Best Cozy Restaurants in Lake Forest

45 restaurants available nearby

A photo of CUCINA enoteca - Irvine restaurant

1. CUCINA enoteca - Irvine

4.6

Exceptional(2722)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Irvine

Booked 75 times today

CUCINA enoteca is centrally located in the Irvine Spectrum! Owner Tracy Borkum's flair for combining great ambience, award-winning cuisine and unparalleled service are once again starring components in this latest Urban Kitchen Group creation. Executive Chef Tim Kolanko and Chef de Cuisine Cesar Sarmiento bring their artistry to the table as guests enjoy an open kitchen. The menu features Italian classics with a modern twist, made with the freshest local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Along with a diverse selection of wines by the glass, guests may visit the restaurant's retail area to select from over 200 bottles for dinner (corkage fee of $10 applies) or purchase wine to go. The energetic space features contemporary elements and vintage artifacts creating the feel of a modern Italian kitchen combined with the comfort of an old rustic farmhouse.

A photo of Del Frisco's Grille - Irvine restaurant

2. Del Frisco's Grille - Irvine

4.4

Awesome(2272)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Irvine

Booked 57 times today

Del Frisco's Grille is a modern and stylish spin on the classic bar and grill, drawing inspiration from bold flavors and market-fresh ingredients. Our menu is a tempting mix of prime steaks, fresh seafood and twists on American comfort cuisine.

A photo of Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant

3. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook

4.7

Exceptional(2859)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 25 times today

Welcome to Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook. located in Laguna Hills. Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality and are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails.

A photo of Urban Grill & Wine Bar restaurant

4. Urban Grill & Wine Bar

4.5

Awesome(715)

Price: Moderate

• Wine Bar • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 8 times today

Urban Grill and Wine Bar is a unique upscale eatery offering gourmet comfort food and boutique wine served by friendly, Knowledgeable staff. The inside of the restaurant is casual yet refined, offering an atmosphere that is ideal for a business lunch or a meal before going out for the night. Urban Grill is a popular spot, and guests are always welcome to grab a seat at the bar while they are waiting and order one of the refreshing and creative cocktails.The menu offers aspects of delicious cuisine from around the globe. Appetizers include an Australian lamb chop, chicken or tofu lettuce wraps, an ahi tuna poke and an artisan cheese board, to name a few. The entrée menu keeps the delicious flavors rolling. Signature dishes at Urban Grill and Wine Bar include Alaskan king crab legs, Prime steaks and chops, Mediterranean-style chicken with olives and artichokes, fish and chips and a vegetable pasta primavera.

A photo of Delizie Ristorante & Bar restaurant

5. Delizie Ristorante & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(949)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Booked 22 times today

Chef Santiago is at the helm of this South County Favorite. Delizie offers daily specials including homemade pastas, imported Italian delicatessens, and the freshest fish and meats available daily as well as an extensive listing of wines from California and Italy. Delizie also features a full bar and banquet room, available for private parties.

A photo of Mangia Bene Cucina restaurant

6. Mangia Bene Cucina

4.6

Exceptional(670)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 16 times today

Mangia Bene Cucina is cozy because of its vibrant and friendly atmosphere. As one reviewer mentioned, it's a 'comfortable spot' with 'great service' and 'great Italian food.' It's also described as a 'neighborhood restaurant' where people enjoy going, which speaks to its warm and welcoming vibe. Another reviewer said it's 'nice to have a local neighborhood spot.'

A photo of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens restaurant

7. Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

4.8

Exceptional(11459)

Price: Expensive

• American • Corona del Mar

Booked 130 times today

We are excited for your visit, and welcome you to experience our beautiful outdoor dining room in Newport Beach. That being said we are outdoors and encourage all guest to dress appropriate to the season. We have added a beautiful heated covered awning for the winter months. We offer blankets for sale that can be kept, or left behind and donated to a local charity we support. We will still be requesting a two hour dinning limit per visit.Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens offers the freshest, locally sourced , seasonal farm-to-fork cuisine paired with exclusive wines and craft cocktails and beers. Located on a seven acre home and garden center in the heart of beautiful Corona del Mar, Farmhouse provides a dining experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else and can be quite romantic. What sets us apart is the unparalleled beauty of Rogers Gardens combined perfectly with a unique cuisine created by Chef Rich Mead.

A photo of Javier's Crystal Cove restaurant

8. Javier's Crystal Cove

4.7

Exceptional(173)

Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Newport Beach

Booked 329 times today

Artistically designed with unique sculptures, Javier's Crystal Cove provides guests with ocean views in a cozy, contemporary atmosphere to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine. It opened its doors in 2008 on Newport Beach and is conveniently close to the Crystal Cove Shopping Center. This restaurant offers guests an upscale dining experience with such entrees as the Maine lobster enchilada topped with Monterey jack cheese and grilled chicken breasts braised in chipotle sauce. Javier's Crystal Cove serves a variety of fresh seafood dishes, appetizers and delicious desserts. It has a full bar that features numerous tequilas, cocktails, beers and wine. Javier's Crystal Cove also offers outdoor dining. It accepts reservations over the phone and online.

A photo of Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove restaurant

9. Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove

4.8

Exceptional(10449)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Newport Beach

Booked 39 times today

Voted as one of the "Top 100 Restaurants" for 2023 by OpenTable in the United StatesThe Beachcomber at Crystal Cove provides "world class" ocean front dining in the Historic District of the Crystal Cove State Park with breath taking views of the Newport Coastline and Catalina Island. Situated on the sandy beach, The Beachcomber's outdoor patio provides the perfect spot to enjoy the ocean's breeze while sipping on your favorite cocktail or enjoying one of the many favorite entrees and appetizers. The Beachcomber's outdoor tropical bar 'The Bootlegger' with thatch roofing provides the perfect spot to escape from the world while enjoying one of many tropical libations.

10. SideDoor

4.7

Exceptional(473)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Corona del Mar

Booked 15 times today

Three generations of the Frank family found new inspiration in England’s growing gastropub movement.In 2009, they refurbished, restyled and re-opened the traditional British pub at Five Crowns as Corona del Mar’s first and only English-style gastropub, SideDoor.SideDoor is a separate operation within Five Crowns. Enter on Poppy Street under the big red key and find a comfortable and convivial atmosphere. Cozy up to one of the charming fireplaces. The focus at SideDoor is on seasonal small plates portioned for sharing, cheese and charcuterie prepared by a chef on duty at the new charcuterie station and a selection of world-class spirits. A wide range of wines and craft beers in a variety of sizes and pours are constantly updated with new offerings for the curious to explore. With its warm, relaxed atmosphere, SideDoor, the casual neighborhood gastropub, will have its guests returning again and again.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

V
Varuni
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The food and drinks were amazing. Ingredients were fresh and you can tell they took pride in plating the meals. I had the half roasted chicken and it was juicy and tender. The drinks delicious and so are the sweets! Service was top knotch and friendly. Gave great recommendations. Over all great ambiance, music and service.
More info
CUCINA enoteca - IrvinePrice: Moderate• Italian• Irvine
•
4.6
R
RandallVIP
Orange County •36 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Always a treat to eat at Ironwood…food is excellent, servers friendly and knowledgeable with regard to menu items and specials for the evening. Management always welcoming and you can see them stepping up to help their servers and keep the orders flowing. Great for everyday dining or special occasions. Special shout out to Gabe…you’re the best!
More info
Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.CookPrice: Moderate• American• Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
•
4.7
C
Claudia
San Diego •27 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We chose Delizia because it was the closest Italian restaurant we found and we got so lucky. Everything we ordered was amazing. Great variety of dishes ave delicious deserts. If we are in Mission Viejo again, we would definitely go back
More info
Delizie Ristorante & BarPrice: Moderate• Italian• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
•
4.7
M
Michelle
Orange County •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Had a great time. Brian was a fun waiter! Our food and drink orders were served accurately.
More info
Del Frisco's Grille - IrvinePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Irvine
•
4.4
M
MaureenVIP
Orange County •20 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 13, 2024
The “new” Urban is a great restaurant! The additions to the wine choices is great, along with the other many new drinks. Like the table layout as well. Nicer spacing between them. Food continues to be excellent. Servers are friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. Back on our list as a favorite place to dine!
More info
Urban Grill & Wine BarPrice: Moderate• Wine Bar• Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
•
4.5

Best Cozy Restaurants in Lake Forest

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

45 restaurants available nearby

1. CUCINA enoteca - Irvine

2. Del Frisco's Grille - Irvine

3. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook

4. Urban Grill & Wine Bar

5. Delizie Ristorante & Bar

6. Mangia Bene Cucina

7. Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

8. Javier's Crystal Cove

9. Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove

10. SideDoor

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable