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230 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA

230 Forest Avenue

4.8 (2906)
$30 and under
Californian
230 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
Don't be fooled by the crowds and the noise; they are all part of the scene here at Laguna Beach's sexy and intense 230 Forest Avenue. The lean deep room seduces you to the open kitchen, bustling bar, and concrete floors, creating a space that is part modern bistro, part martini bar, and part art gallery. It's the perfect spot to see and be seen, laid back Laguna-style. Executive Chef Marc Cohen is consistently recognized as one of The OC's top chefs. You'll be ready to award him a medal, too, after tasting his flashy-to-the-eye, tickle-the-taste- buds fusion appetizers and entrees. His dishes are often so stunning that they compete with the artwork on the walls, making for a thoroughly satisfying "artistic" experience.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, American, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Marc Cohen
  • Neighborhood
    Laguna Beach
  • Cross street
    PCH
  • Parking details
    There is metered parking all along Forest Avenue as well as several "pay" lots near by.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,906 people are saying

230 Forest Avenue reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Californian

  • South Orange County

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
230 Forest Avenue is a beloved Laguna Beach dining gem, praised for its "excellent food and superb service." Diners cherish the "fantastic dining experience" with standout dishes like "halibut special," "French onion soup," and "Parker House rolls." A consistent favorite for over 25 years, it offers a cozy ambiance with charming outdoor seating.
2,906 Reviews
  1. Tracy VIP

    Denver7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    230 Forrest Avenue never disappoints! Everything was fantastic, especially the service!

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  2. Greta

    Orange County4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really enjoyed The bacon wrapped dates and the onion soup. The service was excellent. Very busy tonight but no one rushed us. Highly recommend

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  3. IBRAHIM VIP

    Las Vegas6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Interesting menu, attentive and prompt service. Calamari appetizer bowl tasty and unusual mix of fried calamari and fried eggplant. Chicken Milanese entree delicious but the best part was the profiterole desert.

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  4. Archie VIP

    San Francisco21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We sat outside and had a great experience. Food and service were top notch. Calamari and French dip were delicious.

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  5. Sue VIP

    Orange County11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The best Mother’s Day ever!! 230 Forest never disappoints, even on the busiest of days!

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  6. Kim VIP

    Seattle4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service were delicious, they really worked as a good team, but a bit pricey…

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  7. Mona VIP

    Phoenix52 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 9, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Server was terrible slow never came back to table. Food was great

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  8. Howard

    Toronto6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great food service and ambiance . The brussel sprouts were perfectly cooked. We shared the scallops and they added a sixth one at a nominal fee and split the order. It was perfect! Great value. A must go to when in Laguna

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  9. Dina VIP

    Orange County59 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We've been dining at 230 Forest since 1998 - and we still love it to this day. Excellent food and superb service. We love sitting on their outdoor patio and think that the location and ambiance are unbeatable.

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  10. Tim VIP

    San Diego16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another fantastic dining experience. My GF and I went there 2-weeks ago with friends and again last night with family. We requested our favorite waiter (Robbie) and he provided his first class service that we enjoy so much. The food was so delicious and every plate was licked clean. Come to Laguna Beach, enjoy the ocean, the shops, and end with a most fabulous meal at 230 Forest Ave.

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FAQs

230 Forest Avenue is rated 4.8 stars by 2906 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. South Orange County
  5. Laguna Beach

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 12 times today
Google Map for 230 Forest Avenue

230 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Additional information

  • Cross street
    PCH
  • Neighborhood
    Laguna Beach
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, American, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    There is metered parking all along Forest Avenue as well as several "pay" lots near by.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Marc Cohen
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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