Tapas Restaurants near Irvine, CA

“My first time going, also on a Saturday night and the place was busy, lively, and had a great vibe! Food was great, service was a bit backed up but it was a weekend so completely understandable. Friendly staff, drinks were good and the music was upbeat! All great things I expected from this place and every box was checked marked! Will definitely throw this into an outing routine for the weekends!“

“Sushi
Came here because we were curious and hungry. Not a lot of people which was perfect and got seated right away. The ambiance is a Japanese and Korean vibe. The food and service is so great.

Food. So many to choose from and you only have one stomach. Don’t you hate that.

What my family ordered.
Gurume steak
Salmon

Sushi and a few sushi rolls

Everything is so delicious. Sushi and sushi rolls are so fresh. Would definitely comeback her again.“

“The staff is great, attentive. Food was delicious. Not a ton of seating so keep that in mind when deciding what time to go. Price is not cheap considering the quantity of food, but the quality was on point.

The speak easy is a cool idea, has a camp site vibe to it. Super small, a bit shoulder to shoulder“

“Such nice service and delicious sushi, udon/soba, sake, yam fries, edamame and tempura! (pictured is the Tekka naki and Unagi and California , crunchy eel roll, and spicy tuna roll!“

“Filling and well prepared!“

“Hands down a true culinary journey through food and storytelling, Chef Kyle McClelland's experience and artistry shine throughout the evening. From delicate scallops and imported French prawns to salsify and swordfish, he treated each course with refinement and intriguing flavor profiles. And caviar!--Need I say more?! Our favorites included the handmade pasta stuffed with short rib and the lamb chops, which were altogether astounding at just how tender, non-gamey and delectable they were. The desserts were like little streams of consciousness entering your mouth with every bite. The Kouign-Amann was the best pastry we've had since visiting France.

This intimate 18-seater restaurant gives you direct access to speak with the chefs and watch some of the kitchen magic. The wine parings are on point. The atmosphere is inviting and enthralling. Don't forgo visiting DTTN 2.0 next door either before or after your meal (entrance is included with the purchase of your meal at TRUST). The cocktails are superb and owner/operator Jason Quinn is on hand to exceed your expectations of service.

"In food we TRUST."“

“Tango Laguna Beach is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with top-notch service that feels warm, friendly, and incredibly personable. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure you feel welcome and well taken care of.

The atmosphere is vibrant yet classy, striking the perfect balance between a lively energy and sophisticated ambiance. It’s a place where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while soaking in the chic vibe.

Now, let’s talk about the food and drinks—phenomenal is an understatement! Every dish is bursting with flavor and presented with care. The cocktails are expertly crafted, complementing the menu perfectly. What’s even more impressive is the value; the quality you get here for such an affordable price is unmatched in Laguna Beach.

Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, a romantic dinner, or simply a place to unwind with fantastic food and drinks, Tango Laguna Beach is the spot. Highly recommend visiting—you won’t be disappointed!“

“Great service, amazing atmosphere and delicious food.“

“excellent food atmophere and service!“

“Definitely one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. My partner and I went for our anniversary last week. The food is somehow simple yeah extremely complex with the amount of flavor and taste each dish has. We got the four course meal with wine pairing, which I highly recommend. we were so fat and happy when we left!“

“This is our favorite place for dinner, cocktails and brunch! We love a date night there but it’s also great for kids too. The food, the cocktails, the atmosphere, the service, etc… I can’t say enough about how wonderful it is!“

“Exelent servís the food is exelent“

“I visited this restaurant for a special occasion recently and had the best time. I enjoyed an eight course vegan, gluten free meal and was grateful for how well they accommodated my sesame allergy by replacing one of the dishes with another amazing dish on their menu. The wine pairings were delicious and the dessert was phenomenal. Each course had a little story to go with it and the plating was gorgeous. I can’t wait to go back!“

“Love the Brussels sprouts!!!“

“Food was great and service was quick“

“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!“

“One of the secret gem in Orange. Delivering the finest Spanish and Italian cuisine. The cocktails and food are out of this world. Friendly service, and always on top of their game. .“

“Vaca in Costa Mesa offers an extraordinary dining experience with its vibrant Spanish cuisine. The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for both casual and special occasions.
Highlights of the meal included:
Coctails all 4 were amazing.
• Tapas: The Scallops , Tuna Tataki, Gem Salad were standout dishes, bursting with flavor.
• Main Course: The Paella de pescado, rich with Large Shrimp , Clams and fish was a generous portion that delighted the palate.
• Dessert: Cheesecake and Tres Leches cake moist and melted in mouth , provided a sweet finish to an unforgettable meal.
Overall, Vaca is a must-visit for tapas lovers and fans of Spanish cuisine“

“This spot has been here for 15 years! I’m still shocked. My wife and I popped in for a drink on a lazy Sunday. I had the Hazy, which was delicious, and she had Rose. It’s a cool spot. We’ll be coming come back to enjoy their food next.“

“So good 😊 5 stars definitely recommend“

“Tiny burrito joint with taco in the name, lol. Literally one of my top two burrito joints in the universe. If you are nearby, you are foolish if you don’t stop by and get a tasty meal.“

“great place for dining....“

“Social in Costa Mesa has been a must-visit for us on every trip to SoCal since 2018, and it never disappoints. We were sad to see the Huntington location close, but the Costa Mesa spot still delivers an incredible experience. Gabriel took amazing care of us during our visit—his service was attentive and made the night extra special. The atmosphere was lively, and the food was fantastic as always. Social continues to be a highlight of our trips, and we can’t recommend it enough!“

“😃Bonito lugar,muy rica comida,y bonito ambiente,muy buena atención.“

“It’s obvious the whole entire restaurant workers are trying to give you a different and maximum service experience no questions about that, however, the portions served were for two people, I had to divide it and served it my self and to my friend, couple of small portion cocktails drinks were served to sweet to my taste, while my friend requested a couple of white wine glasses, food was average. Overall the experience was good.

NOTE: photos are in order from beginning to end.“

“What could better on Balboa Island, than having a great grilled fish taco & Nitro Kicking Stout from San Diego's Knotty Brewing. One of the great local businesses on Balboa Island is Snipe Island Crafthouse. Delicious street tacos for $3 on tuesday & happy hour draft beer from 2:30 PM to 5:30. It's not always easy to find stout on tap on tap in OC, but they often have one stout on draft. They also serve grilled fish, Al Pastor & Carnitas tacos. I was overwhelmed by the fantastic aroma of the taco when the server put it on my table. The tacos are super fresh & scrumptious. Haven't tried their wood fired pizza, but I've heard good things.

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“The most incredible bar inside a grocery store I have ever been to. This place has a rotating selection of 30 beers and a spacious seating area. The service was great and all the beers were from the area/west coast, I believe. I can't wait to go back and see what they have on tap next time.“

“Absolutely great food and incredible music. Both rooms offer variety of music and definitely invites you to hit the dance floor to show off your moves. Overall great atmosphere either for some dancing classes, fine dining or social dancing.“

“This place was outstanding!!! The atmosphere was wonderful, the Mariachi Divas were superb and the food was delicious. The quality of service was nothing short of fantastic. The staff was simply amazing. They were on top of things, engaging and polite. We definitely will be coming back and recommend others to try.“

“Awesome place for sushi 🍣“

“Muy buen servicio al cliente“

“amazing as always the best“

“Tiny burrito joint with taco in the name, lol. Literally one of my top two burrito joints in the universe. If you are nearby, you are foolish if you don’t stop by and get a tasty meal.“

“We had an awesome time there. The bartender was great! She really made us feel at home.“

“First time going there! This place is SO beautiful! I really enjoyed how tucked and quiet the space is. It feels very private and exclusive. I had a great experience with the staff. I was well taken care of as a first-timer and solo guest. The food was good. The menu is small, but I hear they change it up often, which makes me want to go back! As a cat mom, I absolutely loved seeing the tributes to Nutmeg and learning her story!“