Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in San Clemente

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

South Orange County

Areas

Aliso Viejo / Laguna NiguelDana Point / Monarch BeachLaguna BeachMission Viejo / Rancho Santa MargaritaSan ClementeSan Juan Capistrano

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

23 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Parlor, Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant

1. Parlor, Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails

4.7

Exceptional(180)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • San Clemente

Booked 21 times today

Parlor is the gathering place to welcome and entertain our community. A comfortable setting to enjoy amazing food and share your favorite drink. This is our version of Pizza Americana. The kitchen uses local almond and white oak to fire and finish our dishes. All of the pizzas, pastas, salads and signature plates are made from scratch, starting with fresh, local, high quality ingredients prepared daily. The sauce is made with hand crushed tomatoes grown in California. We use only the finest cheese and our sourdough is cold fermented with a starter over 30 years old. We look forward to serving you!

2. Fig 313

4.7

Exceptional(845)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • San Clemente

Booked 11 times today

Built in 1927, Fig313 stands today as an original historical landmark of San Clemente, with a history that is meant to be shared with its seaside community. Carefully constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, distinctive design features include red-tile roofs, white stucco walls, hand-crafted windows and arches, painted tiles, and open-air courtyards.Originally owned for the first 33 years by John and Jeanette Riley, 313 El Camino Real was renowned as Riley’s Waffle and Coffee Shop. Legend has it that actor John Wayne frequented the restaurant for a hearty American breakfast along with many travelers from all over the world. From 1960 on, Riley’s Café would change ownership many times, evolving into a furniture store, French restaurant, tequila company, and catering business. In 2012, the current owners purchased the property and began renovations and restoration, while staying true to the integrity of the original style.

A photo of Drift Distillery and Smokehouse restaurant

3. Drift Distillery and Smokehouse

4.7

Exceptional(18)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Barbecue • San Clemente

Booked 16 times today

We are an award winning craft distillery and bbq smokehouse located in the heart of San Clemente.All of our spirits are handcrafted here in San Clemente with grain from our parents' farm in Kansas, making us a true grain to bottle distillery. We are also proud to serve KC style inspired bbq with a SoCal twist.

A photo of Brussels Bistro - San Clemente restaurant

4. Brussels Bistro - San Clemente

4.8

Exceptional(704)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Belgian • San Clemente

Booked 15 times today

Since 2004, Brussels Bistro has brought the best of Belgium's flavors to Southern California.Brussels, Capital of Belgium, is also the Capital of Europe. Brussels Bistro restaurants, Chef Thomas Crijns (From the prestigious Namur Hotel School) and his teams offer a unique and authentic experience of the Belgian and French cuisine in the Heart of southern California. Come travel with us, enjoy and taste the Brussels Bistro Experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere in both Laguna Beach and San Clemente. Come enjoy our Special Mussels & Belgian Fries, the Chef's Boeuf Bourguignon, our Famous Pork Shank, amongst other unique Belgian and French Selections.

5. Gema

4.1

Excellent(252)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • San Clemente

Booked 1 time today

With a moody Mexico City vibe & modern dining room, Gema has an intimate neighborhood feel & buzzy bar scene. Our scratch-made kitchen highlights the finest Mexican ingredients & the countries staples of corn, chiles & regional cheeses .Our craft cocktail program changes with the season & features house-made syrups & fresh daily juiced citrus. Our bar hosts over 100 bottles of Mexico's finest small batch Mezcals which can be enjoyed in a flight or purchased by bottle and housed for your convenience inour Mezcal Liabrary. Our wines are brought in from Valle de Guadaulape and offer an amazing taste into the emerging Baja wine region. Gema celebrates the vast & sophisticated cuisine of Mexico, its people & its culture. We are proud to serve authentic Mexican cuisine that moves beyond the stereotypical bean and rice culture often associatedwith Mexican eateries. We hope you join us at Gema to experience the true palate of Mexican dining.

A photo of Buona Forchetta San Clemente restaurant

6. Buona Forchetta San Clemente

4.8

Exceptional(279)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Clemente

Booked 30 times today

Experience a piece of the Buona Forchetta San Diego heritage through authentic Italian recipes that have been handed down through generations. Today, there are five locations around San Diego, with our sixth opening this month in San Clemente, CA. Buona Forchetta’s Italian wood-fired pizzas—with the perfectly soft-yet-crispy crusts—continue to garner awards including San Diego Magazine Best Pizza 2023 Critic’s Choice, Gambero Rosso Best Pizzeria, Gayot Best Italian Restaurant San Diego, OpenTable Diner’s Choice and more. Our handmade pasta dishes bursting with rich flavors, fresh seafood specialities and decadent desserts will all leave you craving more. All Buona Forchetta locations also offer gluten-free Italian options and rotating specials.

7. Truly Pizza

4.8

Exceptional(424)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 90 times today

Located in the heart of the Lantern District in Dana Point, Truly Pizza is an artisanal neighborhood pizzeria where friends and family can relax and enjoy the fellowship of sharing pizza - the world's greatest communal food. Our outdoor garden design, rooftop wine experience and nurturing service style promote a welcoming sense of community by offering friends and neighbors a casual dining environment filled with personal touch points every step of the way. *We are an outdoor restaurant with patio & rooftop dining only. We provide blankets and heaters for guests*Please note 20% gratuity is added for parties of 8 or larger.

A photo of RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel restaurant

8. RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

4.7

Exceptional(2498)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 20 times today

RAYA, a restaurant concept by Richard Sandoval, showcases Pan-Latin coastal cuisine prepared with sustainable seafood, local produce, natural and organic meats, and signature Latin flavors.In celebration of love and friendship, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has several elevated dining experiences available to resort guests and locals alike. Indulge in a three-course Valentine's Day menu or afternoon Heart Tea in RAYA.This Galentine's Day, we invite you to join us at 180blu for Amigas & Agave featuring a four-course pre-fixe menu accompanied by Don Julio tequila pairings. Toast to friendship as you enjoy culinary delights, photobooth with friends, and a golden California sunset. Amigos are welcome too!Tickets may be purchased through EventBrite: https://qrco.de/AmigasandAgave

9. Rosewood Social

4.8

Exceptional(180)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southeast Asian • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 24 times today

Located on the rooftop of the historic Franciscan Plaza in San Juan Capistrano, Rosewood Social combines the unique flavors of the traditional American steakhouse with soulful Southeast Asian cuisine. Enjoy delicious food with a signature cocktail or a glass of wine on a terrace overlooking Mission San Juan at sunset. Join us for a relaxing and truly memorable dining and drinking experience!

A photo of Bloom Restaurant + Bar restaurant

10. Bloom Restaurant + Bar

4.8

Exceptional(860)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 37 times today

Orange County-based restaurateur Russ Bendel and partners are bringing a sister restaurant to his thriving wine country concepts to the San Juan Capistrano dining scene.Bloom is an all-encompassing dining experience, featuring craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and craft beer selections. Located directly across from the Mission of San Juan on the corner of Old Mission Road and Camino Capistrano. Check out our website for more information: www.BloomSanJuanCapistrano.comDon't forget to follow us on instagram to stay up to date about Bloom: BloomRestaurantAndBar

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
JeffVIP
Chicago / Illinois •21 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Wow, way above expectations. Elevated experience and service that is as good as any of the best restaurants I’ve been to. Outstanding food. Great wine list. 5stars solidly earned. Highly recommend and hope to be back someday
More info
O SEA | seafood for thoughtPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Orange
•
4.9
J
Jerry
Orange County •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Wow. What a gem to have in San Juan Capistrano. I had my doubts on seeing such high reviews but everything was great about our experience here and I agree it’s top notch. We came for a late Valentine’s date and it delivered. Great food (Bang Bang Shrimp, Croissant Waffle, and Steak and Eggs) and beautiful outdoor seating. This venue is also quite large as well so could accommodate large parties. We’ll be coming back soon.
More info
Rosewood SocialPrice: Expensive• Southeast Asian• San Juan Capistrano
•
4.8
T
Tony
1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Server was attentive and food was great. Ribeye was great for myself but the food is great. Sundays are even better than saturdays if you want a funner vibe. Went for mothers birthday and she had a blast on a saturday morning. 13 of us and had zero issues. So good!
More info
Santo Remedio Mexican Resto-BarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Mexican• Orange
•
4.7
W
William
Orange County •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Took my girlfriend here for an early valentines date night, we had an amazing time and were blown away by the taste and quality of the food. The service and vibe of the whole restaurant was absolutely incredible. Definitely recommend if your looking for something nice that feels classical at a very reasonable price
More info
Benny & Mary'sPrice: Expensive• Fusion / Eclectic• Irvine
•
4.5

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Area
Spicy food

San Clemente

Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
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Anaheim Hills
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San Clemente