Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Price
Cuisine
Regions
Neighborhoods
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Accessibility

14 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Hannas Prime Steak restaurant
1. Hannas Prime Steak
4.9
Exceptional(3542)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 53 times today
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.​
A photo of Piccolino Ristorante restaurant
2. Piccolino Ristorante
4.8
Exceptional(2143)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 20 times today
A Sicilian by way of Chicago, from a family of Sicilian chefs and restaurateurs. He made a name for himself, serving Orange County for 30 years. Piccolino serves some of the best Italian inspirations in Orange County. Piccolino retains its Sicilian philosophy and passion for food by combining traditional old-world flavors and contemporary infusions. When Salvatore Faso opened Piccolino Ristorante in 2007, his goal was simple: to combine his lifelong experiences in the finest Italian restaurants with the finest ingredients, authenticity, preparation, and his passion for the Canyon and its surrounding communities. Piccolino Ristorante serves regional Italian cuisine, including artisan-made pasta, fresh wild-caught fish, and the finest meats and poultry on the market daily. Vintage décor, white tablecloths, and candlelit tables provide a romantic dining experience."Chi mangia bene, Vive bene!""La buona cucina rende allegria!"Buon Appetito & Mille Grazie, ci si vede presto!
A photo of Urban Grill & Wine Bar restaurant
3. Urban Grill & Wine Bar
4.6
Exceptional(734)
Price: Moderate
• Wine Bar • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
Booked 4 times today
Urban Grill and Wine Bar is a unique upscale eatery offering gourmet comfort food and boutique wine served by friendly, Knowledgeable staff. The inside of the restaurant is casual yet refined, offering an atmosphere that is ideal for a business lunch or a meal before going out for the night. Urban Grill is a popular spot, and guests are always welcome to grab a seat at the bar while they are waiting and order one of the refreshing and creative cocktails.The menu offers aspects of delicious cuisine from around the globe. Appetizers include an Australian lamb chop, chicken or tofu lettuce wraps, an ahi tuna poke and an artisan cheese board, to name a few. The entrée menu keeps the delicious flavors rolling. Signature dishes at Urban Grill and Wine Bar include Alaskan king crab legs, Prime steaks and chops, Mediterranean-style chicken with olives and artichokes, fish and chips and a vegetable pasta primavera.
A photo of Delizie Ristorante & Bar restaurant
4. Delizie Ristorante & Bar
4.9
Exceptional(967)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 13 times today
Chef Santiago is at the helm of this South County Favorite. Delizie offers daily specials including homemade pastas, imported Italian delicatessens, and the freshest fish and meats available daily as well as an extensive listing of wines from California and Italy. Delizie also features a full bar and banquet room, available for private parties.
A photo of Pub Thirty-Two restaurant
5. Pub Thirty-Two
4.7
Exceptional(426)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 7 times today
Located in Mission Viejo, California, Pub Thirty-Two represents our desire to bring the type of restaurant and bar experience we enjoy to Mission Viejo; a place you will be as comfortable holding a professional lunch meeting as you are having drinks and great conversation with friends. We strive to provide a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere with food, drinks, and events that exceed expectations. Our restaurant is farm-to-fork, and our menu changes seasonally. We are proud to be partnered with local ranches and farms to bring you fresh, local, and sustainable food.
A photo of The Tea House on Los Rios restaurant
6. The Tea House on Los Rios
4.8
Exceptional(2844)
Price: Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • San Juan Capistrano
Booked 60 times today
Set in a beautifully restored 1911 cottage complete with a wrap-around veranda and lush gardens, The Tea House on Los Rios offers Orange County's premier high tea experience. Known for our famous scones, delicious tea sandwiches, and loose-leaf teas, we also feature a full luncheon menu and a weekend brunch menu, complete with mimosas and Bloody Marys. Join us for an unforgettable experience on Historic Los Rios Street in San Juan Capistrano. Take the train and making a day of it!
A photo of Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant
7. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook
4.7
Exceptional(2924)
Price: Moderate
• American • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
Booked 25 times today
Welcome to Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook. located in Laguna Hills. Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality and are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails.
A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
8. Puesto Los Olivos
4.6
Exceptional(1810)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Irvine
Booked 38 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.
A photo of CUCINA enoteca - Irvine restaurant
9. CUCINA enoteca - Irvine
4.7
Exceptional(2765)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 45 times today
CUCINA enoteca is centrally located in the Irvine Spectrum! Owner Tracy Borkum's flair for combining great ambience, award-winning cuisine and unparalleled service are once again starring components in this latest Urban Kitchen Group creation. Executive Chef Tim Kolanko and Chef de Cuisine Cesar Sarmiento bring their artistry to the table as guests enjoy an open kitchen. The menu features Italian classics with a modern twist, made with the freshest local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Along with a diverse selection of wines by the glass, guests may visit the restaurant's retail area to select from over 200 bottles for dinner (corkage fee of $10 applies) or purchase wine to go. The energetic space features contemporary elements and vintage artifacts creating the feel of a modern Italian kitchen combined with the comfort of an old rustic farmhouse.
A photo of Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge restaurant
10. Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge
4.6
Exceptional(760)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 13 times today
Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a modern speakeasy with the allure of old Hollywood, offering a menu of east coast classics with west coast flavor and finesse. This chef driven, husband and wife owned restaurant provides a comfortable neighborhood dining experience. Scarlet offers local, quality ingredients carefully curated to meet every diners desires. Scarlet is a place for everyone to enjoy a date night or just a quick bite at the bar. Scarlet introduces a new menu every season courtesy of Chef-Owner Paige Riordan and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Martinez. Enjoy a taste of the season from Scarlet’s dining room or heated canyon-view patio and. Scarlet elevates the plate with a new menu of dishes brimming with bold, finessed flavor highlighting peak-of-season ingredients, humanely raised prime meats, and sustainable seafood, reflective of Riordan’s East Coast roots.

How is content generated

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • LisaVIP
    Orange County •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Great place for our business lunch, we normally come for dinner or happy hour but it was a perfect fit for lunch too. The paleo bowl with salmon was delicious - we both ended up having the same thing and agreed it was great, and very filling. The service was prompt but not too much which allowed us to have a great conversation. I'll be back!
    More info
    Hannas Prime SteakPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
    •
    4.9
  • DebraVIP
    Orange County •211 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Delize delivers - you can count on their kitchen to make each meal as you wish it to be prepared. Our group included those who wanted all vegetables as sides (gasp, no pasta or potatoes!) and our waiter answered "of course, no problem". We've been coming here for years and the high standards of service and the quality of the food will keep us coming back again and again.
    More info
    Delizie Ristorante & BarPrice: Moderate• Italian• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
    •
    4.9
  • AmeliaVIP
    Orange County •159 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    It was our first time dining at Piccolino and we enjoyed it very much. They have a great menu with good variety. We each had pasta dishes which were both excellent. The restaurant has a very nice ambience and service was very good. We are looking forward to trying other entrees.
    More info
    Piccolino RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
    •
    4.8
  • Berenice
    San Diego •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Had a lovely evening meal at Pub 32 Food was delicious & hot. Chef came out personally and delivered the food to our table which I thought was a nice touch. We ate sausage rolls for starters. Ribeye steak & fries & shepherd’s pie. Couldn’t fault any of it. Just delicious. Paul ( manager) & restaurant & bar staff made you feel very welcome & were very attentive to your needs. The Guinness was excellent. Identity Crisis provided the musical entertainment. They were excellent & the volume was perfect. You could easily have a conversation & listen to the music at the same time. Provided a great ambience to the establishment. Would highly recommend.
    More info
    Pub Thirty-TwoPrice: Moderate• Californian• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
    •
    4.7
  • MikeVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •21 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 23, 2025
    Food and service are always great. We have been like 4 times after my daughters volleyball tournaments
    More info
    Urban Grill & Wine BarPrice: Moderate• Wine Bar• Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
    •
    4.6

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Discover the charm of dining in the Mission Viejo/Rancho Santa Margarita area, where neighborhood gems provide an exceptional culinary experience in South Orange County. These beloved local establishments, nestled in the heart of Southern California, are celebrated for their unique and high-quality cuisine, innovative cocktails, and breathtaking views, often overlooking serene lakes. The dining scene in this locale is vibrant and diverse, catering to both traditional tastes and more adventurous palates with live music and outdoor dining options that enhance the overall ambiance. Patrons consistently praise these restaurants for their outstanding service, reasonable prices, and the ability to create memorable dining experiences that keep locals and visitors coming back. Whether you're in search of a festive Mexican feast or a sophisticated American spread, these neighborhood gems in Mission Viejo/Rancho Santa Margarita are sure to delight. This area is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a great meal in a picturesque setting.

Explore OpenTable

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo