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About This Place

Welcome to Cafe Rae, a charming gem nestled in the heart of San Clemente, California. Tucked away at 1421 N El Camino Real, this cafe has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, renowned for its mouthwatering breakfast offerings and delightful ambiance.

At Cafe Rae, you are invited to start your day off right with decadent specials that awaken your taste buds. Picture this: a warming BBQ Pulled Pork Omelet, generously stuffed with cheddar or pepperjack cheese, paired perfectly with crispy potatoes or fresh fruit, all for just US$12.95. Or perhaps you’d prefer the Huevos Rancheros, where BBQ pulled pork takes a delicious turn on classic Mexican flavors. These dishes not only satisfy hunger but elevate breakfast into an experience worth savoring.

For those who crave something sweet, indulge in the Banana Caramel Fluff Cream Cheese Stuffed & Crusted French Toast or the unique Cherry Almond Pancake. You might find yourself daydreaming about the deliciousness long after your meal ends.

The reviews speak volumes. Customer Pat Kornychuk raves about the warm atmosphere and portion sizes that make lunch feel unnecessary. Meanwhile, NICK MENNELL offers a spirited testament to the cafe’s ability to spark joy and leave a lasting impression with every bite—his 'pesto breakfast hoagie' found a place not just in his memory, but in his heart. These testimonials illuminate the true essence of Cafe Rae, where every dish is crafted with care and creativity.

The floral garden that graces Cafe Rae’s exterior sets the stage for a tranquil dining experience, while the delightful service—highlighted by the attentive staff, particularly Nina—ensures your visit will be nothing short of exceptional. It’s the kind of place where you can linger over your meal, soaking in the good vibes and the cozy décor that begs to be captured on your Instagram feed.

In summary, Cafe Rae is more than a cafe; it's a brunch adventure waiting to unfold. With its vibrant menu, inviting atmosphere, and stellar service, each visit feels like a celebration. So, if you find yourself in San Clemente, make sure to treat yourself to the culinary treasures at Cafe Rae—you won’t regret it.

Service options

Accessibility
  • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
  • Offers takeaway
  • Serves dine-in
  • No delivery
Highlights
  • Serves great coffee
Popular for
  • Popular for breakfast
  • Popular for lunch
  • Good for solo dining
Offerings
  • Serves coffee
  • Serves comfort food
  • Serves healthy options
  • Serves organic dishes
  • Quick bite
  • Serves vegan dishes
  • Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
  • Serves breakfast
  • Serves brunch
  • Serves lunch
  • Has catering
  • Serves dessert
  • Has seating
Amenities
  • Has gender-neutral toilets
  • Has toilet
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cosy
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • Family friendly
  • Good for groups
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Popular with tourists
  • Transgender safe space
Planning
  • Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
  • Accepts credit cards
  • Accepts debit cards
  • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs available
  • Has kids' menu
Parking
  • Free of charge street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Plenty of parking

Locations

What Guests Are Saying (592)

One of our fav go-to breakfast spots, absolutely excellent food in a very pleasant environment. The chef/owner is amazing - our meals are always perfection. A special mention of his huevos ranchero and his huevos no huevos. And, let's not forget his morning potatoes, just perfect. We find the portions are so big, we never need lunch!

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.

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!

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.

Cute little cafe with beautiful seating and even better food. Highly suggest trying the stuffed French toast with cornflakes on the bread.

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.

So far so good. This place is small but cozy. There’s a kool hippie vibe here total local beach scene. Food was excellent, the pancake was huge and the stuffed French toast was very very good! Come check them out!!

Amazing food and service! Portions are huge and well presented. Owner traveled with all the best 90’s rock bands as head caterer, and has all his backstage passes are on display. Definitely coming back!

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