230 Forest Avenue

4.9

2859 Reviews

$30 and under

Californian

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 31 times today

Neighborhood gem
Great for outdoor dining
Good for special occasions

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
(949) 494-2545
Website
http://www.230Forestavenue.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Marc Cohen

Location
230 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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 2,859 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Orange County
Best Overall
Orange County
Californian
South Orange County
Best Overall
South Orange County
Best Food
South Orange County
Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

230 Forest Avenue is a beloved Laguna Beach gem praised for its "amazing" and "consistently excellent" food and service. Diners adore the inviting ambiance, both indoors and on the patio. Signature dishes like the "crispy halibut tacos" and "bacon wrapped dates" receive high accolades. It's a "favorite" with locals and visitors alike.

2,859 Reviews

V
Valerie
VIP
Los Angeles
52 reviews
5.0
52 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great restaurant in Laguna Beach! The food was delicious! So happy we found this place. Will definitely come back!
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B
Belle
VIP
Orange County
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 1
230 seems to be back where it was when it was new. The food and service was really down for a while, but a recent visit proved it was back to being good. Atmosphere was never one of the high points as it has very little or none. However, the service was excellent and the food delicious. The oysters on the half shell with the frozen pomegranate balls was outstanding. My candied salmon salad was wonderful as was my partner’s Ahi entree. We were seated at one of those tiny tables against the wall which is why I give the ambiance a low rating. 230 isn’t a place to sit and sip for a while, just eat and go. But if you’re just looking for good food it’s a very good choice.
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A
Amy
Denver
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious! Service was great! Highly recommend and will definitely be going back!
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L
Leslie
Dublin
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Local spot always good; service attentive and food delicious.
Is this helpful?
E
Ernie
Orange County
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All aspects of my experience were above expectations.
Is this helpful?
C
Collin
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Perfect date night. Skirt steak is a must, so many great flavors. Excellent cocktails and the carpaccio appetizer was delicious too. We'll be back soon!
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L
Lisa
VIP
Orange County
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was fabulous (don't miss the calamari appetizer and Parker House rolls) and our server, Nina, was wonderful!
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J
Jack
Orange County
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We’ve been going here 25+ years. 230 Forest never disappoints. Might be the most consistent restaurant in OC. While not a ton of entree menu items, there is always something for all. The food, preparation and service is amazing!
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F
Fabryce
VIP
Las Vegas
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a treat at 230 Forest from the food to the drinks a great place for a craft meal. Want to add or remove something from a dish No problem ! Service w a smile .
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OT
OpenTable Diner
VIP
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have been going to 230 for 18 years, it’s always been wonderful !
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FAQs

230 Forest Avenue is rated 4.9 stars by 2859 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 31 times today

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

Website
http://www.230Forestavenue.com/
Phone number
(949) 494-2545

230 Forest Avenue

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 2,859 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is 230 Forest Avenue restaurant rated?

Is 230 Forest Avenue currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information