Service was fantastic. Our waiter Luca was on it. Amazing waiter. Great food and very much authentic. We had the swordfish, Beriia , ceviche and shrimp. However, we were seated outside when I was thinking we were going to be inside and no one told us that. I saw the photos online and loved the ambiance So we did not get the feel of the ambience which I was very much looking forward to for our special occasion. So next time, I'll make sure to ask!
Joshua Rustia
Came here with my family and we were pleasantly surprised. It was awhile ago while Gema was relatively new to San Clemente and we were blown away with the food and service. We love that there is a place with elevated food and drinks here in this beach town. Really hope people appreciate the quality of cooking going on here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JodiH
We had an OUTSTANDING experience the other night at GEMA. Our server clearly cared so much about the food and our enjoyment of everything there. He was perfectly detailed in descriptions so it helped us really appreicate what was being presented. It's just such a unique menu and the flavors are a beautiful blend. We'd go back in a heartbeat!
Great service and delicious food but a little pricey. The appetizers and small plates were unique with great flavors. My main course, filet of beef was served medium rare but I did ask for medium. The temperature was not exactly right for a steak dinner. Overall a pleasant evening and we'll come back again and try different items .
bekkiv
The service was excellent!! The food was amazing!!! Cocktails on point!! I was so excited to see that everything on the menu was gluten free, very hard to find. Everything on menu was fresh. Very unique menu. Will definitely be back.
This place is AMAZING! Everything on the menu was gluten free, farm fresh, and imaginative. Definitely try a grasshopper when you're there! (and I don't mean the drink.) The staff was super friendly and unpretentious: I felt like I was back in the Midwest. Will definitely be returning for special occasions (because I can't resist dropping all that coin).
Jwillie2020
Let me start by saying I love San Clemente and all the local restaurants and I really do love Gema... We probably ordered 10 things between the two couples and to be honest only one item was knocked out of the park, which was the puff pastry starter... Everything else is really good and interesting, but it was just OK... I was charged for things that I never ordered(extra scallop). My swordfish was raw and the chef tried to explain to me that that's the best way to cook it and eat it... I've been seafood for a long time and having my share of swordfish and I've never had it medium, rare or rare before... I don't know - I wish I could give it a better rating...the server also never brought out my potatoes and then gave me some excuse blah blah blah. I don't know what to say. I wish I liked it better / eclectic and delicious. I think I would rather go to South of Nicks in the future. 
We have eaten here many times and it never disappoints! The seasonal menu is always creative and flavorful! My hubby filet was cooked to perfection as was my swordfish! One of the best restaurants in OC!
We had a superb dining experience from start to finish. Everything was excellent from being greeted, the ambiance, the service, the level of detail to educate us on menu, and then THE FOOD and cocktails, absolutely beyond amazing. This is not just another cool hip trendy spot. It is extremely cool and possibly the best meal I've had in Orange County in the last decade! Wow! We usually love another local spot that is always packed, but Gema is on another level of quality and innovative and creative gastronomy. Very forward and fresh food experience. We dine in SC often, and this just moved to my favorite spot! So impressed with every element. Did I mention the service? Everything is outstanding! Don't hesitate to try!
Wonderful dining experience. Our server was great, very knowledgeable of the menu and did a super job steering us in the right direction on what to order as it was our first time at Gema. The food was so fresh and beautifully presented by a chef and team that obviously take pride in their work. Loved the ambiance, very romantic, perfect mood lighting. My husband was really impressed with the wine list and loved that the wines were all from Mexico and coordinated well with the menu. We left so satisfied, I'm so happy we dined at Gema and we look forward to going back.
kathleen
Absolutely fabulous the weather explained everything to us from the mescal flights to the dinner. The presence presentation could not find fault with anything and the nice thing about it is it's not your typical Mexican restaurant is upscale Mexican city restaurant.
Ernie Villagrana
Great dining experience, with wonderful friends. Very courteous staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Beans, Halibut Taco, Wagyu Steak, Caqui Salad
lana Garcia
The food is
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
StuartF
Some of the food was excellent. Cocktails great. Tortilla cold and tasteless. Some of our $45 Halibut was undercooked. Total time in restaurant 2 hours 30 mins. Way too much time between courses. Skipped desserts because didn't want to be there another half hour. Our server Luka was very attentive and did his best
Service was fantastic. Our waiter Luca was on it. Amazing waiter. Great food and very much authentic. We had the swordfish, Beriia , ceviche and shrimp. However, we were seated outside when I was thinking we were going to be inside and no one told us that. I saw the photos online and loved the ambiance So we did not get the feel of the ambience which I was very much looking forward to for our special occasion. So next time, I'll make sure to ask!
Came here with my family and we were pleasantly surprised. It was awhile ago while Gema was relatively new to San Clemente and we were blown away with the food and service. We love that there is a place with elevated food and drinks here in this beach town. Really hope people appreciate the quality of cooking going on here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an OUTSTANDING experience the other night at GEMA. Our server clearly cared so much about the food and our enjoyment of everything there. He was perfectly detailed in descriptions so it helped us really appreicate what was being presented. It's just such a unique menu and the flavors are a beautiful blend. We'd go back in a heartbeat!
Great service and delicious food but a little pricey. The appetizers and small plates were unique with great flavors. My main course, filet of beef was served medium rare but I did ask for medium. The temperature was not exactly right for a steak dinner. Overall a pleasant evening and we'll come back again and try different items .
The service was excellent!! The food was amazing!!! Cocktails on point!! I was so excited to see that everything on the menu was gluten free, very hard to find. Everything on menu was fresh. Very unique menu. Will definitely be back.
This place is AMAZING! Everything on the menu was gluten free, farm fresh, and imaginative. Definitely try a grasshopper when you're there! (and I don't mean the drink.) The staff was super friendly and unpretentious: I felt like I was back in the Midwest. Will definitely be returning for special occasions (because I can't resist dropping all that coin).
Let me start by saying I love San Clemente and all the local restaurants and I really do love Gema... We probably ordered 10 things between the two couples and to be honest only one item was knocked out of the park, which was the puff pastry starter... Everything else is really good and interesting, but it was just OK... I was charged for things that I never ordered(extra scallop). My swordfish was raw and the chef tried to explain to me that that's the best way to cook it and eat it... I've been seafood for a long time and having my share of swordfish and I've never had it medium, rare or rare before... I don't know - I wish I could give it a better rating...the server also never brought out my potatoes and then gave me some excuse blah blah blah. I don't know what to say. I wish I liked it better / eclectic and delicious. I think I would rather go to South of Nicks in the future. 
We have eaten here many times and it never disappoints! The seasonal menu is always creative and flavorful! My hubby filet was cooked to perfection as was my swordfish! One of the best restaurants in OC!
Excellent food and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chalupa, Chile Relleno, Langostino
We had a superb dining experience from start to finish. Everything was excellent from being greeted, the ambiance, the service, the level of detail to educate us on menu, and then THE FOOD and cocktails, absolutely beyond amazing. This is not just another cool hip trendy spot. It is extremely cool and possibly the best meal I've had in Orange County in the last decade! Wow! We usually love another local spot that is always packed, but Gema is on another level of quality and innovative and creative gastronomy. Very forward and fresh food experience. We dine in SC often, and this just moved to my favorite spot! So impressed with every element. Did I mention the service? Everything is outstanding! Don't hesitate to try!
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful dining experience. Our server was great, very knowledgeable of the menu and did a super job steering us in the right direction on what to order as it was our first time at Gema. The food was so fresh and beautifully presented by a chef and team that obviously take pride in their work. Loved the ambiance, very romantic, perfect mood lighting. My husband was really impressed with the wine list and loved that the wines were all from Mexico and coordinated well with the menu. We left so satisfied, I'm so happy we dined at Gema and we look forward to going back.
Absolutely fabulous the weather explained everything to us from the mescal flights to the dinner. The presence presentation could not find fault with anything and the nice thing about it is it's not your typical Mexican restaurant is upscale Mexican city restaurant.
Great dining experience, with wonderful friends. Very courteous staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Beans, Halibut Taco, Wagyu Steak, Caqui Salad
The food is
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Some of the food was excellent. Cocktails great. Tortilla cold and tasteless. Some of our $45 Halibut was undercooked. Total time in restaurant 2 hours 30 mins. Way too much time between courses. Skipped desserts because didn't want to be there another half hour. Our server Luka was very attentive and did his best