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Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in South Orange County

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OpenTable
Updated February 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!


A photo of Miki Sushi & Sake restaurant
5.0
5 (60)
$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
ThomasVIP
Dined on Jan 31, 2025
Exceptional, innovative and uniquely executed sushi and sashimi dishes. Hands down are favorite Sushi spot in So CA. We miss the Miki images that accompanied the dishes.
A photo of O Fine Japanese Cuisine - Laguna Beach restaurant
5.0
5 (332)
$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
Kent
Dined on Jan 30, 2025
GREAT FOOD< GREAT SERVICE, Good prices, and quick. We went with family 8 people. we were in/out in 45 mins.. always consitent.
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A photo of The Dock restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2056)
$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
henry
Dined 2 days ago
The best halibut I’ve ever had.it was delicate and moist.wonderful sauces that went with it. Very small and charming setting on the harbor. Sound level allows personal conversation.
A photo of Hannas Prime Steak restaurant
4.9
4.9 (3523)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
About the restaurant
Hanna’s Restaurant & Bar was established in 2005 and has quickly become one of Orange County’s premiere dining establishments. Named one of the U.S. top 100 restaurants, Hanna's Restaurant & Bar offers modern American Steakhouse cuisine prepared with classic, traditional flair. Our appetite for an exceptional dining experience is rooted deep in our passion for extraordinary culinary creations and exemplified in our award-wining service and ambiance. From our friendly bartenders, vibrant ambiance, outgoing wait staff, and incredible menu, our guests are always embraced in a comforting fashion. And on any given night you can always find owner David Hanna mingling among guests and ensuring that every detail of their experience at Hanna’s is nothing short of extraordinary.​
Top review
ErinSVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Perfect every time!! Hannas is a special place!!
A photo of Luxe Restaurant and Bar restaurant
4.9
4.9 (622)
$30 and under
American
Dana Point / Monarch Beach
About the restaurant
Luxe Restaurant & Martini Bar in Dana Point provides the perfect blended menu, featuring: seafood, steaks and classic Italian dishes. It has a large outdoor patio, rooms for private parties, and offers on and off-site catering.

Please find our menus at: https://www.luxefinedining.com/

Top review
Tim
Dined on Jan 31, 2025
Had a great Happy Hour with friends here. Service was great and food was awesome.
A photo of Wine Gallery restaurant
4.9
4.9 (607)
$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
Dawne
Dined on Jan 25, 2025
Fabulous wine, food, ambiance, and our waitress was awesome!! Will definitely come back!
A photo of 230 Forest Avenue restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2867)
$30 and under
Californian
Laguna Beach
About the restaurant
Don't be fooled by the crowds and the noise; they are all part of the scene here at Laguna Beach's sexy and intense 230 Forest Avenue. The lean deep room seduces you to the open kitchen, bustling bar, and concrete floors, creating a space that is part modern bistro, part martini bar, and part art gallery. It's the perfect spot to see and be seen, laid back Laguna-style. Executive Chef Marc Cohen is consistently recognized as one of The OC's top chefs. You'll be ready to award him a medal, too, after tasting his flashy-to-the-eye, tickle-the-taste- buds fusion appetizers and entrees. His dishes are often so stunning that they compete with the artwork on the walls, making for a thoroughly satisfying "artistic" experience.
Top review
susanVIP
Dined 2 days ago
We all had great meals. The halibut special with hazelnut was outstanding. The scallops are always great. And the double cut pork chop was great.
A photo of Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill - Newport Beach restaurant
4.9
4.9 (90)
$30 and under
Sports Bar
Newport Beach
About the restaurant
We pride ourselves in being your Sports Bar. A place where you can always watch your team with your family, your friends, and with your fellow fans. We have 30 big screen HDTVs throughout the bar and a 4K projector that makes our sports room the Manliest of all Caves.

With the addition of GIANT outdoor beer garden we now have even more space for large groups and outdoor dining!

We have four different rooms and you can hear four different games in four different zones!. With such a vibrant and diverse atmosphere, it's no wonder professional athletes often stop by when they're in town. If you are here for a game you will have plenty of time to get your pizza fix with one of our Chicago Stuffed Pizzas - the best you can get outside of Chicago! Break in the action for halftime? Head out to the Party Patio where you can play beer pong, corn home and giant Jenga and still keep an eye on the highlights replaying on our outside TVs.

Top review
Todd
Dined on Jan 21, 2025
We were at Cruisers for the college national championship game. The place was packed but comfortable. The service, especially considering the big crowd, was great! Their food is always good. I recommend Cruisers as a great place for a meal and a game or just to hang out for pizza and beer in Newport! Go Bucks!!
A photo of Foretti's restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1918)
$30 and under
Italian
Corona del Mar
About the restaurant
Foretti’s CDM established itself as a highlight of the Newport Beach dining scene when it opened in 2013. Operating under the new ownership of longtime Restaurateur and Level 1 Sommelier Thaddeus Foret, we continue to prepare our signature recipes, created by the restaurant’s namesake chef and his culinary team—many of whom remain in our kitchen today.

Foretti’s is a celebration of Italian traditions, specializing in authentic Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana-certified wood-fired pizzas baked in a 900 degree oven with the same techniques and ingredients used in Naples, Italy.

We also feature house made pastas and favorite dishes from across Italy, expertly paired with craft cocktails and a curated selection of Italian and California Wines; several from Orange County wine owners.

Thad Foret brings more than 30 years of experience in hospitality to Corona del Mar, and has been a standard bearer for restaurant operations in the region.

Top review
Kenneth
Dined 1 day ago
What a wonderful meal! The wait staff was fantastic. Fabulous food, and the Brunello was divine. The chocolate souffle ended a perfect evening. Will be back again and again.
A photo of Lido Bottle Works restaurant
4.9
4.9 (785)
$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
MyraK
Dined 7 days ago
It was a warm, sunny day for brunch at LBW, so we decided to sit outside along the waterfront. What a beautiful place to celebrate my friend’s birthday! We began with a wonderful glass of wine and a toast to the birthday girl. The Saturday Brunch Menu was full of interesting selections so we shared the delicious Monkey Bread while we decided what we wanted. I thought about the Croissant Sandwich with bacon, egg, and jalapeño jam, but finally settled on the Lido Breakfast with eggs, applewood smoked bacon, and house potatoes. It was delicious! My friend chose the Root Vegetable Hash Potato with poached egg and herb yogurt. I’m getting that next time! We chatted the day away ending with a Chocolate Honey Truffle Bar, topped with a candle, and presented by our waitress singing Happy Birthday! Couldn’t have been more perfect!
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