Best spot we could have picked in Laguna Beach (and Southern California)! Wandering around and stopped by to check out the menu and it definitely did not disappoint!! We landed on mostly the late night happy hour but both this and the regular menu looked great! Drinks and food were amazing with great service and new friendships formed. As a mostly out of towner, will definitely be back when back in SoCal.
Friendly and accomodating drinks and food were innovative and delicious. Would go again in a heartbeat.
Laguna Beach features some of the best dining experiences in Southern California, and Nirvana Grille stands atop the list of local fare. Slightly more upscale and traditional than many of the 5-star restaurants on PCH, this place is a must-try. Each dish we tried, and we ve tried most on the menu, is unbelievably good. Better suited to special occasions and romantic dinners, this place will always be one of my favorites.
Update: the owners response reflects my original review. Excuses, excuses excuses. Just learn the art of not arguing w your customer, and the art of genuine apology.
Owner/chef could not have been less accommodating or apologetic for a clear-as-day screw up on their part. Not one to complain (or review) but the flippant attitude was reprehensible and a total affront to the service industry at large. Our server clearly forgot to place our kids order, we ordered for our kids first, but their meal arrived last. After several inquiries, the owner/chef arrived at our table, argued with us, didn t once apologize, and simply said maybe this restaurant isn t a good fit for you and your family as she left our table. Wow, just wow. Food is average, service is as poor as it gets. Too many options in the area. Pass
I love this restaurant! Quality and excellent service.
Best fine dining in the city. Take it from someone who grew up here and now lives in DTLA restaurant mecca.
My favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach. You can find local, organic, grass fed, etc and everything is yummy.
Superb food and service. Great vegetarian options too.
They offer a vast variety of delicious food. I love eating here. Staff members are always helpful, pricing is convenient and the place is always clean.
It has a variety of delicious vegetarian, vegan dishes, close to the beach and at a perfect cost, in addition to a very friendly service.
A fav place for tasty quality meals. Don't worry if it's busy, it is worth the wait. I had a cousin come into town and asked me to take him back here. Food and atmosphere reminds me of Atlanta.
The kitchen was very slow. We were there when the restaurant opened and it filled slowly after that. I had rockfish, which was a nice cut, but too much oil to my taste. The vegetable plate was maybe the best I have ever seen - no kidding. The sweet potato fries and desert were excellent. Our server was not very attentive, but the rest of the staff was helpful. The manager (owner?) was working hard to deal with things, which is commendable. I would go back again.
Nirvana Grille was one of the food vendors at the 626 market night in Arcadia--one of the hosts on the main stage were speaking about Sumo dogs and how they have a vegan dog. I didn't get a chance to try Saturday but when I came back Sunday night I found it's location.
This spot obviously knows how to treat their customers. Constantly with a very kind mindset. The food is conveniently priced, constantly fresh and neat.
Delicious food!! They had a Groupon which I'm glad they did..I never knew about this place and the Groupon made me realize what we was missing out on. It is street metered parking but free after 7.
We had the mussel appetizer. It was served in a bowl with delicious cream based sauce topped with hot, thin, crispy, fresh French fries. It was amazing!! (All big portion too). We also got the scallops for an app. It comes with two big scallops!
Sea bass and giant prawns are a must!
I celebrated my nomination this evening in this delicious restaurant. Well we had a enjoyable evening and the place was definitely one of the reasons for that outstanding meeting. The team cooperated in a graceful manner, the meals were tasty and my buddies were so thrilled. We shall surely return for more events. thanks very much.
We placed our orders 45 min ago and still are waiting. Very loud, hard to participate in a conversation across the table. Good selection of
Food was delicious, the drinks were awesome! Our bartender was great but the food took WAY to long. We got there almost 2 hours ahead of time to see the Yoga Play at 7:30pm. However, we just barely made it to our seats before the play started.
This restaurant gives extraordinary service as well as yummy food. The best spot in the city. The drinks and food came out fast and the rates were inexpensive. I recommend this place.
The staff was attentive, the environment was very nice, and the food was exceptional. We will be returning.
I constantly stop purchasing some food in here. I like the prompt customer service and well cooked food. I recommend this place.
The food we did have was good. Docking two stars because they had run out of seitan "a few days ago," which is pretty absurd for a restaurant that markets themselves as vegetarian-friendly.
Quality food, great service! Good option for vegetarian! Good selection of cocktails. Can't wait to check out the new spring menu. I hope it has more vegetarian dishes. Now a days, it is very hard to find a fine cuisine offering vegetarian dishes. I could not find a single fine restaurant in OC besides this that offered a good vegetarian dish.
I went their family yesterday. We had a great experience. We are definitely going back again. Highly recommended.
The food here is ok but the service is completely tone deaf.
Elegant diner with healthy options right in the middle of Laguna Beach!
Quiet, good service, excellent food, attractive room.
I am a regular. The menu is creative, fresh, varies regularly, and is always tasty.
They are also quite accommodating to special dietary needs (I am gluten intolerant).
The one drawback is that, with their small venue and good food, Nirvana is to some extent a victim of its own success... its popularity makes it crowded at times, and can degrade the quality of the service.
The food, however, is worth these minor annoyances.
amazing dishes. poblanos, salad, sea bass, desserts all cooked to perfection
My first visit. The appetizers were good and the drinks were strong!
Had a nice dinner before the pageant. The salmon entree was excellently prepared and on a nice bed of risotto (Typo in earlier post but I loveed the risotto). They were aware of our schedule and worked to promptly serve us and let us see the show.
Exceptional California cuisine. Starters were the poblano chili peppers and chicken wontons, followed by a wedge salad. My friend had a choice filet while I shared the spare ribs. There was an extra charge for sharing although it just makes it simpler. Server Enrique was on point.
From the moment you come to this restaurant team give you a nice feeling. Very friendly team, it is a kind restaurant to go out with friends or with your date. delightful food, experienced chef, honest price and attentive service. Highly recommended.
This place is awesome! Affordable rates, large dishes and the staff are consistently friendly.
Small and quaint atmosphere. Parking available in adjacent lot. We paid $10 for valet, $20 if you are staying all evening for Pageant of the Masters. Food was excellent! Great service. Seems to be a HH favorite amongst locals.
Simply delicious food. It's perfectly located a block from the beach in Laguna. The rooftop is spectacular at night (when we were there) and probably pretty great in the daytime too! I had the filet mignon with blue cheese mashed potatoes and spinach. Yummy! Great place.
Excellent, fresh, innovative, seasonal. Very attentive staff. Lots of gluten free options. Beautiful inside. Elegant, yet homey. A good place for single diners, couples, and groups.
Ummm heck yes! Enough said.
The peacock, candlestick, open invitation, all amazing.
A little expensive for not being fish so I'm taking one star for that.
Took off one star because the steaks, and chicken, were cold. We took off another star because I advised it was our wedding anniversary, multiple times, and they didn't offer any congratulations or provide another requested service. The service and food were very good, minus a few issues.
Food was great and the outdoor patio was just OK. Our waiter, while being nice and accommodating, struggled with his tablet which was mandated by the restaurant management. And, don't think that just because you found a wine you like on their wine list, they will have it...
Minus the waitress that was super bias with my girlfriend the place. It is really small. Food is ovwr priced for the taste. Blonde waitress is mean beware.
Enjoyed the ravioli appetizer, the Stroganoff was not for me too much tarragon.
I've been a few times. Large portion sizes. Delicious bread for starters. Great cocktails and delicious food! Had oxtail for my first time here and it was so good! The plantains are always great too.
Service and ambiance were fine but the food and cocktails were mediocre at best. We had a couple small plates - mushroom ravioli and lump crab cakes. They were nothing to write home about. My wife had the rock fish and she enjoyed it. I had blackened scallops which were bland and rubbery. I know that in a tourist area you pay more for the surroundings but it would be nice to have high-end taste when paying high-end prices.
Quiet evening ~Special was ordered. Two of us enjoyed delightful fresh + dessert!
Staff was extremely friendly, the atmosphere was lovely, and the Nirvana Vegetable Plate is to die for!
Wonderful food, amazing service, was a great place to take my grandmother for her birthday. Highly recommend, and I hear that it has fun stuff going on at night during the weekends.
This place simply knows how to take care of their customers. Consistently with a nice approach. The food is affordably priced, constantly yummy and clean.
Great food and service in times of covid-19. Food was perfect!
Service with a smile is always nice.
Thank you
I absolutely loved the veggie plate! Wish I loved closer so I could visit more often. Compliments to the chef!
Had the vegetarian risotto and it was the favorite of the table! Nicely placed in the middle of downtown for easy parking. Rooftop bar for excellent views during non-winter months!
Found this place on google and booked the table on open table App , took my Family there for dinner , Host & servers were very nice and
Food quality was really good too .
I would recommend this place.
Happened upon this place by accident because we found a place to park in Laguna Beach and this restaurant was across the street! The food was delicious and the service was friendly and efficient. We had crab cakes with arugula, grilled salmon with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and beef short ribs with polenta. We ate every bite!!
Sophisticated bar, delicious food, and quiet enough to actually converse (what a concept) and so easy to get to in center of Laguna!
I count the days until I get to go back when we visit Laguna Beach. Staff is so personable, food is FANTASTIC, drinks are perfect. Makes my night. Good for friends, dates or just popping by. Great happy hour specials. See you in August!
Cozy and plush restaurant with a nice bar. Food is excellent with good choices for vegan/vegetarian. The ravioli and cauliflower were our favorites. Good selection of wine, beer and cocktails. Helpful and friendly staff.
I went there for the first time for social Gathering Sunday evening on the upstairs patio. The seasoned fries for an appetizer we're great, but the alcoholic drinks are expensive for what you got. Unfortunately it got chilly so they plugged in the one small overhead heater that they had so of course that's where everybody congregated if they felt cold. When I left I was hungry and I checked out the menu downstairs but I didn't find anything that really encouraged me so I ate somewhere else
Nice place for a cozy and intimate dinner. Food was delicious and the service was great.
Excellent service, great food, go for the happy hour :)
One of my favourite places to dine. The menu is seasonal, portions are generous, ingredients are fresh, and everything is delicious. Vegetarian and gluten free options available, and a full bar. They have a menu for young persons (kids). The service is always friendly and inviting. I've gone with friends, on dates, and with children. We like to dine here before going to the Laguna Playhouse or Pageant of the Masters. It's across the street in close walking distance. On our last visit, we had the Roasted Poblano Chile, Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Chicken Wontons, Filet Brochettes, and Organic Gnocchi with a Chicken Breast side. For dessert, we enjoyed the ice cream: House-Made Goat Cheese Maple (surprisingly good, tangy and sweet), House-Made Cinnamon, and Dark Chocolate Truffle. Definitely worth a visit, and highly recommended.
Excellent food and staff. Loved the spinach and mushroom salad. Great place for date nights. One of the must tries restaurant in Laguna Beach.
nirvanagrille.com
