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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Irvine

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67 restaurants available nearby

A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant
1. North Italia – Irvine
4.5
Awesome(5375)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 134 times today
At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.
A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
2. Puesto Los Olivos
4.6
Exceptional(1763)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Irvine
Booked 54 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.
A photo of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations restaurant
3. Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
4.6
Exceptional(698)
Price: Expensive
• American • Irvine
Booked 65 times today
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations perfectly meshes upscale and casual dining with an expansive whiskey selection and unique offering of American comfort food. It offers high energy, open spaced concepts to promote a lively dining experience. With the rustic industrial aesthetic, brick metal and barrels are prevalent in the space. One of its most coveted attractions is the famous whiskey room, that houses hundreds of whiskies from several countries. From high end whiskies like Pappy Van Winkle, to a shot of Jameson with a Coors Light, there is something here for everyone's taste; and Bosscat prides itself on being this type of environment. Each season new flavors and recipes are brought into the kitchen. The culture and staff are encouraged to foster the fun and unique dining experience they so strongly emulate. Bosscat is open all week for lunch and dinner. Happy hour is available on weekdays, and a fun, boozy brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays.
A photo of Il Fornaio - Irvine restaurant
4. Il Fornaio - Irvine
4.6
Exceptional(3970)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 72 times today
Step inside Il Fornaio and take an award-winning culinary journey through Italy. Specialties include housemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, grilled fish, authentic risotto, and rotisserie meats. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Il Fornaio offers a wide variety of premium-quality Italian food paired with great cocktails and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list.
A photo of Fogo de Chao - Irvine Spectrum restaurant
5. Fogo de Chao - Irvine Spectrum
4.1
Excellent(2251)
Price: Moderate
• Brazilian • Irvine
Booked 143 times today
Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.
A photo of Oliver’s Trattoria restaurant
6. Oliver’s Trattoria
4.8
Exceptional(320)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 27 times today
Opening December 10th, 2023! Chef Erik De Marchi is excited to bring his cuisine from Emilia-Romagna to Irvine with Oliver's Trattoria. Featuring homemade pasta and pizza and a full bar. Enjoy our outdoor patios, catering, and private event spaces. We can't wait to serve you at our second location Oliver's Trattoria.
A photo of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar- Tustin restaurant
7. The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar- Tustin
4.5
Awesome(2621)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Tustin
Booked 19 times today
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar is the newest addition to The District in Tustin. The interior promises a hip, lively & sophisticated atmosphere, with dark woods, leather and velvet bar stools. The state-of-the-art 7,500 bottle cellar IS one of the largest in Orange County. The Winery Restaurant & Bar is open daily for lunch & dinner & features a wine tasting bar with a full bar menu and cigar patio.
A photo of The Goldfinch restaurant
8. The Goldfinch
4.6
Exceptional(194)
Price: Expensive
• American • Irvine
Booked 35 times today
California Cuisine and an extensive Beverage and Craft Cocktail program while focusing on only the best and freshest quality ingredients.
A photo of Benihana - Newport Beach, CA restaurant
9. Benihana - Newport Beach, CA
4.2
Awesome(4922)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Newport Beach
Booked 80 times today
Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.
A photo of Prego Restaurant restaurant
10. Prego Restaurant
4.5
Awesome(1414)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 13 times today
Prego's ambiance blends the warmth & rustic charm of old-world Italy with the electricity and vibrancy of a cosmopolitan restaurant. A lively exhibition kitchen with corner Raw Bar allows diners to view the artful chefs creating delicious dishes. Our restaurant seats up to 300 guests, with small scale options too, perfect for private events & catering services.Prego offers daily lunch & dinner, and weekly food & drink deals such as Small Bites Tuesdays, Hospitality Night on Wednesdays, Tequila Thursdayas, and a Raw Bar on Friday & Saturday nights.The menu emphasizes regional Italian cuisine, featuring authentic pizza, freshly made pastas, grilled fresh fish, spit-roasted meats, fowl, cocktails, and an extensive list of wines from Italy and California. Our homemade desserts & pastries make a perfect ending to an unforgettable dining experience.Prego has received fine-dining awards from the Restaurant Writers Association, the Wine and Food Society of Southern California, and more.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Dennisvip
    London •13 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Great experience: server was welcoming and attentive; relaxed ambience with beautiful view; and generous portion of fish and chips, with well spiced fries!
    More info
    Driftwood KitchenPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Laguna Beach
    •
    4.5
  • Dee
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    This was our first time at Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens, and we fell in love. The twinkling lights everywhere made my heart happy. The boys loved the burger and fries, and even the ketchup was made in-house! I had the pizza of the day, a prosciutto and Honeycrisp apple concoction that was delightful and delicious. Who knew apples worked on a pizza?!? My daughter had the half Jidori chicken, which was juicy and tender, and a large enough portion that she took half of it home with her. We also sampled two desserts, the lemon tart and apple crisp. Both were amazing, but the apple crisp was our favorite of the two. I definitely will be back and highly recommend this spot for a satisfying farm-to-fork meal.
    More info
    Farmhouse at Rogers GardensPrice: Expensive• American• Corona del Mar
    •
    4.8
  • Kathy
    Orange County •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    This was the perfect place for a birthday lunch. Great food, nice ambiance, good service, and we could have a conversation because it wasn't too loud. I'd recommend it for sure and I'm picky.
    More info
    Bosscat Kitchen & LibationsPrice: Expensive• American• Irvine
    •
    4.6
  • Meryl
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    7pm Sunday, quiet lovely dinner with friends. Often come other days near holidays which are very busy with high noise level. Sunday evening was a pleasant surprise.
    More info
    Gulliver's RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Prime Rib• Irvine
    •
    4.4
  • Parkervip
    Orange County •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Each of the three of us had a different special: Pork chop, halibut and tortellini. All three Excellent! We had the Oreo cheesecake for dessert also very delicious.
    More info
    Prego RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Irvine
    •
    4.5

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Irvine

Discover the culinary treasures of Irvine in South Orange County, a destination known for its exceptional dining scene that caters to explorers and food lovers alike. If you're searching for restaurants "worth the drive," Irvine offers a diverse palette of exceptional eateries that stand out not just for their unique culinary offerings but also for their commitment to quality and service. From innovative Mexican artisan kitchens to enchanting Cuban spots and modern Californian cuisine with a sustainable twist, the restaurants here promise a memorable gastronomic journey. Each establishment reflects a deep dedication to creating extraordinary experiences, evident in their meticulous attention to detail, from ambiance to the plating of dishes. These restaurants not only satisfy your cravings but also turn every meal into a special occasion, making them truly worth the drive. Irvine’s dining scene thrives on creativity and passion, ensuring that every visit is both a discovery and a delight. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these culinary gems are guaranteed to offer something exciting and new, perfect for any food enthusiast seeking adventure in every bite.

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