Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Il Dolce

5.0

5 (461)

$31 to $50

Italian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Known for using only natural, fresh ingredients, Il Dolce specializes in Italian cuisine. Along with a variety of pastas, salads, patrons can select from a number of pizza menu options. Inspired by authentic pies made in Naples, each pizza at Il Dolce is prepared in a wood-fire oven, giving it an authentic, smoky flavor.Family owned and operated, this award-winning restaurant provides a cozy, comfortable environment where pizza enthusiasts can watch their pies being prepared. Guests dining at Il Dolce can also enjoy a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail. Dessert items along with a special gluten-free menu are also available.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great find! Wonderful food and service . We will be back for sure!

Miki Sushi & Sake

5.0

5 (92)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

MonicaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Such an amazing place! Staff and service are great. Food is amazing!! So many awesome flavors and the creativity is fabulous.

TAIKUN Omakase - The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

5.0

5 (15)

$50 and over

Japanese

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

New York City’s Taikun Sushi has returned to the resort, and Chef Yasu Iwai is delivering a new culinary experience sure to impress. This intimate and immersive 16-course culinary journey sources only the finest ingredients, and a meticulously crafted menu will rotate to showcase the incredible diversity of seasons and textures.

All seats are at the Omakase counter. Two seatings are offered 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm

Top review

AnneVIP

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

This is our favorite sushi restaurant of all time! We have been fortunate enough to dine all over the world and we can’t say enough wonderful things about our experience at Taikun. The host and chef are incredible and the food is out of this world!

Latte Da Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (226)

$30 and under

Italian

Anaheim Hills

About the restaurant

Homemade Pastas Imported Italian Delicatessens Fresh fish & meats daily Beautiful Ambiance

Top review

SallyVIP

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Our second time here and our meals were very good, and the staff was very attentive. The only downside was the seating; the two tables fitted together in the back by the fly zapper wasn't ideal. We had a reservation, and there were several tables open that could have been fitted together to accommodate us.

Da Bianca Trattoria

4.9

4.9 (1939)

$30 and under

Italian

Orange

About the restaurant

For over 35 years, Da Bianca Trattoria has earned a reputation as a beloved local restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. Founded by Bianca Cangelosi Bavand, Da Bianca was a dream come true for the Sicilian native. Her inspiration and the secret to the restaurant's continued success is serving simple food using only the freshest ingredients-- just like the food she served her family. Daughter Marjan Bavand Dunn continues the family legacy of welcoming our neighbors, as they celebrate milestones, meet friends and share family dinners.

Top review

TrishaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Always delicious, always worth the evening out, can’t wait for next time. We love to try a new special and have never been disappointed..

The Dock

4.9

4.9 (2121)

$50 and over

Seafood

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

THE DOCK located in NEWPORT BEACH CALIFORNIA requires a valid credit card to book reservations online via OpenTable or call 949-673-3625 to provide your credit card. 24 hr cancellation fee policy. The Dock reserves the right to cancel your reservation if reservation is not CC guaranteed. VOTED TOP 10 RESTAURANTS IN ORANGE COUNTY 2022 and TOP 100 in the US in 2019 and 2023 BY OPENTABLE. Our waterfront covered patio dining and every seat has a bay view, with an infused contemporary American menu. Outstanding wine list and custom craft cocktails.
Reservations are recommended.

Top review

HelaineVIP

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Food and service were wonderful. All in all, a very lovely evening

Momoyama

5.0

5 (31)

$50 and over

Sushi

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

Welcome to Momoyama, a Michelin rated esteemed omakase restaurant nestled in the heart of Fountain Valley, California. Renowned for its exceptional culinary artistry and dedication to authentic Japanese cuisine. Our restaurant offers an intimate and refined dining experience that showcases the finest ingredients and the meticulous craft of our Executive Chef, who brings over 20 years of industry expertise to every dish.

At Momoyama, we believe in the art of omakase, a traditional Japanese dining style where guests entrust the chef to create a bespoke meal that reflects the freshest seasonal ingredients and the chef's creative vision. Our omakase offerings are available for both lunch with options for a la carte and dinner, providing a unique culinary journey that is tailored to delight your senses.

Top review

Victor

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

We were pretty unfortunate to get a VERY annoying and disrespectful customer during our dinner, however, I can’t grade the restaurant lower since the food and service was amazing. Shoutout to chefs Edie and Yoshi for making the best sushi and making the experience as good as it could be. We’re looking forward to coming back soon and try the new menu!

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Ouzo & Feta - Huntington Beach

4.9

4.9 (20)

$30 and under

Greek

Huntington Beach

About the restaurant

We are Ouzo & Feta, local greek dining with homemade recipes, imported dishes originally from Mykonos, with an ambiance that will make you feel right in Greece.

Top review

Doug

Dined 7 days ago

Friday night music is nice, WAY too loud. In such a relative small area it just doesn’t need to be that loud.

Lemon & Thyme

4.9

4.9 (124)

$31 to $50

American

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Lemon & Thyme Costa Mesa Is proud to bring you an exceptional dining experience that celebrates the rich tapestry of flavors around the world.

Top review

HollyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely the best place to dine in OC! You’re treated like family. Every dish is packed with flavor. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. My favs are the caeser salad, steak tartare, lemon sorbet, mushroom, risotto, bone marrow, branzino, roasted mushrooms, and market vegetables. Cozy, romantic, and charming.

Cappy's Cafe

4.9

4.9 (322)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Ask any Newport local: If you want great meals prepared with fresh ingredients and served in generous portions, Cappy's is the place. For over the past 40 years, we've been a celebrity hideout, a second home to countless friends and family, and the friendly spot for good conversation and even better food. Bring your favorite furry friend as we have an outdoor patio and canopy seating.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We’ve been to Cappy’s Cafe hundreds of times over the years but had a nice lunch on the 4th of July. We made a reservation on Open Table and we sat when we got there. Not too crowded and food and service were great. We love Cappy’s for lunch but breakfast is their specialty!

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