Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Eat Chow - Newport Beach

5.0

5 (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!

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O Fine Japanese Cuisine - Laguna Beach

4.9

4.9 (324)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to O Fine Japanese Cuisine, the restaurant serves contemporary Japanese cuisine and traditional sushi in an elegant and comfortable setting. Explore beyond the sushi and sashimi such wonderful dishes as Chillean Sea Bass Misoyaki, Boneless Short Rib or Baked Lobster Tail. A must try is our signature Sashimi Sampler which has Halibut with truffle oil, Salmon with garlic ponzu, Albacore with crispy garlic, Peach Scallp, Tuna with sesame dressing and crispy onion, and Yellowtail with jalapeno. There is something for everyone from our one item entree to a variety of sushi, sashimi and fusion cuisines. We are conveniently located inside the Albertson shopping center with plenty of parking spaces for local residents or visitors. Please join us for the wonderful, exciting, O experience. We look forward to serving you soon!

Top review

Patty

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

We had a lovely dinner with our friends. Enjoyed the food, the company and the service. We will be back again!

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Popular dish

Sushi C

Wine Gallery

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 7 days 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.

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Experience

A Very Happy Hour

Eat Chow - Costa Mesa

4.9

4.9 (24)

$30 and under

American

Costa Mesa

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 2008.
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! We have a second location in Newport Beach (2012) off a PCH in the Newport Shores neighborhood.

Top review

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Charming little spot right off Newport Blvd. It gives Gastro pub food vibes and delivers on interesting and tasty food. The onion rings are a star app to share🤩 The menu is eclectic and the service is friendly and memorable. Eat at Eat Chow!

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Pronto Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (49)

$30 and under

Italian

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Indulge in our authentic Italian cuisine and experience the taste of Italy right here in San Clemente, CA on the famous Avenida Del Mar. Our family, originally from Sicily, has been proudly owning and operating Pronto Cucina Italiana since April 2021, bringing you the finest dishes made with imported Italian ingredients and locally sourced produce. Specializing in pasta and pizza, from different regions in Italy. Menu and wine list curated by Ole award-winning Chef Adriano Piazza.

Top review

Stephany

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Amazing food 🫶🏻 truly my one of my favorite pasta places and the energy in the restaurant is divine ✨

Zov's Irvine

4.8

4.8 (637)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Irvine

About the restaurant

Zov’s Irvine is Orchard Hills premiere upscale, family-focused dining establishment. Open to serve breakfast, lunch, brunch & dinner, Zov's Irvine is your neighborhood kitchen & bar. As the second expansion of renowned Zov's Bistro & Bakery in Tustin, Zov's Irvine carries on the tradition of serving Eastern Mediterranean inspired cuisine and craft cocktails in an upscale, yet casual cafe atmosphere--complete with al fresco patio dining. Guests with families are welcome to order a craft cocktails and award winning tarts for dessert! Zov's specialties include items unique to Irvine, including Tahini Taco's, Signature Salads, Two Way Kebobs, and the comforting family favorite Rotisserie Chicken. Don't forget Zov's wine list, where you will find award winning favorites that will have you coming back for romantic dinners for two or a night out with the family. Gourmet Take Out & Catering is available

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Office Christmas Lunch: Service was wonderful, very attentive and mor than met our expectations. The food was beautifully prepared and served right off the stove. Desert was delicious and the best way to end a simply delightful meal. I highly recommend giving Zov's a try, you will not be disappointed!

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Filomena's Italian Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (104)

$30 and under

Italian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Filomena's Italian Kitchen serves old-world cuisine in a cozy setting in Costa Mesa. The restaurant is a labor of love for owner and chef Linda Johnsen, who has translated her Italian heritage and family recipes into a flavorful comfort food menu. From her grandmother's Sunday sauce gracing the chicken, veal and eggplant parmesan to the classic sauce in the pappardelle bolognese, traditional ingredients stand out at Filomena's Italian Kitchen. Johnsen has put her own stamp on the menu with creations like champagne chicken and agro dolce calamari (shrimp and calamari tossed in a sweet tangy glaze with pine nuts, raisins and sweet peppers).In addition to traditional first-course options like caprese angel hair pasta, entree and seafood specialties, Filomena's also serves a selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas and calzones. End your meal at Filomena's Italian Kitchen on a sweet note with tiramisu, cannoli or flourless chocolate cake.

Top review

CVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Filomena’s is a great hole in the wall find. Tasty classic Italian fare with lots of charm.

SandBar Huntington Beach

4.8

4.8 (111)

$30 and under

Mexican

Huntington Beach

About the restaurant

Sandbar Cocina y Tequila offers a variety of revamped Mexican food classics, vibrant cocktails, and an extensive range of international tequilas and mezcals.

Our food menu celebrates Mexico’s diverse ingredients through contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, as well as some nostalgic recipes.

The bar program features handcrafted margaritas and creative cocktails, an extensive tequila & mezcal list, including a selection of rare and classic international tequilas and many Mexican, craft and domestic beer selections.

Sandbar’s design incorporates custom materials, lighting, furniture and décor which will transport you to the beautiful coasts of Mexico. With our prime locations just blocks from the Pacific, Sandbar’s Mexican coastal design blends with laid SoCal beach vibes and modern Mexican cool.

Top review

Mike

Dined 6 days ago

The food was amazing. Rib eye enchiladas were so good! The rib eye melts in your mouth and it's full of flavor with that chimichurri. It was my wife's first time and she loved it! I definitely will be back for more date nights.

O Fine Japanese Cuisine - Irvine

4.7

4.7 (467)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Irvine

About the restaurant

Welcome to O Fine Japanese Cuisine, the restaurant serves contemporary Japanese cuisine and traditional sushi in an elegant and comfortable setting. Explore beyond the sushi and sashimi such wonderful dishes as Chillean Sea Bass Misoyaki, Garlic Beef or Lobster Tail Dynamite with Snow Crab. There is something for everyone from our one item entree to a variety of sushi, sashimi and fusion cuisines. We are conveniently located inside the Albertson shopping center with plenty of parking spaces for local residents or visitors. Please join us for the wonderful, exciting, O experience. We look forward to serving you soon!

Top review

Brian

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

The sampler sashimi was outstanding. The sushi rolls were also very good.

Momoyama

4.7

4.7 (14)

$50 and over

Sushi

Huntington Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to Momoyama, a Michelin rated esteemed omakase restaurant nestled in the heart of Fountain Valley, California. Renowned for its exceptional culinary artistry and dedication to authentic Japanese cuisine. Our restaurant offers an intimate and refined dining experience that showcases the finest ingredients and the meticulous craft of our Executive Chef, who brings over 20 years of industry expertise to every dish.

At Momoyama, we believe in the art of omakase, a traditional Japanese dining style where guests entrust the chef to create a bespoke meal that reflects the freshest seasonal ingredients and the chef's creative vision. Our omakase offerings are available for both lunch with options for a la carte and dinner, providing a unique culinary journey that is tailored to delight your senses.

Top review

PalakVIP

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

Overall great experience! A huge thanks to the chef and the staff!!

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