The Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach completely exceeded my expectations! I honestly can’t believe this place wasn’t on my bucket list sooner. I think the photos in Google reviews simply don’t do the food justice because our experience was phenomenal, from the quality and portions to the incredibly friendly service. And those ocean views? Absolutely breathtaking!
The restaurant has a beautiful, casual, open-air setting overlooking the Pacific, with multiple levels of outdoor seating. What impressed me most was that you’re not just paying for the view. The food is genuinely good, portions are incredibly generous, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for such a spectacular location.
I ordered the Caesar salad with salmon, and WOW! It came with a beautiful, approximately eight-ounce piece of salmon that was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection. The romaine was crisp, with a generous amount of Parmesan and crunchy croutons. Everything arrived quickly and tasted so fresh. The halibut fish and chips were another absolute WIN! A generous serving of fish over a huge bed of fries. Definitely one of my recommendations here. My husband ordered pasta with chicken, which was good overall, although the chicken was a little on the dry side and the dish could have used more salt.
We were celebrating a birthday, and the team was so thoughtful to bring out ice cream topped with fresh berries and cream. Such a sweet gesture! The service throughout was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. I left wondering why I hadn’t discovered this place sooner. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxed meal with family or friends, delicious seafood, generous portions, and some of the prettiest views in Laguna Beach. I would absolutely return, and I highly recommend giving it a chance even if the food photos don’t immediately impress you. The actual experience is SO much better!
Meredith Mcglothin
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October 13, 2026
Dining literally on the beach , live music by a really talented band, celebrity hot spot with great food and cocktails it can't get any better. Matt was our server he was extremely attentive and very helpful with suggestions. The general manager Andrew stopped by several times to say hello and check in , and it was quite a busy nite. My party enjoyed cocktail and coconut shrimp for appetizers. For dinner I opted for fish n chips , you have a choice between cod or halibut I had the cod. Very generous potions and super crispy! There was a celebrity basketball birthday party happening on the lower level which was pretty cool.
I wish to say thanks to our server Matt you provided exceptional service!
Andrew the general manager thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hello no matter how busy the evening was !
ruby noori
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July 01, 2026
Came to visit this restaurant after 10 years and its still amazing as always. Lupe took great care of me and was very patient while I slowly ate my food and enjoyed the views. The hostesses are great and check in frequently as well. Had the most delicious strawberry salad and burger!! Hit the spot!! Also be sure to check out the shops on your way out!! Sooo many unique little stores run by the kindest women! And great finds!!
JMQZ
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August 26, 2026
The Cliff restaurant has one of the most beautiful ocean views in the area.
The food and drinks are decent and some dishes are actually very good. We have had Pasta, Ahi Poke and Fish N Chips.
The service was quick and friendly and there is often live music on the weekends.
The seating is all outside; covered and uncovered, except for the bar area that is inside.
I highly recommend visiting the Cliff restaurant for the best views, good food and good times.
차지훈
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July 30, 2026
The food was excellent, and the view alone is worth visiting for. Unfortunately, the service was a major disappointment.
Our server, Steven, was friendly, attentive, and did a great job. He deserves recognition. However, the rest of the staff couldn’t have seemed less interested in helping anyone outside of their own tables. I understand that servers have assigned sections, but basic hospitality shouldn’t stop there.
The moment that really bothered me was when I noticed the guests next to us had accidentally left their backpack behind. I immediately informed one of the servers, expecting at least a quick response. Instead, the server reacted as if I had interrupted them with an inconvenience. There was no sense of urgency, concern, or professionalism.
Great food and an incredible view can only go so far. Service is what completes the dining experience, and unfortunately, that’s where this restaurant fell short. Management should seriously reconsider the level of customer service being provided, because it’s not worthy of an otherwise excellent establishment.
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577 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
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The Cliff Restaurant in Laguna Beach completely exceeded my expectations! I honestly can’t believe this place wasn’t on my bucket list sooner. I think the photos in Google reviews simply don’t do the food justice because our experience was phenomenal, from the quality and portions to the incredibly friendly service. And those ocean views? Absolutely breathtaking! The restaurant has a beautiful, casual, open-air setting overlooking the Pacific, with multiple levels of outdoor seating. What impressed me most was that you’re not just paying for the view. The food is genuinely good, portions are incredibly generous, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for such a spectacular location. I ordered the Caesar salad with salmon, and WOW! It came with a beautiful, approximately eight-ounce piece of salmon that was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection. The romaine was crisp, with a generous amount of Parmesan and crunchy croutons. Everything arrived quickly and tasted so fresh. The halibut fish and chips were another absolute WIN! A generous serving of fish over a huge bed of fries. Definitely one of my recommendations here. My husband ordered pasta with chicken, which was good overall, although the chicken was a little on the dry side and the dish could have used more salt. We were celebrating a birthday, and the team was so thoughtful to bring out ice cream topped with fresh berries and cream. Such a sweet gesture! The service throughout was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. I left wondering why I hadn’t discovered this place sooner. It’s a perfect spot for a relaxed meal with family or friends, delicious seafood, generous portions, and some of the prettiest views in Laguna Beach. I would absolutely return, and I highly recommend giving it a chance even if the food photos don’t immediately impress you. The actual experience is SO much better!
Dining literally on the beach , live music by a really talented band, celebrity hot spot with great food and cocktails it can't get any better. Matt was our server he was extremely attentive and very helpful with suggestions. The general manager Andrew stopped by several times to say hello and check in , and it was quite a busy nite. My party enjoyed cocktail and coconut shrimp for appetizers. For dinner I opted for fish n chips , you have a choice between cod or halibut I had the cod. Very generous potions and super crispy! There was a celebrity basketball birthday party happening on the lower level which was pretty cool. I wish to say thanks to our server Matt you provided exceptional service! Andrew the general manager thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hello no matter how busy the evening was !
Came to visit this restaurant after 10 years and its still amazing as always. Lupe took great care of me and was very patient while I slowly ate my food and enjoyed the views. The hostesses are great and check in frequently as well. Had the most delicious strawberry salad and burger!! Hit the spot!! Also be sure to check out the shops on your way out!! Sooo many unique little stores run by the kindest women! And great finds!!
The Cliff restaurant has one of the most beautiful ocean views in the area. The food and drinks are decent and some dishes are actually very good. We have had Pasta, Ahi Poke and Fish N Chips. The service was quick and friendly and there is often live music on the weekends. The seating is all outside; covered and uncovered, except for the bar area that is inside. I highly recommend visiting the Cliff restaurant for the best views, good food and good times.
The food was excellent, and the view alone is worth visiting for. Unfortunately, the service was a major disappointment. Our server, Steven, was friendly, attentive, and did a great job. He deserves recognition. However, the rest of the staff couldn’t have seemed less interested in helping anyone outside of their own tables. I understand that servers have assigned sections, but basic hospitality shouldn’t stop there. The moment that really bothered me was when I noticed the guests next to us had accidentally left their backpack behind. I immediately informed one of the servers, expecting at least a quick response. Instead, the server reacted as if I had interrupted them with an inconvenience. There was no sense of urgency, concern, or professionalism. Great food and an incredible view can only go so far. Service is what completes the dining experience, and unfortunately, that’s where this restaurant fell short. Management should seriously reconsider the level of customer service being provided, because it’s not worthy of an otherwise excellent establishment.