California’s Orange County plays host to some pretty impressive stretches of Pacific Ocean and can namecheck more than one theme park within its borders.

These factors perpetually entice visitors from near and far; including our neighbors to the north looking to escape Los Angeles on a day trip. Whether you’re a resident or visitor, read on for my current top restaurant picks.

The perfect way to start a day, and to start this guide, is with brunch!

In Newport Beach, Lido Marina Village is an idyllic, harborside collection of shops and eateries. At Malibu Farms, pair any breakfast with an order of Swedish Mini Pancakes topped with a seasonally rotating fruit compote.

There’s no shortage of great coffee in the area but if you want to channel your inner Paltrow order a detox smoothie or adaptogen latte.

Just down the dock you’ll find Zinqué which is a great choice for a heartier egg dish.

Their earthy, boho vibe effuses a laid-back sensibility but this is Newport so the breezy, caftan clad patrons are still a well heeled bunch.

Grab a light bite and a dopamine hit from the colorful caffeine dispenser, Dose In The Box, or its sister location, Coffee Dose found in Irvine and Costa Mesa respectively.

Bring your appetite and a sense of humor. My go to order is an Oat Milk Matcha, add vanilla syrup, and an Almond Croissant from their delectable pastry case.

Continuing in Irvine, Baum Coffee & Tea specializes in soufflé pancakes.

My personal favorite is the Strawberry but I have to say the Lucky Charm Matcha might be the most adorable.

If breakfast for you is just grabbing a cup of coffee, there’s a few solid options with new spots opening regularly.

Present in several major metropolises, Blue Bottle is not the most local choice on the list but it did originate in California and it serves an excellent cup of coffee.

On the more local spectrum, Los Angeles roaster Stereoscope Coffee has added a foothold in Orange County. Enjoy the bright, small cafe awash in pearlescent walls or step out into the adjoining courtyard space.

In South County, seek out Bear Coast Coffee a fixture in both San Clemente and Dana Point. At the former, skip the wait for a table and opt for a stroll along the pier.

If you’re still on the hunt for a caffeine fix, stop by Herst for a latte, MoonGoat for their take on matcha titled Hulk Juice, or any 85°C Bakery for a boba tea.

The prices to stay at sprawling resort Pelican Hill are not for the faint of heart but the price of brunch is much more egalitarian. Book in advance at Coliseum Pool & Grill.

This is one of our most frequented weekend brunches; favorites include the Caprese Avo Toast and the Brûléed Steel Cut Oats.

It’s hard to find a truly standout bagel on the West Coast but Costa Mesa’s Boil + Bake delivers in spades.

Excepting a modest countertop, all seating is outdoors but with a covered patio and California’s beautiful weather, why not? My sandwich of choice is The New Yorker.

It’s hard to quantify a hidden gem in an area where knowledge of undiscovered eateries is social currency, but Juliette’s Cafe + Coffee Culture comes close. Tucked in an unassuming building their neighbors are a bank and financial advisor.

Order from their all-day brunch menu – the Breakfast Sandwich served on a croissant is particularly good – but save room for their pastry case or snag one for the road.

Finally, if breakfast for you is best described as a lingering, weekend brunch then book a table at Terrace by Mix Mix. Combining a petite breakfast menu with a more substantial lunch menu, order from both and settle in with friends.

The approach is Filipino fusion food so be sure to order their fantastic shrimp lumpia!

In terms of meal rankings, lunch sits firmly at the bottom for me. It’s the most skippable and the least exciting. However, when you need to satisfy your midday munchies, here are the spots to do it.

Bear Flag Fish Co is an Orange County staple with three locations and a fourth opening soon. Hang around the Back Bay of Newport and you’re likely to see their boats bringing in the catch of the day.

Always fresh, always delicious this is the place locals trust for fish tacos, poke, and sushi. It’s also a great fishmonger to pick up your seafood and prepare at home.

Enjoy authentic Hawaiian flavors at ‘Ai Pono Cafe in Costa Mesa. With a solid lineup of classics keep an eye out for rotating specials such as Honey Walnut Tempura Scallop.

Although billed as street food, be prepared to spend north of $40 for two people.

For a quick bite, head to CoCo Ichibanya’s to-go counter (a separate entrance from the dine-in restaurant) and get an order of fries topped with cheese and keema curry.

If you’re shopping at Newport’s upscale Fashion Island, grab a late lunch at the patio of Bloomingdale’s 59th & Lex Cafe and settle in for the people watching.

If you linger long enough over post-lunch cappuccinos, you might even catch an early winter sunset.

In my humble opinion, pho shouldn’t be limited by meal times. I’ve eaten it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and it’s never the wrong time.

If you’re spending the day at Costa Mesa’s shopping behemoth South Coast Plaza, fuel up at Phoholic. The lines are long but move quickly and this broth is well worth it.

Continuing at South Coast Plaza, find exceptional Sichuan cuisine at Mian which has earned itself a notable Michelin Bib Gourmand.

I have a lot of non-negotiables on this menu including ordering the Beef Roll Pancake, Chengdu Fries, and Chili Oil Dumplings. Give in to your sweet tooth and end with the Brown Sugar Sticky Rice, you’ll thank me later.

Of course, there’s no shortage of great tacos. For no-fuss, street style eats head to Taqueria el Zamorano in Santa Ana or Tacos Los Cholos in Anaheim.

At El Zamorano, don’t miss the Taco Dorado de Papa a delightfully crunchy hard shell taco filled with potatoes and a cabbage slaw.

In addition to ordering a plethora of street tacos at Los Cholos, I highly recommend a Papa Loka to share for the table. A weighty baked potato covered in griddled cheese and your choice of protein or protein alternative (my pick is grilled mushrooms).

When it’s time for dinner, Orange County really shows up. With a vast array of cuisines and price points it’s easy to revisit favorite haunts time and again or find somewhere different every single weekend if that’s more your speed.

Dining at a hyped restaurant is often adjacent to the adage about meeting your heroes… in other words, disappointing. But Nobu consistently proves that it has earned its reputation for a reason and intends to keep it.

Any Nobu location is great but if you’re lucky enough to dine during sunset and lucky enough to be seated on Newport Beach’s upstairs balcony then you’ve struck gold.

You don’t need me to tell you how great the sushi is (it is) or to be adventurous (trust your server) so I’ll just tell you to save room for the Takumi Burgers.

If you want a similar caliber of sushi but want less see-and-be-seen, trade Nobu for Balboa’s San Shi Go. Just don’t let on that I’m giving away local’s secret spots.

Continuing with the sushi theme, if crowds don’t scare you queue up for Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. Featuring a double decker conveyor belt, general offerings circulate on the first level while special orders speed to your table on the second.

Highlights include the Yuzu Jalepeño Tuna Nigiri, signature Kura Roll, and Spicy Crunchy Taco. Ending with Japanese Style Soy Milk Donuts is a must. If you need extra motivation, this small plates extravaganza dispenses a prize every fifteen plates.

For Taco Tuesday cravings look no further than The Taco Stand. Found in Laguna Beach, Orange, and Costa Mesa you can’t go wrong whichever one you visit.

Order one less taco than you think to ensure there’s room for their Hot Churros!

On a casual night, tuck into steamy bowls of noodles at HiroNori Craft Ramen. It’s a straightforward, edited menu that you won’t get lost in but if you’re still in need of direction, just opt for the Tonkotsu Ramen.

Head to South County’s Dana Point for comfort food at Peking Dragon.

Find classic American-Chinese dishes such as Sweet & Sour Chicken and exemplary Egg Rolls. I also recommend their San Doing Chicken and Shrimp with Sizzling Rice.

With miles of beaches beckoning, a picnic dinner is just what the doctor ordered. Skip the fast casual sandwich chains and opt for beloved local dive, Lil Pickle.

Armed with your sandwich of choice from this no frills gem, make your way to the cliffs above Corona Del Mar, known for its unforgettable sunsets.

Indian eatery, Masala Craft has expanded to a trio of locations across Orange County.

Of course they nail classics such as Butter Chicken but my personal recommendation is Dum Aloo which consists of stuffed potatoes swimming in spiced tomato gravy.

Tuck in for a waterfront, romantic date night at Louie’s by the Bay on Mariner’s Mile.

A dining experience not to be rushed, start with a soup or salad course and a glass of wine then see where the night takes you. Bonus points if you dine during the holidays to fully appreciate the cozy fireplace and cheerful, checked upholstery.

Newport’s recently opened Buona Forchetta originally hails from San Diego and is a wonderful, coastal purveyor of Italian flavors.

Offering staple Italian dishes they also cater to gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian dietary restrictions. The quality and care was apparent in every dish we ordered but the dark horse that blew me away was their Montanara or fried pizza bites.

Start there then choose your own adventure with the rest of the menu!

For date night or first dates, The Capital Grill is a stalwart of the steakhouse set. This moody Costa Mesa locale is ideal for wintertime dining bathed in warm lamplight.

Here you’ll also catch a glimpse of the rarest of California sightings – starched white tablecloths. In a dining scene that thrives on being laid-back, it’s nice to find a place to actually dress up. When in season, splurge for a South African Lobster Tail pairing.

A perennial favorite, Paradise Dynasty is lesser known than dim sum giant Din Tai Fung but it comes with its own fanatic following. Originating in Singapore this is the perfect spot for celebratory occasions or just celebrating days that end in ‘y’.

Listing favorite dishes here I’m liable to list the whole menu. Don’t miss the Radish Pastry (warning, it sells out early) or the Stir Fried French Bean with Minced Pork. Ordering multiple rounds of Xiao Long Bao goes without saying.

California is all about dining al fresco and one of the best places to do so in Orange County is SET Steak + Sushi.

As a rule of thumb, I tend to avoid eclectic menus. They’re usually indicative of a kitchen who hasn’t found its identity and an early warning sign of disappointment.

This time, I was pleasantly surprised.

SET managed to execute a Tomato Burrata starter, Bang Bang Shrimp, Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Mac + Cheese Sticks, and Steak Fried Rice …and do it all well.

You don’t have to be greedy and try every single dessert, just know that if you do they’ll beautifully plate them as a single presentation.

In addition to being a foodie, I was also an interior design major. No matter how many delicious meals I have in dives, I’ll always have an affection for exceptional interiors.

The best of the best? Ocean Grill by RH. Perched on the rooftop of their sprawling gallery, the greenhouse like space boasts sweeping ocean views. It’s a scene overrun by influencers, minor celebrities, and major bank accounts. It’s also impossible to get a reservation. But persevere because when you’re enjoying a lobster roll and truffle fries, you won’t be thinking about any of that.

Like every dining guide, this is a snapshot in time. It’s the places I’ve discovered and devotedly revisited. In the future, new places will open, old favorites might be forgotten, and in the ever changing restaurant landscape some will sadly shutter their doors. But here and now, this is where I’m dining in Orange County.