Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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!

Descanso - Plancha Dining

4.9

4.9 (594)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

THIS PAGE IS FOR PLANCHA TABLES ONLY (Where Our Chefs Cook at Your Table). For reservations in our standard Dining Room/Patio, please search for DESCANSO STANDARD DINING on the Open Table Website or call at 714.486.3798

PLANCHA Dining is available for Dinner Monday through Sunday and Saturday & Sunday Brunch.

Descanso is a modern taqueria in that it celebrates authentic Mexican flavors executed on a traditional plancha grill and prepared in front of you at your table.

Seating Types:

PLANCHA
Make a reservation at the Plancha Table for an intimate experience with your Taquero Chef. This is a multi-course meal option where each item is cooked in front of you!

STANDARD DINING
Make a reservation for our Standard dining room or patio on the Descanso Standard Dining Open Table Page.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

New menu since last time in ate ate at the plancha table was awesome. New sauces, presentation, taste, excellent!

Bluefin Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1208)

$50 and over

Japanese

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Classic and creative sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes, many showing international influences, in a stylish contemporary setting, from Nobu Matsuhisa alumnus Takashi Abe.

Top review

Kimberly

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Always a great meal. High quality ingredients and skilled sushi chefs.

Discover more

Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

4.8

4.8 (1730)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

We are an independent neighborhood restaurant in the heart of Downtown Laguna Beach, between Main Beach & the Historic Festival of Arts, owned by Laguna Beach native, Executive Chef Lindsay Smith. Inspired by Wine Country and California Coastal cuisine, our focus is on serving guests the way Chef Lindsay would feed her own family, in a warm, inviting atmosphere. We source the freshest ingredients, including free-range, organic poultry, sustainable seafood, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, and seasonal, local produce. We strive to minimize our environmental impact and support the local community. Chef Lindsay, named one of the Top 10 chefs in Orange County and Top 5 in Laguna Beach, is dedicated to quality food, friendly service, and a memorable dining experience.

LUNCH: Casual table service, Counter service for Grab & Go (reservations not required)
DINNER: Table service (reservations recommended)

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The food was wonderful! We love this restaurant.

Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach

4.8

4.8 (1074)

$30 and under

Italian

Huntington Beach

About the restaurant

Benvenuti da Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach, Ristorante Italiano. Feast your eyes upon our exquisite homemade creations and treat yourself to a truly authentic and delectable Italian entrees. From our famous "salsa verde" to our homemade lasagnas, fresh fish, and famous tiramisu, we will transport you to the heart of Italian hospitality and ensure you an experience only possible a Cucina Alessa!

Top review

MayaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible birthday dinner with delicious food, outstanding service and a lively atmosphere. We caught up with a friend and the restaurant let us stay while they closed the place down which was so thoughtful of them. We tried the butternut squash ravioli which was amazing and two of the seafood pastas which were truly outstanding. Make sure you stop by if you are in the mood for a great night of delicious Italian food!

SandBar Huntington Beach

4.8

4.8 (112)

$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

Yolanda

Dined 1 day ago

Great service, ambience, menu, Watched Rams game and the sound was timed to have music during commercials and back to broadcast for the game!

Tempo Cantina - Anaheim Hills

4.7

4.7 (716)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Anaheim Hills

About the restaurant

*WALK-INS ALWAYS WELCOME*

Tempo Cantina brings Latin flavor to Orange County and Los Angeles from creative founder and owner MR.TEMPO.
Come for the atmosphere, but stay for the food. You will find all of your favorite Latin dishes infused with Asian flavors. Join us Happy Hour everyday, Weekend Brunch or Taco Tuesday for a dining experience like you’ve never experienced before!

Top review

jamie

Dined on Oct 27, 2024

Had lots of fun! Great unique food experience every time we visit!

Casablanca The Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (170)

$31 to $50

Moroccan

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

A Superb Algerian-Moroccan and West Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine. A Culinary Adventure at
"Casablanca The Restaurant & Bistro" in the Casbah inspired atmosphere.. A legacy of more than 30 years of Moroccan cuisine in Orange County.
Our staff is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Dutch

Top review

SeanVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

It's a rare treat to discover a dining experience in Newport that truly stands out, but this spot exceeds all expectations. The combination of exceptional food, impeccable service, vibrant entertainment, and an inviting ambiance makes every visit a genuine delight--one you'll want to relive time and time again. The Honey Lamb? An absolute masterpiece--10/10!

Hana Re Sushi

4.7

4.7 (16)

$50 and over

Japanese

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Hana re only offers chef omakase course $250 per person.
10 courses from appetizers to dessert . Hana re offers same courses at chef’s counter(bar seating )and table seating. Please check website to see more details .

Top review

Auston

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Very lightweight, simple, in a very simple area and food is all prepared well

Discover more

Experience

Omakase Menu

The Plot - Costa Mesa

4.7

4.7 (87)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

The Plot team is led by Jessica and Davin Waite, who have been at the forefront of San Diego's culinary scene for over a decade. The duo has earned a loyal following for their inventive and sustainable approach to seafood and plant-based dishes, gaining the attention of critics and culinary innovators far and wide as well as accolades including being named San Diego Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant of the Year” in 2020, VegNews’ “San Diego’s Best Vegan Restaurants” in 2022, and Tasting Table’s “20 Best Restaurants in San Diego” in 2023.

The Plot in Costa Mesa is located in The Camp, a sustainably focused center that highlights unique local businesses. Parking can be a bit tough at The Camp, depending on the time of your visit. In addition to parking in the main lot, Randolph Ave. is another option. Customers can walk through Camp Out into The Camp. Also, Valet service is available in the main lot. The price is $8. Valet is available Thursday through Sunday.

Top review

Shailesh

Dined 4 days ago

Food was excellent. The server was extra ordinarily attentive.

Il Farro Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (246)

$30 and under

Italian

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Authentic Italian dishes focused on taste and quality, accompanied by the freshest signature cocktails and wine. Enjoy a romantic walk on the beach, watching the sunset, followed by a delicious casual meal at Il Farro, named for the hearty and delicious whole grain, farro. We import ours directly from Italy, where it is farmed organically, low carb, low gluten, high in fiber and, best of all, tastes AMAZING!
We also feature fabulous seafood dishes , like linguine del Pescatore , fresh halibut, salmon, mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari and more. Other dishes include steak, veal chicken, Finish your meal with one of our homemade desserts from tiramisu and gelato.
Established in 1993 Il Farro Restaurant sits in the heart of the Newport Beach Peninsula, right by the Newport Pier. Its cozy Italian atmosphere and its family-oriented service give our customers one of the best Italian experiences in all Orange County.

Top review

Sherrie

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

The food was delicious. Our servers were conscientious. We had a large table although there were just two of us. I had the short rib ravioli in vodka sauce and it really was great. It is a small, family owned restaurant that has continued to be wonderful over the years.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Orange County

Explore more Diners' Choice lists