Diners' Choice: American restaurants in South Orange County

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in South Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Nick's - San Clemente

4.9

4.9 (3025)

$30 and under

American

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

JEFF

Dined 4 days ago

If there is a better restaurant in San Clemente , I would like to know what it is… Nick‘s never disappoints and literally gets better every time we go there… I would highly recommend especially our server Kiara was literally the one of the best servers I’ve ever had and I eat out four days a week

Eat Chow - Newport Beach

4.8

4.8 (17)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Eat Chow is your go-to destination for all things comfort. Come stop by at one of our locations for a phenomenal dining experience with your loved ones. On the weekends you can find us slinging brunch and pouring you Mimosas to help ward of those Sunday Scaries. On weekday days and nights expect to sit among locals who have made us a neighborhood favorite!

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily.

Established in 2012.
We started in December of 2008 in a little spot in Costa Mesa.. We are locally owned and operated and have become a local's favorite! Located in the heart on Newport Shores!

Top review

Tricia

Dined on 30 Sept 2024

The 4 of us enjoyed our breakfasts very much, great food, and service was excellent. Thank you!

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (2128)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome to Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook located in Newport Beach. OLEA, named for a genus of trees that flourish in warm and tropical regions throughout the Mediterranean region.
Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality that are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails. We use the best possible ingredients and techniques to ensure that every drink served is an experience. Only fresh fruit and hand-squeezed citrus juices are used every day. We use premium spirits and pour all of our sodas and mixers from bottles. At Olea we take great pride in the Art of the Cocktail. Cheers!

Top review

Connie

Dined 6 days ago

Another fabulous dining experience at Olea! From the hostess who assured us we would be warm enough on the patio (we were), to the server, Amber, who treats us as family - to the food which was hot and delicious!

Discover more

Popular dish

Warm Artisan Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Popular dish

Revier Ranch Filet Mignon

Vine Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (3032)

$30 and under

American

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Welcome to Vine Restaurant and Bar located in San Clemente. Our menu features seasonal ingredients of the highest quality and are prepared daily from scratch. Menu selections include exceptional meats, flavorful seafood, handpicked produce from our garden, and diverse beverage selections. We have over 25 wines by the glass, 10 craft beers, and a full bar featuring a wide variety of craft cocktails.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 3 days ago

Love coming here driving from LA to San Diego- Best burger in SoCal

Discover more

Popular dish

Braised Prime Beef Short Rib Stroganoff

Wine Gallery

4.9

4.9 (599)

$30 and under

American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

The Laguna Beach Wine Gallery is known for an impressive selection of wine, craft beers and wood fired kitchen. Menu options center around our wood fired pizzas, salads, fresh seafood, steaks, small plates and more. We focus on seasonal, sustainable, fresh ingredients with weekly specials based on what's fresh.

With a casual yet cozy ambiance, Wine Gallery will make you feel right at home with our inviting and friendly restaurant staff. Craft Cocktails coming soon.

Top review

Alonavip

Dined 1 day ago

This was our second time at Wine Gallery (the first was two years ago). We came to have a special Friday dinner in celebration of a personal accomplishment, and we're so glad we came back. The food was just as incredible as we remembered - I can't believe there's a place that has mastered both making amazing oven-baked pizza and serving the best (and freshest) seafood I've ever tasted. The wine selection was impressive, but we prefer European style wines and therefore brought our own wine. The ambiance was great and the service was impeccable. We will definitely be back.

Discover more

Experience

A Very Happy Hour

Coastal Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (4870)

$30 and under

American

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

Christina and Mike Grant, the owners of Coastal Kitchen, have created an experience that will delight and satisfy the most discerning guest. Fueled by their passion for food and a love of hospitality, the Grants have established Coastal Kitchen as the go-to spot in Dana Point. The menu is clean and fresh consisting of fish and steaks cut in house, great salads, freshly ground burgers and more. Coastal Kitchen has a full bar, patio with fire pits, and fresh coastal design.

Our mission is to deliver a quality dining experience in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with a consistency that will bring guests back again and again. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

gregg

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious food, service was spot on and the restaurant is highly recommended

608 Dahlia

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

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!

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (303)

$30 and under

American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Serving fine pub cuisine for over 25 years The Alley Restaurant & Bar in Newport Beach is where locals love dining and lounging. Lovingly dubbed by our Alleycats as the "Best Pour by the Shore" for that last drink, The Alley has a late night reputation that is one of legend. See Less

Top review

Renevip

Dined 5 days ago

Monday night rib special is the best. So yummy! Reservations are a must.

Rancho Capistrano Winery - San Clemente

4.8

4.8 (120)

$30 and under

American

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of San Clemente, the Rancho Capistrano Winery location exudes a captivating charm that seamlessly blends with the coastal beauty of the surroundings. The architecture, adorned with rustic elegance, creates an inviting atmosphere for wine enthusiasts and visitors alike. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the San Clemente location at Rancho Capistrano Winery invites guests to savor fine wines, enjoy exquisite cuisine, while immersed in the coastal beauty of Southern California.

Top review

Brian

Dined 7 days ago

All the food servers at the San Clemente location are great, but this time we had Zach X2! The 2 of them worked like the perfect team and our entire family enjoyed the food as well as the experience. The best "Home Town" Winery!

Nick's Laguna Beach

4.8

4.8 (3165)

$31 to $50

American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

Theo

Dined 6 days ago

Great date experience for me and my wife everything was great

Explore Diners' Choice best of South Orange County

Explore more Diners' Choice lists