Antoine's Cafe — Restaurant in San Clemente

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Just spent the most perfect overcast morning at Antoine Café in San Clemente, and I'm already planning my return visit! This charming little spot has absolutely nailed the cozy café experience, especially on those moody coastal days when you want to escape the world for a bit.

The service here is nothing short of spectacular — attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely interested in making sure you have a great experience. It's that rare kind of service that elevates your entire meal.

Let me tell you about their special crabcake Benedict — absolute game changer! The crabcakes were perfectly crisp on the outside while staying delicately tender inside, topped with poached eggs that burst with that gorgeous golden yolk when cut into. The hollandaise had just the right amount of richness and acidity to complement the crab without overwhelming it. If it's on the specials menu when you visit, don't even hesitate!

The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between lively and relaxed. There's something about the soft lighting against the gray sky outside that creates this intimate bubble where you can really unwind and enjoy your meal. It's the kind of place where you can lose track of time in the best possible way.

The only minor miss was the mocha, which fell a bit flat compared to everything else — a bit too sweet and not quite enough depth to the chocolate and espresso flavors. It's the only thing I wouldn't order again, but with so many other enticing options on the menu, that's hardly a deal-breaker.

Antoine Café is definitely on my regular rotation now. That nearly perfect experience, especially with that incredible crabcake Benedict, has me already plotting my next...

This is a really cute place with great coffee. Service started out feeling a bit brusque, with the greeter being unsmiling while she hurried me back outside to wait in the drizzle. Limited seating and popular--our party of 3 had to wait about 30 minutes for a table at 11 a.m. on a weekday. My husband enjoyed his breakfast tacos. My flavored black coffee was sooo good. I ordered the avocado tartine and to me the dish didn't coalesce. Each item was fine but the salad dressing wasn't acidic enough to cut the fat of the generous cheese on the eggs, and the dry baguette and the avocado seemed to cry out for some seasoning and perhaps a tiny drizzle of olive oil, so it just felt like disparate items on a plate that weren't necessarily better together. Next time I'll try a benedict or the yummy sounding french toast, but I was in the mood for greens that day. Our first server must have ended her shift without handing us off, because a new server entered the picture partway through the meal. I always think it's nice when they say "hey, I'm leaving so I wanted to introduce you to _, who will be taking care of you now." However, both were kind and efficient and kept up with refills. The ambiance is very cozy and...

If you're looking for a cozy and delicious breakfast & lunch spot in San Clemente, look no further than Antoines Cafe!

I visit this charming cafe all the time with friends and family.

From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with friendly smiles and exceptional service. The staff is attentive and welcoming, and make you feel right at home. The cafe has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with plenty of seating options both indoors and outdoors.

But the real star of the show was the food. The breakfast menu is full of tempting options, from classic eggs and bacon to creative omelets and crepes. Everything is absolutely delicious and prepared with care. I especially love the Patty Melt and French Dip.

It’s always an outstanding experience at Antoine’s Cafe and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious and relaxing breakfast or lunch spot in San Clemente. The exceptional service, cozy atmosphere, and fantastic food make this cafe a true gem. Five stars...