Orange County Scoop
Places to Eat · Restaurants

Where Orange Countyactually sits down.

From taco windows on Lincoln to chef-driven omakase in Irvine — the full range of OC dining, vetted by people who eat here every week.

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Lane 01 · Sit Down or Pick Up

Restaurants.

Sit-down, fast casual, takeout windows and everything in between. Every cuisine Orange County has to offer — from chef-driven Mexican on Center Street to quiet weeknight pho on Bolsa.

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Mexican & LatinBrowse →
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Food TrucksBrowse →
El Camaguey Market & Taqueria
★ Editor's Pick

El Camaguey Market & Taqueria

Anaheim · $

A beloved Anaheim institution serving authentic Mexican street food since 1978. Known for their carne asada burritos, al pastor tacos, and homemade salsas. The kind of place locals keep to themselves — but can't help sharing.

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Driftwood Kitchen
Featured$$$
Laguna Beach

Driftwood Kitchen

Coastal · Seafood

Perched on the cliffside in Laguna Beach with the Pacific stretching to the horizon. Chef-driven coastal cuisine, locally-sourced fish, and a wine list curated for sunsets. Reservations are essential — this is an occasion restaurant.

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Seal Beach Fish Co.
Featured$$
Seal Beach

Seal Beach Fish Co.

Seafood · Fresh Fish

<p>Seal Beach Fish Company seeks to bridge the gap between fishermen and consumers by providing the highest-quality seafood available. We source our fish locally from our boat, "F/V Raptor," out of Seal Beach, CA. In addition, we have connected a fleet of small boats and artisanal fishermen from the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, and California who devote their lives to perfecting their craft of harvesting fish.</p>

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The Anaheim Grille
Featured
Anaheim

The Anaheim Grille

A local institution serving hearty American comfort food since 1989. Known for its legendary breakfast burritos and famous house-made hot sauce.

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Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Foothill Ranch
$$
Lake Forest

Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Foothill Ranch

Mexican · tacos

<p>Each restaurant is family-owned so that we can serve you the highest quality, fresh, authentic Mexican food in a fun atmosphere. Each location also has its own specialty dishes and drink specials. Our location is known for its grande burritos and delicious margaritas.</p>

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Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Lake Forest
$$
Lake Forest

Avila's El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant Lake Forest

Mexan · tacos

<p>Founded in 1997 by Sal Avila and now owned by his daughter Nathalie Avila Ruttkay,&nbsp;Avila’s El Ranchito Lake Forest continues the family tradition Mamá Avila began in 1966 with recipes from Guanajuato, Mexico, right here in the heart of Lake Forest.&nbsp;</p>

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Fullerton Noodle House
Fullerton

Fullerton Noodle House

Authentic Vietnamese pho and banh mi in a cozy downtown Fullerton spot. A favorite among Cal State Fullerton students and faculty for over a decade.

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Harbor House Café
$$
Newport Beach

Harbor House Café

Seafood · Coastal

Perched on the waterfront in Newport Beach with front-row views of the harbor. Known for fresh-off-the-boat seafood, the legendary clam chowder, and sunset happy hours that make you forget you have to drive home.

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Hwaro Korean BBQ
$$
Garden Grove

Hwaro Korean BBQ

Korean · BBQ

Tabletop grilling done the proper way in the heart of Koreatown. Premium USDA prime beef, house-fermented banchan, and the best galbi in OC. Happy hour specials and a late kitchen make this the go-to post-10pm spot.

Happy HourVIEW →
Irvine Farmhouse Kitchen
Irvine

Irvine Farmhouse Kitchen

Farm-to-table breakfast and lunch using produce from local Irvine-area farms. The avocado toast and seasonal grain bowls are perennial crowd favorites.

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Laguna Taco Lab
Laguna Beach

Laguna Taco Lab

Craft tacos with locally sourced ingredients and house-made salsas. Perched above PCH with stunning ocean views from the patio.

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Newport Harbor Bistro
Newport Beach

Newport Harbor Bistro

Upscale California cuisine overlooking the Newport Beach harbor. Perfect for date night or celebrating a special occasion.

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Phở 79
$
Westminster

Phở 79

Vietnamese · Pho

An icon of Little Saigon. Phở 79 has been ladling out slow-simmered broth and hand-cut rice noodles since 1979. The lines stretch around the building on weekend mornings — and every bowl is worth the wait.

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Romano Cucina Laguna Hills
$$
Laguna Hills

Romano Cucina Laguna Hills

Italian · pasta

<p>Romano Cucina serves authentic Italian food. Our family-run restaurants provide a casual and comfortable atmosphere that is sure to make you feel right at home. Our pastas and pizza exemplify the traditions of home cooked Italian cuisine.</p><p>We offer a unique selection of martinis, specialty cocktails and a variety of wines by the glass or bottle. Our Romano Cucina family looks forward to seeing and serving you soon!</p>

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Sakana Sushi & Omakase
$$$
Irvine

Sakana Sushi & Omakase

Japanese · Sushi

An intimate 12-seat omakase counter where chef Hiroshi Tanaka sources fish directly from Tokyo's Toyosu Market three times weekly. The 15-course experience is the best sushi dining in Orange County, full stop.

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The Anaheim Grille
$
Anaheim

The Anaheim Grille

American · Diner

A neighborhood anchor since 1989. Classic American comfort food done without shortcuts — thick diner burgers, blue plate specials, and the kind of breakfast that earns regulars for life. A true OC original.

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The Refinery Coffee Bar
$
Costa Mesa

The Refinery Coffee Bar

Brunch · Coffee

All-day brunch and craft coffee in the heart of Costa Mesa. The avocado toast actually lives up to the hype, and the weekend eggs benedict is the stuff of local legend. Great patio, even better people-watching.

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Trestles Burger Co.
$
Huntington Beach

Trestles Burger Co.

Burgers · American

Surf culture meets smash burger at this laid-back HB institution. The double smash with secret sauce is the best burger in Orange County — a bold claim they've been backing up since 2014. Always packed, never rushed.

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