Where to Eat This Summer in Orange County

Lifestyle

One of the quiet perks of living in Orange County is that you never run out of new places to eat. The dining scene here moves fast — chefs and restaurateurs keep raising the bar, and "the best meal I've had all year" tends to get replaced every few months. Whether you're celebrating, hosting out-of-town guests, or just want a reason to get off the couch on a warm evening, here are the spots worth your summer.

I've leaned local where I can — including a serious sushi section, because OC quietly has one of the best Japanese dining scenes in the state.

The Sushi You Need to Know

Orange County's omakase and sushi culture has gotten genuinely world-class, and Irvine is right at the center of it.

• Kuramoto (Irvine) — A perennial favorite. The lunch omakase is widely considered one of the best values in OC for the quality and quantity you get; the room is intimate and perfect for a date or a special night.
• Naisho Omakase (Irvine) — A refined, chef-driven omakase experience for when you want the full procession of pristine nigiri.
• Ootoro Sushi (Irvine) — A longtime standard-bearer for high-quality sushi in Irvine, with expertly trained chefs and a deep menu.
• Izakaya Osen (Irvine) — Sushi plus the broader izakaya experience — small plates, sake, and a lively atmosphere when you want more than just the bar.
• O Fine Japanese Cuisine (Irvine, Quail Hill) — Contemporary Japanese in an elegant setting, with à la carte, refined dinners, and a signature omakase.
• Momoyama (Irvine) — Where Japanese tradition meets modern flair — sashimi and specialty rolls alongside wagyu and smoked toro.
• Seabutter (Costa Mesa) — Simplicity elevated to sophistication: delicate truffle-topped nigiri and pressed sushi in a sleek, modern room. Their tasting course is a quiet showstopper.
• OmG – Omakase by Gino (Santa Ana) — A 10-seat, omakase-exclusive fine-dining counter for the full chef's-choice ritual when you want to splurge.

If you've never done a proper omakase, this is the summer to try one. Sit at the bar, let the chef lead, and don't check the price until you've enjoyed the experience.

Hot & New Spots Worth the Drive

Beyond sushi, a wave of new openings has the whole county buzzing:

• Lemon & Thyme — A genuinely gorgeous room (soaring ceilings, vintage-creamy interiors) earning rave reviews — equal parts dinner and date-night experience.
• Postino (Park Place, Irvine) — The wine-and-bruschetta concept that's become a reliable go-to for wine-down weeknights, girl dinners, and easy date nights.
• Solstice — One of the trendier newer arrivals on the scene, drawing a stylish crowd for modern California fare.
• Afuri — The cult Japanese ramen house known for its clean, yuzu-forward broth — a perfect lighter option on a hot day.
• Pasta Sisters (Costa Mesa) — The Da Re family brought their cult-favorite LA hand-rolled pasta to OC. Bolognese, cacio e pepe, and spinach lasagna made with the kind of care you taste in every bite.
• The Red Room — A moody, beautifully designed spot for cocktails and a more elevated night out.

Coming Soon: A Whole New Dining Destination

Here's one to put on your radar. Over at the Great Park in Irvine, The Canopy — a roughly 12-acre retail and dining destination — is on track to open in late 2026 into early 2027. The lineup already includes T&T Supermarket (its U.S. debut), In-N-Out, Philz Coffee, the acclaimed Taiwanese tea house Chicha San Chen, New York's famous H&H Bagels, and a food hall built into restored WWII hangars. It's poised to become one of central Irvine's most exciting places to eat and gather. More on that in my Great Park neighborhood roundup.

The Real Estate Angle (Because Of Course)

Restaurants aren't just where we eat — they're a real signal of where a community is headed. When great dining clusters in an area, it tends to track with rising demand and long-term value. It's one of the quieter things I pay attention to when I'm advising clients on where to buy, not just what. A neighborhood with a thriving food scene and walkable amenities is a neighborhood people want to stay in.

So consider this your permission slip to "do market research" over dinner this summer. Tell them Chris sent you.

Chris Kwon | Kwon Home Group Living — and eating — well in Orange County.