South of Nick's Laguna Beach
South of Nick's Laguna Beach things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Now that our kids are getting (a little) older, we’ve enjoyed using weekends as an opportunity to turn small outings into big adventures. This is part of the reason why I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a weekly “big adventure” newsletter. But until that day comes, I’ll give you a smaller version here! This week’s adventure is in Laguna Beach. It includes: 🚀 Bluebird Park (spaceship park) 🌮 Late lunch at South of Nick’s (or some other downtown cafe/restaurant) 🏝 Water play at main beach, which also has its own lifeguard themed playground Some additional playground info: This is a LARGE playground, but it is also gated. There are winding paths which are great for scooters and trikes. Street parking only, but we have been here 3-4 times and never had issues. There are restrooms up some stairs by the Boys and Girls Club. There are some cool slides built into the wall, but please be aware of a parking lot nearby at the top of the slides. Two spots have swings, and there are 2 baby swings. For downtown: Parking is tricky, but there is a public garage - search “Glenneyre Structure” using Google Maps. On Saturday mornings, there is also a Farmers Market downtown, and of course the public library is always a convenient stop if you need to switch out your books from the OC Library system. For Main Beach Playground: You can reach this off of Laguna Ave. There are public restrooms nearby. Now that summer is coming, there are more and more good days to be at the beach. I hope you can do this adventure soon with your family! #ocparentguide #ocparents #ocmoms #ocfamilies #ockids #lagunabeach #playground
ocparentguideocparentguide
21915
I had an unforgettable experience at South of Nick’s in Laguna Beach, and this spot just never misses. The coastal views are absolutely stunning—think golden hour over the ocean with the sound of waves in the distance. It’s the kind of place where you settle in and instantly feel like you’re on vacation. We were celebrating a friend’s birthday and managed to snag two bar seats (a total score since the waitlist was already two hours long). From the service to the food, everything was flawless. I started with the Shrimp Salad, and WOW—this is the salad that ruins all other salads for you. The prawns were massive, juicy, and perfectly grilled, nestled on a bed of crisp romaine, baby kale, roasted corn, avocado, fresh cilantro, and just the right amount of cherry tomatoes. The Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette was tossed in just right, and I had the cotija cheese on the side. Every bite was fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor. Then came the Chilean Sea Bass, and I’m still thinking about it. It was cooked to perfection—crisp on the outside, buttery and flaky on the inside. I swapped out the usual sides for grilled vegetables and zucchini, and they were the perfect complement—light, flavorful, and beautifully charred. For a lighter twist on a starter, I ordered the guacamole with fresh-cut vegetables instead of chips, and I honestly didn’t miss the chips at all. It was refreshing, creamy, and the veggies made it feel clean and satisfying. My friend tried the spicy margarita, which delivered a bold kick without overpowering the flavor. And to top off the night, the staff surprised us with a slice of their chocolate cake—rich, velvety, and absolutely worth the splurge. I was too full to even attempt their legendary butter cake, but it’s the first thing I’m ordering next time. The service was impeccable—friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Between the jaw-dropping views, next-level dishes, and relaxed-but-upscale vibe, South of Nick’s is easily one of my favorite spots in Laguna Beach. Trust me, you’ll want to bookmark this one.
Maryam P GargMaryam P Garg
00
My girlfriend and I have found our go-to spot for date nights in Laguna Beach, CA, and it's none other than South of Nicks! This vibrant Mexican restaurant offers a delightful mix of scrumptious food, refreshing drinks, and an upbeat atmosphere that keeps us coming back for more. As soon as we walked in on a Tuesday night, we were pleasantly surprised by the bustling crowd. The ambiance was lively and energetic, perfect for a fun night out. The attentive staff swiftly attended to us, ensuring we felt welcomed and comfortable. The highlight of our evening was definitely the toasted coconut drink. This frozen alcoholic concoction not only tasted incredible but was also aesthetically pleasing, with a generous amount of coconut lining the rim. It was the perfect way to start our date night, and we couldn't help but order seconds! When it came to the food, South of Nicks truly outdid themselves. My girlfriend ordered the mini tacos, which were packed with flavors that danced on her taste buds. She couldn't stop raving about the perfect balance of spices and freshness in each bite. On my end, I opted for the chimichanga, and I was far from disappointed. The dish was crispy on the outside and bursting with tender, juicy goodness on the inside. The portion size was just right, leaving me feeling satisfied without being overly stuffed. Despite being busy, the service remained attentive and timely. Our server regularly checked in on us and promptly refilled our drinks, making us feel like valued guests. The overall vibe of South of Nicks contributed to a memorable dining experience that we'll be reminiscing about for weeks to come. In conclusion, South of Nicks is the perfect destination for a date night or even a casual evening with friends. With its tantalizing food, refreshing drinks, and energetic atmosphere, it's no wonder this Laguna Beach gem has captured our hearts. We look forward to coming back for years to come and highly recommend you try it if you’re considering eating here.
Daniel MoravecDaniel Moravec
00
Unfortunately, our journey down the 133 to PCH was slowed by the Sawdust Festival traffic. Luckily, we didn’t have to stress about parking, as South of Nick's offers valet service for $10 (just remember to get it validated). I made reservations two weeks in advance, requesting a seat with a view, and the restaurant was more than accommodating. Even though it was a Sunday at 3 PM, the place was bustling with activity. We started with the complimentary chips and salsa, which were fantastic, and we also ordered guacamole for the table—definitely worth it! To keep the meal light, I opted to share a salad and an entrée. For the salad, we chose the Mercado, which features iceberg lettuce, roasted corn, pepitas, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, tortilla strips, radishes, cotija cheese, and chipotle ranch. For the entrée, I ordered the El Jefe Burrito filled with Chicken Tinga, refried beans, Spanish rice, jack cheese, onions, and peppers, all topped with pico de gallo and rolled wet. The burrito was bursting with flavor, though I was surprised to find potatoes in it, which weren’t mentioned on the menu. For me, that added a bit too many carbs with the rice, beans, and potatoes. It was enormous—I ended up taking half of it home! The salad was absolutely delightful and well-dressed, although I had a hard time locating the roasted corn. This was a minor hiccup, though; the service, ambiance, food, and stunning views made the experience worthwhile. I would return to South of Nick’s in a heartbeat! If I lived in the area, I’d definitely dine here at least once a month, if not more. The food is incredibly affordable, and the overall experience is simply fantastic!
Tawny VTawny V
00
Simply put, some of the best (if not THE best) mexican food I've ever had. The interior is spotless and stylish. It's fun to see a restaurant that is obviously managed so professionally. There is no dirt to be found anywhere, so rare to see that these days. The ocean views are nice and the tequila selection is unparalleld. We sat at the bar and had some lunch. The bartender, RJ, was great! Attentive service and excellently crafted cocktails. The food was so tasty! They bring out 3 kinds of salsa and chips (on the house) Excellent fresh house salsas and crispy fresh made chips. For entrees I had a chicken tinga burrito. Normally a burrito can't really be THAT good but this one was! The depth of flavor from the braised shredded chicken and the ranchera style sauce on the top! So good. We also tried the tortilla soup! Also magnificent. You could really taste the masa in the base of this soup. This place is a MUST try if you find yourself hungry in Laguna beach... or even anywhere near here! Great work people.. this is how all restaurants should be!
Todd SchwiesowTodd Schwiesow
00
Obsolutely one of the best Mexican restaurants in Laguna Beach. We always stop by to eat at South of Nick’s in San Clemente every time we go to San Diego. The South Nick’s in Laguna Beach has same tasty food. The service is excellent here as well. People from the receptionist to the waiters, they are all very friendly and enthusiastic in helping their patrons. Since we were familiar with the menu, we ordered our favorites, beef taco salad and chicken flautas. Both dishes were amazing. The flautas was one of the best. The chicken was very flavorful and covered with ample cheese. The sauce for dipping the flautus was fantastic, without it, the dish won’t tasted the same. The view from restaurant was great! You can see the beach activities from the window seats in the restaurant. It’s a perfect for taking out of town guested to experience Southern California beach life. Parking is easy, just park in the public garage next to the restaurant. Use an app to extend your parking time.
regis kwongregis kwong
00
Nearby Attractions Of South of Nick's Laguna Beach
Main Beach Park
Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
Sawdust Art Festival
Pacific Edge Hotel
Casa Loma Beach Hotel
Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers
The Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Surf Lodge by SCP Hotels
Laguna Art Museum
14 West Boutique Hotel
Main Beach Park
4.7
(2.4K)Click for details
Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
4.7
(1.3K)Click for details
Sawdust Art Festival
4.6
(1.1K)Click for details
Pacific Edge Hotel
3.5
(747)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of South of Nick's Laguna Beach
The Cliff Restaurant
Nick's Laguna Beach
Las Brisas
Urth Caffe
Gelato Paradiso
Driftwood Kitchen
Carmelita's
Zinc Café & Bar
C'est La Vie
Sapphire
The Cliff Restaurant
4.4
(1.9K)$$
Click for details
Nick's Laguna Beach
4.7
(1.2K)Click for details
Las Brisas
4.2
(2K)Click for details
Urth Caffe
4.2
(1.6K)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
540 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Map
Phone
(949) 715-3717
Call
Website
nicksrestaurants.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(433 reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: Main Beach Park, Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, Sawdust Art Festival, Pacific Edge Hotel, Casa Loma Beach Hotel, Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers, The Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Surf Lodge by SCP Hotels, Laguna Art Museum, 14 West Boutique Hotel, restaurants: The Cliff Restaurant, Nick's Laguna Beach, Las Brisas, Urth Caffe, Gelato Paradiso, Driftwood Kitchen, Carmelita's, Zinc Café & Bar, C'est La Vie, Sapphire
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