Dining Under Dana Skies: The Best Alfresco Spots in Dana Point

Looking to soak up that year-long evening breeze? For those of us who live in Dana Point, we know all about endless summer weather and spectacular al fresco dining experiences. 

Here are our favorite outdoor dining spots in Dana Point you’re guaranteed to find us! Stay tuned for an upcoming article with more…

LOCAL FAVES: 

Locals always seem to find the best of the best when it comes to hidden gem restaurants or those special spots that just never disappoint. We here in Dana Point are no exception, so we have to start with our LOCAL FAVES.

First up is Stillwater. Featuring an outdoor bar and lots of comfy outdoor seating, Stillwater is a great neighborhood spot for Happy Hour drinks (Tues- Thurs. from 4-6pm), a neighborhood hang with friends, and often, live music. Perched on the corner of Golden Lantern and Del Prado, Stillwater allows you to catch that light ocean breeze while dining and features the classics - refreshing salads, tasty burgers, seafood dishes, and inventive cocktails. After dinner feel free to stroll down Old Golden Lantern to Heritage Park for stunning views over the harbor and the shores of San Clemente to the south.

Next up is another Dana Point fave. Project Social, located off of Niguel Rd. and Camino del Avion, is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With lots of outdoor seating, heat lamps and a communal fire pit for those chilly nights under twinkly lights - the setting could not be more relaxing and enjoyable. Open 8am - 10 pm everyday, start with the “Ohana” - a delicious combination of avocado, house made lemon pepper seasoning, salt, micro greens, red onion, cojita cheese, honey mustard, on sourdough toast. Tip - go for the fried egg on top. Delish! Pair it with one of their coffees or teas for the perfect pick me up. Lavender latte anyone? Lunch and dinner are equally enjoyable with a menu of bowls, salads, flatbreads and more. Feeling thirsty? Sample any one of their craft beers or a glass of wine or bubbly if you’re so inclined. And of course we can’t forget the tater tots because who doesn’t love ‘em?. Fun fact: “Project Social’s initials (P.S.) serve as a reminder to skip the futility of digital interaction and connect face-to-face while savoring the delights of the Dana Point community.” Spot on.

Third on our list is the always delicious Craft House where birria egg rolls and their famous fried chicken are a claim to fame. Perched along PCH, Craft House features an outdoor deck in front, which makes for a great place to people watch while enjoying the energy of the Lantern District. Their parking lot around back was transformed during and after COVID into a stunner of an outdoor patio space. Featuring African teak flooring and sleek paneled windows, it’s great for a gathering of friends or a fun date night. Craft House’s owner and chef, Blake Mellegren, is known for providing sustainable seafood and locally sourced ingredients and his menu never disappoints. If it’s on the menu, go for Blake’s award-winning street corn. Or, start with the spicy tuna crispy rice, followed up with a chopped wedge, and if seafood is on the menu (which it always is), you can’t go wrong. The bar features an amazing and extensive selection of whiskey and their cocktails pair perfectly with the outdoor vibes. For creative, yet approachable food, Craft house always delivers.

Coastal Kitchen, located right across the street from Craft House, winds out our Local Faves list for outdoor dining. Featuring a nautical vibe, clean lines and low glass enclosed outdoor seating area, it’s a crowd favorite for a cozy dinner date or a night out on the town. Fun history fact - Coastal Kitchen’s location dates back to the 1920’s and was the first commercial building in Dana Point. Coastal Kitchen underwent an extensive renovation in terms of what you see today paying tribute to the “historic Spanish Colonial revival architecture.” Its menu veers towards clean and fresh with classic and inventive seafood, steaks, burgers, salads and more. Try it out and we’ll catch you there!

Photo: © Dana Point Lantern Village Association

NEWER SPOTS: 

Love pizza? You’re in for a treat with Truly Pizza! Located in the heart of Dana Point, right next door to everyone’s favorite hardware store - Dana Point Hardware, this recently opened artisanal pizzeria offers hand-crafted pizzas with unique flavor combinations like umami mushrooms and smoky vodka pizza pies. Their pizzas meld the perfect balance between respect for tradition vs. creative and inventive flavor bomb combinations. And if you’re not a fan of pizza (do those people really exist?), Truly has a plethora of salads, sandwiches, and wings to pick from instead. Featuring mostly outdoor seating, the vibe and charm of this spot transports you away to somewhere in Italy, and let’s be honest who doesn’t love that? Upstairs on the rooftop, diners eat under bright yellow lemons strung from the pergola - adding to the charming and welcoming feel of this neighborhood newbie. Their pizzeria not only serves some of the best pizza in Dana Point, but it also lives in an idyllic building, featuring a beautiful exhibition kitchen allowing diners to see first-hand the creation of these perfect pies.  

For a new spot overlooking the sand and sea at Salt Creek Beach, check out Young’s Beach Shack. Inspired by the original Young’s Beach Camp in Salt Creek Beach from the 1940’s, this newly remodeled beach shack caters to beachgoers offering savory and sweet meals and treats throughout the day. The outdoor vibes at Young’s couldn’t be more enjoyable with casual umbrella covered tables and views from Laguna down to the southern point of the cove. At sunset, a spot facing the ocean on a hightop barstool is absolute heaven. The menu, created by Chef Kyle St. John, features fresh seafood, locally sourced comfort foods, beach picnic provisions, a coffee bar, beer and wine. Casual and friendly, Young’s Beach Shack is open until sunset so surf into shore and enjoy the views over the Pacific and maybe a glimpse of the green flash! IYKYK.

CLASSICS: 

Dana Point’s Oldest Restaurant! When venturing out for a meal, you can never go wrong with a classic. A must-do in Dana Point is Wind & Sea, a waterfront restaurant focusing on fresh seafood. Opened in 1972 as a limited-menu prime steakhouse, Wind & Sea has since evolved into a fan favorite for harbor dining and has stood the test of time with generations of diners frequenting this DP gem. Extensive outdoor seating allows for magnificent views of the harbor and fishing boats hauling in their catch of the day. Breezy and fun, Wind & Sea is also known for its extensive specialty cocktail menu with special attention to their Mai-Tai. Join them Monday through Friday from 4-7pm for their “Hawaiian Happy Hour.”

For a cliffside dining experience, another must-visit would be the Chart House. Loved by locals and guests alike, Chart House has been serving the Dana Point community for 40+ years. One of the most interesting aspects of this Chart House location is its architecture. Consisting of three circular pods atop a bluff, it’s a feast for the eyes visually, as its architect was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. The views here are incredible. On a clear day, you can see 50 miles over the coast, and if you’re lucky in the spring, you may even spot a migrating blue whale. At night, watch the moon rise over the Dana Point harbor for an unforgettable and romantic night. The menu veers towards globally-inspired seafood entrees, steaks and classic fare. The Monday - Friday Happy Hour (4-6pm) is great for catching some golden light action above the cliffs overlooking the harbor.

A modern steakhouse with Craftsman-style architecture and outdoor patio with fire pit, Salt Creek Grille is a DP gem that has called this area home since 1996. Salt Creek is known for offering a scratch cooking experience through many of their unique mesquite-inspired menu items and focuses on line-caught seafood, center-cut steaks and fresh produce. After 4pm their sushi menu is available if you are craving something on the lighter side. Refreshing cocktails add to the outdoor ambiance and soft lighting brings a warm and relaxing glow to a fabulous night out.