Best of San Clemente
Dining, Drinks, & Restaurants 2022
Top Restaurants
San Clemente’s 2022 restaurant and dining award winners have been unveiled, celebrating the best in culinary excellence and hospitality.
From fine dining establishments to cozy cafes, the winners have been recognized for their exceptional cuisine, exceptional service, and outstanding atmosphere. These restaurants have demonstrated a commitment to elevating San Clemente’s dining experience.
Congratulations to all the 2022 winners & nominees!
Best Overall Restaurant
GOLDNick’s San Clemente ★ 11 MEDALS
213 Avenida Del Mar, 949.482.2200, nicksrestaurants.com/nicks-san-clemente
SILVERVine Restaurant & Bar ★ 5 MEDALS
211 N. El Camino Real, 949.361.2079, vinesanclemente.com
Best New Restaurant
GOLDRiviera Restaurant
2600 Avenida Del Presidente, 949.503.2222, rivierasc.com
SILVERLos Molinos Beer
151 Calle de los Molinos, losmolinosbeer.com
Best Family Restaurant
GOLDSonny’s Pizza & Pasta ★ 6 MEDALS
429 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.2540, sonnys.com
SILVERThe Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar ★ 1 MEDAL
611 Avenida Victoria, 949.498.6390
Best Menu for Healthy Choices
GOLDActive Culture Natural Foods Café & Yogurt ★ 9 Medals
111 S. El Camino Real, 949.276.4625, activeculturecafe.com
SILVERAntoine’s Café ★ 1 Medal
218 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1763, antoinescafe.com
Best Restaurant for Vegan Options
GOLDActive Culture Natural Foods Café & Yogurt ★ 4 Medals
111 S. El Camino Real, 949.276.4625, activeculturecafe.com
SILVERJ’Adore Café ★ 3 Medals
165 Avenida Del Mar, 949.212.6517, jadorecalifornia.com
Best Restaurant - Date/Romantic Evening
GOLDVine Restaurant & Bar ★ 13 Medals
211 N. El Camino Real, 949.361.2079, vinesanclemente.com
SILVERNick’s San Clemente ★ 9 Medals
213 Avenida Del Mar, 949.482.2200, nicksrestaurants.com/nicks-san-clemente
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining
GOLDThe Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar ★ 9 Medals
611 Avenida Victoria, 949.498.6390
SILVERNomads Canteen ★ 7 Medals
102 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.481.4153, stayatnomads.com
Best Sushi
GOLD9 Style Sushi ★ 14 Medals
429 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.2540, sonnys.com
SILVERFull Moon Sushi ★ 1 Medals
647 Camino De Los Mares, 949.489-1360
Best Poke
GOLDPoke Tiki
979 Avenida Pico, Suite F, 949.545.6833, poketiki.com
SILVERNomads Canteen
102 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.481.4153, stayatnomads.com
Best Chinese Food
GOLDNew Mandarin Garden
111 W. Avenida Palizada, 949.492.7432, oldtownsanclemente.com/mandarinmenu
SILVERChina Bros
979 Avenida Pico, 949.312.2955, chinabrosfooddelivery.com
Best International Eats
GOLDMongkut Thai Restaurant ★ 15 Medals
212 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3871, mongkutthaisc.com
SILVERVillage Mediterranean Rim ★ 5 Medals
123 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.8970, villagemedrim.com
Best Thai Food
GOLDMongkut Thai Restaurant
212 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3871, mongkutthaisc.com
SILVERThai Palace
1021 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, 949.369.1819, thaipalacesc.net
Best Mexican Food
GOLDSouth of Nick’s
110 N. El Camino Real, 949.481.4545, nicksrestaurants.com/south-of-nicks
SILVERSol Agave
111 Avenida Del Mar, 949.312.2210,
solagave.com/san-clemente
Best Pizza
GOLDPizza Port ★ 10 Medals
301 N. El Camino Real, 949.940.0005, pizzaport.com
SILVERCassano’s ★ 2 Medals
818 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.7611, cassanos.net
Best Spot for Take-Out Food
GOLDGuicho’s Eatery ★ 6 Medals
1110 S. El Camino Real, 949.481.1070
440 Camino De Estrella, 949.248.1910, guichos.com
SILVERPedro’s Tacos ★ 4 Medals
550 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.5908
2313 S. El Camino Real, 949.498.5904, pedrostacos.com
By of Dishes, Delights, and Drinks
Indulge in the ultimate culinary experience at San Clemente's top eateries and bars. From savory seafood to craft cocktails, this is dining done right. Explore the best of 2022 dishes, delights, and drinks.
Pictured - Nomad’s Canteen
Best Lunch Spot
GOLDAntoine’s Café ★ 4 Medals
218 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1763, antoinescafe.com
SILVERNick’s San Clemente (Tie) ★ 2 MEDALS
213 Avenida Del Mar, 949.482.2200, nicksrestaurants.com/nicks-san-clemente
Silver Board & Brew (Tie) ★ 5 MEDALS
979 Avenida Pico, 949.498.2739, boardandbrew.com
Best Appetizers
GOLDNick’s San Clemente ★ 12 Medals
213 Avenida Del Mar, 949.482.2200, nicksrestaurants.com/nicks-san-clemente
SILVERThe Cellar ★ 8 Medals
156 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3663, thecellarsite.com
Best Breakfast
GOLDAntoine’s Café ★ 17 Medals
218 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1763, antoinescafe.com
SILVERS.C. Café ★ 9 Medals
1810 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.0626, facebook.com/sanclementecafe
Best Breakfast Burrito
GOLDAntoine’s Café ★ 1 Medal
218 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1763, antoinescafe.com
SILVERSancho’s Tacos ★ 1 MEDAL
1101 S. El Camino Real, 949.218.0488, sanchostacos.com
Best Bagel
GOLDThe Bagel Shack ★ 15 Medals
777 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0745, thebagelshack.com
SILVERAntoine’s Café ★ 7 Medals
218 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1763, antoinescafe.com
Best Brunch
GOLDAntoine’s Café ★ 4 Medals
218 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1763, antoinescafe.com
SILVERCafé Mimosa ★ 4 Medals
243 Avenida Del Mar, 949.481.6780, cafemimosasc.net
Best Burger
GOLDThe Riders Club Café ★ 13 Medals
1701 N. El Camino Real, 949.388.3758, ridersclubcafe.com
SILVERBiggie’s Great Burgers & Shakes ★ 11 Medals
1017 S. El Camino Real, 929.492.9182, biggiesburgers.com
Best Chef
GOLDChris Kartchner at The Cellar
156 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3663, thecellarsite.com
SILVERRayne Frey at MRK Public
1402 S. El Camino Real, 949.441.7621, mrkpublic.com
Best Cup of Coffee or Tea
GOLDBear Coast Coffee ★ 7 Medals
618 1/2 Avenida Victoria, 949.482.0618, bearcoastcoffee.com
SILVERZebra House Coffee ★ 11 Medals
1001 S. El Camino Real, 949.218.6976, zebrahousecoffee.com
Best Donut
GOLDSurfin' Donuts Coffee House ★ 16 Medals
1822 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.1249
SILVERRose Donuts & Café ★ 6 Medals
624 Camino de los Mares, 949.493.9200
Best Sandwich
GOLDBoard & Brew ★ 13 Medals
979 Avenida Pico, 949.498.2739, boardandbrew.com
SILVERBilly’s Meats, Seafood & Deli ★ 16 Medals
111 Avenida Del Mar, 949.498.5924, billyssanclemente.com
Best Taco
GOLDSancho’s Tacos ★ 6 Medals
1101 S. El Camino Real, 949.218.0488, sanchostacos.com
SILVERAvila’s El Ranchito ★ 4 Medals
204 Avenida Del Mar, 949.498.5000, avilaselranchito.com/san-clemente
Best Salsa
GOLDSouth of Nick’s ★ 4 Medals
110 N. El Camino Real, 949.481.4545, nicksrestaurants.com/south-of-nicks
SILVERRose Donuts & Café ★ 6 Medals
624 Camino de los Mares, 949.493.9200
Best Spot to Cure a Sweet Tooth
GOLDLucky Dog Gelato ★ 2 Medals
1010 S. El Camino Real, 949.545.7147, luckydoggelato.com
SILVERSouth Swell Hand-Dipped Ice Cream ★ 6 Medals
137 Avenida Del Mar, 949.388.4984, southswellicecream.com
Best of Bars, Drinks, Beer, and Wine
Cheers to the 2022 Best of Award Winners in San Clemente's Bars, Drinks, Beer, and Wine scene! Discover the top-notch establishments and taste the finest libations in town.
Pictured - Asada Cantina + Kitchen
Best Bar
GOLDRed Fox Lounge ★ 10 Medals
220 S. El Camino Real, 949.492.3403, facebook.com/therfl
SILVERJane ★ 1 MEDAL
158 Avenida Del Mar, 949.388.3051, bar-jane.com
Best Sports Bar
GOLDDaily's Sports Grill ★ 3 Medals
204 S. El Camino Real, 949.522.9010, dailyssportsgrill.org
SILVEROCTavern ★ 7 Medals
2369 S. El Camino Real, 949.542.8877, octavern.com
Best Happy Hour
GOLDThe Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar ★ 17 Medals
611 Avenida Victoria, 949.498.6390, thefishermansrestaurantsanclemente.com
SILVERThe Cellar ★ 8 Medals
156 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3663, thecellarsite.com
Best Margarita
GOLDSouth of Nick's ★ 1 Medal
110 N. El Camino Real, 949.481.4545, nicksrestaurants.com/south-of-nicks
SILVERSol Agave ★ 1 Medal
111 Avenida Del Mar, 949.312.2210,
solagave.com/san-clemente
Best Brewing Company
GOLDLos Molinos Beer ★ 1 Medal
151 Calle de los Molinos, losmolinosbeer.com
SILVERArtifex Brewing Company ★ 5 Medals
919 Calle Amanecer, Suite A, 949.429.7805;
98 Avenida Del Mar, 949.218.1452, artifex.beer
Best Beer Selection
GOLDLos Molinos Beer ★ 1 Medal
151 Calle de los Molinos, losmolinosbeer.com
SILVERLost Winds Brewing Company ★ 3 Medals
924 Calle Negocio, Suite C, 949.361.5922
lostwindsbrewing.com
Best Wine Selection
GOLDThe Cellar ★ 14 Medals
156 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3663, thecellarsite.com
SILVERRancho Capistrano Winery San Clemente ★ 1 Medal
124 Avenida Del Mar, 949.276.2197, ranchocapwinery.com
Best Bartender
GOLD - Winner Spotlight, Read MoreConnor Danaher at Vine Restaurant & Bar ★ 1 Medal
211 N. El Camino Real, 949.361.2079, vinesanclemente.com
SILVERJessica Kavanagh at Big Helyn’s Saloon ★ 1 Medal
3317 S. El Camino Real, 949.498.6280