Best Casual Restaurants in Laguna Beach

78 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Larsen at Hotel Laguna restaurant

1. Larsen at Hotel Laguna

4.5

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Laguna Beach

Booked 58 times today

Nestled in the heart of Laguna Beach, Hotel Laguna offers a charming laid-back luxurious experience like no other. Just steps from the sparkling sea, experience the best of Southern California views and chef-driven creations. The beautiful Larsen Restaurant is where Orange County comes together for fresh local ingredients and cuisine that captures the diverse flavors of the modern West. An inspired selection of California wines and refreshing craft cocktails offer the perfect pairing for every plate. At Hotel Laguna we translate the essence of warm, heartfelt hospitality...morning, noon and night!

2. Driftwood Kitchen

4.5

Awesome(1311)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Laguna Beach

Booked 47 times today

Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom bar is a casual restaurant that serves ocean-to-table fare next to a lovely waterfront view. Helmed by executive Chef Rainer Schwarz, the menu showcases an eclectic selection of seafood dishes that highlight the diversity of the Pacific. Menu highlights include hand-shucked oysters, salmon, octopus, swordfish and lobster, prepared with nothing but the finest and freshest ingredients. Driftwood also offers alternative menu items for landlubbers, such as dishes made of chicken or steak.Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar is open all through the week. In addition to its dinner menu, the restaurant serves brunch 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The airy dining room is a great place to enjoy a casual business lunch or a fun outing with friends. Driftwood Kitchen also boasts a bar, open from 9am - 10:30pm everyday.

3. Skyloft OC

4.6

Exceptional(900)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Beach

Booked 29 times today

Skyloft is located in downtown Laguna Beach. The diverse menu offerings a balance of seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches and Specialty Smokehouse BBQ items. Skyloft also boasts an open-air rooftop dining area, highlighting an exclusive and coveted view of Laguna Beach"s main beach. In addition, we offer live entertainment Wednesday - Sunday! PLEASE NOTE: SEATING AREA IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITYReservations will guarantee a table in our restaurant, but NO SPECIFIC AREA will be guaranteed with a reservation. Please expect an additional wait for Rooftop Seating, Live Music, and other high demand areas. To book a Private Event or guarantee a specific table, a deposit will be required in addition to a food and beverage minimum, please contact our events coordinator at 949.715.7107 for pricing. Complimentary Transportation available! 5pm and later, within Laguna Beach or a 5-10 mile radius depending on group size). For customers w/ dinner reservations only - call to schedule.

4. 230 Forest Avenue

4.9

Exceptional(2846)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Laguna Beach

Booked 55 times today

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.

A photo of Brussels Bistro - Laguna Beach restaurant

5. Brussels Bistro - Laguna Beach

4.8

Exceptional(1282)

Price: Moderate

• Belgian • Laguna Beach

Booked 19 times today

Since 2004, Brussels Bistro has brought the best in Belgium flavors to the heart of Laguna Beach. Relax on the terrace with a premium Belgian beer or dine underground in our casual-urban setting. Offering Belgian cuisine with a French flair, our Executive Chef, Thomas Crijns has created a superb menu of authentic dishes ranging from Beef Bourguignon to Steamed Mussels. Complimenting our wide variety of imported Belgian beers are mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres including Cheese Croquettes and our world-famous Belgian Fries. Join us on Friday and Saturday nights when the Bistro transforms into one of the hottest nightclubs in town.

A photo of Salerno by Chef Pirozzi restaurant

6. Salerno by Chef Pirozzi

4.5

Awesome(945)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Laguna Beach

Booked 8 times today

Salerno by Chef Pirozzi serves authentic italian cuisine, owned and operated by Certified Italian Chef Alessandro Pirozzi. It's menu consists of freshly homemade pastas such as Fettucini Alfredo, Black Ink Spaghetti & Clams, and Mamma's Meatballs, as well as authentic piattis Veal Parmigiana and Chilean Seabass.Salerno by Chef Pirozzi serves a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to complement each meal. This includes a wide selection of beers, wines, and now proudly offering a full bar! It is open during the dinner hour daily except Monday.

A photo of Nirvana by Chef Lindsay restaurant

7. Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

4.9

Exceptional(1728)

Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Laguna Beach

Booked 10 times today

We are an independent neighborhood restaurant in the heart of Downtown Laguna Beach, between Main Beach & the Historic Festival of Arts, owned by Laguna Beach native, Executive Chef Lindsay Smith. Inspired by Wine Country and California Coastal cuisine, our focus is on serving guests the way Chef Lindsay would feed her own family, in a warm, inviting atmosphere. We source the freshest ingredients, including free-range, organic poultry, sustainable seafood, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, and seasonal, local produce. We strive to minimize our environmental impact and support the local community. Chef Lindsay, named one of the Top 10 chefs in Orange County and Top 5 in Laguna Beach, is dedicated to quality food, friendly service, and a memorable dining experience.LUNCH: Casual table service, Counter service for Grab & Go (reservations not required) DINNER: Table service (reservations recommended)

A photo of Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove restaurant

8. Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove

4.8

Exceptional(10455)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Newport Beach

Booked 60 times today

Voted as one of the "Top 100 Restaurants" for 2023 by OpenTable in the United StatesThe Beachcomber at Crystal Cove provides "world class" ocean front dining in the Historic District of the Crystal Cove State Park with breath taking views of the Newport Coastline and Catalina Island. Situated on the sandy beach, The Beachcomber's outdoor patio provides the perfect spot to enjoy the ocean's breeze while sipping on your favorite cocktail or enjoying one of the many favorite entrees and appetizers. The Beachcomber's outdoor tropical bar 'The Bootlegger' with thatch roofing provides the perfect spot to escape from the world while enjoying one of many tropical libations.

A photo of Selanne Steak Tavern restaurant

9. Selanne Steak Tavern

4.7

Exceptional(2782)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Laguna Beach

Booked 26 times today

Selanne Steak Tavern, owned by Anaheim Duck legend Teemu Selanne and located in a quaint, historical home built in 1934, features an upscale casual neighborhood tavern and a traditional steakhouse. In addition to the absolute best steaks in Orange County, the Tavern offers great burgers, small plates, salads and appetizers as well as an extensive world class wine list, great specialty cocktails and craft beers. We look forward to the opportunity to provide you with an amazing Selanne experience!

A photo of Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant

10. Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.Cook

4.8

Exceptional(1741)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Beach

Booked 64 times today

Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook located in Laguna Beach is committed to providing our guests with exceptional service, quality, and value. We aspire to perfect our craft, create emotional connections, and set the benchmark for cuisine in Southern California, and beyond.Come, be a guest in our home. We look forward to serving you!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MARICAR
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined today
The food was great , our server was friendly , present and knowledgeable. The ambience was also soothing . All servers were friendly
More info
Driftwood KitchenPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Laguna Beach
•
4.5
T
Thomas
Los Angeles •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great view from the deck, food choices are great, prices are good value for what you get and service was good. Great for taking friends or family to visit.
More info
Skyloft OCPrice: Moderate• American• Laguna Beach
•
4.6
C
ChristieVIP
Orange County •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Absolutely wonderful experience. Incredibly, I booked the table too late in the evening and we missed the sunset. The staff is just lovely and the portions were extremely generous and I was surprised. I’m very particular about cocktails and I would say this was a nine out of 10, Definitely Craft.
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Larsen at Hotel LagunaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Laguna Beach
•
4.5
D
DeborahVIP
Los Angeles •49 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
This was our second time eating lunch there. Service was friendly, efficient and timely. We had the fish taco special, the mussels in leek broth and the Parker house rolls. If you get nothing else, get the rolls! Crispy and buttery on the outside and doughy and soft inside. The fried fish in the tacos were crunchy and the sauce was flavorful and accompanied the fish well. The mussels were cooked just right - still soft and flavorful in a light, savory sauce. The butter cake was the epitome of decadence. Definitely recommend for lunch.
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230 Forest AvenuePrice: Moderate• Californian• Laguna Beach
•
4.9
D
DavidVIP
Los Angeles •24 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
We just love Brussels Bistro on Forest Avenue down in Laguna Beach... and it's especially great for special occasions! For three years in a row now, we have celebrated our long-time friend Carla's birthday in this charming lower level eatery... and it never disappoints! THANKS Brussels Bistro!
More info
Brussels Bistro - Laguna BeachPrice: Moderate• Belgian• Laguna Beach
•
4.8

Best Casual Restaurants in Laguna Beach

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78 restaurants available nearby

1. Larsen at Hotel Laguna

2. Driftwood Kitchen

3. Skyloft OC

4. 230 Forest Avenue

5. Brussels Bistro - Laguna Beach

6. Salerno by Chef Pirozzi

7. Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

8. Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove

9. Selanne Steak Tavern

10. Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.Cook

See what locals rave about

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