Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

64 restaurants available nearby

A photo of King's Fish House - Laguna Hills restaurant

1. King's Fish House - Laguna Hills

4.7

Exceptional(4884)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 76 times today

Established in 1997, King’s Fish House is Laguna Hills’ choice for seafood. Located near the Laguna Hills Mall, King’s Fish House features a large selection of fresh oysters, seasonal catches, sushi and live shellfish, including lobster and crab, on a menu that changes daily.We’ve been in restaurants a little while – three generations, to be precise. A long time ago, we embarked on a road trip in search of the ultimate seafood experience. We traveled down highways and byways, pulled up a seat, put on bibs and soaked up the seafood experience: the no-name dishes with unforgettable flavor, the fresh-caught oysters and clams piled high, the hand-lettered specials on ancient chalkboards and the savory simmer of every combination of spices imaginable.Welcome to the House that Seafood Built.Come gather with us, celebrate, relax and enjoy a seafood dining experience of high quality, comfort, service and value.

A photo of Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant

2. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook

4.8

Exceptional(2878)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 40 times today

Welcome to Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook. located in Laguna Hills. Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality and are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails.

3. Puesto Los Olivos

4.6

Exceptional(1781)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • Irvine

Booked 45 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. CUCINA enoteca - Irvine

4.6

Exceptional(2733)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Irvine

Booked 65 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 OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo restaurant

5. OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo

4.8

Exceptional(1597)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 33 times today

At Opah Restaurant & Bar, we serve the finest fresh fish in Orange County. Carefully hand selected each day to deliver the best quality available. Come in and enjoy the menu created by Marc A. Cohen, One of the Best Chef's in Orange County. The menu is exquisite, featuring edible works of art, that look so good the could be on a magazine cover. Dont forget to try one of our signature Award Winning Martinis. If you wondering how we came up with the name Opah. It comes from the Hawaiian word for Moonfish, which was once viewed as Good Luck by fisherman, & often given away as a gesture of Good Will.

A photo of Paul Martin's American Grill - Irvine restaurant

6. Paul Martin's American Grill - Irvine

4.5

Awesome(3271)

Price: Moderate

• American • Irvine

Booked 35 times today

Order a glass of your favorite sauvignon blanc and share a plate of Town Dock calamari with friends or family at Paul Martin’s American Grill in the Irvine Spectrum Center. Or savor an indulgent hand-cut blackened ribeye masterfully prepared over the live fire of our mesquite grill. Paul Martin’s serves classic American cuisine elevated to a higher standard in our polished yet welcoming dining room that invites business luncheons, date nights, and camaraderie in equal measure.

A photo of Mangia Bene Cucina restaurant

7. Mangia Bene Cucina

4.7

Exceptional(676)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 12 times today

Located in beautiful Laguna Niguel, CA, Mangia Bene Cucina has been an Orange County landmark since 1991. Our mission is to provide our guests with the best and most memorable dining experience. From our upbeat and vibrant staff, to our original and delicious Italian dishes.We have a passion for Italian cuisine and with over 25 years of restaurant experience, we are sure to provide you with what we like to call, The Fresh Italian Food Experience.From serving you daily for lunch and dinner to catering your parties and special events, we welcome your family to our family restaurant.

A photo of Villa Roma Restaurant restaurant

8. Villa Roma Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(177)

Price: Moderate

• Argentinean • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 3 times today

Open Thanksgiving November 28, 2024 - Prefixed menu with choices ===============================Open Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve 2024 ************************************************** Villa Roma is a unique restaurant combining Argentine and Italian flavorsLive ambiance music Thursday, Friday & Saturday !

A photo of Delizie Ristorante & Bar restaurant

9. Delizie Ristorante & Bar

4.8

Exceptional(954)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Booked 15 times today

Chef Santiago is at the helm of this South County Favorite. Delizie offers daily specials including homemade pastas, imported Italian delicatessens, and the freshest fish and meats available daily as well as an extensive listing of wines from California and Italy. Delizie also features a full bar and banquet room, available for private parties.

A photo of Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar restaurant

10. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

4.7

Exceptional(70)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 9 times today

Owners Jordan and Creig Mullikin love to eat delicious food, drink great wine and be treated like family. They want every bite, every sip, every visit to be delicious and a treat. Our goal is to serve you fresh, homemade, and thoughtful dishes focused on our family's heritage and our customers' needs to make everyone feel like family at our neighborhood spot which sports a modern yet vintage vibe. We have a large outdoor patio that is both heated and covered. One of the more popular things here at Bricco is our live music Friday's and Saturday's with very talented singers and performers.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MarenVIP
Orange County •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Delicious food, impeccable service and lovely date night ambiance. I love this place!
More info
OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso ViejoPrice: Expensive• Californian• Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
•
4.8
B
beth
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
I really like Kings. It’s a really nice place to celebrate a bday! The food is good and you are not rushed to finish and get out. The staff is all very pleasant and want you to have a gd experience. Some areas of the restaurant are noisy, so I like to go on the early side before it gets busy.
More info
King's Fish House - Laguna HillsPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
•
4.7
R
RalphVIP
Orange County •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
As all times in the past we have enjoyed this restaurant immensely. The food, service and ambiance are outstanding. We regularly see the owner when dining and commend him for the many exemplary employees and their dedication.
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Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.CookPrice: Moderate• American• Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
•
4.8
M
Maria
Orange County •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Booking was easy. The Chicken alpastor, shrimp, mushrooms and crab tacos were all amazing! Cadillac Margaritas by far one of the best! Service was great!
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Puesto Los OlivosPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• Irvine
•
4.6
D
DeAnna
Hawaii •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The stuffed squash blossoms were unique and tasty. I shared my salad which was kale and spinach with goat cheese and persimmons which was all light but very favorable and not too sweet. The service was exceptional.
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CUCINA enoteca - IrvinePrice: Moderate• Italian• Irvine
•
4.6

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

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64 restaurants available nearby

1. King's Fish House - Laguna Hills

2. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook

3. Puesto Los Olivos

4. CUCINA enoteca - Irvine

5. OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo

6. Paul Martin's American Grill - Irvine

7. Mangia Bene Cucina

8. Villa Roma Restaurant

9. Delizie Ristorante & Bar

10. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

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