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15 Best Restaurants in Laguna Beach, CA

Travel Lens

Oct 8, 2022 • 12 min read

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Laguna Beach is the seaside destination of choice in Orange County, California.

Laguna Beach was officially founded in 1887.

Since then, this coastal area has developed into a seaside resort city, a recreational hotspot, and a melting pot of various cuisines.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city's total area is 9.8 square miles.

It boasts a long coastline made up of 27 beaches and coves.

Laguna Beach is known for its scenic views, sunny weather, gorgeous beaches, and an impressive selection of restaurants.

Some restaurants offer outdoor seating, allowing guests to take in the beauty of Laguna Beach.

Enjoy fresh seafood, international food choices, and many more at Laguna Beach.

If you like to party, Laguna Beach has restaurants with in-house bartenders that will mix your drink of choice.

You can find some restaurants with happy hour promos below to get a better deal.

Here are the best restaurants in Laguna Beach:

Nick's Laguna Beach

Nick's Laguna Beach is part of a restaurant chain called Nick's Restaurants, which has nine locations across America.

Nick's Laguna Beach is on South Coast Highway.

Established in 2008, this chain of restaurants serves high-quality American comfort food.

Try their Chilean Sea Bass and Prime Rib. For dessert, try their butter cake.

Come to Nick's Laguna Beach to enjoy classic Californian cuisine and excellent customer service.

The Deck

The Deck is a beachside restaurant that serves fresh seafood dishes and a wide variety of cocktails.

You can find it within Pacific Edge Hotel, along Sleepy Hollow Lane.

Order their signature Cioppino and Capellini dishes to satisfy your seafood cravings at the Deck.

Try out their Ahi Tuna and Salmon Poke starters if you're craving fresh seafood.

Close out your meal by sipping one of their cocktails while gazing at the sunset.

Visit the Deck at Laguna Beach if you love eating seafood with a drink of your choice.

The Cliff Restaurant

The Cliff Restaurant is an outdoor restaurant serving American cuisine, focusing on fresh seafood dishes.

The Cliff Restaurant is located on S Coast Highway.

This restaurant provides guests with a great view of the coast, which enhances the dining experience.

Order their coconut shrimp and chile Relleno if you get a chance to dine at The Cliff.

They are also famous for their Mahi-Mahi tacos and their calamari steak.

Stop by the Cliff Restaurant to enjoy top-of-the-line seafood with a great view of Laguna Beach.

Las Brisas

Las Brisas is one of the more well-known Mexican Restaurants along Laguna beach.

You can find Las Brisas at Cliff Drive.

If you want a place to have brunch, this is the perfect place.

Las Brisas offers a breakfast buffet for guests to enjoy.

Aside from its breakfast buffet, Las Brisas is famous for its enchiladas and ceviche.

Book a reservation at Las Brisas if you're in the mood for Mexican food in Laguna Beach.

Driftwood Kitchen

Driftwood Kitchen is an American-style restaurant where you can order breakfast food and surf & turf dishes.

You can visit Driftwood Kitchen along Sleepy Hollow Lane.

Driftwood Kitchen sits by the ocean, giving you access to scenic views while you dig into your meal.

They also give you an option for balcony seating.

If you dine at Driftwood Kitchen, order some of their best-selling items, like steak and eggs.

It is also a popular brunch spot in Laguna Beach.

They offer egg dishes such as omelets, french toast, and eggs benedict.

Head to Driftwood Kitchen if you are looking for a great brunch spot in Laguna Beach.

Skyloft Laguna Beach

Skyloft Laguna Beach is one of the fancier restaurants on this list.

It is a restaurant where you can enjoy American-style cuisine while looking at the Laguna Beach coastline.

Skyloft Laguna beach can be found along S Coast Highway.

Their recommended dishes include beef brisket and seafood dishes.

Their calamari is a trendy item amongst their guests.

The restaurant has a nice ambiance due to the live band performances in the restaurant.

When the sun is about to set, grab your camera and take a photo of the scenic view.

The staff will even provide blankets for guests upon request if the weather gets a bit too cold.

Book a table at Skyloft Laguna Beach if you plan a more formal dinner with your friends and loved ones.

Sapphire

Sapphire is an al fresco-style restaurant that serves American cuisine.

Sapphire is situated on S Coast Highway.

This restaurant is famous for its decor.

Their furniture is all wooden, which gives the location a homey and rustic feel.

They offer patio seating shaded by the area's umbrellas and palm trees.

When you're dining in at Sapphire, get their schnitzel and halibut.

If you are in the mood for treating yourself, you can order their Wagyu beef burger and chicken confit.

Grab a meal at Sapphire if you want to eat some classic American food while feeling like you're having a picnic with your loved ones.

Avila's El Ranchito - Laguna Beach

Avila's El Ranchito is a family-owned restaurant that offers Mexican food and refreshments.

Avila's El Ranchito is along S Orange Street.

This restaurant is famous for its picturesque location.

The restaurant is housed within a former church converted into a restaurant.

Tourists often enjoy taking photos with the stained glass windows that permeate the building.

Avila's El Ranchito offers homestyle dishes such as chicken soup and avocado tacos.

Make sure to try their best-selling shrimp in garlic sauce.

Take a drive to Avila's El Ranchito for great Mexican food with beautiful patio seating.

Mozambique

Mozambique is the restaurant of choice if you are craving some South African food.

Get a taste of South African food on S Coast Highway.

You will hear the parrots and toucans living in the restaurant as soon as you enter.

When choosing a meal set, you can dine indoors or al fresco on their rooftop.

Take this opportunity to try their peri-peri chicken and Chilean sea bass.

Live reggae bands regularly play in the restaurant.

Have a livelier evening by ordering some cocktails from their in-house bar.

Choose Mozambique if you have never tried South African cuisine.

La Sirena Grill

La Sirena Grill is another family-owned Mexican restaurant in Laguna beach.

Go dine in at La Sirena Grill at Coast Highway.

They pride themselves on using organic ingredients in their dishes.

All meat items on their menu come from organic sources.

Try their wide selection of tacos, which can come in salmon, calamari, carnitas, and beef.

Order their burritos and blackened fish if you want something more filling.

La Sirena Grill is a must-visit if you love trying different craft beers.

They have a rotating selection of craft beer you can try and multiple margaritas.

For those looking for authentic Mexican food and great drinks, stop by La Sirena Grill.

Coyote Grill - Laguna Beach

Coyote Grill's Laguna Beach is another option if you are in the mood for Mexican food.

Visit Coyote Grill - Laguna Beach on Coast Highway.

Coyote Grill is known for their weekend breakfast offerings.

They also provide outdoor seating so you can take in the ocean breeze.

Regarding food, order their calamari and fish tacos to start your meal.

You can order their coconut shrimp and lobster dishes for your main course.

Coyote Grill offers a Happy Hour promo for their margaritas.

Treat yourself while dining in one of their outdoor patios.

Splashes Restaurant

Splashes Restaurant is one more American-style restaurant you can visit when visiting Laguna beach.

It is within the Surf & Sand Resort along S Coast Highway.

Enjoy fresh seafood such as their scallops and lobster bisque.

For those with a sweet tooth, order their caramelized banana french toast and creme brulee.

Splashes allow you to dine inside their restaurant or outdoors, either inside their patios or at one of the tables just by the oceanside.

Make your way to Splashes Restaurant to eat fresh American-style seafood by the ocean.

Starfish - Laguna Beach

Starfish serves Asian food and cocktails.

Make a trip to Starfish - Laguna Beach at S Coast Highway.

Starfish is famous for its wide array of drink choices.

Order their cocktails during happy hour to get the most bang for your buck.

Try their signature martini, too.

To fill your stomach, Starfish has many options.

Order their coconut rice, lobster roll, and beef sliders to get your fill.

Try their Mahi Mahi Hot Fish and Drunken noodles with shrimp if you get the chance.

Make time for Starfish - Laguna Beach if you are in the mood for Asian food and a fun night out with your friends.

Carmelita's

Carmelita's serves modern Mexican food paired with refreshing margaritas.

You can visit Carmelita's on Broadway Street.

They have a wide variety of Mexican dishes to choose from.

Carmelita's is famous for its chips, served with its signature black bean dip and salsa.

For your appetizer, order their queso fundido.

For entrees, you opt for their lobster chili Rellenos, BBQ ribs, spinach enchiladas, or their crab-stuffed jalapenos.

Go to Carmelita's for great Mexican food and easy access to the beach.

C'est La Vie

C'est La Vie doubles as both a cafe and a bakery.

The cafe and bakery are both along S Coast Highway.

C’est La Vie specializes in French cuisine.

You can visit their bakery to get classic French pastries such as croissants and baguettes.

Their cafe serves entrees including French onion soup and eggs benedict.

You can order their Fettuccine seafood pasta or Monte Cristo Sandwich for heftier options.

C'est La Vie offers signature cronuts and macaroons for dessert.

Make your way to C'est La Vie to enjoy freshly baked French bread by the ocean.

Final Thoughts

You must visit Laguna Beach if you love sunny weather, the cool ocean breeze, and mouth-watering seafood.

Broaden your tastes by trying out different cuisines along Laguna Beach, like Mexican, French, South African, and Asian cuisine, to name a few.

Read this list of the best restaurants in Laguna Beach to help you plan your food itinerary!

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