Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Drake in Laguna

4.8

4.8 (1465)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

We offer seating in 3 spaces,, including our Bar/Lounge, Dining Room/Chef’s Counter or Intimate fire-wall enclosed Patio. Due to space considerations, please contact us directly for larger tables of 6 or more guests.
Live entertainment is performed nightly on the main stage in our Dining Room. Tables are by reservation only, for dinner. Hours of Music; Su/M/Tu, 5:30-9:30pm Wed/Thu 6-10pm Fr/Sa 6:30-10:30pm.
All Tables in Main Room or Patio, Th/Fr/Sa, are subject to a $10 per person Live music charge, on top of dinner tab. Our dynamic musical line-up of Jazz, R&B, Soul & Contemporary artists, provides an interactive yet intimate experience, in an elegant yet relaxed setting.
The Drake features New American cuisine prepared by Award Winning Chef team Paul & Nick Gstrein. Seasonal offerings encompass an ever-evolving menu of unique small plates, steaks, chops, fresh seafood & desserts. Our curated Wine & Spirits selections serve to enhance the dining experience.
Meet us at The Drake!

Top review

Olivia

Dined 5 days ago

Ambiance, food, staff and live music are on point!

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Salted Caramel Budino

Oceans & Earth

4.8

4.8 (1367)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Placentia / Yorba Linda

About the restaurant

Oceans & Earth is a restaurant in Yorba Linda, CA that offers an evolving menu thanks to the executive chef Adam Navidi. Some of the options on the menu include , chowder, crab bombs, tilapia ceviche, burgers, organic mac n’ cheese, lobster mac-n-cheese, surf & turf, grass-fed filets and skirt steaks. We are dedicated Gluten-Free.

Oceans & Earth also has a menu for the kids, so everyone in the family should find something they enjoy. Options on the kids’ menu include organic grilled cheese, classic burgers and cheesy flatbread. Oceans & Earth has tasty dessert options as well including cayenne ginger carrot cake and stewed organic berry cobbler.

Top review

Stacy

Dined 2 days ago

Loved the Monster Guacamole, Fried Chicken Romano & Barbie's Burger.

A Restaurant - Original Location on Newport Blvd

4.8

4.8 (1937)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Since 1922 The Arches has been the destination for fine dining in Newport Beach. Known for it’s amazing steak and seafood menu It is a place where celebrities and local customers can dine in privacy. With grand renovations and its rebirth as A Restaurant this landmark will once again be a haven for classic culinary experiences. Chef Roberto Gomez and wine director Steven Ackad have created a perfect alchemy with their creations.

Top review

Julie

Dined 4 days ago

A Restaurant was quite lively. It's been a few years since I've been there, and I was happy to see it hadn't changed visually. We ordered the rib eye and new york strip. We ordered sides and desert. For four of us, we each shared the entrees, and we had food left over. Our server, Cesar, was awesome! The portions were great! I will definitely go back.

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Popular dish

Boneless Ribeye

The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach

4.8

4.8 (2053)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Laguna Beach

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

CynthiaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Mikey our server for lunch was really wonderful. Very helpful in the ordering for both wine and entrees. Lovely personality! The food was well prepared, a little pricey, but as expected :) View was terrific, we had a central table right at the window and Mikey opened the windows for us upon request so that we could have a simultaneous view and fresh air on this gorgeous day. Lovely lunch!! (Branzino, lobster salad and Cobb shrimp salad all delicious) (Also liked that the valet was free and that I was able to charge my car while dining!) Will definitely be back when next in Laguna (from LA)

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Experience

Sunday Brunch

The Quiet Woman

4.7

4.7 (1546)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Corona del Mar

About the restaurant

Serving Dinner Tuesday - Saturday from 5 pm.

Music Tuesday & Wednesday 8 - 11. Thursday. Friday. Saturday 9-12:15

Top review

AnthonyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Our very favorite restaurant. Wonderful decor and ambiance and the food perfection. Try the BLT salad and garlic toast. The chops and steaks beautifully cooked. Servers are so friendly and you’ll be greeted at the door by a wonderful host.

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Popular dish

Swordfish Tacos

CRAFT HOUSE Dana Point

4.7

4.7 (1481)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

At Craft House Restaurant we focus on serving the freshest local ingredients to our guests. From working with local fishermen in the Dana Point Harbor to sourcing ingredients from the local farmer's markets.

At Craft House we pride ourselves on having one of the best American whiskey selection in South Orange County. From you daily drinking whiskey to the one's you've spend your life trying to taste (all of the Pappy van Winkle collection).

Top review

Kristy

Dined 7 days ago

Great staff and food was very good. Will be back!

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Popular dish

Grilled Meatloaf

Scarlet Kitchen and Lounge

4.6

4.6 (738)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

About the restaurant

Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a modern speakeasy with the allure of old Hollywood, offering a menu of east coast classics with west coast flavor and finesse. This chef driven, husband and wife owned restaurant provides a comfortable neighborhood dining experience. Scarlet offers local, quality ingredients carefully curated to meet every diners desires. Scarlet is a place for everyone to enjoy a date night or just a quick bite at the bar. Scarlet introduces a new menu every season courtesy of Chef-Owner Paige Riordan and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Martinez. Enjoy a taste of the season from Scarlet’s dining room or heated canyon-view patio and. Scarlet elevates the plate with a new menu of dishes brimming with bold, finessed flavor highlighting peak-of-season ingredients, humanely raised prime meats, and sustainable seafood, reflective of Riordan’s East Coast roots.

Top review

RickVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Great local restaurant, with great selection of food items! Their drinks are outstanding! Very energetic inside around the bar. Outside patio seating is spread out better. There is live music, which is very nice, but don't get a table near the performer - - the speaker is too loud to hold a conversation.

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Popular dish

Deviled Eggs

Fig 313

4.7

4.7 (818)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

San Clemente

About the restaurant

Built in 1927, Fig313 stands today as an original historical landmark of San Clemente, with a history that is meant to be shared with its seaside community. Carefully constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, distinctive design features include red-tile roofs, white stucco walls, hand-crafted windows and arches, painted tiles, and open-air courtyards.

Originally owned for the first 33 years by John and Jeanette Riley, 313 El Camino Real was renowned as Riley’s Waffle and Coffee Shop. Legend has it that actor John Wayne frequented the restaurant for a hearty American breakfast along with many travelers from all over the world. From 1960 on, Riley’s Café would change ownership many times, evolving into a furniture store, French restaurant, tequila company, and catering business. In 2012, the current owners purchased the property and began renovations and restoration, while staying true to the integrity of the original style.

Top review

MonicaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

My experience was wonderful as always. I Can’t find even one wrong thing in this place. Food consistent, good, flavorful. Filet soft, cooked to perfection. Service as always pleasant and attentive. Decor always amazes me. Prices are good on point.

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Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar

4.6

4.6 (1088)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Orange

About the restaurant

Located in historic Old Towne Orange, HAVEN craft kitchen+bar has become known for its warm, comfortable setting; extensive and unique selection of beer, wine, and cocktails; and high quality, freshly prepared food, maintaining purveyors of local or organic produce, sustainable seafood, and humanely raised meat and poultry. HAVEN boasts a selection of rotating independent craft beers on tap and a specially curated list in bottle & cans. Choose from one Orange Counties largest selection of specialty bourbons, scotches, and whiskeys; and an award-winning wine list, with numerous by the glass. In addition, you can enjoy a seasonal craft cocktail, or one of our hand-selected craft spirits.

Top review

TIMVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Everything about Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar is great! If you've never been, do try it. If you've been....you know what I'm talking about. We had a really great lunch today and loved the food and service was just right!

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Experience

Haven Social Hour

SOCIAL - COSTA MESA

4.6

4.6 (99)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Discover the exciting transformation at Social Costa Mesa, where we bring a fresh take on our unique dining experience. Indulge in our chef-driven menu Featuring a mix of modern American cuisine with influecnes from various international flavors, showcasing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Savor expertly crafted cocktails, and immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere as we redefine what it means to dine out with innovation.

Top review

Mike

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Excellent establishment. Great to see an awesome restaurant bar in Costa Mesa.

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