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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Irvine

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81 restaurants available nearby

A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant
4.5
Awesome(5481)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 154 times today
At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.
A photo of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar- Tustin restaurant
4.5
Awesome(2663)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Tustin
Booked 15 times today
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin is a neighborhood gem. It's a go-to place for locals, known for its excellent service, great ambiance, and delicious food. Reviews rave about the quality ingredients used in well-prepared dishes, and the friendly, attentive staff. It's a place that never disappoints, and the lively, sophisticated atmosphere is perfect for any occasion.
A photo of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(743)
Price: Expensive
• American • Irvine
Booked 47 times today
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations perfectly meshes upscale and casual dining with an expansive whiskey selection and unique offering of American comfort food. It offers high energy, open spaced concepts to promote a lively dining experience. With the rustic industrial aesthetic, brick metal and barrels are prevalent in the space. One of its most coveted attractions is the famous whiskey room, that houses hundreds of whiskies from several countries. From high end whiskies like Pappy Van Winkle, to a shot of Jameson with a Coors Light, there is something here for everyone's taste; and Bosscat prides itself on being this type of environment. Each season new flavors and recipes are brought into the kitchen. The culture and staff are encouraged to foster the fun and unique dining experience they so strongly emulate. Bosscat is open all week for lunch and dinner. Happy hour is available on weekdays, and a fun, boozy brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays.
A photo of Benihana - Newport Beach, CA restaurant
3.9
Excellent(5067)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Newport Beach
Booked 110 times today
Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.
A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1798)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Irvine
Booked 46 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.
A photo of CUCINA enoteca - Irvine restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(2754)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 76 times today
CUCINA enoteca is centrally located in the Irvine Spectrum! Owner Tracy Borkum's flair for combining great ambience, award-winning cuisine and unparalleled service are once again starring components in this latest Urban Kitchen Group creation. Executive Chef Tim Kolanko and Chef de Cuisine Cesar Sarmiento bring their artistry to the table as guests enjoy an open kitchen. The menu features Italian classics with a modern twist, made with the freshest local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Along with a diverse selection of wines by the glass, guests may visit the restaurant's retail area to select from over 200 bottles for dinner (corkage fee of $10 applies) or purchase wine to go. The energetic space features contemporary elements and vintage artifacts creating the feel of a modern Italian kitchen combined with the comfort of an old rustic farmhouse.
A photo of Bistango restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(3228)
Price: Expensive
• American • Irvine
Booked 7 times today
Bistango offers artful New American cuisine in the award-winning Atrium Building in Irvine, California. Bistango hosts an extensive bar and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list with over 400 varieties of wine. The ambiance is further enriched each season by revolving modern art exhibits which are available for purchase. Bistango offers a full-service patio with comfortable furniture and heat lamps to provide al fresco dining at its finest. Our nightly live entertainment and dance floor will complete your experience as you listen to everything from Latin Jazz to R&B to classics to contemporary cover tunes.
A photo of Eddie V’s – Wildfish – Newport Beach restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(5368)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Newport Beach
Booked 38 times today
Eddie V's Prime Seafood is a luxury dining destination known for the seafood flown in from pristine waters around the world, as well as its premium hand-carved steaks. Dishes are artistically prepared and feature an ever-changing array of seasonal seafood, along with critically acclaimed prime center-cut steaks broiled to perfection. The restaurant's award-wining wine list, which has been recognized by Wine Spectator, has more than 300 wines curated by Eddie V's very own Advanced Sommelier. In the V Lounge, guests can sip classic creative cocktails and enjoy signature appetizers.
A photo of Il Fornaio - Irvine restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(4044)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 38 times today
Step inside Il Fornaio and take an award-winning culinary journey through Italy. Specialties include housemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, grilled fish, authentic risotto, and rotisserie meats. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Il Fornaio offers a wide variety of premium-quality Italian food paired with great cocktails and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list.
A photo of SOL Mexican Cocina - Irvine restaurant
4.3
Awesome(737)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Irvine
Booked 33 times today
SOL Irvine offers the perfect setting for any occasion, from company luncheons to intimate dinner date nights. Savor our handcrafted margaritas, like the bold Pineapple Serrano Margarita, and indulge in flavorful dishes such as the Vampiro Taco, all inspired by fresh coastal cooking. With open bars, cozy fire pits, and an impressive tequila and mezcal collection, our warm and inviting atmosphere creates an unforgettable experience. Be sure to join us for Weekday Happy Hour, Taco & Tequila Tuesday, and our Weekend Brunch!

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Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Irvine

Discover the charm of Irvine's neighborhood gems with our curated list of top-rated restaurants in South Orange County. Each restaurant featured offers a unique dining experience, blending original flavors and exceptional service, making them true local favorites. Whether you're craving innovative Mexican cuisine, Mediterranean delights, Californian specialties, or a fusion of Southeast Asian and European flavors, Irvine's dining scene has it all. These establishments are praised not only for their culinary excellence but also for their vibrant atmospheres and commitment to quality, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every visit. Irvine is renowned for its diverse culinary landscape, providing diners with a wide array of choices that cater to various tastes and occasions. From family dinners to romantic evenings, or even special business meetings, these neighborhood gems offer the perfect setting for any event. Each restaurant stands out for its dedication to creating dishes that are both delicious and visually appealing, using high-quality ingredients to deliver outstanding flavors and presentations. Experience the best of Irvine's local dining scene, where each restaurant strives to offer not just meals, but a genuine culinary adventure that reflects the vibrant community and culture of South Orange County. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these neighborhood gems are sure to provide an enriching and satisfying dining experience.

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