30 Best Restaurants in Orange County and Catalina Island, California

Expect long lines in summer at this indoor--outdoor dining spot serving up the freshest local fish (swordfish, sea bass, halibut, and tuna) and a wide range of creative seafood dishes (the Hawaiian-style poke salad with ahi tuna is a local favorite). Order at the counter, which doubles as a seafood market, and sit inside or outside on a grand patio. This is one of the few restaurants in Southern California with its own fishing boat, so there's a good chance some line-caught local fish will be on the menu. Oysters are a great choice, and the fish tacos topped with the homemade hot sauce are not to be missed. This restaurant is so popular that it opened two other locations at Crystal Cove and Huntington Beach.

Set on an expansive deck overlooking the water and a few boats, Descanso Beach Club serves a wide range of favorites: grilled burgers, street tacos, clam chowder, salads, and layered nachos, along with the island's sweet signature cocktail, Buffalo Milk---a mix of fruit liqueurs, vodka, and whipped cream. Firepits and chic beach cabanas add to the scene, as does the sound of happy and terrified screams from the zipliners in the canyon above the beach. There is a shop to purchase beach items, and a stand to rent kayaks and snorkel equipment.

Grab a stool at this little snack bar on the Green Pleasure Pier for people-watching while drinking a draft beer and munching on a burrito, fish-and-chips, or signature buffalo burger.

Located in what used to be the Victor Hugo Inn, Las Brisas is now a Laguna Beach landmark restaurant. Sit on the expansive patio to take in the spectacular coastline views while enjoying signature margaritas and coastal Mexican cuisine with a California twist. Look for the lobster Benedict for breakfast and brunch and the whole grilled fish served with black beans, rice, salsa, and freshly made corn tortillas for dinner.

Cordelia Knott's fried chicken and boysenberry pies drew crowds so big in the 1930s, that Knott's Berry Farm built a park to keep the hungry customers occupied while they waited. The Western-theme restaurant serves crispy home-style fried chicken, along with handmade biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, and Mrs. Knott's signature chilled cherry-rhubarb compote. The adjacent Marketplace has a grab-and-go counter to order and take home Knott's fried-chicken dinners.

Seafood rules at the popular Lobster Trap, because the restaurant's owner has his own boat and fishes for the catch of the day and, in season, spiny lobster. Ceviche is a great starter, always fresh and brightly flavored. Locals (you'll see many at the small counter) come for the relaxed atmosphere, large portions, and happy hour specials (not offered during the summer season) for select $4 pints and other specials. Try the grilled swordfish with mixed veggies and a baked potato. They can prepare it seven different ways including crisp macadamia nut breading. Open daily from 11 am for lunch through late evening. 

On the site of an old sportfishing dock, this popular spot offers a variety of seasonal seafood, shellfish, meat, and poultry. There’s a tranquil bay view from either the dining room, which is adorned with early-1900s fishing photos, or the waterfront patio. Favorites include miso-glazed black cod, local rockfish snapper, and all different types of shellfish including oven-baked lobster tail. There's an emphasis on freshness—the menu changes daily—and wines and craft brews are reasonably priced.

Overlooking the entire harbor, this open-to-the-sea-air patio is the preferred spot to dine on freshly caught fish, savory chowders, and all manner of shellfish. Order a swordfish steak, the lobster roll, or the sand dabs if they are on the menu. Save room for homemade Key lime pie or java mud pie. The dining room has an understated nautical vibe. Fishing rods serve as room dividers, and plank floors lend a casual feel inside and out. Vintage black-and-white photos acknowledge the island's famed sportfishing legacy. Happy hour offers craft beers, potent cocktails, and tasty bites like fried calamari and oyster shooters.

Serving up authentic Mexican cuisine, the family-owned Cañadas Grill is where the locals go. Don't expect fancy decor or tableside service; this humble mom-and-pop shop is tucked into a tiny urban strip mall in an untouristed area, and shows fútbol matches on the corner TV. The menu is huge, filled with everything from the regular suspects to more localized specialties. Whether you want to start the day with a breakfast entree like chilaquiles (fried tortilla pieces covered with eggs and carne asada) or end it with a molcajete (a stone mortar filled with a meat-and-vegetable stew), Cañadas has you covered. The superstar dish is carne en su jugo (beef in its own juice). Wash down your meal with beverages like hibiscus aguas frescas, fresh juice, a michelada, or Mexican bottled sodas.

There is no Starbucks on the island, so the Catalina Coffee & Cookie Company is very popular in the morning. While you're grabbing your coffees, lattes, and mochas, you may want to kick-start the day with fresh-baked pastries, a hot breakfast burrito, or one of their custom made-to-order bagel sandwiches. Sit outside at one of the tables in the quaint Metropole Market Place.

Just across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano, this restaurant has a patio that's perfect for a late lunch or a romantic dinner. The menu is fairly straightforward, with dishes that are tasty and portions that are substantial—try the "Brown Derby" Cobb salad or Cedar Creek burger at lunch, or the prime rib for dinner. There are gluten-free and vegetarian options, plus a variety of beers, specialty cocktails, and wines. 

Freshly caught seafood reigns supreme at this homage to surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku; it's also a prime people-watching spot right at the beginning of Huntington Beach Pier. Choose from several fish-of-the-day selections—many topped with Hawaiian ingredients—and shellfish like lobster, king crab, and shrimp. Or try the crispy coconut shrimp or fresh ahi tuna fish tacos. Duke's mai tai is not to be missed. And save room for a slice of the Kimo Original Hula Pie, with chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted macadamia nuts, and whipped cream. Open for lunch, brunch, and dinner. Every Monday they offer a Burger and Beverage special for $19 from 4 to 9 pm. Taco Tuesday special in the Barefoot Bar is two tacos with fresh chips and salsa for $13.

Established in 1999, this trendy restaurant has an open kitchen, comfortable booths, and outdoor seating. The patio is a fantastic place to hang out to enjoy a shrimp cocktail and glass of wine. They make heavenly biscuits, shucked oysters, grilled California artichokes, pan-seared ahi tuna burger, New Orleans barbecue shrimp, and a cedar plank-roasted salmon. It gets noisy near the bar area, so come early or retreat onto the patio if you prefer a quieter spot.

Locals have romanced at cozy tables for decades at this delightful restaurant directly across from the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Such classic dishes as beef bourguignon and a New York strip in a black-peppercorn-and-brandy sauce are the hallmarks of this French and Belgian restaurant, whose name means "the little swallow." The extensive wine list is matched by an impressive selection of Belgian beers. You can dine in the cozy dining room or on the lovely patio, which is perfect for Sunday brunch. Save room for the Belgian chocolate torte.

Nomad Asian Bistro draws an army of dedicated locals to feast on Chinese halal dishes featuring hand-pulled noodles (at a nominal extra fee, but worth it in every way). Nomad offers a wide range of conventional and inventive options, with abundant vegetarian and gluten-free choices in addition to classics like short ribs and shrimp. Be warned: if you order the sesame flatbread and aren't paying close attention, you'll inhale it all and ruin your appetite. Wash down your meal with a glass of their housemade, fresh-pressed ginger beer. The restaurant's ample size makes it a great option for large parties, and free parking is abundant—a rarity in Long Beach. Patio dining is available.

If Long Beach's 2nd Street is a treasure chest of casual communal experiences, Saint & Second is one of its gems. This on-trend modern American restaurant is the latest in a long line of successful concepts run on the same site by the same family for well over half a century. It draws diners in with its sky-high burgers, popular bone marrow, and crisp flatbreads, then keeps them in the industrial-style space with inventive cocktails and a whiskey menu longer than Long Beach. "Social hour" deals don't disappoint. You might even find artwork by a local that you can't resist taking home. Like much of 2nd Street, Saint & Second is dog-friendly, so be prepared to make friends with lots of very good boys (and girls).

This Laguna Beach establishment set in a historic Craftsman-style building is part gourmet pantry (a must-stop for your every picnic need) and part global dining adventure. Enjoy comfort cuisine from around the world paired with an eclectic wine and beer list. Brunch is best enjoyed outdoors on the sunny patio under colorful umbrellas. An iconic statue of Eiler Larsen aka "The Greeter" of Laguna Beach is a prominent feature on the corner of the property.

This Southern California landmark sitting on a bluff off the PCH is the perfect spot to get a quick breakfast burrito or pancake combo. During lunch and dinner they make tasty Cove burgers served with a side of French fries or coleslaw, fish-and-chips, and a seared ahi sandwich. The menu also includes a vegan Impossible burger, banana date shakes, and root beer floats.

This may look like a fast-food taco stand with salads, quesadillas, and nachos on the menu, but the quality of the food here equals that in many higher-price restaurants. Some Mexican standards get a seafood twist, like swordfish, calamari, and shrimp tacos. Other favorites include blackened mushroom-and-tofu tacos, salads, and bowls. They also offer a vegan menu with veggie tacos, hemp blackened burgers, and bowls. It stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. All seating is outside, making this a great people-watching spot.

Craving a modern fusion of Californian and Asian cuisines? Tantalizing Tantalum has been one of Long Beach's favorite bay-side gathering places for a generation. Appropriately named for a type of metal that is resistant to corrosion, this restaurant is set on the water in the Marina Pacifica, where the views are exceptional. The verdant interiors evoke Bali with their warm woods and commanding views, or you can sit outside when the weather is fine (and it nearly always is). Enjoy a cocktail at the endless bar or explore the large menu, including local favorites like the yakiniku calamari. Live music is on offer nearly every night, along with daily happy hour specials. If you're feeling nautically inclined, you can even dock your boat rental in front of the restaurant.

Long Beach's famous Craftsman bungalows were built en masse during an oil boom a century ago, and while many have been torn down to make way for McMansions and apartment blocks, one now plays home to the Attic, which serves up some of the best Southern-style cuisine in the region. The comfort food on the all-day menu delights, from the Flaming Hot Cheetos mac and cheese (don't overthink it; just try it) to the Three Little Pigs sandwich. Daily happy-hour specials serve as an "intermission" between lunch and dinner offerings. Score a coveted indoor table in the home's former rooms, or enjoy the low-key outside patio. In the mood for adventure? Try to score a reservation for the communal weekend Attic Supper Club, nestled in a gorgeous private dining room. Like much of Long Beach, the Attic is dog-friendly.

Beach culture flourishes in this Crystal Cove Historic District restaurant, thanks to its umbrella-laden deck just a few steps above the white sand. This is where you can sip a really good mai tai at the Bootlegger Bar, while waiting for your chance to sample ahi tacos, Maine lobster pasta, or blue crab–stuffed salmon. They offer beach chair rentals and you can reserve your own firepit for s'mores.

This 1920s cannery building still teems with fish, but now they go into dishes on the eclectic seafood menu rather than being packed into crates. Many diners arrive by boat, as there's a convenient dock at the front entrance. If you are feeling some boat envy, you can reserve the restaurant's Duffy boat for a two-hour lunch, brunch, or sunset cocktail cruise before dinner for $150 an hour with a two-hour minimum. They offer a special boat rental menu with lobster sliders, cheese plate, and sushi platter. The upstairs Jellyfish Lounge offers one of the best happy hours in Newport Beach with discounted sushi and cocktail specials daily from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Walk through the quaint Laguna Beach artist village to get to the Cliff and its 180-degree views of Main Beach and the Pacific coastline. The multilevel dining patios serve hearty breakfasts and coastal seafood favorites for lunch and dinner. Firepits, outdoor heaters, and blankets keep diners warm when the marine air grows chilly in the evening. This is also a popular happy hour spot where people stay to enjoy the sunset and then remain for dinner.

It may be worth hopping the Amtrak to San Juan Capistrano just for the chance to have breakfast or lunch at one of Orange County's most beloved restaurants, located in a historic board-and-batten home dating back to 1881. This café sits practically on the railroad tracks across from the depot—nab a table on the patio and dig into a hearty breakfast featuring seasonal items, such as the smoked bacon scramble with wilted rocket and apple fried potatoes. During the week there is an a la carte breakfast and lunch menu. On weekends, there is a set two-course menu for $45 per person. 

Another popular sunset view venue in South Laguna, The Rooftop Lounge at the top of Casa del Camino top floor is a hot seat for sunset cocktails, so plan ahead. Snag a table to enjoy a variety of different flavor mojitos or a pomegranate martini along with a cheese board, spicy fish-and-chips, or a veggie sandwich.

Since 1975, this old-school, artsy eatery in Laguna provides healthy, organic vegan salads, bowls, burritos, tamales, veggie burgers, pita pocket sandwiches, fresh fruit soft serve, and smoothies.

A local favorite in the morning and throughout the day for organic heirloom coffee and hand-blended fine organic teas, Urth also serves health-conscious food as well as pastries outside on the charming garden patio looking out at the Laguna Art Museum across the street. For lunch and dinner, they offer a variety of salads, soups, bowls, pizzas, and signature sandwiches. Heartier fare includes a Mediterranean platter, Urth tamales, lasagna, and an Asian-style nori plum rice wrap. There is a children's menu, too.

Proximity to the ocean makes this eatery's seafood-filled tacos and burritos taste even better. The healthy fast-food chain—tagged with dozens of surf stickers—brought Baja's fish tacos north of the border to quick success. The Wahoo protein bowls combine grilled chicken, fish, or tofu with rice and beans while the Hawaiian onion ring burrito is filled with teriyaki steak and Maui onion rings. Vegetarians will want to order a Wahoo salad with a scoop of guacamole and loads of veggies.

It's always brunch time at his small Laguna Beach institution where—from 7 am to 4 pm—you will find reasonably priced breakfast-to-lunch (okay, brunch) items that include everything from signature quiches, poached eggs, and homemade granolas, to healthy salads, homemade soups, quesadillas, and pizza. All the sweets are homemade, including the megasize brownies. There are some gluten-free and vegetarian items, too, including a Zinc Rubenesque on rye bread made with beets. A large beverage menu includes lattes, lemonade, beer, mimosas, and red and white wines by the glass.