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Best Authentic Restaurants in Lake Forest

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22 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Habana- Irvine Spectrum restaurant
1. Habana- Irvine Spectrum
4.5
Awesome(4765)
Price: Expensive
• Cuban • Irvine
Booked 135 times today
Habana- Irvine Spectrum is authentic because it offers a genuine Cuban experience with its cuisine and cocktail program. Reviews rave about its 'authentic and very delicious food', 'great Cuban vibe' and 'immersive atmosphere as if you're in Cuba'. It's been a favorite culinary destination for 20 years, further testifying to its authenticity.
A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
2. Puesto Los Olivos
4.6
Exceptional(1798)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Irvine
Booked 47 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.
A photo of Fennel Kitchen & Bar restaurant
3. Fennel Kitchen & Bar
4.7
Exceptional(193)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 23 times today
Fennel Kitchen and Bar is a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant that offers an authentic, healthy, and vibrant dining experience by seamlessly blending the flavors of the sun-kissed Mediterranean shores with exotic Middle Eastern cuisine. Our thoughtfully crafted menu meets diverse dietary preferences, including traditional kabobs bursting with flavor, to simple, authentic vegetarian dishes. We believe beauty lies in the details and we strive to ensure that every aspect of your dining experience is memorable.
A photo of Brio Italian Grille - Irvine - Spectrum Center restaurant
4. Brio Italian Grille - Irvine - Spectrum Center
3.6
Very Good(2011)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 37 times today
Brio Spectrum is a premier Tuscan-inspired Italian restaurant in Irvine, CA serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine, luxury wines & cocktails-our specialties include premium quality steaks, chops, seafood, made-to-order pasta and flatbreads. If you're looking for the best holiday party venue or restaurant for Thanksgiving, Brio offers easy reservations and catering services to make your event special. Whether dining in or ordering online, Brio Spectrum is the place to eat in Irvine, CA for great Italian cuisine. Visit us today-reserve your table or order online!
A photo of Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Lake Forest restaurant
5. Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Lake Forest
new
5.0
Exceptional(2)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Lake Forest
Morena’s Mexican Cuisine is owned and operated by the Rosales family. They opened their first location in Rancho Mission Viejo in 2019. Since then have plans to open several more locations in Orange County and the Inland Empire.We offer our customers authentic Mexican food made with the freshest ingredients. We never use pre-made sauces, mixes, or frozen ingredients in our food.All of our cocktails are made with fresh ingredients like freshly muddled blackberries, organic agave and fresh lime juice.Lunch Specials: Our lunch menu also features tacos, burritos, huevos rancheros, chile relleno and more. All dishes are $12.99 from 11:00 AM - 02:00 PM
A photo of Javier's Crystal Cove restaurant
6. Javier's Crystal Cove
4.7
Exceptional(316)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Newport Beach
Booked 358 times today
Artistically designed with unique sculptures, Javier's Crystal Cove provides guests with ocean views in a cozy, contemporary atmosphere to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine. It opened its doors in 2008 on Newport Beach and is conveniently close to the Crystal Cove Shopping Center. This restaurant offers guests an upscale dining experience with such entrees as the Maine lobster enchilada topped with Monterey jack cheese and grilled chicken breasts braised in chipotle sauce. Javier's Crystal Cove serves a variety of fresh seafood dishes, appetizers and delicious desserts. It has a full bar that features numerous tequilas, cocktails, beers and wine. Javier's Crystal Cove also offers outdoor dining. It accepts reservations over the phone and online.
A photo of Puesto Park Place restaurant
7. Puesto Park Place
4.5
Awesome(1113)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Irvine
Booked 21 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include the Michelin Guide, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, Huffington Post, Eater, Refinery 29, Insider, Zagat, Thrillist, and Food and Wine.
A photo of Il Fornaio - Irvine restaurant
8. Il Fornaio - Irvine
4.6
Exceptional(4044)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 36 times today
Step inside Il Fornaio and take an award-winning culinary journey through Italy. Specialties include housemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, grilled fish, authentic risotto, and rotisserie meats. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Il Fornaio offers a wide variety of premium-quality Italian food paired with great cocktails and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list.
A photo of Salerno by Chef Pirozzi restaurant
9. Salerno by Chef Pirozzi
4.6
Exceptional(953)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Laguna Beach
Booked 4 times today
Salerno by Chef Pirozzi serves authentic italian cuisine, owned and operated by Certified Italian Chef Alessandro Pirozzi. It's menu consists of freshly homemade pastas such as Fettucini Alfredo, Black Ink Spaghetti & Clams, and Mamma's Meatballs, as well as authentic piattis Veal Parmigiana and Chilean Seabass.Salerno by Chef Pirozzi serves a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to complement each meal. This includes a wide selection of beers, wines, and now proudly offering a full bar! It is open during the dinner hour daily except Monday.
A photo of Todos Santos restaurant
10. Todos Santos
4.5
Awesome(137)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita
Booked 5 times today
Located in El Paseo Plaza, Todos Santos is a newly renovated restaurant specializing in modern authentic Mexican cuisine.With an extensive tequila & mezcal selection, heated outdoor dining, a brand new bar patio and a culinary team with decades of experience in Mexican cuisine, Todos Santos promises to deliver an amazing experience no matter the occasion.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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