16 Best Gastropubs near Irvine

“Today, I made a reservation and went to Cozy Pine, a speakeasy hidden inside Bacchus Bar and Bistro in Irvine.
The front looked like any ordinary bar, but when you gently push open the bookshelf in the back, a cozy cabin-like space reveals itself. You’d never imagine a place like this existed from the outside.

​The interior truly made me feel like I was visiting a mountain cabin—complete with pinecones, cotton-made clouds, and wooden tables and chairs. Up on the ceiling, there were even birds and wolves wearing hats.

​For drinks, I ordered a cocktail called Camp Anawanna. They torched a marshmallow right on top of the cup, infusing the drink with a wonderful smoky aroma.
Even though I only had one glass, I already felt a bit tipsy.
For food, we had the Fish & Chips, Hanger Steak Skewers, and Tacos. Every single dish was delicious.
The French fries, in particular, were perfectly seasoned and incredibly tasty. The Shrimp and Carnitas tacos were excellent as well.

​Sitting in such a unique, cozy atmosphere and enjoying drinks and food in comfort put me in a great mood.
It felt as though I was the only one whisked away to a completely different world.“

“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.“

“The Hangar Steak was delicious as was everything“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Food was absolutely delicious“

“Good beer selection and dog friendly.“

“Amazing atmosphere. Great service. Amazing people.“

“It is a great place that opens till very late. We came at almost midnight and had some cold beer and authentic food. Some of the food is very authentic such as the blood sausage. We tried that and some fried whole chicken, fried tofu, and squid. It was nice you can just ordered thru the pad and they served quick. They gave us some free orange slices too.“

“Went in on a Friday night and the place had a nice energy without feeling too crowded. The bartenders were friendly and actually took the time to help me pick a drink I ended up really liking. Prices seemed fair for the area, and the music was at a good volume where you could still have a conversation. Food was decent too, especially the appetizers. Service got a little slow later in the evening, but nothing that really took away from the experience. Overall, it was a pretty good spot to relax with friends and I'd probly come back again.“

“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!“

“I had a great experience at The Social in Costa Mesa. The atmosphere was beautiful, with a very aesthetically pleasing design that made the entire experience enjoyable from the moment we walked in.
What really made the evening stand out was the service from the bartender, John. He was charismatic, friendly, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. His recommendations were excellent, and everything he suggested exceeded our expectations. The drinks were crafted perfectly, and his attention to detail and customer service made a great experience even better.
I highly recommend stopping by and, if you can, asking for John. He truly helped make our visit memorable.“

“I got there early before a game against the Rangers. That's the best time to go because its not so busy. I think the food is better early. Later into the game it gets to crowded and the food is not so temperature hot. Its my brothers favorite spot in the stadium. I don't agree with him. The beer was cold though.“