Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in North Orange County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in North Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tempo Cantina - Anaheim Hills

4.8

4.8 (715)

$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Anaheim Hills

About the restaurant

*WALK-INS ALWAYS WELCOME*

Tempo Cantina brings Latin flavor to Orange County and Los Angeles from creative founder and owner MR.TEMPO.
Come for the atmosphere, but stay for the food. You will find all of your favorite Latin dishes infused with Asian flavors. Join us Happy Hour everyday, Weekend Brunch or Taco Tuesday for a dining experience like you’ve never experienced before!

Top review

La Keacsh

Dined on Oct 26, 2024

Great experience Still haven’t received the pictures I took , was supposed to send me the originals by text or email , after I purchased the ones in the glass frames

Ini Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (130)

$31 to $50

Italian

Huntington Beach

About the restaurant

Ini Ristorante’s culinary concept draws inspiration from the seasonality and simplicity of Japanese and Italian flavors and seeks to find the perfect harmony between the two. Chef-driven and culturally inspired, Ini Ristorante’s menu combines Japanese and Italian cuisine’s ingredients, tastes, and techniques to bring you an unmatched dining experience.

Top review

Jay

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent meal and dining experience. The whole family loved it! Mocktails were great- fruity, refreshing and not cloyingly sweet. Loved the Seafood Malfadine- the spicy creamy tomato sauce was delicious and the prosciutto and burrata pizza- thin crispy crust with no middle sag, balanced flavors. Our waiter was friendly & attentive and gave us great recommendations. !

The Plot - Costa Mesa

4.8

4.8 (83)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

The Plot team is led by Jessica and Davin Waite, who have been at the forefront of San Diego's culinary scene for over a decade. The duo has earned a loyal following for their inventive and sustainable approach to seafood and plant-based dishes, gaining the attention of critics and culinary innovators far and wide as well as accolades including being named San Diego Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant of the Year” in 2020, VegNews’ “San Diego’s Best Vegan Restaurants” in 2022, and Tasting Table’s “20 Best Restaurants in San Diego” in 2023.

The Plot in Costa Mesa is located in The Camp, a sustainably focused center that highlights unique local businesses. Parking can be a bit tough at The Camp, depending on the time of your visit. In addition to parking in the main lot, Randolph Ave. is another option. Customers can walk through Camp Out into The Camp. Also, Valet service is available in the main lot. The price is $8. Valet is available Thursday through Sunday.

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined 1 day ago

The Plot is a delicious innovative vegan restaurant. We went for brunch and the food was fantastic. We shared a toast flight which had something different on each slice. We had chocolate cherry scones which had a hint of rosemary. So delicious. I had a Korean chiken with rice and kale and my husband had chiken and waffles. Everything was so good. The service was outstanding. This was our 2nd visit. I am already looking forward to our next visit. They take reservations. The parking, however, is a challenge because there are numerous restaurants and shops.

Descanso - Plancha Dining

4.7

4.7 (594)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

THIS PAGE IS FOR PLANCHA TABLES ONLY (Where Our Chefs Cook at Your Table). For reservations in our standard Dining Room/Patio, please search for DESCANSO STANDARD DINING on the Open Table Website or call at 714.486.3798

PLANCHA Dining is available for Dinner Monday through Sunday and Saturday & Sunday Brunch.

Descanso is a modern taqueria in that it celebrates authentic Mexican flavors executed on a traditional plancha grill and prepared in front of you at your table.

Seating Types:

PLANCHA
Make a reservation at the Plancha Table for an intimate experience with your Taquero Chef. This is a multi-course meal option where each item is cooked in front of you!

STANDARD DINING
Make a reservation for our Standard dining room or patio on the Descanso Standard Dining Open Table Page.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

New menu since last time in ate ate at the plancha table was awesome. New sauces, presentation, taste, excellent!

Hana Re Sushi

4.7

4.7 (15)

$50 and over

Japanese

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Hana re only offers chef omakase course $250 per person.
10 courses from appetizers to dessert . Hana re offers same courses at chef’s counter(bar seating )and table seating. Please check website to see more details .

Top review

Ben

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Fantastic 10 course meal. A once in a lifetime experience.

Discover more

Experience

Omakase Menu

Nep Cafe - Fountain Valley

4.7

4.7 (228)

$30 and under

Vietnamese

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

Our take on Modern Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Orange County.

NEP Café in Fountain Valley – Now open for dinner with extended ALL-DAY hours. Your favorite brunch spot is now your go-to dinner destination too. Dive into a world where each dish and drink is a nod to what's current in Vietnam's food scene, tailored with our own unique twist.

Top review

Lynn

Dined 5 days ago

Love, love, loved the food. Always love what Kei concepts does. So creative and delicious while also keeping to traditional Vietnamese flavors. Highly recommend Nep.

Poppy & Seed

4.5

4.5 (906)

$31 to $50

American

Anaheim

About the restaurant

Inspired by Chef Michael Reed and his garden 🌱, we are thrilled to announce that Poppy & Seed is open soon at the Anaheim Packing District. Our new greenhouse restaurant features chef-driven American small plates with a unique, elevated twist, seasonal menu and farm-fresh ingredients. 🌽🥕

Top review

Alejandro

Dined 5 days ago

My wife & I loves the tasting experience! 8 different dishes all wonderful!

Discover more

Experience

Seasonal Chef Tasting Experience

Experience

Farm-to-Table Brunch in a Greenhouse Garden

Taste of Beauty

4.5

4.5 (149)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

We are a plant-based fine dining restaurant where fresh, seasonal ingredients become art that you can see, smell, touch, and taste. Where different cultures and cuisines blend and evolve. Where each plate is a canvas, and every meal is a masterpiece.

Our mission is to make plant-based cuisine a tasteful choice instead of a lifestyle sacrifice. Our tasting menus are crafted to satisfy all the senses. We celebrate Orange County's diversity by blending flavors, cooking techniques, and dining experiences from various cultures. We aim to entice a more climate-conscious diet.

Come, eat your art out.

Top review

janVIP

Dined 2 days ago

W❤️W The only thing I can say now is W♥️W Chef/Owner/Server deserve a Michelin Star for sure. Passed the second time around test with stars. Can’t wait to go back. Jonathan/ George were super stars 🤩⭐️⭐️ The food & service were the best of the best! 100 stars!!!!! THANK YOU 🤗

Discover more

Experience

Immersive Asian Tea Experience

Mesa Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (506)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Mesa Lounge is a unique nightlife experience in the heart of Orange County.

For bottle service inquiries please contact Sabrina@mesacostamesa.com or by text at 949.531.2426.

Please note that we are a 21 and over venue at all times, valid photo ID is required for entry. All guests in your party must be present to be seated. We offer a 15 minute grace period for reservations before releasing the table to a guest on the wait list. Due to limited capacity and high demand, reservations are limited to a 90 minute seating.

Top review

MarvinVIP

Dined on Nov 23, 2024

It was a great experience for a group of 9. We ordered many appetizers and plates to share

Discover more

Experience

Mesa's Social Hour

Perla Mexican Cuisine

3.9

3.9 (228)

$30 and under

Mexican

Santa Ana

About the restaurant

Located in the energetic, historic street of the Downtown Santa Ana on the corner of W Fourth St & N Birch St, Perla is a new authentic, family owned restaurant. Perla is truly an authentic representation of the culinary diversity of Mexico. The main focus is to introduce the traditional Mexican flavors enhanced with a personal touch of long family recipes and traditions.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined on Nov 1, 2024

Perla was amazing. Food was so delicious. I brought a party of 20 from my company and they were so impressed. Thank you for your service and good food and drinks. The night was special!

Discover more

Experience

Taco Tuesday

Experience

Despecho Night (Broken Heart Night)

Explore Diners' Choice best of North Orange County

Explore more Diners' Choice lists