12 Great Places to Eat in Orange County
Table of Contents
Story and photos by Julie Diebolt Price (unless otherwise indicated)
White House Italian Steak House is a national historic landmark building in Anaheim. Built in 1909 for the Waterman family, it was the home to Dr. and Louise Truxaw for 50 years. In 1981 the house was sold to Jim and Barbara Stovall, who immediately made plans to restore it as a restaurant.
Chef Bruno Serato, from Verona Italy, took over the ownership in 1987 and featured Northern Italian Steak House cuisine and maintains that today.
In 2017 a fire destroyed the building. But, in just fourteen months, they reopened to serve their premium steaks, meat, and traditional pasta again.
887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA
North Orange County’s countryside is home to the Summit House Restaurant. Rich in the tradition of an English country inn, crackling fires create a hospitable place to enjoy the hearty fare.
Specialties include English Cut, Cottage Cut, and Summit House Cuts of Roast Prime Ribs of Beef. A Seaside Sampler, Crab Cakes and Fries, or Portobello Mushroom Tower cater to non-red meat eaters, along with salmon, chicken, and lamb dishes.
The John Dory Tavern hosts Happy Hours during the week and Happy Sundays in the Tavern and on the Patio.
2000 E. Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, CA
Colorful and delicious food is served at LIT Café near the Transportation Center in Anaheim. The menu designed for meat-eaters as well as vegan and vegetarians with a fusion style that creates terrific flavor combinations.
Culture and training influence the flavors at LIT Café. Two successful careers bring French, Mexican, Indonesian, and Japanese traditions to the dining table. The owners, David Fujimura and Erica Tjangnaka, a husband and wife team, produce extraordinary meals and desserts that appeal to many tastes. Both of them trained at Le Cordon Bleu Pasadena, and they have worked with top chefs in Southern California.
A couple of my favorites on the menu are the Brick Toast for breakfast and the Grapefruit Mimosa for brunch on Saturdays.
1071 N. Tustin Avenue, Suite 100, Anaheim, CA
You will find The Winery a perfect setting for a business meeting, a wine tasting, or a birthday celebration. The subdued and sophisticated interior, exemplary service and creative presentation of the California regional cuisine have justifiably earned accolades and awards for this ten-year-old wine bar and restaurant.
The Winery boasts 650 wines to select from, which are stored in a climate-controlled cellar. The wait staff guides you in wine parings for your meal.
Nightly specials allow you to walk on the wild side if you wish. The offerings might include alligator from Louisiana, elk, buffalo, rabbit, pheasant, quail, squab, New Zealand venison, or partridge.
You will find a lively and classy dining experience at The Winery.
2647 Park Avenue, Tustin, CA
Old World Italy is served at Roma d’Italia in Old Town Tustin. It’s the first and original family-owned Italian restaurant. Dominic Corea and his wife, Nina, decided to open a small Italian restaurant. He was a master carpenter who helped build many of the buildings in Old Town Tustin. Dominic made the bread every morning, and Nina shared her family recipes and handmade desserts in the restaurant.
Today, Dominic and Nina’s children and grandchildren run the restaurant. The red-checked tablecloths and outstanding service make this a truly memorable Italian dining experience where you can still enjoy Nina Corea’s “Slice of Heaven” every day.
My favorite meal is the baked lasagna with a nice glass of red wine recommended by the waiter.
611 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA
Zov Karamardian founded the family-run Bistro and Bakery in 1987. Because of her artistry, Zov’s, a culinary institution with an award-winning bakery, cooking classes, catering, and more, has four locations in Orange County. Located in Tustin, Irvine, Anaheim, and Newport Coast. Upscale chic defines this legendary eatery.
The traditional Mediterranean Mezze is always on the menu. Your choices include creamy hummus, lebni, babaganoush, tabouli, muhammara, or red pepper feta dip. You can also order a sampling of these items and add stuffed grape leaves, Armenian string cheese, marinated olives, fresh vegetables – all served with warm pita bread.
Individual works of art make the dessert case a must-see in Zov’s Bakery. Every eye-catching choice is exquisitely designed and presented. Each is sinfully rich and worth the experience
17440 17th Street, Tustin, CA
Ruby’s Diner at the end of Balboa Pier is the original Ruby’s Restaurant. With its old-fashioned ambiance and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, a stroll to the end of the pier at sunset is rewarding.
Named after the owner’s mother, Ruby, Doug Cavanaugh converted the old, dilapidated bait shop into the 1940s themed restaurant where they served simple hamburgers, hot dogs, and malts.
Today Ruby’s Diners serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and have an extensive menu of malts, shakes, and old-fashioned desserts. There are now 35 Ruby’s Diners all around the U.S.
1 W Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, CA
The Crab Cooker restaurant has been a popular seafood restaurant and a landmark in Newport Beach since 1951 when Bob Rubian took over a local fish market.
Famous for its Manhattan-style clam chowder and bright red exterior, Rubian opened a second location in Tustin in 1992. The family now runs the operations in Newport Beach and Tustin.
The casual atmosphere, where diners eat off paper plates and use plastic utensils, draws tourists from around the world. Both locations offer fresh crab, lobster, oysters, salmon, and other fresh fish.
The Newport Beach location closed in September 2018 to completely demolish and rebuild the restaurant. It is expected to reopen in 2020.
2200 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA
A long history of culinary expertise and family management has made Luciana’s a local favorite. For more than 30 years, Luciana’s has been catering to world figures and Hollywood celebrities in Dana Point. Word of mouth endorsed their fresh pasta and homemade olive oils direct from their farm in Tuscany.
Decorated in the home-style Tuscany setting, they offer an extensive Italian and California wine selection, as well as a fresh fish dish every day.
24312 Del Prado, Dana Point, CA
“I love, love, love everything about this place. It has fantastic ambiance, friendly service, and terrific coffee and pastries,” exclaimed patron, Jackie Price.
This quaint coffee house serves fresh, baked-on-site, pastries, croissants, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. You can eat inside by the fireplace amongst shelves of used books and local artist’s work, or on the dog-friendly patio. If you are on the go, you can get your morning java from the Drive-Thru
34114 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA
Kamea Poke is a very casual eatery close to Doheny State Beach. It’s fast and convenient, and the fish is always fresh.
With many types of fish and seafood to select from, you make your selections from behind glass. The staff dishes up your selections and helps you decide which toppings to choose. The portions are very generous, and the price is reasonable.
Served in a brown waxed to-go box, you can eat inside or outside at small tables, or take it away
34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, #F, Dana Point, CA
Agostino’s began as his father’s dream of owning a restaurant. Having emigrated from Italy and settling in Cleveland, Ohio, the Difante family pulled together and opened their first successful restaurant in the Midwest. Later, they moved to Southern California because the climate was more like they knew in Italy.
Agostino’s is located on Pacific Coast Highway across from Doheny Beach and is easily accessible with lots of parking in the rear. They enjoy a spectacular ocean view, the food is exceptional, and they provide friendly service
34700 Coast Hwy, Suite 100, Capistrano Beach, CA
Julie Diebolt Price is an award-winning photographer, educator, travel writer, guide, and a passionate traveler. Along with extensive travel in the United States, she has many European, Mexican, and Chinese stamps in her passport. She enjoys planning, researching, creating and sharing experiences. Julie is a member of TravMedia, Professional Photographers of America, International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance, and Travel Massive.