant downtown shopping core. Parking was easy and the street busseled with strollers, shoppers and merchants all enjoying one of California's best weather days. The restaurant had That feel that everything would be perfect, you know the type of place with crazy prices. Everything was perfect and the menu is ultra aproachable. I found the prices and selection to be great, the wine list is something to behold and might be the main reason to return, most bottles all from reputable wineries were well under a hundred dollars. We opted for hand-helds on this visit trying the hand made veggie burger, a French dip, and an amazing steak sandwich. Sides included a side salad exceptional fries and sautéed spinach, but the parmisian asparagus fries stole the show. Crispy and firm but perfectly cooked, served with ranch show the kitchen doesn't take itself too seriously. We enjoyed that "California Cool" style of service and got everything we desired.

    Chocolate ganache cake
    Tina O.

    Love it here. First time visit. Celebrating a birthday lunch. We made reservations on Open Table. Easy and dependable. Reservations were definitely needed on a Saturday. Nick's hostess called me an hour before to confirm which was comforting. There is street parking which can be challenging as in any coastal community. I believe there is a close by public parking lot. The hostess was very welcoming and sat us right away. A.J. was an awesome waiter. He did not rush us and checked on us regularly and kept our water glasses full. Between the four of us we ordered the spinach and artichoke dip, three fresh Mahi Mahi blackened fish sandwiches. There are many side choices. We had the very yummy crispy fries and the tomatoes with blue cheese - so good. The sandwich and side was a huge portion. I had to eat it deconstructed as it was piled high with blackened fish, coleslaw, tomato, onion rings, fresh micro greens, tartar sauce all on a fresh grilled brioche bun. The sliced prime rib French dip was a home-run. The roll was toasted yet soft. The prime rib tender and flavorful served with Au jus (good enough to eat with a spoon or sip from the bowl). AJ made sure we had plenty of ketchup and ranch for the fries and creamed horseradish for the dip sandwich. My father was given a dreamy chocolate cake and card signed by everyone to celebrate his birthday. The dreamy cake was moist filled with chocolate chips and covered it a to-die-for chocolate ganache. We had an 11:15 reservation and the large restaurant and bar was filled up by noon. There were many celebrations going on around our table. San Clemente is a great coastal town and Nick's is equally as wonderful.

    Center cut filet
    Esther D.

    The food was good but it was so loud and crowded we couldn't have a conversation at our table. I kept getting bumped by people trying to squeeze between tables. There was loud music playing, games on the TV & people talking loud trying to be heard. Our server didn't seem to enjoy her work. It was not the great experience we have at other Nick's. My husband & friend did say their cocktails were very good.

    Halibut Special 7/10
    Vicki A.

    Wow! Met wo-workers for lunch and conversation at Nick's and enjoyed the entire experience. The great - The food was delicious. The drink menu looked legit (but didn't try any) The good - The glass diet coke bottle and the atmosphere was super chill The bad - na The ugly - na There were 4 of us and everyone enjoyed their food immensely. The service was good and the appropriate speed. We didn't feel rushed or forgotten about at any time.

    Burger with these delicious tomatoes, and blue cheese
    MaDonna W.

    It really pays to make a reservation at any of the Bucks locations. Extremely popular on the weekends. We were lucky to get one of the remaining tables at 4:45 on a Saturday. You can always take your chance at the bar, but that also is very crowded. The food is nice. I will say their burgers are one of my favorites. I usually get that every time I come here. And the tomatoes tonight were so fresh with a heaping mound of delicious blue cheese. Everything was so fresh and so delicious. It was very busy however the service was surprisingly quick. Parking is always a challenge. Be prepared to walk just a bit unless you get lucky and find a spot on the street. They do have lots here and there.

    Adele M.

    Had a wonderful lunch today at one of my most favorite restaurants. The food is off the wall awesome. Our server, Brooke took such awesome care of our party of three ladies. Love the interior of the restaurant, you feel like you are dining in the open air. I found the noise level today was a little loud, but they were very crowded. It's always a treat to go to Nick's on Delmar. Make sure you make reservations.

    Menu
    Jan J.

    First time coming here - great spot - a little noisy but sat at bar while waiting for wives- staff was great there and changed over our bill with no issues- sometimes they ask to close it out first before sitting for food. Server was great and kept our Arnold palmers coming - burger was amazing and super filling - like the vibe at the location- bathrooms were very clean and smelled actually very nice

    Blackened Fish Sandwich
    Steven H.

    Had a really solid meal at Nick's San Clemente. I went with the Prime Rib Dip and that was easily the star of the night -- super tender, melt-in-your-mouth prime rib on a soft brioche bun, with a red wine au jus and a nice kick from the horseradish cream. The fries on the side were just okay, but honestly felt like an afterthought next to the sandwich. My partner ordered the Blackened Fish Sandwich and was a big fan -- clean flavors and cooked really well. Drinks were on point too. The Cucumber Collins was crisp and refreshing, and the Espresso Martini had just the right balance. Service was great for most of the meal and our waiter was attentive, but it tapered off at the end. We waited longer than expected to close out, which was a bit of a buzzkill after such a good experience. Overall, really good food and drinks -- just a small stumble at the finish line.

    Spinach dip
    Mary Elaine C.

    Service was amazing We went for a family gathering We had a variety of entrees and they were all very good.

    Warm Butter Cake
    Melika J.

    Great service, and even better food! The staff is knowledge about the menu items and all have a pleasant and upbeat attitude. Never had to ask for a water refill or anything of the sorts cause they were already on it. We started with the tuna crunch and asparagus fries which were both fresh and delicious. Then we had the steak with salad along with the chicken sandwich and rigatoni. And my favorite part would have to be their butter cake and sundae, I remember every bite! The ambiance was great for a date night out or a family dinner, with dim lights and modern decor.

    Cioppino
    Jonathan R.

    We had dinner with some friends at Nick's in San Clemente and the food and service were both outstanding! I had the top sirloin with the baked potato and it was amazing. My wife had the Sea bass and our friends had the salmon and cioppino and they were all delicious.

    Fish sandwich.
    Ken G.

    Ho Ho Ho! The wife and I came here for Xmas Eve dinner this year since we are staying local. Had a reservation and we were seated right away. The place was hopping! Everyone was in the Christmas spirit! We eaten here before and were seated in the bar area which was nicer than the main dining room. Food came out fast, hot and yummy! Dessert was to die for! The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars might sound petty but when we asked for boxes for our leftovers, they were brought to our table quickly. My petty issue is that the couple next to us did the same thing, but our server packed and bagged it for them. We had to do it ourselves. Petty, maybe. But are we less of a customer than anyone else?

    Kale and Quinoa Salad

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    7 months ago

    Great afternoon with Brent at the bar. Good food and drinks. The creamy French onion soup was a game changer.

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    Cool atmosphere. Food was meh. Abysmal beer list. Decent wine list. Service was excellent.

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    1 month ago

    Bbq beef ribs ste not listed on the posted menu. Im not sure why they say they have it on yelp when they don't

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    4 months ago

    This is my go to place when I want a nice hot French dip and a warm hot butter cake to finish the night.

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    2 months ago

    Kale salad was delicious! I had the chicken added to it. Friend had the avocado added to hers.

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    Page 2 of 61

    Nick's San Clemente Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nick's San Clemente

    Is there a breakfast menu?

    Nick's does not offer breakfast.

    Is there a kids menu?

    We happily offer a verbally featured kid's menu. Please contact us at 949-481-2200 or hello@nicksrestaurants.com for the current offerings.

    How long has Nick's been in San Clemente?

    Since January, 2010

    Can we order dinner at 3:30 or just lunch?

    Many of the same entrees and appetizers are on the lunch menu as the dinner menu. Recommend calling the restaurant to confirm.

    Are dogs allowed?

    They unfortunately do not allow dogs, unless a certified Service dog.

    Do they serve breakfast?

    No lunch and dinner only

    Do you still have chicken pot pies?

    Yes I was just there and they had it.

    Do you have a gluten-free breads? Maybe for your veggie burger or sandwiches? Thank you?

    i know you can get burgers lettuce wrapped but i don't think they have gluten free breads. you could always call

    What is the parking situation at Nicks?

    Currently it is touch and go. With outdoor seating on Del Mar, you will probably have to cruise the block a couple of times. Something usually opens up. But there is parking right out front. No seats in the street here.

    Can I bring my baby in the stroller or just bring the car seat in and set it in the booth?

    Yes. There is room for strollers in the outside area

    What's the corkage fee?

    $15

    Do the have Happy hour?

    No, they don't.

    Anyone know if they allow you to call first to put name on wait list before heading down there?

    Yes, it is better to call them first. Strongly recommend to call them first to go down there.

    How about watching any NFL games on Sundays ? I don't see any TVs in any of the postings with pictures?

    They have two TVs in bar area but they are super small. South of Nicks has two bigger TVs

    Obviously dining in is ideal.. such a gorgeous atmosphere, but do they do take out? Babysitting this weekend and hoping to bring home a delicious meal!

    Hi. From what I know, they do not do take out on weekends, however; you might be able to stop by nicks and order something to go but not sure if you can call it in beforehand.… Read more

    Are they dog friendly?

    We love our furry friends at Nick's. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets in our dining areas.

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    We love our furry friends at Nick’s! Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets in our dining areas or patios.

    View All 24 Questions

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    Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen

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    Wonderful place post hiking. It's casual and has great quality food and service!…read more Our waitress was so kind! I wish I got her name for this post. Thanks for taking care of us! And hats off to the chef.

    I'd give it 3.5 stars, maybe on a different night it would have rounded up. Service was pretty…read moresparse so I rounded down. Every time a server came over we had to flag someone down. We sat for probably 10 minutes before anyone greeted us, it was 3:30pm so it wasn't very busy, maybe 3-4 other tables. Every time someone came after that we had to wave someone down for water refills, never asked anyone if we wanted more drinks from the bar, nothing. Had my father in law asked for more ice tea and they never even started a new pitcher in 15 minutes. It was not busy. The place had a to of gluten free options which is a reason I wanted to try it. My server had no idea what gluten was. For a place that had half the menu marked as gluten free I was really surprised she really had no knowledge of the menu, but she was nice enough to go ask some questions when i pressed a bit that I wasn't vegan, and it was like an allergy. The food was good, portions were large enough and everything was pretty good as far as the food. Not sure why the service was so incredibly patchy and absent when we ate at 3:30 and the place was 2/3 empty. It was pretty good, I may try again but for the price point I think the service can be a little better. Nice...but slow. Definitely need more training on the menu! Mid. Not bad. Not great.

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    Burger (with wedge fries)
    Burger (with wedge fries)
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    The Riders Club Cafe

    The Riders Club Cafe

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    These are the best burgers I've ever had. Everything I could ask for in a burger, and they do it…read moreright, every time. The variety of toppings is also plentiful and perfect to build the burger of your dreams. The best thing though, hands down, their waffle cut sweet potato fries paired with their house ranch. I can't recommend them enough. I love that they both always taste fresh and delicious. I would include a photo, but every time I order them, they are gone in a flash. Service is done with a smile and a friendly energy. As far as ambiance, I'd say it's like a casual beachside kinda joint. (in my opinion anyway, ofc) I've been a loyal diner here for the last 10 years, and I'll keep coming back.

    The Riders Club Cafe is a convenient spot to refuel without feeling rushed. It's much more casual…read morethan a dining restaurant. We were not particularly hungry so we all had our chili hot dog and one kid's meal. My husband had the single cheeseburger. Seriously, the chili hot dog is amazing! It is a must-try item on the menu. The chili was delicious with a perfectly cooked beef hot dog. The sized portion was great too. I also recommend the Rice Crispy Treat and homemade chocolate pudding. They were super good. They've got indoor and also great outdoor seating depending on what is available or your preference. There is also a heater installed on the patio to make the outdoor dining comfortable. However, coastal evenings can turn chilly even in summer so bring a warm jacket or sweater. This will be very helpful to make a significant difference in your comfort.

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    Front counter and grill
    Front counter and grill
    Two Hot Dogs Meal and Fries
    Two Hot Dogs Meal and Fries
    Outside signage.

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    Outside signage.
    Hapa J's

    Hapa J's

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    Was in town for a wedding and decided to give this place a try…read more If I could give more stars I would. Delicious! I've never had a Spam tempura and now that's all I want from now on! The bar area was cute and TV's playing sports games. We were seated quick, our food came just as quick and left with full happy bellies. Will comeback when craving a Spam Musubi and in the area!

    Went here for date night last week- it has a lot more seating inside than I had expected!…read more Good service- 5/5 The ambience - 3.5/5 - the ambience wasn't my favorite, maybe it's a little better in their main restaurant area but we were seated to the left when you walk in and while there are a few booths in that area it was mostly outdoor chairs and tables and sort of odd lighting. Just very very casual and not totally comfortable. Food- 3.4/4 out of 5 - I got the Luau plate and LOVED the chicken!! Everyone else was right- that chicken thigh deserves its own plate. I also really enjoyed the coconut pudding/jello thing that came with it and the sausage link. The pulled pork was just okay, not very well seasoned but not bad. The side of "dressed greens" was just some lettuce without dressing on it, and I thought the macaroni salad was fine. The last thing that really disappointed me were the sautéed veggies :/ they were just soo oily and had no seasoning to them at all. I didn't eat any of them or the un-dressed 'salad'. My husband got the chicken katsu plate, he said the chicken katsu was fine but the fries on the side were cold and not crispy, they were kind of chalky in the mouth and didn't taste fresh. Some parts were definitely a 3/5 but my chicken thigh was so good and the portions are *huge* so I feel like they deserve a 4/5? All in all, I think I'd come back if I wanted to go out with someone but save some money and we'd split one of the plates (the portions really are huge).

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    DA BIG MIXED PLATE
    DA BIG MIXED PLATE
    Feeling the Aloha at Hapa J's
    Feeling the Aloha at Hapa J's
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    SC Cafe

    SC Cafe

    4.5
    (398 reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    You sit down hungry, leave full, and consider becoming a regular…read more This is a family owned diner in the truest sense, meaning: The coffee cups are all different, like you're drinking out of a cabinet curated by three generations and one aunt who collects mugs from roadside attractions. Immediately comforting. Felt chosen by the mug--mine was a Hersheys s'mores cup :) My date (who is aight... possibly good... TBD... also over a foot taller than me) confidently interjected when I was reviewing the menu for the nth time: "Anything with the ranchero sauce really good." This comment completely derailed my order decision-making process, but in a way that felt supportive, if not academically rigorous, maybe even data driven. So I ordered something with ranchero sauce. I asked if they had spicy tanchero sauce bc my dish came with mild ranchero sauce, our server with kind eyes asks me "you want salsas on the sides?" I heard angels singing, the clouds parted to let the sun through. I LOVE SALSAS Then he says these magical words "the salsas' spice levels kind of vary daily, depends on the day" :') THEY MAKE SALSAS IN HOUSE?!!! The food is honest. The salsa is abundant. The coffee is good as you try to spy what other c cups are of Would return. Would trust the ranchero sauce again. Would possibly bring the tall man back, height difference not-withstand :) ok. High likelihood

    S.C CAFE @ SAN CLEMENTE…read more Parking can be a little difficult since they only have a very small parking lot with maybe four or five spots available, so most people will probably end up parking on the street. My boyfriend and I got lucky and managed to grab a spot after driving by for a bit. I was really excited to try this place because I love small breakfast diners, and I usually go to Surfin Donuts right across the street, which has some of the best donuts. We came here on a Saturday morning around 10 AM, and the place was busy but still really cozy. There are only a couple tables inside along with some outdoor seating, but luckily we were able to get seated right away without a wait. The staff were also extremely friendly and welcoming. I ordered the biscuits and gravy with two eggs and sausage, while my boyfriend got an omelet with a Mexican-style sauce. Overall, I liked the food, but I do think the biscuits and gravy could've been a little better. The gravy itself was delicious, and the eggs were cooked perfectly, but the biscuits felt a little too dry for my liking. I also thought the sausages were pretty dry and maybe a bit overcooked. The potatoes though were super flavorful and definitely one of my favorite parts of the meal. What really stood out to me was the ambiance. The whole place feels super nostalgic and homey. They even bring out an actual paper check at the end, which made it feel like stepping back into an old-school diner from decades ago. Overall, I'd definitely come back because I loved the atmosphere so much, but next time I'd probably try something sweeter instead of going the savory route.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Gabi burrito
    Gabi burrito
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    Brussels Bistro

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    4.4
    (476 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    Always a pleasure coming to eat here. Adele always remembers her customers and treats them well…read more She is on top of the guest list so make sure you make a reservation in advance for the best dining experience. We were able to sit near the big open area and my son had a great time eating and watching people walk by. Amazing food and service every single time.

    Came on a weekend afternoon. Was able to find street parking a block away pretty quickly. Street…read moreparking was not metered and free on Avenida Del Mar. Place was not busy when we arrived. They had a few tables. They originally wanted to seat us inside, but we requested the open window seat. Our waiter tried to sell us wine when we sat down. We ordered the Creamy Chicken with Ratatouille for $29 and Steak Frites with red wine sauce for $34. The Creamy Chicken was really good and fun to eat with the puff pastry. The Ratatouille was alright, we were not a fan. We got the Steak Frites medium and felt like it should've tasted better. We did appreciate that we did taste the red wine. The Belgians fries were hot and crispy. They were quite generous with the salt. The decor was nice. The food was descent. The kept refilling our water without us asking which was nice. We did not like that the waiters kept rushing us to leave at the end when there were plenty of open tables. The place was packed by dinner time when we returned to the area.

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    Inside decor
    Inside decor
    Lettuce wrapped burger
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    Nick's San Clemente - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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