Located in the heart of Southern California, Orange Country is both diverse in its geography and its culinary scene. From canyons to beaches, this beloved California destination is a sophisticated food hub that serves up an impressively diverse variety of flavors from all corners of the globe.
From fine dining to casual hotspots, foodies can find just about anything their heart – and palate – desire here in The OC.
FINE DINING
For those special occasions, celebrate your vacation with a fine dining experience. There are so many delicious 5-star restaurants to choose from in Orange County, you’ll need to save room! The Anaheim White House Restaurant dazzles diners with its bright white facades and traditional Italian fare. The feeling of sophistication is preserved in the seams of Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine as they execute their eclectic dining and cocktail menu using local, fresh and sustainable ingredients. Similar in name and culinary philosophy, Andrea at Pelican Hill specializes in traditional Italian cuisine using fresh ingredients and takes pride in serving scratch-made paste and tableside risotto.
Anaheim White House Restaurant
Furnished with sleek decor, Marche Moderne pays homage to French bistro cuisine with perfected classic entrees. Mirroring the onshore breeze off the Pacific Ocean in essence and decor, the effortlessly elegant Splashes Restaurant specializes in seaside fare situated right on the sand. Water Grill is hailed as one of the best seafood restaurants in Southern California, located in the West Coast’s luxury shopping destination, South Coast Plaza. Raya in Dana Point welcomes a new take on Latin cuisine paired with an exquisite wine list in a refined oceanside space. Watertable combines elegance and rustic fashion to copy the elevated taste of their innovative American fare. IL PALCO is a modern European eatery that takes inspiration from North Italian cuisine using fresh in-season ingredients to serve flavorful pasta and savory meats.
Pan Seared scallops at Watertable
- Anaheim White House Restaurant | 887 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
- Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine | 2607 Main Street, Irvine, CA 92614
- Andrea at Pelican Hill | 22701 S Pelican Hill Rd, Newport Coast, CA 92657
- IL PALCO | 6980 Beach Blvd H-304, Buena Park, CA 90621
- Marche Moderne | 7862 Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92657
- Splashes Restaurant | 1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Water Grill – South Coast Plaza | 3300 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Raya at The Ritz-Carlton | 1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Watertable | 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
CASUAL
For more casual fare, there are many great OC restaurants that incorporate comfort into their dynamic culinary experiences, creating a warm and casual dining experience. Pour Vida Latin Flavor takes cues from California, Spanish & Puerto Rican culture to craft an invigorated menu with a heavy focus on tacos. Since 1934, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant specializes in serving American comfort food: tasty fried chicken meals complete with mash potatoes gravy, homemade biscuits and boysenberry pie. The authentically inspired Cuban restaurant, Habana transports you to the Latin country with savory, warm and hefty flavors.
Fried chicken dinner at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant
Family traditions are passed down onto your plate at Puesto in Irvine, as their sumptuous tacos hit all the right notes taken from authentic Mexican cuisine. The bright ocean-inspired Coastal Kitchen welcomes guests to indulge in fresh bites and succulent seafood fare. Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach makes the best use of sustainably sourced ingredients and serves “the best cuts of the best fish.”
The award-winning waterfront restaurant in Laguna Beach, Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar brings the ocean to you with delectable steak, seafood and American cuisine. The fresh farm-to-table restaurant Bluegold reimagines coastal California cuisine. Inspired by the inland valleys to the rocky coast, they produce seasonal menus using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Double cut pork chops with cedar fig glaze and roasted Brussel sprouts at Coastal Kitchen
- Pour Vida Latin Flavor | 185 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
- Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant | 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Habana | 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Puesto | 3311 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
- Coastal Kitchen | 34091 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Bear Flag Fish Co. | 3421 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar | 619 Sleepy Hollow Ln, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Bluegold | 21016 Pacific Coast Hwy d200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Orange County welcomes traveling families from all over the world each and every day. In fact, family fun is built into the OC’s very heart and soul. In The OC, visiting families will find an incredible number of unique and exciting restaurants that best both kids and parents will love. Medieval Times sets the scene for an exciting feast, as visitors dine in a castle-like space as they watch knights and horses partake in tournament games from the Middle Ages.
Las Brisas Laguna Beach is ideal for families looking to have a delicious dining experience in a beautiful atmosphere. Perched at the top of the Laguna Beach cost, it serves authentic Mexican cuisine with an innovative ocean-to-table menu. Old Vine Kitchen and Bar is home to highly-trained chef-owner Mark McDonald whose mission is to serve fresh authentic Italian cuisine to diners in a casual indoor and outdoor spaces. Sessions West Coast Deli is a go-to spot for a tasty gourmet sandwich made from fresh produce and natural meats topped with sauces, dressings and sides made in-house all served on locally baked bread.
A jovial evening at Medieval Times
Along Dana Point Harbor, Proud Mary’s has made a name for itself as they serve a traditional American breakfast complete with pancakes, sausage, eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruits and more savory options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Stand makes dining easy as they narrow down your choices between two of of America’s classic entrees – burger and fries or hot dogs – with a modern twist.
The Anaheim Packing District is a must-stop for all food-loving families. This two-story historic landmark is home to more than 30 exciting eateries offering exotic and ethnic eats from around the globe: choose from french pastries, poutine, Indian cuisine, Southern home-style cooking, gelato, artisanal cocktails and more savory & sweet eats. From pad thai and rib-eye steak to tacos and burritos, the Latin-Asian fusion restaurant Pacific Hideaway crafts small bites featuring flavors from various regions to create innovative plates in a relaxed warm space along the coast.
A full spread of burgers and sandwiches at The Stand – Irvine.
- Medieval Times | 662 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Las Brisas Laguna Beach | 361 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Old Vine Kitchen and Bar | 2937 Bristol St A103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Sessions West Coast Deli | 2823 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Proud Mary’s | 34689 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629
- The Stand | 5633 Alton Pkwy #200, Irvine, CA 92618
- Anaheim Packing District | 440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
- Pacific Hideaway | 500 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
LOCAL FAVORITES
Orange County residents take pride in their favorite restaurants for a number of reasons and visitors can get a real taste for what those reasons are. The Scratch Room in Anaheim adds a new flavor to a traditional American brunch with their version of a country fried steak and a slice of their homemade loaf of the day for dessert.
Rock and Brews Restaurant reigns as the go-to spot to enjoy American diner food surrounded by rock & roll vibes. In Costa Mesa, Memphis Cafe specializes in Southern home-cooking – must-eats include their signature smoky gumbo and their popular local favorite, the buttermilk fried chicken. Down in Dana Point, Shwack Beach Grill is a favorite with local beach-goers coming in, looking to grub on fresh California cuisine.
An overview of the rock-inspired space at Rock and Brews Restaurant
Located in Irvine, Fukada invites foodies craving fresh soba noodles and traditional Japanese fare. Alongside the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach, diners make their way to Tanner’s for quick bites of California-inspired tacos, sandwiches and seafood plates with stunning beach views.
It’s all about passion, love and classic flavors at Mama D’s Italian Kitchen. Using recipes passed down through family generations, each plate aims to let visitors experience the taste of an authentic Italian “home-cooked” meal. Nick’s Laguna Beach moves the needle a notch toward upscale dining and remains a long-time local favorite.
A ready order of home-made pasta at Mama D’s Italian Kitchen
- The Scratch Room | 2415 Lincoln Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
- Rock and Brews Restaurant | 7777 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Memphis Cafe | 2920 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Shwack Beach Grill | 24502 Del Prado Ave, Dana Point, CA 92629
- Fukada | 8683 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618
- Tanner’s Restaurant | 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
- Mama D’s Italian Kitchen | 3012 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Nick’s Laguna Beach | 440 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
DESSERT
Is any meal really complete without dessert? Visitors with a sweet tooth will be delighted to know that Orange County takes just as much pride in their sweets as they do with their savory fare.
The extremely popular Porto’s Bakery and Cafe delights locals and visitors with affordable savory and sweet treats, serving up homemade pastries, cookies, cakes and coffees to a line of hungry fans every day. Sidecar Doughnuts and Cafe bakes soul and innovation into their hand-crafted artisanal doughnuts. In Dana Point, Flipped Doughnuts plays its hand in the world of doughnuts specializing in hand-crafted seasonal savory and sweet doughnuts paired with free-range fried chicken and gourmet coffee & tea. The Taiwanese pastry shop, 85°C Bakery Café, prides itself on serving more than 50 varieties of high-quality baked goods at affordable prices.
24 Karat Gold dipped ice cream at Snowopolis
Award-winning bistro and café, Moulin, is reminiscent of a traditional Parisian cafe in style and menu offering a full array of delicious pastries. Snowopolis brings a Hawaiian-style dessert to Orange County serving shaved ice with a variety of flavors allowing you to create a customized cold treat.
The Moo Gelato is a fairytale land of photo-worthy sweet creations made up of waffle cones, signature gelato/ice cream flavors, colorful sprinkles, cupcakes and more rainbow confections. In Newport Beach, B.Candy follows suit as a colorful one-stop dessert shop outfitted in rainbow candy, cookies and ice cream.
Cinnamon sugar and glazed donut as Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee
- Porto’s Bakery and Cafe | 7640 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Sidecar Doughnuts and Cafe | 270 E 17th St #18, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- Flipped Doughnuts | 34255 CA-1 #103, Dana Point, CA 92629
- 85°C Bakery Café | 2700 Alton Pkwy #123, Irvine, CA 92606
- Moulin | 248 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Snowopolis | 400 Disney Way #184, Anaheim, CA 92802
- The Moo Gelato | 7170 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
- B.Candy | 3100 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
As you can see, Orange County, CA is an impressive and exciting dining destination! Our culinary scene serves up summer while satisfying foodies and families, 365 days a year.
Check out VisitTheOC.com to learn more about the culinary scene in Orange County.
