Elevate the Art of Girl Dinner at Restaurants That Are the Talk of the Town
Espresso martinis for the table, a Caesar salad and a big basket of fries—that’s an offer no girl can refuse. We know that some nights, “girl dinners” look like makeshift charcuterie eaten standing up in the kitchen. Other nights, it looks like little black dresses and going out on the town. Either way, drinks should always be involved! When your girl gang needs a good GNO, we know just the right spots across Orange County for sipping and snacking. Whether you’re celebrating or due for a catch-up, we’ve rounded up a list of hot and new places to suit every taste and vibe. From chic rooftop lounges to cozy-cabin-themed speakeasies, here are our top picks for girl dinner restaurants in Orange County.
Pacific Catch (🏅Editor’s Pick)
This one goes out to our snacky, seafood-loving OC girls and anyone whose drink of the summer is sangria! Pacific Catch is a coastal-chic fish house in Tustin reminiscent of days on the dock. And in lieu of the season’s warmer weather, the restaurant recently debuted a summer street food menu chock-full of shareable plates perfect for a girl dinner.
Invite your gals to a casual dinner date on weekdays or for a sweet summertime happy hour. The seared ahi bao buns and ceviche tostadas are perfect for grazing, and the tropical sangria can be ordered by the pitcher! The menu also features dishes like fish tacos, Korean chicken wings, spicy scallop tostadas and watermelon margs. The ambiance is relaxed and beachy, with rattan accents and lots of natural light, and the covered patio provides a breezy spot to sip refreshing cocktails in the summertime. Plus, we love Pacific Catch for its eco-friendly, sea-to-table ethos. As a partner of the Surfrider Foundation, this Orange County restaurant protects our oceans by composting and employing green energy techniques. When it seems too good to be true, you wonder, “What’s the Catch?!” And at Pacific Catch, there really isn’t one!
Location: Tustin
Edge Bar at VEA Newport Beach
Nothing says summertime like a poolside meal at sunset. At Edge Bar, luxury meets relaxation in a poolside setting that’s perfect for a stylish evening with friends. Set on the grounds of the beautiful VEA Newport Beach, this bar sits at the end of the property’s swimming pool and features stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal spot for a girl dinner in Orange County. The ambiance blends laid-back vibes and coastal elegance, with plush seating areas arranged around the pool and plenty of space to unwind with your girls. Plan on splitting the shrimp aguachile and a few sushi rolls, which pair well with the bar’s tropical cocktails like the Berry Blancos spritz—a refreshing blend of berries and sparkling wine.
Local Insight: Go from sunset to nighttime and take the girls inside VEA’s lobby to their speakeasy lounge, reveal, for martinis on weekends.
Location: Newport Beach
The Cellar
The Cellar is the perfect blend of classy and cozy. Ivy cascades up the walls of this local wine bar on Del Mar, San Clemente’s quaint main street. Step beyond the front door and find a rustic interior with quirky signage and an industrial flare. The wine and cheese selections are vast, pleasing girl dinner connoisseurs from both ends (wine experts and novices). Drinking a crisp sauv blanc on their outdoor patio is exactly what summer calls for, and you’ll be elated to know that their happy hour goes until 6 p.m.
During your girls’ night out, you’ll definitely want to order one of their charcuterie boards for the table along with some shareables like the truffle popcorn, shishito peppers and pork shank. And be sure to end with the decadent cookie skillet with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Local Insight: The cellar features live musicians every weekend. Check the calendar to see who’s playing this month.
Location: San Clemente
Haute Cafe & Market
An ideal daytime grazing spot in Rancho Santa Margarita, Haute Cafe & Market is a trendy little bistro that mimics the style of a Copenhagen coffee shop but mocks the menu of Erewhon. Essentially, it’s our new favorite dupe! Snap a pic with your girlies in front of the bright blue entrance outside, then head inside to scope the health-conscious menu, which features a variety of bowls, sandwiches, burritos and smoothies with locally sourced ingredients that are all about nourishing your body and soul. If Hailey Bieber were to come here, she would order the Strawberry Glow smoothie—a perfectly pink blend of strawberries, collagen, sea moss, hyaluronic acid, coconut creme and a strawberry glaze as the figurative cherry on top.
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Julep
Introducing Julep Cast Iron Kitchen & Drink—one of the best restaurants in Orange County for a dinner with your girls! The menu specializes in all-American comfort food (stretchy pants recommended!). Think rock shrimp beignets and crispy fried chicken—and yes, most dishes are served in cast iron skillets. The overall aesthetic is elevated, with crystal chandeliers and art-nouveau lamps. Oversized portraits adorn the walls, but the main focal point is Julep’s glowing, whiskey-filled bar shelves. But while whiskey may be the allure, the mint julep is the go-to.
Location: Brea
Ahba
Orange County’s Ahba may take the cake when it comes to girl dinners. We love their shareable plates, but nothing hits harder than their Aperol spritz, Caesar salad and basket of fries in the summertime. Not to mention, the retro, rustic vibe and LA-inspired menu of this girl dinner restaurant make it the ideal hangout spot any day of the week. The Laguna Beach location, which is set in a quaint, cottage-like house, is always poppin’, and the new Costa Mesa location just opened its doors this month! Find it at The Camp where the Old Vine Kitchen & Bar once stood, and look out for the pink-painted staircase to make your way up to the rooftop. Up there, you’ll find a sky-high drinkeasy with lots of boho lounge seating and a full bar.
Location: Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa
The Plot
Plotting a casual night out? Head to one of the The Camp‘s newest hotspots for plant-based parties. The Plot is Costa Mesa’s newly sprouted restaurant for eco-conscious foods. At this zero-waste restaurant, dishes are artfully plated and intentionally prepared. Traditional vegetarian and vegan cuisine is elevated into innovative menu items—think spicy BBQ “chicken” and “cheesy” truffle fries without the compromise. The vibe is slightly more upscale than counter-service chains, and the sunlit interiors make this a dreamy girl dinner spot in the summertime. We also love their selection of locally crafted beers and lo-fi wines.
Location: Costa Mesa
Jolie (🏅Editor’s Pick)
Girl hangs and rooftop cocktails go together like Caesar salad and truffle fries. So, tell all the girly pops about Jolie—Huntington Beach’s new seaside restaurant for a summer rendezvous! The views of PCH and the pier are always stunning, and the interior screams sophisticated-chic. The scalloped, beige ceiling gives the illusion of dining on the sand, and the coastal touches will whisk you away to sea. For round one, order the So Much Drama cocktail (a fruity vodka elixir) and the goat cheese-stuffed artichoke flowers for the table. Then, dig into the roasted bone marrow, calamari and poke wraps. Jolie is chic, coastal and elevated in every way, making it one of the best girl dinner spots in town.
Location: Huntington Beach
Cozy Pine
Kick it back to the days of camping with your Girl Scouts with a group outing at Cozy Pine. This woodland-themed speakeasy is tucked inside Bacchus Bar and Bistro in Irvine. Slide open the bookcase and find yourself transported to summer camp! But don’t worry; it’s definitely more like glamping once inside. Take a seat in a cabin with lantern lighting, and order from the camp-inspired menu. Except at this camp, drinks are boozy. We love the Scout Troop 55 with vodka and pear or the Death Valley with tequila and Thai chili.
Location: Irvine
Tango (🏅Editor’s Pick)
It takes two to tango, so grab your bestie and head to downtown Laguna Beach’s newest tapas bar. Tango is bringing new life to the historic two-story building in the middle of Forest Ave. It’s best for duos and trios looking to split a bottle of wine and some light bites. Tables shaded by colorful, vintage umbrellas are ideal for happy hour, and a seat at the moody bar is best for late-night gossipping. The tapas menu changes daily and is inspired by seasonal ingredients, so there is always something new to try. We’re currently obsessed with the salmon tartar and langoustine mac and cheese.
Location: Laguna Beach
Morning Lavender Cafe
Sip and shop with the girls at Morning Lavender Cafe. This chic boutique is the ultimate location for both spilling tea and sipping it! Rose matchas and lavender lattes are handcrafted to order, but if you’re bringing all the girls together, opt for the full Afternoon Tea Service. Macarons, finger sandwiches and floral China set the mood for a true girls’ day. There are plenty of photo ops at this flower-filled cafe, so set the dress code for sundress season! Make sure to save time to peruse the boutique afterward. Reservations are required.
Location: Tustin
Pique-Nique
Pretend you’re on a European girls’ trip with wine and cheese pairings at Pique-Nique charcuterie bar. You and your gals can build your dream board with sharp cheddar, creamy brie or nutty gouda, and all the fancy fixings that turn a snack plate into a girl dinner. And, of course, there are wines to pair with it! Graze for days at Pique-Nique in the Anaheim Packing District, where you get to craft a meal that’ll expand your palate and pair perfectly with your chosen wines. Simply pick your board size, select your cheeses and cured meats, add a few flavorful accents like olives, nuts or jams, and add a base of rustic baguettes or artisanal crackers. It’s easy, experiential and perfect for a GNO.
Location: Anaheim
CHAAK Kitchen
Not only is Tustin’s CHAAK Kitchen a stunner of a restaurant, but it also received a Bib Gourmand award in the Michelin Guide. Make a reservation at sunset on the terrace (which features a retractable roof!) for sweeping views of Tustin, and taste your way around the globe. CHAAK’s menu tells the stories of the Yucatán Peninsula, where Chef Gabbi Patrick’s roots run deep. Each dish—from the esquites with bone marrow, lime, cilantro and pecorin to the smoked chicken salad with a zesty citrus vinaigrette—is inspired by the chef’s heritage and her travels abroad. The result is a fusion of Mayan, Caribbean and Mexican flavors. P.S. The Hibiscus + Grapefruit Margarita is a must!
Location: Tustin
