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Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in South Orange County

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

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

A photo of The Dock restaurant

5.0

5 (2039)

$50 and over

Seafood

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

THE DOCK located in NEWPORT BEACH CALIFORNIA requires a valid credit card to book reservations online via OpenTable or call 949-673-3625 to provide your credit card. 24 hr cancellation fee policy. The Dock reserves the right to cancel your reservation if reservation is not CC guaranteed. VOTED TOP 10 RESTAURANTS IN ORANGE COUNTY 2022 and TOP 100 in the US in 2019 and 2023 BY OPENTABLE. Our waterfront covered patio dining and every seat has a bay view, with an infused contemporary American menu. Outstanding wine list and custom craft cocktails.
Reservations are recommended.

Top review

T

Tom

Dined on 5 Dec 2024

My wife took me there for dinner for my 50th birthday. The service was outstanding. The staff were very interactive, chatty and friendly. The food was amazing, I had the lamb, best I've ever had, and my wife had the lobster, it was also delicious. We will definitely be going back.

A photo of 608 Dahlia restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2023)

$31 to $50

American

Corona del Mar

About the restaurant

Executive Chef Jessica Roy brings her fresh interpretation and style to Garden and Farm-to-Table cuisine right inside the botanical oasis that is Sherman Library and Gardens. Daily pickings from the Gardens and local farms populate the ever changing seasonal menu that highlights the best and most flavorful ingredients of the season. Look for ingredients at their peak, stunning edible blooms and herbs right from the Sherman grounds, and cuisine that is nothing short of inspired and delicious. .

Please note: we are located within the Sherman Library and Gardens, to which there is a $5.00 per person admission fee. Each admission supports the Sherman Gardens (a non-profit organization), who maintain the sweeping panoramic views that our diners get to enjoy! Come for the food and stay for the views (and insta-worthy pics).

Top review

A

Alan

Dined 4 days ago

From the mountainous crispy green salads to the salmon entrée, our party of 6 was delighted with our luncheon. You know you want them, so you should just put your biscuit order in as soon as you are seated. Outstanding, start to finish. Don't wait for a special occasion to indulge!

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A photo of Specialty Biscuits of a restaurant

Specialty Biscuits

A photo of Harvest Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Garden Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens restaurant

Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens

4.8

4.8 (11432)

$31 to $50

American

Corona del Mar

About the restaurant

We are excited for your visit, and welcome you to experience our beautiful outdoor dining room in Newport Beach. That being said we are outdoors and encourage all guest to dress appropriate to the season. We have added a beautiful heated covered awning for the winter months. We offer blankets for sale that can be kept, or left behind and donated to a local charity we support. We will still be requesting a two hour dinning limit per visit.
Farmhouse at Rogers Gardens offers the freshest, locally sourced , seasonal farm-to-fork cuisine paired with exclusive wines and craft cocktails and beers. Located on a seven acre home and garden center in the heart of beautiful Corona del Mar, Farmhouse provides a dining experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else and can be quite romantic. What sets us apart is the unparalleled beauty of Rogers Gardens combined perfectly with a unique cuisine created by Chef Rich Mead.

Top review

P

Peter

Dined 6 days ago

Michelle was an amazing server. Her support staff was awesome, I constantly got my water glass refilled. Then food was top notch and we met Chef Rich as we left and thanked him personally. We just love eating here and spending the day admiring the lush grounds, especially during these festive holidays.

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A photo of Today's Pizza of a restaurant

A photo of Asian Chicken Salad 20 of a restaurant

Asian Chicken Salad 20

A photo of Grilled Asian Beef Short Ribs of a restaurant

Grilled Asian Beef Short Ribs

A photo of The Tea House on Los Rios restaurant

The Tea House on Los Rios

4.8

4.8 (2698)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

San Juan Capistrano

About the restaurant

Set in a beautifully restored 1911 cottage complete with a wrap-around veranda and lush gardens, The Tea House on Los Rios offers Orange County's premier high tea experience. Known for our famous scones, delicious tea sandwiches, and loose-leaf teas, we also feature a full luncheon menu and a weekend brunch menu, complete with mimosas and Bloody Marys. Join us for an unforgettable experience on Historic Los Rios Street in San Juan Capistrano. Take the train and making a day of it!

Top review

W

Wendi

Dined 4 days ago

My group had a great time. The service was amazing. We’ll definitely go back.

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A photo of Fresh Fruit of a restaurant

A photo of Quiche Lorraine of a restaurant

Quiche Lorraine

A photo of Five Assorted Tea Sandwiches of a restaurant

Five Assorted Tea Sandwiches

A photo of Rebel Omakase restaurant

4.9

4.9 (226)

$50 and over

Sushi

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING
We put all our heart and soul into a creative and unique experience. Our Omakase is a pre-fixed menu based on raw fish and shellfish. All ingredients come from Japan, prepared with Japanese techniques and elements. Our Omakase is a fine dining, intimate experience, prepared in front of our guests to highlight the integrity of our dishes.
CANCELLATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS are allowed 72 hours in advance. Less than 72 hours will be charged for the full price of Omakase per guest plus tax
TEXT MESSAGE with full information (949) 664-3186
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS must be informed in advance, we CANNOT accommodate no shellfish, no gluten, no dairy, or no meat requests
NO outside food or wine
THE SUSHI BAR AND TABLE SERVICE are the same menu; our servers will explain the intricacy of every dish
BE ON TIME Service starts in unison at the time of reservation if you are late, you will miss some courses
CHILDREN age 5+ are welcome, but they must order the full menu

Top review

H

Helena

Dined on 6 Dec 2024

Really fantastic experience with new fish and delicate sauces. Delicious and fun!

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A photo of 5:00pm & 7:30pm Omakase Experience of a restaurant

5:00pm & 7:30pm Omakase Experience

A photo of 12:30pm - Lunch Omakase of a restaurant

12:30pm - Lunch Omakase

A photo of 12:30pm - Sunday Nigiri Omakase of a restaurant

12:30pm - Sunday Nigiri Omakase

A photo of Nirvana by Chef Lindsay restaurant

Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

4.9

4.9 (1728)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

We are a neighborhood independent restaurant owned by Laguna Beach Native, Executive Chef Lindsay Smith with Wine Country Inspired California Coastal Cuisine in the heart of Downtown Laguna Beach, between Main Beach & the Historic Festival of Arts. Her main focus is to feed our guests the way she chooses for her our own family. In a warm and inviting atmosphere, the hope is that each guests leaves as if she were welcoming friends and family into her home. We take pride in sourcing the freshest ingredients available when creating our menus with Free Range & Organic Poultry, Sustainable Seafood, Antibiotic & Hormone Free Meats, Seasonal, Local and/or Organic Produce. We are conscious about the food we serve, the impact of our waste in lessoning our environmental footprint & supporting the local community we are within. Named one of the Top 10 Chef's in Orange County and Top 5 Chef's in Laguna Beach, Chef prides herself on quality food, friendly service and an experience to return for.

Top review

S

Stevenvip

Dined 4 days ago

We had our usual delicious meal and come back every time we visit Laguna Beach

A photo of Ocean 48 - Newport restaurant

Ocean 48 - Newport

4.9

4.9 (517)

$50 and over

Seafood

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

The Ocean 48 menu is designed with fresh seafood and quality ingredients in mind. The Mastros provide ultra-grade seafood, salmon, lobster, crab, oysters and more. Much of the menu is served a la carte, letting each guest personalize their experience. Ocean 48 is seafood reinvented in a vibrant upscale atmosphere specializing in world-class seafood & great steaks. Different than anything we have done in the past, the fine dining atmosphere blends dramatic and intimate settings. At the core of Ocean 48 is chef sourced, highest graded sustainable fresh seafood from around from the world, enhanced with unique and interesting appetizers and side dishes that go beyond the traditional seafood menu. Newport's best seafood & romantic restaurant.

Top review

J

jamilavip

Dined 5 days ago

Great food, Ribeye was perfect. Service and Ambiance Fixe star .

A photo of Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove restaurant

Beachcomber Cafe - Crystal Cove

4.8

4.8 (10434)

$30 and under

Californian

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Voted as one of the "Top 100 Restaurants" for 2023 by OpenTable in the United States

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove provides "world class" ocean front dining in the Historic District of the Crystal Cove State Park with breath taking views of the Newport Coastline and Catalina Island. Situated on the sandy beach, The Beachcomber's outdoor patio provides the perfect spot to enjoy the ocean's breeze while sipping on your favorite cocktail or enjoying one of the many favorite entrees and appetizers.

The Beachcomber's outdoor tropical bar 'The Bootlegger' with thatch roofing provides the perfect spot to escape from the world while enjoying one of many tropical libations.

Top review

J

Julie

Dined 3 days ago

Ocean front... great ambiance and wonderful food! Make a reservation or plan to wait 30 minutes to an hour. Of course, you enjoy a nice beach walk while waiting! :)

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A photo of BEACHCOMBER BEIGNETS of a restaurant

BEACHCOMBER BEIGNETS

A photo of Beignets and Ambrosia of a restaurant

Beignets and Ambrosia

A photo of MAHI MAHI TACOS of a restaurant

MAHI MAHI TACOS

A photo of Coliseum Grill - The Resort at Pelican Hill restaurant

Coliseum Grill - The Resort at Pelican Hill

4.8

4.8 (2285)

$31 to $50

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

At Coliseum Pool & Grill, every meal is a vacation. Dig into California grill favorites like our fish tacos, steak salad, flatbread pizza or signature chicken. Whether you sit under the sun or under the ceiling, we can’t help but show off our fresh flavors and amazing views.

Top review

A

Amaanvip

Dined 6 days ago

Amazing food, and amazing service. Would bring my family here or it’s also a perfect date spot.

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A photo of Baja Fish Tacos of a restaurant

Baja Fish Tacos

A photo of O'Neill's Bar & Grill restaurant

O'Neill's Bar & Grill

4.9

4.9 (1116)

$30 and under

Californian

Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

About the restaurant

O'Neill's - our 4,600 square foot bar and grill - is a very popular place after a round of golf. Enjoy great meals and cocktails while you also take in the breathtaking views of the Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, Trabuco Creek, and the course.

Top review

R

Robvip

Dined on 4 Dec 2024

Excellent place for a covered patio lunch on a SoCal December afternoon.

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A photo of Napa Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Caesar Salad of a restaurant

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