The restaurant set-up in Orange County is exceptional, from the famous French bistros and the many Asian eateries in the city. Below is a guide to some of the best Orange County restaurants next time you want good places to get good meals.
Places to Find Restaurants Downtown
Downtown areas in Orange County are great locations for food because they sit close to the sea and have various notable landmarks.
Some of the best places to eat downtown include Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Anaheim. You can also consider locating restaurants near the city's significant landmarks, such as Alise Creek Adobes and the Serrano Abode.
Landmarks Close to Restaurants Near Orange County Airport
Locating the best restaurants near Orange County airport is a challenging process. You have to be well-informed about some of the famous places or landmarks in the city. The popular landmarks in Orange County include Richard Nixon Library, San Clemente Pier, Dana Point Habor.
Whenever you are close to any of these landmarks, you should know that it's also easy to find food around. San Clemente Pier is incredibly unique in this list because it provides an excellent view of the sea. You are also likely to find high-quality seafood offerings and restaurants within the pier.
Restaurants Near the Convention Centre
Famous for hosting several events throughout the year, the convention center is among the top places to visit in the city. You can always find the owners of the convention hosting shows, which draw thousands of people.
Thus, many eateries are conveniently located close to this landmark. The list of restaurants near the convention center include:
- Morton's Steakhouse – visit this steakhouse for some of the best barbecue and smoked meats in the country. They are also famous for preparing custom recipes for clients.
- Ruths Restaurant and Steakhouse – visit this eatery to access meals such as cuisines, vegan meals, and BBQ.
What to Expect in South Orange County Restaurants?
The restaurants in South Orange County often have a diverse listing of meals and snacks you can consider. The common ones you can find in South Orange County restaurants include:
- Fast foods – you can find the various branches of KFC and McDonalds within the county. Plus, many fast food restaurants nowadays provide vegan meals, which can be nutritious.
- Barbecued or smoked meats – you will also come across various eateries and steakhouses in the county. Usually, these meats undergo special preparation procedures that make them extra tasty.
- Seafood – the proximity of this town to the sea means that you can find various restaurants selling seafood.
Foods + Beverages in Mexican Restaurants
We all know the Mexican culture for having some of the best recipes around the world. Orange County is home to tons of Mexican restaurants, and they are famous for the Latin American recipes and customized beverages.
Enjoying Cuisines at Italian restaurants
Aside from being famous for their rich culture, the Italians are also renowned in Orange County for diverse meal offerings.
Usually, these meals have a few ingredients but are prepared by chefs using special techniques. Next time you are in the city and enjoy Italian meals, visit a native restaurant for the best outcomes. The best beverage for you to pair with the cuisine would be some aged wine.
Vegan Restaurants and Meals You Can Find
People around the world are increasingly seeing the importance of embracing healthy lifestyles. The benefits are many, and gaining access to a restaurant where you can find these meals is easy. The list of meals you can find at vegan restaurants like Vegan Nirvana is diverse, and the good thing is that most professionals can provide customized meal plans.
The list of ingredients you can expect in your vegan meals includes broccoli, spinach, onions, tomatoes, ginger, nutmeg, and more.
Foods to Find at Seafood Restaurants
What's your preference when it comes to seafood?
Sushi, tacos, tuna, squid, shellfish, or something else? Well, Orange County has a strategic location close to the sea and restaurants like Water Grill South Coast Plaza have an incredible variety in cuisine. Gaining access to these locations is easy, especially if you are out on a sightseeing experience in the area.
Fish is a common meat-type because many people prefer white meat from tuna and sushi meals. Plus, fish is also more nutritious than red meat.
Lobster has excellent nutritional value, and most savvy chefs can customize it with different ingredients for a rich taste.
Things to Expect in Japanese Restaurants
Japanese culture is known for an orderly and well-organized way of life. You can also expect this to flow into meal preparation and receive beautifully plated meals at Japanese restaurants.
Vietnamese Restaurants Beverages
Ranking among some of the most popular Asian countries today, Vietnam is also famous for its unique recipes, eateries, and more. You can enjoy the best of Vietnamese restaurants offerings and their beverages such as:
Asian Sinh
Refers to a popular beverage best served with some ice to make it a tasty smoothie. Usually, the drink also features various other ingredients: custard apple, banana, dragon fruit, etc. The drink has all these fruits because it's native to the mountainous regions of the country.
Fresh Coconut Juice
Served in a green coconut, this type of juice is nutritious and can be an excellent way to prepare for your lazy afternoon in the city. Plus, the city's restaurants can also add ingredients such as alcohol to make it a cocktail drink.
Meals to Buy in French Restaurants
The French are famous for their rich selection of meals and recipes. Most of their meals are meaty, spicy, and often accompanied by some wine.
The abundance of restaurants in Orange County means that you are likely to find high-class French restaurants. Be sure to give the following meals a try.
Boeuf Bourguignon is a sumptuous and comforting meal, which consists of various unique ingredients. These can include wine, onions, bacon, mushrooms, red wine, and beef. It's one of the best French meals that you can enjoy in orange county.
Chicken Cordon Bleu consists of some cheese, deep-fried. The best ingredient for this dish can be veal or pork, which chefs marinate using various ingredients. These include fish fingers, bread, nutmeg, seasonings, and more.
Cuisines at Indian restaurants
Indian meals feature various spices and flavorings. The ingredients you are likely to come across in these meals include cumin, turmeric, black mustard seed, ginger, coriander, and more. The list of Indian restaurants in the county is immense, including Godavari or Tandoor restaurants.
Peruvian Restaurants and the Best Dish to Try
If you want to try out something unique and refreshing, try out the Peruvian restaurants in the city. We recommend that you try out the “Ceviche” meal. It’s a healthy meal, which chefs prepare using unique techniques.
The ingredients to expect in this meal include lettuce, sweet potato, corn, and more. While the fish in this meal might seem raw, it's part of maintaining the meal's nutritional content and originality. Expect it to be a bit on the spicy side, with most Peruvians preferring chili.
Chinese Restaurants and Popular Fast Foods Types
Are you late for work, a meeting, or do you want a convenient snack? Consider trying out the various take-outs that are available at Chinese restaurants. You can only enjoy the originality of Chinese meals when you get it from an authentic eatery.
Consider Asian Cantonese which is famous around the world for its uniqueness. Usually, the preparation of this meal includes steaming and stir-frying techniques. Using these techniques helps ensure the meals are healthy and non-greasy.
Shandong is a famous cuisine that comes from East China. The meal's main contents are seafood, and many brands sell it in the Coastline area in China.
Things to Do at Romantic and Nice Restaurants
Spending your leisure time with your loved one the right way can be a fulfilling experience. A good place would be to show them affection by taking them to a local restaurant to enjoy meals. The following are some things you can try at romantic and nice restaurants.
Most Romantic Activities to Try
The good thing with most romantic and nice restaurants in the city are the various activities you can enjoy after meals. For instance, you can visit the bar area to try out the different types of beverages and cocktails you can find.
There is nothing better than spending time up until the wee hours of the morning enjoying top-notch beverages. These include wines, tequilas, and more. Plus, you can also order surprise meals, which can be customized to suit your romantic setting.
Beginners Guide to Michelin Star Restaurants
Most people who come across this term often wonder whether it has affiliations with the brand that produces tires. Yes, you are right. The Michelin started as an initiative to help French drives to find good restaurants.
The higher the ranking of the restaurant, the more likely to find high-quality food offerings. Usually, these Michelin Star Restaurant scores assigned to restaurants are kept secret but can be an excellent way to find good eateries.
Features of New Restaurants in Orange County
Finding new restaurants in the city can be an excellent way to have fun during leisure and find a favorite spot for meals.
Consider free offers at a hot new restaurant—the first sign of a new restaurant is that it's often associated with some form of branding or free meal offering available. When you come across such an occurrence, try out the restaurant, especially if they have an excellent presentation.
Also, the other sign of a new restaurant would be the availability of new meal offerings. For instance, most people today are starting to try out Ethiopian meals, which have recently become more popular.
Benefits of Restaurants with a View
Do you want to blow off some steam after a long and hard day at work? Or do you want an excellent place to take beautiful pictures and share leisure time with friends? Then a restaurant with a good view in Orange County is an excellent suggestion.
The benefit of such a restaurant is that you are sure of the city's horizon and the landscape's high-quality views. Plus, it can also make up for an excellent way to make a good impression on your loved one. You can get excellent views of the ocean while enjoying the diverse range of meals at such restaurants. These can include cuisines, steaks, salads, and more.
These restaurants provide views of the beach, where you can see boats and people moving around the water shore.
List of Fun Restaurants to Consider
Sometimes, we crave to visit eateries that provide more than just the conventional meal service experience. It's also good to visit a setup where you can have fun after enjoying your meals. Below is a list of some fun restaurants to consider:
Visit the Cool Hobbit Restaurant
It’s a French restaurant that is famous for its multi-course meals and excellent selections of wine products.
The Longboard Restaurant and Pub is Unique
The restaurant is a no-frills spot with a diverse menu of American meals, beverages, and more.
Playground
You will find famous chef Jason Quinn at this restaurant, where he provides some of the best meals and top-shelf drinks recipes.
Beverages to Enjoy at Nice Restaurants
The nice restaurants can be excellent places to take a loved one, spend leisure time, or grab a quick meal. If you want a quick beverage at such spots, it's good to be informed on some of them.
Go for the types that are made using high-quality coffee beans and milk. You can order some honey rather than sugar to help add taste.
Restaurants with Private Rooms and Things to Expect
If you want a more private affair, most restaurants in the city can custom prepare a space for you. Whether it’s a company meeting, a date, or a family celebration, restaurants with private rooms can be significant. However, you may have to pay extra for the given service to set up the location for you. The list of meals to enjoy at such settings are immense, including steaks, salads, wines, and more.
Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants
You can still travel around with your pet and enjoy meals without worrying about where you can leave them safely. Thus, next time you want to grab a quick bite and want your pet to tag along, try out the following:
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
It’s a relaxed and lodge chick chain that provides a long list of meals. These include steaks, cuisines, pastas, and more.
Old Vine Kitchen & Bar
Many locals in Orange county refer to it as a cozy spot, which has an excellent menu. Plus, it's also famous for its fixed wine and dinners, which you can enjoy with a partner.
The Filling Station Café
Converted from a gas station to a coffee house, the Filling Station Café is an exciting place to go with your pet.
What to Expect at Kid-Friendly Restaurants
When visiting kid-friendly restaurants, you’ll be welcomed with great options for both children and adults.
FAQ
What Are Must-Try Restaurants in Orange County?
The list of a must-try restaurant you should consider in the county is immense. Here’s our recommendations:
- El Camino real restaurant – the restaurant has gained a following among locals for its unpretentious counter service. Their list of dinner meals includes tortas, tacos, burritos, and more.
- Social restaurant - Many locals refer to this eatery as a rustic and ultra-chic lunch sport. They have a listing of various Southern dishes and uniquely crafted beverages.
Depending on your preferences, you may have to visit various favorite spots for locals in the city. You are likely to find popular eateries where you can try out new meals or beverages.
How Many Restaurants Are in Orange County?
It's not possible to estimate the number of restaurants in the county. The number of these restaurants is immense, and they are continually popping up each year.
The best thing you can do is to try and get a complete listing of the well-known restaurant in the city based on categories. These can include categories such as Mexican, French, kid-friendly restaurants, and more.