17 Best Gastropubs near Irvine

“Went to Cozy Pine for date night and we enjoyed it. Really feels like you are in a different place, inside a restaurant. Decor, cocktails and food were all great. Definitively worth stopping in.
Food is mostly “snacky” compared to Bacchus outside. We did not have a reservation and we’re still able to get seated, likely because we arrived early in the evening.“

“Thank you so much for accommodating my event for 70 people! The food was amazing and we impressed our guests!Your service was attentive and food was delicious!Larry & Jackie were fantastic!!Thank you for all your efforts! Keep up the amazing service!!!“

“Stopped in for lunch at the bar inside Whole Foods Market in Irvine and had a much better experience than I ever expected. This isn’t just a typical grocery store café—this is a legit spot for a quality meal and cold draft beer.

We ordered two bacon cheeseburgers and were impressed across the board. The burgers were cooked just right, with thick slices of bacon, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and perfectly melted cheese stacked inside a soft, glossy bun. The presentation was great—each burger served on a metal tray lined with custom Whole Foods wrap paper, paired with a mini fryer basket of hot, crispy fries and a stainless ramekin of ketchup. The fries were golden and fresh, with just the right amount of salt and a great texture.

There’s something satisfying about sitting at a clean, well-lit bar with natural light pouring through the windows and a long row of taps behind the counter. The beer selection here is impressive, especially for being inside a market. A wide range of local and craft brews on draft gave us plenty of choices. The pours were cold, crisp, and served in proper pint glasses with just the right head.

The bartender was courteous, quick, and knowledgeable—not just about the beer but also about the menu. Service felt personal and attentive without being overbearing. You can tell they care about maintaining quality here, and it showed in both the food and the way the staff treated us.

All around, this is a great place to sit down for a relaxing lunch or early dinner. Plenty of parking right outside, and you can grab groceries afterward if you need to. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area and want something casual but done right. Would absolutely return.“

“Amazing experience. Prime rib was tender. Sides were great. Drinks were delicious and refreshing. 5 stars. Will definitely be adding to my favorites.“

“Loved drinking beer out of a boot! Brats and fries were awesome.“

“Food was absolutely delicious“

“We wrapped up a busy convention with a business dinner alongside a few colleagues. This restaurant was the perfect balance after visiting several more formal spots—offering great food, excellent service, and a beautifully designed interior. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I'd also highly recommend it as a great choice for a date night!“

“Good beer selection and dog friendly.“

“Good food, great service, nice and cozy atmosphere and the drinks 🍹 were great“

“Amazing atmosphere. Great service. Amazing people.“

“Nice place.“

“This is, without a doubt, the best BBQ spot in Tustin. The incredibly friendly staff is a bonus, but let’s be honest—people come here for the food, and the food is AMAZING. I had the brisket and Tri-tip sandwich, and it was fantastic. You won’t be disappointed if you eat here!“

“amazing atmosphere! the crowd at the bar is the best in orange county. beat prices in town, great community, all the Regulars make you feel welcome!“

“We relaxed and enjoyed the end of a busy day here and the gentleman who served us let us know as we paid our tab it was his first day. He was professional and very pleasant. Thank you front room for hiring a good quality person in a time when quality people can be hard to find. We enjoyed the time spent there and look forward to a future visit.“

“NICE LUNCH ! My wife and I hit this Whole Foods Market in Newport Beach on Saturday morning for most of our weekly grocery needs. It was pouring down rain when we arrived and when we left....thankfully the Fashion Island huge multi level parking garage is straight across the street. After taking care of our grocery needs we headed to the tavern ( opens at midday ) at the rear of this store. We've had lunch here a few times and it's all been good. We parked our full shopping cart beside a table and I fetched a menu from the bar counter. Juana the manager / server / bartender said hi. I asked for a couple of iced waters. My wife selected the TTLA Sandwich ( Tempeh bacon, garlic aioli, green leaf lettuce, tomato, avocado, toasted ciabatta, side salad or fries ) with Fries option and I decided on the Pulled Pork Sandwich ( BBQ pulled pork, BBQ sauce, cabbage, ranch, pickles, toasted brioche bun, side salad or fries ) with Fries option. My Pulled Pork Sandwich & thick cut Fries came out within a few minutes but my wife was left wondering about her order. A minute or 2 later Juana came to our table and said the kitchen was out of Tempeh Bacon ( bacon made from fermented soy beans ) . WHAT'S THAT ? Not being vegetarians we had no idea that Tempeh Bacon was a fake bacon. GIVE US THE REAL THING ! Juana said they can substitute regular bacon for the fake stuff. Eventually my wife's BTLA Sandwich with thick cut Fries was brought out by Juana. NO PROB ! I think the lunch menu should be clearer when describing the ingredients...in particular the Tempeh Bacon. We were both pretty happy with our lunch....I did mention to Juana they should go easier on the BBQ sauce. GOOD SPOT !“

“Gabriel the manager, waiter, bartender, my everything, was outstanding. We were a last minute party of 8. He was attentive, anticipated our needs, accommodating, just over and beyond excellent customer service. The food was great. Oscar assisted us as well and so friendly and great customer service. Highly recommend and thank you for a wonderful experience.“

“Cool little tap room on right field with craft beer and foods. Close to the outfield sections. Sat in 242 and it was a short walk from me. There's outdoor seating with tables if you prefer to be inside. One thing I don't like about this taproom is if the rear door isn't open, it legitimately becomes a walk to get in, as ushers tend to keep the door open from time to time.“