San Clemente's dining is clustered around Avenida Del Mar, the pier and, increasingly, North Beach. New places are marked, every entry links to its source, and “new” means opened within about the last year. This is not a ranking, and no restaurant has paid to appear.
Avenida Del Mar and downtown
- Zov's (Avenida Del Mar, downtown) — California-Mediterranean. New. The first San Clemente location of a family-run restaurant group founded in 1987, with a coastal, indoor-outdoor dining room. Opened in 2026. Map Source: Orange County Business Journal, August 2026
- Broken Yolk Café (201 Avenida Del Mar) — Breakfast and brunch. Coming soon. A breakfast chain taking over the former H.H. Cotton's space downtown. Targeted for late 2026, possibly early 2027. Map Source: Broken Yolk Café announcement, June 23, 2026
- Nick's San Clemente (213 Avenida Del Mar) — American comfort food. Classic American comfort food, bar snacks and an extensive wine list in an upscale-casual room. Downtown regular. Map Source: OpenTable listing
- Cafe Mimosa (Avenida Del Mar) — Brunch and French bistro. A brunch favorite known for smoked paprika eggs Benedict, croissant French toast and flavored mimosas, with bistro dinners too. Downtown regular. Map Source: Roadtrippers listing
The pier and Pier Bowl
- Hook & Cook (Near the end of the San Clemente Pier) — Seafood, snacks and bait and tackle. Coming soon. A new pier concession serving lobster rolls, tacos, acai bowls and fish and chips, with bait and tackle for sale. The owners also run The Picnic Café on Del Mar. Owners hoped to open around late June or July; confirm status. Map Source: Orange County Register, May 26, 2026
- The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar (611 Avenida Victoria) — Seafood. Outdoor seafood dining on the pier above the surf, a local institution that has won dozens of Best of San Clemente awards. Operating since 1981. Map Source: San Clemente Times, Best of San Clemente
- South of Nick's (Pier Bowl area) — Mexican kitchen and bar. A Mexican kitchen and bar from the Nick's team, listed alongside it. Sister to Nick's. Map Source: OpenTable listing
North Beach and El Camino Real
- Miramar Food Hall (1720 N. El Camino Real) — Food hall with 15 vendors and two bars. New. A food hall in the restored 1946 bowling center, with vendors such as Cosmos Burger, El Puerto Street Tacos, Graciously Thai, Lobster Lab and MOTO Pizza. Food vendors are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Opened June 18, 2026. Map Source: San Clemente Times, June 18, 2026
- Sonny's Pizza & Pasta (429 N El Camino Real) — Pizza and pasta. A family-run pizza and pasta spot known for thin-crust pizza and lasagna. Family-operated favorite. Map Source: Wanderlog listing
More to explore
See the everyday guide to where to eat in San Clemente and the local news page for what the city is working on.
Keep exploring
- San Clemente Local News: Beaches, Measure M, the Pier and What Is Opening — A short, sourced look at the San Clemente stories that touch homes, beaches and downtown, checked October 11, 2026.
- Where to Eat in San Clemente — Downtown and Pier Bowl favorites, from casual pizza to seafood and upscale American.
- San Clemente Neighborhoods: From the Pier Bowl to Talega — Seven ways to live in San Clemente, from walkable streets near the pier to planned communities with parks and trails.
- San Clemente Home Values by Price Tier and ZIP Code — What entry-level, typical and upper-tier homes cost in San Clemente, how homes are closing against asking price, and this week’s...
Restaurant details change. Hours, menus and opening dates are as reported on the linked page, so confirm with the restaurant before you go. We have no business relationship with any restaurant listed and receive nothing for including it. Last checked October 11, 2026.