Remote Surveillance Trailer in Orange, CA

If there’s one article you’ll want to read thoroughly, it’s this one. There’s sort of this not-too-subtle competition around town to try out the best new restaurants once they hit the scene. Lucky for you, we’re here to dish! Orange County has become a culinary hub for adventurous chefs and rambunctious restaurateurs looking to brand their names onto our forever-hungry hearts. If you’re in need of a date night spot or a place to gather with the gals, we’ve got you covered. Here are 18 new restaurants in Orange County that have us totally obsessed!

Family recipes get a fresh OC debut at Pasta Sisters. Known for their cult-favorite LA locations, the Da Re family brings their hand-rolled pasta, slow-simmered sauces and comforting Italian classics to Costa Mesa. The menu, featuring bolognese, cacio e pepe and spinach lasagna, is crafted with care that you taste in every bite. While the takeout-only setup keeps things casual, the flavors are deeply personal, a direct line from a Padova kitchen to your OC table. It’s a delicious addition to the best new restaurants in OC, and one locals are already lining up for.

Location: Costa Mesa

Fire and flavor meet at Tierra de Fuegos. This Argentine-inspired spot turns dinner into an immersive experience. Their wood-fire cooking infuses smoky depth into every steak, seafood dish and vegetable that hits the grill. The warm, rustic dining room hums with the scent of sizzling chimichurri-drenched ribeyes, while curated South American wines keep the conversation flowing. It’s passionate, hearty and unapologetically bold, exactly what makes it a standout in OC’s 2025 dining scene.

Location: Laguna Niguel

Retro charm takes a modern twist inside Le Hut Dinette. Housed in a restored Quonset hut, the space blends midcentury nostalgia with chef-driven creativity. The menu offers dishes like coconut creamed corn and grilled chicken inasal that pack serious punch. Plus, the bright, laid-back vibe makes it perfect for a solo coffee date or a leisurely brunch with friends. This playful yet skillful approach to casual dining makes Le Hut a must-try among the best new restaurants in OC this year.

Local insight: Stop by at different times to sample all the brunch, lunch and dinner offerings: each mealtime menu is unique!

Location: Santa Ana

Coastal cool comes alive at Casa de Onda in Costa Mesa. Picture palapas, string lights and firepits creating the backdrop for a meal that fuses Mexican and American coastal flavors. Chef Ryan Perez and Karlo Wabe’s sharable menu tempts with seafood tostadas, charred street corn and cocktails begging to be sipped under the stars. And make sure you save room for dessert! The bold tres leches cake with yuzu curd & praline and white chocolate and lime flan are divine. It’s relaxed, stylish and built for everything from date night to post-beach happy hours.

Location: Costa Mesa

A taste of Peru now has a home by the Huntington Beach pier with Rocoto Pesca Bar. This modern, sunlit space is as much about the atmosphere as the food. Peruvian classics take center stage with bright ceviches, flavorful tiraditos and hearty lomo saltado. The beach-adjacent location adds to the allure, inviting you to linger over cappuccino long after the plates are cleared. It’s a vibrant addition to the best new restaurants in OC, marrying Latin American soul with California’s flair.

Location: Huntington Beach

At the Pendry’s members-only Elwood Club, Viamara offers Italian coastal elegance with a distinctly Newport Beach sensibility. Sunlit interiors and polished service set the stage for oysters, hand-crafted pastas and high tea that feels like the Italian Riviera. The exclusivity makes each visit feel like a special occasion, but the relaxed, sophisticated vibe keeps it approachable. It’s a hidden gem for those lucky enough to have access, earning a place among the best new restaurants in OC.

Location: Newport Beach

For lovers of refined Italian flavors, Molo in Newport Beach delivers with confidence. This osteria focuses on regional specialties prepared with simple, seasonal ingredients that let the flavors speak for themselves. The chic yet cozy dining room invites lingering over handmade pasta, fresh seafood and an expertly curated wine list. It’s an understated but impactful addition to the 2025 OC dining scene, proving that less can indeed be more.

Local insight: There are gluten-free and vegan options available, just ask your server!

Location: Molo

Barbecue gets a refined yet soulful interpretation at Harper BBQ. Smoked brisket, tender ribs and inventive sides show off pitmaster-level skill while the casual-chic atmosphere makes it fit for a weeknight celebration. The wood smoke aroma hits before you step inside, and the portions ensure no one leaves hungry. For fans of hearty flavors done with finesse, Harper BBQ is a standout in the new restaurants OC lineup.

Local insight: For sandwiches, mac n’ cheese or salted caramel banana pudding, skip the line, and order at the bar!

Location: Costa Mesa

Dumpling devotees have a new temple in Seven Folding Dumpling House. The menu is a love letter to hand-folded perfection. It offers everything from soup dumplings that burst with rich broth to pan-fried varieties with an irresistible crunch. Popular orders include sauteed broccoli with beef, pork wonton soup and beef onion dumplings. As a bonus, the sleek interiors and open kitchen views make the dining experience feel interactive and inviting. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll order “just one more” and plan your next visit before leaving.

Location: Mission Viejo

Laguna Beach’s dining scene feels brighter with Piatti’s arrival. This Italian-inspired restaurant blends seaside views with a menu celebrating coastal Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy grilled branzino, wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes layered with fresh herbs and flavor. Not to mention, their Italian wine list has dozens of options! The relaxed elegance makes it a natural fit for everything from a pre-theater bite to a slow weekend dinner. It’s a polished yet unpretentious star in the 2025 OC dining scene.

Location: Laguna Beach

Wooden Pearl serves elevated New American cuisine with global touches in a sleek, modern setting. Expect artful plating, seasonal ingredients and a cocktail program that feels as thoughtfully crafted as the food. You’ll find crab cakes, shrimp scampi, chorizo + clams and so much more! The atmosphere strikes a balance between date-night sophistication and neighborhood warmth, encouraging return visits. It’s a fresh face in OC that delivers both style and substance.

Location: Anaheim

San Clemente’s Smalls Smash Club proves that burgers can be both fun and serious. Their perfectly seared smash patties come stacked as singles, doubles or triples. Get them a la carte or choose a combo with a drink and onion rings or fries deep fried in beef tallow. The space hums with casual energy, making it ideal for group hangs or low-key date nights. For a crave-worthy, no-frills-but-all-thrills addition to the new restaurants OC list, Smalls is already a fan favorite.

Location: San Clemente

Nick’s in Newport? It just makes sense. This South OC favorite expanded north in January. This opening is the SoCal chain’s third location, replacing Gracias Madre on Westcliff Drive. Nick’s is known for American comfort foods and is an upscale spot without being pretentious. This is the kind of place that feels like home. It’s casual enough for working lunches yet elegant enough for a date night dinner. The prime rib sandwich is a fan favorite, and their butter cake is mandatory! Current locations include Laguna Beach and San Clemente.

Location: Newport Beach

For those in search of a cozy yet refined cafe, CasaDamí offers a little slice of Europe in Newport Beach. With an all-day brunch menu, artisanal pastries and a handpicked selection of wines, this charming spot in Peninsula Village is ideal for everything from quiet mornings to late-night conversations. The menu features savory tapas, cured meats and European-style breakfast plates. Meanwhile, the drink program boasts signature lattes with creative flavor profiles. Whether you’re curled up with a book or gathering with friends for Wine Wednesday, CasaDamí is all comfort and sophistication.

Location: Newport Beach

Located in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach, Oto Sushi is redefining the sushi experience with a focus on sustainability and creativity. Chef Connor Mathison, a Portland transplant with a deep commitment to eco-friendly practices, presents a menu that caters to all tastes, from sushi lovers to vegetarian diners.

The sushi offerings include 20 nigiri and sashimi options. Meanwhile, the Robatayaki Sticks section features dishes like Jidori chicken and smoked mackerel served with dramatic flair. Rolls like the Tidal Viper (spicy tuna and tempura shishito) and the citrusy Eternal Stream (steelhead, avocado, kumquat yuzu) highlight Oto’s adventurous spirit. The sake and soju-based cocktails, like the floral Dragonfly, round out the experience.

Location: Laguna Beach

Dana Point’s Lantern’s Edge combines stunning ocean views with a modern Mediterranean menu crafted by Chef Kristine Davis. Located at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, the restaurant offers a unique al fresco experience with dishes inspired by the California coast. Start with the bright and refreshing hamachi crudo or the earthy grilled maitake mushrooms. Then, dive into mains like charcoal-grilled branzino. For brunch, indulge in the Endless Brunch, featuring a seafood bar, carving station and bottomless mimosas.

Location: Dana Point

In Dana Point, seafood lovers have found their new altar to flavor. Hook & Anchor pairs ocean-view romance with a menu that reads like a love poem to the sea. You’ll find lobster roll legends, oyster rockefeller and a seafood risotto that’s practically a hug in a bowl. The rotating raw bar ensures each visit tastes fresh and unexpected, while sunset patio seats make every bite feel like a celebration. Between the warm, personable service and cocktails designed for lingering, this coastal darling is already topping the list of the best new restaurants in OC.

Location: Dana Point

Stepping into Monaco Italian Kitchen feels like crossing into a dream somewhere between Naples and Newport. Opened in April 2025, Tony Monaco’s latest venture blends Italian heritage with California ease, serving house-made pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas and risottos worth writing home about. The space is chic yet warm, with its wraparound bar, black-and-white tiles and golden lighting setting the mood for leisurely dinners. Signature plates like the lamb bolognese and spaghetti alle vongole pair beautifully with cocktails. Try the aperol spritz or the “Over The Rainbow”, and the result is pure magic in OC’s 2025 dining scene.

Local insight: Do not skip the $12 cocktails and pizzas under $15 during Happy Hour!

As measles outbreaks grow nationally and internationally, cases are increasing in the Southland — including one confirmed Monday in an international traveler who arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and then later visited a Disney park.

In the last week, Orange County has confirmed two cases and L.A. County has confirmed three cases, with the most recent Los Angeles case announced Monday evening in a resident who visited a Sherman Oaks restaurant while infectious.

All infections thus far have been recorded in people who had traveled internationally, and public health officials in both counties are urging residents to get vaccinated.

On Wednesday, an infected person visited Goofy’s Kitchen from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Downtown Disney, the shopping and restaurant district adjacent to the park, and then Disney California Adventure Park from 12:30 p.m. to closing, according to a news release from the Orange County Health Care Agency.

In L.A. County, an infected person visited Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant at 14543 Ventura Blvd. on Jan. 24 from around 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to a news release from the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

People who were at those locations have a risk of developing measles seven to 21 days after being exposed, according to the releases. Those who visited the amusement park on Wednesday have been advised to talk to their healthcare provider about vaccination and their immunity status.

“Measles doesn’t only affect people who travel internationally — everyone is at risk if they’re not protected,” Dr. Anissa Davis, Orange County’s deputy county health officer, said in the release. “Because measles is highly contagious, it can spread quickly within communities, even among those who haven’t traveled. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated before exposure occurs.”

Disney officials do not release daily attendance figures, but a longtime Walt Disney Engineering director revealed in 2019 that Disneyland attendance on a “normal day” was 65,000. The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expansion completed that year increased daily capacity to about 80,000, according to insiders. Daily attendance at Disney’s California Adventure Park is 24,000 to 27,000, according to estimates by Disney followers and insiders.

Earlier last week, the OC Healthcare Agency confirmed a measles case in a young adult who recently traveled internationally. The infected person visited a gym in Ladera Ranch on Jan. 23 and an urgent care facility on Jan. 23 and 26.

L.A. County’s public health department confirmed its first measles case Friday, its second case Saturday and its third case Monday.

The county has not identified any public exposure locations for the first case. However, people who were at LAX Terminal B from 10:45 p.m. on Jan. 26 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 27 and people who were at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 22020 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills from 3 to 4:45 p.m. on Friday may have been exposed to the second case.

People who aren’t fully immunized should contact a healthcare provider if exposure happened less than a week ago, according to the release. Immunoglobulin is recommended for some people, such as infants under 12 months, pregnant people without immunity and those with weakened immune systems.

If exposure happened more than a week ago, non-immune people should stay home and limit interactions for 21 days after being exposed, according to the release. People should monitor their symptoms and watch for a fever and/or a rash for up to 21 days after exposure.

The Health Care Agency’s Communicable Disease Control Division is working with Disneyland to contact employees who may have been exposed to measles, according to the release.

U.S. measles cases have increased as vaccination rates have fallen in recent years, allowing the highly contagious virus to spread in communities with lower immunization coverage.

According to the CDC, there were 3,246 total confirmed measles cases in the U.S. from 2014 through 2024. In 2025, there were 2,267 cases, which is the highest yearly total since the early 1990s.

Orange County Coast, Orange County, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys, Riverside County Mountains and San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning are included in an air quality alert reported by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. The alert is in effect until Sunday Dec. 14, at 1:15 p.m.

The NWS San Diego CA says to anticipate, “The South Coast AQMD has extended a mandatory wood-burning ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. The No-Burn rule bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.”

“Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. No-Burn Days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin. No-Burn Days are based on fine particle pollution levels that are forecasted for an entire 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-time air quality maps,” the NWS said. “Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier and avoid using devices that bring in outside air like a swamp cooler or whole house fan if you have other ways to stay cool.”

When an air quality alert pops up on the radar, deciphering its implications is crucial. These alerts, issued by the NWS, come with straightforward yet essential guidance to ensure your safety:

Seek shelter indoors when possible:

Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic

Minimize outdoor ventures:

When you can’t avoid going outdoors, keep outdoor activities to the bare essentials. Reducing your time outdoors is the key.

Reduce pollution contributors:

Be mindful of activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using other motorized vehicles. Limit their use during air quality alerts.

A no to open burning:

Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.

Stay informed:

Keep yourself informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news station. Staying in the know ensures that you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities during air quality alerts.

Respiratory health caution:

If you have respiratory problems or underlying health conditions, exercise extra caution. These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.

By adhering to the advice from the NWS, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts while reducing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay aware, stay protected, and make your health a top priority.

Sourcing & Methodology

This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans. Our data comes from publicly available information. You can report errors to online@scng.com