Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Eat Chow - Newport Beach

4.9

4.9 (18)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Eat Chow is your go-to destination for all things comfort. Come stop by at one of our locations for a phenomenal dining experience with your loved ones. On the weekends you can find us slinging brunch and pouring you Mimosas to help ward of those Sunday Scaries. On weekday days and nights expect to sit among locals who have made us a neighborhood favorite!

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily.

Established in 2012.
We started in December of 2008 in a little spot in Costa Mesa.. We are locally owned and operated and have become a local's favorite! Located in the heart on Newport Shores!

Top review

Masadia

Dined on Jan 12, 2025

Our experience at this restaurant was absolutely phenomenal. I hadn't seen my sister in 30 years and I looked on open table and found this restaurant. The food was delicious the service was exceptional and I highly recommend anyone to come here. We had a party of 10 and they were very accommodating. Thank you so much

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4.9

4.9 (308)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Serving fine pub cuisine for over 25 years The Alley Restaurant & Bar in Newport Beach is where locals love dining and lounging. Lovingly dubbed by our Alleycats as the "Best Pour by the Shore" for that last drink, The Alley has a late night reputation that is one of legend. See Less

Top review

GeorgeVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Best value on PCH try the sandabs they are the best on the coast. Dinks are stiff and not expensive

Luxe Restaurant and Bar

4.9

4.9 (620)

$30 and under

American

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

Luxe Restaurant & Martini Bar in Dana Point provides the perfect blended menu, featuring: seafood, steaks and classic Italian dishes. It has a large outdoor patio, rooms for private parties, and offers on and off-site catering.

Please find our menus at: https://www.luxefinedining.com/

Top review

Diane

Dined on Jan 9, 2025

Fabulous evening Wednesday celebrating a friends birthday. Warm welcome , attentive service and the entertainment by Blue was an added bonus. Thank you to Chef and team for an outstanding night. Luxe is fast becoming our favorite place in OC. You made me look good in selecting this restaurant. Thank you. PS: special thanks to our server and Charlie.

Nick's - San Clemente

4.9

4.9 (3066)

$30 and under

American

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

KristinaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Nicks is always a sure bet for excellent food. We are very loyal customers of Del Mar and we met my daughter here today as it's halfway between SD and OC. You are always guaranteed a great meal and good service. My go-to is the Cioppino, and as always it is the best one around! The perfect sourdough bread to dip in the soup is the icing on the cake.

Eat Chow - Costa Mesa

4.8

4.8 (24)

$30 and under

American

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Eat Chow is your go-to destination for all things comfort. Come stop by at one of our locations for a phenomenal dining experience with your loved ones. On the weekends you can find us slinging brunch and pouring you Mimosas to help ward of those Sunday Scaries. On weekday days and nights expect to sit among locals who have made us a neighborhood favorite!

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily.

Established in 2008.
We started in December of 2008 in a little spot in Costa Mesa.. We are locally owned and operated and have become a local's favorite! We have a second location in Newport Beach (2012) off a PCH in the Newport Shores neighborhood.

Top review

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Charming little spot right off Newport Blvd. It gives Gastro pub food vibes and delivers on interesting and tasty food. The onion rings are a star app to share🤩 The menu is eclectic and the service is friendly and memorable. Eat at Eat Chow!

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4.8

4.8 (4934)

$30 and under

American

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

Christina and Mike Grant, the owners of Coastal Kitchen, have created an experience that will delight and satisfy the most discerning guest. Fueled by their passion for food and a love of hospitality, the Grants have established Coastal Kitchen as the go-to spot in Dana Point. The menu is clean and fresh consisting of fish and steaks cut in house, great salads, freshly ground burgers and more. Coastal Kitchen has a full bar, patio with fire pits, and fresh coastal design.

Our mission is to deliver a quality dining experience in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with a consistency that will bring guests back again and again. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

LuisVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service and the food is consistently good. Thank you to the staff and chef who came out to say hello and offer suggestions. I’ll be back.

Nick's Laguna Beach

4.8

4.8 (3209)

$31 to $50

American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

FoodieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This place always has excellent food and service and the bartenders know what they’re doing. We always have the asparagus fries, bistro salad and the Seabass. YUM.

Wine Gallery

4.9

4.9 (606)

$30 and under

American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

The Laguna Beach Wine Gallery is known for an impressive selection of wine, craft beers and wood fired kitchen. Menu options center around our wood fired pizzas, salads, fresh seafood, steaks, small plates and more. We focus on seasonal, sustainable, fresh ingredients with weekly specials based on what's fresh.

With a casual yet cozy ambiance, Wine Gallery will make you feel right at home with our inviting and friendly restaurant staff. Craft Cocktails coming soon.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I enjoyed an evening out with friends at this lovely establishment. Food is well prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The wine list is full of gems and the service was spot on!

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Experience

A Very Happy Hour

Vine Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (3060)

$30 and under

American

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Welcome to Vine Restaurant and Bar located in San Clemente. Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality and are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails.

Top review

Jeremy

Dined 1 day ago

Staff was very friendly and service minded. Food was tasty.

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Popular dish

Braised Prime Beef Short Rib Stroganoff

Olea Newport Beach

4.8

4.8 (2153)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook located in Newport Beach. OLEA, named for a genus of trees that flourish in warm and tropical regions throughout the Mediterranean region.
Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality that are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails. We use the best possible ingredients and techniques to ensure that every drink served is an experience. Only fresh fruit and hand-squeezed citrus juices are used every day. We use premium spirits and pour all of our sodas and mixers from bottles. At Olea we take great pride in the Art of the Cocktail. Cheers!

Top review

KerriVIP

Dined 6 days ago

As usual, our dining experience was superb. We sat on the patio and were extraordinarily warm. Heaters worked very well and we were very comfortable. The staff was so accommodating and friendly. Everyone smiling and greeting us making us feel right at home. Our meal was incredible as usual. The chicken schnitzel is my favorite item on the menu. We had the apple cobbler for dessert and shared brussels sprouts and a wedge. Every bite was amazing. Can’t wait to come back.

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Popular dish

Warm Artisan Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Popular dish

Revier Ranch Filet Mignon

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