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A Delicious Guide Through Orange County’s Culinary Coast

Spanning three area codes and a variety of different microcosms and community-specific coastal cultures, the Orange County and Long Beach coastline offers some of the most dramatic and stunning ocean views anywhere. Winding from Belmont Shore to San Clemente, the region’s personal Pacific playground serves up some delectable beach treats and ocean-inspired dishes.

LONG BEACH

Open Sesame
Mediterranean Mecca
Situated in the heart of Second Street, Open Sesame presents authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean style fare. With a magic touch the folks at Open Sesame create topnotch dishes. Some crowd pleasers include its baba ghannouj, fattoush salad, hummus and chicken tawook.
5215 E. Second Street | 562.621.1698

Bono’s
Ample Ambiance
Prime location and prime beef make Bono’s new American and barbecue fare a delectable choice. Unique open-air ambiance and first-rate service make it an ideal choice for a special evening out.
4901 E. Second Street | 562.434.9501

Panama Joe’s Grill & Cantina
Drink and Dine
Geared towards the Long Beach college contingent, Panama Joe’s has an energetic vibe, gargantuan cocktails and good food, a great place to take a load off midweek.
5100 E. Second Street | 562.434.7417

Sushi of Naples
Late Night Happy Hour
Ideal for late night cravings, Sushi of Naples offers a forward-thinking variety of sushi, including such fun creations as the Mardi Gras Roll with fried onion rings and Cajun spices, at a nice discount after 9:30 p.m.
5470 E. Second Street | 562.434.1122

SEAL BEACH

Finbars Italian Kitchen
Charming Comfort
Offering hearty food and an inviting ambiance that would do any big Italian family proud, Finbars serves up delicious (while not figure-friendly) appetizers including the melted Provolone Griglia. Plus, it has a really good happy hour.
620 Pacific Coast Highway | 562.430.4303

Bonadonna’s Shore House
Early or Late
One of the few places, asides from Denny’s, in Orange County that offers 24 hours of dining pleasure, Bonadonna’s is a great place for a really early or really late (it’s all relative) breakfast. Go for the eggs benedict or pancakes.
941 Pacific Coast Highway | 562.430.0116

Koi Sushi Restaurant
Something Blue
Forget something borrowed or any of that other gibberish, just head to the cute little blue (tealish) house that is Koi Sushi Restaurant. Slicing up some of the best sushi and sashimi in Orange County, belly-up to the bar and order anything on the menu — prepare to be dazzled.
600 Pacific Coast Highway | 562.431.1186

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Chimayó at the Beach
Waterful Views
Overlooking the boardwalk and the shores of Huntington Beach, Chimayó serves up expensive views and great reasonably priced food. Enjoy filet mignon, prime rib or the catch of the day for around $15.
315 Pacific Coast Highway | 714.374.7273

Spark Woodfire Grill
Sunset Dining
Offering upscale beach fare, Spark Woodfire Grill takes traditional American style seafood and kicks it up a notch or two. The exciting menu offers special dishes like South Pacific Whitefish with Sonoma goat cheese and Blue Crab Cakes with chipotle aioli, as well as a $30 prix fixe menu that includes wine.
300 Pacific Coast Highway | 714.960.0996

Shades at Hilton Waterfront
Beautiful Brunch
Not just for those staying at the beautiful Hilton Waterfront resort, Shades is the perfect place to dine and experience a mini vacation. Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Champagne Brunch doesn’t disappoint.
21100 Pacific Coast Highway | 714.845.8000

Duke’s
Hodad’s and Hula Pie
Bringing a little piece of the islands to the mainland, Duke’s Huntington Beach has ocean views that rival a Hawaiian vacation. Duke’s tasty Aloha-tainted American fare is flavorful and presents great seafood and burgers.
317 Pacific Coast Highway | 714.374.6446

NEWPORT BEACH

Mastro’s Ocean Club Fishhouse
Five Star Service
Expect Bentleys in valet and attendants in the bathroom, Mastro’s is high class all the way. However, it lives up to the hoopla with delicious dishes such as vanilla battered shrimp, gorgonzola mac and cheese and warm butter cake for desert. Plus, the service is impeccable.
8112 E. Coast Highway | 949.376.6990

Javier’s Cantina and Grill
Holiday South of the Border
With views and an otherworldly atmosphere, Javier’s at Crystal Cove is worth stopping in to linger over a drink and some of the best chips and salsa in Orange County. Additionally, its actual dishes are worth a stay, including their steak salad and shrimp enchiladas.
7832 E. Pacific Coast Highway | 949.494.1239

21 Oceanfront
Classically Cool
Nestled amongst dive bars and the Newport Beach pier, 21 Oceanfront brings a certain level of Golden Era glamour to The Peninsula. To the sounds of nightly live entertainment it offers lovely American fare including lobster bisque and surf-n-turf.
2100 W. Oceanfront | 949.673.2100

Basilic
Delicious Swiss
Hidden among the tchotchke shops and ice cream parlors of Balboa Island’s Marine Avenue, Basilic presents authentic French/Swiss cuisine in a charmingly cozy space (only 22 seats). Starting in October, one night per month, it offers raclette night, a Swiss specialty of melted cheese and tasty accoutrement.
217 Marine Avenue | 949.673.0570

Villa Nova
Pacific Italian
Pull-up in a dinghy or a wheeled vehicle and helpful dock boys or valet will be happy to assist. Villa Nova offers amazingly fresh pasta and a wonderful wine selection with prices that are surprisingly affordable for the location and the service.
3131 W. Coast Highway | 949.642.7880

Rusty Pelican
Seaside Authenticity
Heavy wood and maritime décor add to the authentic seaside feel of Newport’s Rusty Pelican (that fact that it is situated right on the harbor is great, too). Offering an energetic and inviting happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, delicious, fresh seafood and hand’s down the best garlic bread around, Rusty Pelican is ideal for an afterwork drink or a romantic dinner.
2735 W. Coast Highway | 949.642.3431

Sage on the Coast
East Meets West
An ambiance that is at once modern and organic, Sage on the Coast’s menu is full of coalesced dishes that blend together perfectly. With dishes like pulled barbecue pork and corn crepes and spinach and summer squash enchiladas, there is something for everyone.
7862 E. Coast Highway | 949.715.7243

LAGUNA BEACH

Mosun/Club M
Groovy Sushi
Mosun offers a variety of budget friendly specials on great sushi, including a $20 Monday night sushi buffet and 50 percent off Wednesday and Friday nights. Plus, Mosun also presents Club M, where the upstairs dining area becomes a dance floor and DJs spin popular music.
680 S. Coast Highway | 949.497.5646

The Cliff
Tiptop Views
Situated on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the views of Main Beach from nearly any table at The Cliff, are unparalleled. Perfect for a sunset cocktail or breakfast, The Cliff offers a variety of traditional fare including breakfast burritos and burgers. Plus, they have a fun happy hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays featuring DJ L. Rock and half-price drinks.
577 S. Coast Highway | 949.494.1956

White House Restaurant
and Night Club
Presidential Fare
Fusion food with a Caribbean flair, White House has distinctive breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings that feature such dishes as gigantic omelets, seafood risotto and jerk chicken. The bar converts to a nightclub every night from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
340 S. Coast Highway | 949.494.8088

Blue Laguna Restaurant and Lounge
Food and Fun
Taco Tuesdays, a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays, live music and DJ’s are all part of what makes Blue Laguna a great place to meet up with friends for good drinks and food.
696 S. Coast Highway | 949.376.2583

French 75 Bistro and Champagne Bar
Ooh La La
French 75 brings a certain level of je ne sais quoi to Laguna Beach … maybe Parisian playfulness? Offering lovely chocolate soufflés, free range escargots, a champagne bar and occasional live jazz, French 75 is Laguna Beach’s own little version of the City of Lights.
1464 S. Coast Highway | 949.494.8444

Hush Restaurant
Coastal Class
A beautifully understated, modern space with stunning views of “south central” Laguna Beach, a cozy fireplace and gourmet food, Hush offers first rate dining. With an impressive menu to match the space that includes lobster macaroni and cheese, Hudson Valley foie gras and lemon-thyme crème brulee.
858 S. Coast Highway | 949.497.3616

Mozambique Steakhouse
and Coastal Lounge
Out of Africa
Another one of the many Laguna locations to offer a wonderful happy hour ($3 Stella’s on tap!), Mozambique is one of the very few locations to offer really delectable African-inspired fare. It offers dishes like lamb curry, peri-peri prawns and saffron rice paired with top-notch live music.
1740 S. Coast Highway | 949.715.7777

Las Brisas
Mexican Rivera
Las Brisas presents stunning views of the Laguna coast and offers good Mexican food for prices not worthy of the Pacific panorama. A great place to just get a cocktail and watch the sun set, Las Brisas is a must-go Laguna Beach original.
361 Cliff Drive | 949.497.5434

DANA POINT

Stonehill Tavern at
the St. Regis Hotel
5-Star Service
A stunning first-rate dining environment with artistically modern lighting, wood floors and room dividers, Stonehill exudes a sort of Swiss lodge meets Japanese minimalism vibe. And, while the new American style menu serves up impressive fare, the service is what makes everything taste that much sweeter.
One Monarch Beach Resort | 949.234.3318

Restaurant 162 at The
Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Ocean Vistas
At 162 feet above sea level (note the name), the spanning view of the Pacific Ocean seems to go on for miles. Additionally, being nestled within the Ritz, the service strives to accompany the view and great food.
One Ritz Carlton Drive | 949.240.2000

Salt Creek Grille
Perfect Patio
Situated on the non-ocean side of PCH, Salt Creek Grille surprisingly offers one of the more romantic and charming outdoor spaces along Highway 1. Offering a fire pit, lush greenery and soft tea lights, Salt Creek Grille’s ambiance pairs well with great food. Plus, they offer a happy hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with $3 martinis.
32802 Pacific Coast Highway | 949.661-7799

Gen Kai Japanese Restaurant
Fabulously Fresh
Located in the heart of the stretch of PCH that passes through Dana Point, Gen Kai in an authentic looking, blue tiled roof, Japanese-style cottage. Boasting amazingly friendly and charismatic chefs and as fresh can be, delectable sushi, Gen Kai is the real deal.
34143 Pacific Coast Highway | 949.240.2004

SAN CLEMENTE

Antoine’s Café
Breakfast Bistro
Delicious French toast, eggs benedict, breakfast pastries and quality coffee …while Antoine’s is open for lunch as well as breakfast (and dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday), breakfast is what it’s all about. As sweet and enchanting as any Parisian café, Antoine’s offers one of the best breakfasts in Orange County.
218 S. El Camino Real | 949.492.1763

Vine
Food and Wine
Touted as wine country cuisine, Vine stays true to its tagline. With a wine list that spans the gamut of sparkling and champagne to sweet and fortified wines, wine flights to a private cellar wine list and seasonal dinner menu that pairs well, Vine presents exciting fare in an unpretentious and approachable way.
211 N. El Camino Real | 949.361.2079

Beachfire Bar and Grill
Artistic Fare
Brightly colored artwork dots the walls throughout Beachfire, making for a quaint and engaging setting. The menu offers a variety of hearty, yet interesting, dishes to cure anyone’s hunger (or hangover), such dishes as the aptly named hangover breakfast burrito to bleu cheese au gratin and ball rolls (avocado-stuffed egg rolls) are sure to satisfy.
204 Avenida Del Mar | 949.366.3232

El Mariachi Restaurant
Baja Best
Huge margaritas, tasty mole and surf videos on the TVs equal one summation of Californiatized-Mexican culture — and it’s so perfect for a Mexican restaurant in San Clemente. A fun, terracotta and Mexican curios filled space that serves up terrific fajitas and service with a smile.
1925 S. El Camino Real | 949.369.5111

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