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230 Forest Avenue

4.8
4.8
2047 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian
Top Tags:

Don't be fooled by the crowds and the noise; they are all part of the scene here at Laguna Beach's sexy and intense 230 Forest Avenue. The lean deep room seduces you to the open kitchen, bustling bar, and concrete floors, creating a space that is part modern bistro, part martini bar, and part art gallery. It's the perfect spot to see and be seen, laid back Laguna-style. Executive Chef Marc Cohen is consistently recognized as one of The OC's top chefs. You'll be ready to award him a medal, too, after tasting his flashy-to-the-eye, tickle-the-taste- buds fusion appetizers and entrees. His dishes are often so stunning that they compete with the artwork on the walls, making for a thoroughly satisfying "artistic" experience.

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
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7:00 PM

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Californian, American, Seafood

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:30 pm–9:45 pm

  • Phone number

    (949) 494-2545

  • Website

    http://www.230Forestavenue.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Marc Cohen

  • Private party contact

    Ashleigh Mutty: (949) 494-2545

  • Location

    230 Forest Ave Laguna Beach, CA 92651

  • Neighborhood

    Laguna Beach

  • Cross street

    PCH

  • Parking details

    There is metered parking all along Forest Avenue as well as several "pay" lots near by.

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,047 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Californian

  • South Orange County

    Best Overall

  • South Orange County

    Best Service

  • South Orange County

    Californian

Sort by

Filters

  1. TW

    TimW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I had a relative in town, and we thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. The food was outstanding, the location is great and the service was amazing.

  2. I

    Italy

    Orange County

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Ordered Salad with shrimp. Shrimp soso. My friends all had good dishes. Halibut, scallops and Salmon Salad

  3. SP

    SherylP

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our favorite restaurant in Laguna beach. They remembered it was a birthday celebration and gave my mom a small ice cram sundae on the house.

  4. G

    Gail

    Los Angeles

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful food and ambiance. Excellent service. Love this place.

  5. P

    Patrick

    Tahoe

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The best restaurant in Laguna Beach! I highly recommend this place

  6. LA

    LynneA

    Orange County

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food excellent service.

  7. AT

    ATBster

    San Diego

    38 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    Love coming back to 230 Forest. Great staff, good food, but very loud and a bit pricey - but where isn’t in Laguna beach?

  8. 1

    10marinlocals

    San Francisco

    42 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    42 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Everything was fine. Happy Hour drink menu is very limited. Everything else was good.

  9. MK

    MachiK

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food, presentation, ambiance and service! Definitely one of my favorites. It is on the pricey side but certainly worth it!

  10. DM

    DrMark

    Orange County

    106 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    106 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and service! Menu is very creative and presentation is great! Will be back!

  11. CI

    ChristineI

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lucy the manager along with her entire team are customer centric. The food is ALWAYS outstanding.

  12. f

    faryala

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food. Great patio dining. We had a wonderful time!

  13. SW

    SusanW

    Orange County

    35 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Nice Mother’s Day early dinner. Nice menu, had dinner outside on the patio. Nice time.

  14. CD

    ChuckD

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Food is above average. Service

  15. M

    Mary

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was great! The manager was very accommodating and helpful.

  16. J

    Jennifer

    Orange County

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We’ve eaten at this restaurant several times and it is consistently excellent food and service. The menu is on the smaller side but we’ve enjoyed everything we’ve ordered. Favorite spot in Laguna.

  17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, great service and perfect night in Laguna Beach

  18. S

    Snuznb411

    Orange County

    324 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    324 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great meal! We had the ahi tuna with pork belly fried rice, and the maple brined pork chop. Both delicious and worth a return trip!

  19. KR

    KatieR

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My favorite restaurant down in Orange County!!!!!!

  20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Oysters were bad, fish soup great. Quality of meat in the French dip was a bit low - just ok.

  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff did a wonderful job taking care of us. The food could not have been more delicious! If you like French Onion Soup, be sure to try it here! Our favorite restaurant by far!

  22. DS

    DanS

    Orange County

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a wonderful time. Food was amazing, Salmon, oh so good. Staff was very attentive. Location was wonderful, so fun.

  23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was our first time at 230 Forest Avenue and it certainly won’t be our last. They had delicious food, good happy hour drinks, and a fun atmosphere. Our server, Ted, was outstanding—prompt, friendly, good recommendations for food/drinks and even gave us some great info on Laguna Beach. Look forward to returning!

  24. MS

    MSME

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Halibut, tuna, parker rolls, & cocktails were spot on! Good service too!

  25. SK

    SteveK

    Orange County

    30 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    good all around - Service was a little off for the high standards we.re used to at 239 Forest.

  26. K

    Kbun22

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was amazing!!! Ricotta app was super tasty and fresh. halibut and pork chop also amazing. Service was also outstanding

  27. c

    celesteg

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Have always loved 230, its been a favorite in Laguna for years!

  28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a favorite of ours

  29. G

    Genstarr

    Los Angeles

    22 reviews

    4.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Exceptional menu. I wanted to order one of everything. I will definitely return and bring more friends.

  30. LN

    LoveNLife

    Orange County

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    230 never disappoints. Made a last minute reservation, got lucky, got extra lucky on arrival and sad on the 'street patio' - it was great. The fish here is ALWAYS cooked to perfection, but this time we ordered small plates of apps and had wine. The bacon wrapped dates are scrumptious, the housemate ricotta is briny and creamy with crispy toast, delicious, but be sure to order extra toast and they happily provide. Service was attentive. We left content and happy.

  31. D

    Damien

    Orange County

    62 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2022

    overall5food4service3ambience4

    Good food and drink.

  32. AR

    ARVH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was amazing! We waited about 1/2 hour for our reservation, but it was a Friday night so that is to be expected. They were very apologetic about it and even gave us 2 appetizers on the house! Our server Jorge was very conversational and nice. Amazing service, amazing food.

  33. JN

    JenniferN

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Went for my anniversary. It was a great experience. The service was kind and helpful. The food and drinks were awesome. We had the Maui onion soup and the beef dip. Both were soooo good. We enjoyed it greatly and defiantly go again.

  34. DE

    DianaE

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The manager, Patrick, was exceptionally accommodating and kind. Fantastic service from Chris! Request to be seated in his section for a fun dining experience!

  35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our waitress was great. Delicious cocktails and food. My husband had the crab & shrimp Cobb salad and Paloma and I had the chicken Milanese and mango martini. The portions are huge and the mango martini was amazing.

  36. DH

    DavidH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 18, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Our waiter was spot on with his suggestions, cordiale, and attentive. All of the food was delicious (Halibut special, lamb chops, tuna, chicken sandwich). Drinks were good too. The artichoke tasted good, but was dry and tough- needed to be cooked longer.

  37. LN

    LiveNLaguna

    Orange County

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    230 Forest is always my go to restaurant in the village! Consistent with food, service and ambiance. AND they make the best martini in town.

  38. JN

    JoelN

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Made a reservation for 4 but another couple joined us. The place was full but they shuffled some tables and chairs to get us all in together. Cocktails and food were terrific. Great service.

  39. B

    Babylon

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great experience all around, the service was amazing, and the food was even more impressive. We will be going back there to try more menu items.

  40. KA

    KAVA

    Los Angeles

    26 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Most items are good, some are a miss. Overall we enjoy it

FAQs

230 Forest Avenue is rated 4.8 stars by 2047 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
7:00 PM
Google Map for 230 Forest Avenue

230 Forest Ave Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Additional information

  • Cross street

    PCH

  • Neighborhood

    Laguna Beach

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:30 pm–9:45 pm

  • Cuisines

    Californian, American, Seafood

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    There is metered parking all along Forest Avenue as well as several "pay" lots near by.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Marc Cohen

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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