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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

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93 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Mint restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(94)
$$$$
• Indian • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch
Booked 7 times today
The food is absolutely excellent. Tried a few new things. Everything I’ve eaten. There is delicious. I could eat there every day.
A photo of Nick's Laguna Beach restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(3885)
$$$$
• American • Laguna Beach
Booked 73 times today
This is one of my favorite places! It’s always fantastic!
A photo of Fogo de Chão - Irvine Spectrum restaurant
3.9
Excellent(2999)
$$$$
• Steakhouse • Irvine
Booked 100 times today
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We have visited approximately 15 Fogo de Chão locations throughout California, Florida, Colorado and Nevada, and the Irvine location is by far our favorite! A huge reason for that is Eva DeJong. She is absolutely loving, warm, and welcoming. Every time we visit, we see her walking around the restaurant, checking on tables, and making sure everyone is having a great experience. You can see her exceptional leadership even from a distance. The gauchos are constantly approaching her with questions, and she is always engaged, approachable, and attentive. Her leadership and customer service truly stand out! Vinicius Amado also deserves recognition for his outstanding hospitality. He always welcomes us warmly and checks on us throughout our meal, making us feel like VIP guests. Nayara and the entire gaucho team are equally wonderful, always friendly, professional, and welcoming. The food is amazing, and the restaurant is consistently clean and well maintained. The salad bar is always fresh, fully stocked, and beautifully presented, which makes the entire dining experience even better. We actually have the Brea location much closer to us, yet we willingly drive approximately 50 minutes to Irvine because the experience is worth it every single time. Eva and the entire Irvine team are the definition of exceptional hospitality. Management should be proud of this team. Their professionalism, cleanliness, attention to detail, and genuine care for their guests are a major reason we keep coming back. Highly recommended!
A photo of Truly Pizza - Dana Point restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1375)
$$$$
• Pizzeria • Dana Point / Monarch Beach
Booked 210 times today
Excellent service! Delicious food! We had the thick crust pepperoni pizza. The pizza was very tasty, very fresh tasting!
A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
4.3
Awesome(2003)
$$$$
• Mexican • Irvine
Booked 27 times today
We love taco Tuesday here. The value for the gourmet tacos pean. My absolute favorite is the shrimp taco. The flavors are through the roof. Surf and turf is a phenomenal Value. The ambience is incredibly well done. The service is good, they are great people who work hard. Overall, they are amazing and they absolutely get the job done and we are grateful.
A photo of True Food Kitchen - Newport restaurant
4.2
Awesome(3747)
$$$$
• American • Newport Beach
Booked 29 times today
Excellent service! Manager Arthur was friendly! Staff really followed his example. Food was fantastic!
A photo of P.F. Chang's - Irvine Spectrum restaurant
4.0
Excellent(308)
$$$$
• Asian • Irvine
Booked 5 times today
We had a wonderful experience at P.F. Chang’s! The food was delicious, the service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Everything was great, and we look forward to coming back again. Highly recommended!
A photo of The Drake in Laguna restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1936)
$$$$
• Contemporary American • Laguna Beach
Booked 52 times today
One of my favorite nights . Celebrated 23 years. The food and entertainment were all 5 stars. Christopher the pianist played one of our requests , which was touching and beautifully played . Would definitely recommend this restaurant.
A photo of 230 Forest Avenue restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(3102)
$$$$
• Californian • Laguna Beach
Booked 17 times today
Beautiful day to dine outside on Forest Ave before the rains come. The service was attentive, the recommendations excellent, and was delighted to try something new, the Japanese catfish tacos did not disappoint.
A photo of SOL Mexican Cocina - Newport Beach restaurant
4.1
Excellent(4115)
$$$$
• Mexican • Newport Beach
Booked 22 times today
Best Mexican restaurant we’ve been to in a long time. Our waitress Gianella was amazing and very personable. The birria tacos were amazing and best we’ve had. Great experience, would love to visit again!

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Nicole
    Orange County •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    One of my favorite nights . Celebrated 23 years. The food and entertainment were all 5 stars. Christopher the pianist played one of our requests , which was touching and beautifully played . Would definitely recommend this restaurant.
    More info
    The Drake in Laguna$$$$• Contemporary American• Laguna Beach
    •
    4.8
  • AndreaGold
    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    It was too quiet for such a good restaurant. The ambiance was lovely. The staff is attentive is a quiet way and the food was exceptional. The salmon came with risotto and vegetables that I would not expect to be as wonderful as it was. And a light almond, lemon olive oil cake. Very nice. And a great dinner that made a great evening.
    More info
    Piatti - Laguna Beach$$$$• Italian• Laguna Beach
    •
    4.4
  • Lance
    Dallas - Fort Worth •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 29, 2026
    Had a wonderful dinner at Javier's Crystal Cove. Our table was seated right as the sun was setting, and the ocean view from the patio is hard to beat. The service was attentive without ever feeling rushed, and the whole place has a warm, upscale energy. The food was excellent across the board, and it's the kind of spot that turns an ordinary evening out into something memorable. Already looking forward to going back.
    More info
    Javier's Crystal Cove$$$$• Mexican• Newport Beach
    •
    4.6
  • ReginaGold
    Los Angeles •68 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 25, 2026
    Always a nice dining experience with good food and good service. Their recently added dining patio is beautiful. A plus was the delicious shareable dessert to celebrate the birthday.
    More info
    Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar$$$$• Italian• Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
    •
    4.9
  • Jordan
    Phoenix / Arizona •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 15, 2026
    SUCH a great dinner experience. We brought our party of 6, including a 2 year old. The patio seating was perfect for us (even with a wiggly 2 year old). The food was AMAZING. Our waitress was very attentive even as they were busy, and we did not wait long for our food. I would recommend!!
    More info
    CUCINA enoteca - Irvine$$$$• Italian• Irvine
    •
    4.5

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Discover exceptional dining options in Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, and Foothill Ranch, where the culinary scene is vibrant and diverse, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. Restaurants in this part of South Orange County are "worth the drive," offering not only a feast for the taste buds but also a memorable experience in unique settings. Each establishment showcases its distinct charm and specializes in delivering high-quality cuisine, whether you're craving innovative dishes or comforting classics. The area is known for its scenic beauty, which complements the dining experience, making each meal a picturesque event. Patrons can expect top-notch service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to culinary excellence. These restaurants stand out for their dedication to creating unforgettable dining experiences, making them a must-visit for both locals and visitors. Whether you're planning a special night out or a casual meal with friends, these spots combine the best of local flavors with impeccable service, ensuring every visit is special.

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