My wife and I came for my birthday and ordered the tenderloin, ribeye ragú pasta, mashed potatoes, French onion soup and a few drinks. The drinks had alcohol I could feel, unlike many other restaurant drinks, and the all the food was a 9-10/10 at fair prices. The cellar/cave feel and overall atmosphere is unique and we’ll definitely be coming back to try everything else. Also, the happy hour food and drinks at the bar and lounge offer more budget friendly options if interested.

Truly fabulous meal. Wonderful staff. We had lamb, venison, ribeye, filet, lobster bisque, plum salad, charcuterie board, mushrooms, truffle max and cheese and it was all fabulous. However, do not make a reservation and skip it. Your credit card will be charged $40 a person for a no show!

Dining here was quite an experience. Great ambiance and wonderful food to boot. Customer service is also top notch. Our server was attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu offerings. Definitely recommending it as a place for special occasions or a romantic date. You won't be disappointed.

Real unique experience. I thought half the fun was having to look for the restaurant. Good luck! The food was very tasty. Let's start off by saying the bread is amazing, and you'll have to stop yourself from filling up on it. Everything we ordered seemed to be prepared and cooked perfectly. Love the dark, moody atmosphere. They have a bar as you walk in off to the right, and that's also where the bathrooms are located. The bathrooms are also spectacular. The doors alone are majestic. Really great experience. Highly recommend.

The Cellar Restaurant in Fullerton is a hidden gem nestled in the basement of the historic Villa del Sol. It's a romantic and elegant spot with a unique ambiance that's sure to impress. The food at The Cellar is also top-notch. They offer a variety of classic French dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The service is always attentive and friendly, making for a memorable dining experience. But what really sets The Cellar apart is its impressive cocktail menu. The bartenders are skilled and creative, crafting delicious and unique cocktails that will tantalize your taste buds. Some of the most popular cocktails include the Cellar Old Fashioned, the Blood Orange Margarita, and the Lavender Honey Martini. If you're looking for a romantic and sophisticated dining experience with exceptional cocktails, The Cellar Restaurant in Fullerton is the perfect place. You won't be disappointed!

My husband and I came in for our anniversary. We came super early and had at the bar the lobster bisque. We loved it how they presented the food and it was so delicious! Once we were seated to our table we ordered the Asparagus Milanese, the Filet Mignon, Venison Tenderloin and Creme Brulee. We got a complimentary Creme Brulee because we were celebrating our anniversary. The food was so delicious! Our server Gracie did an excellent job! We'll be back again!

The Cellar Restaurant in Fullerton is an absolute gem! The food tastes amazing -- every dish is rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The atmosphere feels so special, with its vintage European-style decor that makes you feel like you've stepped into another era. Our server, Antonio, was wonderful! He genuinely cared about every guest in the restaurant, and I noticed him checking in on every table with such professionalism and kindness. The lady who brought out our food also left a lasting impression -- she had an angelic presence, and when she unveiled our main course by lifting the metal lid with a soft clang, it made the entire experience feel extra fancy and memorable. We had a truly wonderful night here and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend this place for anyone who appreciates great food, exceptional service, and a charming, romantic atmosphere.

We chose this place to celebrate my birthday and it turned out to be a wonderful decision. The staff was attentive and welcoming, giving us plenty of time to relax without any pressure while ordering. The atmosphere made the evening feel special and unhurried. The chateaubriand was cooked perfectly and full of flavor, and the sticky toffee pudding was the ideal way to end the meal. Everything came together for a memorable night, and I would happily return to enjoy it all again.

We went to The Cellar for a birthday celebration. We had the following: 1. Steak tartare: 3/5, very little flavor 2. Bone marrow topped with fig jam: 6/5 3. Free bread basket with 3 different rolls: 4/5, can ask for second bread basket for a $5 fee 4. Short rib ragu: 4.4/5, tasty, had a small amount of shredded short rib meat, $47 was pricy for what you get 5. Brussel sprouts: 2/5, a little bland and not as soft as I was expecting 6. Lobster bisque: 3.4/5, very flavorful but too salty 7. Burrata salad: 4/5, burrata to greens ratio was great Mocktails: 8. River of Dreams: 2.7/5, very sweet 9. Sweet Dreams: 5/5, nice tea flavor Dessert 10. Happy birthday dessert, Vanilla ice cream over chocolate crumble 11. Petite Vanilla Souffle with seasonal blueberry cream: 5/5 Service was great. Waitress was super friendly and attentive. Atmosphere is good for dates, dimly lit with and overhead light and a candle. I'd recommend looking at the website for the latest menu since there were some items on semi-recent review pictures that were no longer available.

Second visit, and The Cellar continues to deliver a consistently excellent experience. We had a 6:00pm reservation but arrived right at 5:00pm when they opened. Instead of waiting, we decided to start at the bar and learned they offer happy hour daily and yes, even on weekends! The bar itself is intimate and fills up fast, so we snagged one of the nearby cocktail tables instead. Lilly was our server during HH and she was wonderful. I ordered the Night Train- a spirit-forward cocktail that was bold, sophisticated, and perfectly on brand for this elegant, speakeasy-like space. The chocolate garnish on top was a nice touch. I also enjoyed a glass of Cab from the HH menu. My boyfriend went with a classic Manhattan, which felt like the perfect fit for the moody, old-world vibe of the bar. We hadn’t eaten all day, which led to some questionable (but delicious) decisions. Watching what the couple next to us ordered off the HH menu didn’t help either. We ordered the bread and the HH mac and let me tell you what a big mistake that was! This is how you ruin your appetite, people!!! Once we moved into the dining room, Caden took over as our server. He was friendly, fast, and efficient. We ordered everything at once, and he expertly coursed it out for us. What we ordered: Grilled Spanish Octopus Skewers – Delicious overall, though the octopus was just a tad dry. Still enjoyable and not a deal breaker. Nordic Blue Salmon – My boyfriend told me to order something else since I eat salmon all the time… I ignored him! Zero regrets!! The salmon was perfectly cooked (medium, just how I like it), and the roasted squash and oyster mushrooms complemented the dish beautifully. Unfortunately, I only managed two bites before surrendering. Happily boxed it up though and it held up incredibly well the next day. 10oz Cape Grimm Filet Mignon – My boyfriend’s order and a recommendation from Caden. He usually doesn’t gravitate toward filet mignon, but he absolutely loved it. For dessert, we ordered the Sticky Toffee Pudding, and it was heaven in every bite. The Cellar has been part of downtown Fullerton since its grand opening in 1970, originally built into the underground space of a historic brick building. With its stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and European wine-cellar ambiance, it’s easy to see why it has endured for over five decades.There’s a reason this restaurant has stood the test of time and remains a staple of Orange County fine dining 55 years later.

We came in for my birthday. Excellent service, didn't feel rushed to order. We were able to enjoy the evening and experience. Chateaubriand and sticky toffee pudding were amazing, would definitely get again.

The food was directly aligned with what you'd expect from a fine dining establishment. The service is what really sets this restaurant apart from other fine dining places though. We went here for my birthday in 07/19 as an unexpected change in our plans. The hostesses upfront worked hard to accommodate our unexpected arrival. Our server Paige was phenomenal and went above and beyond to ensure our time there was exceptional. I would highly recommend experiencing the deliciously prepared food here and the exceptional hospitality.

Incredibly unique, highly recommend. Atmosphere is theatrical and romantic. Service was friendly but a little on the slow side. Lobster bisque was creamy and flavorful, presentation was fun and unexpected. Escargot was unique and earthy. Grimms Filet Mignon was excellent, smooth as butter. Potato gnocchi was delicious but the portion was small; the flavors were uncommon and worked very well together. Sticky toffee pudding was good, another dish that was different from my past experiences. Seemed more like a cake covered in caramel paired with ice cream but tasty nonetheless. Has a small parking lot out back that tends to fill up but there is a small free (i think 3hrs) garage down the alley. Buon Appetito, Piatto Pulito 😋

Everything is good! Heather our server is phenomenal. Will definitely go back

Have been wanting to try this place and was not disappointed. I took my boyfriend here for a Birthday dinner. The meat was cooked to perfection and was near melt in your mouth. The souffle was worth the wait (30 mins), because it was absolutely delicious! I will definitely visit again to try more food. I really enjoyed my salmon. It was a hefty piece. The lobster bisque is a MUST TRY!

Arguably the best restaurant in the OC... Or Southern California, even... it's stunning on the inside. Perfectly and discreetly secluded in downtown. Cocktails are some of the best I've ever had. The steak and lobster as well. I can not wait to go back. The bar is also to die for. You won't find another place like this, it's completely unique.

I can’t believe I haven’t written a review yet. I’ve been coming here for years. I live in Texas and I still come here all the time. The bar is beyond amazing. Dustin, Troy, Erick, Jay, etc are the best. Patrick is one of the best managers I know. He always takes care of me and everyone that came with me. When I lived here I came here 2-3 times a week. Best steak sandwiches and the best food.

Amazing experience for my friend's birthday dinner. Will definitely return. Our server Antonio was exceptional.

Amazing date night! Their steak is perfectly cooked and juicy! A must try if you love steak and an amazing atmosphere.

Celebrating our anniversary tonight at The Cellar! It was our first time here. Had a hard time finding the restaurant because it's tucked away at one corner of the courtyard of the building. And it's down stairs. Anyhow we found it after walking around the building. This restaurant is not just a dining place but it's a dining experience! What a feel! Kind of away from everything! The menu is limited, but the food is great! Portions are not very large so it's easy to finish. I had the steak daily special and my wife had the salmon. The steak is rolled up with spinach. Very tasty! The salmon was very well cooked with crunchy skin. We also ordered escargots for appetizers and it was fantastic! Finally for dessert, we had the vanilla souffle and you should order this 20 minutes ahead. And it was very good! Overall it was a very nice dinning experience. Although the food did come out a little slow. Maybe they're short handed today because of the holiday (Veterans Day) But we're happy!

Went back in time at the Cellar, and wow what an incredible restaurant. I had no idea where my wife was taking me, and upon our arrival I was pleasantly surprised. I asked the waiter, who was exceptional with his service, the history of the Cellar and was told some stories with mentions of John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, and more. Just incredible. The food, drink, I must say are crafted to perfection. The drinks have layers, so delicious. The bone marrow, lobster Bisque were excellent starters. I had the filet, mashed potato, mushrooms, Mac & cheese, cooked perfect and it was all exceptional. For dessert my server recommended the sticky toffee pudding, and one of the best desserts I have ever had. While not cheap, it was an experience second to none. Bravo Cellar, I will be back!

The Cellar Restaurant delivers an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. The atmosphere is elegant yet welcoming, the food is beautifully prepared, and every dish is full of rich, delicious flavor. The service is attentive, professional, and makes you feel truly taken care of. It’s the perfect place for a special night out or a memorable meal. Highly recommend The Cellar Restaurant for outstanding food, service, and ambiance.

This is hands down our favorite date night spot! The food is top tier! Everything I’ve eaten has been delicious. I recommend the soups; the lobster bisque and French onion are amazing in their own way. For a “first time” meal, I suggest the “Chateaubriand for two.” It’s a shareable filet mignon with sides. The taste is amazing and the presentation is good too (they cut it at table side, fun to watch). The drinks are amazing too! They have a rotating menu of cocktails that never disappoint. Usually my husband goes for the “off the cuff,” which is the bartenders choice. No drink has ever let me down, even the “experimental” ones. Good mocktails too for your sober friends. I have never had a fancier mocktail in my life. Go to the cellar!!!!!! It’s worth it!!!

Sometimes life (or, in our case, punctuality) conspires against you. We rolled into The Cellar in Fullerton just late enough to miss the full main menu and be relegated to happy hour like culinary delinquents. Tragic? Potentially. Fatal? Not under Laura’s watch. Laura clocked our vibe immediately, three friends, mildly annoyed at ourselves, hungry enough to make poor decisions, and proceeded to not let that happen. With the calm confidence of someone who actually knows the menu (a rare and precious trait), she guided us flawlessly through the happy hour offerings like a seasoned sommelier of satisfaction. Her recommendations were surgical: steak sandwich and lobster bisque, charcuterie, and mac and cheese that somehow managed to feel indulgent, comforting, and more than sufficient despite the “limited” menu. We did not miss the mains. Not even a little. That’s a flex. And just when we thought we were done (and full), Laura casually suggested the soufflé and crème brûlée, because obviously we still had room. She was right. Again. Both desserts were excellent, and at this point, we were just nodding along like, “Yes, Laura, tell us what to eat next.” She was keen, sharp, and prudent in her recommendations, never pushy, always on point, and turned what could’ve been a compromised dining experience into a thoroughly satisfying one. My two friends and I left full, happy, and slightly embarrassed we ever doubted the power of a great server. We absolutely plan to return, on time next time, to tackle the full main menu, and when we do, we’ll be asking for Laura. Because when someone gets it this right, you don’t mess with the formula. Highly recommended.

Nov 13 2025. It was our first time dining. One prior visit to the bar. Our food was fantastic, service was on point and the decor was great. Next time I would skip the brussels sprouts, and ask for a slightly less burn on the creme brulee. Other than that the steaks were cooked perfectly, grean beans, mash potatoes, mac and cheese, lobster bisque, french onion, Caesar salad, wine, beer, and old fashioned was terrific.

Went for our anniversary and the food was fantastic. Both of our filet mignons were cooked to perfection paired with their demi-gloss wine sauce that was top notch. The onion bread and butter was a neat way to elevate their already delicious rolls, and we very much enjoyed it. The blackberry sorbet was so smooth and refreshing (not overly sweet). The atmosphere is really unique and the wait staff is wonderful. We will definitely come back and I would highly recommend for any celebratory dinner. I would also highly recommend their bar staff, as our drinks were fantastic and traditional (in the best way).

Not my first time here and not my last. The actual restaurant has a unique feel, dining outside was a different experience. The service was good, not over the top exceptional, the food had some nice classic choices with a focus on the drink menu. Not something I care for so that was lost on me. The preparation for our meals was done well with one minor point. I hold all restaurants to the same criteria, if the protein cannot stand on its own, then it isn't prepared correctly. Both the venison and the pork, needed salt. The venison was almost perfect with that small lack, and the pork was very good when eaten with the sauce it came with. But neither could stand alone. The souffle was a wonderful end and worth the wait. Be sure to order this when you dine here.

So we got there early on a Friday night, they told us our reservation would be ready in 10 minutes but we were more than welcome to sit at the bar and order cocktails. We had our two cocktails, and our table was ready. Our waitress was very attending the whole entire experience. We ordered the lobster bisque, the steak tartare, ribeye, and the duck. I want to say, out of our whole course, the lobster bisque and the duck was my favorite. The lobster bisque was very creamy, and we even dipped our bread in the soup and tasted amazing. The ribeye was good and meeting cooked perfectly, could’ve used a bit more butter but overall it was an OK dish. Ordered four drinks throughout our course, spent a bit under $300.

Great atmosphere and most food is great, but the soup is too salty for us.

This was my Birthday dinner with my daughter and 2 of my good friends! This place is hard to find as it doesn't face a street, but it's worth the adventure of locating it. Parking is located in a garage, an adjacent lot, and on evenings in the bank lot. We sat at the bar as our table was being prepared. It's cozy down here... so be prepared if you are claustrophobic. Cocktails were fabulous! My Lobster Bisque was on the salty side, and it had less than a 1/3 of an ounce of actual Lobster in the center of the bowl before they poured the bisque in. The Charcuterie board was dazzling - the meats, cheeses, and crackers were delicious and beautifully presented. I didn't care for the Burrata as much... I've had better-tasting Burrata before. We all ordered the Chateaubriand, it was heavy (as to be expected), but the meat was melt-in-your-mouth divine. The vegetables were seasoned well, and the creamy mashed potatoes brought the whole entrée home! I wasn't impressed with the Sticky Toffee Pudding, but I have to say that isn't their fault; it's just that I have had some unbelievably good Sticky Toffee Puddings. Service was impeccable. Respectfully Reviewed.

I went for an anniversary dinner and it was great. Our server was incredible, she was so nice and attentive the whole time. The atmosphere was amazing as well, very rustic with a speakeasy vibe to it. The food was good, nothing to complain about, but for the price of it, it was not very worth it. It was good, but I could get similar food at another place for literally half the price. But you also pay for atmosphere and for the kindness of the staff. Overall it was a very good experience.

What an incredible experience! From the moment we walked into The Cellar, we knew it was going to be special. The food was out of this world, and the service was impeccable. The lamb chops were a highlight. Can’t wait to come back and try everything else on the menu!

This review is for the Trick o Treat brunch set menu ($70 per person). We went to the Cellar for dinner years ago and loved it, but was very disappointed in the brunch. For the first course, I got the Witches Brew (tomato bisque). It was pretty good, but wasn’t anything outstanding. My biggest complaint was that it was room temperature. For soup, I would expect it to be hot, or at least warm. For the second course, I got The Bride (sourdough, avocado, pork belly, poached egg, veggies). This dish was just average and also wasn’t anything special. One poached egg was nicely runny, but the other was a little overcooked. The dish was also room temperature, which made it not pleasant. For the final course, I got the Headless Horseman (pumpkin spiced tart). This was probably the best dish. It was rich and chocolatey. At the end, they gave us a gift bag with some candy, which was nice. Overall, the ambiance was cool, and the themed menu was cool, but the food quality was average, and the fact that everything was room temperature was not acceptable.

The overall experience at the Cellar was fine, but one thing that stood out was how Overpriced the wine seemed which only required a quick pour. While I understand that wine is marked up at restaurants, it felt unreasonable considering that Eddie V and Bello by Sandro priced theirs at $9/glass during Happy Hour. In comparison, cocktails — which require skill, time, and effort from the bartenders to craft — were priced similarly, if not cheaper. It just didn’t make sense.

Happy hour review: I wouldn't come here for anything other than happy hour and really only came here for the novelty this first time. It's got a really interesting vibe that's supposed to be "haunted" I guess. It's a bit spooky and dim that's down in the basement. Parking was quite annoying, service was slow, and food/drinks were mid. Mac n Cheese: Get A decent and creamy mac n cheese. It's nothing too special but it does the job for happy hour. Lobster bisque: Skip It missed the mark by being so incredibly salty... Otherwise who knows, maybe it could have been great. River of Dreams: Skip A imbalanced drink with too much sour and sweetness that reminded you of candy. Gordon's Cup: Get A very enjoyable spirit forward and balanced drink with hints of that woody spicy pepper. Souffle: Get This actually does take 30 minutes to come out but it was worth it. So fluffy and airy... especially with the salted caramel drizzled everywhere. Get the small portion because I can't imagine trying to finish anything larger lol Service: Terribly slow... we waited excruciatingly long from beginning to finish to put any order in or to get the check. Food: 6/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 4/10 Value: 4/10

The place was nice, the service was great. Unfortunately, the food was just ok. The souffle was a bit of a disappointment, over baked. The tastiest thing was the creme brulee. We also had the escargot, crab cake and bulliabaisse was lask luster. The drinks were interesting.

Location is gorgeous service was great very attentive. The drinks were on point. Lobster bisque was very tasty. Steak was delicious . Also ordered the ravioli which i didn't care for but whatever. Very nice romantic ambiance

Service is great, atmosphere is great.. food is terrible. I swear the pesto fettuccine had the thickness of having been made hours before.. The brussel sprouts where extra salted. The server was amazing very sweet lady but the food, for amount and quality did not justify the price point.

Been wanting to try this classic fixture of downtown Fullerton for a long time now. We set reservations here for a birthday celebration. Arrived about 20 minutes early to the reservation and the table was not ready which is completely understandable. However instead of grabbing a drink from the bar and creating revenue we were promptly told that we had to leave the restaurant because the waiting area (4 chairs with 4 people) was full. So we did of course and went back up the stairs and outside to the courtyard waiting for the "ready to come back' phone call. We were seated about 4 minutes after the reservation time and had a fantastic server. The cocktails were delicious and they even had my favorite style of beer available a Belgian Tripel. Food however was underwhelming. The tomatoes on my caprese salad were not seasoned and it was pricey. Lobster bisque which they are famous for is mostly liquid with a tiny tablespoon of chopped lobster meat before the broth gets poured. Both of the duck preparations were enjoyed at our table except for the cap of that fat was not rendered properly. The short rib ragout was very sparse on meat. The steak was not short on beef and could have used more veggies or something to brighten it up. For the price it was rather lackluster overall except for one thing. The bread and house made butter was absolutely outstanding. If everything else had that much love and care put into it we would come back.

My wife and I went to dinner here on Saturday. It was raining, and we were 22 minutes late for our table at 5:30 pm. I had called ahead to let them know we were running late. She told me we had a 20 minute grace period. We got to the restaurant 2 minutes after the grace period was up. They wanted to seat us at the bar, which was full. I suggested they still seat us at the table since they mentioned they would need the table at 7:30 for another reservation. Which seemed reasonable to us. Our waitress was lovely, and very friendly. Got us drinks out in our order. Everything seemed on track. Then we had our lobster bisque, and it was warm. I thought it was likely how that soup was served. Then we waited an hour for our dinners. One hour. When the dinners finally came out the food was warm, not hot. Warm. My wife ordered the salmon dinner with squash. The squash was raw. Uneatable. My fillet and garlic mash potatoes were warm. I’m really disappointed in the results of the food. The atmosphere was great, the