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Best of Orange County

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THE PEOPLE’S LOCAL FAVORITES

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A starting point for exploring Orange County

Explore a shortlist from our researched local directory. Each group explains how its places were selected. These suggestions are separate from the community votes above and do not represent a citywide award.

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Local restaurants to get to know

Independent kitchens, neighborhood cafes and places for your next meal.

An alphabetical selection of researched local places. This is not a rating or popularity ranking.

Steakhouse

21 Oceanfront

Steakhouse · 2100 W Oceanfront

21 Oceanfront is a restaurant located in Newport Beach, offering fine coastal dining with stunning views and classic cuisine. The restaurant is housed in the historic McFadden Building, one of the oldest structures on the Balboa Peninsula. The building has a rich history, having hosted various restaurants, bars, and gathering spaces over the decades, including Alley West, The Ritz, and The Rex. 21 Oceanfront opened its doors in 1991, bringing timeless elegance and classic coastal cuisine to the historic property. The restaurant is closed on the 4th of July and Christmas Day. 21 Oceanfront is known for its prime steaks, fresh seafood, and sweeping oceanfront views. The restaurant is attached to Doryman's Inn and embraces the local fishermen heritage, building on nearly 130 years of waterfront tradition. Live music is also available in the bar and lounge. The restaurant can be contacted at 949.673.2100 or info@21oceanfront.com, and is located at 2100 W Oceanfront, Newport Beach, CA 92663. Reservations can be made, and gift certificates are available.

Pizza restaurant

2145 Eats

Pizza restaurant · 2145 Placentia Ave

2145 Eats is a restaurant located in Costa Mesa. The restaurant has a kitchen that makes food from scratch and offers a variety of dishes, including Neapolitan style wood-fire pizza and small plates from different cuisines. The restaurant's menu includes a range of options, such as snacks, small plates, greens, entrees, and pizza. They also offer craft local beer and wine, as well as a variety of cocktails. The restaurant has a patio where customers can dine and also offers private events. They have a pet policy that allows dogs in a designated patio area adjacent to the parking lot and kitchen. Customers can make reservations or order take out from the restaurant. The restaurant is located at 2145 Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa and can be contacted by phone or email. The restaurant has parking options, including valet parking from Wednesday to Sunday and free parking at a nearby church. The kitchen closes 15 minutes before the restaurant's closing time.

American restaurant

320 Main

American restaurant · 320 Main St

320 Main is located in Seal Beach, California. The business serves American dishes and craft cocktails. It offers a variety of menu items, including steaks, seafood, and sandwiches. The menu features items such as filet mignon, hand-cut ribeye, and seafood options like salmon and mahi-mahi. There are also sandwiches, including burgers and grilled cheese. 320 Main has a modern and vibrant atmosphere, making it suitable for various gatherings, such as drinks after work or date nights. The business is open for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch. To ensure a dining experience, reservations are recommended. The business is located at 320 Main Street, Seal Beach, CA, 90740. It provides options for online orders and private events.

Italian restaurant

A'Roma Ristorante

Italian restaurant · 30 Centerpointe Dr

A'Roma Ristorante is a family-owned Italian restaurant located in La Palma, California. The restaurant serves a variety of Italian dishes, including Calamari Fritti, Osso Buco, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Pizza. The restaurant's menu features a range of options, including appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta dishes. Some of the signature dishes include Calamari Fritti, Osso Buco, and Margherita Pizza. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a focus on family, food, and great company. The Ferrari family, who own the restaurant, are committed to providing a great dining experience for their customers. In addition to its regular menu, the restaurant also offers catering services for events and parties. The restaurant's team is ready to make catering easy and enjoyable, with a range of options available to suit different tastes and preferences. Customers can reserve a table at the restaurant or order online for take-out. The restaurant also has a gallery showcasing its dishes and atmosphere, and customers can sign up for updates and specials.

Italian restaurant

Agrusa's Italian Restaurant

Italian restaurant · 1240 W Imperial Hwy

Agrusa's Italian Restaurant is located in La Habra, California. The restaurant serves Italian food, including pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wine, and beer. Customers can dine in or take out. The restaurant has a menu that includes appetizers, salads, soups, side orders, entrees, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and pizzas. Some of the menu items are Mozzarella in Carrozza, Calamari, Bruschetta, and Garlic Cheese Bread. Agrusa's Italian Restaurant was started by Antonio Agrusa, who grew up in a small beach town in Sicily. He moved to the United States with his wife and children and began working to create the restaurant. Today, the restaurant is run by Antonio and his family. The restaurant has a banquet room and offers catering services. Customers can also order online. The restaurant's address is 1240 W Imperial Hwy Ste B, La Habra, CA 90631, and the phone number is 562.475.5303.

Japanese restaurant

Akuma Ramen & Sushi Bar

Japanese restaurant · 16051 Bolsa Chica St

Akuma Ramen & Sushi Bar is a restaurant located in Huntington Beach, California. The restaurant is surrounded by Japanese anime murals and paintings, creating a unique atmosphere for customers. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including ramen and sushi. Customers can choose from a range of options, including rolls that fit different dietary palates. Akuma Ramen & Sushi Bar also offers an all-day happy hour, with a range of options available for dine-in customers. The menu includes salads, appetizers, ramen, cut and hand rolls, signature dishes, Akuma rolls, sushi, sashimi, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The restaurant is located at 16051 Bolsa Chica St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649, and can be contacted by phone at 714-846-6951. Customers can also browse the menu and order online through the restaurant's website. In addition to its regular menu, Akuma Ramen & Sushi Bar offers an optional 'black rice' for sushi and rolls, providing customers with more options to customize their meals.

Independent shops worth exploring

Browse locally rooted shops and find something beyond the usual chains.

An alphabetical selection of researched local places. This is not a rating or popularity ranking.

Surf store

15th Street Surf Shop

Surf store · 103 15th St

15th St Surf Shop is located in Newport Beach. The business has two locations, one at 103 15th St and another in The Landing shopping center at 3138 W. Balboa Blvd. The shop offers various products for the beach and home. The shop provides clothing, accessories, and swimwear for women, children, and men. It also offers beach supplies and rentals. The business aims to provide these products in a modern general store environment. The shop is near the beach, making it convenient for people who want to spend time surfing, bodyboarding, or bodysurfing. It also caters to those who want to spend time with family or read a book on the beach. People can visit the shop in person or online. The business can be contacted through phone, text, or email. It also has a presence on Facebook and Instagram. Directions to the shop can be found online.

Eyewear store

A Child's View

Eyewear store · 23010 Lake Forest Dr Ste A

A Child's View is a pediatric optical dispensary located in Laguna Hills, offering trendy kids' eyewear. They provide quality eyewear for infants to teens. The business prioritizes selection, service, and experience, aiming to help the entire family with their eyewear needs. They offer eyeglasses for various life experiences. A Child's View has a large selection of glasses and a play area with toys for children. They also offer services such as lens selection and frame fitting, with a focus on finding the right glasses for each child's needs. The store is located at 23010 Lake Forest Dr, Ste A, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, and can be contacted by phone, fax, or email. They are situated near the intersection of the 5 FWY and the 405 FWY, off Lake Forest Dr. exit.

Appliance store

A Yorba Linda Vacuum & Appliance

Appliance store · 18032 Lemon Dr Ste D

A Yorba Linda Vacuum & Appliance is located in Yorba Linda, California. The business offers appliance repair and sales, as well as vacuum repair and sales. They also repair sewing machines, lamps, and other small appliances. The business provides a variety of services, including vacuum sales and repair, lamp repair, sharpening, sewing machine repair and sales, electronic repair, and built-in vacuum sales. They carry brands such as Riccar, Dyson, Eureka, Electrolux, Royal, Hoover, Sanitaire, Kirby, Rainbow, Oreck, Panasonic, and Beam. A Yorba Linda Vacuum & Appliance offers free repair estimates and warranties their services. They are open six days a week and have a well-stocked showroom featuring a selection of quality brands. The business is conveniently located on Lemon Drive, across the street from the Yorba Linda Post Office. Individuals throughout Orange County have been relying on A Yorba Linda Vacuum & Appliance for their vacuum and appliance needs. A Yorba Linda Vacuum & Appliance can be contacted by phone or through their website. They also have a Facebook page and offer directions to their location.

Uniform store

Adrenaline Athletics

Uniform store · 17705 Sampson Ln

Adrenaline Athletics is a uniform store located in Huntington Beach, California. The company specializes in manufacturing custom and affordable athletic uniforms using dye sublimation, embroidery, screen printing, and other production services. The business operates as a vertical manufacturing company, meaning they cut, print, and sew uniforms in their facility. This allows them to provide quick production times and personal customer service. Adrenaline Athletics offers full customization of uniforms, including custom logos, badges, names, patterns, and colors. They also partner with leagues to offer bulk pricing packages, and their design team works with clients to confirm uniform designs before placing orders. The company uses state-of-the-art machinery and has a talented team to ensure that every uniform meets their standards. They strive for transparency with their clients and maintain open communication throughout the design and delivery process. Adrenaline Athletics is located at 17705 Sampson Lane in Huntington Beach and can be contacted through email or phone. They are active on social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.

Outlet store

Affordable Stand Up Paddleboards

Outlet store · 24632 San Juan Ave Unit 120

Affordable Stand Up Paddleboards is located in Dana Point, California. The business is situated near the Dana Point Harbor and Doheny State Beach. The company offers stand up paddleboards and accessories. They have arrangements with manufacturers to provide these products. The business is open to the public on Saturdays and by private appointment on other days. They can be contacted by phone or email. Affordable Stand Up Paddleboards serves Southern California, including San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. They are located at 24632 San Juan Avenue, Suite 120, in Dana Point. The business can be reached at 949-322-8823 or AffordableSUPs@gmail.com. They are near the 5 Freeway and Pacific Coast Highway.

Antique store

Alamitos Antiques

Antique store · 211 Main St

Alamitos Antiques is located at 211 Main Street, Seal Beach, California 90740, and can be reached at 562-493-6618. The business serves Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The mission of Alamitos Antiques is to provide customers with a unique shopping experience. This experience combines old world charm with items from bygone days. Antiques are seen as treasures that tell a story of the past. Alamitos Antiques has a selection of items from different periods, including Victorian, art nouveau, and art deco. The collection includes jewelry, lighting, prints, sterling, figurines, furniture, and more. There are also items such as cuff links, coins, medals, badges, guns, and knives. The business can also be contacted by phone or through the website. Visitors can find directions to the store on the website. Alamitos Antiques sources items from around the world and has a variety of products available. Customers can follow the business on social media for updates.

Make a day of it

Museums, galleries and cultural stops from our city directory.

An alphabetical selection of researched local places. This is not a rating or popularity ranking.

Performing arts venue

Academy For The Performing Arts

Performing arts venue · 1905 Main St

The Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts is a performing arts academy within a traditional high school setting and is a magnet program of the Huntington Beach Union High School District. It offers extensive college and career prep courses in nine performing arts and media disciplines, including Acting, Costume Design, Dance, Dramatic Production, MMET Media, MMET Popular Music, Musical Theatre, Orchestra, and Technical Theatre. Each discipline provides students with hands-on experience and training, with opportunities to participate in showcases, productions, and events. For example, Acting students have performance opportunities in showcases, APA Studio Theater productions, and main stage shows, while MMET Media students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and can work on original film productions. To attend the Academy, students must enroll in one of the comprehensive high schools in the Huntington Beach Union High School District and apply through the APA application process, which includes an audition. The Academy is located at 1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, and can be contacted at (714) 536-2514 x1800. The Academy's administration, led by APA Administrator Andrea Taylor, aims to provide students with a well-rounded education in the performing arts, with a focus on both academic and artistic development. Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA and balance their classes, rehearsals, and productions.

Art gallery

Aleph Gallery

Art gallery · 3410 Via Lido

Aleph Gallery is a lifestyle boutique located in Newport Beach, California. It features a diverse range of international brands, including Apuntob, Bokja, Trudon, Hella Jongerius, and Max Lamb. The gallery's collection includes a variety of products such as fashion items, home objects, accessories, art, furniture, tabletop items, and jewelry. Some of the specific brands and designers featured in the collection are APUNTOB, AODress, BOKJA, ELSA, ESTURGIE, INJIRI, RENAISSANCE, SULA, SUPER, YAYA, and Nada Ghazal. Aleph Gallery can be contacted by phone at (949) 200-9957. The business is located at 3410 Via Lido in Newport Beach, and it has an online presence through its website and social media platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. The gallery's website allows customers to browse and purchase products online, and it also provides information about the business, its collection, and its contact details.

Art gallery

Brea Gallery

Art gallery · 1 Civic Center Cir

The Brea Gallery is a 6,500 square foot contemporary art space located in the Brea Civic and Cultural Center. It presents four major exhibitions per year and offers workshops for all ages, artist lectures, live art demonstrations, a gift shop, and unique artistic opportunities for the community. The Gallery aims to enrich and engage the community through educational, aesthetic, and intellectual experiences, while cultivating meaningful relationships with artists. It does not represent artists, have a permanent collection, or offer art appraisals. The Brea Gallery is part of the City of Brea's arts programs, which also include the intimate 200-seat Curtis Theatre and the Art in Public Places Program, featuring over 185 sculptures throughout the city. The Gallery is a community-based arts space that works with upcoming and established artists in various ways. The Gallery is located at 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821, and is found on the plaza level of the Brea Civic and Cultural Center. Free all-day parking is available in the parking structure underneath the Civic Center, and additional parking is available underneath the Embassy Suites next door. The Brea Gallery offers group visits and tours, and annual memberships are available in a series of tiers.

History museum

Brea Museum & Historical Society

History museum · 495 S Brea Blvd

The Brea Museum & Historical Society is located in historic City Hall Park at Brea Boulevard and Elm Street. The Museum offers free admission and has parking available behind the building. The Museum is open on specific days of the week and also offers private tours upon request. Visitors can explore the Museum's collections, which provide a glimpse into Brea's past. One of the exhibits at the Museum is 'Well Behaved Women: Brea's Remarkable Women Making History', which highlights the lives and contributions of notable women in Brea. The exhibit includes a gallery where visitors can read more about each woman using a QR code. The Museum is situated on the corner of Elm and Brea Blvd in City Hall Park, and visitors can find a map of the Museum on the website. The Brea Museum & Historical Society welcomes volunteers to help with its preservation efforts and can be contacted by phone or email for more information.

Arts and culture

Chamber Music OC

Arts and culture · 23666 Birtcher Dr

Chamber Music OC is located in Lake Forest, CA. The organization has a new home at 23666 Birtcher Drive. Visitors can park in any available space in the Lake Forest Business Center. Chamber Music OC is dedicated to performance, education, and community engagement. The organization has a Pre-College Program and offers rentals of its venue. The organization has a team including Iryna Krechkovsky, Kevin Kwan Loucks, and Louise Thomas. There are also various faculty members and season artists, such as Richard Aaron and Martin Beaver. Chamber Music OC can be contacted at 1-833-616-CMOC. The organization has a general inquiry form and department extensions for performance, Pre-College Program, community engagement, facility rentals, and donations.

History museum

Costa Mesa Historical Society

History museum · 1870 Anaheim Ave

The Costa Mesa Historical Society is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and preserve the history of Costa Mesa. The society was formed in 1966 as a support group for the newly restored Diego Sepulveda Adobe. The society has a collection of 70,000 items, including historical photographs, books, maps, and personal papers. These items are available for researchers, local organizations, and individuals interested in learning about the history of Costa Mesa. The Costa Mesa Historical Society has two museums, one located at 1870 Anaheim Avenue and the other at the Diego Sepulveda Adobe. The society also offers free monthly events, including talks on historical topics. Additionally, the society has a gift shop where visitors can purchase books, memorabilia, and other items related to the history of Costa Mesa. The society is an all-volunteer group and relies on the support of its members and volunteers to carry out its activities. Members can participate in various ways, including attending board meetings, helping with events, and assisting with the preservation of historical items. The society also collaborates with local government and other groups to produce historical books and pamphlets.

Want a different neighborhood or cuisine? Search all 613 places in our directory →. These selections are not paid placements.