Nick's Laguna Beach

American restaurant · Laguna Beach

Nick's Laguna Beach

American restaurant · Laguna Beach

5

440 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Photos

Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by Jakob Layman
Nick's Laguna Beach by Jakob Layman
Nick's Laguna Beach by Photo courtesy of Visit Laguna Beach
Nick's Laguna Beach by Jakob Layman
Nick's Laguna Beach by Jakob Layman
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null
Nick's Laguna Beach by null

Highlights

Californian comfort fare, fried asparagus, blackened halibut  

440 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Get directions

nicksrestaurants.com
@nickslagunabeach

$30–50 · Menu

Information

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440 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Get directions

+1 949 376 8595
nicksrestaurants.com
@nickslagunabeach

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 26, 2025

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@infatuation

The 16 Best Restaurants & Bars In Laguna Beach - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Nick’s is the crown jewel of the Laguna Beach world. But not because of Michelin stars or a seven-course tasting menu featuring baby quail eggs and celery foam. Quite the opposite. This casual restaurant is the ultimate Laguna go-to because it’s one of the most crowd-pleasing restaurants you’ll ever encounter. You will also encounter ridiculous wait times, zero reservation availability (unless you book many weeks in advance), and the greatest prime rib sandwich of all time. Go for a post-beach lunch, go for drinks and snacks at the bar, or go for a dinner date. And get the asparagus fries." - garrett snyder, jess basser sanders

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/laguna-restaurants
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@infatuation

The 16 Best Day Trip Restaurants Outside Los Angeles - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Nick’s is the crown jewel of Laguna Beach—the ultimate crowd-pleaser where you take your picky visiting relatives who just want to get out of LA for a day and can't decide on a place they all want to eat. You'll encounter ridiculous wait times and zero reservation availability (unless you book weeks in advance), but you will also find the greatest prime rib sandwich of all time. Go for a post-beach lunch or drinks and snacks at the bar." - brant cox, garrett snyder

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-day-trip-restaurants-near-los-angeles
View Postcard for Nick's Laguna Beach
@infatuation

16 Restaurants Worthy Of A Day Trip Outside LA

"Nick’s is the crown jewel of Laguna Beach—the ultimate crowd-pleaser where you take your picky visiting relatives who just want to get out of LA for a day and can't decide on a place they all want to eat. You'll encounter ridiculous wait times and zero reservation availability (unless you book weeks in advance), but you will also find the greatest prime rib sandwich of all time. Go for a post-beach lunch or drinks and snacks at the bar.  " - brant cox, garrett snyder

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/12-restaurants-outside-la-worthy-of-a-day-trip
View Postcard for Nick's Laguna Beach
@infatuation

Nick’s Laguna Beach - Review - Laguna Beach - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Nick’s is the crown jewel of the Laguna Beach world. But not because of Michelin stars, or a chef from Top Chef, or a seven-course tasting menu featuring baby quail eggs and celery foam. Quite the opposite. This casual restaurant is the ultimate Laguna go-to because it’s one of the most crowd-pleasing restaurants you’ll ever encounter. You will also encounter ridiculous wait times, zero reservation availability (unless you book many weeks in advance), and the greatest prime rib sandwich of all time. Go for a post-beach lunch, go for drinks and snacks at the bar, or go for a dinner date. And get the prime rib sandwich. photo credit: Jakob Layman RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE" - Katherine Lewin

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/nicks-laguna-beach
View Postcard for Nick's Laguna Beach
@afar

"Nick’s Laguna Beach Nick’s is a Southern California institution, with coastal locations in Long Beach, San Clemente, Manhattan Beach, and Pasadena. The Laguna outpost has the others beat, however, thanks to its perch just across the street from Main Beach. Diners can head here after a long day in the sun for delicious takes on classic American dishes, from buttermilk fried chicken and San Francisco cioppino to rib eye melts and cheeseburgers with Thousand Island dressing. Whatever you choose, pair it with a house cocktail (you can’t go wrong with the jalapeño-watermelon margarita) as you watch the sun set over the Pacific."

The Best Restaurants in Laguna Beach and Dana Point
View Postcard for Nick's Laguna Beach

Jenn R

Google
You need reservations if you plan on visiting. I made reservations for dinner and was seated exactly on time. I had Spencer as my waiter and he was fantastic. For dinner I ordered the Chilean sea bass, and it was perfection!!!!! The peace of fish was beautiful and perfectly cooked, cut like butter. My mashed potatoes were good but a little bit cold, spinach was decent. For dessert, I got the warm butter cake and it was really good as well. The interior was very different than expected. The place is very small and loud on the inside. I ended up sitting outside and it was extremely loud due to the street traffic plus the restaurant noise. I was able to tune it out but this is not the environment for quiet/intimate conversations. Overall absolutely love the food and would visit here again.

Wayne Cheng

Google
The restaurant is located across PCH from the beach. We made a reservation for 8:30am. Got there around 8:20, and there's already a line in front of us. It took a while to get the dishes we ordered. I think that's probably because the kitchen received too many orders at the same time. Anyway, food tastes great, and the service is prompt. This is a place worth visiting.

Jacqueline Roeder

Google
My friend and I were doing a day trip to Laguna Beach, but we didn’t have a reservation at Nick’s. I had heard about it, so we decided to try our luck and check out the bar. We were able to find two seats next to each other after about ten minutes, and we were NOT disappointed by the food. It was all delicious. We got dirty martinis, the asparagus fries, the French dip, the kale and quinoa salad, and the butter cake. I would recommend every single thing we got. It was all cooked perfectly with delicious flavors. John and Diane took care of us, and they were both amazing too. It truly felt like old style customer service, which is so hard to come by. Im so glad this place lived up to its reputation! And get the potato salad as your side. Trust me.

Fafa Ghezelsofla

Google
I came here from DC, and this was the only place in Laguna Beach open until 11 PM! We had the chili pasta and crispy chicken. The pasta was incredible, flavorful with just the right amount of spice. I wasn’t a big fan of the crispy chicken served on bread, though. The atmosphere was nice but a bit noisy. Also, we didn’t have a reservation and just stopped by, ended up waiting about 45 minutes, so be prepared for a long wait if you come without booking ahead.

Ashlynn Rosenberg

Google
We went to Nick’s for lunch on our 2 year wedding anniversary - we didn’t tell them it was our anniversary, but I am (very obviously) 9 months pregnant and they brought us the loveliest card and cake to celebrate the baby! The food was fantastic and super reasonably priced, but the service and kind gesture was the icing on the cake.

Christian Sanchez

Google
My wife and I are from Las Vegas. We went to Woods Cove and afterwards wanted to get a bite to eat. Michael was our server, he was very polite, very attentive. I got the crispy chicken sandwich which in my opinion has good flavor just the size for the price didn’t match. My wife got the buttermilk fried chicken which she loved. She also did get an alcoholic beverage. She was told that it would be on the sweeter side which she likes but wasn’t, it was sour. She told someone and they brought her a different drink and again it was sour. My wife does not play about her sweet drinks. They were nice enough to take it off the tab. We didn’t ask but they insisted. Even tho I gave it 5 stars across the board, not sure if I would be back.

Cheryl Nasser

Google
Great vibe here being down in the heart of Laguna Beach. Meal was fantastic, well prepared and flavorful. Good size portions. Started with asparagus fries that were like a tempura batter, so good. Cioppino was full of fish and shellfish, delightful broth and came with a sourdough bread that was incredibly delicious with garlic and spices baked into the top. Hubby had baby back ribs and they were cooked to perfection, melt in your mouth and fall off the bone. Ended with the banana cream pie which was scrumptious, it had a chocolate ganache layer at the bottom with a graham cracker crust. Casey was our friendly server and was attentive throughout the night. Food came out promptly even though they were a full restaurant. Dined on the outdoor patio, there are more tables and a bar inside. Look forward to returning to try the other food dishes.

Rebecca Clark (Becca)

Google
Very friendly staff. The Margarita flight was fun. The Brussels sprouts app with figs was excellent! Cauliflower app also tasty. The carnitas tacos were tasty but a bit overstuffed.
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Rob B.

Yelp
We were promptly greeted and seated when we walked in on a Thursday afternoon for lunch. John was our server. He was very friendly, and accommodating and he had a great sense of humor. He had good energy. Our food arrived promptly. I had the homemade tomato basil bisque and it was outstanding. My husband had a house salad and really liked it. We split a crispy chicken sandwich. It was also delicious. Loved the ambience of the restaurant. It's very modern and comfortable. The next time I am in Laguna Beach, I'm going to make a special point of going back to Nick's!
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Jeremy W.

Yelp
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 & Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 19:08 Food is always 10/10. Service is outstanding and the ambiance is romantic. French dip is always recommended but make sure you ask if they have it cause it's basically 1st come 1st serve. They run out cause it's so popular. Deviled eggs are amazing. But it is heavier on the mustard. Lastly top it all off with a butter cake. Game changer if you ask for an extra scoop of icecream.
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Wes V.

Yelp
My wife and I went to Nick's to celebrate our 15th anniversary. The staff was friendly, professional, and added a lot of personal touches to help us celebrate. The Center Cut Filet was so good! My wife loved her Ribeye Salad as well. The Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita was unique and so tasty. Our favorite thing was the Warm Butter Cake. Perfection! Nick's is a fun place to eat that feels like a nice steakhouse mixed with a fun and friendly bar.
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Melissa C.

Yelp
Have been many times but finally getting around to posting a review. The food here is great and so is service! I will say, the restaurant doesn't seem to have air conditioning, as it was quite hot inside when we dined. It was uncomfortable as a guest and must've been even worse for the staff - I felt bad for the servers having to run around with no AC. But our server Casey was attentive and friendly and I could tell he had been a server in the industry for a while, he was very good at his job. I ordered the Fried chicken and gravy with biscuits and it was phenomenal! My friend ordered the bistro plate and seemed to really enjoy her food as well. Everything came out in an appropriate amount of time and was still hot, and so so delicious. It's always a great experience eating here and I look forward to my next visit next time I'm at the beach! Side note: since this restaurant is just steps away from the beach, your best bet is to park on the street or the parking structure around the corner. You can also do valet at South of Nick's (their sister property) and then walk over to Nick's.
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Willy R.

Yelp
My first impression when I walked in was "we're gonna pay a lot for a little". I love being wrong - it was a lot of food and decently priced. On top of it - everything was just soo good. We split a few things. Bistro salad - everything was cut up small enough to mix all of the great flavors together. I rarely care about a salad - but I need to get this Every time now. Cheeseburger. Great meat. Great seasoning. Sesame seed bun had just the right amount of seeds and wasnt too thick or dry. Solid burger and worth the price. Fried chicken. This was a pleasure for my mouth. Two pieces of fried chicken with a soft but crispy, well seasoned batter. I couldn't chew fast enough. Mashed potatoes with gravy - as a piggy piggy - I wanted more gravy - but it actually was the right amount. The corn on the cob was soft and plump with good seasoning. The biscuit seemed like it was made from scratch there and it was perfect. I need to get this every time I visit Laguna from now on. We ended with their butter cake. It was so delightful- even though i was full - I couldn't chew fast have eaten the whole thing myself. It was hard to stop taking bites. Even in the togo box - I kept wondering if there was going to be anything left. The staff was ao great and honest and helped us make all of the right decisions. It's like they were working for my mouth. I felt like there were too many people working (and that's what made me think the whole thing was going to cost too much) - but let me make it clear - the price was great and the staff was just amazing. I (my mouth especially) am definitely excited to come back. Thank you
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Craig S.

Yelp
I've had chicken fried chicken all over the country, and nothing comes close to the one at Nick's Laguna Beach. The crust is golden and perfectly crisp, with just the right amount of seasoning. Underneath, the chicken is unbelievably tender--almost melts in your mouth--and served in a way that makes every bite pure comfort food bliss. I even celebrated my 50th birthday here, and the team made it unforgettable--they surprised me with a card signed by the entire wait staff. That kind of personal touch says everything about how much they care. The vibe here is awesome too--laid back, stylish, and the staff makes you feel right at home. Every time I'm in Laguna, this is my must-stop spot. If you love chicken fried chicken, you need to try this. It's my favorite dish almost anywhere in the US.
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Daphney J.

Yelp
Food was great, on top of friendly service and warm atmosphere, our bill came up to almost or over $100 with 2 main dish, 1 appetizer which was the deviled eggs (chefs kiss) and 2 drinks. Pretty good restaurant for a casual/fine dining date too. It's by a busy street although there's parking structure 5 mins walk to the restaurant. Overall beauitful experience
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Norma M.

Yelp
Didn't realize the only review I posted for Nick's was over 9 years ago. Actually been here and the San Clemente locations a few times since. Happy to report that everything is still as good as the first time (if not better). The calamari was excellent, so tender just lightly breaded and came with cocktail sauce and tartar sauce. For entrees, hubs had the San Fran Cioppino which was as good as always. I opted for the Bistro plate with a petite filet mignon, topped with steak butter served on garlic toast, petite bistro salad, and a cup of the best french onion soup outside of Paris. I would absolutely order that again! For drinks, both the Yuzu Old Fashioned by Austen and the zero-proof Yuzu Berry were outstanding. Service from Aubrey, Austen and the rest of the staff were excellent. There's valet parking offered at South of Nick's.
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Stefanie T.

Yelp
I had the fried chicken and it was literally the best chicken I've ever had. Soooooo good!!
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Andrew C.

Yelp
Spent a wonderful weekend in town and we had been here before and had a great experience. We shared a local market salad and filet. Both were excellent and just the right amount to share. Service is always great and we were able to sit outside on the front patio, which was much quieter than being inside which does get noisy. Because we were staying in town, we took the free trolley, so didn't have any parking issues, but otherwise it's a definite challenge
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Shell S.

Yelp
All these years and it has consistently been great dining experiences at Nick's. We love Nick's Laguna Beach and anything we've ordered has always been fantastic with excellent service! Thank you!
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D_William S.

Yelp
We celebrated two family members birthday's at Nicks. We have a celiac in the family and it's a serious focus when we choose a restaurant. The good staff at Nick's was able to carefully prepare one of the meals gluten-free. All three meals were very good. The standout for me was my Blackened Fish sandwich...It was excellent!! They had Mahi Mahi this evening and the flavors of the fish with the greens, slaw, onion rings and tender brioche buns were superb. The atmosphere inside has a well designed decor. It's popular...capacity seating and high energy...however a little too loud for my taste. Outside patio can be nice, less noisy but traffic noise competes a bit. They have a tight view of the beach...it's not a real feature. Parking off-season is fairly easy in the Glenneyre Parking structure (lot 6). It has tight spaces! During peak season...better to take a trolley into town and walk.
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Jason S.

Yelp
We went for dinner the other night. I have never been there and it was delicious! Make a reservation it gets very busy or if you get lucky you can grab a seat at the bar. When a seat open up! We sat at the bar. The food was delicious! I got the salmon and my buddy got the sea bass. Both dishes were delicious. The service was good a few issues where we were overlooked and forgotten about.
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Chris P.

Yelp
This establishment seems to consistently deliver on food and service. One thing is certain, if you're trying to visit during peak hours, reservations are recommended. Food & Drinks - 4* They always have a good mix of cocktails, wine, and beer. On this visit we had the Fig Old Fashioned and an IPA. For food, we went with some tuna tartare to start and the chicken Piccata for dinner. The tuna tartare is a hit small in portion, but it's delicious. Nothing beats some fresh tuna! The chicken piccata was a healthy portion with two cutlets and a bed of greens. Service - 5* Here's where I feel Nick's stands out. No matter where we sit, there is consistent service. Someone is always checking in to make sure you have what you need, place any additional orders, and keep your water filled. Cost - 4.5* As I say, subjective, but in general the pricing is quite good for the location, quantity, and quality of delivery. Overall - 5* If you're looking to enjoy Laguna Beach as a local or a visitor, Nick's isn't going to disappoint. This area always has lots of tourists, but it still takes pride in delivering good food and service.
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Ellee W.

Yelp
So as many enjoy the food at Nicks. Did you know that the Laguna location is one of the only locations that serve breakfast during the weekend. Best waffle alert!! Crispy and airy waffles soft in the center. A must try, but be warned like me can't eat waffles anywhere else, no one makes them remotely close.
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Ryan R.

Yelp
The food was pretty good but not so good for the price and wait. Also, the ambiance is a bit too rowdy for me if you're paying these prices. It seems like they're just trying to pack as many paying bodies into the limited valuable real estate they have. Not a must try location but you could certainly do worse in Laguna. One big positive is that the staff is very attentive and nice.
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Virginia J.

Yelp
My friends and I decided to try this place while we were walking around Laguna Beach. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The staff were all very nice although I wish they wouldnt start cleaning up our table before we even left. I found that to be distasteful. We came for lunch so we didn't see many people and we were seated immediately. We chose to sit outdoors and even then, there wasn't much noise or foot traffic. Other than that, the food was amazing! We had the Spicy Thai and Grilled Steakhouse. Perfect to share amongst three people. Would be interested in coming back to try other menu items.
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CheRich R.

Yelp
A must have! From the door to the table A+! The staff are welcoming and attentive even those walking through that aren't providing direct service to you. We ordered with John who gave us excellent info on menu items helping us make great selections. My husband had the St. Louis ribs which came with fries and chopped kale salad. The ribs had a sweet pineapple bbq sauce and fell off the bone. Came with a warm towel for your hands, great touch. My order was the maple glazed meatloaf on mash potatoes accompanied with asparagus and carrot in a delicious savory sauce. Wow and wow! Everything was great! I ordered a martini espresso that was absolutely delish! We will definitely return. Thanks Nicks for an exquisite top notch experience. The inside was clean and cozy and even the restroom was top notch.
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Rob C.

Yelp
Food is good with some go tos are chicken piccata, original ribeye melt, tuna tartare and for desert, butter cake add ice cream. Sometimes they have the Whiskey cake too. Yummy! Service - Austin at the bar area is top notch. Always attentive. The rest of the staff is also on top. Ambiance - not a big spot but always busy so make your reservation or take a gamble and get into the bar area if you are lucky!
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Alisha S.

Yelp
Really good brunch food but giving it a 3 stars because of the server rushing us out. We were about 20 minutes into the meal, not even in the restaurant for 45 minutes at that point, when a server came up to us and asked to take our plates away. I was very clearly still eating, and he seemed to want to rush us out. Restaurant was maybe 20% full at that time so it's not like anyone was waiting for a table. No need to ask to clear the table when people are still eating!
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Tiffany K.

Yelp
First time trying the Laguna Beach location. It did not disappoint!!! Our server was super friendly, and we loved the casual but still kind of upscale vibe. I was a big fan of the calamari, and an even bigger fan of my entree. My friends also loved what they ordered- I haven't tried something at Nick's I don't like yet!! Can't go wrong. I ordered the prime rib dip and subbed the bread it comes with for sourdough because I prefer the bread to be a little harder if I'm dipping it. Best thing ever!!! The horseradish it comes with is a little strong but it works sooo well with the sandwich. Also, their brussels sprouts with the bacon and candied walnuts is seriously maybe the best Brussels sprouts I've EVER had.
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Amy M.

Yelp
SUNDAY BLOODY MARY SUNDAYS.... NICK'S Laguna Beach, California! I Freakin' LOVE NICK'S Bloody Mary's w/ their Fried Panko Crusted Blue Cheese Stuffed Olive =$14... "Almost" as Much as I LOVE Pickleball! And Without Question, after you see All My Brunch NICK'S Pics, You Too, will Dream of NICK'S, Too! NICK's Laguna Beach, they undeniably have one of the Most Amazin' Weekend Breakfast & Brunch's in the OC!! NICK'S! Please make my Dreams Come True & Serve Breakfast 7-days a Week, Again Soon! :) Brunch Currently Served Only on the Weekends from 8:30am - 11:30am and a MUST Check Out!
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Simon K.

Yelp
Decent breakfast. The biscuits and gravy were fine. The Croque Madame (like a breakfast ham sandwich) was alright, got boring after a while. Unfortunately the potatoes that came with it seem like they were made yesterday then reheated. Kind of chewy. The chicken and waffles were great. Very light and flavorful. The coffee was a bit bitter.
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Britney M.

Yelp
PHENOMENAL. Nicks's Laguna Beach exceeded every expectation we had, and then some! My husband and I came to celebrate my birthday. The staff made sure to make it a special day for me by giving me a chocolate cake and a card signed by the staff! That was such a surprise! The card had my name on it and it was spelled correctly. What a lovely gift! I really appreciate that personal touch. I've never had a dine-in experience like this before. Hospitality and service were unbeatable. The food was exceptional in every way. Every single appetizer and dish was prepared perfectly and had great presentation. I'll list what we ordered and rate each item below. Fried calamari 10/10 It wasn't chewy, fried perfectly. No tentacles, dipping sauces were a great compliment Shrimp taquitos 10/10 Really plump shrimps, sauce wasn't spicy, wrapping was crispy, topped with fresh pico and cheese, perfect balance of savory. French Onion Soup 10/10 Has great flavor, hearty and satisfying Scottish Salmon 10/10 Good sized salmon fillet, cooked nicely so it was tender, fresh spinach on the side Buttermilk Fried Chicken 10/10 Fried nicely so it was crunchy, chicken was tender, potatoes were whipped and buttery Warm Butter cake 10/10 This is world famous! And know I know why. It's got all the textures going on, warm cake, cold ice cream, sweet berries, amazing dessert Ambiance is cozy and dark. Love the booths and seating is very comfortable! The restaurant is classy inside and very clean. We will be back, no doubt about that. It was worth the 45 minute drive there and back for the food and service. My husband and I were already discussing what we want to try next on their menu!

AJ T.

Yelp
This is a busy restaurant on the bottom of Laguna Hotel. It was highly touted. The window seat view is very relaxing. It was very noisy and had to have a conversation unless you have a big outdoor voice. There's valet parking which is handy on PCH. IMO, I thought it didn't live up to the reputation. The prices are high. Don't recommend the ciaopino. The soup base tasted like tomato soup. So it's iffy. But the ambience is excellent.

Barbara B.

Yelp
Food and service were outstanding (Thank you Rebecca). I had the petit filet special which included soup and salad. Perfect portion size for me. Hubby had boneless fried chicken which was a huge portion - but it was so good, he finished it all. Nick's has a lively atmosphere and yet we were able to carry on a conversation without shouting. We will be back!
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Paul C.

Yelp
Exec summary: great food but no view Food: this was, literally, THE best French dip sandwich I can recall having. The blackened fish my wife had looked amazing and she loved it The Brussels sprouts were also amazing Ambiance : we sat outside on the patio. The only view is of pacific coast highway. But, as it's laguna, you do t have to wait long to see a super car or a premium luxury car drive past Service was prompt, the waiter was awesome. Had a very good time there !
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Shanon B.

Yelp
Wow, came across this restaurant while at Laguna and absolutely loved it. Was only about a 45 minute wait which was surprising given it was a weekend and Mother's Day. Lots of cute places to walk around nearby while waiting which is nice. We had such a great server; had an uplifting attitude and very attentive. We ordered the Chilean sea bass, ribeye sandwich and rigatoni pasta. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious. The rigatoni pasta was probably one of the best we have ever tried! Everything was seasoned and flavored so well. We will definitely be coming here again.
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Anatashia L.

Yelp
Can we take a moment to appreciate Nick's Laguna Beach? From the moment we walked in, the hospitality was top-tier. The staff truly works as a team--seamless, attentive and genuinely warm. We were lucky to be seated late on a Sunday evening and had the sweetest waitress who made us feel so welcome with thoughtful recommendations. We loved everything--from the well-crafted cocktails to the deviled eggs, every bite and sip was on point. Standout dish? The chicken piccata--absolutely bursting with bright citrus, perfectly crisp and those capers brought it all together. It was so flavorful! And let's talk about the butter cake... WOW. That light caramelized crisp on top was everything. I devoured it! We've already got our eyes on the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob--we saw it coming out nonstop and it looked incredible. No doubt, we'll be back soon to explore more of this menu.
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Lisa C.

Yelp
Great date night location! San Francisco Cioppino - Hands down one of the best seafood cioppinos I've ever had. The seafood is fresh and doesn't taste like it was previously frozen. Even some of the fancier seafood restaurants make bland cioppinos that disappoint me. But Nick's? *CHEF'S KISS* The rich aroma of seafood envelops every bite. And I'm a sucker for sourdough bread too. It's a must order for me every single time. Buttermilk Fried Chicken - The dish is popular but it wasn't too special for me. It has heavy ingredients and it makes you feel heavy consuming it. The gravy makes the fried chicken lose its crispiness. Asparagus Fries - Solid appetizer. Served with ranch.

Daniel P.

Yelp
Sea bass was delicious. Perfect texture, flavor, taste and consistency. Spinach was great as well.
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Angela F.

Yelp
We were craving seafood and Nick's did not disappoint! We arrived for a late weekday lunch and were seated right away. The pan seared Scottish salmon is the star of this meal. Cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender and flakey on the inside. The sautéed spinach and whipped potatoes on the side were just as delicious. This was probably the best meal I had in Laguna Beach. Highly recommend making a stop here!
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Liz J.

Yelp
Giving this restaurant a perfect score. This place exceeded our expectations. Server and manager were very attentive, checked on us a few times. Try the asparagus fritter on the appetizer and it will not disappoint. Nice and crisp! Husband got the chicken piccata with mashed potato- winner!!! I got the petite bistro combo and it was the perfect size for me. It comes with onion soup and kale salad and 4 oz fillet mignon. Very good! We ordered the whiskey cake with candied pecan and whip cream for dessert. The restaurant is perfectly located in Laguna Beach and it's nice and cozy inside. Another good find in Laguna Beach area!
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Linh T.

Yelp
First time here, made reservation thru Open table, probably need it since this place is a bit small than I thought. Ambiance is nice, open kitchen concept. I tried their breakfast menu and the portion is pretty big, ask for their salsa because it's pretty good. Service is attentive and they offer coffee refills. Will come back next week!
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David F.

Yelp
Wow! Amazing food! Amazing service! Very happy with the experience here. Also had the spicy rigatoni which was the best I've had. The ribeye melt was cooked to a perfect medium rare perfection. My only critique was the onions were a bit overwhelming with it making the bottom bread of the melt a bit soggy. Otherwise flavor was amazing. Very accommodating staff. Ambiance was very nice as well. Will be my go to spot anytime I'm in Laguna!
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Ariel H.

Yelp
A small, cozy restaurant located on PCH. I ordered the Cha Cha Spicy Rigatoni and it did not disappoint! I loved that it was cooked al dente because I like the "feedback" when masticating. The wait to be seated was 2 hours, but you can always opt for an open spot at the bar, first come first serve. Despite being a small place, the restaurant was quite loud and lively! Clean restaurant, clean restroom. The overall atmosphere was enjoyable!
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Timmy S.

Yelp
This is a very popular spot for some reason, usually with a crowd waiting to get inside. So when we were visiting some art galleries and shops while strolling the sidewalks of Laguna Beach on a weekday evening and saw this place half empty we decided to take advantage. It's a cramped space with a large bar in the center and some booths around the perimeter. If you're seated in a booth you can literally stretch your arm out and touch the back of someone seated at the bar. It seems like a great spot to throw back some libations but we just wanted some appetizers as we'd had a large lunch a bit earlier. The menu is largely seafood (which I don't eat) and I wasn't hungry enough to go for the steak options so I acknowledge I'm not giving an adequate review of their culinary offerings. I ordered the Market Salad and my wife got calamari (which she said was pretty good). My salad was fresh and tasty. It included onion, cheese, egg, and bacon with a little ranch dressing. It was a satisfying small bite. Service was friendly and attentive. Laguna is often tough when it comes to parking but we had luck in the parking structure directly behind the restaurant.
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Deidra W.

Yelp
Excellent breakfast/Brunch spot. We had the brioche French toast, Omar's skillet, and the chicken and waffles. Very well prepared and fresh tastes. Our server was Vanessa, she was very kind and personable.

Ann C.

Yelp
Service and food excellent! Staff friendly. Been there many times. Go before play or Sawdust festival. Have fun excellent food.
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Madeline S.

Yelp
I haven't been to Nick's location in Laguna Beach in a lifetime!! My friend and I had a great experience. It has a really loungy type feel because it's a smaller location and can get a little loud. They do also have a nice, covered patio as well. Our server was super friendly and the service was fast. The only thing I was a little bummed about is I was hoping to get Asparagus Fries and breakfast at the same time! Apparently they serve breakfast until about 11 or 11:30, close the kitchen and then open back up at 12 for lunch. Overall though, Nick's has some delicious food and never disappoints!
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Charles K.

Yelp
Food is great, Ambience is great, Service is great, Vib is great! What else would you want. Make reservation because it gets really crowded, no matter what day of the week. Thank you Management, Charles
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Annie V.

Yelp
We absolutely loved this establishment!! Everything we ordered was mouthwatering delicious!! The location is perfect right in the heart of Laguna Beach! Oh and did I mention the service was top tiers, thank you Spencer for the awesome service!! We'll be back soon!! A must checkout kinda place for sure!!
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Lili K.

Yelp
I recently saw Kevin Kwan, who gave a shoutout to Nick's for their prime rib dip, so we had to get it! We also got their chicken 'n waffles and breakfast burrito. Service was top notch and might I add, super baby friendly!! They gave both our kids etch-a-sketches to play with, and even had those high chairs that attaches to the table. We never used one before, and our kid actually stayed seated in it for some time, so yay to that!
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Stewart L.

Yelp
Ironically, I have never been to the Nick's in my hometown, but have visited the Laguna Beach location oodles of times since I'm down here twice a year. I have had breakfast, lunch and dinner here (same menu for lunch and dinner). Currently breakfast is only offered on weekends and starts a little late-ish (8:30 am). Like any meal at Nick's, it can get packed; reservations are accepted and advised. This location is on the petite size, with booths and tables surrounding a large bar with seating on 2 sides. There's a patio in the front with 5 tables. No you can't see the ocean. If I were just rating Nick's based on my last visit, it would be 4 stars, because service and the kitchen were extremely slow; several tables were complaining. I suspect there was a staff shortage this day. The food, however is always great and reliable. The menu's not large, and I've never had something I didn't like. For breakfast I ALWAYS order the chilaquiles. Laguna has its fair share of Mexican restaurants and one year I tried the chilaquiles at multiple places, so I can fairly say Nick's are "the best in town". From the all-day menu, I can say that the bacon deviled eggs (fried!), asparagus fries and shrimp taquitos starters are stellar and very popular. For the mains/sandwiches, I've had the cioppino, Chilean sea bass, fried chicken, chicken piccata, meatloaf (not always on the menu in Laguna), prime rib dip and ribeye melt, and I've NEVER not eaten every morsel (or taken it home). For dessert, I ALWAYS order the warm butter cake. Like the chilaquiles, I've tried others in town and Nick's is the best. I think it's the crunch from the crystallized sugar crust and the fresh berry compote that put it a notch above. I also like how Nick's recently added some non-alcoholic drink choices "free alcohol full of spirit". Service is always friendly. A reliable, recommended and popular Laguna spot.
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Thomas N.

Yelp
Wow--what an amazing dining experience! I ordered the Chilean sea bass and it was absolutely perfect. Cooked to perfection, full of flavor, and plated beautifully. You can really tell the kitchen pays attention to detail. What made the night even better was our server, Dianna. She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and professional--one of the best servers I've had in a long time. She made us feel welcomed and truly taken care of. I'll definitely will be coming back--not just for the incredible food, but for Dianna's top-tier service. Highly recommend!
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Tina M.

Yelp
Breakfast at Nick's This Morning! We hadn't been to Nick's in quite a while, so this morning we decided to switch it up and forgo our usual local spot. We were greeted and seated right away--great start! While waiting for our food, a server offered a Natalie's carrot muffin, and wow--it was absolutely delicious! When our meals arrived, though, there were a few hiccups. I didn't receive the condiments I had requested, and it took around five minutes for them to arrive. By then, my hash browns had gone cold. I was excited to dive into my omelet, but unfortunately, it lacked flavor and was filled with large chunks of avocado. Once I got to the center, I realized it wasn't fully cooked. Then, while pouring coffee, the server accidentally spilled some, which ended up dripping onto my blouse. That moment really took the wind out of my sails. Thankfully, a kind manager stopped by to check in, and I shared what had happened. She was very understanding and generously comped $30 from our bill, which I really appreciated. Having worked in the industry myself, I know things happen--and I also know Nick's is known for high standards. I truly believe this was just one of those off days we all have. A few suggestions from someone who's been there: Consider placing avocado on top of the omelet instead of inside, especially if it's in big chunks. The coffee pots might need replacing--several servers were having trouble with spills. Cups with a wider lip could help avoid future accidents. On a bright note, my husband had the chicken and waffles and absolutely loved them! We'll definitely be back--this experience doesn't change how much we enjoy Nick's. Thanks again for your hospitality and for tolerating me !
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Kimmy M.

Yelp
A great little restaurant in Laguna Beach. Our waiter, Michael, was fantastic. Great ambiance for a girls night or a date. Clean and well designed. For an appetizer we had the deviled egg. I would definitely recommend! The white of the egg was breaded and fried. The yellow had a great mustard, onion and a bit of bacon taste. For dinner we had the buttermilk fried chicken, sirloin steak and a hamburger. My friend said hamburger bun was dry but the rest of it was great. As for the steak, it was good but she had ordered it medium well and it came out medium rare. The waiter didn't come back soon enough so she just ate it as it was. They also brought out the incorrect potato side . The manager sent an ice cream sundae as an apology. Fried chicken dinner I would also recommended. . It was thinly pounded and seasoned well. Served with a biscuit and mashed potatoes and gravy. Very nice dinner that I'd order again. It was my friend's birthday so the waiter brought a piece of cake with a candle, very thoughtful.
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Beth E.

Yelp
I love Nick's!! I ordered the sea bass and it was incredible! Although all of the entrees are delicious, the sea bass is divine! We also ordered the bacon deviled eggs appetizer and I that was delicious as well . We had a reservation and were sat at our table right away. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The service was fantastic! Spencer was our server and he is amazing. Very friendly, attentive and on top of everything. Another excellent night at Nick's!
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Jeff N.

Yelp
This place is always Fun no matter what the weather. Dined here after Christmas and glad we did. Expecting a Sunny day in Laguna it was Foggy & Cold. Fortunately there were 3 seats at the bar for dining. Started with the Calamari which was lightly breaded but it was mostly just rings and one tentacle. Not that great, so I ended up eating it since my Mom likes that part the best, just like with Octopus. She had a tasty non alcoholic beverage with cranberry in it, I had the Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita made with a Jalapeño infused mixture the bartender adds for flavor that lasts. She had their Prime Rib Sandwich with au jus. I had the Blackened Chicken Sandwich with fries. Food was delicious Service was great at the Bar Ambiance was great ~ it was a bit loud but that's to be expected. Whether we're dining on their street side patio on a sunny day or inside at the bar Nick's is a Fun place to dine & have a fun time.