From cliffside cocktails to beachfront brunches, dining in Laguna Beach is as much
about the view as it is about the food. This guide takes you to the heart of coastal dining, where restaurants serve everything from lobster clubs and filet mignon fajitas to strawberry pancakes and butternut squash ravioli.
Whether you're watching the surf roll in from a patio at Splashes, sipping a lychee mojito at Sapphire, or indulging in French pastries by Main Beach, each spot blends scenic beauty with memorable flavors. Find where locals eat, where travelers linger, and where the food rivals the sunset.
Highlights |
| Sapphire - Laguna Beach |
| Las Brisas |
| Splashes |
| The Beachcomber Cafe |
| C'est La Vie |
| South of Nick's |
| Harvest at the Ranch |
| The Promenade on Forest |
| Brussels Bistro |
| Alessa |
| 230 Forest Avenue |
Sapphire - Laguna Beach
Although this restaurant is not right on the sand, it has a great ocean view across the Pacific Coast Highway. The large porch seating area features numerous tables with stunning views.
Sit back and enjoy a delicious meal for lunch or dinner. On weekends, you can also enjoy their brunch menu.
We happened to visit in between lunch and dinner on a Friday. They have a 
reduced menu for that period. Although the menu was short, all the items were good choices. We tried Mama's Fish Tacos and the Kobe Beef Havarti Cheeseburger - both were tasty and filling.
The drinks were excellent, too. We tried the Sapphire Squeeze, Lychee Mojito, and The Perfect Storm.
This place is also an excellent spot to study or work while enjoying the view. They offer good free Wi-Fi.
Parking is available behind the restaurant in an underground, covered car park. Remember to take a token from the restaurant reception before you leave.
1200 S Coast Hwy #105B, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Las Brisas
From the top of a cliff overlooking the beaches of Laguna, this Mexican/American restaurant offers Mexican Fusion dishes, an ocean breeze, and a grand view. The prices are high, and the place can get overcrowded, but you are here for the view.
One way to enjoy this restaurant is to get the weekend brunch. It is not a 
buffet, but a 4-course prix fixe menu for $45. You can’t go wrong with their tacos, prime rib, and lamb chops for dinner.
During our last visit, we ordered oyster and Salmon tostada for starters. The main courses were Asparagus Omelet and Baked Eggs. We ended our meal with Sorbet and Flan. All the dishes were delicious, and the meal pace was excellent.
After a leisurely meal, you can walk along the cliff in Heisler Park or down to Main Beach. Heisler Park stretches for several blocks, offering commanding ocean views and beaches below. Read more here.
361 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Splashes
This hidden gem is inside the Sand and Surf Resort in Laguna Beach. The restaurant is right on the sand, with indoor and patio seating. Both options afford great views of the ocean and the sounds of surf breaking on the beach.
The food is delightful, too. We enjoy going for breakfast before taking a brisk walk on the beach. We had Strawberry and cream Pancakes and the wild mushroom Benedict during our last visit.
If you don’t prefer those items, they have a wide selection of pastries, omelets, bagels with salmon, fruits, and even steak and eggs.
The resort is a wonderful place to spend a few days exploring Laguna Beach and Orange County, especially during the warm months.
1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
The Beachcomber Cafe
Enjoy delicious creations right on the sand at Crystal Cove State Beach. The location, situated within the historic district and adjacent to 1920s cottages, enhances the ambiance.
As you sit and enjoy your drinks and meal, you will love the view, with many beachgoers, the ocean breeze, and the surf in the distance.
During our last visit, we shared a “Tonga lei for 2” and a huge glass of rum cocktail to share. For starters, we ordered the Tiny Ahi Tacos and the Artichoke Dip.
Find your Laguna Beach Adventure here.
Our main courses were the Maine Lobster Club, Ahi Ahi Tacos, and a Tuna Melt. I especially enjoyed my Lobster Club. For dessert, we shared Beignets and bread pudding.
Please note that parking is not available near the café. You must park across the street at the State Park parking lot (Los Trancos Parking lot). You can take a beautiful hike down to the beach or ride the shuttle for $1.50 per person.
15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657
C'est La Vie
A French restaurant right at Main Beach in Laguna. Sitting on the porch, listening to the surf while sipping coffee and enjoying French pastries, is a lovely way to start our morning. The restaurant also serves a full breakfast and brunch. They have a selection of Crepes and Omelets.
This place is a bakery and a full-service restaurant. Passers-by on Pacific Coast Highway stop to order croissants, macaroons, or French doughnuts filled with custard. But if you stop for dinner, you can order specialties like Grilled Riviera Octopus, Ahi Tartare Napoleon, or Cotes D'agneau (Lamb) - or enjoy a dinner Crepe.
373 S Coast Hwy #2111, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
South of Nick's
The restaurant is located within the Hotel Compass, offering both indoor and outdoor dining options. The balcony seating has the best view of the ocean.
They serve traditional Mexican dishes along with seafood specials.
During our visit, we tried the Lobster Enchiladas and the Filet Mignon Fajita. Both were very tasty and filling.
For dessert, we tried their Helado Con Churros. Don't let the name "Churros" deceive you. This is a unique, moist, and flavorful concoction topped with ice cream.
540 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA
Harvest at the Ranch
The Ranch Resort is a hotel and golf course hidden in a quiet valley in South Laguna Beach. The Harvest restaurant overlooks the golf course, offering splendid views of the surrounding hills.
Sitting outdoors on a summer weekend is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy a delicious meal.
The menu is seasonal and always made with fresh organic ingredients. During our last visit, we enjoyed a Harvest Dry-Aged Burger, a Black Bean and Mushroom Burger, and a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad.
We shared a slice of Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert.
We loved the food, the view, and the service. We will be going back to try their breakfast menu.
The Ranch at 31106, S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA
The Promenade on Forest
This pedestrian-only section of Forest Street deserves its own mention. You can find great eateries on each side of this street - most with outdoor patio seating. My favorites are Brussels Bistro, Alessa, MOULIN, and 230 Forest Avenue.
Brussels Bistro
Forest Avenue is now closed to cars, allowing restaurants to offer outdoor seating. We decided to try Brussels Bistro, located at the corner of Forest and PCH - and we were pleasantly surprised.
The food and drinks were excellent. We tried their Trout Almondine and the Beet Salad. Both were delicious. The trout was cooked to perfection, and the mashed potatoes were just right.
For drinks, my wife and I tried the Enchantress, and we both loved it. We had seconds.
For dessert, we ordered the Crêpes Flambeés. It wasn't the best dessert we had. The crepes were ok, but they were smothered with the sauce.
I would still recommend this restaurant for its great-tasting dishes.
222 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA
Alessa
Alessa is an upscale Italian restaurant offering tasty creations that please both the palate and the eye, and the service is excellent.
On our last visit, we tried two ravioli dishes. We started with Zucca, a butternut squash ravioli with ricotta cheese. We then tried the Nonna Titina ravioli, which were filled with cheese and spinach.
We enjoyed our meal with delicious drinks. I had the house Merlot, which had hints of plum and cherry. My wife enjoyed a strawberry-and-basil mojito.
234 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA
230 Forest Avenue
There is a reason this restaurant has won several awards - it offers excellent food and service.
We happened upon this place by chance, since the restaurant we had reservations for was closed. So, we walked along our favorite Forest Avenue promenade and decided to give it a try.
The place was crowded, but the receptionist was able to fit us in.
We enjoyed a few cocktails, a cheeseburger, a kale salad, and the fisherman's chowder. The cheeseburger and salad were delicious - the chowder, not so much.
For the drinks, we loved their fig Margarita and the mango martini.
If you are really hungry, try their hearty meals like Togarashi seared ahi, seafood arrabbiata pasta, and maple-brined pork chop.
230 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Moulin
The moment you step through the doors of MOULIN, the salty Pacific breeze vanishes. It is replaced by the intoxicating scent of butter, yeast, and high-end espresso. This isn’t just a cafe; it is a meticulously crafted slice of Paris. Located on Forest Avenue, this spot captures the effortless "joie de vivre" that makes French culture so enduring.
The Savory Start
Our morning began with the Le Croissandwich with bacon. This is not your average breakfast sandwich. It arrives nestled in a cloud-like, flaky croissant that shatters with every bite. It comes served with a side of lightly dressed mixed greens, a classic French touch that balances the indulgence.
Sweet Indulgences
For the sweet tooths in the family, the Crepe Nutella and Opera Cake were absolute showstoppers. The crepes here are thin and delicate, prepared with the precision you would find at a street stall in the 6th Arrondissement.
The Crepe Nutella is generously filled and finished with a snow-like dusting of powdered sugar.
The Opera Cake is a masterclass in French patisserie, featuring thin layers of almond sponge soaked in coffee syrup, layered with ganache and coffee buttercream.
Every dessert is a work of art, showcased behind a gleaming glass counter that makes choosing nearly impossible.
The Perfect Brew
No French breakfast is complete without proper caffeine. The Cafe Americano at MOULIN is robust and clean, serving as the ideal palate cleanser between bites of rich chocolate and buttery pastry.
Adding an authentic touch, the coffee comes with a small chocolate.
Insider Tips for Your Visit
MOULIN is a popular destination, so a little planning goes a long way.
- Arrive at opening time, usually at 8 am, before the crowds.
- Seating Strategy: Try to snag a table outside under the iconic red umbrellas. It is the best spot for enjoying the Laguna Beach vibe while pretending you're on the Champs-Élysées.