The Tastiest Wine Bars in Santa Ana

Phlight

★★★★☆ 4.2 (937) • $$

"Great place! Food and drinks were amazing! We ordered appetizers and a round of both red and white sangrias and neither disappointed. There is a parking structure directly across the street that is free but parking spaces are fairly narrow. Otherwise, you will need to find street parking nearby."

Bistango

★★★★☆ 4 (996) • $$$

"Amazing! My girlfriend and I decided to come here for date night after seeing the reviews from others. It lived up to its hype. This was one of my favorite dining experiences in a long time.The restaurant is beautiful and the staff were among the most attentive I have ever seen. Our waiter must have stopped by our table at least a dozen times during our meal to refill water and offer more bread and butter.The food was exquisite. Portions are small but my girlfriend and I liked that. I got the Japanese pumpkin ravioli and she got the pan seared scallop Risotto. They were both amazing. For dessert, we got the almond pear tart and profiteroles. We loved both of those as well!The night that we went, there was live music which made the experience even more fun. We will definitely consider coming back here again for another date night in the future!"

Neapolitan Pizzeria & Birreria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (825) • $$

"Chose this place to try out their interesting blackberry pizza. We drove to Laguna and were worried about finding parking, but they have their own parking lot - a big bonus for Laguna. We tried a couple of the appetizers - the heirloom tomato and buratta, and also the beets. We loved them both. They were delicious and nicely presented. Then came the blackberry pizza and it did not disappoint. They didn't skimp on the bacon. It was an interesting combo of sweet and savory. We also tried the Margherita pizza for comparison and it was great - nice thin crust and well cooked. The service was fast and friendly. Our server also let me in on a secret dessert of a cannoli and I was instantly sold!Glad to find this little gem in Laguna."

Filomena's Italian Kitchen & Market

★★★★☆ 4.1 (829) • $$

"I had Veal Piccante , my wife Scallops. Both were excellent.Service was outstanding by Hector . His wine recommendation was wonderful.Not enough garlic on the garlic bread was our only issue.The restaurant was pleasant and the serving staff entertaining."

Craft House

★★★★☆ 3.9 (853) • $$$

"Food and drinks are very good here. Staff is always very friendly. Really good whiskey list and cocktails, if you like it. One of my favorite places in Dana Point"

Truly Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.1 (769) • $$

"Walked in without a reservation and sat at the bar which is first come first serve and also dog friendly!Hostess gave menus to three other parties next to me that walked in after but got skipped for some reason so after a few minutes I had to ask for a menu.Linda was my server and she was very personable. Went with the champions cheese since it won 1st in a world pizza competition last year. Truly might've been the best pizza I've had in my entire life and I've eat my fair share of pizza. Dough was elite.Was going to go on a pizza crawl and try B+C after but this pizza was so good...ended up getting something to go from here instead. Went with Linda's recommendation the vodka square with pepperoni, her personal favorite. She knows her stuff and glad she didn't steer me in the wrong direction"

Lido Bottle Works

★★★★☆ 4.3 (605) • $$

"My dog (yes dog friendly) and I popped in for a happy hour bite. I ordered the hummus and the cucumbers, but the waiter suggested I just combine them and save a buck. I got a lavender beer, it wasn't my fave but wasn't awful. Fun to try something new. I'm pretty basic and tend to find their food too fancy, but I enjoyed this visit. Sit outside and enjoy the view!"

21 Oceanfront

★★★★☆ 3.8 (750) • $$$

"Recently decided to visit 21 oceanfront, the place is extremely ambience, wonderful for a date night, the service was exceptional, I enjoyed an Asian pear salad, that they modified for me to make it vegan, it was delightful, my main entrée was the grilled cauliflower steak, which was exceptional, enjoyed a side of mushrooms & roasted asparagus both delicious , definitely will visit again"

House of Thai Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.6 (457) • $$

"Finally got to try the coveted mango sticky rice! Every time I go to any Thai place they are always out and I never get to try it and this place delivered! So, it's getting a high rating! The food was phenomenal! Rich and full of flavor. My mouth is watering just remembering this meal. My girlfriends and I came pretty early for dinner so it was only starting to get busy so we got seated fast and service was friendly and fast. Really enjoyed our time here! The lighting is a little dark but overall great place!"

Farolito of Fullerton

★★★★☆ 3.7 (650) • $$

"Farolito of Fullerton is a small Mexican restaurant in downtown Fullerton. It may be a little hard to find because the entrance is located in an indoor hallway. Once you find it, you will find that this place is a true gem! This restaurant's interior is nothing fancy, has about 10-15 tables or so. However, it is the service and delicious food that had us coming back! The items I recommend getting are the enchiladas, tropical salad, tostada salad, and the Mexican pizzas! They also have food specials throughout the week! They also have a full bar with draft beers. Come check out this place if you're in the mood for Mexican food and drinks, you won't be disappointed!"

Tannins Restaurant & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (534) • $$

"Food was wonderful! Service was impeccable l. Thank you Alyssa! You are a rock star!!!!"

Sebastiani's Italian Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.4 (402) • $$

"Authentic Italian cuisine with great wine selection and fantastic music on the weekends"

Rothschild's

★★★★☆ 4 (445) • $$$

"Love this place! The food and service is amazing. One of my favorite espresso martinis ever. I got the bolognese pasta--it was great! Only thing I find weird is that the girls have to wear bow ties for their uniform? It's giving Cheesecake Factory. Overall would recommend!"

Avatar Coffee Roasters

★★★★☆ 4.1 (302) • $$

"SUCH a beautiful cafe with lots of seating, outlets, and great interior design but oh my god is the parking a nightmare lol. I've now been twice, and both times I wasn't able to find parking right away-- so I'd give up and go to Hidden House Coffee instead and then come back to Avatar to see if there's parking. As some other reviews mention, it's definitely possible to park at the nearby Tustin Legacy-- but it is a decent walk away. Other than the parking situation, it's great. Lots of (healthy) food options and the coffee is great. 90-minute limit on the wifi, which is kind of a bummer. But as a study location, it's nice. Just not as convenient as Wall Writers, for example."

OC Wine Mart & Deli

★★★★★ 4.5 (231) • $$

"First time trying their BTS breakfast burrito! Burrito was great - all the ingredients tasted clean, light, and lightly seasoned. The red salsa had a slight kick but other than that, not much flavor. Service was quick and attentive! Plenty of parking. I visited late on a Sunday morning and it was quiet inside except for the sounds of the television playing. Area was clean and organized with some indoor seating and plenty of outdoor seating. Will definitely come back!"

BXCR Underground

★★★★☆ 4.3 (222) • $$

"This is the small little bar we found you can barely see it but the door was open and they had these old cases used as tables to set drinks on loved it. Kind of a dark small cute inviting little bar. The bartenders were super sweet, it was also kind of busy for a Wednesday night which was kind of cool! I definitely want to come back, I had the espresso martini and my friends got the Big Lebowski drink which was also very good. The espresso martini was amazing I loved it! I really enjoyed our girls night, was nice to get out and enjoy some drinks and just be out enjoying the evening since I never go out. I hope to come back here again and I would highly recommend coming here for a drink and maybe some food! Loved it! Have a beautiful day :)Aloha"

Magic Key Terrace - Magic Key Holder Dining

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (300) • $$

"I ike to do my research before going to Disneyland because I like to be prepared. I checked the weather app several times during the week just to make sure it was not going to rain up until the day before we flew down to Anaheim. So when it started to rain when we were here last month (November 2, 2024), I was completely unprepared. No rain jackets, no ponchos-- nothing. Don't even talk to me about buying a $20 poncho (or however much they charge these days) because I wasn't about to buy one. When my bf told me that he knew where we could park ourselves while waiting for the rain to stop, I was all for it even tho he said we needed reservations. I pushed the stroller up hoping for the best and lucky us-- we got in. =)Our time here was well spent because not only did we get to hang out for an hour while we waited for the rain to stop, but we also got to eat some of the best food I've had at California Adventure. The menu was pretty simple with a small list of offerings, but the 2 items that we shared were absolutely perfect. **Route 66 Fried Chicken $31: Fried Cornish Hen with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Seasonal Vegetables and Mushroom Herb Gravy. This not only looked picture worthy but was so tasty. The chicken skin was done exactly how it's supposed to be. Tender, deep fried and not too salty. The Garlic mashed potatoes were whipped and creamy with a slight touch of garlic. And let's not forget about the Mushroom Gravy. Chef's kiss. **Silly Symphonies Churro Sandwich $10: White Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry Compote, Strawberry Crunch topping. I've never had a dessert like this before. I love churros but served as a sandwich? Never. There's a first time for everything. They took a churro and swirled it to make a top and bottom part of a sandwich. On the inside, it was filled with White Chocolate mousse. This was unexpectedly good. Crunchy on the outside and the mousse filling was light and airy. Topped with the Strawberry crunch gave it a surprise twist. Loved this. I would definitely get it again.Service was also pretty great here-- They knew we wanted to stay for a while to wait for the rain to stop. We felt more than welcome to stay as long as we needed. The restaurant wasn't crowded at all either (Perks of being a Magic key Holder)-- also a nice haven from the all the bustling people walking in the parks."

Snipe Island Crafthouse

★★★★☆ 4.4 (140) • $$

"We popped in after a walk on Balboa Island on a Saturday. It wasn't too crowded, we got seated right away. Our server was friendly, service a bit slow but we weren't in a rush and most people are here to relax and have a good time. We got a burger and a pizza, both were yummy! Seems they have a lot of local craft beer options, and cool seating options."

Anna's Joint

★★★★★ 4.5 (71) • $$

"It was 99 degrees in Long Beach today so I wiped down my counter and closed my kitchen for the day. I walked to Anna's with the perfect cold sandwich in mind. I've been inside this sweet little deli/liquor before but never tried the sandwiches so I was excited to be there. I ordered the De Rossi, it's a cold cut sandwich made to order. They have plenty of seating if you feel like dining in or outside facing Pine Ave. The sandwich was exactly what I day dreamed about and met all of my expectations. The ingredients are fresh and delicious. I forgot about the heat for a few minutes and just enjoyed the moment with my dog (they have dog treats here and are dog friendly!) Can't wait to go back and try something else from the menu!"

Osteria Mare Blu

★★★★★ 4.7 (46)

"Incredible. Lived in Italy in the mid 90s and this is the closest I've felt to food I've romanticized and dreamt of since. The staff is impecable, the chef should be at a James beard restaurant in Los Angeles and it is right here in our quaint slice of paradise. Pro Tip, ignore the menu and simply ask what you should order while sharing what you enjoy. Perfetto!"

California Vintage Wine Bistro

★★★★★ 4.9 (39)

"Options abound in a tidy and tastefully decorated space with tall tables and lots of TVs. We tried the chicken karage, hummus, truffle fries, and the Brussels sprouts. Each dish was delicious, and they all had a nice touch to elevate above and beyond the typical bar fare. Service was prompt and friendly. We will be going back.We visited on a random weekday afternoon so the place was fairly quiet. I can imagine this place as a great pre-game stop before a Ducks or Angels game."

Fogo De Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"I hear so much of their happy hours I had to try for myself before taking the plunge with their full dining experience. Happy hour is only at the patio or bar top and you seat yourself for bar top. We ordered the lamb chops, cheese appetizers, and filet mignon along with two clean cocktails. Also got the complimentary cheese bread. All were delicious, but the lamb is REALLY gamey. It was recommended to eat lamb medium cooked. It really is an acquired taste. I asked the hostess what is the best value at fogo and she said the brunch* was by far better than anything they offer just due to the breakfast options and it costing less than dinner."

Postino Park Place

★★★★★ 4.6 • $$

"Came here for lunch with a group of five. We were sat pretty immediately and had a chance to order food. We ordered the toasts for the table and sandwiches and salads for our entrées. I really enjoyed my meal. I will say service was a little off, but I think it's because they were about to switch shifts. It was hard to find someone to help us for a while, but once the second server came around, they were really helpful. A great spot to check out if you're in the area for lunch, dinner, or even happy hour!"

The Capital Grille

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$$

"This was my third or fourth time coming to The Capital Grille. It's still just as good as the first time! Service is wonderful. The food is phenomenal. You can't go wrong here.This time I brought my parents and aunt/ uncle. It was my aunts birthday, so I recommend that we come here to celebrate. It was a great success! My aunt loved the food. My dad and uncle loved the ribeye so much! They said it was the best ribeye they have ever had. That's awesome! Ambiance got a little loud in the area we were seated. The table next to us was super loud. It was hard at times for us to have a quiet conversation. But that hasn't been my experience on other visits.10/10 overall! Fantastic experience! My family said they would love to come back here. Score!!! :)"

Gladstones

★★★★☆ 3.5 • $$

"Great place to catch a bite in Long Beach. I've been here a few times now and have always been impressed.The food is pretty good. There's a variety of seafood dishes, all done well. Each time I've been here, I'm looking forward to the next thing I get to try. The location is really nice. It's right up near the water, and with the large windows, gives a great view whether you're sitting inside or outside."

La Parolaccia Osteria

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"So I was very lazy today and I still had 10,000 steps to go of my 10,000 steps basically this evening. So I decided to walk from Belmont Shore to downtown. I turned around to come back and decided to walk on Broadway, because I haven't walked that road before. I came upon This place and it sounded very familiar. I looked at my to-do list and there it was on my places I need to try. I haven't had dinner yet. Got to eat! So I stopped in. I got the cannelloni and the dessert special. A torta nonna. I'm a vegetarian and finding good vegetarian dishes is difficult. And I normally only eat very little in one sitting. I devoured everything! I'm pretty sure the recommendation came from the Long Beach food scene, and what a recommendation! This is going to be one of my new go-to's when people are in town.All of the servers were so friendly and polite. The place is clean. I've got nothing else to say except thank you to whoever recommended this place.I get to walk the final stretch home with a belly full of deliciousness"

Fly 'N' Fish Oyster Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"Stumbled upon this restaurant after a day of tanning in Newport Beach. The restaurant is very cute and cozy. Service was very quick and attentive. FOOD- Clam Chowder 4/5- Artichokes 4/5- Oysters 4/5- Clam Linguine 5/5: My favorite dish hands down! The dish came out piping hot. So creamy, buttery, with just the right amount of garlic. They did not skimp out on the clams either. Would happily make another pit stop here the next time I'm in Newport. Heard they have a decent happy hour."

Seasons 52

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"We came here tonight for the first time in a long time. We had a 6:30 reservation and we arrived a little early. We decided to go to the bartop to get a drink while we waited for the rest of our party. It took the bartender 15 minutes to greet us. As a former restaurant AGM, I was astounded. Once we finally got greeted and got a round of drinks our party arrived and we closed out and went to our table. The server was nice. I believe her name was Laura. Super informative about the food menu & offered suggestions. We shared the pepperoni flatbread; it was super light and tasty. You can tell the ingredients were fresh; of which we really appreciate. I had the sea-bass which was INCREDIBLE. it was super flaky and easy to eat. The shiitake mushrooms really complemented the dish. My husband had the pork chop of which he said was great. Besides the greet time at the bar the reason for the lack of a 5th star was that the bathrooms were honestly disgusting. It looked like they hadn't been cleaned or checked all day. There was tissue paper all over, water all over the floor and counter (which could really be a safety hazard), empty soap and empty toilet paper holders. I went in to use the restroom prior to our 40 minute drive home and I decided to hold it and wait."

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4 • $$$$

"It's always good to come here and enjoy a nice good ribeye steak the service here is always amazing food & drinks is good also the tomahawk is my favorite steak here but today it was the ribeye.."

CUCINA enoteca Irvine

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"Was there with 4 adults/3 kids. Spent around $300 bucks. Staff was solid and accommodating, nice outdoor seating (on the left patio), but the food was just meh. Pizza was cold and dough was tough. The tempura battered squash blossoms were poorly fried and consisted of mostly cheese, barely any vegetable. The portion for the other apps barely fed two people. The meatballs were packed too tight and processed. Some decent highlights... my gin martini, family style salad, and rigatoni bolognese. This place is a huge letdown compared to their SD location. Probably find tastier food at 90% of the other Italian restaurants around here. Would not come here again."

Wine Country Trattoria

★★★☆☆ 3.2 • $$

"Service was good but the portions are ridiculously small for the price point. They used to give bread and oil/vinegar at the tables, they no longer do. The menu is limited and the server said there's no pesto options, because there's no pesto in the kitchen...at an Italian restaurant?!?! That's a hard fail. We ordered the calamari for fourteen bucks. It was literally 10 pieces with a row of fried green beans underneath it. We were told that the patio heaters haven't been working for a year even though it was 65 degrees and windy outside. Clearly there's no priority given to customer comfort. This used to be a must-go full service restaurant in DCA, now it's a shell of what it once was. I won't be returning and I would advise others to avoid it."

Urban Grill and Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$$

"First experience here and got the tri tip soup, the crab cakes, the Australian lamb chops and the special of the day was this incredible seabass with a lemon sauce and mushroom risotto. Everything was absolutely delicious I'd order it all again! The supermoon Pinot noir was refreshing and delicious as well. Great service, great ambiance really enjoyed our time!"