Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


Dining Out for Thanksgiving
ORANGE COUNTY

THANKSGIVING

If laboring in the kitchen all day doesn't sound like your idea of a holiday, leave it to the professionals to prepare your Thanksgiving meal. For an all-American feast of turkey and all the trimmings, visit these restaurants in Orange County (CA). And best of all? No dishes to wash.

Orange County (CA) Restaurant Search Orange County (CA) Restaurant News
Orange County (CA) Culinary Events Orange County (CA) Wine Dinners


This coming Sunday, Nov. 8 at 8:25 a.m., Sophie Gayot will be chatting with chef and radio show host Jamie Gwen about restaurants offering Thanksgiving Dinner and everything Thanksgiving on AM 980 KFWB. Everyone can listen live on www.chefjamie.com.

Ambrosia French
14/20
Dining Room at Ambrosia, Santa Ana, CA OC Pavilion
801 N. Main St., 2nd Fl.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-550-0880
Former Balboa Island landmark restaurant resurrected as a romantic fine dining spot at the OC Pavilion. More...

Anaheim White House Italian
14/20
Dining Room at Anaheim White House, Anaheim, CA 887 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-772-1381
Savor fine Northern Italian cuisine tempered with French sensibilities in an elegant 1900s mansion. More...

Back Bay Bistro Contemporary
13/20
Dining Room at Back Bay Bistro, Newport Beach, CA Newport Dunes Resort
1131 Back Bay Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-729-1144
The modern space adds chic charm to this on-the-bay contemporary dining spot. More...

Bayside Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at Bayside, Newport Beach, CA 900 Bayside Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-721-1222
One of Newport’s best kept secrets, Bayside hits high marks on upscale yet casual California décor, fine cuisine and a substantial wine cellar. More...

The Beach House Seafood
13/20
619 Sleepy Hollow Ln.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-494-9707
Amazing Pacific Ocean views at this right-on-the-beach restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. More...

Bistango California
14/20
Dining Room at Bistango, Irvine, CA The Atrium Building
19100 Von Karman Ave.
Irvine, CA 92612
949-752-5222
California fare, nightly jazz and terrific revolving displays of art. More...

Brasserie Pascal French
15/20
Fashion Island
327 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-640-2700
French brasserie has irresistible Parisian charm and some of the best classic French dishes in OC. More...

The Californian Contemporary
No Rating
Dining Room at The Californian, Huntington Beach, CA Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
21500 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-845-4776
Fine California-style dining and excellent wines in a laid-back setting with beautiful ocean views. More...

Cannons Seafood Grill Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Cannons Seafood Grill, Dana Point, CA 34344 St. of the Green Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-496-6146
Romantic cliffside restaurant in Dana Point has a bird’s-eye view of the harbor as well as rather good steak and seafood fare. More...

Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar California
13/20
Dining Room at Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar, Anaheim, CA Downtown Disney
1580 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92803
714-774-4442
Superchef Joachim Splichal's modern Mediterranean eatery in a sophisticated yet casual Downtown Disney setting. More...

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza New American
15/20
Dining Room at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-352-2525
Taste famed NYC chef Charlie Palmer's cuisine in this sleek and sophisticated South Coast Plaza space. More...

First Cabin Continental
14/20
Dining Room at First Cabin, Newport Beach, CA The Balboa Bay Club & Resort
1221 W. Coast Hwy.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-645-5000
Classic Cali-Euro cuisine with a striking Newport Harbor view. More...

Five Crowns American
14/20
Dining Room at Five Crowns, Corona Del Mar, CA 3801 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
949-760-0331
Character is the main element at this replica of England's oldest inn, which serves up the best prime rib in town along with contemporary dishes. More...

Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom, Newport Beach, CA Balboa Pavilion
400 Main St.
Newport Beach, CA 92661
949-673-4633
Enjoy impressive views from inside one of Newport Harbor's most quaint and historic on-the-water buildings. More...

Leatherby's Café Rouge Modern American
No Rating
Dining Room at Leatherby Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
615 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-429-7640
Sophisticated modern American cuisine at OC's stunning Segerstrom concert hall. More...

The Loft Contemporary
16/20
Dining Room at The Loft, Laguna Beach, CA Montage Laguna Beach
30801 Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-715-6000
Highbrow California wine country bistro at the Montage Laguna Beach. More...

Maggiano's Little Italy Italian
12/20
Dining Room at Maggiano South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-546-9550
Maggiano’s serves huge portions of southern Italy-inspired dishes meant to please the masses. More...

Mr. Stox California
14/20
1105 E. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-634-2994
California cuisine complements an extensive wine list. More...

Mix Restaurant California
13/20
Dining Room at Mix Restaurant, Anaheim, CA Hilton Anaheim
777 W. Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-750-4321
California-inspired cuisine using natural meats and organic produce at the Hilton Anaheim. More...

Motif Bistro
14/20
Dining Room at Motif, Dana Point, CA St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach
1 Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-234-3200
Handsome Euro-Cal bistro with a gorgeous ocean view. More...

Napa Rose California
15/20
Dining Room at Napa Rose, Anaheim, CA Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
1600 S. Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-300-7170
Posh California café in Disney's empire. More...

Orange Hill Restaurant California
14/20
Dining Room at Orange Hill Restaurant, Orange, CA 6410 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92869
714-997-2910
A romantic steak and seafood dining venue with spectacular nighttime views and an impressive weekend brunch. More...

Palm Terrace Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at Palm Terrace, Newport Beach, CA The Island Hotel Newport Beach
690 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-760-4920
Executive chef Bill Bracken’s Modern American cuisine includes dishes such as truffle-scented macaroni and cheese and potato-crusted Chilean sea bass. More...

Pelican Grill Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at Pelican Grill, Newport Coast, CA Pelican Hill Golf Club
22800 Pelican Hill Rd.
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949-467-6800
Super scenic and elegant golf club restaurant serves up fine contemporary and American fare. More...

Pinot Provence French
14/20
Dining Room at Pinot Provence, Costa Mesa, CA The Westin South Coast Plaza
686 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-444-5900
Elegant food, attentive service and French country style in a restaurant from the Patina Group. More...

Restaurant 162' California
14/20
Dining Room at Restaurant 162 The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
One Ritz-Carlton Dr.
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-240-2000
Cliff-side resort restaurant serves up contemporary California cuisine in a classic setting. More...

Rusty Pelican Seafood
14/20
Mariners Mile
2735 W. Coast Hwy.
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-642-3431
Classic seafood dinners at sunset are still served up at Newport Harbor’s romantic Rusty Pelican. More...

Sage California
14/20
Dining Room at Sage, Newport Beach, CA 2531 Eastbluff Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-718-9650
Fresh, contemporary American cooking at a neighborhood favorite. More...

Sam & Harry's Steakhouse
14/20
Dining Room at Sam & Harry Newport Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
900 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-640-4000
East Coast steak, chop and seafood house comes to Orange County. More...

Sapphire Laguna Global
15/20
Dining Room at Sapphire Laguna, Laguna Beach, CA Old Pottery Place
1200 S. Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-715-9888
Classy and rustic South Laguna hot spot for Modern American cuisine, coffee and gourmet snacks. More...

Savannah Steak & Chop House American
14/20
Dining Room at Savannah Steak & Chop House, Laguna Niguel, CA 32441 Golden Lantern
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
949-493-7107
Grandiose, Southern-themed dining room situated on a high bluff overlooking South County. More...

Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Scott 3300 Bristol St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-979-2400
Classic and contemporary fresh seafood dishes, plus steaks and a great bar scene near South Coast Plaza. More...

Shades Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at Shades, Huntington Beach, CA Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort
21100 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-845-8444
Contemporary seaside restaurant, located inside Huntington’s Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, offers seafood, steaks and classic European cuisine. More...

Splashes California
14/20
Dining Room at Splashes, Laguna Beach, CA Surf & Sand Resort
1555 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-497-4477
Cal-Med fare at one of the prettiest spots along the Laguna Beach coastline. More...

Steakhouse 55 Steakhouse
13/20
Disneyland Hotel
1150 Magic Way
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-778-6600
Modern steakhouse inside the Disneyland Hotel features California favorites for adults and kids. More...

Stonehill Tavern Modern American
15/20
Dining Room at Stonehill Tavern, Dana Point, CA St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-234-3200, 800-722-1543
Michael Mina brings his contemporary style and innovative cuisine to the St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach. More...

Studio French
17/20
Dining Room at Studio, Laguna Beach, CA Montage Laguna Beach
30801 S. Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-715-6000
Perhaps OC's most scenic and romantic restaurant with world-class cuisine and a 2,200-selection wine list to match. More...

Tangata California
14/20
Dining Room at Tangata, Santa Ana, CA Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
714-567-3600
Daytime dining from chef Joachim Splichal in a museum courtyard. More...

<< Back to Thanksgiving Main Page

RESTAURANT AWARDS

Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our Top 40 U.S. selections, including including Corton in New York and more!