Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in South Orange County

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in South 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 (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 6 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 (16)

$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

Kevin

Dined 3 days ago

Great restaurant great food, excellent service, love it.

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 2 days 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!

Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse - Irvine

4.9

4.9 (61)

$50 and over

Brazilian Steakhouse

Irvine

About the restaurant

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse delivers an exquisite dining experience inspired by the rich Gaucho culture and culinary traditions of Southern Brazil. Galpão Gaucho’s rodizio experience offers an unparalleled dining experience, featuring 18 unlimited selections from the grill, including the new 24-karat Golden Steak™, paired with unlimited visits to an extensive 45-item gourmet salad bar.

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, an authentic Brazilian dining experience.

Top review

FernandoVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Really good ! Excellent Service and delicious food! Highly recommend!

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

Wine Gallery

4.9

4.9 (634)

$30 and under

American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

The Laguna Beach Wine Gallery is known for an impressive selection of wine, curated cocktails & beers with a 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.
Free Underground Parking off of Pearl Street

Happy Hour Specials Tuesday-Saturday 4:30-5:30pm
Wine Wednesday Specials
Sunday is Industry Night.. 50% Off Food & 25% Off Beverages for all in the Service Industry (dine-in only)
Look out for our biweekly Wine Tasting Tuesdays

Top review

DennisVIP

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Great oven-baked pizzas and other delicious offerings, including shishito peppers and rib-eye tacos, in a welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere, with friendly, attentive service!

Jack's Restaurant/Bar

4.9

4.9 (1147)

$31 to $50

Italian

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

Jack's Restaurant and Bar is an Italian restaurant located in Dana Point, California. The restaurant features a casual, family-friendly dining atmosphere and a full bar.

Jack's Restaurant and Bar serves dinner seven days a week starting at 4pm. Jack's Restaurant and Bar offers a variety of Italian & Seafood Specialties, Free-Range Chicken, Roman Style Pizza, Vegan & Gluten-Free Menus, and Desserts.

Private Dining Room available for groups up to 40. Catering Menus also available.

Top review

ANDYVIP

Dined 5 days ago

In town for a wedding. The server was perfect , food was really good and true Italian. Loved how quant it was and well run. Very clean and most importantly they had table cloths . Cheers

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Popular dish

Jack's Salad

Nick's Laguna Beach

4.9

4.9 (3358)

$31 to $50

American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

PamelaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The best dinner we’ve had in Orange County! We highly recommend the prime rib French dip sandwich and banana cream pie for dessert. 10/10.

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Todos Santos - Newport Beach

4.9

4.9 (118)

$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

JanVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious food and friendly service! Enjoyed the ambience!

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Popular dish

Halibut Tacos

O Fine Japanese Cuisine - Laguna Beach

4.9

4.9 (348)

$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

Linda

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Excellent food, sushi chef is a master, taste combinations are exceptional.

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