Nestled in a welcoming space with a laid-back surfer/hippie vibe, this is the perfect spot for a cozy breakfast or brunch. The food is wholesome, unpretentious, and served in generous portions. You'll also find beautiful handcrafted batik casual clothing for sale. Note: Bring cash, as it's the preferred payment method.
Overview
Located in the heart of San Clemente, Cafe Rae offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere for anyone in search of a perfect meal or a leisurely coffee break. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite, an afternoon coffee, or a relaxed dinner, this local gem promises a delightful dining experience.
The moment you walk into Cafe Rae, you're greeted by a warm ambiance with soft lighting and a modern yet laid-back interior. Its location at 1421 N El Camino Real places it right at the crossroads of convenience and charm, making it an ideal spot for both locals and visitors to the area. The cafe has become a favorite for its welcoming environment, as well as its thoughtfully crafted menu, which features a range of flavorful dishes that cater to a variety of tastes.
For those craving breakfast or brunch, Cafe Rae serves an excellent selection of options, from freshly baked pastries to heartier fare like avocado toast and eggs benedict. The menu is designed with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that each dish is both fresh and flavorful. You’ll also find a variety of freshly brewed coffees, smoothies, and juices that pair perfectly with any meal, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a relaxed morning.
The lunch and dinner menus are just as impressive, featuring a mix of classic favorites and innovative dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for a satisfying sandwich, a fresh salad, or something a little more substantial like their signature grilled chicken or vegan burger, Cafe Rae caters to all dietary preferences. One standout item is their mouthwatering seasonal specials, which highlight the best of what’s available locally.
If you're a fan of seafood, the shrimp and scallop pasta is a must-try, with the perfect balance of savory and light flavors. For those preferring vegetarian or vegan options, the menu offers several plant-based choices like the roasted vegetable quinoa bowl or the vegan tofu stir-fry. The care taken in creating such diverse dishes speaks to the restaurant's commitment to providing something for everyone.
What truly sets Cafe Rae apart is the attention to detail in every dish. The chefs clearly take pride in their work, as each plate is beautifully presented, ensuring that diners not only enjoy great flavors but also a visually appealing experience. You’ll notice that the café often uses fresh herbs and seasonal ingredients, which adds a unique twist to many of their dishes. This dedication to quality is further reflected in their beverage offerings, which include a variety of organic teas and signature coffee blends, all brewed to perfection.
Many regulars rave about the relaxed yet upbeat vibe of Cafe Rae, praising the friendly staff and the café’s ability to balance a casual dining experience with a touch of sophistication. Whether you're in the mood for a solo coffee run, a business meeting, or a meal with friends, this spot has proven to be an excellent choice time and again.
If you're planning to visit, it’s worth noting that Cafe Rae has garnered quite a reputation for its exceptional customer service. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and always happy to recommend a new dish or drink to try. The café’s consistent commitment to delivering an enjoyable experience has earned it a loyal following among the local community, with many people choosing to return time and time again.
Conveniently located near the beach, Cafe Rae is also an excellent choice for those who want to grab a quick bite before heading to the coast. It’s not uncommon to see groups of friends enjoying a leisurely meal, families sharing a delicious dinner, or solo diners savoring a cup of coffee as they watch the world go by.
As far as dining experiences in San Clemente go, Cafe Rae offers the perfect blend of great food, excellent coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a place where people can come together over good food, making it the ideal spot to spend a few hours enjoying the coastal charm of this beautiful area. If you’re looking for a spot that combines great meals with a warm environment, you’ll find it at Cafe Rae.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Great coffee ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Healthy options ✓ Organic dishes ✓ Quick bite ✓ Vegan options ✓ Vegetarian optionsDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Gender-neutral toilets ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ Tourists ✓ Transgender safe spacePlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
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Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 417 reviews
Definitely try this place! Food was fantastic. My wife and I went on a friday morning and it wasn't too busy. I got the Rae Mexi breakfast bowl. My wife got a breakfast sandwich and we shared the strawberry stuffed French toast. The portion sizes were big and everything tasted great. The French toast wasn't too sweet either. In total we spent $50 and was well worth it. The atmosphere was a bit cramped and kinda thrown together but they're doing the best with the space they got. We will definitely be back.
Incredible! A real gem in San Clemente. We had a special: Egg Benedict on a Croissant and Mex Breakfast Bowl. Absolutely delicious and highly recommended!
Pleasant surprise. We were hungry and stopped for late breakfast/lunch. Food and portion size was great. Real local and hippy vibes. The restaurant kinda asks to pay in cash, so try to have some before going.
Great food. Surprisingly reasonable prices. Middling service. But you can buy lovely batik t-shirts scattered around the cafe. Great spot for breakfast, esp on Sundays - they open at 8:00am - near the Casablanca Inn where we stayed. Highly recommended!
Breakfast game: Olympic-level strong. Okay, listen up... I just had the most insane experience at this spot called Cafe Rae, and I literally cannot stop thinking about it. Ladies, you know when you meet a guy who's actually nice AND attractive? This place is basically that, but in restaurant form. So I order their special pesto breakfast hoagie, right? And when it arrived—no exaggeration—I had a full-on relationship with this sandwich. First date, honeymoon phase, and then seriously thought about going exclusive. It was out of this world! Like, I'm talking the kind of sandwich that makes you want to text your ex just to tell them you’ve moved on. The place itself? Adorable. It's got that aesthetic that would absolutely kill on an Instagram feed. They have this little flower garden outside that looks like they were left by the Indians and then they built the restaurant around them. It literally smells like manure out there. That’s how well they tend that garden: Delightfully charming. The kind of floral setup that makes you want to bring your mom there just so she knows you’re less likely to end up in jail now. And can we talk about the service for a second? The staff there, particularly Nina—absolute queen bee-havior. The service was so good at this place I almost felt bad for not bringing a bottle of wine or something. Almost. Will I be back tomorrow? Is water wet? Of course I will. I'm already picking out what I'm going to wear. This place isn't just a meal, it's a vibe. Five stars, easy. Actually, if I could give it six stars for making me feel things I haven't felt since my last situationship ended, I would. and if this review convinces you to eat there: you’re welcome.
So glad we popped in here for breakfast! Good move to go a bit earlier than usual to beat the crowd. We showed up around 9am and it wasn’t too busy but the place was full by 10am. We got the brisket omelette and they’re stuffed French toast special. They were both delicious! The omelette came with a really good portion of brisket, breakfast potatoes, and toast. You can pick from different breads for you toast, so I went with challah. It’s a quirky joint, definitely worth going back to.