Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Miki Sushi & Sake

4.9

4.9 (19)

$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

Tijanavip

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

So happy to have all the old favorites on the menu!

Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano

4.8

4.8 (383)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Juan Capistrano

About the restaurant

**We are walk in only for Brunch. Reservations & walk ins available for Dinner**

Mayfield combines modern Californian cooking with flavors from the Levant region, an area spanning the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. Made to be shared, our food is designed to be experienced and enjoyed together.

Top review

Azizvip

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic meal as always! Love the great food and vibe at Mayfield!

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Popular dish

Za'atar Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Fried Eggplant

Popular dish

Sticky Toffee Pudding

YNK

4.7

4.7 (66)

$31 to $50

Speakeasy

Irvine

About the restaurant

YNK, a speakeasy that guides you on a cocktail journey through various global regions, eras and fanciful interpretations of an ever changing cocktail experience, where You.Never.Know where the journey will lead you to next.

Top review

Christine

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Such a hidden little bar in the busy Irvine Marriott. You must have a reservation since there are only maybe 20 seats. The large video screens show travel adventures which are interesting but makes this small bar very bright. Not really a speakeasy vibe. Service is great & the drinks are visually very pleasing & fun. The Smokey Old Fashioned is a real show.

Kin Craft Ramen & Izakaya

4.6

4.6 (69)

$30 and under

Asian

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

Welcome to KIN Craft Ramen & Izakaya, your next
"I know a spot."

Here you can find everything from ramen and sashimi to charcoal-grilled skewers, hand-crafted cocktails, and of course, good vibes. So stop by, grab a bite, drink, and unwind – you deserve it!

Top review

Ryan

Dined 5 days ago

The food was outstanding! Will be back for sure and the staff was very friendly

The Plot - Costa Mesa

4.6

4.6 (75)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

The Plot team is led by Jessica and Davin Waite, who have been at the forefront of San Diego's culinary scene for over a decade. The duo has earned a loyal following for their inventive and sustainable approach to seafood and plant-based dishes, gaining the attention of critics and culinary innovators far and wide as well as accolades including being named San Diego Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant of the Year” in 2020, VegNews’ “San Diego’s Best Vegan Restaurants” in 2022, and Tasting Table’s “20 Best Restaurants in San Diego” in 2023.

The Plot in Costa Mesa is located in The Camp, a sustainably focused center that highlights unique local businesses. Parking can be a bit tough at The Camp, depending on the time of your visit. In addition to parking in the main lot, Randolph Ave. is another option. Customers can walk through Camp Out into The Camp. Also, Valet service is available in the main lot. The price is $8. Valet is available Thursday through Sunday.

Top review

Lori

Dined on Aug 22, 2024

This is my first time at this restaurant, I came with eight friends for my birthday. I am the only Vegan and everybody loved the food. Our waiter was amazing and so kind. I felt like we got quite a bit for the price. I will definitely be back and can’t wait to try other dishes on the menu.

Gema

4.5

4.5 (231)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

San Clemente

About the restaurant

With a moody Mexico City vibe & modern dining room, Gema has an intimate neighborhood feel & buzzy bar scene. Our scratch-made kitchen highlights the finest Mexican ingredients & the countries staples of corn, chiles & regional cheeses .Our craft cocktail program changes with the season & features house-made syrups & fresh daily juiced citrus. Our bar hosts over 100 bottles of Mexico's finest small batch Mezcals which can be enjoyed in a flight or purchased by bottle and housed for your convenience inour Mezcal Liabrary. Our wines are brought in from Valle de Guadaulape and offer an amazing taste into the emerging Baja wine region. Gema celebrates the vast & sophisticated cuisine of Mexico, its people & its culture. We are proud to serve authentic Mexican cuisine that moves beyond the stereotypical bean and rice culture often associatedwith Mexican eateries. We hope you join us at Gema to experience the true palate of Mexican dining.

Top review

Juan and Melissavip

Dined 3 days ago

An absolute GEM! Chef Juan Pablo is a mad-genius. We appreciate everyone at Gema, our favorite date-night experience.

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Popular dish

Chile Relleno

Experience

Summer Supper Club- Best of Supper Club Feast

P.F. Chang's - Mission Viejo

4.4

4.4 (108)

$30 and under

Chinese

Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

About the restaurant

We are an Asian & Chinese restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering. Make a reservation online to dine in. Order Asian and Chinese food delivery, takeout, and catering online or through the P.F. Chang's mobile app. Let us cater the perfect feast for you - corporate office catering menus are also available. P.F. Chang's offers a variety of signature Asian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, and Chinese food dishes including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Pad Thai, Signature Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Chang's Spicy Chicken, and Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Order online for sushi delivery and takeout. Many gluten-free and vegetarian menu items are available. Try our seasonal cocktails and seasonal menu items.

Top review

Jim

Dined on Jul 31, 2024

Great food and service. Great restaurant for gluten free options

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Experience

Lucky 8 Happy Hour (Mon - Fri, 3 - 6pm)

P.F. Chang's - Irvine Spectrum

4.4

4.4 (230)

$30 and under

Asian

Irvine

About the restaurant

P.F. Chang's is a restaurant concept that honors the 2,000-year-old Asian tradition of wok cooking and believes in making food from scratch every day in every restaurant. With a Farm to Wok™ food philosophy at its core, P.F. Chang's chefs hand-roll dim sum, hand chop and slice all vegetables and meats, handcraft every sauce and wok-cook each recipe, every day in every restaurant using wholesome, fresh ingredients. With roots in Chinese cooking, the culinary landscape at P.F. Chang's now stretches across Asia with diverse, culturally inspired recipes including hand-rolled sushi, Vietnamese-style soups and bowls, traditional Chinese dim sum, wok-fired chicken and beef entrées, and family style noodles and rice. All made from scratch every day.

Top review

Olgavip

Dined 5 days ago

The overall experience was good. The food was delicious and made well. They seem to be short-staffed as we waited to be served for over 15 mins, then over 10 mins to get water, another 15 to place an order…

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Experience

Lucky 8 Happy Hour (Mon - Fri, 3 - 6pm)

Acapulco - Costa Mesa

4.3

4.3 (326)

$30 and under

Mexican

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Serving up an "Everyday Escape" for our guests since 1960!

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 3 days ago

The food and drinks were amazing . We celebrated our mom’s birthday and customers service was amazing . Our waiter Victor was wonderful! Definitely going back .

Tempo Cantina - Anaheim Hills

4.2

4.2 (713)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Anaheim Hills

About the restaurant

*WALK-INS ALWAYS WELCOME*

Tempo Cantina brings Latin flavor to Orange County and Los Angeles from creative founder and owner MR.TEMPO.
Come for the atmosphere, but stay for the food. You will find all of your favorite Latin dishes infused with Asian flavors. Join us Happy Hour everyday, Weekend Brunch or Taco Tuesday for a dining experience like you’ve never experienced before!

Top review

Phoenixvip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Our visit at the restaurant was great. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. The food was good.

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