Laguna Beach Restaurants

Located in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach, 230 Forest Avenue has earned the reputation as a landmark-dining destination. For over 10 years guests have enjoyed innovative California cuisine from award winning chef and owner Marc Cohen. The bistro style restaurant features an upbeat atmosphere with a very popular outside patio and bar. They even have an ever-changing wall of art. Seafood is the main focus at 230 Forest Avenue, but don’t forget to sample one of their steaks or their famous martinis. Reservations are recommended.

Located right across from Main Beach, BJ’s Pizza and Grill has been the primary stop for deep dish, Chicago-style pizza lovers for more than three decades. But if great pizza isn't enough, BJ’s also serves salads, burgers, handmade soups, giant stuffed potatoes, beer and wine, and a variety of pasta favorites. BJ’s is a great place to take the family for a quick meal everyone is sure to enjoy. You can dine in, get takeout, or have your food delivered right to your hotel.

C’est La Vie has been a Laguna staple for 30 years. Perched at the corner of Main Beach and the Greeter’s Corner, C’est La Vie is Laguna’s only California French restaurant in the downtown area. With their kitchen baking all manner or breads and pastries, there’s something here to satisfy even the most discerning palette. Enjoy lunch or dinner on the beachside patio or just grab a croissant and a cup of their delicious coffee and head for the beach. C’est La Vie is also a popular place to host wedding receptions. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended.

Another of our must-visit restaurants in Laguna Beach is Dizz’s As Is, and is probably the most eclectic restaurant in town and the cuisine matches the art deco style and cozy ambience. Only open for dinner, Dizz’s is known for its understated excellence and the chef has been mixing and matching foods for decades. The restaurant occupies a old Laguna cottage on the highway at the south end of town. The interior is dimly lit with 20’s and 30’s movie memorabilia covering the walls. They're famous for their complementary shots of vermouth and garlic toast with pork pate. If you’re in the mood for something you won’t find anywhere else, Dizz’s is an experience you won’t forget. Leave the kids with the babysitter and enjoy yourself. Call about reservations. Dizz’s is only open for dinner.

Having grown from a simple Irish tavern in Hermosa Beach, Hennessey’s second venture took over the popular El Lugar in the early 90’s and has been providing tourists and locals good food and drink at reasonable prices. Located just steps from main beach, Hennessey’s covered patio is a great place to people watch while you enjoy a pint of your favorite ale and dine on one of their giant hamburgers. The atmosphere is laid-back and if the kids are fussy about food, this is a place they’ll find something they’ll like. Hennessey’s offers live music on selected evenings so check ahead to verify who’s playing. Reservations are not required.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more romantic place to have a drink or meal than at Las Brisas Restaurant. Set next door to the Laguna Art Museum, Las Brisas offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Laguna Beach’s sculpted rock coastline. Originally known as the Victor Hugo Inn, the inn was converted to Las Brisas in 1979 and has been a magnet for visitors ever since. Las Brisas takes prides in presenting the authentic cuisine of the Mexican Riviera and you’ll be treated to some of the best seafood, beef, and chicken entrees in Laguna Beach. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a Sunday Brunch from 8am to 11pm. They will host limited banquets and due to their popularity, it’s a good idea to make a dinner reservation well in advance of your visit to Laguna Beach. Food prices are fair, but drinks can get pricey.

The Hotel Laguna has two notable restaurants and each one offers unrivaled panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Clae’s is the more upscale of the two. With a focus on seafood, steaks, and an extensive choice of wines, Clae’s chefs will prepare for you one of their signature dishes with suggestions for the appropriate wine. A refined atmosphere combined with excellent service has made Clae's a local favorite. The Terrace is better known for a relaxed at-the-beach atmosphere. The Terrace serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the Sunday brunch is usually packed. Call to check if reservations are necessary.

Located in one of the most historic buildings in downtown Laguna Beach, Lumberyard serves both lunch and dinner and is known for its great American food such as rotisserie chicken, steaks, ribs and seafood, as well as some down-home favorites such as meatloaf, chicken pot-pie, cobb salad, and spaghetti and meatballs. Dine on the beautiful outside patio overlooking historic city hall and the downtown, or relax in one of the two dining rooms, either in front of a roaring fire or surrounded by a wall of wine. Or belly up to the horseshoe island bar and enjoy a signature drink and enjoy a game on one of the large flat screens. The restaurant is open from 11am to 10pm, but the bar stays open later and is a popular place to get a nightcap after an evening at the Festival or the Laguna Playhouse. Dinner reservations are recommended.

Dine. Drink. Escape. That’s Nick’s motto. Nick's Laguna Beach features Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list. Located in the heart of Laguna Beach, the intimate 80-seat restaurant features a chic bar and beautiful outdoor patio. Decor highlights include mosaic tile floors, wood-trimmed booths, hand-blown glass lamps, and exposed brick walls. Nick's is a favorite for dining, cocktails and people watching. Open for lunch and dinner 11am to 11pm and Sunday brunch 7:30am to 11:30pm.

If you’ve got to have good old-fashioned Italian food, Polina’s Salerno Italian Restaurant is a good bet. Midway between the beach and the festivals, Polina’s has been serving the downtown for 35 years and still offers southern-style Italian cuisine in a warm, casual atmosphere. They specialize in pastas, veal, and seafood and you won’t break the bank eating here.

Located a half-block from Main Beach, Romeo Cucina restaurant and bar takes average Italian cuisine and moves it up a notch. This semi-open ristorante opened in the 90’s and has been a very popular stop ever since. The interior of this warm personable restaurant reflects the artistry of the cuisine. The chefs entice you with delicious pastas, brick-oven baked pizza, a large variety of fresh fish and grilled meats, along with daily specials that only Romeo's can create.

Another one of the "old time" must-visit Laguna restaurants, the Royal Hawaiian has proven to be crowd favorite year after year and it’s no wonder why. The food and the distinctive Polynesian décor transports you right to the Islands. And if you like colorful drinks with tiny umbrellas, you’ve come to the right spot. The Royal Hawaiian opened in 1947 and was operated by the Cabang family until 2006 when new owners took it over and did some remodeling upgrades. Everyone in the family will find something on the menu they’ll like and make sure you try the house salad dressing. This one condiment has been luring dinners back year after year. The Royal Hawaiian is only open for dinners daily.

Voted best Thai Restaurant in Southern California and a perennial winner of local contests, the Royal Thai is one of the six restaurants you must visit while in Laguna Beach. The Royal Thai opened in 1976 and has been serving authentic Thai dishes for 35 years in the tranquility of their dining room. The menu has all the expected staples, including tom kah soup, mee krob, larb, pad thai and panang, plus specialties like honey duck and volcanic chicken. Most dishes come well spiced, but you may specify less spicy, double spicy or triple spicy. They even offer cooking classes for the truly adventurous. This is a very popular restaurant so reservations are probably a good idea.

Although Tivoli Terrace is open year round as one of Laguna’s most popular wedding locations, they’re only open to the public during the Festival of Arts. But that's okay. If you're visiting the festival of arts or waiting for the Pageant of the Masters to start what better place to enjoy the superb cuisine. You'll find there’s something here for everyone. Tivoli Terrace is open everyday during the festival and reservations are recommended.

Located right across the street from the Hotel Laguna, Watermarc brings together the vision of pairing great food with great beverages and is the last of our must-visit restaurants. Voted as one of Orange County’s top 10 restaurants in 2010, Watermarc is quickly making a name for itself and its unique style of dining. The primary culinary focus is on seafood and chef/owner Marc Cohen strives to fuse his love of Mexican and Pacific flavors into each dish. Prices are reasonable considering how superb the cuisine is. Watermarc also has some innovative cocktail choices and has an extensive wine collection for even the most discerning connoisseur. Reservations are recommended.

Opened in 1918, the White House is probably the oldest restaurant in Orange County and has been a Laguna favorite for decades. Recently renovated to keep up with the ever-changing “designer-chef” California cuisine, the White House covers the whole spectrum of food styles and there’s something here for everyone.

Everyone loves pizza and Gina has been making some of the best pies in Orange County since 1975, but whose pizza is really the best is debatable. Voted best pizza in 2010, Gina has 2 locations in Laguna. One is at the north end in Boat Canyon and the other is down by the Surf and Sand Hotel. Gina’s offers pizzas in three sizes with all of the usual toppings, hot sandwiches, subs, salads, and basic pasta dishes. If you’ve got a hankering for carbs and calories, Gina’s won’t disappoint. Take out is available at all locations, but call to see if they deliver.

Sushi Laguna is one of Laguna’s favorite sushi bars and you may find yourself waiting for a seat. Known for its excellence and oft times unique fare, Sushi Laguna’s owner-chef visits local fish markets daily and has special fish flown in from Japan’s famous Tokyo-Tsukiji Market to provide the highest quality fish for his customers. Sushi Laguna also serves Kubota 1000 and other premium sakes that are privately imported from Japan. The bar can only seat 22 guests and is open for lunch and dinner.

Tucked into their urban-styled grotto, the Brussels Bistro brings the best of Belgium flavors to the heart of downtown Laguna Beach. Even though they're always coming up with new dishes, the perennial favorites are roasted salmon and steamed mussels. And complementing their wide variety of imported beers are cheese croquettes and their famous Belgium fries. The Brussels Bistro provides easy listening jazz Tuesday – Thursday from 7-11pm.

This little hole-in-the-wall sushi bar has been a local favorite since 1983 and is a great place to eat and socialize with the locals. Hapi prides itself in serving the freshest fish, beautiful and unique presentations, and a variety of house specialties. Hapi Sushi is always busy so plan on a small wait. Hapi is open daily for dinner or take-out. Beer and wine is available at the bar.

Ruby's took over and revamped Duke's diner in 1980 on the Coast Highway and has been a favorite on the Orange County Coast ever since. With their trademark 50's style counter and stools, stainless steel kitchen, and Edward Hopper-style diner window, guests are treated to a broad menu of classic American comfort foods. And check out their collection of classic 50's and 60's cars parked out front. Ruby's is a great place to bring the kids and grab a quick meal before or after a day at the beach. Ruby's is open everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.