Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

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

5.0

5 (77)

$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

Paula

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious and unique take on sushi. A don't miss.

TAIKUN Omakase - The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

5.0

5 (12)

$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

ErikaV

Dined 6 days ago

Chef Yasu was spectacular! Absolutely loved our experience dinning here.

Ini Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (191)

$31 to $50

Italian

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

Ini Ristorante’s culinary concept draws inspiration from the seasonality and simplicity of Japanese and Italian flavors and seeks to find the perfect harmony between the two. Chef-driven and culturally inspired, Ini Ristorante’s menu combines Japanese and Italian cuisine’s ingredients, tastes, and techniques to bring you an unmatched dining experience.

Top review

Brian

Dined 4 days ago

Truly outstanding from a friendly welcome upon arrival and a cheerful goodbye and Happy Birthday upon departure. Wonderfully designed and crafted plates - cooked and served with pride and care. We had high expectations for Ini and our special lunch together was amazing and memorable. Grazie mille and arigator gozaimasu : )

The Blind Pig

4.7

4.7 (241)

$50 and over

American

Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

About the restaurant

Built on a couple beers and a dream,' The Blind Pig, created by Tony Monaco, is the latest adventurous eatery to hit Orange County. The menu features American progressive cuisine paired with an eclectic selection of wines, a rotating craft beer list, and some of the best cocktails in Orange County created in house using only the best products and freshest ingredients by The Blind Pig's talented bartender team.

Come on over and check out our great food and drinks.

Top review

Jane

Dined 6 days ago

The Blind Pig never disappoints. The menu is full of interesting and delicious dishes from street tacos to lobster rolls, to amazing salads, fish dishes, and incredible salads. And if you’re in the mood, the cheeseburger is worth the calories. It is incredible. The bar has unlimited craft cocktails, and a good wine selection. All at reasonable prices which is hard to find these days. . The Blind Pig is one of the best places to eat out in RSM.

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Experience

Wine & Whiskey Wednesday

Poppy & Seed

4.6

4.6 (984)

$31 to $50

American

Anaheim

About the restaurant

Recognized by the Michelin Guide and led by Food Network star and James Beard Award Semi-Finalist Chef Michael Reed, Poppy & Seed is a premier dining destination that redefines California cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Located in the Anaheim Packing District, our greenhouse-inspired space blends indoor elegance with a lush garden patio, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Our thoughtfully curated menu highlights locally sourced produce, house-made pastas, and innovative dishes that celebrate the region’s bounty. Guests can indulge in a seasonal chef’s tasting menu, family-style offerings, and an extensive wine selection featuring boutique, family-owned wineries.
Whether you're enjoying an intimate dinner under the twinkling garden lights or savoring our signature weekend brunch, Poppy & Seed offers an elevated yet approachable dining experience that brings people together through exceptional food, hospitality, and atmosphere.

Top review

Dennis

Dined 5 days ago

First impression a trendy and relaxing environment a place to bring family and friends for good eats. The front of the house could be more attentive but overall decent handling. Our server was very attentive and welcoming, and engaged with my guest. Positive attitude is greatly appreciated. Would go here again to for special occasions.

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4.6

4.6 (177)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

We are a plant-based fine dining restaurant where fresh, seasonal ingredients become art that you can see, smell, touch, and taste. Where different cultures and cuisines blend and evolve. Where each plate is a canvas, and every meal is a masterpiece.

Our mission is to make plant-based cuisine a tasteful choice instead of a lifestyle sacrifice. Our tasting menus are crafted to satisfy all the senses. We celebrate Orange County's diversity by blending flavors, cooking techniques, and dining experiences from various cultures. We aim to entice a more climate-conscious diet.

Come, eat your art out.

Top review

Leah

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Excellent experience, the food was incredible and there’s a story to get immersed in but each course. Highly recommend!

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Experience

Immersive Asian Tea Experience

The Market By The Meat Cellar

4.3

4.3 (21)

$30 and under

American

San Juan Capistrano

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Holly

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

We have had dinner here twice now. The food is amazing. The service is top notch. I highly recommend if you are looking for quality meats.

Gema

4.1

4.1 (255)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 9, 2025

I took my girlfriend here for a bday celebration dinner & also had the chance to go next door for the mezcal speakloud which was also amazing. It was a beautiful experience through and through.

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Warehouse 72 - Irvine

4.1

4.1 (101)

$31 to $50

American

Irvine

About the restaurant

Located in Orange County’s Hyatt Regency Irvine, Warehouse 72 is an elevated, upscale restaurant and bar concept featuring Modern American cuisine with 3-hour validated parking or $9 hotel valet for 4 hours.

Now Open, Warehouse 72’s 6,200-square-foot dining space is anchored by a 30-foot 3D digital art installation and features a massive indoor-outdoor bar, expansive patio, lounge areas, and private dining rooms. Inspired by the 68th Angel of Healing, the restaurant was conceptualized to captivate and entertain guests in an environment that invites guests to relax and soak in the scenic beauty of Southern California. Once open, Warehouse 72 is open seven days a week for happy hour, dinner, and late night. Reserve your table today! For more information, visit warehouse72.com.

Top review

Ashley

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

The experience was amazing and the food was phenomenal

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Experience

Happy Hour

MIX Restaurant & Lounge

4.0

4 (260)

$31 to $50

Californian

Anaheim

About the restaurant

AUTHENTIC TASTE OF SOCAL
Food lovers will rejoice in the diverse and complex flavors simmering inside Hilton Anaheim Chef’s Kitchen & Bakery. Each menu item is assembled with local ingredients that capture the essence of Southern California.

Choose from two notable Orange County restaurants with ambient settings and chef-driven cuisine. MIX Restaurant specializes in early California-inspired dishes and original interpretations of Mediterranean classics. MIX Lounge offers hand-crafted cocktails and shared plates that feature locally sourced ingredients, as well as All-Day Happy Hour on Sundays. The seasonal Pool Bar + Grill offers a wide selection of beer and wine, hand-crafted cocktails and perennial classics such as All-American Burger with homemade kettle chips, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and Grilled Mahi Sandwich & homemade desserts from our inhouse bakery, just to name a few.

Top review

Rigo

Dined 1 day ago

Great service , large portions and friendly staff

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