The Orange County dining scene is heating up in 2025, and food lovers are here for it.
From coastal hotspots in Newport Beach to stylish finds in Costa Mesa, this year’s new restaurants prove why OC is one of California’s top dining destinations. Whether you’re searching for the best new date night restaurant in Laguna Beach, a lively brunch in Santa Ana, or a trendy dinner in Dana Point, these 18 new spots bring luxury, flavor, and fun to every table.
Here’s your insider guide to the best new restaurants in Orange County for 2025.
Pasta Sisters – Costa Mesa
Pasta Sisters has arrived from Los Angeles to Costa Mesa, and locals are already lining up. Expect hand-rolled pasta, rich sauces, and Italian classics like bolognese, cacio e pepe, and spinach lasagna. It’s casual in format but refined in flavor—a delicious new chapter for the OC Italian food scene.
Tierra de Fuegos – Laguna Niguel
This Argentine-inspired steakhouse delivers bold flavor and fire-grilled passion. Tierra de Fuegos pairs smoky ribeye and fresh seafood with curated South American wines. Rustic, lively, and full of heart, it’s one of Laguna Niguel’s best new restaurants for 2025.
Le Hut Dinette – Santa Ana
Santa Ana gets playful with Le Hut Dinette, a restored Quonset hut turned creative dining spot. Brunch, lunch, and dinner menus shift throughout the day, serving bright dishes like coconut creamed corn and chicken inasal. It’s retro, fun, and endlessly Instagrammable.
Casa de Onda – Costa Mesa
Casa de Onda blends Mexican and American coastal flavors under string lights and palapas. Sharable plates like seafood tostadas and charred street corn set the tone, while desserts like yuzu tres leches add a modern twist. Stylish yet relaxed, it’s perfect for date nights and post-beach cocktails.
Rocoto Pesca Bar – Huntington Beach
Steps from the pier, Rocoto Pesca Bar brings Peruvian classics to Huntington Beach. Fresh ceviches, tiraditos, and lomo saltado shine in a modern, sunlit space. This spot pairs Latin American soul with breezy coastal vibes, making it a Huntington Beach must-try.
Viamara at The Elwood Club – Newport Beach
At Pendry’s members-only Elwood Club, Viamara channels the Italian Riviera. Oysters, handmade pastas, and even high tea feel elevated yet relaxed. Exclusive and sophisticated, this is Newport Beach dining at its finest.
Molo – Newport Beach
Molo takes a minimalist, refined approach to Italian dining. Seasonal ingredients highlight handmade pastas and fresh seafood, while the cozy-chic space invites long evenings over wine. It’s a polished addition to the Newport Beach restaurant scene.
Harper BBQ – Costa Mesa
Barbecue meets sophistication at Harper BBQ. With smoked brisket, tender ribs, and wood-fired sides, it’s hearty yet stylish. Casual enough for a weeknight, refined enough for a night out—Harper brings a new level of barbecue to Costa Mesa.
Seven Folding Dumpling House – Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo finally gets a destination dumpling house. Seven Folding Dumpling House celebrates hand-folded perfection, from soup dumplings bursting with broth to crispy pan-fried favorites. Sleek interiors and an open kitchen add to the modern vibe.
Piatti – Laguna Beach
Overlooking Laguna’s coast, Piatti brings polished Mediterranean charm. The menu includes wood-fired pizzas, branzino, and pastas packed with herbs and flavor. Elegant but approachable, it’s a star in Laguna Beach’s restaurant lineup.
Wooden Pearl – Anaheim
Wooden Pearl pairs New American cuisine with global touches. Expect dishes like crab cakes and shrimp scampi alongside crafted cocktails. The sleek, modern design makes it ideal for both romantic dinners and neighborhood hangouts.
Smalls Smash Club – San Clemente
Smash burgers get the spotlight at Smalls Smash Club. Singles, doubles, or triples—served with beef tallow fries or onion rings—make it a crave-worthy casual spot. Fun, energetic, and satisfying, it’s a new favorite in San Clemente.
Nick’s – Newport Beach
Nick’s has landed in Newport Beach, expanding its beloved SoCal brand. Known for upscale comfort food, Nick’s serves dishes like prime rib sandwiches and their legendary butter cake. Elegant yet relaxed, it’s a polished staple for both lunch and dinner.
CasaDamí – Newport Beach
CasaDamí feels like a European café right in Peninsula Village. With all-day brunch, tapas, artisanal pastries, and curated wines, it’s cozy yet chic. Perfect for mornings with a latte or late-night Wine Wednesdays with friends.
Oto Sushi – Laguna Beach
Oto Sushi combines sustainability with creativity. Chef Connor Mathison’s menu includes adventurous rolls like the Eternal Stream and inventive Robatayaki sticks. With eco-friendly flair and artistic cocktails, it’s redefining sushi in Laguna Beach.
Lantern’s Edge – Dana Point
Perched at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, Lantern’s Edge offers Mediterranean dining with ocean views. From hamachi crudo to charcoal-grilled branzino, the menu shines. Brunch fans will love the Endless Brunch, complete with seafood bars and bottomless mimosas.
Hook & Anchor – Dana Point
Hook & Anchor is Dana Point’s new seafood jewel. Lobster rolls, oyster Rockefeller, and rotating raw bar selections pair with cocktails designed for lingering on the patio. Romantic, coastal, and endlessly fresh.
Monaco Italian Kitchen – Irvine
Monaco Italian Kitchen blends Naples and Newport flair in Irvine. House-made pastas, Neapolitan pizzas, and risottos shine under golden lighting and black-and-white tiles. Signature cocktails and happy hour specials add to the allure.
Why It Matters
Orange County is more than a place to live—it’s a lifestyle. These new restaurants reflect the energy, elegance, and flavor that make OC one of California’s most desirable places to call home. Pairing world-class dining with luxury coastal living is what sets our community apart.
Ready to Experience OC Living?
From stylish restaurants to dream homes on the coast, Orange County offers the best of everything. Connect with your local Surterre Properties real estate specialists today at SurterreProperties.com. You can also explore our exclusive listings now!
Source: LocaleMagazine.com
Orange County Restaurant FAQ
1. What are the best new restaurants in Orange County for 2025?
Top openings span the coast and beyond: Pasta Sisters (Costa Mesa), Tierra de Fuegos (Laguna Niguel), Le Hut Dinette (Santa Ana), Casa de Onda (Costa Mesa), Rocoto Pesca Bar (Huntington Beach), Viamara at The Elwood Club (Newport Beach), Molo (Newport Beach), Harper BBQ (Costa Mesa), Seven Folding Dumpling House (Mission Viejo), Piatti (Laguna Beach), Wooden Pearl (Anaheim), Smalls Smash Club (San Clemente), Nick’s (Newport Beach), CasaDamí (Newport Beach), Oto Sushi (Laguna Beach), Lantern’s Edge (Dana Point), Hook & Anchor (Dana Point), and Monaco Italian Kitchen (Irvine).
2. Where should I book a date night in Newport Beach?
For a refined night out, try Viamara (Riviera style, polished service) or Molo (seasonal Italian in a cozy-chic room). Prefer relaxed elegance? Nick’s and CasaDamí offer stylish, easy vibes in central Newport Beach.
3. What new OC spots are best for brunch?
Le Hut Dinette (Santa Ana) rotates bright daytime menus. CasaDamí (Newport Beach) serves all-day brunch and pastries. For ocean-view weekends, Lantern’s Edge (Dana Point) features an Endless Brunch with a seafood bar and bottomless mimosas. Piatti (Laguna Beach) adds relaxed coastal polish.
4. Which new restaurants have waterfront or ocean-adjacent appeal?
Head to Lantern’s Edge and Hook & Anchor in Dana Point for sweeping views and coastal menus. Near the pier, Rocoto Pesca Bar (Huntington Beach) brings Peruvian brightness steps from the sand. In Newport Beach, Viamara channels Italian seaside elegance.
5. What are the best new Italian options in Orange County?
Craving pasta and coastal flair? Try Pasta Sisters (Costa Mesa) for hand-rolled favorites. Book Molo (Newport Beach) for seasonal simplicity. Choose Piatti (Laguna Beach) for seaside Mediterranean charm. In Irvine, Monaco Italian Kitchen serves house-made pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas. Viamara rounds out the list with Riviera-inspired plates in Newport Beach.
6. Is any restaurant members-only or private access?
Viamara is inside Pendry’s members-only Elwood Club in Newport Beach. Access is typically limited to members or invited guests. For current policies, check the venue directly before you go.
7. Where can I find bold global flavors in South Orange County?
Explore Tierra de Fuegos (Laguna Niguel) for wood-fired Argentine steaks. Visit Oto Sushi (Laguna Beach) for sustainable, inventive rolls. In Dana Point, try Hook & Anchor for a raw bar and seafood classics, or Lantern’s Edge for modern Mediterranean plates with a view.
8. What’s new and casual for families or groups?
Pasta Sisters (Costa Mesa) delivers comforting classics to-go. Seven Folding Dumpling House (Mission Viejo) offers hand-folded favorites everyone loves. For laid-back hangs, Smalls Smash Club (San Clemente) brings craveable burgers, while Casa de Onda (Costa Mesa) serves shareable coastal plates.
9. Where do I go for a polished night out beyond the coast?
Book Wooden Pearl (Anaheim) for sleek New American dishes and crafted cocktails. In Irvine, Monaco Italian Kitchen blends Naples and California ease with a buzzy bar and house-made pastas.
10. What’s the best new barbecue in Orange County?
Harper BBQ (Costa Mesa) balances smoke and style. Expect brisket, ribs, and thoughtful sides in a casual-chic room that works for weeknights or low-key celebrations.
11. Do these new restaurants take reservations?
Policies change. For the most accurate availability in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and beyond, check each restaurant’s website or booking platforms like Resy and OpenTable before your visit.
12. How do these openings connect to OC’s luxury lifestyle?
They cluster near coveted neighborhoods—Newport Harbor, Laguna’s art district, Dana Point’s bluffs, Costa Mesa’s cultural core. Great dining elevates daily life and supports strong community value. Considering a move near your favorite scene? Speak with Surterre Properties for local guidance.
Photo Credit: Pendry Newport Beach
