South Orange County Restaurants
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Award winning restaurants in Orange County
Check out diners' favorite restaurants in South Orange County
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Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.
Miki Sushi & Sake
Price: Expensive•Sushi•5(85)Honoring Chef Miki Izumisawa, the female, award-winning sushi artist, originally trained by the one and only Nobu Matsuhisa. Miki was inspired by nature to create unique nigiri, cut rolls and hand rolls that blur the line between art and fusion sushi. Miki's recipes transform elements of the natural world with names such as Lava Flow, Moon and Sun, Feather in the Sky, and Prairie. Before her passing, Miki carefully coached outstanding female-only sushi chefs to execute her masterpieces. Her legacy continues in this romantic styled coastal, intimate sushi bar and cozy 18 window seats with views of Laguna's main beach. Owners Chris Olsen and Greg Washer are longtime locals who appreciate what Miki did for this community with an outstanding Japanese experience pushing the boundaries of tradition. Reservations recommended!Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.9(89)Owners Jordan and Creig Mullikin love to eat delicious food, drink great wine and be treated like family. They want every bite, every sip, every visit to be delicious and a treat. Our goal is to serve you fresh, homemade, and thoughtful dishes focused on our family's heritage and our customers' needs to make everyone feel like family at our neighborhood spot which sports a modern yet vintage vibe. We have a large outdoor patio that is both heated and covered. One of the more popular things here at Bricco is our live music Friday's and Saturday's with very talented singers and performers.
Tupelo Junction Cafe
Price: Expensive•Southern•4.8(302)Equally adept at fueling Lido Village-bound shoppers is Tupelo Junction Cafe...the restaurant is true to the funky, Cannery Village side of the town's personality: Cocktails come in mason jars, the coffee mugs are country-style crockery, and the walls display fruit-crate labels as artwork. Everything is made from scratch daily serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
"The menu is packed with southern-influenced dishes like apple cinnamon beignets; a pulled-pork sloppy joe; or Amy's own favorite, a sprightly salad of lettuce, fried chicken, fresh baked cornbread, dried cranberries, toasted
pumpkin seeds and herb buttermilk dressing."
Excerpted from Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2002The CUT Handcrafted Burgers
Price: Moderate•Burgers•4.7(13)The Cut Handcrafted Burgers in Irvine, CA, is a Gastropub-inspired dining spot that prides itself on Quality, Freshness & Tradition in its food and drink offerings. Enjoy a variety of handcrafted burgers, sandwiches, shareable dishes, and a unique weekend brunch menu featuring inspired flavors. Complement your meal with our selection of Craft Beer, Wine, and Craft Cocktails tailored to enhance your dining experience. By staying true to our core values and delivering exceptional hospitality and service in an elegant setting, The Cut goes beyond just providing food - it offers a memorable dining experience aimed at elevating your time with us."
FIN SUSHI & SAKE at Hotel Laguna
Price: Expensive•Sushi•4.7(135)The fish is fresh and the sake is strong at Fin, our oceanview sushi restaurant, located inside the historic Hotel Laguna in the heart of Downtown Laguna Beach. Offering the freshest daily-caught local seafood as well as imported delicacies like Hokkaido scallops and firefly squid, plus a selection of award-winning sake, it is a thrilling adventure in flavor and fun. Belly up to the Tokyo-style bar for lively chef interaction and unforgettable omakase or take a table overlooking the sea and sample to your heart’s desire.Hannas Prime Steak
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.9(3,603)Hanna’s Restaurant & Bar was established in 2005 and has quickly become one of Orange County’s premiere dining establishments. Named one of the U.S. top 100 restaurants, Hanna's Restaurant & Bar offers modern American Steakhouse cuisine prepared with classic, traditional flair. Our appetite for an exceptional dining experience is rooted deep in our passion for extraordinary culinary creations and exemplified in our award-wining service and ambiance. From our friendly bartenders, vibrant ambiance, outgoing wait staff, and incredible menu, our guests are always embraced in a comforting fashion. And on any given night you can always find owner David Hanna mingling among guests and ensuring that every detail of their experience at Hanna’s is nothing short of extraordinary.
Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort
Price: Very Expensive•Californian•4.8(4,545)Nestled along the picturesque Southern California coastline in Laguna Beach, Splashes offers an exceptional dining experience that celebrates innovative coastal cuisine. Helmed by renowned Chef Ron Fougeray, the menu blends fresh, local ingredients with creative culinary techniques, delivering vibrant dishes that capture the essence of coastal California. Sommelier-selected wines from the restaurant's award-winning wine program enhance the dining experience with perfect harmony. Indulge in modern elegance in a newly renovated dining room, where the soothing sights and sounds of the ocean create a serene atmosphere. Guests will enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific as they savor contemporary coastal flavors, making every meal a memorable occasion. The team at Splashes invites guests to celebrating the beauty of coastal living with an unforgettable dining experience that reflects the spirit of Laguna Beach.Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens
Price: Expensive•American•4.8(11,987)We are excited for your visit, and welcome you to experience our beautiful outdoor dining room in Newport Beach. That being said we are outdoors and encourage all guest to dress appropriate to the season. We have added a beautiful heated covered awning for the winter months. We offer blankets for sale that can be kept, or left behind and donated to a local charity we support. We will still be requesting a two hour dinning limit per visit.
Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens offers the freshest, locally sourced , seasonal farm-to-fork cuisine paired with exclusive wines and craft cocktails and beers. Located on a seven acre home and garden center in the heart of beautiful Corona del Mar, Farmhouse provides a dining experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else and can be quite romantic. What sets us apart is the unparalleled beauty of Rogers Gardens combined perfectly with a unique cuisine created by Chef Rich Mead.
Todos Santos - Newport Beach
Price: Expensive•Mexican•4.9(112)Todos Santos Balboa is an expansion of the Todos Santos Mexican Kitchen concept established in 2019 in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. TSB inherits the authentic recipes of coastal Baja, while providing a modern presentation and flavor profile in our cuisine.
Our program includes specialty coffee service provided by Succulent Coffee Roasters, a full bar with scratch made margaritas, and an elevated wine list to enhance guest experience. Our home on Balboa Island exhibits the contemporary beauty of Southern California and welcomes you with patio dining just a few feet from the Island Ferry. We look forward to your visit!Jack's Restaurant/Bar
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.9(1,141)Jack's Restaurant and Bar is an Italian restaurant located in Dana Point, California. The restaurant features a casual, family-friendly dining atmosphere and a full bar.
Jack's Restaurant and Bar serves dinner seven days a week starting at 4pm. Jack's Restaurant and Bar offers a variety of Italian & Seafood Specialties, Free-Range Chicken, Roman Style Pizza, Vegan & Gluten-Free Menus, and Desserts.
Private Dining Room available for groups up to 40. Catering Menus also available.
See what locals rave about in South Orange County
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- CCesarLos Angeles •1 review5.0Dined 2 days agoGreat romantic experience with my girlfriend here on 06/11/25. Vibes were great with live performance music, dim lighting to set the mood right, and exceptional service from out waiter Ashley. Drinks and food were a banger, will definitely come again soonMore infoMastro's Ocean Club - Newport BeachPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Newport Beach•4.8
- MMichelle1 review5.0Dined 3 days agoWhat a Fabulous experience…service, ambiance, and food were all amazing!!!More infoFarmhouse at Rogers GardensPrice: Expensive• American• Corona del Mar•4.8
- TtracyVIPMississippi •12 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoEvery time we come to Laguna we come to Javier's. It's always great food and great drinks. This location was a bit loud but nonetheless we enjoyed it. The shrimp tacos were fabulous as were the carnitas!More infoJavier's Irvine SpectrumPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Irvine•4.7
- SSilvaLos Angeles •8 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoThank you it was great time we had with my family and delicious food appetizers I highly recommend thank you 😊More infoJavier's Crystal CovePrice: Expensive• Mexican• Newport Beach•4.6
- SSandyVIPOrange County •16 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoThe view makes this restaurant extra special. We really enjoyed the steak and lobster enchiladas with both types of sauces Our server was very friendly.More infoLas BrisasPrice: Moderate• Californian• Laguna Beach•4.3
Trending dishes in South Orange County
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Discover South Orange County
With more than a thousand restaurants to choose from in the Orange County area, there is something to suit every taste when dining out. Orange County is best known for its coastal location, and many burger joints, seafood restaurants, and other eateries feature amazing beach views that you can enjoy while you dine. Seafood caught from the Pacific Ocean is dominant in local dishes, and this includes everything from sushi to sweet and sour shrimp. Because Orange County is located very close to the Mexico–United States border, you can also find incredible Mexican restaurants, and many serve homemade tortillas and hand-rolled tamales. Orange County restaurants serve American fare as well as international cuisine like Thai and Japanese dishes.
Dining around South Orange County Hot Spots
Landmark
Shopping area
Train Station
Stadium or Arena
Theatre
Popular area
Institution
Convention Center
Monument
Museum
Park
Attraction park
Marina
Gallery
Golf Course
Business area
Ferry
Hotel / Lodging
Nearby Cities
Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in South Orange County. Our customers recommend Ocean 48 - Newport, RH Ocean Grill at RH Newport Beach and Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove
As of Jun 14, 2025 there are 313 restaurants in South Orange County. Filter by “outdoor dining”, “romantic” or “dog friendly”.
On OpenTable we support all cuisines. Find American, Italian, Seafood, Mexican, Californian and more. Use our filters to find exactly what you’re looking for and make your reservation today.
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