Darkroom

4.8 (108)

$50 and over

American

3751 S Harbor Blvd suite c, Santa Ana, CA 92704-7957

Make a booking

Darkroom

4.8

$50 and over

American

Santa Ana

Make a booking

2 people

3 Nov 2026

19:00

Booked 30 times today

About this restaurant

Innovative
Good for special occasions
Hot spot

LA Times Top 101, 2026 ... Where fun meets fine dining meets a wine bar meets some of the coolest cocktails in OC.
“No one else in Orange County is making food like this” - Brad Johnson, Winner of the James Beard Foundation award for Best Restaurant Criticism

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
American
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 17:00–22:00 Sun 17:00–21:00
Contact
(657) 777-3275
Website
https://www.wearedarkroom.com/
Payment Options
Cash not accepted
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Zachary Scherer

Location
3751 S Harbor Blvd suite c, Santa Ana, CA 92704-7957
Area
Santa Ana
Cross Street
Harbor
Parking Details
Public Lot
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Fried Scotch OlivesUS$16.00
anchovy, lamb merguez, sumac yogurt
Kanpachi CrudoUS$27.00
macadamia leche de tigre, thai style marinated romano beans, marigold lime leaf oil
Tuna CarpaccioUS$27.00
strawberry aguachile, watermelon radish, purple opal basil, chile california
Wagyu TartareUS$26.00
charred 2peas english peas, ricotta, horseradish, smoked trout roe, potato darphinette
Little Gem CaesarUS$26.00
comte, matcha nori crunchies, pistachio
Mendoza Farms Grilled Jumbo AsparagusUS$22.00
windrose farms pink celery gribiche, dill, lemon
Charred Weiser Farms Cabbage SaladUS$21.00
sesame, sudachi, popcorn furikake, try it, it's amazing
Romesco Squash SaladUS$19.00
roasted, shaved, blossoms, sunflower whip, savory granola
Scrambled Egg AgnolottiUS$19.00
creme fraiche, chive, dash cream
Crispy, Smoked Weiser Farms Satina PotatoesUS$19.00
red yuzu kosho aioli, tobiko, nori dust
Zucchini BreadUS$21.00
koji butter, jamon serrano
Smoked and Confit Maitake MushroomUS$24.00
"kind of chimichurri", buckwheat
Asparagus Accordian LasagnaUS$29.00
nettle pesto, lemon mascarpone, trout roe
The Darkroom BurgerUS$28.00
dry aged beef, pickles, comte, onion, au poivre bath, only 10 a night
Crispy Squid SteakUS$39.00
charred bloomsdale spinach, manilla clam & smoked potato "chowder", favas, smoked trout roe
Grassfed Wanderer NY SteakUS$69.00
koji, sesame seed & aleppo "chili crunch", miso creamed spinach & shishito
Beelers Belly on Pork TomahawkUS$65.00
pickled braised mustard greens, mustard white wine jus
House Made FocacciaUS$6.00
Smoked Yogurt SemifreddoUS$15.00
tamai farms strawberry granita, pandan magic shell
Vanilla Bean Ricotta DonutsUS$15.00
miso banana, sansho
Hazelnut Dark Chocolate CremeuxUS$19.00
feuilletine, toasted meringue

Sparkling

Villiera Tradition Brut NV, South AfricaUS$20.00
Villiera Tradition Brut NV, South AfricaUS$80.00

White

Valley to the Sea Kessler-Haak Chardonnay 2021US$17.00
Santa Rita Hills, CA
Valley to the Sea Kessler-Haak Chardonnay 2021US$97.00
Santa Rita Hills, CA
Raoul Gautherin & Fils, Chablis 2024, Burgundy, FranceUS$24.00
Raoul Gautherin & Fils, Chablis 2024, Burgundy, FranceUS$87.00
Cantina Sangro Terra Regia, Abruzzo Pecorino 2022, ItalyUS$15.00
indigenous Italian grape
Cantina Sangro Terra Regia, Abruzzo Pecorino 2022, ItalyUS$65.00
indigenous Italian grape
Koff and Steinmetz, Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling “Husten” 2021 Mosel, GermanyUS$17.00
Koff and Steinmetz, Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling “Husten” 2021 Mosel, GermanyUS$68.00
Zotovich, Viognier 2024, Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$18.00
Zotovich, Viognier 2024, Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$75.00
Storm Wines, Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Santa Ynez ValleyUS$17.00
Storm Wines, Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Santa Ynez ValleyUS$76.00

Skin Contact

Lumen, Pinot Gris ‘Essence’ 2023, Santa Maria Valley, CAUS$17.00
Lumen, Pinot Gris ‘Essence’ 2023, Santa Maria Valley, CAUS$75.00

Red

Monticello Vineyards, Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, CAUS$30.00
Monticello Vineyards, Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, CAUS$120.00
Domaine Jean-Luc Malant Chorey Les Beaune 2023 Burgundy, FranceUS$25.00
Domaine Jean-Luc Malant Chorey Les Beaune 2023 Burgundy, FranceUS$105.00
Loring Rancho la Vina Pinot Noir 2020 Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$22.00
bordeaux blend - cab sauv + merlot
Loring Rancho la Vina Pinot Noir 2020 Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$110.00
bordeaux blend - cab sauv + merlot
Assuli Lorlando Terre Siciliano Nero d’Avola 2021 Sicily, ItalyUS$16.00
Assuli Lorlando Terre Siciliano Nero d’Avola 2021 Sicily, ItalyUS$75.00
Cain Cuvée NV15 Napa Valley, CAUS$22.00
Cain Cuvée NV15 Napa Valley, CAUS$110.00
Alexandre Burgaud, Beaujolais-Villages Lantignié 2019 Beaujolais, FranceUS$17.00
Alexandre Burgaud, Beaujolais-Villages Lantignié 2019 Beaujolais, FranceUS$65.00

Cocktails

No 81US$17.00
agave, grapefruit, jalapeno, “paloma” adjacent
No 91
pandan, sansho, french alpine aperitif, clarified
No 93
italian dry vermouth, fennel pollen, tiny bit of caper brine, “martini”
No 87
earl grey aperitif, amaro, oloroso stirred
No 96
california strawberry aperitif, fig leaf, flowers
No 97
sirene rosso, acid adjusted, science

Beer

can down by the river, AMERICAN LAGER, radiantUS$10.00
another shade of green, DDH CALIFORNIA IPA, green cheekUS$12.00
parking lot tattoos, DDH HAZY IPA, green cheekUS$12.00

Zero Proof

united ferments rhododendron, gingerUS$13.00
blood orange, ghia aperitivo, hibiscusUS$13.00
ghia salted lime spritzUS$12.00
st agrestis phony white negroniUS$13.00
Boylan’s : Cola or Shirley Temple
Iced Tea
Hot Tea // Drip Coffee
Cascade Water Spring // Sparkling

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Darkroom.

4.8

(108)

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Orange County
Innovative
North Orange County
Innovative
North Orange County
American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Darkroom offers a unique dining experience with "creative and delicious" dishes that consistently impress. Guests rave about the "warm and attentive" service, and the "cool vibe" enhanced by curated vinyl music. The restaurant is celebrated for its "outstanding food" and innovative menu, making it a favorite in Orange County.

108 Reviews

J
Judy
Orange County14 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Halloween was so much fun at Darkroom! The staff was all dressed up and were so fun. The food was amazing as usual. Kudos to the whole staff!
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B
Brian Gold
Orange County12 reviews
3.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We were really looking forward to trying Darkroom Restaurant, and while the overall ambiance was great, unfortunately, the food didn't quite live up to our expectations. I ordered the prime rib, which came soaked in au jus. I wasn't expecting it to be served that way and would have much preferred the au jus on the side. The spinach was also overly salty, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the meal. On a positive note, the restaurant has a great atmosphere, and we really enjoyed the ambiance. However, the food was underwhelming, especially given our expectations. Overall, it was a nice setting, but we left wishing the food had been better.
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V
Veronique Gold
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant has truly become one of my happy places! ❤️ I love coming here every week, and somehow, every visit feels just as special as the last. The staff is wonderful, the service is always warm and attentive, and the food is absolutely delicious. Every dish is exquisite, beautifully prepared, and full of creativity. What makes this place so special to me is the chefs themselves. Their talent, passion, creativity, and generosity shine through in every meal. They constantly surprise me with innovative dishes while maintaining the consistency and quality that keep me coming back week after week. You can feel the love and thought they put into what they do. It’s rare to find a restaurant that combines exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and such talented, kind-hearted people. I’m so grateful to have discovered this special place. Every visit reminds me why it’s my favorite. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates truly outstanding food and a dining experience that comes from the heart! ❤️
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K
Kara
Los Angeles2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 24 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always have the best experience at Dark Room! It's our third time and it gets better every time. We love finding the creative & fun options to try every time! Drew, Zach, Courtney & Shawntay are wonderful!
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B
Brooke Gold
San Francisco Bay Area7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 24 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
10/10 we all loved it! Fantastic service, delicious and creative dishes. We love family style and the shared plates were such a great way to taste many items. Hard to pick our favorites but the delicata squash was top for the complex flavors, the wagyu tartare was out of this world and the burger was next level. We splurged and split 3 out of 4 desserts and they were all home runs! We love eating fresh, seasonal food and felt full and satiated rather than heavy after dinner.
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K
Karlie Gold
Orange County2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
From the vinyl to the food quality and overall experience, one of my favorite experiences!
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D
Doron Gold
Orange County15 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Each plate outdone the previous a real treat highly recommend
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a
anna
Orange County10 reviews
5.0
Dined on 19 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a memorable night. Dishes are amazing and innovative.
Is this helpful?
K
Kathy
Orange County4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 18 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our first time there we absolutely loved it. Staff was great with helping what to choose and all the food was outstanding. The hamburger was worth getting there early for.!
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V
Valerie
Orange County2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our first time visiting. Celebrating an anniversary. Were immediately greeted warmly with a Happy Anniversary and given a card signed by the staff. Once seated, we were offered a complimentary champagne toast. Service was excellent and collaborative with the entire staff. The owner came by a couple of times to chat with us and offered to buy us dessert. We really appreciated the personal touch with no pretentious vibe at all. We'll be back.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
American
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 17:00–22:00 Sun 17:00–21:00
Contact
(657) 777-3275
Website
https://www.wearedarkroom.com/
Payment Options
Cash not accepted
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Zachary Scherer

Location
3751 S Harbor Blvd suite c, Santa Ana, CA 92704-7957
Area
Santa Ana
Cross Street
Harbor
Parking Details
Public Lot
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

FAQs

Thursday evenings can be a sweet spot, one guest arrived at 5pm on a Thursday and the room didn’t fill up until about 6pm, while weekends are noted as especially busy and reservation-heavy.

The menu is built of sharable plates served family‑style; guests commonly share many plates (one party recommended 6–9 plates for four) and report leaving pleasantly full.

Yes, Darkroom’s moody, intimate lighting and attentive service make it a popular choice for anniversaries and date nights, with multiple guests calling it a perfect date‑night spot.

Casual Dress is the guide, comfortable, everyday clothing is appropriate and nothing formal is required.

Yes, the drinks list features a curated wine program (white, red, skin-contact, sparkling), a cocktail program (No. 91, No. 81, etc.) and a selection of beers.

Go early on a weeknight, guests report arriving at opening or around 5pm mid-week (Thursday) and finding it pleasantly calm; by 8pm and on weekends the room becomes much busier.

Yes, Darkroom runs special tasting events, including the chef-led Chrysalis dining experience and occasional themed tasting dinners with wine pairings that guests rave about.

The Smoked and Confit Maitake Mushroom is a recurring favorite, it’s on the current menu and guests frequently single it out as a must-order.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a booking

Darkroom

4.8

$50 and over

American

Santa Ana

Make a booking

2 people

3 Nov 2026

19:00

Booked 30 times today

Darkroom

Make a booking

Darkroom

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Additional information

Uncategorised

Fried Scotch OlivesUS$16.00

Kanpachi CrudoUS$27.00

Tuna CarpaccioUS$27.00

Wagyu TartareUS$26.00

Little Gem CaesarUS$26.00

Mendoza Farms Grilled Jumbo AsparagusUS$22.00

Charred Weiser Farms Cabbage SaladUS$21.00

Romesco Squash SaladUS$19.00

Scrambled Egg AgnolottiUS$19.00

Crispy, Smoked Weiser Farms Satina PotatoesUS$19.00

Zucchini BreadUS$21.00

Smoked and Confit Maitake MushroomUS$24.00

Asparagus Accordian LasagnaUS$29.00

The Darkroom BurgerUS$28.00

Crispy Squid SteakUS$39.00

Grassfed Wanderer NY SteakUS$69.00

Beelers Belly on Pork TomahawkUS$65.00

House Made FocacciaUS$6.00

Smoked Yogurt SemifreddoUS$15.00

Vanilla Bean Ricotta DonutsUS$15.00

Hazelnut Dark Chocolate CremeuxUS$19.00

Sparkling

Villiera Tradition Brut NV, South AfricaUS$20.00

Villiera Tradition Brut NV, South AfricaUS$80.00

White

Valley to the Sea Kessler-Haak Chardonnay 2021US$17.00

Valley to the Sea Kessler-Haak Chardonnay 2021US$97.00

Raoul Gautherin & Fils, Chablis 2024, Burgundy, FranceUS$24.00

Raoul Gautherin & Fils, Chablis 2024, Burgundy, FranceUS$87.00

Cantina Sangro Terra Regia, Abruzzo Pecorino 2022, ItalyUS$15.00

Cantina Sangro Terra Regia, Abruzzo Pecorino 2022, ItalyUS$65.00

Koff and Steinmetz, Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling “Husten” 2021 Mosel, GermanyUS$17.00

Koff and Steinmetz, Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling “Husten” 2021 Mosel, GermanyUS$68.00

Zotovich, Viognier 2024, Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$18.00

Zotovich, Viognier 2024, Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$75.00

Storm Wines, Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Santa Ynez ValleyUS$17.00

Storm Wines, Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Santa Ynez ValleyUS$76.00

Skin Contact

Lumen, Pinot Gris ‘Essence’ 2023, Santa Maria Valley, CAUS$17.00

Lumen, Pinot Gris ‘Essence’ 2023, Santa Maria Valley, CAUS$75.00

Red

Monticello Vineyards, Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, CAUS$30.00

Monticello Vineyards, Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Napa Valley, CAUS$120.00

Domaine Jean-Luc Malant Chorey Les Beaune 2023 Burgundy, FranceUS$25.00

Domaine Jean-Luc Malant Chorey Les Beaune 2023 Burgundy, FranceUS$105.00

Loring Rancho la Vina Pinot Noir 2020 Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$22.00

Loring Rancho la Vina Pinot Noir 2020 Santa Rita Hills, CAUS$110.00

Assuli Lorlando Terre Siciliano Nero d’Avola 2021 Sicily, ItalyUS$16.00

Assuli Lorlando Terre Siciliano Nero d’Avola 2021 Sicily, ItalyUS$75.00

Cain Cuvée NV15 Napa Valley, CAUS$22.00

Cain Cuvée NV15 Napa Valley, CAUS$110.00

Alexandre Burgaud, Beaujolais-Villages Lantignié 2019 Beaujolais, FranceUS$17.00

Alexandre Burgaud, Beaujolais-Villages Lantignié 2019 Beaujolais, FranceUS$65.00

Cocktails

No 81US$17.00

No 91

No 93

No 87

No 96

No 97

Beer

can down by the river, AMERICAN LAGER, radiantUS$10.00

another shade of green, DDH CALIFORNIA IPA, green cheekUS$12.00

parking lot tattoos, DDH HAZY IPA, green cheekUS$12.00

Zero Proof

united ferments rhododendron, gingerUS$13.00

blood orange, ghia aperitivo, hibiscusUS$13.00

ghia salted lime spritzUS$12.00

st agrestis phony white negroniUS$13.00

Boylan’s : Cola or Shirley Temple

Iced Tea

Hot Tea // Drip Coffee

Cascade Water Spring // Sparkling