Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County

Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Orange County

Red OpenTable logo
OpenTable
Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in 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!


A photo of Petrossian at Tiffany restaurant
5.0
5 (260)
$50 and over
French
Costa Mesa
About the restaurant
The new Petrossian at Tiffany restaurant concept—located at Tiffany & Co. South Coast Plaza—brings a one-of-a-kind dining experience to Southern California. With the world’s finest caviar and a French-influenced contemporary menu, Petrossian’s Executive Chef Carlos Cabrera masterfully unites the art of caviar with the Tiffany & Co. tradition of excellence.
Top review
DavidVIP
Dined on Dec 27, 2024
Wonderful experience. Really hope they return somewhere nearby!
A photo of Descanso - Plancha Dining restaurant
4.9
4.9 (596)
$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
ArmandoVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Our chef was amazing. Talked us through the meal and took care of our allergen person in the party. A++ service
A photo of Il Girasole restaurant
4.8
4.8 (32)
$31 to $50
Italian
Costa Mesa
About the restaurant
Il Girasole, now open at SOCO & The OC Mix in Costa Mesa, CA, brings a refined, modern Italian dining experience to Orange County. Named after the Italian word for "sunflower," the restaurant embraces a family-owned ethos, with a menu inspired by classic Italian flavors elevated through fresh, high-quality ingredients. Enjoy a variety of beautifully crafted dishes, from handmade pastas and creative flatbreads to thoughtfully curated seafood and meat selections. Each dish is prepared with a focus on authenticity and quality, delivering a dining experience that balances traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine.

Highlights from the menu include unique offerings like King crab ravioli, pistachio-crusted ahi tuna, and handmade pasta with truffle enhancements. Il Girasole has quickly become a must-visit destination for both Italian food aficionados and those seeking an elegant yet welcoming dining environment in Costa Mesa.

Top review
MaryamVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Il Girasole Modern Italian Restaurant provided an absolutely unforgettable dining experience for our 14-year anniversary. Every dish we had was thoughtfully crafted and packed with flavor. The Caesar salad with grilled chicken was a standout--the unique crouton topped with a gelatin-like cream and egg was both creative and delicious. Their warm bread, served with a heavenly combination of cheese, olive oil, and cream, was irresistible. The pasta with burrata and tomato sauce was fresh, perfectly cooked, and felt authentically Italian. Adding grilled chicken made it even better, and I appreciated the flexibility of adding protein to any dish, which keeps it healthy and balanced. The black cod was another highlight, wrapped uniquely and served in an exquisite Persian saffron sauce that elevated the flavors to a whole new level. The atmosphere at the bar was vibrant and cool, and the service was impeccable. Mansour and Antonio, the owners, were so kind and welcoming, making the evening even more special. The bartender's service was excellent, adding to the overall experience. To top it all off, the desserts were beyond amazing. The pastry chef, trained in France, delivered a warm, flourless chocolate cake with delectable custard that was out of this world. As someone who's picky about desserts, I was blown away--it far exceeded my expectations and tasted even better than it looked. I can't wait to return and try some of the seafood pastas and more desserts. Il Girasole is a perfect spot for any special occasion or simply for an exceptional meal. Highly recommend!
A photo of Tempo Cantina - Anaheim Hills restaurant
4.7
4.7 (717)
$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
A photo of YNK restaurant
4.7
4.7 (79)
$31 to $50
Speakeasy
Irvine
About the restaurant
YNK, a speakeasy that guides you on a cocktail journey through various global regions, eras and fanciful interpretations of an ever changing cocktail experience, where You.Never.Know where the journey will lead you to next.

Top review
Francisco
Dined 2 days ago
Great service and the ambiance was perfect. We had their cold chocolate which was a popular drink that night and it was spot on. We also had a smoked old fashioned which was really good. Overall this is an excellent choice for a date night.
A photo of Hana Re Sushi restaurant
4.7
4.7 (16)
$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
Auston
Dined on Dec 29, 2024
Very lightweight, simple, in a very simple area and food is all prepared well
A photo of Zabb Thai Cuisine restaurant
4.7
4.7 (76)
$30 and under
Thai
Newport Beach
About the restaurant
Zabb Thai offers authentic Thai cuisine in a casual dining setting.
Top review
Zeinab
Dined on Jan 13, 2025
The food was great overall. Servers were very attentive.
A photo of The Plot - Costa Mesa restaurant
4.7
4.7 (88)
$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
Ashley
Dined 5 days ago
The ambiance was nice, server was sweet, and the food was delicious - my favorite, the carrotfish & chips. They also make their own sodas, and the mint/sage was quite good too. We'll be in the area again in a couple of weeks, and will most likely stop by again.
A photo of Mesa Restaurant restaurant
4.3
4.3 (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
A photo of Gema restaurant
4.2
4.2 (243)
$31 to $50
Contemporary Mexican
San Clemente
About the restaurant
With a moody Mexico City vibe & modern dining room, Gema has an intimate neighborhood feel & buzzy bar scene. Our scratch-made kitchen highlights the finest Mexican ingredients & the countries staples of corn, chiles & regional cheeses .Our craft cocktail program changes with the season & features house-made syrups & fresh daily juiced citrus. Our bar hosts over 100 bottles of Mexico's finest small batch Mezcals which can be enjoyed in a flight or purchased by bottle and housed for your convenience inour Mezcal Liabrary. Our wines are brought in from Valle de Guadaulape and offer an amazing taste into the emerging Baja wine region. Gema celebrates the vast & sophisticated cuisine of Mexico, its people & its culture. We are proud to serve authentic Mexican cuisine that moves beyond the stereotypical bean and rice culture often associatedwith Mexican eateries. We hope you join us at Gema to experience the true palate of Mexican dining.
Top review
Matteo Romano
Dined on Dec 8, 2024
Incredible food made by scratch. The flavors and textures of the food were so unique and so delicious! Cocktails and wine all from Mexico. Entire staff is so passionate about the food!
Explore Diners' Choice best of Orange County
Explore more Diners' Choice lists
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo