The Most Flavorful Breakfast & Brunch in Santa Ana

Tavern House Kitchen + Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (918) • $$$

"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)."

Avocado Cafe Irvine

★★★★☆ 4.3 (912) • $$

"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!"

Coffee Nature

★★★★☆ 4.4 (869) • $

"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."

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

★★★★☆ 4.1 (966) • $$

"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!"

Lola's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (870) • $$

"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!"

Coyote Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (992) • $$

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

Amorelia Mexican Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (939) • $$

"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"

Sundried Tomato American Bistro & Catering

★★★★☆ 4.1 (937) • $$

"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."

Flecha Cantina

★★★★☆ 4.1 (918) • $$$

"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!"

Cafe Mimosa

★★★★☆ 4 (934) • $$

"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."

Taco Mesa

★★★★☆ 3.9 (979) • $$

"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."

OEB Breakfast - Newport Beach

★★★★★ 4.6 (676) • $$

"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!"

Denny's

★★★★★ 4.5 (698) • $$

"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."

Creme de La Crepe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (719) • $$

"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."

Carlitos Diner

★★★★★ 4.5 (680) • $

"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."

Fraise Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (589) • $$

"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!"

Great Mex

★★★★☆ 4.3 (731) • $

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

Green Street Café

★★★★☆ 4.1 (803) • $$

"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."

In-sīt Coffee

★★★★☆ 4.2 (765) • $

"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!!!"

Brea's Best Burgers

★★★★☆ 3.8 (917) • $$

"I thought I wrote a review for them guess not! I love this place it's so close by, they are fast and they have delicious food. The burgers are amazing the sandwiches are delicious. The french fries are crunchy and they give you a lot of food for the price. It's always busy the parking lot is small but still easy to find parking. Really nice people working there. They always have a line and it's a really cute little place to get some food! Thank you for delicious food and fantastic service. Come here often cause it's so convenient and easy and fast.Have a beautiful day :)Aloha"

Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (683) • $$

"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+!"

Zinc Cafe & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (809) • $$

"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."

Ricardo's Place

★★★★☆ 4.2 (729) • $$

"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."

Mamón

★★★★★ 4.6 (590) • $$

"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."

Pop Pie - Costa Mesa

★★★★★ 4.5 (615) • $$

"$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."

The Sandwich Saloon

★★★★☆ 3.8 (854) • $$

"Haven't been here in ages. It was really good "back in the day" and still is. We had a pastrami Ruben and a Chinese chicken salad, happy with both."

Original Pancake House

★★★★☆ 3.9 (806) • $$

"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."

Kalaveras

★★★★☆ 4.4 (626) • $$

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

Breakfast Republic

★★★★☆ 4.1 (712) • $$

"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."

Country Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (599) • $$

"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."

Kitchen in the Canyon

★★★★★ 4.5 (572) • $$

"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!"

Amarith Farmhouse Restaurant & Pie Shoppe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (589) • $$

"I am a sucker for a restaurant that makes their own pie! Amarith Farmhouse was just the ticket. We had lunch there on Wednesday. The pies were on full display in the bakery case.They also offered fresh, house-made donuts!!!! It is almost like they planned the food they offer just for me! You can tell already that I really enjoyed my lunch, right?The service included a friendly counter girl, prompt delivery of everything we ordered accurately and quickly. The decor is very homey, and country-casual.My chicken avocado club sandwich was delicious and had plenty of bacon. The onion rings were light, crispy, hot, and perfection. My friend had the Philly cheesesteak. He really knows his cheesesteaks! He said that his was perfect, and he proved it by inhaling the delectable beauty in record time.I can't wait to eat here again! We had a half dozen donut holes as an appetizer while we awaited our order! YUM!!"

TidePoole's

★★★★★ 4.7 (511) • $$

"It's about time. After driving by this Newport Beach gem dozens (if not hundreds) of times I finally had the opportunity to stop by for lunch. Tidepoole is well known to both the locals and tourists of Newport Beach. Their storefront is front and center on PCH, so it's truly hard to miss. I stopped by today after attending a nearby yoga class and grabbed a bite to-go. Their menu was straight forward, with options like sandwiches, pizzas, light sides, etc. I ordered the Charlie Sammy: sourdough, pesto, artichoke, provolone, tomatoes, and arugula. I also paid extra to add chicken as protein. The meal was delicious and served with a sliced pickle. The restaurant was close to empty, but I bet it stays jam packed during the summer months. Despite the slow season, parking is still tough. You'll find street parking available in the nearby residential neighborhoods. Luckily it's a nice walk, so don't let this small hiccup keep you from visiting!"

dPlace Steak & Pasta

★★★★☆ 4.2 (629) • $$$

"Super solid korean italian fusion spot! We came in around 2 and we didn't have to wait. Staff is super friendly and the place is really clean. Food is super yum & the side dishes help balance the flavors. The owner gave us the burrata grapefruit dish on the house and i think it might've been my favorite. The carbonara was really creamy and flavorful i loved that too. Pictured: burrata grapefruit, seafood marinara, carbonara, oc galbi korean"

Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (687) • $$

"The Hangout HB is bigger than the one inSeal Beach but it's not quite as good. Some dishes are equal---sliders and sides, but mostly the flavor is gone on others. We ate burgers last night (a hangout favorite) and it tasted like three day old meatloaf. It had so many fillers it didn't even taste like beef. Last time we came it was for their signature omlets....Breakfast left us with that "Denny's" taste in our mouth. And it cost waaay too much. Still healthy portions but I think we are over being overstuffed restaurants. Get back to real food quality, especially with the new Inflated prices.I've been eating at this location in HB for about seven months. Maybe it's the trend of prices and cut-backs but going for dinner isn't worth the high price now. $65+ no appetizers and two beers. For meatloaf tasting burgers? I'd rather eat at In-and-Out. Sorry Hangout, still love your ibe, service, appetizers and beer but meals are just too iffy to pay that much."