Savoring all the flavors of California is one of the best things to do in Orange County. Let us take you on a culinary tour of the region to awaken your senses and build up your appetite. The best restaurants in the area serve up everything from sushi to steak.
KOOZA is in Laguna Hills!
Adventure awaits in Laguna Hills with high-energy Cirque du Soleil shows. Dive into a world of acrobatics and wonder.
San Juan Capistrano
Looking for things to do in Orange County? Why not visit some of the hottest restaurants in San Juan Capistrano?
1. Heritage Barbecue
Heritage Barbecue specializes in slow-smoked meats cooked in traditional barbecue fashion. The menu offers a variety of options to satisfy any carnivore. You'll find items like brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and chicken, all smoked to juicy perfection.
Vegetarians, there are plenty of options for you, too. The menu includes seasonal salads made with fresh ingredients for everyone to enjoy.
2. The Ramos House Café
The Ramos House Café is the place to go for good home cooking in Orange County. The herbs that flavor the food come from the cafe’s own garden.
If you love contemporary American cuisine made with care and love, Ramos House Café is the place for you. The menu changes frequently depending on what’s currently in season.
Santa Ana
Santa Ana is a melting pot of cultures from around the world, reflected in its fantastic range of restaurants.
3. Omakase by Gino
Omakase by Gino is conveniently located by the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. Swing by to savor the sushi served by talented Chef Choi Jin-ho. The cuisine is a fusion of Japanese and other global flavors.
Treat your taste buds to Italian black truffles or shishito pepper miso. The venue also has an excellent wine list and a selection of beer and gin.
4. Pho Redbo
Pho Redbo is the best pho place in Santa Ana. Friendly service, exciting Vietnamese flavors, and a convenient central location combine to create a near-perfect experience.
Try a traditional Vietnamese noodle bowl or banh mi, or enjoy the innovative flavors of truffle fries or flaming Wagyu carpaccio. You can have your pho spicy or mild—whatever tickles your fancy.
Newport Beach
This beautiful coastal city of Newport Beach is a great place for waterfront dining and fresh seafood. It's also home to some of the best shopping centers in Orange County, CA. Before you head out on a shopping spree, stop by one of these excellent restaurants to experience dining at its finest.
5. A Restaurant
A Restaurant, part of the River Jetty Restaurant Group, has served high-class cuisine since 1926. Fresh, seasonal food and superior service never go out of style, so, almost 100 years later, A Restaurant is still one of the top restaurants in Orange County. Enjoy tasty treats, such as fried octopus, beef carpaccio, or the delicious house meatballs.
6. Mastro's Ocean Club
Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Beach offers a winning combination of fresh seafood and world-class service. Live entertainment is also available in the bar every night of the week. Sip a handcrafted cocktail, browse the extensive wine list, and tap your toes to the tunes.
Seafood is the specialty here, but you can also get a fantastic wet-aged prime steak followed by Mastro’s signature butter cake. Dress your best—there’s a strict dress code—and get ready for the meal of a lifetime.
7. Parakeet Café
Fresh and colorful meals await at Parakeet Café. Brunch is served all day, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way with a fruit-topped acai bowl or overnight oats. We recommend trying one of the signature smoothies or cold press juices. There’s also a tempting selection of pastries, including plenty of gluten-free options.
Irvine
If you’re hankering for the best brunch in Orange County, head to Irvine to check out these tasty options.
8. Habana
Habana restaurant offers a sophisticated Cuban-inspired dining experience. We recommend the empanadas to start, followed by paella with Caribbean lobster tail. If you’re just visiting for drinks, the venue serves tempting bar snacks to peck at while you lounge and sip.
9. Benny & Mary’s
Benny & Mary’s believe every meal should be a celebration. You’ll be greeted by servers who are devoted to ensuring you have a great time. The menu is eclectic, with flavors from Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Reserve a table online to enjoy the carefully crafted cocktails, warm decor, and feel-good atmosphere.
10. NEP
NEP café is a modern Vietnamese eatery serving house specials, such as egg coffee, and traditional recipes from Vietnam. Visit any day for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’ll be rewarded with fresh food that explodes in your mouth with a fusion of flavors.
Laguna Beach
Gorgeous Laguna Beach has a thriving art scene and a vibrant culinary culture.
11. Las Brisas
Las Brisas combines flavors from Mexico and California to create a coastal dining experience. Enjoy stunning ocean views, fresh seafood, and housemade specialties, such as unique salsas. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus cater to a range of tastes and dietary requirements.
12. The Cliff Restaurant
The Cliff RestaurantT offers 180-degree ocean views from the multilevel patio. It’s the perfect place for a romantic sunset dinner or a relaxing lunch with friends. Order a cocktail and feel the sea breeze in your hair as you browse the extensive menu. The venue offers live music six nights a week.
San Clemente
San Clemente isn’t just a surfer's paradise. This charming city also has some excellent restaurants.
13. Vine
In the heart of Wine Country, Vine restaurant and bar offers a fine dining experience with a wine list that includes 100 options from the local region and around the world. The menu includes meats, seafood, and local, handpicked produce. Enjoy garden fresh salads, warm focaccia, freshly shucked oysters, and more.
14. Nick’s San Clemente
Nick’s San Clemente serves market salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a range of house specialties that are sure to hit the spot. Savor the baby back pork ribs or opt for the bistro plate to savor a variety of tasty treats with the soup of the day.
You can reserve a table online or simply show up when hunger strikes. A portion of the dining room is left free for walk-in guests.
Corona del Mar
Corona del Mar has pristine beaches and many restaurants serving delicious local seafood.
15. Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
OpenTable named Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens one of the 100 best restaurants in America, and we’re inclined to agree. The menu is full of farm-fresh produce and flavors from around the world. Chef Rich Mead is proud to provide meals that highlight the quality of local, seasonal ingredients.
Enjoy Icelandic cod with a panko coconut crust, followed by a warm chocolate truffle cake that will make you feel like you’re swimming in a warm sea of chocolate. On Sundays, the brunch menu offers traditional farmhouse fare.
16. Five Crowns
When you enter Five Crowns, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into an old English country inn. Settle by the cozy fireplace and soak in the period decor. On sunny days, you might prefer to sit outside in the colorful garden.
Since 1965, Five Crowns has served award-winning food accompanied by a carefully curated wine list. Be sure to save space for the English trifle for dessert.
Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is a great place to shop, hike, and dine. Check out these restaurants serving up the best of Orange County cuisine.
17. Knife Pleat
Visit Knife Pleat for contemporary French cuisine in Costa Mesa. Chef Tony Esnault crafts dishes from the freshest local ingredients to delight your palate. Meanwhile, Restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi ensures you experience service that exceeds expectations.
Choose the four-course or six-course dinner menus with or without wine pairing, or order à la carte.
18. Caló Kitchen + Tequila
Clemente, who comes from a family of restaurateurs, created Caló Kitchen + Tequila as a place where everyone should feel welcome. Enjoy classic Mexican dishes like shrimp and crab enchiladas or the house’s famous carnitas. The venue specializes in tequilas, with more than 10 different types on the menu.
19. Water Grill
Water Grill at South Coast Plaza has several dining rooms you can hire for private events, such as birthday or anniversary parties. You can opt for a pre-fixe menu or buffet dining at lunch or dinner. Enjoy specialties such as crisp fried calamari or wild Pacific swordfish. We recommend saving room for the key lime pie.
20. Butcher’s House Brasserie
Come to the Butcher’s House Brasserie to sample house specialties, such as the traditional Toulouse sausage. This is a carnivore’s paradise, with steaks searing on the wood-burning grill. Accompany your meat-filled meal with an artisan tap beer or a wine from the extensive selection.
Anaheim
Dine on Disneyland’s doorstep in fun-filled Anaheim, which offers some delightful dining spots.
21. Elhaty
Koftas, kabobs, and falafel fill the menu at Elhaty restaurant. Enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors at any time of the day. The breakfast menu contains egg dishes, such as satisfying scrambled egg wraps, rich shakshuka, and cheese croissants. Don’t miss the delicious house hummus made with the finest olive oil.
22. Mimi’s
Mimi’s café serves hand-prepared comfort foods, including bistro classics like quiche, salads, sandwiches, soups, and pot roast dinners. We love the bakery-fresh muffins and croissants.
Hang out at the coffee bar or celebrate a special occasion with mimosas or martinis. Everyone is welcome at Mimi’s, which is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. for dine-in, patio dining, or takeout.
23. ADYA
Enjoy the spice of India at ADYA restaurant, which specializes in street food. Chef Shachi Mehra creates rich curries, tantalizing tandoori, and other treats made from fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Chef Sandeep Basrur, who makes light and healthy Indian food, accompanies her in the kitchen. Accompany your meal with wine or craft beer from the chosen list to complement Indian cuisine.
Huntington Beach
Laid-back Huntington Beach has some excellent places to hang out and enjoy a bite to eat.
24. 1 Oz Coffee
At 1 Oz Coffee, you'll find a lot more than java. It also offers pastries from local bakers, cold-pressed cocoa, and premium-grade Japanese matcha. The coffee beans are supplied freshly roasted by local micro-roasters and prepared by expert baristas.
Choose from sustainably sourced dairy, oat, or almond milk. Stop by to get excellent service with a smile from coffee experts.
25. Bluegold
California has a rich culinary heritage, which inspired the menu at Bluegold restaurant. The venue's kitchen prepares produce from the state’s citrus groves, vineyards, and harbors.
Visit for breakfast to enjoy eggs your way, or stop by in the evening for Neapolitan-style pizza, burgers, steaks, or seafood. We love the mac and cheese made with aged cheddar—it’s a classic.
Savor the Rich Tapestry of Culinary Delights Across Orange County
We hope you enjoyed the culinary delights of Orange County, from fresh seafood to Japanese delicacies. If you’d like to let your senses continue to feast, come to one of our shows. Our dazzling acrobatics, breathtaking costumes, and captivating music will leave you breathless.
We aim to provide a sensory experience that rivals any Michelin-starred plate. Let us satiate your hunger for wonder by filling your soul with the joy of the circus.