About The Cellar Restaurant
Beyond their size, small businesses are defined by their spirit. And at the helm are their intrepid founders—scrappy, ambitious, and resilient. They invent and build things despite uncertainty, because it’s what drives them. Their risks lead to innovation that moves the world forward. And we need them.
We chose this place to celebrate my birthday and it turned out to be a wonderful decision. The staff was attentive and welcoming, giving us plenty of time to relax without any pressure while ordering. The atmosphere made the evening feel special and unhurried. The chateaubriand was cooked perfectly and full of flavor, and the sticky toffee pudding was the ideal way to end the meal. Everything came together for a memorable night, and I would happily return to enjoy it all again.
We went to The Cellar for a birthday celebration. We had the following: 1. Steak tartare: 3/5, very little flavor 2. Bone marrow topped with fig jam: 6/5 3. Free bread basket with 3 different rolls: 4/5, can ask for second bread basket for a $5 fee 4. Short rib ragu: 4.4/5, tasty, had a small amount of shredded short rib meat, $47 was pricy for what you get 5. Brussel sprouts: 2/5, a little bland and not as soft as I was expecting 6. Lobster bisque: 3.4/5, very flavorful but too salty 7. Burrata salad: 4/5, burrata to greens ratio was great Mocktails: 8. River of Dreams: 2.7/5, very sweet 9. Sweet Dreams: 5/5, nice tea flavor Dessert 10. Happy birthday dessert, Vanilla ice cream over chocolate crumble 11. Petite Vanilla Souffle with seasonal blueberry cream: 5/5 Service was great. Waitress was super friendly and attentive. Atmosphere is good for dates, dimly lit with and overhead light and a candle. I'd recommend looking at the website for the latest menu since there were some items on semi-recent review pictures that were no longer available.
Second visit, and The Cellar continues to deliver a consistently excellent experience. We had a 6:00pm reservation but arrived right at 5:00pm when they opened. Instead of waiting, we decided to start at the bar and learned they offer happy hour daily and yes, even on weekends! The bar itself is intimate and fills up fast, so we snagged one of the nearby cocktail tables instead. Lilly was our server during HH and she was wonderful. I ordered the Night Train- a spirit-forward cocktail that was bold, sophisticated, and perfectly on brand for this elegant, speakeasy-like space. The chocolate garnish on top was a nice touch. I also enjoyed a glass of Cab from the HH menu. My boyfriend went with a classic Manhattan, which felt like the perfect fit for the moody, old-world vibe of the bar. We hadn’t eaten all day, which led to some questionable (but delicious) decisions. Watching what the couple next to us ordered off the HH menu didn’t help either. We ordered the bread and the HH mac and let me tell you what a big mistake that was! This is how you ruin your appetite, people!!! Once we moved into the dining room, Caden took over as our server. He was friendly, fast, and efficient. We ordered everything at once, and he expertly coursed it out for us. What we ordered: Grilled Spanish Octopus Skewers – Delicious overall, though the octopus was just a tad dry. Still enjoyable and not a deal breaker. Nordic Blue Salmon – My boyfriend told me to order something else since I eat salmon all the time… I ignored him! Zero regrets!! The salmon was perfectly cooked (medium, just how I like it), and the roasted squash and oyster mushrooms complemented the dish beautifully. Unfortunately, I only managed two bites before surrendering. Happily boxed it up though and it held up incredibly well the next day. 10oz Cape Grimm Filet Mignon – My boyfriend’s order and a recommendation from Caden. He usually doesn’t gravitate toward filet mignon, but he absolutely loved it. For dessert, we ordered the Sticky Toffee Pudding, and it was heaven in every bite. The Cellar has been part of downtown Fullerton since its grand opening in 1970, originally built into the underground space of a historic brick building. With its stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and European wine-cellar ambiance, it’s easy to see why it has endured for over five decades.There’s a reason this restaurant has stood the test of time and remains a staple of Orange County fine dining 55 years later.
The Cellar Restaurant in Fullerton is an absolute gem! The food tastes amazing -- every dish is rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The atmosphere feels so special, with its vintage European-style decor that makes you feel like you've stepped into another era. Our server, Antonio, was wonderful! He genuinely cared about every guest in the restaurant, and I noticed him checking in on every table with such professionalism and kindness. The lady who brought out our food also left a lasting impression -- she had an angelic presence, and when she unveiled our main course by lifting the metal lid with a soft clang, it made the entire experience feel extra fancy and memorable. We had a truly wonderful night here and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend this place for anyone who appreciates great food, exceptional service, and a charming, romantic atmosphere.
Location is gorgeous service was great very attentive. The drinks were on point. Lobster bisque was very tasty. Steak was delicious . Also ordered the ravioli which i didn't care for but whatever. Very nice romantic ambiance