5 Trendiest Dining Spots in Orange County

When you’re out and about and want to grab a meal with family, have a drink with friends, sip coffee with your parents, or share a dessert with your sweetheart, you want a place that is worth your time, attention, and money. More than that, you want a place that has quality food and exceptional service. Whether you’re from Orange County or are just visiting, knowing the best places to nosh on some delicious food can create an unforgettable experience. Read on for our list of the five trendiest spots in Orange County to please your taste buds and tummy.

Fable and Spirit

Image via Flickr by wuestenigel

Fable and Spirit is the new kid on the block of the Orange County restaurant scene and is getting rave reviews. Orange Coast Magazine voted this fine locale Restaurant of the Year for 2020, and it is easy to understand why. The hip yet welcoming atmosphere as soon as you enter the establishment envelops you in a sense of comfort. The elegant design and delicious and varied menu options keep customers returning for more. Loaded with a carefully designed menu, Fable and Spirit is truly a rarity. 

The dinner menu comprises creative and captivating concoctions to appeal to various appetites, palates, and dietary needs. For a small bite to munch on while you meet up with old friends, or for a casual first date, try something from the small plates section. A quick loyal customer favorite is the Guinness brown bread. For something with a little more tang, we suggest the hard-to-beat wood-fired pizzetta with sprouted broccoli, spring garlic, pearl onions, burrata, and hazelnuts. 

Other delicious choices include the citrus salad with spiced avocado and blood orange, the heirloom carrots with Meyer lemon and goat cheese feta, or the Fable Burger made with prime beef and served with truffle fries. 

You’ll find Fable and Spirit in Newport Beach, California, at 3441 Vida Lido, Suite A. Their hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for brunch. For more information, please call 949-409-9913 or email [email protected].

Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook.

Located in Laguna Beach, Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook. is a jewel of Orange County dining. Originally opened in 2007 as Sapphire Laguna Restaurant and Pantry, the restaurant houses the iconic statue of Eiler Larsen, a landmark of Laguna Beach. This gorgeous restaurant provides a modern dining experience surrounded by lush greenery has a friendly staff ready to serve you and your company. 

All menus items feature fresh and seasonal ingredients to ensure that customers get the highest quality meals possible. If you go for dinner, we suggest you try the house-made duck meatballs. They are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and addictive. For a brunch item, you can’t go wrong with the healthy farmers market fresh vegetable scrambler made with cage-free eggs. It is fresh, filling, and will keep you fueled until your next meal. 

Sapphire is located at 1200 South Coast Highway in Suite 101 while the Pantry is in Suite 102. Sapphire’s hours of operation are Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m., to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Pantry opens daily at 7 a.m until close. For information or delivery, please call 949-715-9888. 

Selanne Steak Tavern

The Selanne Steak Tavern is a beautifully decorated location with white linens and an airy appeal. The food is downright delicious. Located in a historic 1934 home, the classic American steakhouse serves a diverse menu sure to please any carnivore. Executive Chef Vincent Terusa leads the kitchen in creating culinary delights that are traditional cuts as well as contemporary fare. We recommend you go hungry and with a friend to share the Lord Stanley cut. Pair it with the salt-baked potato topped with whipped butter, creme fraiche foam, bacon, and chive. 

Selanne Steak Tavern is located at 1464 South Coast Highway and opens daily for dinner, starting at 5 p.m., with advanced reservations. Your seating is guaranteed for two hours to ensure all guests with reservations have adequate time to eat and dine in comfort. The demand to dine here is high so make plans well in advance to enjoy one of the best dining experiences available in Orange County. For information or reservations, call 949-715-9881.

A Restaurant

Newport Beach’s A Restaurant claims the “classically hip status” since 1926. Their menu includes classic favorite entrees like perfectly cooked and seasoned savory boneless ribeye and savory Alaskan halibut. Sides include items ranging from bistro fries, grilled asparagus, and mac ‘n cheese. They keep things simple and succulent. 

Check their website for updated hours of operation and outdoor dining availability. To make a reservation, contact the restaurant by phone directly at 949-650-6505 or book your dinner on OpenTable. This high-quality establishment is at 3334 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach. 

Alza Italian Kitchen

No restaurant list is complete without at least one Italian eatery. As one of the world’s favorite comfort foods, Italian cuisine served by Alza Italian Kitchen rounds out our list of the top five spots you should check out in the OC. As the name shows, dining here is truly an uplifting experience. The food heals the soul and nourishes the body like only Italian cooking can do. They have tasty pizzas, classic Italian dishes made fresh, and an Alfresco patio. 

The restaurant sits at 22411 Antonio Parkway Suite C170 in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. To order from their full takeout menu, make a reservation, or for other information, call 949-709-8059. 

So there you have it. Teak Master has just shared with you our list of the top five trendiest dining spots in Orange County. For a fun evening out loaded with delicious eats, check out one of these spots. What do you think of our list? Did we miss your favorite restaurant for a contemporary dining experience? If we did, let us know! Leave a message and we’ll gladly add your suggestions to our list.