New American Restaurants near Laguna Beach, CA

“After a long day at a conference at The Ritz, ten of us took an uber to this gem of a restaurant. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. The smell of wood-fired pizza immediately set my mind on pizza and wine. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. Everyone in our party raved about the food they ordered. Our server was delightful, fun, and knowledgable and she managed our party perfectly. I look forward to returning.“

“Great food, nice atmosphere with music. Not cheap, though. An appetizer, salad, (shared), two drinks, two meals - not steak- bill was &220.00 before tip. I think they added $10 for the music. I am not complaining, I knew going in it would be a bit pricey. Just letting others know what to expect.“

“We went here for dinner. It’s a laid back beach town atmosphere; a little loud but that’s to be expected in a beach town. It was peak rush hour and service was a little slow which we knew would happen. The food was very good. We had coconut shrimp, wagyu burger, mushroom and truffle pizza. All items were delicious. Reservation highly recommended, especially on weekends.“

“Great all -american fare,we are on the patio which is clean and relaxing our waitress Janel.was a doll,so helpful, attentive and together, explained how the dishes were prepared that we were interested in and just all together made our dining experience first class.I had the seafood bisque soup which was perfect,not much of it but it was delicious.The Swordfish entre with mash potatoes and sauteed vegetables was great,the, swordfish was prepared just right as were the vegetables and potatoes,just the right amount of seasoning and the vegetables sauteed in a sauce that was light and tasty.All I all the food,service and ambience were just right,I would suggest asking for Janel.as your waitress we returned for dinner a few days later,food was still just as good but our server was fine,but nowhere near as good as Janel.who was working that evening but was super busy with a bunch of other tables,but she helped us just because she could see we needed a couple of things and was close by and because she really is that good at her job and cares,am A -Class Person and waitress.This place is well worth the visit.Vegetarian options: Not a great place for vegetarians,I saw NO vegetarian or Vegan four way tasting offering.Parking: Saffire is definitely worth a visit,great food,not unreasonably priced,portions are honestly a little small for my liking(but that's me) but would highly recommend.Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair ramp at both entrances,very easily accessible.“

“Let me tell you about these people. First, the burger and fries made me eat my words about California burgers (I’m from Texas). I was talking mad sh@!, but that burger…double patties gift from the Gods. It’s got a kick to it. I’d rate about medium heat. I loved it. The fries were crispy perfection with just the right amount of seasoning. As good as all of that was, the kindest, most thoughtful staff was better than all that. They did us a solid and we won’t soon forget it. I will always sing their praises! Lastly, all this deliciousness for about $15 a person. Thanks for everything, Ahba!“

“Definitely here for the view and access to the beach. Service was very good. Top deck was not packed with people but space is limited if you want that classic view of the sunset. The fish and chips were okay, the wedge salad definitely benefited by adding shrimp. The grilled octopus appetizer is exceptional. Over all good but not necessarily spectacular.“

“As usual, we had a wonderful lunch. The food and service were outstanding. The only thing that would have improved our visit would have been being offered extra pillows (for behind our backs) while sitting on ‘the couch.' I was told that the restaurant didn't have any, so adding those would be a huge plus for parties being seated there.“

“Very quick service. Sandy was super helpful since I’ve never been here to this location and only had their food one other time. The salmon was a bit bland but cooked well (I must have got a different one last time I came) the mashed potatoes and asparagus were delicious“

“I had an amazing experience, living in the OC for 8 years so far I don't know how I didn't know this place existed. Foods are delicious, the service is great, would be good if they added some sort of omelets brunch foods, and open more hours but I guess that's a business decision. Will recommend“

“Been coming to this location for last 7 years and not once was I disappointedThe food is always deliciousThe service is beyond exemplaryI try to dine in or order to go at least once a weekBeats cooking nowadays with my busy schedulesShout out to the GM, Kenton, and his staff of excellence of the food and the services“

“Olea is our go to place for a nice meal out. All the staff are fabulous - server Amber looks after us with care. Manager / owner always stop by. Host & hostess very friendly . Young man who brings the food to the table - very personable. Love eating on the patio - we'll be back!“

“Smoked salmon appetizer was incredibly good....But they stopped serving it. I really wish it would come back, it was easily the best thing on the menu in my opinion.EDIT: October 2021, the smoked salmon appetizer is back!!EDIT 2: February 2022, alas the smoked salmon appetizer is gone again. That didn’t stick around very long.EDIT 3: July 2022 - It’s back again!The server mentioned that the smoked salmon appetizer is kind of a seasonal thing. Apparently it requires a lot of prep work. ?‍♂️EDIT 4: April 2024 - Smoked Salmon has been gone for a while now. It was easily the best appetizer item they had and it’s disappointing they can’t offer this anymore.“

“Bloom is the #1 spot for brunch! I love the location, the food, and the ambiance! The people who work there are also exception, especially our server, Makenzie! She was friendly and informative about the dishes. I highly recommend the waffles! Will definitely visit again “

“Great food !! Had no chance to take a picture of the food but I got the chipotle rice bowl! Delicious, big portions. Dad got the pull pork he said it was yummy ! The desserts were AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! Will definitely be back out next trip to Cali. You will also see the owner greet every table, I think that’s amazing! Makes you feel well taken care of. Thank you !“

“First time here. Food was outstanding and you can tell its family owned, the quality and tradition of the dishes is obvious. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. We had the steak kabob and the chicken kabob plates along with taziki and hummus starters. The mixed rice was delishes and had an abundance of lentils and raises. We will definitely be back!“

“Great ambiance and decor. The service was great as well. (a little slower at clearing the table would be welcome) Emma was our server and her recs were spot on. The menu has great variety though some dishes are stronger than others. The yellowfin tuna appetizers is a must!“

“Michael, the bartender, truly elevated our evening to a perfect 10/10 experience. His expertise in recommending both drinks and food was unparalleled, effortlessly matching our preferences with the perfect pairings. The ambiance of the place, combined with Michael's warm demeanor, created an inviting atmosphere that made us feel right at home. Not only did Michael excel in his role as a bartender, but his attentive service and genuine passion for ensuring our enjoyment made the evening truly memorable. Without a doubt, Michael's exceptional hospitality turned an ordinary night out into an extraordinary one.“

“Happened upon this place by chance while looking for vegetarian/vegan options and all I can say is that it did not disappoint at all!!! The food was so good! Every single dish that my husband and I tried ( he’s not vegetarian/vegan) was incredible, we had the dips with bread and veggies and I had the fried eggplant and the falafel while hubby had the beef kebabs and we ended with coffee and sticky toffee pudding (yum) we now have a new place to go for future lunches and dinners. It was THAT GOOD! Service was great, our waiter was Knowledgeable and attentive.. we really enjoyed it ( can’t you tell ha) and will be returning soon!“

“Service was so friendly. Food was great, down to the fries.Kim who walked me to the table is the very warm & friendly manager asked what occasion we were there for. And our server asked me for the spelling of my friend’s name who was the birthday girl. And wished her a hbd when she arrived, along with a thoughtful dessert at the end. All around attentive and smiley service from everyone. Plus the complimentary champagne upon greeting is a great touch.Enjoyed the vibe of the outdoor patio.Parking: Valet available. If you’re self parking you could get lucky at the small lot in front of the restaurant with limited spaces. Otherwise you probably have to go closer to the main parking across the restaurant; all close by, short walk.“

“Service was great - there was more than one person assisting with clearing our table, wiping off the crumbs. The view of the marina was beautiful. Even though they technically don't have a kids menu, they accommodated us with a few options for our toddler. The food was delicious especially the cauliflower appetizer.“

“Dinner was satisfactory. I think the dinner menu is nice overall, with a good selection of fish and meat entrees as well as well-conceived plant-based dishes. I enjoyed the lightly garlicky roasted Nantes carrots with the sunflower cream. The rabbit pozole was also solid, though mostly ordered out of curiosity about what rabbit tastes like (somewhere between chicken and pork). The non-dairy birthday dessert was an amusingly small scoop of the meyer lemon sorbet to share amongst four spoons but is a nice palate refresher, especially after sharing a bite of the pan-seared halibut (served with tempura asparagus and a simple furikake fried rice) that was the Lido Catch of the day. Enjoyed the live music on a Wednesday evening. Not sure why this restaurant always seems to be empty compared to the adjacent establishments. Perhaps it's an aesthetic reason, but I think it deserves just as much patronage as next door, though you should definitely expect to be paying the price for the whole package.“

“Good food, good service, don't be surprised at the prices.The pomme in the menu is not fries (pomme frites), it's (apparently) pomegranate.Parking: The restaurant entrance is a little hard to find if you haven't been there and it's raining. There appears to be outside seating.“

“Came here for a birthday lunch on a Wednesday. The lunch menu was very limited and I wish they included a seafood or fish option for a main option. Nonetheless, the food we ordered was delicious! We shared the steak and frites, Caesar salad, lemon bucatini, and classic cheesecake. The filet was incredibly tender - I loved the spice from the peppercorns. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the taste was great. The saltiness from the pork bits balanced so well with the lemon flavor. The Caesar salad was my least favorite. The dressing tasted a bit too fishy and the "croutons" were comparable to soft bread.. not crunchy enough. Lastly, the classic cheesecake was one of the best I've ever tasted. I had no complains about the service. Nonetheless, this restaurant's ambiance is incredible. I recommend you to make reservations, even for a weekday! We went right when it opened at 11am. The main dining room was full when we left around noon.“

“This place is without a doubt one of the best sandwich restaurants I know in Orange County. Incredible, amazing service and phenomenal, delicious sandwiches. Makes me want to try everything on the menu. I'll certainly be coming back to continue to support Dad's.“

“Chef's kiss! Food was amazing! My husband ordered a Vietnamese coffee and soufflé pancakes with a side of biscuits and gravy. I ordered a strawberry lemonade and a sausage breakfast burrito. So filling! You order at the counter and your food is brought to your number. Outdoor seating but it was such a beautiful sunny day which made the experience even better! Everyone was so polite and helpful especially since it was our first time and not knowing the menu. First timer and definitely a next timer!“

“This Irish pub is our frequent stop when we are in the mood for its authentic European food experience. A small patio makes for intimate dining, weather permitting. Heat lamps abound for more robust weather. It is not to be missed near St Patty's Day. The place bustles with good old Irish exuberance! Though extremely rushed, our waiter took his time with our large party of 9, and did not make a mistake when serving what everyone ordered. He even added accoutrements without our asking. Definitely stop by during St Patty's to have a rousing good time. And plan to drink a lot of Guinness!“

“What a lovely late lunch experience. Visiting family and arrived late looking for a bite to eat after a long drive. This was perfect, I love the concept of the box, and I ordered the recommended pulled pork (on gluten free bun) with 3 sides (spiced green beans, roasted carrots, seasonal salad). I thought everything was delicious. All the dishes had a home made quality to it which I adored. Vegetables tasted fresh (although carrots and beans were a bit over charred IMO, but the flavor was still yummy). The dressings and sauces complimented their respective dishes. I loved the gluten free bun as it was served warm, and the dough was light and fluffy. If I'm back in the area again I'll definitely be back.“

“I don’t typically leave reviews, like ever. But I gotta say this place was such a treat. We came across it randomly and were drawn in by the photos of the brunch, and oh man did it not disappoint. The staff were incredible thoughtful and nice, and while ordering the owner (amazing woman) overheard me trying to decide between two options and was kind enough to point me in the right direction. I decided to get the breakfast burrito, but chose not to upgrade the meat to the steak because of the 10$ price difference. The owner caught us sitting outside and asked me what I went with, when I told her I had gone with the standard breakfast burrito she told me she was going to upgrade it to the steak FOR FREE! I’m not kidding when I say this was the best breakfast burrito I’ve had in years! Food was amazing, coffee was amazing, service and atmosphere were top notch. The owner was so passionate and focused on our experience, she went above and beyond for us! Thank you!!!!“

“This is the best burger in Orange County! The people working here are genuinely kind and helpful.The location isn't great but they should not deter you from trying this gem out!I suggest the Hole in the Wall Burger and the Carne Asada Fries.“

“Great place. We have eaten here several times. Service and atmosphere is always top notch. The food is really good. Salads are big enough to share. It may be our imagination but while the prices are on the high side the servings seem to be getting smaller.“

“Mariposa never fails. Great place for wonderful meals. Menu is excellent. The quality of the food is outstanding. Wait staff is outstanding as well. Friendly and excellent at suggestions. Recently had a birthday luncheon and knew this was the right venue for a beautiful celebration. Would highly recommend.“

“My husband and I love this place for date nights. The food is consistently great. The music and dancing is romantic. And Frankie and the bar staff always provide top notch service. My favorite drink is the Irish-O and my husband likes the old fashioned. Guacamole and chips is a great appetizer. And we usually order the steak and chicken entrees. I am never disappointed at Bistango.“

“This could be my new favorite spot, for meeting up with friends for a delicious meal. We met on a Sunday at 10:30, sat on the patio which was covered and shady but also with heaters. We had breakfast and I loved my avocado toast, I added a fried egg on top and it was perfect. Really peaceful & pleasant atmosphere with a beautiful view of the golf course, where we could hear each other talk. Really enjoyable, definitely will be going back!“

“Went on a Saturday night. Fairly busy, but not too crowded. It was just 2 of us, so we ordered drinks and played ping pong while we waited for a pool table to open up. Had to wait about 10 min. Server was very kind, bartender was busy and direct. Overall it was a clean place with decent tables and cheap drinks. You pay hourly for the tables. Would come back again.“

“OK, so flat out come here for the chili and cornbread. I'm sure everything else is great too but the chili and cornbread comes packed with crispy fluffy homemade Christmas morning vibes the chili they serve in a little witchy pot like thing and it's just good. I recommend you come in here for fast service Quality food she's a random frequented location passing through San Clemente.“

“Our meal here was absolutely fantastic... We tried the hummus and liver pate appetizers to start, our companions had the salmon and we tried the lemon sole and lamb(the Volcano). Everything was so delicious and beautifully presented. Great service and yes one could carry on a conversation...“

“This is the restaurant in the Sonesta Hotel in Irvine and deserves to be frequented by more than hotel guests. The staff is really lovely and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, of course the food is very good and portions are plentiful. I hope you get to enjoy this spot sometime:)“

“Our Place Lake Forest is a great neighborhood Bar/Restaurant. The staff is very friendly and they take good care of the customers. I host an Open Mic there on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every Month. It is always Taco Tuesday when I am there. I get the Beria Tacos and they are delicious. Our Place has great music on many other nights. They also have comedy nights and are great supporters of the LGBTQ community. The owner cliff is a great guy and does an awesome job of running the place. I highly recommend Our Place.“

“Amazing. Ordered the Shrimp for the protein. Side of roasted Broccoli with seasoned bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. The very fresh fruit bowl consisting of grapes ( sliced in half) a few segments of very sweet tangerine and pineapple as a delightful finish.Oh yes; and the encore... The cookie and lemon cake..My wife and I will be back.“

“I love yardhouse! Their wings are the best. My boyfriend and I always get them for starters. My usual order is always either the Grilled Chicken and Avocado Sandwich or the Classic Cheeseburger! So yummy. And for my drink I always get the Sparkling Refreshers with Topo Chico.“

“In need of food after a long sit in traffic and found The Stand and was extremely happy with the find. Now the first thing that comes up is hamburgers and fries but it's so much more! The falafel wrap was one of the best I've had with the perfect texture and flavors. Super fresh light and filling. After ordering we got some complementary house made pickles that were the best I've ever had. The wife ordered the onion soup burger that came with a cup of Au jus and sautéed onion that you dip the already deliciously juicy burger into and come into a flavor bomb!! It was a very low key laid back place with basketball play offs on the tv and plenty of seating inside and out.“

“The food was alright, but the service and drinks were next level. The bar tender Keona was super attentive and helpful, and our food runner Lily was thoughtful and extremely friendly.They made our experience a 10/10 and we will definitely be recommending this place to our friends and family!!! Ive been to numerous Yard House locations around OC, but this one is definitely my favorite!!!“

“We came here twice in one week...once for lunch and once for breakfast, and we were thrilled with our food, service, and price.The first day we had the Jetty Burger and the Tuna Melt. One of us had the homemade chips as a side, and the other the potato salad...YUMMY! This morning we had the breakfast burrito with bacon, and the Breakfast Burger with bacon. Both were the bomb!“

“I've been to toast over 10 times. The food never disappoints and service is always nice. Sometimes they do tend to get busy and there can be a wait but the food is great!! I love the ube french toast, there's really nothing like it“

“I love this place. Every fish option i've tried here is always excellent. And friends with much more depth of wine experience than me, have mentioned that the wine list is top-notch as well. Stacey and the rest of the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend!“

“I Google search for healthy lunch option in this area. Yes, there were many popped up, but since this place closes at 3pm(I think lunch is served until 2:30), we wanted to go right away.Wow!!! We are so happy we went there.It was very easy to find, and easy to park!All the staff were so kind. The place was very clean and well organized. Surprisingly, it was not loud either.Yes, their Food was wow, too!!! Every bite was so delicious and felt refreshed even after the meal.Thank you for providing a delicious healthy food!We ordered…Lunch(built your own plate):-Seared Salmon w/Citrus Tzatziki,-Spiced Cauliflower w/Sauce Verde,-Autumn Farro Salad.Grains & Greens:-Beets Around The Bush(Fried goat cheese was new for us, but texture was good! And I think it went well with roasted beets and pistachio vinaigrette.) yum!Plus, Boxed Water and Ginger Ale.Our Total $40+ for 2 of us.Parking: Easy to park“

“Great small restaurant with delicious food for affordable price. It was really cool to find this place during my Christmas shopping in Spectrum Mall. The service was fast, although there were many people. You should try their sandwiches, they taste great, especially when they’re warm.“

“My Niece was visiting from Seattle and we went to LA add had a martini. Disappointing so we headed to Tavern House got my favorite blood orange martini, French onion soup, and the new green salad! It did not disappoint!! The view, service and meal was spectacular. The drink was exceptional as usual! You can Never go wrong with this place!!!!“

“Perfect ambiance and service! You want to chill on a Friday night go sit by the bar and enjoy great selection of wine and great seafood! People who work here are so friendly and make you feel home! Perfect location and good for family gatherings with lots of options for food.“

“By far my favorite sandwich here! The yogi is made perfect every time and go great with the rosemary fries. I was greeted eagerly upon arrival & was given recommendations on which beer to try by the nice young man, Angel. Will definitely continue coming here!“