Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

230 Forest Avenue

4.9

4.9 (2840)

$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

WilliamVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellence in food quality, service and ambience. Consistency in all categories. Highly recommended.

Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails

4.8

4.8 (1948)

$31 to $50

Californian

Irvine

About the restaurant

Modern Californian cuisine utilizing locally grown, sustainably farmed and fair-traded products. Our goal is to not only enhance quality but also to support a new, more responsible attitude toward our community and the world around us. That is why we donate all net profits to chartable causes. Both warm and inviting, nature was the inspiration for Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails interior; from the soaring two-story waterfall in the lobby to the striking onyx and granite bar and eco-friendly pecan wood floors, every detail was hand-selected for its natural beauty. We welcome you to visit Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails for a truly special dining experience.

Please note that all special requests may not be honored. We will do our best to provide you with all options to make your dining experience very special.

Top review

steveVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Patrick is an excellent waiter. His recommendations are always spot on. Thank you.

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OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo

4.8

4.8 (1589)

$31 to $50

Californian

Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

About the restaurant

At Opah Restaurant & Bar, we serve the finest fresh fish in Orange County. Carefully hand selected each day to deliver the best quality available. Come in and enjoy the menu created by Marc A. Cohen, One of the Best Chef's in Orange County. The menu is exquisite, featuring edible works of art, that look so good the could be on a magazine cover. Dont forget to try one of our signature Award Winning Martinis. If you wondering how we came up with the name Opah. It comes from the Hawaiian word for Moonfish, which was once viewed as Good Luck by fisherman, & often given away as a gesture of Good Will.

Top review

MartinVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Awesome bar tenders are very attentive and the food is amazing neighborhood gem

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Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano

4.8

4.8 (416)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Juan Capistrano

About the restaurant

**We are walk in only for Brunch. Reservations & walk ins available for Dinner**

Mayfield combines modern Californian cooking with flavors from the Levant region, an area spanning the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. Made to be shared, our food is designed to be experienced and enjoyed together.

Please include any humans, big or small, in your guest count so we can make sure we have enough space at the table for you all.

Top review

Greg

Dined 3 days ago

Really great restaurant, we now have so many favorite dishes here! If you think you don't like vegetables, you have to come try Mayfield - it is amazing what they can do with carrots or cabbage or sweet potatoes! And their fried chicken is the best!

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Popular dish

Za'atar Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Zaatar Fried Chicken (Four Pieces)

Popular dish

Fried Eggplant

O'Neill's Bar & Grill

4.9

4.9 (1116)

$30 and under

Californian

Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

About the restaurant

O'Neill's - our 4,600 square foot bar and grill - is a very popular place after a round of golf. Enjoy great meals and cocktails while you also take in the breathtaking views of the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, Trabuco Creek, and the course.

Top review

RobVIP

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Excellent place for a covered patio lunch on a SoCal December afternoon.

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Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove

4.8

4.8 (10449)

$30 and under

Californian

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Voted as one of the "Top 100 Restaurants" for 2023 by OpenTable in the United States

The 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.

Top review

Kristie

Dined 1 day ago

Great food and the service was excellent! We will be back!

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Popular dish

BEACHCOMBER BEIGNETS

Popular dish

Beignets and Ambrosia

Popular dish

MAHI MAHI TACOS

Zov's Bistro Tustin

4.7

4.7 (1831)

$31 to $50

Californian

Tustin

About the restaurant

Rated as one of the top restaurants in Orange County by Zagat, Southern California Restaurant Writers and Orange County Business Journal. This chef driven concept is the original restaurant by esteemed cookbook author, Chef Zov Karamardian. Zov's Bistro, Bakery & Cafe has a commitment to providing guests with the finest dining experience. Zov's Bistro serves California Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a unique ambience which mixes the sophistication of bistro elegance, with the relaxed comfort of casual California dining.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 2 days ago

To celebrate Christmas with friends. Robert I was an excellent waiter. The food is always delicious. The service top notch. We all enjoyed the food.

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Leatherby's Cafe Rouge

4.7

4.7 (1864)

$31 to $50

Californian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

We believe in locally sourcing seasonal, farm fresh vegetables and the freshest, most sustainable seafood available. Our artisanal craft cocktails are the ideal aperitif and we offer a range of wines from which to select the perfect pairing.

Top review

Manny

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Very convenient to Segerstrom venue, nice location and food. Good ambiance too.

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4.7

4.7 (49)

$30 and under

Californian

Orange

About the restaurant

The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen features quintessentially California, Chef-driven menu. Our relationships with local farmers and artisans elevate the menu and make the peel the go-to spot for local cuisine in Anaheim, California.

Top review

Michelle

Dined 6 days ago

Been here twice and enjoyed the experience both times. The servers and crowd were kind and fun. The food and drinks were delicious. My only complaint is about parking. Valet gives guests a 2 hour window of free parking and then it is $15 an hour after (even with restaurant receipt).

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Experience

NYE 5-Course Dinner & DJ After-Party

Shorebird Newport Beach

4.7

4.7 (152)

$31 to $50

Californian

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Experience Shorebird Restaurant's coastal allure, offering a modern twist on classic Americana flavors influenced by traditional seafood and steakhouses. Our wood-fire grill and rotisserie bring forth signature delights like the Duroc Heritage Pork Chop with Brussels sprouts and brandy-poached apples, Faroe Island’s Salmon Mignon paired with a cauliflower purée, and Harris Ranch Prime Skirt Steak featuring a red chimichurri sauce.

Indulge in shareable plates like the Avocado Fries with green goddess dressing, Twice Fried Chicken Wings with chipotle gastrique, or explore our enticing "Raw Bar" selections. Shorebird beckons you to savor coastal dining with a harmonious blend of flavors, ensuring a culinary adventure that captivates the palate.

When you arrive to Shorebird, to the left of the restaurant is an underground parking garage. If you bring your ticket to the restaurant, your server or hostess can validate the parking for you.

Top review

Pearl

Dined 2 days ago

Good foods and good environment, recommended avocado fries and crab cakes 💯💯💯

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Experience

Celebrate the Festive Season at Shorebird

Experience

Happy Hour

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