The OC Dining Scene Keeps Getting Better and Better
If there’s one article you’ll want to fully read, it’s this one. There’s sort of this not-too-subtle competition around town to try out the best new restaurants once they hit the scene. Lucky for you, we’re here to dish! Orange County has become a culinary hub for adventurous chefs and rambunctious restaurateurs looking to brand their names onto our forever-hungry hearts. If you’re in need of an idea about where to take your next date or where to gather the gals, we’ve got you covered. Here are 12 new restaurants in Orange County that have us totally obsessed!
Flecha Cantina at Bella Terra
Authentic old recipes and refined modern interiors intersect in Huntington Beach’s new hotspot, Flecha Cantina by Mark Wahlberg. Flaming ice cream plates, smoked cocktails and tableside guacamole are giving everyone something to taco ‘bout. Dine where past and present meet for an unforgettable dining experience at this new Orange County restaurant at Bella Terra.
Lush greenery cascades from the ceiling and round lighting fixtures create the feeling of dining in a star-lit jungle. Guests are greeted with complimentary champagne, and firepit lounges make for cozy waiting nooks. Or, you can stake a claim at the bar, of course! The main bar, located in the heart of the restaurant, features mobile shelves of premium spirits, while the secondary bar provides a bit more privacy. Order the Mark’s Old Fashioned, which is served in a foggy chamber and made with Flecha’s own tequila and a twist of orange. The Sunday Brunch buffet features live action stations of chilaquiles and flapjacks, and happy hours ensure there’s time for tacos any day of the week.
Location: Huntington Beach
Lōrea
Salty air and coastal fare? Say less! Paséa Hotel & Spa’s new dining concept features ocean views from the breezy patio and a menu inspired by land and sea. Dishes are made with local produce for super fresh flavors, and the menu changes to highlight seasonal offerings. What sets Lōrea apart is the presentation. We’re talking Parker house rolls served with Turkish chile-lime butter and Fritto Misto with tomato-garlic sugo. If those are just the starters, you can only imagine what comes next! They are open for any meal you’re craving—crab cake benedicts for breakfast, market fish tacos for lunch and Tomahawk steaks at sunset. Take our word for it—this addition to Huntington Beach is simply stunning. Not to mention, the atmosphere is welcoming and great for date nights or celebrating special moments.
Location: Huntington Beach
La Vaquera
San Juan Capistrano’s long anticipated River Street Marketplace is on the brink of a ribbon cutting and South OC residents can hardly wait. Slated to open with local favorites such as Seagar Co and Fermentation Farms, there’s no doubt that River Street will be home to everything hip and happening here. La Vaquera is a fine dining concept inspired by the destination. A tribute to the original Californian ranchero, the menu highlights local terrain and surrounding farm acreages. The menu at this new restaurant in Orange County includes wood-fired dishes and steakhouse-inspired plates reminiscent of the Golden Coast. You haven’t experienced steak quite like this. Don’t pass up the Masami Ranch American wagyu New York strip, served with a barbacoa sauce and grilled octopus.
Location: San Juan Capistrano
Nick’s Restaurant
Nick’s in Newport? It just makes sense. This South OC favorite is expanding north come October 2024, opening its third location on Westcliff Drive to replace Gracias Madre. Nick’s is known for American comfort foods and is an upscale spot without being pretentious. This is the kind of place that feels like home—casual enough for working lunches yet also elegant enough for a date night dinner. The prime rib sandwich is a fan favorite, and their butter cake is mandatory! Current locations include Laguna Beach and San Clemente.
Location: Newport Beach
AhbA
Ahba’s retro vibe and LA-inspired menu makes it the ideal hangout spot any day of the week. The new Costa Mesa location is taking over the Old Vine Kitchen and Bar, which means a new rooftop bar is underway! Look out for the pink-and-red painted staircase to make your way upstairs. Ahba is known for its burger, which has earned the title “Best Burger in Laguna Beach,” so let’s see how it measures up in Costa Mesa. Every Wednesday Ahba has a burger-and-beer special, so pair your patties with a pint of Phiella, a locally made brew.
Location: Costa Mesa
Fat of the Land
Inspired by traveling the globe and seeking out intimate bars, Robert Paetz returned to Orange County to open his own local joint. His wanderlust dream became a reality in March when the doors of Fat of the Land opened in Santa Ana. Grab a seat at the bar or one of four tables set beneath a wall of antique gold mirrors—you’ll feel like you’re in an underground bar in Europe. The tapas-style menu of this new restaurant in Orange County is inspired by culinary experiences across the globe—it’s always changing and it’s always delicious.
Location: Santa Ana
Buona Forchetta
From Italy to Little Italy—and now on the Balboa Peninsula—comes homemade ravioli and spritzers reminiscent of recipes from authentic Italian trattorias. Buona Forchetta is slated to open their seventh SoCal location in Newport Beach, which means you can now sip on wine by the water. Their award-winning Neapolitan pizzas are wood-fired in ovens imported from Italy. Share some slices to start, and don’t miss out on their homemade pasta selections. Each dish is made-to-order so you can customize the perfect plate. Buona Forchetta also has a give-back restaurant in San Diego that donates 100% of profits to local charities.
Location: Newport Beach
Lemon & Thyme
When life gives you lemons, head to Lemon & Thyme. The French toast at this new Orange County restaurant is made with thick-cut pan dulce infused with marbled strawberries—the perfect morning pick-me-up. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, indulge in the bottomless mimosas! This neighborhood restaurant is open for brunch on the weekends and dinner service Wednesday through Sunday. Taste your way around the world with prime beef tartare to start, truffle tagliatelle as a second and grilled octopus as an entree. It’s truly an experience you can’t get anywhere else on Costa Mesa’s Westside. Their baklava cheesecake is a stand out—so popular that you can order a whole cheesecake to go. Pre-order is recommended.
Location: Costa Mesa
EGG BRED
Here’s a wakeup call for all breakfast lovers in surf city: EGG BRED is now open! Trust us—the smell of bacon wafting down Adams Avenue is way better than any alarm clock. Roll out of bed and make your way over to this fast-casual nest for a glorious morning. Craft breakfast sandwiches and stuffed burritos provide all the flavors you’ll need to fuel your day. The well-loved bacon, egg and cheese is upgraded with smoked jalapeño ketchup and served on a pillowy milk bun. If you prefer a burrito over buns, there are eleven different flavor combos to choose from—all of which include beer-battered potatoes. Let’s just say breakfast here is a decision that goes over easy.
Location: Huntington Beach
Westwood Coast
Country meets the coast at Westwood Coast. Transport from Triangle Square to the wild west with live music, line dancing and OC’s only mechanical bull! Strap up for your 2.3 seconds of fame, perhaps fueled by a little liquid courage. Orange County restaurant by day and bottle-service club by night, Westwood promises an eventful time. Order mom’s homestyle country biscuits with a whiskey sour if you’re grubbin’, as this new concept is not just a bar but a chef-driven restaurant. This western-inspired outpost has a collection of over 150 whiskeys with some limited engagement options that are worth the visit alone. Step up for line dancing lessons on Thursday nights, and be ready for a house party on the weekends.
Location: Costa Mesa
Céntrico
Maybe it’s magic or maybe it’s Michelin, but Céntrico in Downtown Disney is all the rage for a reason. As the name implies, this open air cantina is a centrally located bungalow to rest your feet after a Disney marathon. The menu is composed of dishes inspired by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan’s childhood in Mexico. All good meals start with a marg and huarache de asada, a traditional Mexican dish that dates back to the 1930s. Homemade corn tortillas are topped with medium rare beef slices, caramelized onions and goat cheese fondue. Yes, chef!
Local Insight: Don’t have time to sip back and relax? Experience the flavors of Céntrico on the go at Tiendita, Chef Gaytan’s quick-service counter just across the way.
Location: Anaheim
Cozy Pine
The secrets out! Stay warm all year long in Cozy Pine’s cabin-themed speakeasy in Irvine. To get yourself a glass of graham cracker bourbon, all you have to do is enter Bacchus Bar and slide aside the bookcase. A campground with cocktails galore will be revealed! Don’t worry, it’s definitely more like glamping inside. Reservations are highly recommended as this hideaway is truly intimate. From cabin hutches and themed plates to lantern lighting, Cozy Pine looks, feels and tastes like you’re sitting around the campfire. Their menu is inspired by comfort foods made on campgrounds—think creamy tomato canteens served in camp mugs and skewers roasted over the fire.
Location: Irvine
