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Diners' Choice: American restaurants in South Orange County

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OpenTable
Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in South Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Nick's - San Clemente restaurant
4.9
4.9 (3025)
$30 and under
American
San Clemente
About the restaurant
Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review
Abbey
Dined 6 days ago
I requested a table near the fireplace and they accommodated perfectly
A photo of Eat Chow - Newport Beach restaurant
4.8
4.8 (17)
$30 and under
American
Newport Beach
About the restaurant
Eat Chow is your go-to destination for all things comfort. Come stop by at one of our locations for a phenomenal dining experience with your loved ones. On the weekends you can find us slinging brunch and pouring you Mimosas to help ward of those Sunday Scaries. On weekday days and nights expect to sit among locals who have made us a neighborhood favorite!

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily.

Established in 2012.
We started in December of 2008 in a little spot in Costa Mesa.. We are locally owned and operated and have become a local's favorite! Located in the heart on Newport Shores!

Top review
Tricia
Dined on Sep 30, 2024
The 4 of us enjoyed our breakfasts very much, great food, and service was excellent. Thank you!
A photo of Olea Newport Beach restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2128)
$30 and under
American
Newport Beach
About the restaurant
Welcome to Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook located in Newport Beach. OLEA, named for a genus of trees that flourish in warm and tropical regions throughout the Mediterranean region.
Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality that 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. We use the best possible ingredients and techniques to ensure that every drink served is an experience. Only fresh fruit and hand-squeezed citrus juices are used every day. We use premium spirits and pour all of our sodas and mixers from bottles. At Olea we take great pride in the Art of the Cocktail. Cheers!

Top review
Debbivip
Dined 7 days ago
Excellent meal and service - loved meeting the owner
A photo of Vine Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4.9
4.9 (3032)
$30 and under
American
San Clemente
About the restaurant
Welcome to Vine Restaurant and Bar located in San Clemente. 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.
Top review
Sharon
Dined 3 days ago
Love coming here driving from LA to San Diego- Best burger in SoCal
A photo of Wine Gallery restaurant
4.9
4.9 (599)
$30 and under
American
Laguna Beach
About the restaurant
The Laguna Beach Wine Gallery is known for an impressive selection of wine, craft beers and wood fired kitchen. Menu options center around our wood fired pizzas, salads, fresh seafood, steaks, small plates and more. We focus on seasonal, sustainable, fresh ingredients with weekly specials based on what's fresh.

With a casual yet cozy ambiance, Wine Gallery will make you feel right at home with our inviting and friendly restaurant staff. Craft Cocktails coming soon.


Top review
Alonavip
Dined 1 day ago
This was our second time at Wine Gallery (the first was two years ago). We came to have a special Friday dinner in celebration of a personal accomplishment, and we're so glad we came back. The food was just as incredible as we remembered - I can't believe there's a place that has mastered both making amazing oven-baked pizza and serving the best (and freshest) seafood I've ever tasted. The wine selection was impressive, but we prefer European style wines and therefore brought our own wine. The ambiance was great and the service was impeccable. We will definitely be back.
A photo of Coastal Kitchen restaurant
4.8
4.8 (4870)
$30 and under
American
Dana Point / Monarch Beach
About the restaurant
Christina and Mike Grant, the owners of Coastal Kitchen, have created an experience that will delight and satisfy the most discerning guest. Fueled by their passion for food and a love of hospitality, the Grants have established Coastal Kitchen as the go-to spot in Dana Point. The menu is clean and fresh consisting of fish and steaks cut in house, great salads, freshly ground burgers and more. Coastal Kitchen has a full bar, patio with fire pits, and fresh coastal design.

Our mission is to deliver a quality dining experience in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with a consistency that will bring guests back again and again. We look forward to serving you.

Top review
Darrellvip
Dined 3 days ago
Coastal Kitchen is fantastic. Sophie our waitress was wonderful! It was busy so it took about 10 minutes to get my cocktail but after that, all went smoothly. In fact, Sophie arranged for us to move to a larger table that opened up. Her recommendations on the crab cakes was spot on! I tried a few bites of the Hawaiian ribeye as well and it’s amazing. They have a great variety of appetizers and entrees. This is the second time I’ve eaten there and I’m impressed again.
A photo of 608 Dahlia restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2023)
$31 to $50
American
Corona del Mar
About the restaurant
Executive Chef Jessica Roy brings her fresh interpretation and style to Garden and Farm-to-Table cuisine right inside the botanical oasis that is Sherman Library and Gardens. Daily pickings from the Gardens and local farms populate the ever changing seasonal menu that highlights the best and most flavorful ingredients of the season. Look for ingredients at their peak, stunning edible blooms and herbs right from the Sherman grounds, and cuisine that is nothing short of inspired and delicious. .

Please note: we are located within the Sherman Library and Gardens, to which there is a $5.00 per person admission fee. Each admission supports the Sherman Gardens (a non-profit organization), who maintain the sweeping panoramic views that our diners get to enjoy! Come for the food and stay for the views (and insta-worthy pics).

Top review
Joanie
Dined 2 days ago
This was our third year dining celebrating our Golf girls Christmas ! It was fabulous and the biscuits heavenly!!
A photo of The Alley Restaurant restaurant
4.8
4.8 (303)
$30 and under
American
Newport Beach
About the restaurant
Serving fine pub cuisine for over 25 years The Alley Restaurant & Bar in Newport Beach is where locals love dining and lounging. Lovingly dubbed by our Alleycats as the "Best Pour by the Shore" for that last drink, The Alley has a late night reputation that is one of legend. See Less
Top review
Renevip
Dined 5 days ago
Monday night rib special is the best. So yummy! Reservations are a must.
A photo of Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Clemente restaurant
4.8
4.8 (120)
$30 and under
American
San Clemente
About the restaurant
Located in the heart of San Clemente, the Rancho Capistrano Winery location exudes a captivating charm that seamlessly blends with the coastal beauty of the surroundings. The architecture, adorned with rustic elegance, creates an inviting atmosphere for wine enthusiasts and visitors alike. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the San Clemente location at Rancho Capistrano Winery invites guests to savor fine wines, enjoy exquisite cuisine, while immersed in the coastal beauty of Southern California.
Top review
Brian
Dined 7 days ago
All the food servers at the San Clemente location are great, but this time we had Zach X2! The 2 of them worked like the perfect team and our entire family enjoyed the food as well as the experience. The best "Home Town" Winery!
A photo of Nick's Laguna Beach restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3165)
$31 to $50
American
Laguna Beach
About the restaurant
Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review
Randyvip
Dined 2 days ago
Perfect as always!! Awesome food and service! Great attention to details.
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