Californian
230 Forest
230 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
949-494-2545
Lagunatics and sightseers mingle at this lively open-air cafe, where the martinis are as popular as the modern California cuisine…
Neighborhood: Laguna Beach
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails
2607 Main St., Irvine, CA, 92614
949-387-8887
Irvine’s corporate zone is home to this slick, spacious restaurant that focuses on seasonal cuisine built on local, sustainable foods…
Neighborhood: Irvine
Category: Californian, Mediterranean, Restaurants
AnQi by Crustacean
3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
714-557-5679
Tight focus on the fare makes dining at this South Coast Plaza hot spot better than ever…
Neighborhood: Costa Mesa, South Coast Metro
Category: Californian, Restaurants, Vietnamese
Back Bay Bistro
1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Coast, CA, 92657
949-729-1144
Though you won’t see ocean waves, waterfront seating on the quiet bay abounds at this relaxed venue…
Neighborhood: Newport Beach, Waterfront
Category: Californian, Eastern European, Restaurants
Bistango
19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA, 92612
949-752-5222
A longtime airport-area mainstay, Bistango has remained surprisingly contemporary, with creative dishes such as…
Neighborhood: Irvine
Category: Californian, Restaurants
EATS Kitchen & Bar
949-225-6780
Choose the attractive, fire-pit patio for the best ambience at Irvine’s retooled business hotel restaurant…
Neighborhood: Irvine, Orange County, South County
Category: Californian, Fusion/Eclectic/Global
Memphis Soul Café & Bar
2920 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA, 92627
714-432-7685
Memphis was one of the county’s first retro restaurants. It’s set in a sassy shoebox, with a ’50s look and a menu to match: fried chicken, cornbread, gumbo, and steaks…
Neighborhood: Costa Mesa, South Coast Metro
Category: Californian, Restaurants, Southern/Soul
Opah
26851 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo, CA, 92656
949-360-8822
Trendy and sleek, this neighborhood hottie oozes a hip energy that attracts single minglers and ‘burban scene-hunters in search of artfully prepared California cuisine…
Neighborhood: Aliso Viejo
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Pitfire Artisan Pizza
353 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, CA, 92627
949-313-6333
The first O.C. shop from this thriving L.A.-based chain is not your nonna’s pizzeria…
Neighborhood: Costa Mesa, Orange County, South Coast Metro
Category: Californian, Italian, Restaurants
Seasons 52
3333 Bristol Ave., Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
714-437-5252
The ground floor of the departed Clubhouse has been replaced with this attractive bar and grill from Darden Restaurants…
Neighborhood: Costa Mesa, South Coast Metro
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Slowfish
16051 Bolsa Chica St., Huntington Beach, CA, 92649
714-846-6951
Easily missed in a strip mall along busy Bolsa Chica, this slightly hip storefront serves up distinctly modern Cal-Asian fare…
Neighborhood: Huntington Beach
Category: Californian, Korean, Restaurants
Studio
30801 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651
949-715-6030
After a stellar run at Pasadena’s Langham Huntington hotel, executive chef Craig Strong brings his considerable talents to Montage resort’s ocean-view fine-dining venue…
Neighborhood: Laguna Beach, Waterfront
Category: Californian, French, Restaurants
Sundried Tomato Café and Catering Company
31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675
949-661-1167
These breezy cafes are a great find for light lunch and uncomplicated dinners. Small and large plates for the California palate…
Neighborhood: San Juan Capistrano
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Cat & The Custard Cup
800 E. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, CA, 90631
562-694-3812
There aren’t many options in La Habra, but this reliable English-themed tavern charms, with fireplaces, a cozy bar, and smiling service…
Neighborhood: La Habra
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Wild Artichoke
4973 Yorba Ranch Road, Yorba Linda, CA, 92885
714-777-9646
Chef-owner James D’Aquila and his winsome crew raise the culinary bar at this teensy, modest storefront…
Neighborhood: Yorba Linda
Category: Californian, Fusion/Eclectic/Global, Italian, Restaurants
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
2647 Park Ave., Tustin, CA, 92782
714-258-7600
The O.C. power crowd doesn’t care that The Winery isn’t a winery, but a huge, handsome restaurant crafted to attract disciples of steak, wine, and cigars.
Neighborhood: Tustin
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille
854 Avocado Ave., Corona del Mar, CA, 92660
949-760-8686
Ongoing nips and tucks keep this perennial favorite fresh. The fare remains reliably coastal and fresh: sole with yuzu-lilikoi butter…
Neighborhood: Corona del Mar
Category: Californian, Fusion/Eclectic/Global, Restaurants
Vine
211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA, 92672
949-361-2079
Take a wine country detour at this top choice for poised California cuisine supported by an enlightened wine selection…
Neighborhood: San Clemente
Category: Californian, Restaurants