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5 Stunning SoCal Restaurants Perfect for Summer Time 

From Beachy Tulum Vibes to a Sophisticated Outdoor Patio, Your Girl Gang Will Love These Spots

There’s no such thing as “alfresco season” in Southern California. With our sunny-and-75 days and balmy nights, it’s no secret our West Coast weather reigns supreme. And with the summer months officially upon us, there is no better time to sip and savor the sunshine. With that said, we’ve hand-picked our favorite summer spots to wine, dine and unwind. From the heart of Palm Springs to the historic district of San Juan Capistrano, these five restaurants are sure to help you relish the good ol’ dog days. Cute Restaurants Near Me

Easy, Breezy Cute Restaurants Near Me

JOEY Offers Something for Everyone in Manhattan Beach 

Three JOEY locations reside in The City of Angels, where beachgoers and valley visitors can indulge in both surf and turf. Speaking of, the steak and lobster ravioli is an absolute must for people who like to have their steak and eat it too. The newest of the JOEY locations sits in Manhattan Village and is a stone’s throw from the sand, making it prime real estate for gathering and grazing. Indulge in a passionfruit spicy margarita on the patio, and you’ll be sippin’ pretty this summer.

It’s a Vibe Cute Restaurants Near Me

The decor is as trendy as the drinks with neon lights, open-concept floor plans, a green ceiling installation and lounge-friendly furniture. It’s a fabulous spot for a group get together and a spirited game of credit card roulette. Soak in the fresh California breeze as you dine on the expansive outdoor patio. 

Eat Your Heart Out

From sushi and salads to steaks, sandwiches and beyond, this LA staple is hitting all the high notes for a virtually pitch perfect meal. And as for the final S (sweets), well they have that covered too! Featuring decadent Italian donuts, molten chocolate cake and apple pie, you’ll convert even the most stubborn of “I have no room for dessert” Debbie Downers. 

Sip, Sip, Hooray Cute Restaurants Near Me

While JOEY restaurants always play the culinary greatest hits, they have also cracked the cocktail code as well. Any drink that begins with “Super” is topped with a signature lemon-lime slush for a lip-lickin’ libation that’ll have you mouthing “one more.”

Smile, It’s Happy Hour!

It’s happy hour every day at JOEY with dine-in happy hour pricing from 3-6 p.m. and online from open-4 p.m. Be sure to order the sushi cone—a JOEY original dish you can score for less than $5! Treat yourself to a lunch break for a breath of fresh air and good times. 

JOEY Manhattan Beach
3120 N Sepulveda Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.546.1139

Field to Table Cute Restaurants Near Me

Mayfield Keeps it Fresh, Local and Natural in the Heart of San Juan Capistrano

Mayfield is the latest addition to San Juan Capistrano’s growing culinary catalog. If you see trains, you’re on the right track—quite literally. Mayfield is located right next to the Amtrak station in a refurbished historic building in the heart of San Juan. Charming but not pretentious, this new south county staple is as easy on the eyes as it is on the appetite.

Bright and Airy

Mayfield is impressive with its high ceilings, long bar and low booths. With an industrial-chic aesthetic, the interior feels original and organic, from the greenery to the roll-up garage doors. With wine bottles that double as decor, visitors will be able to have their cakebread and drink it too.

Fixer-Upper Cute Restaurants Near Me

Offering an a la carte menu on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, the weekends are saved for their prix fixe supper club menu. Diners can enjoy Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine with a variety of vegetables and proteins that are all cooked to perfection. Whether you opt for a la carte or spring for the supper club menu at $55 per person, you’ll love the fresh, seasonal fare. Fan favorites include the Japanese sweet potato, octopus, lamb meatballs and the za’atar fried chicken.

A Toast to Brioche

Closed on Mondays but open at 10 a.m. every other day of the week, you can start your morning at Mayfield with a breakfast that’ll make any brunch enthusiast happy. Their all-day menu features a bacon brioche breakfast sandwich…need we say more? Featuring a variety of sweet and savory toasts and potatoes cooked every which way, Mayfield knows how to get the a.m. started.

A Whole Lotta Cotta

Sweet tooth? We heard one diner claim that the panna cotta was the best she had ever had, and their budino is going to be a budi-yes from us. Don’t miss out on their oh-so-pretty cocktails (and natural wine!) either. The mixologist in us recognizes the mixologist in you, Mayfield. Honestly, we can’t even pick a favorite—just close your eyes, point and order that.

Mayfield
31761 Camino Capistrano, Ste 5-6
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949.218.5140

Nautical and Nice

This On-Shore Eatery Will Set Your Watch to Island Time

This harborview haunt is the cookery Catalina Island has been begging for. An oceanfront oasis, The Naughty Fox will make you feel a little bit flirty and a whole lot fuller after testing out their melting pot of a menu. Located inside of the Bellanca Hotel right off of the main drag, this restaurant boasts some pretty impressive bay views and equally impressive bites. Come hungry, leave happy!

Mai Tai-pe of Mixology

If you’re feeling the island vibes, their mai tai does not disappoint and will transport you to tropical paradise. Fancy something sweet? The svelte strawberry is a fan favorite made with balsamic vinegar and fresh strawberries. And if you are looking for a Catalina classic, their take on the famous “Buffalo milk” cocktail puts all others to shame. Creamy and delicious, this slow sipper can act as both your drink and dessert.

Going Green Cute Restaurants Near Me

Overall, this place is reasonably priced with generous portions. The Naughty Fox has a quirky, cool interior featuring bamboo and wood accents and lime green bar stools that practically shout at you from the street, “Eat here, we’re fun!” It’s a great place for a date night or dinner with a friend, especially when your watch is set to island time. 

Booze With Views

As one of only a handful of restaurants on the water, this fox of a find is shore to impress. The indoor-outdoor dining allows for patrons to enjoy their patio overlooking the Pacific. Located on the south end of Crescent Ave, The Naughty Fox has views of the cove all the way to the famed Casino.

The Way We Roll

The menu itself is kind of a hodgepodge of foodie favorites celebrating local ingredients with an emphasis on seafood fare. It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll…sushi rolls, that is. Get your fritto misto fix or hop on board the hummus train for a dish best enjoyed with friends. Whether you choose to share or not—well, that’s naan of our business.

The Naughty Fox
111 Crescent Ave
Avalon, CA 90704
310.510.0555

Trip to the Tropics

This Tropical-Chic Oasis Is a Treat for the Taste Buds and a Feast for the Eyes

Where trendy meets Tulum, you get The Waverly. This restaurant and lounge located in Cardiff keeps it cool and casual with an all-day cafe vibe. Executive chef Brian Redzikowski has awards and accolades for days, and diners can experience his incredible talent first-hand when they belly up to the wrap-around bar. Speaking of the bar, their beverage program that’s run by Eric Johnson and Leigh Lacap will have you shaken (not stirred) and buzzing for more.

Brunch. Drunk. Love.

Their daytime menu is chock-full of brunch favorites, from bagels and brioches to Benedicts and beyond. If you are more of a lunch lover, fear not, as they have plenty of plates that skew savory, such as their take on fast-food favorites like In-N-Out’s double double and Chick-Fil-A’s chicken sandwich.

Donut Miss Out

The dinner menu has more fun and flirty offerings that are classic all-American with a European twist. The Gioia burrata donuts will blow your flippin’ mind—do not miss out on this decadent dish! And for the daring drinker, knock-a back a couple chaca-chacas: a bold blend of tequila, strawberry aperol, salted orgeat and lemon for a beautifully balanced sweet, salty, acidic sipper.

Good as Gold

Everything at The Waverly is picture perfect and ready to be posted. Designed by sister duo of Design 4 Corners, the decor is downright drool-worthy. From the gold accents to the greenery, the tropical-with-a-twist vibe is fun and flirty. With original pieces by Australian artist Jai Vasicek, the walls seem to come to life under the exposed ceiling and oversized fixtures.

Post Up Cute Restaurants Near Me

Belly up to the giant U-shaped bar or banter in one of their beloved velvet-lined booths; either way, you’ll be in on the action. If you prefer your spritzes spiked with sunshine, opt to post up on the Waverly’s patio underneath one of their striped Business & Pleasure umbrellas. The Instagram opportunities are infinite.

The Waverly
2005 San Elijo Ave
Cardiff, CA 92007
760.230.1682

A Slice of Heaven

Birba Brings Fresh Pies and an Open-Air Ambiance to Palm Springs

Birba has long been one of Palm Springs’ most popular hot spots since it opened a decade ago in 2011. Located in the heart of downtown right next to brunch favorite Cheekys, this coveted cookery is a real-life concrete jungle complete with oversized tree canopies that keep you cool and look even cooler. Whether you’ve come for the ‘za or the dreamy backyard ambiance, this bistro-style spot does not disappoint.

A Pizza Your Heart

Known for their wood-fired pizza, Birba churns out pie after pie, and it’s amore at first sight. Their homemade classic is a fan favorite with fennel, sweet onion, mushrooms and San Marzano tomatoes. And don’t even get us started on the meatballs—some of the best in town! 

Setting the Bar High

This is the spot to hit on your girls weekend getaway. The open-air bar, which anchors the place, is always buzzing with activity while mixologists handcraft Birba’s signature cocktails. The Heated Snake is their take on a spicy margarita, complete with housemade habanero simple syrup—a must-sip!

Hail Mary Cute Restaurants Near Me

Birba is now offering brunch on the weekends from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the early birds who like bloody marys. Whether you fancy sweet or savory, you’ll leave satisfied. And any place that offers a breakfast martini is A-OK in our book!

Wood You Rather

Located in a space that feels more like a swanky backyard than an upscale Italian joint, diners will feel right at home cocktailing and kibitzing under the twinkle lights. Large parties can be accommodated at their oversized wood tables and bench seating.

Birba
622 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.327.5678

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Jane Adler is a marketing and branding consultant by trade, but a writer by preference. She shares a name with Meryl Streep's iconic character from It's Complicated and is presently trying to manifest that life (particularly that Santa Barbara house) for herself. Jane is an avid consumer of content and carbs and often used the latter to write on the former.

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