13 Best Restaurants in Orange County and Catalina Island, California

Expect long lines in summer at this indoor--outdoor dining spot serving up the freshest local fish (swordfish, sea bass, halibut, and tuna) and a wide range of creative seafood dishes (the Hawaiian-style poke salad with ahi tuna is a local favorite). Order at the counter, which doubles as a seafood market, and sit inside or outside on a grand patio. This is one of the few restaurants in Southern California with its own fishing boat, so there's a good chance some line-caught local fish will be on the menu. Oysters are a great choice, and the fish tacos topped with the homemade hot sauce are not to be missed. This restaurant is so popular that it opened two other locations at Crystal Cove and Huntington Beach.

Set on an expansive deck overlooking the water and a few boats, Descanso Beach Club serves a wide range of favorites: grilled burgers, street tacos, clam chowder, salads, and layered nachos, along with the island's sweet signature cocktail, Buffalo Milk---a mix of fruit liqueurs, vodka, and whipped cream. Firepits and chic beach cabanas add to the scene, as does the sound of happy and terrified screams from the zipliners in the canyon above the beach. There is a shop to purchase beach items, and a stand to rent kayaks and snorkel equipment.

Grab a stool at this little snack bar on the Green Pleasure Pier for people-watching while drinking a draft beer and munching on a burrito, fish-and-chips, or signature buffalo burger.

Seafood rules at the popular Lobster Trap, because the restaurant's owner has his own boat and fishes for the catch of the day and, in season, spiny lobster. Ceviche is a great starter, always fresh and brightly flavored. Locals (you'll see many at the small counter) come for the relaxed atmosphere, large portions, and happy hour specials (not offered during the summer season) for select $4 pints and other specials. Try the grilled swordfish with mixed veggies and a baked potato. They can prepare it seven different ways including crisp macadamia nut breading. Open daily from 11 am for lunch through late evening. 

On the site of an old sportfishing dock, this popular spot offers a variety of seasonal seafood, shellfish, meat, and poultry. There’s a tranquil bay view from either the dining room, which is adorned with early-1900s fishing photos, or the waterfront patio. Favorites include miso-glazed black cod, local rockfish snapper, and all different types of shellfish including oven-baked lobster tail. There's an emphasis on freshness—the menu changes daily—and wines and craft brews are reasonably priced.

Overlooking the entire harbor, this open-to-the-sea-air patio is the preferred spot to dine on freshly caught fish, savory chowders, and all manner of shellfish. Order a swordfish steak, the lobster roll, or the sand dabs if they are on the menu. Save room for homemade Key lime pie or java mud pie. The dining room has an understated nautical vibe. Fishing rods serve as room dividers, and plank floors lend a casual feel inside and out. Vintage black-and-white photos acknowledge the island's famed sportfishing legacy. Happy hour offers craft beers, potent cocktails, and tasty bites like fried calamari and oyster shooters.

This Laguna Beach establishment set in a historic Craftsman-style building is part gourmet pantry (a must-stop for your every picnic need) and part global dining adventure. Enjoy comfort cuisine from around the world paired with an eclectic wine and beer list. Brunch is best enjoyed outdoors on the sunny patio under colorful umbrellas. An iconic statue of Eiler Larsen aka "The Greeter" of Laguna Beach is a prominent feature on the corner of the property.

This Southern California landmark sitting on a bluff off the PCH is the perfect spot to get a quick breakfast burrito or pancake combo. During lunch and dinner they make tasty Cove burgers served with a side of French fries or coleslaw, fish-and-chips, and a seared ahi sandwich. The menu also includes a vegan Impossible burger, banana date shakes, and root beer floats.

This may look like a fast-food taco stand with salads, quesadillas, and nachos on the menu, but the quality of the food here equals that in many higher-price restaurants. Some Mexican standards get a seafood twist, like swordfish, calamari, and shrimp tacos. Other favorites include blackened mushroom-and-tofu tacos, salads, and bowls. They also offer a vegan menu with veggie tacos, hemp blackened burgers, and bowls. It stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. All seating is outside, making this a great people-watching spot.

Since 1975, this old-school, artsy eatery in Laguna provides healthy, organic vegan salads, bowls, burritos, tamales, veggie burgers, pita pocket sandwiches, fresh fruit soft serve, and smoothies.

A local favorite in the morning and throughout the day for organic heirloom coffee and hand-blended fine organic teas, Urth also serves health-conscious food as well as pastries outside on the charming garden patio looking out at the Laguna Art Museum across the street. For lunch and dinner, they offer a variety of salads, soups, bowls, pizzas, and signature sandwiches. Heartier fare includes a Mediterranean platter, Urth tamales, lasagna, and an Asian-style nori plum rice wrap. There is a children's menu, too.

Proximity to the ocean makes this eatery's seafood-filled tacos and burritos taste even better. The healthy fast-food chain—tagged with dozens of surf stickers—brought Baja's fish tacos north of the border to quick success. The Wahoo protein bowls combine grilled chicken, fish, or tofu with rice and beans while the Hawaiian onion ring burrito is filled with teriyaki steak and Maui onion rings. Vegetarians will want to order a Wahoo salad with a scoop of guacamole and loads of veggies.

It's always brunch time at his small Laguna Beach institution where—from 7 am to 4 pm—you will find reasonably priced breakfast-to-lunch (okay, brunch) items that include everything from signature quiches, poached eggs, and homemade granolas, to healthy salads, homemade soups, quesadillas, and pizza. All the sweets are homemade, including the megasize brownies. There are some gluten-free and vegetarian items, too, including a Zinc Rubenesque on rye bread made with beets. A large beverage menu includes lattes, lemonade, beer, mimosas, and red and white wines by the glass.