Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Emily Johnson
Irvine is a vibrant city in Orange County, California that is home to some of the best restaurants in the region. From fine dining establishments to more casual eateries, Irvine has something to satisfy every palate.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine Type | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Habana | Cuban | Authentic Cuban dishes, vibrant ambiance |
| Prego Mediterranean | Italian | Mediterranean-inspired Italian cuisine |
| Eureka! | American | Modern American dishes, craft beers |
| Mastro’s Ocean Club | Seafood/Steakhouse | Upscale dining, oceanfront location |
| Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails | Health-Conscious | Sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients |
| Bruxie | Casual | Gourmet waffle sandwiches, unique flavors |
| Bosscat Kitchen & Libations | American | Upscale comfort food, whiskey bar |
| Little Sister | Asian | Southeast Asian flavors, modern setting |
| True Food Kitchen | Health-Conscious | Nutritious, flavorful meals |
| North Italia | Italian | Handmade pasta, pizzas, modern Italian |
| Tamarind of London | Indian | Contemporary Indian cuisine, elegant setting |
| Urban Seoul | Asian Fusion | Fusion of Korean, Mexican, and American flavors |
Here is a look at 12 of the top restaurants that you must try when visiting this charming Southern California city.
Habana
Name and Location: Habana, 3101 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
History and Significance: This lively restaurant and rum bar brings the flavors and culture of Cuba to Palm Beach Gardens since 2000.
What to Expect: Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, empanadas, mojitos and Cuban rum cocktails. Live Latin music and dancing.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-10pm. Reservations recommended on weekends. Paid lot parking available.
Habana is a lively Cuban-inspired restaurant that brings a taste of Havana to Irvine. Bright colors, Latin music, and delectable aromas greet you as soon as you step inside. The menu features classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja (braised and shredded flank steak), vaca frita (fried cubed beef), and lechon asado (roast pork).
Be sure to try their mojitos, Cuba libres, and other tropical cocktails to complete the Cuban experience. With its festive ambiance and authentic island flavors, Habana is a can’t-miss dining destination.
Prego Mediterranean
Name and Location: Prego Mediterranean, 110 Grand Oaks Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414
History and Significance: This cozy restaurant offers simple yet delicious Mediterranean cuisine in Wellington since 2005.
What to Expect: Grilled meats, seafood, kebabs, salads, shared appetizers in a casual rustic setting.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-9pm. Reservations recommended on weekends. Free lot parking.
For superb Italian cuisine in a rustic yet elegant setting, Prego Mediterranean is a top choice. Start your meal with fresh-baked focaccia accompanied by burrata cheese drowned in fragrant olive oil. Move on to house-made pastas like squid ink linguine loaded with seafood or gnocchi blanketed in a rich bolognese sauce.
Save room for wood-fired pizzas cooked to perfection in their beautiful centerpiece oven. With options like truffle mushroom, fig and prosciutto, and even dessert pizzas, there’s something sure to satisfy. Prego also has an extensive wine list full of Italian varietals to complement your meal.
Eureka!
Name and Location: Eureka! 110 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444
History and Significance: This popular restaurant focuses on finding the perfect balance between art, food and drink since 1993.
What to Expect: Creative American cuisine and craft cocktails in a trendy loft style ambiance. Live music nightly.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-Late. Reservations recommended. Valet and street parking available.
As the name suggests, Eureka! is a modern American restaurant focused on crafting inventive dishes from seasonal ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but some standouts include their bone marrow potpie bursting with tender meat and veggies baked under a flaky crust and their pan-seared dayboat scallops served atop a mint pea purée.
Eureka! has an extensive craft cocktail program with unique libations like the Smoke & Spice with mezcal, habanero syrup, and activated charcoal. The interior features a hip warehouse vibe with exposed brick, dangling Edison bulbs, and colorful murals.
Mastro’s Ocean Club
Name and Location: Mastro’s Ocean Club, 290 E City Pl, Palm Beach, FL 33480
History and Significance: The upscale steak and seafood chain brings its signature elegance and indulgence to Palm Beach. Open since 2018.
What to Expect: Fine steaks, lobster, champagne. Live piano music and unparalleled service in a sleek contemporary setting.
Visitor Information: Open daily 5pm-11pm. Jacket and reservations strongly recommended. Valet parking.
For a taste of luxury, make a reservation at Mastro’s Ocean Club. This upscale steak and seafood restaurant provides an elegant atmosphere with live piano music nightly. Only the finest cuts of beef make the menu, from porterhouses to filet mignons, carefully aged and fire-grilled to smoky perfection.
Surf options range from lobster tails to ahi tuna crusted in pistachios. Sushi, caviar, fresh oysters and other delicacies provide ample choices for seafood lovers. With top-notch service, Mastro’s is ideal for a special occasion or an indulgent splurge.
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails
Name and Location: Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine, 401 S Poinsettia Ave, Jupiter, FL 33458
History and Significance: Using local and organic ingredients, this cozy Jupiter hotspot has pioneered the farm-to-table and slow food movements since 2003.
What to Expect: Inventive New American dishes, freshly crafted cocktails, charming ambiance with live music.
Visitor Information: Open Tue-Sun 5pm-9:30pm, lounge until late. Reservations recommended. Free lot parking.
Those seeking a more health-focused meal should visit Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails. With local and organic produce dictating their ever-changing menus, expect dishes that burst with flavor yet remain light and nourishing.
Some highlights include their summer corn bisque enriched with truffle crème fraîche and coconut ceviche with fresh citrus and avocado. While health-conscious, Andrei’s doesn’t skimp on flavor or creativity. They also have an innovative cocktail program featuring refreshing organic juices, artisanal spirits, and unexpected garnishes like thyme, rosemary, and jalapeño.
Bruxie
Name and Location: Bruxie, 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd Suite 411, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
History and Significance: This fast casual eatery specializes in unique gourmet waffle sandwiches since opening its first Florida location in 2018.
What to Expect: Sweet and savory waffle sandwiches with chicken, burgers, and vegetarian options. Order at the counter.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-9pm. Takeout and delivery available. Mall parking garage.
For a more casual lunch or dinner, look no further than Bruxie. This Orange County favorite puts their own spin on sandwiches, waffles, and Belgian fries. Their specialty is bruxies – hot, crisp waffles stuffed with savory ingredients like fried chicken, BBQ pulled pork, and Caprese with tomatoes and mozzarella.
Belgian fries come loaded with garlic aioli, truffle oil and Parmesan for finger-licking goodness. Bruxie’s laid-back, modern ambiance and craft beer selections make it a winner for grabbing a bite with friends.
The Capital Grille
Name and Location: The Capital Grille, 2430 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
History and Significance: This upscale steakhouse chain brings refined dining and exceptional service to Palm Beach Gardens since 2007.
What to Expect: Dry aged steaks, premium seafood, extensive wine list, classic cocktails, indulgent desserts.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11:30am-10pm. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available.
Located in South Coast Plaza, The Capital Grille brings refined elegance and exceptional service to its modern steakhouse fare. Only the finest cuts of dry-aged beef make the menu, along with fresh seafood options like pan seared Chilean sea bass and sesame seared ahi tuna.
Start your evening with their signature French onion soup and an iceberg wedge salad loaded with chunks of smoky bacon and blue cheese dressing. Or opt for one of their premium cocktails like The Sam Adams Manhattan, crafted from vintage Sam Adams whiskey aged to perfection. With its clubby interior of rich mahogany and deep leather booths, The Capital Grille provides a luxe night out.
Little Sister
Name and Location: Little Sister, 15540 Donald Ross Rd Suite 200, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
History and Significance: Inspired by the foods of Southern Thailand and Vietnam, Little Sister has innovated the local dining scene since 2008.
What to Expect: Unique Thai and Vietnamese fare, craft cocktails. Relaxed hip ambiance with outdoor seating.
Visitor Information: Open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm. Reservations recommended. Free lot parking.
Little Sister offers a hip take on traditional Asian cuisine in a chic and lively setting. Sit at the marble bar sipping inventive Tiki cocktails while you take in the vintage Asian film posters on the walls. Then dig into menu items like crunchy shrimp toast drizzled with yuzu aioli, five spice duck leg with forbidden rice, or wok-seared udon noodles tossed with fresh vegetables.
Don’t miss their infamous “secret menu” of items like extra crispy Beijing chicken smothered in chili oil and crispy garlic. Little Sister’s cool ambiance, savory flavors, and artisanal cocktails make for a memorable dining adventure.
True Food Kitchen
Name and Location: True Food Kitchen, 142 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach, FL 33480
History and Significance: This health-conscious restaurant opened its Palm Beach location in 2019, emphasizing seasonal, organic and anti-inflammatory dishes.
What to Expect: Salads, bowls, pizzas, entrees tailored for vegan, paleo and gluten-free diners. Juices and cocktails.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-9pm. Reservations recommended. Free lot parking.
Healthy and delicious meet at True Food Kitchen, a restaurant focused on nutritious ingredients and imaginative global flavors. With menu items developed by Dr. Andrew Weil to follow anti-inflammatory food principles, expect lots of fresh produce, quality fats, and lean proteins.
Dishes range from a winter rainbow salad of Brussels sprouts and kale to Vietnamese turmeric chicken. Drinks include refreshing pressed juices and immunity-boosting teas. With its laid-back modern décor and emphasis on feeling good through wholesome fare, True Food Kitchen is a rising star.
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
Name and Location: Bosscat Kitchen, 100 N Clematis St Suite 102, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
History and Significance: Inspired by Texan smokehouses and Asian night markets, this trendy restaurant in downtown West Palm offers inventive cuisine.
What to Expect: Asian smoked meats, creative shared plates and handcrafted cocktails. Unique sushi dishes and sake list.
Visitor Information: Open Sun-Thu 4pm-12am, Fri-Sat 4pm-2am. Reservations recommended. Street parking and garages nearby.
For a spirited night out, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations mixes upscale comfort food with handcrafted cocktails and retro vibes. Their menu takes familiar dishes like meatloaf and fish and chips to new levels with high-quality ingredients and expert preparation.
Cocktails are the highlight, like their Old Fashioned served in a glass smoked with bourbon barrel wood chips. The interior channels an old-fashioned men’s club with leather couches, dark wood, and pops of orange. Come hungry and ready for some flavorful food and drink concoctions.
North Italia
Name and Location: North Italia, 700 S Rosemary Ave Suite 165, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
History and Significance: This contemporary Italian restaurant is known for its handmade pastas, pizzas, and simplistic, shareable menu since 2016.
What to Expect: Wood-fired pizzas, pasta, salads, entrees. Vibrant rustic-chic interior with a lively bar.
Visitor Information: Open Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm. Reservations recommended. Mall parking garage.
Brought to you by the creators of Seasons 52, North Italia brings a sleek and vibrant ambiance to its Italian cuisine. Situated at the Irvine Spectrum, this lively restaurant attracts a fashionable crowd. The menu covers all the Italian classics from cheesy lasagna to chicken parmesan, along with several creative seasonal dishes.
Save room for some of their irresistible homemade gelato for dessert. With a happening bar scene and outdoor patio seating, North Italia is perfect for soaking in the SoCal vibes.
Tamarind of London
Name and Location: Tamarind of London, 75 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
History and Significance: Serving fine Indian cuisine since 2002, Tamarind of London brings a refined and modern take on traditional dishes.
What to Expect: Sophisticated Indian entrees, upscale presentation, specialty cocktails. White tablecloth ambiance.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-10pm. Reservations recommended. Free lot parking.
Experience royal Indian cuisine at Tamarind of London, one of Irvine’s most elegant dining establishments. Situated at the Atria Hotel, Tamarind serves artfully prepared dishes that pay homage to regional Indian fare. Delectable selections include Bengali mustard chicken breast, Goan prawn curry scented with coconut milk, and fragrant biryanis loaded with spices and meat or vegetables.
With refined décor and professional wait staff, Tamarind brings a refined touch. Enjoy a mango lassi cocktail or sample from their extensive international wine list as you savor these exotic flavors.
Conclusion
From tasty casual spots to upscale destinations for special occasions, Irvine truly has it all when it comes to dining options. The city’s talented chefs sources fresh, high-quality ingredients to craft creative menus that span cuisines and culinary trends.
With such an abundance of excellence, it may be difficult to choose where to eat. Use this guide to discover your new favorite go-to spot and enrich your palate on your next visit to eateries in Irvine.
