10 Best Restaurants in Orange County and Catalina Island, California

Inside the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Spa is celebrity chef Michael Mina's sophisticated steak house. It's a local favorite for American classics presented with a dramatic flair. The flavorful menu items pair well with wines from an extensive international list. Start with a complimentary amuse-bouche, before ordering a generous lobster pot pie for two or steaks perfectly cut and cooked. Save room for the Basque cheesecake adorned with edible flowers on a swirl of caramel sauce.

This beloved Crystal Cove Historic District restaurant features an umbrella-laden deck just a few steps above the white sand. You can sip a very good mai tai, mule, or margarita at the Bootlegger Bar, while waiting to enjoy ahi tacos, ahi poke bowls, or a Beachcomber Kobe burger. They offer beach chair rentals and you can reserve your own fire pit for s'mores.

This popular indoor and outdoor dining spot grills up the freshest local fish (swordfish, sea bass, halibut, and tuna) and offers a wide range of creative seafood dishes, sushi, fish tacos, and Hawaiian-style poke salad. Order at the counter, which doubles as a seafood market, and sit inside or outside on the patio. This is one of the few restaurants in Southern California with its own fishing boat, so there's a good chance some line-caught local fish will be on the menu.

Set on an expansive deck overlooking the water and a few boats, Descanso Beach Club serves a wide range of favorites: grilled burgers, street tacos, clam chowder, salads, and layered nachos. Try the island's sweet signature cocktail, Buffalo Milk---a mix of fruit liqueurs, vodka, and whipped cream. Firepits and chic beach cabanas add to the scene, as does the sound of happy and terrified screams from the zipliners in the canyon above the beach. There is a shop to purchase beach items, and a stand to rent kayaks and snorkel equipment.

For a taste of Hawaiian flavors like freshly caught seafood with a macadamia crust, this homage to surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku is a prime people-watching spot. Order a mai tai with crispy coconut shrimp or fresh ahi tuna fish tacos. Be sure to save room for a slice of the Kimo Original Hula Pie, with chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted macadamia nuts, and whipped cream. Every Monday they offer a Burger and Beverage special with a choice of one of six different gourmet burgers for $19 from 4 to 9 pm. They also offer a Chef's two-course prix fixe menu for $29 on weekday afternoons.

Grab a stool at this little snack bar on the Green Pleasure Pier for people-watching while drinking a draft beer and munching on a burrito, fish-and-chips, or signature buffalo burger.

Heritage Restaurant is an example of the Long Beach trend of repurposing historic Craftsman homes to create warm, inviting atmospheres. The delightful culinary experience blends modern American cuisine with global influences; the winning combination gained it a coveted Michelin star. Chef Philip Pretty, known for his farm-to-table approach, crafts dishes using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, resulting in a constantly evolving and exciting menu. Standout items often include their perfectly cooked steaks (like a 32-day dry-aged rib chop), fresh seafood preparations, and creative vegetable dishes. The restaurant also features an impressive wine list and craft cocktail selection. Choose the outdoor patio for lovely al fresco dining, while the intimate indoor space is perfect for special occasions. Sustainability is a central focus at Heritage, which keeps a zero-waste kitchen.

Located in what used to be the Victor Hugo Inn, Las Brisas is a Laguna Beach landmark overlooking the ocean. The expansive patio offers spectacular coastline views as guests sip signature margaritas and Mexican cuisine with a California twist. Menu favorites include lobster Benedict for breakfast and during brunch, and whole grilled fish served with black beans, rice, salsa, and freshly made corn tortillas for dinner.

Done up in a handsome Craftsman style, the upscale dinner venue Napa Rose prepares rich seasonal cuisine paired with an extensive wine list. For a look into the open kitchen, sit at the counter and watch the chefs as they whip up signature dishes such as warm duck confit salad, sautéed diver scallops, and beef filet mignon. There's also a few kid-friendly dishes. The handsome lounge offers an appealing menu of appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts too. 

Located inside a historic 1934 home along Pacific Coast Highway, and named after one of the owners---Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Olympian Teemu Selanne---Selanne Steak Tavern serves modern steak house fare paired with stellar Napa Valley wines. There is a cozy Carrara-topped tavern-style bar where bartenders make artisanal cocktails and martinis, and a formal fine-dining experience upstairs. Other dining areas include a bistro-style wine room and outdoor dining terrace with beautiful Moroccan light fixtures creating a dramatic evening setting. Entrees include succulent hormone-free steaks and chops. Filet mignon is served sizzling in an 8- and 12-ounce presentation. Other meaty highlights include an 8-ounce Wagyu flat iron steak, 14-ounce Prime Rib Eye, and signature 32-ounce Lord Stanley cut. All are served with seasonal marrow butter and a variety of side sauces. The chefs use the well-stocked on-site herb garden in a variety of dishes and for garnish. Save room for Monkey Bread made with brioche and walnut streusel, toffee sauce, banana compote, and rum raisin ice cream.