The 10 Best Restaurants in Irvine

Irvine, California, located in South Orange County, is a rapidly growing city home to beautiful parks and the well-known University of California Irvine. Most notable to food lovers, though, is Irvine’s diverse food scene; from brunch spots to world-renowned ramen, this city has a surprising variety of top-quality options we simply can’t get enough of. Follow our guide to the best restaurants in Irvine, and we guarantee you’ll enjoy the best of what the city has to offer.

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10. Everyday Eatery

Established in 2019, Everyday Eatery is a brunch + lunch café serving California-style fare and is run by a husband and wife duo. Even though it’s a bit of a newer restaurant, we are confident Everyday Eatery will stand the test of time, so it was a no-brainer to add to our guide to the best restaurants in Irvine. For those who love savory brunch, the bacon and fried egg sandwich is a must. If a dose of sweetness is what you need in the morning, the French Toast Forever (mascarpone stuffed brioche with berry coulis and chantilly cream) is phenomenal. Everyday Eatery also has an array of vegan options including the all-time favorite Avocado Toast topped with mint and feta.

9. Il Fornaio

If you are looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, Il Fornaio, an Italian restaurant focused on fresh ingredients and house-made pasta, is one of the best restaurants in Irvine to do so. We highly recommend the Linguini Mare Chiaro: fresh-made pasta tossed in a roasted cherry tomato sauce topped with clams, mussels, prawns, and scallops. For a heartier option, the Tagliatelle Bolognese with a classic meat ragu and grana padano is a rich, luxurious dish that will leave you feeling so, so satisfied.

8. Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen, located in The Irvine Market Place, serves up a modern twist on Mexican and Latin American food. Start your meal off with the ceviche sampler, which includes the popular shrimp ceviche and ahi aguachile. Each is bright and refreshing with hints of fresh citrus and herbs, making this dish the perfect start to your dinner at one of the best restaurants in Irvine. For entrees, you can’t go wrong with the carne asada – it’s seasoned and charred to perfection, and that fresh chimichurri on top takes this dish over the top. Cha Cha’s often has off-the-menu specials (like their Monday date night special), so check their website for the latest.

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7. Sul & Beans

Sul & Beans is an authentic Korean dessert cafe that serves some of the best bingsu around (also sometimes seen as bingsoo.) Unfamiliar with this Korean dessert? It’s simply shaved ice topped with an array of toppings like fresh fruit, sweetened condensed milk, and, most traditionally, red beans. Sul & Beans is the perfect place to come if you are looking for a light refreshing dessert. It’s the type of dessert you can share, making it an excellent choice for a night out with a group of friends or family. Our go-to order at Sul & Beans is the Strawberry Cheese Bingsu with a side of sweetened condensed milk to drizzle on top.

6. The Avocado Cafe

The Avocado Cafe is a cozy cafe serving up fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and smoothies and is one of the best restaurants in Irvine to stop for a quick and healthy bite. Our top recommendation is the Kissel sandwich which features squaw bread (a bread made from rye flour and molasses) with turkey, bacon, cheddar, lots of fresh veg, and of course, avocado. Round your meal out with the strawberry avocado smoothie. This combination might seem a bit odd, but we promise it will taste like California sunshine in a cup. A great place to grab lunch while you are on the go!

5. Siam Station

Siam Station Thai Street Food is one of the best restaurants in Irvine for Thai food. We love so many items from the menu, but the Tom Kha Gai, a creamy spicy coconut soup that is like a warm hug every time you take a sip, is definitely a stand-out favorite. The creaminess of the broth alongside the flavors of lemon grass and mushrooms are a guaranteed burst of flavor. The Pad See Ew Noodles are another favorite and are always a great plate to share with the table. While the main courses at Siam Station are truly phenomenal, the true star on the menu that you can’t leave without trying is the mango sticky rice. Mango sticky rice consists of a special sweet glutinous rice topped with coconut milk and is served with fresh, perfectly creamy, ripe mango on the side. It’s a dessert that’s so incredibly simple, but when executed well, will leave you feeling oh-so-satisfied.

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4. Duck Donuts

Whether you’re looking to grab a dozen to surprise co-workers or just stopping in for a quick Tuesday morning pick-me-up, Duck Donuts is one of our favorite restaurants in Irvine for something sweet. Duck Donuts takes a unique spin on the classic donut shop offering by making their cake donuts fresh-to-order and completely customizable. If that feels overwhelming, no worries, they have fan-favorites that never disappoint. The staff at Duck Donuts are also extremely friendly and knowledgeable and will help you customize your donuts to your liking. However, some of our favorites include the blueberry icing with powdered sugar on top and their cinnamon bun, a cake donut topped with cinnamon sugar with a vanilla drizzle.

3. Inkas

Inkas, a women-owned business run by a mother and her two daughters, has been serving delicious Peruvian food in Irvine since 2000. Inkas strongly believes in the importance of serving high-quality, traditional Peruvian cuisine – they import many of their herbs and spices directly from a trusted source in Peru for a truly authentic experience. When you come to Inkas, you quickly feel like you are at home with family enjoying a meal around the table. The Lomo Saltado, which translates as “stir-fried beef” and consists of marinated beef served with blistered tomatoes, fries, and white rice, is one of their more popular dishes. Top it with their spicy aji verde sauce to really take this dish over the top. The Tallarin Verde Chicken Pasta is a twist on pasta topped with pesto – the addition of queso fresco and spinach leaves makes this dish a bright and refreshing option. While it is typically served with chicken milanesa, omit the chicken for a filling vegetarian option.

2. Baekjeong Korean BBQ

Baekjeong, the Korean word for butcher, is one of the top Korean BBQ restaurants around. With an impressive selection of high-quality meats and well-executed, traditional sides, Baekjeong absolutely belongs on our guide to the best restaurants in Irvine. What makes Baekjeong so special is their attentive staff. While it might feel intimidating to cook your own meat at your table, the servers take the time to explain the process and also include tips on how to make your experience not only enjoyable but a meal you’ll never forget. We recommend ordering the beef combo that includes thinly sliced brisket, marinated boneless short rib, and ribeye steak. You get a bit of everything and a taste of all the different meats with their distinct flavors. Alongside the meat you also get to enjoy what is known in Korea as Banchan (side dishes). These shareable side dishes are brought out in small dishes and include things like kimchi, spicy cucumbers, and seasoned soybean sprouts. Baekjeong is a great place for celebrations and enjoying a meal with loved ones.

1. HiroNori Ramen

Hiro Nori Ramen has become the gold standard for craft ramen in Orange County and was even named a top pick for the 2019 California Michelin guide. Started by two friends passionate about bringing the authentic Japanese ramen experience stateside, Hiro Nori Ramen has done exactly that, and it’s no surprise they snagged the top spot on our guide to the best restaurants in Irvine. We highly recommend the Tonkotsu Ramen, a flavorful pork bone broth that takes a full 24 hours to create from start to finish. The traditional toppings that come with the ramen are necessary to get the full experience – pork belly, green onion, spinach, seaweed, bean sprouts, and a soft-boiled egg. Mix and match additional toppings to find your perfectly curated bowl of ramen.