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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

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40 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Tea House on Los Rios restaurant
1. The Tea House on Los Rios
4.8
Exceptional(2852)
Price: Expensive
• Afternoon Tea • San Juan Capistrano
Booked 66 times today
Set in a beautifully restored 1911 cottage complete with a wrap-around veranda and lush gardens, The Tea House on Los Rios offers Orange County's premier high tea experience. Known for our famous scones, delicious tea sandwiches, and loose-leaf teas, we also feature a full luncheon menu and a weekend brunch menu, complete with mimosas and Bloody Marys. Join us for an unforgettable experience on Historic Los Rios Street in San Juan Capistrano. Take the train and making a day of it!
A photo of Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort restaurant
2. Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort
4.7
Exceptional(4475)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Laguna Beach
Booked 48 times today
Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort is a local gem, as described by one reviewer. Its location right on the ocean, paired with an excellent menu and top-notch service, makes it a favorite among locals. Reviewers rave about the delicious food, beautiful ambiance, and attentive service. The place has been described as luxurious, perfect for a special occasion, and even as a favorite spot for brunch. The restaurant's unique and creative twist on classic seafood dishes is noteworthy and worth a visit.
A photo of The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach restaurant
3. The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach
4.7
Exceptional(2085)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Laguna Beach
Booked 27 times today
Located in the oceanfront resort, Montage Laguna Beach, The Loft features stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean – the perfect backdrop for enjoying market-fresh, creative American cuisine with friendly, informed, and professional service. Innovative signature dishes reflect California regional cuisine with strong influences from the Americas; other favorites also include roasted meats and seafood.
A photo of Starfish Laguna Beach restaurant
4. Starfish Laguna Beach
4.8
Exceptional(2268)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Asian • Laguna Beach
Booked 36 times today
Thank you for thinking of Starfish Laguna! Indoor & Patio Dining are available! Reservations are strongly encouraged, and available via phone at 949.715.9200.Lunch: Daily from 11a - 3pOpium Hour: Everyday 3p - 6p (dine-in only)Dinner: Daily from 3p - 9pWe offer our full menu for takeout and delivery, with delivery offered in partnership with Doordash or through our website. To place a pickup order, please call 949.715.8205. We look forward to seeing you soon!
A photo of OPAH Restaurant & Bar restaurant
5. OPAH Restaurant & Bar
4.8
Exceptional(1624)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 18 times today
At Opah Restaurant & Bar, we serve the finest fresh fish in Orange County. Carefully hand selected each day to deliver the best quality available. The menu is exquisite, featuring edible works of art, that look so good the could be on a magazine cover. Don't forget to try one of our signature Award Winning Martinis. If you wondering how we came up with the name Opah. It comes from the Hawaiian word for Moonfish, which was once viewed as Good Luck by fisherman, & often given away as a gesture of Good Will.
A photo of Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant
6. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook
4.7
Exceptional(2926)
Price: Moderate
• American • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
Booked 24 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 Mangia Bene Cucina restaurant
7. Mangia Bene Cucina
4.7
Exceptional(695)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 8 times today
Located in beautiful Laguna Niguel, CA, Mangia Bene Cucina has been an Orange County landmark since 1991. Our mission is to provide our guests with the best and most memorable dining experience. From our upbeat and vibrant staff, to our original and delicious Italian dishes.We have a passion for Italian cuisine and with over 25 years of restaurant experience, we are sure to provide you with what we like to call, The Fresh Italian Food Experience.From serving you daily for lunch and dinner to catering your parties and special events, we welcome your family to our family restaurant.
A photo of Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar restaurant
8. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar
4.8
Exceptional(79)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 3 times today
Owners Jordan and Creig Mullikin love to eat delicious food, drink great wine and be treated like family. They want every bite, every sip, every visit to be delicious and a treat. Our goal is to serve you fresh, homemade, and thoughtful dishes focused on our family's heritage and our customers' needs to make everyone feel like family at our neighborhood spot which sports a modern yet vintage vibe. We have a large outdoor patio that is both heated and covered. One of the more popular things here at Bricco is our live music Friday's and Saturday's with very talented singers and performers.
A photo of Lumberyard restaurant
9. Lumberyard
4.7
Exceptional(3277)
Price: Moderate
• American • Laguna Beach
Booked 19 times today
In 1912, at the bend of Forest Avenue, 23 year old Joe Jahraus opened the Laguna Lumber Company, he and his father(cigar maker, first postmaster and real estate agent) built the beautiful French Normandy building that is here today. Prior to the lumberyard opening, building supplies needed to be dragged in by mule or floated in on the tides, and therefore, Laguna Beach had less than three hundred permanent residences. After the lumberyard opened, the area began to grow at unprecedented rates, transforming it from a tent town into a thriving city. Laguna Lumber operated for seventy three years, sixty two of them in this location and its' architecture, influenced by Joe's tour abroad in World War I, is one of the most significant influences on the town's aesthetic. Half timbers, mud walls and shingled roofs grace many of the downtown storefronts and homes throughout the city because of this landmark. Today, 384 Forest is home to Lumberyard - a contemporary American restaurant.
A photo of 230 Forest Avenue restaurant
10. 230 Forest Avenue
4.8
Exceptional(2885)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Laguna Beach
Booked 23 times today
230 Forest Avenue is a neighborhood gem in Laguna Beach. With its modern bistro and martini bar vibe, it's a favorite spot for locals. Reviewers rave about the consistently great food, excellent service, and laid-back atmosphere. The Executive Chef is even recognized as one of the top chefs in the OC. It's described as a place where the food is so stunning it competes with the artwork on the walls, creating a thoroughly satisfying 'artistic' experience.

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Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Discover the charm of South Orange County's dining scene with the neighborhood gems in Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel. These restaurants are local favorites, cherished for their unique menus that blend innovative culinary concepts with traditional flavors. They offer a cozy ambiance, making them perfect for both casual meals and special occasions. Patrons consistently praise the excellent service, delectable food, and great value these eateries provide. Each establishment reflects the vibrant community spirit and caters to a variety of dining preferences, ensuring a memorable meal out in one of Orange County's most delightful locales. Whether you're looking for a brunch spot or a place to celebrate, these neighborhood gems stand out for their commitment to quality and the genuine dining experience they offer. Experience top-notch cuisine as you explore the inviting, friendly atmosphere that defines the dining scene in this enchanting part of Orange County.

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