Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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 (31)

$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

kavehvip

Dined 2 days ago

Awesome!! Great food, great staff and wonderful experience!

Christakis Greek Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (1355)

$31 to $50

Greek

Tustin

About the restaurant

Please contact the restaurant directly for parties of 6 or more.

***** VOTED BEST GREEK RESTAURANT IN OC BY OC WEEKLY (2016)

On April 1, 1996, Yanoula Christakis Wallace opened the doors of Christakis, a restaurant that represented her homeland and the passion she felt towards her culture. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or celebrating a special event, Christakis Greek Cuisine is the place to enjoy traditional Greek dishes at a reasonable price. Since 1996, we’ve used only the finest and freshest ingredients to create traditional Greek cuisine. Today, the family at Christakis continues to bring the authentic spirit and warmth of Greece to Orange County.

Top review

George

Dined 7 days ago

It was a great dining experience. The best Greek food in SoCal!

Wine Gallery

4.9

4.9 (591)

$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

Michelle

Dined 4 days ago

We enjoyed an amazing wine and bites tasting of Allegrini wines and Chef Josh’s deliciously creative cuisine. Fabulous wines and food!

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Experience

A Very Happy Hour

YNK

4.9

4.9 (69)

$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

Susan

Dined 3 days ago

What a delightful surprise! We’ve stayed at the hotel before, but didn’t know YNK existed. You feel like you’ve left the cookie cutter experience of a big hotel and entered an intimate fun bar. The food was delicious, and the drinks fantastic!

O Fine Japanese Cuisine - Laguna Beach

4.8

4.8 (317)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to O Fine Japanese Cuisine, the restaurant serves contemporary Japanese cuisine and traditional sushi in an elegant and comfortable setting. Explore beyond the sushi and sashimi such wonderful dishes as Chillean Sea Bass Misoyaki, Boneless Short Rib or Baked Lobster Tail. A must try is our signature Sashimi Sampler which has Halibut with truffle oil, Salmon with garlic ponzu, Albacore with crispy garlic, Peach Scallp, Tuna with sesame dressing and crispy onion, and Yellowtail with jalapeno. There is something for everyone from our one item entree to a variety of sushi, sashimi and fusion cuisines. We are conveniently located inside the Albertson shopping center with plenty of parking spaces for local residents or visitors. Please join us for the wonderful, exciting, O experience. We look forward to serving you soon!

Top review

Josephvip

Dined on Oct 6, 2024

Great food, wonderful service, staff was very helpful and continued to give us many suggestions on sushi choices and information regarding different types of fish

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Popular dish

Sushi C

Il Farro Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (238)

$30 and under

Italian

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Authentic Italian dishes focused on taste and quality, accompanied by the freshest signature cocktails and wine. Enjoy a romantic walk on the beach, watching the sunset, followed by a delicious casual meal at Il Farro, named for the hearty and delicious whole grain, farro. We import ours directly from Italy, where it is farmed organically, low carb, low gluten, high in fiber and, best of all, tastes AMAZING!
We also feature fabulous seafood dishes , like linguine del Pescatore , fresh halibut, salmon, mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari and more. Other dishes include steak, veal chicken, Finish your meal with one of our homemade desserts from tiramisu and gelato.
Established in 1993 Il Farro Restaurant sits in the heart of the Newport Beach Peninsula, right by the Newport Pier. Its cozy Italian atmosphere and its family-oriented service give our customers one of the best Italian experiences in all Orange County.

Top review

Marjorievip

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

Love the Farro dishes here. The dessert selection was excellent as well!

Eat Chow - Newport Beach

4.8

4.8 (17)

$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

Tricia

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

The 4 of us enjoyed our breakfasts very much, great food, and service was excellent. Thank you!

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4.8

4.8 (56)

$30 and under

Thai

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Zabb Thai offers authentic Thai cuisine in a casual dining setting.

Top review

MaheshR

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Hunter was our waiter. He took very good care of us. Excellent food and free valet. Best vegan satay

El Torito - Yorba Linda

4.7

4.7 (210)

$30 and under

Mexican

Placentia / Yorba Linda

About the restaurant

The authority in great Mexican food for more than 65 years. Offering a memorable experience to make each guest feel like family.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Had a great time! The place was busy, but our server was super responsive and provided great conversation.

The Village Inn Restaurant - Balboa Island

4.6

4.6 (72)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

As Balboa Island's premier dining and entertainment establishment, the VI has touched generations of locals and tourists alike and commits to maintaining a feeling of comfort and approachability reminiscent of our small town affiliation. We cater to groups of all sizes and are happy to offer a wide variety of entertainment and quality food. The Village Inn does feature one of the only full service bars & outdoor patios on Balboa Island. Open seven days a week!

Serving Balboa since 1933.

Top review

Jonathanvip

Dined 6 days ago

Good was good but service was slow. Good experience overall.

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