Sizzlin’ Orange County Restaurants to Visit This Summer

Where to Meet and Eat in Orange County

Written By: Michelle Slieff Sizzlin’ Orange County Restaurants to Visit This Summer
 Photographed By: Kolini Faagata
Styled By: Mimu Motamedi
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Your hair smells like bonfires and backyard BBQs for the next three months. Each break in the day where you sit down to eat feels like a picnic, strappy sandals and sun dresses are exploding out of your wardrobe, and your tan is on point. You’ve replaced your undergarments for swimsuits, and your Uber expenses are mildly out of control. It’s safe to say that half of your meals are eaten with your fingers—and yes, you do lick them. Your diet will mostly consist of barbecued cuisine, loaded hot dogs, refreshing cocktails, and lots of ceviche. At least you don’t have to clean your kitchen for a while, because most of your meals will be consumed while in friends’ backyards, or one of the many restaurants that Orange County has to offer. Enjoy epic summer dishes and some of the freshest cocktails this season has to offer at a few of our favorite restaurants that know how to embrace the summer season.

Haven Gastropub

Enjoy an IPA with house-made potato chips soaked in beer, made with fresh herbs and served with a garlic aioli. Follow up with a round of deviled eggs, made with twice-smoked bacon, chives, smoked sea salt, served with house-made pickles. Don’t forget to save room for the star of the menu: The Haven Burger. This burger is the perfect balance of umami, made with pickled red onions, roasted bell peppers, wild arugula, St. Agur cheese, and served with pommes frites. Wash it all down with a refreshing Belgian Ale. Cheers!

190 S Glassell St
Orange, CA 92866
714.221.0690

Yalla Mediterranean

You have to try the Greek Potato Salad, made with Yukon gold potatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar and scallions. By using oil and vinegar instead of a mayo base, you’ll still feel like you’re looking hot in your swimsuit post lunch.

12420 Seal Beach Blvd
Seal Beach, CA 90740
562.596.4801

Lemonade

Stay cool this summer with light and refreshing food from Lemonade. Enjoy their vegan salad, made with edamame, snap peas, shallots and chives, dressed with a sesame vinaigrette. Or their kale and kumquats with button mushrooms and kumquat vinaigrette. Our absolute favorite is the orecchiette pasta and cherry tomatoes with perlite mozzarella and chimichurri vinaigrette. Their seasonal lemonades would go great with these dishes—try the cucumber mist, watermelon rosemary or the blood orange.

987 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.717.7525

Red O

Nothing says summer more than enjoying Mexican street corn. Elevate your nostalgic memories with a trip to Red O. You have to try their version of Mexican street corn, deconstructed with cotija cheese and serrano crema. Pair the saltiness of the corn with a refreshing Summer Heat cocktail, made with vodka, mango, fresh lemon and habanero-honey, served over ice. The two pair together like your tan and bikini.

143 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.718.0300

Duke’s Huntington Beach

After a surf sesh, refuel with a Mango BBQ Burger and Mai Tai. This burger speaks volumes, made with 1/2 lb angus chuck, brisket and hanger grind, smothered in mango bbq sauce, then loaded with onion rings pickles and gooey sharp cheddar, served with fries. You can get this with a house-made veggie patty! Wash it all down with their signature cocktail, the Mai Tai, made with fresh pineapple, passion, orange and guava juices, light and dark rum, orange curacao and orgeat syrup. One sip and you’ll be transported to island time.

317 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.374.6446

The Cannery

Who isn’t into waterfront dining and lobster rolls during summer?! This lobster roll made with a classic top load bun, a hearty helping of fresh lobster, smothered in lemon bay aioli and served with french fries is the perfect meal paired with the perfect view.

3010 Lafayette Rd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.566.0060

Pop Bar

The secret is simplicity when it comes to these refreshing popsicles; fresh ice cream and quality ingredients. They warn you ahead of time: poplar consumption may result in addictive behavior. Create your own personal poplar work of art, or select one of their popgelato, popsorbetto or yogurtpop varieties. On the go? Grab a container or popbites. They come in the option of popSorbetto and popGelato, featuring vanilla popped with dark chocolate sprinkles and dipped into dark chocolate. If you call ahead, you can even create custom flavors.

440 South Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
714.215.4679

LinX

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a hot dog. This spot offers artisan sausages nestled in super fresh buns, and they get fancy with those toppings that are made in house daily, utilizing local organic and seasonal produce. Try the T.J. Street Dog made with spicy polish, applewood smoked bacon, chorizo mayo, giardiniera relish, avocado and cilantro, all piled on a freshly baked potato roll.

238 W Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92866
714.744.3647

Starfish

If you’re in Laguna, you have to try this top Thai and Chinese restaurant. The slow cooked five-spice baby back ribs that are dry rubbed in star anise, cinnamon, katsu bbq sauce, and served with a pickled vegetable slaw is one of our favorite dishes at this seaside restaurant.

30832 S Pacific Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.9200

Mizu Sushi Bar and Grill

If you’re looking to spice up your BBQ routine, head over to Mizu for their Korean BBQ. They have a variety of options; La Galbi, Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork Bulgogi and Chicken Bulgogi, marinated in different spices with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. This is a summer must for any foodie, but you will love it all year round.

2881 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92782
714.730.0200

Agora Churrascaria

If you’re looking for an interactive dining experience, enjoy your meat rodizio style. You’re given color coded discs to signal whether or not you want the food to keep on coming. The menu is set, but with 16 different cuts of meat to try out, we are sure you’ll find something to enjoy.

1830 Main St
Irvine, CA 92614

Old Crow Smokehouse at Pacific City

Bring the whole crew to this spot for an ultimate BBQ experience. Order the combo platter, it includes 1/2 pound pulled pork, 1/2 pound beef brisket, a full slab of baby back ribs, an entire brined chicken and sausages. Your table will enjoy cornbread that comes in a variety of options. Enjoy sides like crunchy coleslaw, mac n’ cheese, hand-cut fries, summer pickles, savory sweet potatoes with blue cheese, buttery green beans, baked beans or baby crow salad. Let’s just say this experience is going to take up a cheat day.

21022 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.536.0381

La Vida Cantina

What says summer better than fresh ahi? At La Vida Cantina, you can enjoy their delectable Tostaditas de Ahi. The dish boasts our favorite fresh fish, homemade chipotle sauce, serrano pepper and red onion. Cool and creamy avocado and sweet mango offer a beautiful balance against the seasonal spice. These summer-perfect creations come as a trio—perfect to share—but why would you want to? Our mouths are already watering!

1870 Harbor Blvd
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.612.2349

Beach Hut Deli, Newport Beach

Nothing suits summertime better than a delectable sandwich that is loaded up with fresh vegetables and full of flavor. The California sandwich at Beach Hut Deli is one of our all-time faves. Refreshing and crisp red onions and greek peppers give this sandwich the perfect crunch against buttery avocado and juicy tomatoes. Monterey jack and alfalfa sprouts pair perfectly on the palate in this culinary hit. With locations in Newport Beach, Dana Point, Mission Viejo and Huntington Beach, there is no missing out on this dish!

488 East 17th Street Ste A 100
Costa Mesa, CA, 92627
949.336.0260

Fresh Brothers Pizza

Grab a pizza to go and enjoy it on the beach or stop in to Fresh Brothers for the best and freshest pizza you’ve ever tasted. Fresh is no joke for the real brothers owners Adam and Scott. For instance, try the Fresh Momma’s Favorite with spinach, garlic, mushrooms, complemented with a blend of pizza sauce and pesto. It’s even better with chicken added! And for all of you that love pizza but have dietary restrictions, they have you covered with gluten free and vegan options.

1616 San Miguel Dr
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
949.759.1212

Modern Pop

Finally, a frozen fruit bar with more fruit, less sugar, and nothing artificial! Founded by a mom on a mission to “Put Fruit First”, Modern Pop frozen fruit bars actually list whole fruit as their first and primary ingredient, avoid refined sugars, and showcase ingredients on the front of box. Flavors include: Strawberry Lemonade, Raspberry Pomegranate and Pineapple. Find them at Whole Foods, Gelson’s, Bristol Farms and select Costco locations.

@themodernpop

The Ritz Prime Seafood

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ocean view while sipping a cool cocktail at The Ritz Prime Seafood. You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island with Cool Runnings: this sweet drink features Plantation Pineapple rum with subtle fruity notes, fresh pineapple, and lime. The view here alone is enough to help you unwind. The delectable menu options and fresh cocktails take it one step further.

2801 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA
949.720.1800

Pandor Bakery

You’ll be everybody’s favorite if you bring a basket of pastries and croissants from Pandor Bakery. From breakfast to brunch to dinner, these pastries will always satisfy when you have a bit of a sweet craving. The chocolate almond croissant will melt in your mouth with its flaky crust and sweet center. And you’ll find yourself popping dornuts (croissant based donuts) in your mouth like they’re about to disappear off the plate.

1126 Irvine Ave
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.209.5099

Puesto

This is the summer where you try a zucchini & cactus taco, made with cactus, calabacitas of zucchini, crispy melted cheese, corn & tomato, avocado and cilantro-tomatillo. Since you’re feeling adventurous, try washing it down with a cactus cocktail. You’ll be amazed at how yummy and refreshing this pairing is — no pricks here!

Los Olivos Marketplace
8577 Irvine Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618

Grilling Guide

Show off your chops this summer with these tips and tricks for killing it while grilling.
A covered grill is a hot damn’ grill—keep an eye on your temp.
To salt your beef is not just to season, but to tenderize. Allow time for the process.
Grilled vegetables are the best way to eat vegetables. Enough said.
Don’t forget the fruit. Grilled fruit is pretty freakin’ amazing.
When building your kabobs, consider the temperature you want your meat ready. The tighter the meat is on the stick, the more rare it will be.

What to Wear to Your Backyard Bash

Just because you wore it last summer doesn’t mean it works this summer. Head on over to Sadie Slick boutique to find out what’s trending this season.

Denim cutoff shorts
Graphic tees with fringe by Lauren Moshi
Mini dresses by Love & Lemons, casual and fun but can be dressed up
Shifts can be worn with flats, converse tennis or ankle boots
Bralettes are always a must. Think Free People and Cosabella
Mother Trucker Hats
Fringe suede fanny packs

Sadie Slick
435 E 17th St 3
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.642.5707