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Best Places to Eat in Orange County by Modern Honey. Blue Bowl acai bowl in Orange California.

Best places to eat in orange county california

I have lived in Arizona most of my life. Since most Arizonians make a mass exodus to the beach in the summer, I consider California my second home. We usually visit at least 2-3 times a year but I have already hit that mark and it’s only June! It’s definitely my happy place.

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. A gorgeous California beach sunset. www.modernhoney.com

You know I do a ridiculous amount of research on food. Is that normal? Don’t answer that. 🙂 Life is too short to waste your calories on mediocre food! It’s my quest to find the BEST food wherever I visit. This usually entails a lot of research online, reaching out to friends, and asking the locals.

After so many years of visiting the beaches of Orange County and eating my fair share of food, I have compiled the a list of the Best Places to Eat in Orange County California.

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com

This list includes the best places to eat in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, Irvine, Corona del Mar, and many more! I would LOVE to hear your favorites.

If you want to discover more about the California Pacific Coast Highway, check out this post HERE.

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Lemonade restaurant in California

The Best Places to Eat in Orange County California

Burgers in Orange County:

  • Hopdoddy Burger Bar — Newport Beach, Tustin (excellent burgers, milkshakes, and green chili queso and fries)
  • TK Burgers — Newport, Costa Mesa
  • Slaters 50/50 Burgers — Huntington
  • GD Bro Burger — Santa Ana (used to be a food truck. Innovative burgers and shakes)
  • GrinderZ — Huntington
  • Bunz Burgers — Huntington
  • Stacked — Huntington
  • Beach Barrell — Newport
  • Rockfire Grill — Santa Ana, Mission Viejo (brick wood fire made bread)
  • Burger Boss — Mission Viego (custom make your perfect burger)

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Bruxie Huntington Beach

 

Sandwiches + Pizza + Italian in Orange County:

  • Lemonade — Huntington, Newport, Irvine (fresh salads, sandwiches, protein served cafeteria style. Try the lemonade, tiajuana sandwich, and pineapple coconut green beans)
  • Bruxie — Huntington, Irvine (fried chicken in a waffle sandwich. Need I say more?)
  • Mama’s D’s Italian — Newport (popular stop for authentic Italian)
  • Beach Barrell — Newport (sandwiches, burgers, pizza)
  • Mendocino Farms — Costa Mesa (straight from the farm, fresh salads and sandwiches)
  • Sessions West Coast Deli — Newport Beach (fresh ingredients, yummy sandwiches and salads)
  • MOD Pizza — Huntington, Irvine, Laguna Hills (custom made-to-order pizzas, berry lemonades)
  • Ramos House — San Juan Capistrano (serves breakfast and lunch in charming setting)
  • Beachcomber — Crystal Cove (beautiful setting right on the beach)

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Taco Mesa in California

Mexican Food in Orange County:

  • Taco Mesa — Newport Beach (order-at-counter, salsa bar, authentic mexican)
  • Adolfo’s Mexican — Laguna Beach (try the machaca beef enchiladas with fried egg and tacos)
  • Red O — Newport
  • Javier’s — Crystal Cove (gorgeous setting on the water, pricey Mexican food)
  • Carmelita’s Mexican — Laguna Beach
  • Slapfish Tacos — Newport, Huntington, Laguna (known for their fish tacos)

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Milk and Honey in California

Healthy Food in Orange County:

  • Blue Bowl — Orange (custom acai bowls. Try the layered acai, pitaya, and chia bowl)
  • Lemonade — Huntington, Irvine (fresh salads, sandwiches, protein served cafeteria style. Try the lemonade, tiajuana sandwich, and pineapple coconut green beans)
  • Milk & Honey — Costa Mesa, Huntington (known for their M & H special — shaved ice, frozen yogurt, fresh fruit)
  • Active Culture — Laguna Beach, San Clemente (rice bowls, acai bowls, healthy foods)
  • Whole Foods — Newport Beach, Tustin (salad bar, fresh lunch ideas, smoothie + juice bar, healthy snacks)
  • Farmer’s Markets — check the local city to find ones in your area

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Slapfish fish tacos in California

Seafood in Orange County:

  • Bear Flag Fish Co. — Huntington, Newport (known for their fresh poke)
  • Slapfish — Newport, Huntington, Laguna (fish tacos – visit during happy hour for great deals on tacos)
  • North Shore Poke Co. — Huntington, Costa Mesa (fresh poke)

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com. Sidecar Doughnuts in California.

Blackmarket Bakery in Costa Mesa California. Egg Biscuit Sandwich by Blackmarket Bakery. Best Places to Eat in Orange County California. www.modernhoney.com

 

Breakfast (see doughnuts and bakeries below as well) in Orange County:

  • Stack’s Pancake House — Huntington, Dana Point, Irvine, MJ (unique pancake flavor combos)
  • Sugar Shack — Huntington Beach (try their pancakes!)
  • Beachcomber — Crystal Cove (right on the beach)
  • Cafe Anastasia — Laguna Beach (fancier breakfast place with attention to detail)
  • Blackmarket Bakery — Costa Mesa (try their egg sandwiches)

Blackmarket Bakery in Costa Mesa California. Caramel Pecan Roll by Blackmarket Bakery. Best Places to Eat in Orange County.

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com. Highest rated places to eat in Orange County California. Best ice cream in the OC,

 

Ice Cream in Orange County:

  • Cauldron Ice Cream — Santa Ana
  • South Swell Hand Dipped Ice Cream — San Clemente
  • Scoops n Scoops — Irvine
  • Rollin Creamery — Huntington Beach/FV
  • Gelato Paradise — Newport Beach & Laguna Beach
  • The Straw: Modern Milkshakes — Costa Mesa
  • Afters Ice Cream — Costa Mesa, Irvine, FV

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Sidecar doughnuts on the beach.

Bakeries + Doughnuts in Orange County:

  • Sidecar Doughnuts — Newport Beach
  • The Donuttery — Huntington Beach
  • Seaside Bakery — Newport Beach
  • Susie Cakes — Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel
  • California Cookie Dough — Huntington Beach/FV
  • Paris Baguette — Aliso Viejo
  • Savour Bakery — Mission Viejo
  • Paderia Bakehouse — Huntington Beach/FV
  • Sprinkles Cupcakes — Corona del Mar
  • Blackmarket Bakery — Costa Mesa

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com Sprinkles Cupcakes in Corona del Mar

I hope you love this list of the best places to eat in Orange County. Share some of your favorites in the comments below or on my Modern Honey Instagram @modern_honey.  Have a fabulous vacation! xo

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com. Sidecar doughnuts in California.

Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com. Blue Bowl in Orange California.

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Best Places to Eat in Orange County. The most popular restaurants, food, and dessert in California. www.modernhoney.com. Highest rated places to eat in Orange County California.


Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler!

I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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