South Orange County Restaurants
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Sol Grill
$$$$•American•4.9(188)Sol Grill is your destination for the quintessential Southern California dining experience. Family owned and operated. Small, quaint, cozy. Delicious award winning food, great wine and superb service. White tablecloths and antique lighting create a warm environment. It's the perfect backdrop for any occasion. See what the locals have known and enjoyed for the last 23 years.Miki Sushi & Sake
$$$$•Sushi•4.9(173)Honoring Chef Miki Izumisawa, the female, award-winning sushi artist, originally trained by the one and only Nobu Matsuhisa. Miki was inspired by nature to create unique nigiri, cut rolls and hand rolls that blur the line between art and fusion sushi. Miki's recipes transform elements of the natural world with names such as Lava Flow, Moon and Sun, Feather in the Sky, and Prairie. Before her passing, Miki carefully coached outstanding female-only sushi chefs to execute her masterpieces. Her legacy continues in this romantic styled coastal, intimate sushi bar and cozy 18 window seats with views of Laguna's main beach. Owners Chris Olsen and Greg Washer are longtime locals who appreciate what Miki did for this community with an outstanding Japanese experience pushing the boundaries of tradition. Reservations recommended!
Nirvana by Chef Lindsay
$$$$•Farm-to-table•4.8(1,869)Discover a Laguna Beach hidden gem! Enjoy Wine Country-inspired California Coastal cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere, just steps from Main Beach.
Laguna Beach native Chef Lindsay Smith, named 2026 Chef of the Year by the Roosters of OC, creates flavorful seasonal dishes featuring organic produce, wild-caught seafood, grass-fed meats, and delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, all thoughtfully prepared with clean, non-GMO, seed-oil-free ingredients.
Perfect for a romantic dinner, gathering with friends and neighbors or corporate dinners. Experience exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and a restaurant where everyone feels welcome.
Book your table and discover Nirvana!Sushi Suhama by sushi ii
$$$$•Sushi•4.9(20)Taste the 200-Year Tradition
Sushi Ii is headed by Chef Koji Takahashi, a master of the traditional art of sushi, which dates back nearly 200 years in Japan. To highlight the artistry and exceptional quality of the traditional sushi, we’ve created a minimalist Zen setting to provide an experience that is normally available only in Japan, but which we hope to see more of in the U.S.
In Japanese cuisine, a change in the smallest detail, such as how the fish or even vegetables are cut, can alter the flavor of that ingredient. To achieve the highest quality, Chef Takahashi has honed his knife technique and the nuances of his craft over three decades. He further enhances the taste of the fish by varying his “nigirikata” — the way a sushi chef shapes each piece — mastering the details, the Japanese way.
Ocean 48 - Newport
$$$$•Seafood•4.9(2,571)The Ocean 48 menu is designed with fresh seafood and quality ingredients in mind. The Mastros provide ultra-grade seafood, salmon, lobster, crab, oysters and more. Much of the menu is served a la carte, letting each guest personalize their experience. Ocean 48 is seafood reinvented in a vibrant upscale atmosphere specializing in world-class seafood & great steaks. Different than anything we have done in the past, the fine dining atmosphere blends dramatic and intimate settings. At the core of Ocean 48 is chef sourced, highest graded sustainable fresh seafood from around from the world, enhanced with unique and interesting appetizers and side dishes that go beyond the traditional seafood menu. Newport's best seafood & romantic restaurant.The Alley Restaurant
$$$$•American•4.8(410)Serving fine pub cuisine for over 25 years The Alley Restaurant & Bar in Newport Beach is where locals love dining and lounging. Lovingly dubbed by our Alleycats as the "Best Pour by the Shore" for that last drink, The Alley has a late night reputation that is one of legend. See Less
The Tea House on Los Rios
$$$$•Afternoon Tea•4.8(3,829)Located in a beautifully restored 1911 cottage just steps from the iconic San Juan Capistrano Mission, The Tea House on Los Rios offers Orange County’s most beloved tea experience.
Our award-winning scones are served warm with jam and early California cream, alongside signature tea sandwiches, decadent petit fours, and an ever-growing collection of premium loose-leaf teas. Guests can also enjoy a full lunch menu and weekend brunch, complete with mimosas and Bloody Marys and seasonal cocktails.
Nestled on historic Los Rios Street, the oldest neighborhood in California, our charming cottage features vintage interiors, a cozy backyard garden, and a wide veranda draped in blooms. It’s a setting that feels both timeless and transportive. Perfect for celebrations, catch-ups, or quiet afternoons.
Take the train for a car-free day trip and stroll the nearby shops and historic landmarks. We look forward to welcoming you.Studio Mediterranean at Montage Laguna Beach
$$$$•Mediterranean•4.7(217)Studio Mediterranean is Montage Laguna Beach’s reimagined signature dining destination and a gathering place where Mediterranean rituals of community and connection come to life. The menu features Mediterranean cuisine with California influences, carefully created by Studio Mediterranean Executive Chef Dennis Efthymiou and inspired by his Grecian roots. With panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and an open-air patio, a refined coastal dining experience awaits.
Bee's Knees Southern Kitchen
$$$$•Southern•4.8(461)Located in the Cannery Village on the Newport Beach Peninsula. Everything is made from scratch using only the finest produce and seafood available.Jack's Restaurant/Bar
$$$$•Italian•4.9(1,306)Dana Point's neighborhood Italian restaurant since 1997, minutes from Dana Point Harbor. Try our famous Eggplant Parmesan, plus seafood, free-range chicken, Roman-style pizza, house desserts, and vegan and gluten-free options.
Casual and family-friendly with a full bar, patio, and a wine list featuring Napa Cabernets, Barolo, and Brunello. Perfect for date night, birthdays, and celebrations. Dinner nightly from 4 PM.
Viva Italia Tuesdays, $26: Three courses—salad, select entrée, and Tiramisu. Add a select bottle of wine for $20.
Happy Hour 4–6 PM Daily: Bar and patio, walk-in only.
Private dining for up to 40, plus catering and party platters to go.
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Outdoor dining in Orange County
See what locals rave about in South Orange County
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- AAimeeOrange County •1 review5.0Dined 1 day agoPlanned a 50th wedding anniversary dinner for my parents and siblings. Excellent service. Menu was customized to say Happy 50th Anniversary for my parents. Such a special night.More infoMastro's Ocean Club - Newport Beach$$$$• Seafood• Newport Beach•4.7
- MmarkOrange County •9 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoEVERYTHING WAS PERFECT FROM THE SERVICE TO THE DRINKS TO THE FOOD AND FRIENDLY STAFF. I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING BAD. THE FILET MIGNON SUPER DELICIOUSMore infoJavier's Irvine Spectrum$$$$• Mexican• Irvine•4.6
- KKateGoldDallas - Fort Worth •5 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoWe absolutely loved our time at Javiers. The atmosphere was perfect for a night out with friends and the drinks and fajitas were fabulous. Thank you!More infoJavier's Crystal Cove$$$$• Mexican• Newport Beach•4.6
- VValeriNashville •2 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoWe arrived ( with reservations ) about 10 min early but no need. As the crowd was full & people keep coming in! We were seated at our reserved time - our waiter Andrew was awesome & very helpful with the menu. Our 1st time here & it was thee best pizza ( we are pizza snobs! ) we ever had!! We ordered the Champion Tomatoe round regular crust & the Mama Mia square with the sesame butter crust, both so full of flavor, love the crispy crust very filling & needed a box for both ( half leftovers both pizzas! ) yes! Worth every penny! The soft serve ice cream with olive oil / lemon / sea salt was ssoo good!! Who would have thought! Highly recommend & will be back as a regular often!More infoTruly Pizza - Laguna Beach$$$$• Pizzeria• Laguna Beach•4.8
- VValeriNashville •2 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoBeautiful everywhere you walk! Seated at reservation time, requested the garden area, ambiance was amazing! Service was excellent! Recommend the charcuterie board, fresh fruit & cheeses on point & warm fresh bread was delicious! We enjoyed our meals, choices were satisfying, flavor was perfect! One of our favorite spots for beauty & dining experiences!More infoFarmhouse at Rogers Gardens$$$$• American• Corona del Mar•4.7
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Discover South Orange County
With more than a thousand restaurants to choose from in the Orange County area, there is something to suit every taste when dining out. Orange County is best known for its coastal location, and many burger joints, seafood restaurants, and other eateries feature amazing beach views that you can enjoy while you dine. Seafood caught from the Pacific Ocean is dominant in local dishes, and this includes everything from sushi to sweet and sour shrimp. Because Orange County is located very close to the Mexico–United States border, you can also find incredible Mexican restaurants, and many serve homemade tortillas and hand-rolled tamales. Orange County restaurants serve American fare as well as international cuisine like Thai and Japanese dishes.
Dining around South Orange County Hot Spots
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Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasion at the best restaurants in South Orange County. Our customers recommend Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove (opens in a new tab), Ocean 48 - Newport (opens in a new tab) and Javier's Crystal Cove (opens in a new tab)
As of 9 Nov 2026 there are 252 restaurants in South Orange County. Filter by ‘outdoor dining’, ‘romantic’ or ‘dog friendly’.
On OpenTable we support all cuisines. Find American, Italian, Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouse and more. Use our filters to find exactly what you’re looking for and make your booking today.
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