Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Ladera Ranch

46 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Tea House on Los Rios restaurant

1. The Tea House on Los Rios

4.8

Exceptional(2649)

Price: Expensive

• Afternoon Tea • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 62 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 Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant

2. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook

4.7

Exceptional(2843)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 32 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 Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Juan Capistrano restaurant

3. Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Juan Capistrano

4.8

Exceptional(324)

Price: Moderate

• American • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 21 times today

Voted 2024 San Juan Capistrano Business of the Year!Winner of multiple Best of San Juan Awards including best restaurant, best dinner, best lunch, best ambiance, best wine and many more. Rancho Capistrano Winery has become the must go destination for locals and visitors alike. In addition to producing over 40 different wines from the finest grape growing regions in the West, we are known for our award-winning signature dishes that blend perfectly with our wines. Our grapes are sourced from different premier wine regions, including Paso Robles, Lodi, Northern California and Washington. Rancho Capistrano Winery has proudly grown to be the largest winery in Orange County,

A photo of Tavern at the Mission restaurant

4. Tavern at the Mission

4.7

Exceptional(497)

Price: Expensive

• American • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 31 times today

Renowned Orange County restaurateur David Wilhelm, along with longtime partner Gregg Solomon, purchased this iconic location in the heart of charming downtown San Juan Capistrano overlooking the Jewel of the California missions. The menu features many of his signature classic comfort foods such as his Famous Buttermilk Fried Chicken, French 75's Onion Soup, and Whiskey Shrimp Dijon, featured at his Tavern House Kitchen+Bar in Newport Beach. Chef Wilhelm is a longtime South County resident, well known for the many concepts he has created over the years including Kachina, Sorrento Grille, French 75, Savannah Chophouse and Jimmy's Famous American Tavern. Tavern at the Mission has a large, tree covered, pet friendly patio with beautiful mission views. The interiors have been beautifully renovated with a chandelier lit dining room and a warm central fireplace. Our' Tumbleweed Bar' is designed as an homage to San Juan Capistrano's Equestrian and Vaqueros history.

A photo of Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge restaurant

5. Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

4.5

Awesome(735)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Booked 20 times today

Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a modern speakeasy with the allure of old Hollywood, offering a menu of east coast classics with west coast flavor and finesse. This chef driven, husband and wife owned restaurant provides a comfortable neighborhood dining experience. Scarlet offers local, quality ingredients carefully curated to meet every diners desires. Scarlet is a place for everyone to enjoy a date night or just a quick bite at the bar. Scarlet introduces a new menu every season courtesy of Chef-Owner Paige Riordan and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Martinez. Enjoy a taste of the season from Scarlet’s dining room or heated canyon-view patio and. Scarlet elevates the plate with a new menu of dishes brimming with bold, finessed flavor highlighting peak-of-season ingredients, humanely raised prime meats, and sustainable seafood, reflective of Riordan’s East Coast roots.

A photo of El Adobe de Capistrano restaurant

6. El Adobe de Capistrano

4.6

Exceptional(1028)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 36 times today

Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine in a historic setting at El Adobe de Capistrano. This landmark features a wedding chapel, stained-glass windows and additional beautiful architectural details. Its kitchen has a mesquite-burning grill where chefs prepare deliciously flavored seafood and steak dishes. Soups, salads and appetizers are also on the menu, including tasty desserts.Owners Tony Moiso and Gilbert Aguirre have kept the atmosphere and traditions of the El Adobe de Capistrano going. This establishment still prepares the dishes that President Nixon and his wife enjoyed while visiting during his administration. It has a full bar that serves various drinks, a lounge area for socializing and a patio in the front. El Adobe de Capistrano offers private rooms for banquets and other events. The Palenque features a retracting roof, making it ideal for hosting an event under the night sky. It offers brunch and has a Happy Hour.

7. Ciao Pasta

4.8

Exceptional(1258)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 27 times today

Ciao Pasta offers the most authentic flavors of southern Italy in a historic setting reminiscent of the old world. Located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, we take pride in bringing the rich flavors and traditions of Italy right to your table. Our menu features a delightful array of dishes, from handmade pasta and artisanal pizzas to fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, all crafted with the finest ingredients.At Ciao Pasta, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in good company. Our cozy atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, romantic dinners, or casual nights out with friends. With a selection of carefully curated wines and house-made desserts, we invite you to indulge in the taste of Italy.Happy hour at Ciao Pasta includes discounted house wine and beer, where guests are free to indulge in the beverages as they share affordable appetizers and select entrees. Join us for a culinary journey that celebrates the passion and culture of Italian dining. Buon Appetito!

A photo of OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo restaurant

8. OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo

4.8

Exceptional(1580)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 19 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. Come in and enjoy the menu created by Marc A. Cohen, One of the Best Chef's in Orange County. The menu is exquisite, featuring edible works of art, that look so good the could be on a magazine cover. Dont 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 Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar restaurant

9. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

4.9

Exceptional(60)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 8 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 Mangia Bene Cucina restaurant

10. Mangia Bene Cucina

4.6

Exceptional(665)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 12 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Janvip
Orange County •53 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
I had the Sole and my hubby had the lamp everything was so good. I love the Tavern.
More info
Tavern at the MissionPrice: Expensive• American• San Juan Capistrano
•
4.7
C
Carolyn
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
An adorable setting tucked away in San Juan Capistrano. Perfect for a relaxing and delicious lunch with some girlfriends. I'm not usually a lady who lunches, so this is the best treat. The Triple Crown Salad is out of this world. The scones are delightful. If you go in cooler weather, bring another layer if you're going to sit outside since the veranda is shaded.
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The Tea House on Los RiosPrice: Expensive• Afternoon Tea• San Juan Capistrano
•
4.8
C
Christian
Orange County •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
I loved everything about the winery but the music was sometimes too loud to the point where I could not hear the rest of my party at times.
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Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Juan CapistranoPrice: Moderate• American• San Juan Capistrano
•
4.8
R
Ronvip
Orange County •19 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great food and service. Enjoyed the menu selections. Great cocktails.
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Scarlet Kitchen and LoungePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
•
4.5
M
Meng
Scranton / Poconos •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 15, 2024
Excellent as always. Staff were professional and frequented our table to make sure we were good. Food was great, the special of the day are a genius idea and so we tried the blue crab baked oysters and they were oh so good. It was our anniversary and the restaurant were super generous and took care of us. Thank you so much!
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Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.CookPrice: Moderate• American• Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
•
4.7

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Ladera Ranch

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46 restaurants available nearby

1. The Tea House on Los Rios

2. Ironwood, Cellar.Craft.Cook

3. Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Juan Capistrano

4. Tavern at the Mission

5. Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

6. El Adobe de Capistrano

7. Ciao Pasta

8. OPAH Restaurant & Bar @ Town Center Aliso Viejo

9. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

10. Mangia Bene Cucina

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