Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

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 (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.

Eat Chow - Costa Mesa

4.9

4.9 (36)

$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

George

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

Great food and service, as usual. Always a great experience!

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Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (83)

$30 and under

Italian

Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

About the restaurant

Owners Jordan and Creig Mullikin love to eat delicious food, drink great wine and be treated like family. They want every bite, every sip, every visit to be delicious and a treat. Our goal is to serve you fresh, homemade, and thoughtful dishes focused on our family's heritage and our customers' needs to make everyone feel like family at our neighborhood spot which sports a modern yet vintage vibe. We have a large outdoor patio that is both heated and covered. One of the more popular things here at Bricco is our live music Friday's and Saturday's with very talented singers and performers.

Top review

Joseph

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Great pizza, service and atmosphere. Definitely give this place a try

Todos Santos - Newport Beach

4.9

4.9 (111)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Todos Santos Balboa is an expansion of the Todos Santos Mexican Kitchen concept established in 2019 in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. TSB inherits the authentic recipes of coastal Baja, while providing a modern presentation and flavor profile in our cuisine.

Our program includes specialty coffee service provided by Succulent Coffee Roasters, a full bar with scratch made margaritas, and an elevated wine list to enhance guest experience. Our home on Balboa Island exhibits the contemporary beauty of Southern California and welcomes you with patio dining just a few feet from the Island Ferry. We look forward to your visit!

Top review

RonaldVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fabulous Mexican restaurant on Balboa Island. Great food, great service with exceptional staff and superb atmosphere with indoor and outdoor dining.

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Popular dish

Halibut Tacos

Mint

4.9

4.9 (25)

$31 to $50

Indian

Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

About the restaurant

Mint restaurant looks forward to welcoming you soon!

Top review

SoniaVIP

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

Delicious and authentic! I will definitely go back!

Ruscello - Nordstrom South Coast Plaza

4.8

4.8 (215)

$30 and under

Italian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Enjoy a delightful dining experience at Nordstrom restaurants, where you can savor chef inspired dishes, using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Come and try our signature handcrafted soups, entrees and desserts and pair it with a Nordstrom crafted cocktail, wine or beer. Call (714) 850-2510 to place your order or get delivery via DoorDash or Uber Eats. Offering Brunch until 3pm on Saturdays & Sundays.

Top review

Pat

Dined 6 days ago

The service here is always amazing! The waiter checked with the chef to see if there was any dairy in my choices since I am lactose intolerant, offered a different side dish, the manager came by to see if all was well, everyone so polite… the noise level was high due to lunch hour, although the background music had a thumping bass to it which didn't help. Maybe drop the music for a more relaxing experience? The food was delicious. This is one of my favorite restaurants.

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Experience

Weekend Brunch 11am-3pm

Experience

Wine Wednesdays

Experience

Happy Hour at the Ruscello!

Eat Chow - Newport Beach

4.8

4.8 (26)

$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

CrisVIP

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

We love Eat Chow! Gourmet delicious food! So many great dishes, some of my fav: chicken piccata and fish tacos! Great place! Best service!

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4.7

4.7 (802)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

This unique Newport Bay waterfront dining establishment and craft bottle shop offers award-winning New American cuisine prepared by Chef Joel Gutierrez. Sophisticated, yet casual and approachable, LBW is
an unexpected surprise using local and sustainable ingredients that change with the seasons. Guests can experience a culinary adventure in every dish and enjoy a plethora of California craft beer, a curated wine list and signature cocktails. One hour free parking is available in the structure in the Lido Marina Village with validation. We are located in the black building "C" down the dock. Walk-ins are available and reservations are accepted during all business hours. Having both indoor and patio dining, we encourage guests to dress warm on cooler days, but also provide ample heat. Dogs are allowed on our outside tables. Take-out is also available.

Top review

MargaretVIP

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

We really enjoyed our lunch. The burger was fantastic. My husband had the chicken sandwich and I can’t stop thinking about the coconut lime aioli. So delicious. Great spot!

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4.6

4.6 (45)

$30 and under

Lebanese

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Ramzi

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

A true gastronomical adventure in Lebanese food. Authentic cuisine served with the best creative touch. We keep coming back and introducing it to friends and family. Keep up the great work!!!

Le Hut Dinette

4.6

4.6 (12)

$30 and under

American

Santa Ana

About the restaurant

Chili Fries & Fine Wines “Ma Vie Folle” New concept by @heritagebarbecue located in the historic French Park Santa Ana Ca.

730 N Poinsettia Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Top review

Amy

Dined 5 days ago

Food was delicious and excellent service. Great addition to the neighborhood.

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