Best Casual Restaurants in Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

58 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Larsen at Hotel Laguna restaurant

1. Larsen at Hotel Laguna

4.5

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Laguna Beach

Booked 49 times today

Nestled in the heart of Laguna Beach, Hotel Laguna offers a charming laid-back luxurious experience like no other. Just steps from the sparkling sea, experience the best of Southern California views and chef-driven creations. The beautiful Larsen Restaurant is where Orange County comes together for fresh local ingredients and cuisine that captures the diverse flavors of the modern West. An inspired selection of California wines and refreshing craft cocktails offer the perfect pairing for every plate. At Hotel Laguna we translate the essence of warm, heartfelt hospitality...morning, noon and night!

A photo of The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach restaurant

2. The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach

4.7

Exceptional(2069)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Laguna Beach

Booked 17 times today

Located in the oceanfront resort, Montage Laguna Beach, The Loft features stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean – the perfect backdrop for enjoying market-fresh, creative American cuisine with friendly, informed, and professional service. Innovative signature dishes reflect California regional cuisine with strong influences from the Americas; other favorites also include roasted meats and seafood.

A photo of Selanne Steak Tavern restaurant

3. Selanne Steak Tavern

4.7

Exceptional(2793)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Laguna Beach

Booked 33 times today

Selanne Steak Tavern, owned by Anaheim Duck legend Teemu Selanne and located in a quaint, historical home built in 1934, features an upscale casual neighborhood tavern and a traditional steakhouse. In addition to the absolute best steaks in Orange County, the Tavern offers great burgers, small plates, salads and appetizers as well as an extensive world class wine list, great specialty cocktails and craft beers. We look forward to the opportunity to provide you with an amazing Selanne experience!

4. Driftwood Kitchen

4.5

Awesome(1325)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Laguna Beach

Booked 51 times today

Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom bar is a casual restaurant that serves ocean-to-table fare next to a lovely waterfront view. Helmed by executive Chef Rainer Schwarz, the menu showcases an eclectic selection of seafood dishes that highlight the diversity of the Pacific. Menu highlights include hand-shucked oysters, salmon, octopus, swordfish and lobster, prepared with nothing but the finest and freshest ingredients. Driftwood also offers alternative menu items for landlubbers, such as dishes made of chicken or steak.Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar is open all through the week. In addition to its dinner menu, the restaurant serves brunch 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The airy dining room is a great place to enjoy a casual business lunch or a fun outing with friends. Driftwood Kitchen also boasts a bar, open from 9am - 10:30pm everyday.

A photo of Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.Cook restaurant

5. Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.Cook

4.8

Exceptional(1762)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Beach

Booked 56 times today

Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook located in Laguna Beach is committed to providing our guests with exceptional service, quality, and value. We aspire to perfect our craft, create emotional connections, and set the benchmark for cuisine in Southern California, and beyond.Come, be a guest in our home. We look forward to serving you!

A photo of Mozambique Restaurant restaurant

6. Mozambique Restaurant

4.4

Awesome(3042)

Price: Expensive

• Steak • Laguna Beach

Booked 45 times today

Mozambique brings a taste of Southern Africa’s coastal cuisine to Laguna Beach. Enjoy wood-fired steaks fresh seafood, and chicken with ocean views and Live Entertainment! PLEASE NOTE: SEATING AREA IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITYReservations will guarantee a table in our restaurant, but NO SPECIFIC AREA will be guaranteed with a reservation. Please expect an additional wait for Rooftop Seating, Live Music, and other high demand areas. To book a Private Event or guarantee a specific table, a deposit will be required in addition to a food and beverage minimum, please contact our events coordinator at 949.715.7107 for pricing.Complimentary Transportation available! 5pm and later, within Laguna Beach or a 5-10 mile radius depending on group size). For customers w/ dinner reservations only - call to schedule.

A photo of Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano restaurant

7. Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano

4.8

Exceptional(424)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 38 times today

**We are walk in only for Brunch. Reservations & walk ins available for Dinner**Mayfield combines modern Californian cooking with flavors from the Levant region, an area spanning the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. Made to be shared, our food is designed to be experienced and enjoyed together.Please include any humans, big or small, in your guest count so we can make sure we have enough space at the table for you all.

8. Skyloft OC

4.6

Exceptional(903)

Price: Moderate

• American • Laguna Beach

Booked 2 times today

Skyloft is located in downtown Laguna Beach. The diverse menu offerings a balance of seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches and Specialty Smokehouse BBQ items. Skyloft also boasts an open-air rooftop dining area, highlighting an exclusive and coveted view of Laguna Beach"s main beach. In addition, we offer live entertainment Wednesday - Sunday! PLEASE NOTE: SEATING AREA IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITYReservations will guarantee a table in our restaurant, but NO SPECIFIC AREA will be guaranteed with a reservation. Please expect an additional wait for Rooftop Seating, Live Music, and other high demand areas. To book a Private Event or guarantee a specific table, a deposit will be required in addition to a food and beverage minimum, please contact our events coordinator at 949.715.7107 for pricing. Complimentary Transportation available! 5pm and later, within Laguna Beach or a 5-10 mile radius depending on group size). For customers w/ dinner reservations only - call to schedule.

9. 230 Forest Avenue

4.9

Exceptional(2853)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Laguna Beach

Booked 37 times today

Don't be fooled by the crowds and the noise; they are all part of the scene here at Laguna Beach's sexy and intense 230 Forest Avenue. The lean deep room seduces you to the open kitchen, bustling bar, and concrete floors, creating a space that is part modern bistro, part martini bar, and part art gallery. It's the perfect spot to see and be seen, laid back Laguna-style. Executive Chef Marc Cohen is consistently recognized as one of The OC's top chefs. You'll be ready to award him a medal, too, after tasting his flashy-to-the-eye, tickle-the-taste- buds fusion appetizers and entrees. His dishes are often so stunning that they compete with the artwork on the walls, making for a thoroughly satisfying "artistic" experience.

A photo of Fennel Kitchen & Bar restaurant

10. Fennel Kitchen & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(182)

Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 20 times today

Fennel Kitchen and Bar is a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant that offers an authentic, healthy, and vibrant dining experience by seamlessly blending the flavors of the sun-kissed Mediterranean shores with exotic Middle Eastern cuisine. Our thoughtfully crafted menu meets diverse dietary preferences, including traditional kabobs bursting with flavor, to simple, authentic vegetarian dishes. We believe beauty lies in the details and we strive to ensure that every aspect of your dining experience is memorable.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Cc
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was amazing, we had fresh oysters 10/10, my husband had the sirloin burger and fries, they looked amazing. He said burger was top tier and the fries where the best fries he’s ever had (he loves fries). I had the chef special which was a pasta that idk the name of with prawns. It was really good I enjoyed every bit of it, no critiques. The server was not very involved but the host was wonderful and helped us for our whole meal. We where sure to tip the host himself.
More info
Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.CookPrice: Moderate• American• Laguna Beach
•
4.8
S
Steve
Orange County •25 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our dinner was fantastic and the service was exceptional!
More info
Selanne Steak TavernPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Laguna Beach
•
4.7
M
mike d.VIP
San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
We enjoyed Saturday Brunch for my wife's 50th birthday. The food and service was excellent and we appreciate the "pastries of gratitude" to make the celebaration even better.
More info
The Loft at Montage Laguna BeachPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Laguna Beach
•
4.7
L
leanna
Los Angeles •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 1, 2025
Wonderful service for my daughter’s 21st birthday lunch! Thoughtful staff & yummy starters, entree & desserts! Can’t wait to come back!
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Larsen at Hotel LagunaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Laguna Beach
•
4.5
L
LaurenVIP
Orange County •28 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 1, 2025
Always a great time eating here. My husband and I LOVE this place. Shout out to Juan for being absolutely amazing every time we eat here. He is the real MVP of this place!
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Driftwood KitchenPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Laguna Beach
•
4.5

Best Casual Restaurants in Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

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58 restaurants available nearby

1. Larsen at Hotel Laguna

2. The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach

3. Selanne Steak Tavern

4. Driftwood Kitchen

5. Sapphire, Cellar.Craft.Cook

6. Mozambique Restaurant

7. Mayfield- San Juan Capistrano

8. Skyloft OC

9. 230 Forest Avenue

10. Fennel Kitchen & Bar

See what locals rave about

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