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.
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!!
kevin jung
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April 02, 2026
Make sure to come either with a reservation or off peak hours to enjoy the seaside balcony view that the establishment has to offer.
Now to start off, we ordered the caesar salad, calamari steak, fish tacos, seafood carbonara and clam chowder. The salad's vegetables were fresh with the right crunch from the bits of bacon put in between with the sauce.
Next, the calamari steak had a fine amount of batter crust on the top of the squid meat to give it a splendid paring within the mouth. As for the fish tacos, the right amount of fish, vegetables and some fresh avocado is a "must" order as well.
Last but not least, the seafood carbonara has fresh crab meat within, going well with the freshly made pasta and parmesan cheese.
With this in mind, the ambiance of the restaurant is fabulous as the view is not only a exemplary view of Laguna Beach but the cool breeze from the ocean brings any good given day to a great one.
Z z
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March 11, 2026
The Cliff Restaurant has a beautiful setting overlooking Laguna Beach, making it a great place to enjoy a meal while taking in the ocean view 🌅. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, perfect for gathering with friends and spending a leisurely afternoon.
We ordered the Seafood Platter 🦪🦐, and the Fresh Oysters and Scallops were very fresh and flavorful. One of my friends usually doesn’t eat raw seafood, but even they ended up enjoying quite a lot, which says a lot about the quality.
We also tried the Fish and Chips 🐟🍟, which was nicely crispy on the outside with tender fish inside — a classic seaside dish done well.
Overall, it’s a great spot to relax with friends, enjoy the ocean view, and have some classic American seafood dishes. Definitely worth visiting if you’re in Laguna Beach.
Arina
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April 15, 2026
This is a place I have visited many times, and everyone I’ve brought along has genuinely enjoyed it.
We have tried a variety of dishes without repeating the same menu, and consistently found the food to be well-prepared and satisfying across the board.
With its open view of the ocean, it is an ideal setting for a relaxed meal and unhurried, intimate conversation. I would certainly recommend it for those seeking a peaceful and scenic dining experience.
That said, the service leaves much to be desired. It is often difficult to catch the staff’s attention, and they tend to appear busy and somewhat inattentive.
With this in mind, I would recommend visiting primarily for the atmosphere rather than the service.
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577 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
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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.
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!!
Make sure to come either with a reservation or off peak hours to enjoy the seaside balcony view that the establishment has to offer. Now to start off, we ordered the caesar salad, calamari steak, fish tacos, seafood carbonara and clam chowder. The salad's vegetables were fresh with the right crunch from the bits of bacon put in between with the sauce. Next, the calamari steak had a fine amount of batter crust on the top of the squid meat to give it a splendid paring within the mouth. As for the fish tacos, the right amount of fish, vegetables and some fresh avocado is a "must" order as well. Last but not least, the seafood carbonara has fresh crab meat within, going well with the freshly made pasta and parmesan cheese. With this in mind, the ambiance of the restaurant is fabulous as the view is not only a exemplary view of Laguna Beach but the cool breeze from the ocean brings any good given day to a great one.
The Cliff Restaurant has a beautiful setting overlooking Laguna Beach, making it a great place to enjoy a meal while taking in the ocean view 🌅. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, perfect for gathering with friends and spending a leisurely afternoon. We ordered the Seafood Platter 🦪🦐, and the Fresh Oysters and Scallops were very fresh and flavorful. One of my friends usually doesn’t eat raw seafood, but even they ended up enjoying quite a lot, which says a lot about the quality. We also tried the Fish and Chips 🐟🍟, which was nicely crispy on the outside with tender fish inside — a classic seaside dish done well. Overall, it’s a great spot to relax with friends, enjoy the ocean view, and have some classic American seafood dishes. Definitely worth visiting if you’re in Laguna Beach.
This is a place I have visited many times, and everyone I’ve brought along has genuinely enjoyed it. We have tried a variety of dishes without repeating the same menu, and consistently found the food to be well-prepared and satisfying across the board. With its open view of the ocean, it is an ideal setting for a relaxed meal and unhurried, intimate conversation. I would certainly recommend it for those seeking a peaceful and scenic dining experience. That said, the service leaves much to be desired. It is often difficult to catch the staff’s attention, and they tend to appear busy and somewhat inattentive. With this in mind, I would recommend visiting primarily for the atmosphere rather than the service.