The Most Flavorful Restaurants in Irvine

"On a recent trip to Newport Beach, my boss told me he was tired of Nobu and challenged me to find something he'd like better. Fully convinced that both my job and my reputation were on the line, I aggressively researched all options before landing on Tavern House.Spoiler: I was triumphant.From the moment we walked in, the staff were each more pleasant than the last - from the hostesses who knew we were visiting from NC to the absolutely tremendous Nori, we felt cared for and welcomed.The wine list was one of the better curated lists I've seen recently - was absolutely tickled to see my favorite Orin Swift in the bottles (8 Years in the Desert) plus his Prisoner by the glass. We landed on Austin Hope as the ideal complement to our dinners.We started with the barbecued chipotle bourbon oysters, which were *amazing* (and as the thing that made me choose the restaurant initially, they lived up). Around the table, we had the Kurobuta double-cut pork chop, the prime rib dip, the seafood special I forgot, and my own French Onion filet. That filet was the best damn steak I have EVER had. It combined all the wonderful elements of classic French Onion soup with a perfectly seared filet. With frites, y'all!!! We also shared an order of the charred Brussels sprouts, which were also fantastic. Somehow, we saved enough room to risk ordering dessert: a key lime pie martini (dubbed "proper delicious"), the carrot cake (fine. It's dessert laced with vegetables, so), and - drumroll - Bananaggedon. I would come back for that alone and I'm not even a banana fan. So ridiculously over-the-top and easily served our table of four. Even those more excited for carrot cake quickly abandoned that plate in favor of this. Meanwhile, we had a lovely view of the water - complete with fireworks over the Bay! The restaurant was fully decorated for the holidays but I imagine it would have been equally cozy and welcoming even without the seasonal additions. All told, this meal easily crossed into my top 3 for 2024, even accounting for recency bias. It's now a must-visit for every future work trip (we even added it as a top choice in the guidebook we give all visiting execs)."

"I've been coming to the Avocado Cafe Irvine on a couple occasions now and really like this little hidden gem quite a lot. Came across the Avocado Cafe while taking a friend to JWA with time to kill for breakfast being so close to the airport.They probably have one of the best breakfast burritos and I wish they were a little bit closer to my place but definitely worth going out of your way!The Avocado Cafe serves fresh and healthy food including sandwiches, salads, smoothies, juices, and drinks and not to mention a variety of coffees! FYI, their Tuna sandwich (formerly known as the Avocado tuna sandwich) was even voted one of the 9 best avocado dishes in Orange County by OC Weekly. The cafe offers a fast casual dining experience with a cozy ambiance inside and out and I definitely prefer the outside patio seating!5 stars for reasonably priced and tasty food plus friendly service!I'II be back!Enjoy and Bon Appétit!"

"For those who know me, know I'm always on the hunt for a good coffee shop! I was in the area on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Thanks to Yelp, I stumbled upon Coffee Nature. I ended up getting some work done while enjoying a delicious vanilla latte. There are tables and chairs, outlets for charging your electronic devices and free WiFi.The staff here is friendly and welcoming. They are very knowledgeable about their fairtrade and organic offerings. You can tell their baristas great care in crafting each beverage. The atmosphere and vibe is cozy and inviting, making it a great spot to hang out with friends and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.If you're looking for a new coffee shop , definitely give Coffee Nature a try."

"This is our second time eating here and it was just as good as the first time. The food was fresh and hot (even though it was very cold outside on the patio where we sat) and was delivered quickly. I also tried the blackberry limeade mocktail and it was delicious! Even though we waited for 30 minutes for a table (it was a Sunday, after all), our server was attentive and kept checking in with us. Thank you!"

"I come here when I visit my sister in law and brother. Second time going and I absolutely love this place! It is so delicious and I just love the vibe! I'll Continue to be a customer here because of the great service!"

"This is a great spot to please a group of people. Some had breakfast and some had lunch. The portions are generous and the food is good quality. It's a cute neighborhood place and I love the front patio. Our server was very attentive handled any request immediately. I always appreciate that!I look forward to coming back when I sm in the area."

"One of my favorite Mexican food spots with a great view. Portions are huge so always end up with left overs."

"I wish this place was 5 stars but honestly its really an overly hyped cafe. I had high expectations due to the reviews and I left disappointed.I ordered the green pazole and Mexican fluffy pancakes.First red flag- they charge you for chips n salsaThe food is NOT bad, its just not amazing either. Pay $15-$17 for 3 regular pancakes ( nothing fluffy amount them) a sliced half of a strawberry lol cmon guys. Now the pazole verde- I REALLY wanted to love this because I was craving it, but unfortunately super disappointing. Its not terrible but its just blah.For $17-$21 for pazole, I would hope its bomb but it wasnt.$7-$10 drinks ( Arnold Palmer and Horchata) Overall I was disappointed because I couldve made 3 "actually" fluffy pancakes at home , and made my homemade green pasole rather than paying $60 for 2 meals that were just blah.Can I cook myself... yes! But I didnt want to. I wanted to treat myself and my son and instead I left feeling robbed of money for a mediocre placeThis is a 6/10 place"

"Stopped in for lunch at the bar. Ordered a Chimay and delicious lamb burger ($19), medium well. Bar is a hidden gem with a wrap around bar top, vibey ambiance and good bartenders. Captain approved."

"This was our first time at Flecha Cantina and let me start off by saying, our server Annabel was amazing! Food was delicious and it came out pretty fast! The atmosphere was great! It felt like you were in a club lol but it's not, great music and drinks! Staff were amazing!Ask for Annabel next time you're there, she'll take care of you!"

"If you're looking for somewhere cozy for brunch with good mimosas and an amazing benedict, Cafe Mimosa is the place for you! You can't go wrong with any of the mimosa options but my favorite was the peach because it was pretty refreshing. If you're looking for a sweet and fruity option, I highly suggest the mango. I would go with the elderberry for a lighter option. As for food, I had the pork belly Benedict and it was by far one of the best benedicts I've ever had. I'm always weary of ordering pork belly because I never know if it'll be crisp enough BUT the pork belly here was everything I was hoping for it to be. Also, the hollandaise was unique compared to others and I'm so glad that I gave this a try."

"Can't rave about this place enough! Taco Tuesdays are my favorite day to come. I get the el pastor (pork) and fish taco. Workers are great and noticed they opened a second register to help if the line got long. Salsa bar has all the salsa, extra onions, extra cilantro, limes, lemons, and the pickled carrots. This place is the biggest location I've been to and definitely. Indoor seating. Lots of parking in the parking lot. Restrooms are clean."

"Great food, great service, and great portions!My friend and I were so impressed with this place! We weren't expecting anything too special as it's a chain, but immediately the host and our waiter were very nice and friendly. We ordered The Soul In a Bowl and the French Toast Trifle, both of which again exceeded our expectations. It's a little hard to tell from the pictures, but the portion sizes are very generous and both dishes were super flavorful. I was especially impressed with the french toast as the lemon curd wasn't overly tart like it is in some dishes and there was plenty of fruit, which seems like a rarity at restaurants these days. The torched pavlovas were also a very unique touch and added a nice contrasting texture.We definitely plan to come again!"

"We had a funeral reception at this location and I was amazed. We were given the back room which was closed off for privacy. The restaurant accommodated the time frame, which needed to be moved up almost an hour (we called and asked if we could arrive "now" basically). The staff was busy the entire time and very attentive. Props to Johanny our waitress. She was amazing and professional from start to finish. She definitely stood out as a great employee. We usually don't go to this restaurant, (Denny's in general) but based on the staffs desire to treat people like family we will definitely put it on our radar. Thank you again Johanny for doing an exceptional job."

"We were there for my friends 40th birthday. We had the whole restaurant booked for our private party except outside. Cute littel place in Huntington Beach. Parking wasn't too bad located inside the Old World Village. We started with french onion soup which was superb. All the ones from other restaurants were on the salty side but this one from here was super flavorful and not salty at all. They paired all the appetizers with rose to start. The group had three options to pick from but my husband and I both decided to get soup. For our main course we opted in for Chicken Dijon and Beef Bourguignon and our main course was paired with cabernet sauvignon. Last but least for our dessert we got creme brulee and nutella banana and they were both delicious. Creme brulee was another level of creaminess and full of flavor. Glad we were able to try authentic French food and we all walked out happy. They definitely have lot of wine options vs beer options but Spaten beer we got were pretty good (almost tasted like better tasting New Castle beer). Definitely will go back for their breakfast. Cute place and two owners were super friendly and loved the european accent."

"Who would have thought a small, rinky, hole in the wall Mexican diner would offer one of the best chicken fried steaks!! Being from the south, I grew up on hearty breakfasts. Everything loaded with gravy. Carlito's CFS did not disappoint!! Crispy chicken steak smothered, no, drowning in sausage gravy! For the price you really get a large portion too. It included 3 eggs made your way, I opted for hashbrowns and a side of toast. The diner itself is very tidy and clean. Excellent customer service. Upon entry, go to the counter to place your order then they will bring your food out."

"Had one savory crepe (a Parisian) which was ham and brie. This was delicious. The perfect and classic combination. The mustard that went with it was great. Also had one sweet crepe (a Fraise classic) which was a classic strawberry and banana. It was stuffed with fruit and we chose dark chocolate topping. Would return again!"

"Always a family favorite for over 20+ years Great little hole in the wall. Grandkids grew up coming here."

"Great food so far... I have only had the country fried steak. REAL country fried steak (not that premade frozen crap) with fried chicken style breading, nice and thick. I don't know how they manage to keep the crispy breading from falling off when they plate it. Gravy is also the real deal; just sausage, flour, salt and pepper. If someone complains in their review that it tastes too plain or doesn't taste like gravy, ignore them... they're from California and are expecting it to also include chicken broth and maybe pieces of bacon too. Eggs, hash browns, and biscuit were also goodThe house potatoes looked awesome. I need to try those next time. Prices were decent Eggs Benedict had several options and looked good too."

"Super-cool, super-hip Korean coffee shop located on the top floor of The Source in Buena Park!The aesthetic is modern and beautiful! Definitely the perfect place to either study or catch up with a friend.I had the hojicha latte and it was so, so good! They have a nice selection of beautiful pastries and you can order items off of their menu that all looked amazing.Will definitely be back soon!!!"

"LOVED LOVED LOVED Brayan & Beto!!!! Service was amazing, food was fantastic!!!! Had a long day & was indecisive, most restaurants when I ask what do you recommend seem bothered by the question but Brayan immediately suggested with confidence. All things he suggested were A+!"

"Before the transition of ownership I loved the food, especially their egg salad sandwiches. It's obvious that the original owners didn't share the sandwich recipe. I support small businesses so I'll say no more. I wish thm loads of success. It's a great local place to meet up with friends and family. The service is great and what could be nicer than sitting in their lovely patio to soak up the Laguna vibe."

"Absolutely look forward to eating a lot of my meals here when I come into town. Super great food and service at a hole in the wall restaurant. Best Chicken tacos. I dream of my next visit in town and the house green sauce. Definitely don't miss out and come by for some amazing food. And Richard is still here helping out. Have eaten here for so many years. Growing up in the area it's fun to come and still see his face helping out. We need a restaurant like this in Idaho."

"O boy am I obsessed with O Sea!! The employees are truly the most friendly and welcoming people! Sarah, the manager was so sweet and checked in on us during our meal. Fillie (may have spelled that wrong), was our server and he was so great, gave yummy suggestions and made sure everything went well throughout our time dining in! Food was very fresh and came out quickly! I want to try everything on the menu! Very open and bright space with plenty of indoor seating. Has a modern coastal vibe. Street parking around the Orange Circle, can get busy on the weekends. Can't wait to come back!"

"Sweet spot and service! It has a simple drive through with art to admire while you wait for your coffee. I love their hours. They don't close too early like other coffee shops. They are open long enough for me to catch my evening pick me up. You have to try their delicious Pecan Drip coffee. It so so good and just the right amount of flavor while still getting the richness of a drip coffee experience. Thank you zebra"

"Best sandwiches in south OC!! With a Latin American twist. We ordered the Just the Tip mushroom sandwich and the Choriopan (Argentinian sausage). They both came on a delicious Franchese bread and had Serrano aioli on the side. The flavors were mind blowing and service was quick and friendly. They are also able to accommodate vegetarians and make substitutions which is really nice."

"$11 for a chicken pot pie. They're around the same size as the frozen Marie calendar ones, but definitely more fresh and delicious. Also tried a slice of the quiche and we wished the came in a full pie. Can't wait to try the turkey pot pie for thanksgiving."

"I've been to the HB location of OPH, but 4got to write a review. The experiences in the past have been positive. This time I had Eggs Michael (sausage patties and poached eggs on top of English muffins w/ sherry & mushroom sauce) and 4 potato pancakes.The food was really good & hearty. The eggs were nicely poached, and the patties were large enuf to cover the muffins. The sauce didn't overpower the dish, and the pancakes were nice and crispy. I couldn't finish my meal. The only downside was the price (most entrees are ~ $20).Regarding the ambiance, the decor is basic, but warm. Likewise, the staff is friendly, attentive and efficient. The food came out quickly for 4 of us.The main reason why I don't come to OPH more often is mija is allergic to peanuts, and they use peanut oil here. This visit was w/ my golf buddies, so maybe we'll add OPH to our rotation."

"We just had dinner tonight and can't wait to come back. It was delicious. Warm chips with delicious Salsa (sweet & spicy and Roja Mild) and amazing guacamole. The sweet and spicy definitely packed a punch. The bean and cheese burrito was fantastic. Perfectly melted cheese and beans inside a grilled tortilla. Both tacos were delicious. The OG taco was probably one of the best tacos I've ever had. The shrimp taco was suggested by the cashier and was great. Has some really nice heat. Location was great, with enough parking! Only two booths inside so plan on eating outside and dress appropriately. The employees were fantastic. So helpful and kind."

"Omar was my server and he was amazing ! Great entertainer and I will be back. Also loved the food"

"Im a huge coffee & coffee shop snob and I was told to stop by Philz and overall cute place. The parking was easy which is so important. The overall ambiance was great except the high top table chairs were so uncomfortable lol. I ordered a Honey Oat Mill Latte and it was great and reasonably priced"

"Our waiter Jakhori 100% made our experience amazing. He was so attentive and he made my friends experience amazing. They did not have chocolate chip pancakes on the menu. He went to the store across the street and came back with chocolate chips so that the chef could put them in my friends pancakes. That's crazy! Jaws dropped. Wallets open. I recommend due to the outstanding service Jakhori provided. They've got a great team if they let a waiter go and do this. Everyone seems super chill and works together happily. Thank you BR for a great experience. I like your egg chairs outside too."

"I thought this was the place recommended by my friend. But I think I may be wrong. The staff was kind though. I ordered a bagel sandwich ( it wasn't too bad) and purchased a dozen bagels too. Some of the bagels were soft, some not so soft. Odd thing it was from the same basket. Anyway, I enjoyed the soft bagels and threw out the hard ones. Maybe next time I'll inspect them. One at a time."

"My sister & I met for a late lunch the day before 4th of July. Found ourselves checking out Country Cafe referred by friends. They close at 1:30pm. We arrived at 1:00 Thought they might turn us away. We were so wrong. They greeted us cheerfully and never rushed us to order or finish up. Top notch service all around. Sister ordered a 2 egg scramble accompanied by brown rice, bacon and sourdough toast. Homemade strawberry jam. Delish. I ordered machaka - half a plate full of tasty shredded beef scrambled with fluffy eggs. Plentiful. Delicious. Cottage cheese, sourdough toast and brewed coffee completed my meal. So much food. We both took half our meals home for dinner. The cafe is ultra-clean. A wall of philodendron plants look well-loved - healthy, hardy, lacy - allowed filtered light to enter the lovely cafe. Impressive. Country Cafe has been in business for eight years. I live blocks away. I can't believe this was my first visit. It won't be my last."

"Came here with a few friends after a hike at Alisio Viejo and man did it hit the spot! From the crispy outside and soft center of their sweet potato waffle fries, and their variety of drink options, it is nothing short of amazing. This place is tucked away in the valley, and has a small hometown feel! The service was superb, our meals came out in a timely manner and the cashier was helpful in helping us decide what to get. I will absolutely be returning once I'm in the area again!"