Coastal Orange County
The best spot for breakfast or lunch in Los Rios Historic District, this Old West–flavored, wood-built house from 1881 (with brick patio) does organically…
Must-see restaurants in Coastal Orange County
Coastal Orange County
Everybody’s favorite for fresh fish (some drive in from LA), Walt’s packs them in on weekends. You can’t make reservations for dinner (though they’re…
Coastal Orange County
Brightly painted in Mexican Day of the Dead art, this out-of-the-way stand is a local institution for fresh, healthy, sustainably farmed tacos of steak,…
Laguna Beach
Ocean views and ridiculous sunsets alone ought to be enough to bring folks in, but gourmet Driftwood steps up the food with seasonal menus centered around…
Newport Beach
This is the place for generously sized, grilled and panko-breaded fish tacos, ahi burritos, spankin’ fresh ceviche and oysters. Pick out what you want…
Huntington Beach
The food court at HB's stunning new ocean-view mall offers some unique and fun restaurants for pressed sandwiches (Burnt Crumbs – the spaghetti grilled…
Coastal Orange County
Raw-fish fans gather barside at this beach-chic sushi bar with live bands some nights in the back room. Baked scallop parmesan, ahi tataki wraps, and…
Coastal Orange County
For real-deal Mexican food, in a strip mall south of the mission, try this multiroom restaurant, panadería (bakery) and mercado (grocery store). Look for…
Huntington Beach
High-school skaters, 30-something beach bums and old-timers mix easily under ramshackle walls slathered with movie posters at this classic neon-lit…
Huntington Beach
There's no shortage of taco stands in HB, but locals are fiercely dedicated to Sancho's, across from the beach. This two-room shack with patio grills…
Newport Beach
Hidden a block behind W Coast Hwy, Eat Chow's crowd is equal parts tatted hipsters and ladies who lunch, which makes it very Newport indeed. They all…
Laguna Beach
Macaws and toucans welcome you to this trendy, sophisticated, three-level ode to exotically spiced dishes from southern Africa – peri-peri prawns, chicken…
Huntington Beach
Every beach town needs its favorite go-to Italian kitchen. Alessa wins hearts and stomachs with classics like Neapolitan lasagna, butternut-squash ravioli…
Newport Beach
It looks like a beach shack, and you can eat with your toes in the sand, but this is no ordinary beach experience. Chef Brian Huskey, a Top Chef alumnus…
Newport Beach
This hip new beachfront storefront does hot and cold sandwiches like the Rubinstein, Lifeguard Club and the steak-filled Rocky Balboa, plus fresh-caught…
Newport Beach
The atmospheric Beachcomber Café lets you soak up the vintage 1950s beach vibe as you tuck into macadamia-nut pancakes, roasted turkey club sandwiches or…
Coastal Orange County
Locals adore this tiny roadhouse where they grill juicy, messy, hand-packed, quality burgers (served with ka-runchy potato chips and tangy pickled beets),…
Coastal Orange County
Right on the pier, Fisherman's chowders, fish and chips and mesquite-grilled fresh catches come with a side of incomparable ocean views. Generous four…
Coastal Orange County
It may be in the back corner of a nondescript strip mall, but Sidecar's a landmark nonetheless. Crowds line up out the door (especially on weekends) for…
Coastal Orange County
In a building that traces its origins to 1797, this sprawling, beam-ceilinged 'Mexican steakhouse' and bar does a big business in the standards …
Newport Beach
Who are we to disagree with the Enlightened One? This dockside sushi joint’s Yokohama-born chef has a hipster following for creative hot and cold…
Coastal Orange County
Service can be harried at this breezy, open-air cafe, but all is forgiven after a bite of their sweet and savory French crepes – goat cheese and turkey;…
Huntington Beach
A fresh new addition to Sunset Beach's dining scene, this wood-built, indoor-outdoor restaurant serves your choice of fish in tacos, on baguettes with a…
Coastal Orange County
This hipster gourmet eatery does dishes like rib-eye Thai beef salads, grilled salmon tacos with curry slaw, and bodacious burgers like the Chow BBQ…
Laguna Beach
Birthplace of the smoothie (in the Guinness World Records), this little shop from 1931 continues to pack in surfers fueling up before hitting the waves…
Laguna Beach
At this stylish purveyor of New American cuisine, the small-plates menu ($8 to $15) ranges from filet mignon pot pie to sizzling garlic shrimp and New…
Coastal Orange County
The US location of a popular ramen chain from northeastern Japan is known for its chewy, curly, wobbly (their word) hand-crumpled noodles. The broth stews…
Newport Beach
Expect a wait at this always-busy joint, a landmark since 1951. It serves great seafood and fresh crab on paper plates to an appreciative crowd wearing…
Ruby’s Crystal Cove Shake Shack
Newport Beach
Although this been-here-forever wooden snack stand is now owned by the Ruby’s Diner chain, the shakes – and the ocean views – are as good as ever. Don’t…
Coastal Orange County
Raise your breakfast game at this gourmet caterer’s bistro tucked in the corner of a cookie-cutter strip mall. With its exposed brick walls and sleek…
Newport Beach
This nifty, Baja-inspired cantina makes salsas, aguas frescas and tortillas in house and serves them with tacos of grilled meats (al pastor), pork…
Laguna Beach
This sleek, contemporary, art-filled bistro in the heart of downtown’s village is always bustling for its martini bar and fresh seafood like candied…
Coastal Orange County
There's an extensive hand-scrawled menu hanging over the counter at this humble local joint where traditional deli fare is served alongside Mexican…
Coastal Orange County
Costa Mesa's newest food destination brings together purveyors of coffees, cheeses, oysters and more. Also here is Taco Maria, whose Michelin-starred chef…
Laguna Beach
With its friendly, indie-spirited vibe comes this tiny tribute to healthy cuisine. From hummus and guac sandwiches to sunflower sprout salads and black…
Newport Beach
Sit on the wooden deck and watch the boats at this polished harborside restaurant and oyster bar that serves incredibly fresh fish. Great for Bloody Marys…
Coastal Orange County
With its flickering votive candles, ivy-covered courtyard and spicy Cuban, Mexican and Jamaican specialties, this sultry cantina whispers rendezvous…
Coastal Orange County
Wet suit–clad crowds frequent this tiki-style breakfast and lunch place, which serves both OG breakfast sandwiches (lox and cream cheese) to new-style…
Laguna Beach
One of the only female sushi chefs in Orange County, Miki Izumisawa slices and rolls organic rice into Laguna’s best sushi, artfully presented. The place…
Coastal Orange County
Lunch in a yurt? In Orange County? Them’s the digs at this vegan spot serving organic salads, veggie burgers, Native Oklahoma Classic grilled 'cheese'…
