Last updated Winter 2024

ORANGE COUNTY, CA

My home base and where my earliest food memories were born.

★ - All-time favorite / ✸ - Changing menu / Must-orders are bolded

  • Like having dinner at your cool friend’s house with their cool friends. My favorite restaurant in OC.

    Order notes: Brunch - Shakshuka, french toast. Dinner - Whipped feta, little gemmy, mac n cheese, Ahba burger, half chicken, carrot cake.

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  • A casual, modern Vietnamese spot that I’ve been going to since I was nine. Tell John I sent you!

    Order notes: Banh Mi, grapefruit salad.

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  • A piece of old Newport and the best classic breakfast in town - since 1957.

    Order notes: Chili cheese omelet, french toast.

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  • Coffee shop meets surf shop meets gift shop meets place for hot people to look hot. If you haven’t been here, you’ve probably seen it on Instagram.

    Order notes: Matcha latte, oolong tea latte, rose cardamom latte.

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  • Daydream Surf Shop’s boozy sibling.

    Order notes: Go on Thursdays for jazz night and rotating chef pop-ups.

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  • My Vietnamese father’s favorite pho. Get there before opening (11 am) to ditch the line.

    Order notes: Egg rolls, pho tai.

    Website

  • The best pizza I’ve ever had (yes, even after living in Italy). The sourdough crust is the star of the show.

    Order notes: Ceasar salad, meatballs, margherita pizza, mushroom pizza.

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  • The French bakery where my carb dependency started.

    Order notes: Butter croissant, raisin brioche, palmiers, deli sandwich.

    Website

  • A hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant that’s been around since the 80s. Ask for Hiro!

    Order notes: Grilled yellowtail cheek, hamachi ribs.

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  • “Socal Soul Food” with great patio dining (bonus for bright orange umbrellas). 

    Order notes: Lamb empanadas, Scottie’s nuggets, locals salad, steak sandwich, steak tacos.

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  • Hands down the best fried fish tacos, as long as you’re cool with sitting in the parking lot.

    Order notes: Fish tacos with beans and rice, side of guacamole.

    Website

  • A coffee shop that doubles as a bodega with a disco ball and kids' movies projected on the wall.

    Order notes: Hojicha latte, matcha latte. 

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  • A contemporary American outpost on PCH since 1926. I grew up in this restaurant and have taken many naps in its red leather booths. 

    Order notes: Hamachi crudo, spicy yellowfin tuna, 1855 beef carpaccio, caesar salad, filet mignon, bistro fries, mac n cheese.

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  • My favorite ramen shop and a partner of Michelin-starred Hide-Chan Ramen.   

    Order notes: Gyoza, chicken paitan ramen.

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  • A small Mexican joint that packs a punch with multiple locations in SoCal.

    Order notes: Classic burrito with a side of chubbie sauce.

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  • A Restaurant’s scrappy little deli sister. 

    Order notes: Breakfast sandwich, tuna melt, Patsy’s salad.

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  • An adorable lunch spot within the Sherman Library and Gardens.

    Order notes: Buttermilk chive and gruyere biscuits, the dahlia salad.

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  • A good and true bakery that makes everything look beautiful.

    Order notes: Country sourdough loaf, chocolate croissant, seasonal granola.

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  • The final boss of Mexican food, boasting 20+ stalls in a food-court-style dining hall.

    Order notes: Birria, ceviche, tamales, carnitas, churros, horchata.

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  • Quintessential beachside eats with plenty of surfer regulars.

    Order notes: The wakey wakey breakfast burrito, Blackie’s sammy.

    Instagram

  • THE restaurant for Chinese food with a killer name.

    Order notes: Fried tofu with spicy salt, honey walnut shrimp, egg fried rice, gravy-style beef chow mein, Singapore-style rice noodles, Hong Kong waffle.

    Website

  • A solid brunch + lunch spot where you’ll always run into an old friend.

    Order notes: Breakfast - Buttermilk pancakes, all American scramble. Lunch - Chicken & date salad.

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  • I don’t want to know how many takeout orders I’ve placed at this strip mall Thai restaurant.

    Order notes: Pad see ewe, pineapple curry, Thai fried rice.

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  • The best to ever do this combo. I have a soft spot for the Long Beach location.

    Order notes: Scoe’s, fries with a side of gravy, mac n cheese.

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  • My go-to for authentic Italian - the owners are Sicilian.

    Order notes: Polpette, Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa, Napoli pizza.

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  • A tiny but mighty beachside coffee shop.

    Order notes: Lavender matcha.

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  • Modern, seafood-focused Mexican food with the most iconic bathroom wallpaper. 

    Order notes: Artichoke hummus, crispy fish tacos.

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  • Woo-woo California people food, but in a good way.

    Order notes: Fiesta bowl, Mediterranean bowl.

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  • My favorite place for Persian food in OC.

    Order notes: Tadig, kebab koobideh.

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  • My childhood dim sum spot. 

    Order notes: Har gow, bánh bao, shrimp mi xao, beef chow fun, lo mai gai, bánh cam.

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  • Your ole reliable family Mexican restaurant that tops their tacos with enough cheese to choke a horse.

    Order notes: Crispy shredded beef taco with beans and rice, albondigas soup.

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  • A charming coffee shop with the friendliest staff that’s always buzzing with locals.

    Order notes: Spiced chai latte, bueno bowl, Alta veggie sandwich, chocolate cake.

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  • Where every Newporter gets their Thai and Vietnamese food.

    Order notes: Grilled shrimp spring rolls, crispy rice noodles with beef, wonton noodle soup, vegetable curry, mango & sticky rice.

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  • My most frequented spot for breakfast and the occasional dinner. The Newport location is superior.

    Order notes: Breakfast - Chilaquiles, Chow buttermilk pancakes. Lunch/Dinner - BBQ salmon salad, shrimp tacos.

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  • An OG specialty coffee shop where I like to think avocado toast was born.

    Order notes: Breakfast burrito, avocado garden toast.

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