FINE DINING IN THE OC
The OC is a culinary mecca with world-class dining options that are endless, just like our summers.
The OC is a culinary mecca with world-class dining options that are endless, just like our summers. The restaurant scene in Orange County is well-respected and exciting, and the world’s best chefs are bringing their epicurean dreams to the heart of Southern California.
For those who are in search of a fine dining experience that blends laid-back luxury and casual sophistication, look no further than the following top Orange County restaurants.
Photo credit: Mastro’s Steakhouse
Consistently hailed by diners and critics alike as “masterful” by the Los Angeles Daily News and “high end” by the Los Angeles Times, Mastro’s Steakhouse in Costa Mesa is a glitzy restaurant serving the finest mouthwatering hand-cut prime steaks and fresh seafood with live music, while also striving for excellence in guest service and a distinct ambience.
Photo credit: Din Tai Fung
Located in high-end shopping destination South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Din Tai Fung is the only Chinese or Taiwanese restaurant to be rated by the New York Times as one of the Top 10 Gourmet Restaurants in the World. This extremely-popular Michelin-rated restaurant brings a touch of Shanghainese-style dining to The OC.
Photo credit: The Bungalow Restaurant
This charming Craftsman-style restaurant is only minutes away from Fashion Island, Newport Beach’s premier business and shopping center. The restaurant, known for its prime steaks, stellar seafood and award-winning wine list, is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Photo credit: Agora Churrascaria
Southern Brazil meets Southern California at this top-rated Irvine steakhouse. Gaucho-attired waiters bring skewers of meat from table to table at this Rodizio-style restaurant, which serves up to 16 different cuts of meat. The meats are roasted in a custom-designed wood charcoal grill to preserve its rich flavors and natural juices. This gathering place for feasting and friendship is an Orange County favorite.
Photo credit: SeaLegs Wine Bar
This beachside restaurant offers a memorable Hamptons-style experience in Huntington Beach. Hand-picked wine and cheese pairings, California tapas and revolving dinner specials are among the many fresh, local and sustainable items offered on the menu. The restaurant blends California-fresh with old world tradition and a touch of New England class that guests will most certainly enjoy.
Photo credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Located at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, this premier steakhouse has been named one of the best places to eat in The OC by the Orange County Register. The restaurant boasts steaks that are from prime, grass-fed and pasture-raised beef, along with locally-harvested organic produce and the highest quality ingredients. An added bonus is the large selection of fine wines, classic cocktails and artisanal cheeses.
Photo credit: THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon
This Anaheim restaurant features true American regional cuisine made from scratch with the finest ingredients. With an emphasis on farm-to-table, The Ranch’s seasonally driven menu showcases the freshest produce, with fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables from local farms and from the restaurant’s own ranch in the Santa Ana Mountains.
Photo Credit: Spencer’s Bistro
This Buena Park bistro is a hidden gem that specializes in European fusion cuisine, including delicious house-made pasta and marinated Greek chicken. The restaurant, whose featured chef Spencer Kim has been named one of “Orange County’s Best Chefs,” also features a seasonally rotating menu in addition to its staple dishes.
Photo credit: The Bungalow Restaurant
