Tapas Restaurants near Irvine, CA

“This is my go to place afterwork with my colleagues! We love the food, ambience and to top it off , the owner is a Dodger fan so he always has the game on. They have a great happy hour. I need a place like this closer to home but till then, love coming here.“

“Discovered this gem while on the search for lunch! Amazing sushi 🍣 sashimi options, and the tempura was fried to perfection (very crispy)! Also tried the non alcoholic Sapporo and it was light and foamy. Miso soup was okay! Loved the restaurant ambiance, very quiet and clean/nice decor, attentive and friendly servers (more upscale than a casual place). I think we found our new sushi 🍣 spot in Irvine 🥰 highly recommend!“

“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!“

“Beautiful rooftop establishment. My cousin's employer celebrated her
She turned 50. The view, food ,vibe,service was on point. It gets a little chily so dress warm and bring a jacket. There's a bar too. I'm not a drinker but from what I hear it's worth your money.“

“Best dinner of my life?? I’m too tipsy because I got the wine pairing, but as far as I can remember, yes- best dinner of my life. The sushi was impeccable. The tempura was the best I ever had. The avocado tempura?? A sensual experience. I was SO disappointed to hear they’re closing down permanently by summer. You must try this place before we lose this chef to Spain.“

“Tango is an incredible atmosphere, gorgeous design, thoughtful, with an attentive service team, and the food is phenomenal by the way. If this European tapas restaurant and bar was anywhere else, there would be a line at the door, so if you are anywhere near Laguna Beach or Orange County, you should make the trip down. It’s worth every penny. Heart and stomach is full. I recommend Tango Laguna to anyone that ventures near the area.“

“Nice little bistro. Food was surprisingly good. Portions on the small side. Goat cheese toast was incredible. Pizzas felt slightly underbaked. Service was slow but friendly. Tap water here had a heavy chlorine taste to it. Not the cheapest menu but interesting dishes. Will be back.“

“Great service, amazing atmosphere and delicious food.“

“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!“

“Excellent service, flavorful dish, and an incredible wine selection. The speak easy ambiance adds sophistication. Definitely a spot worth returning too. Cheers!“

“This is a restaurant you don’t want to miss!

Celebrated a birthday at Darkroom and honestly it was one of the most distinctive dining experiences we’ve had in Orange County.

The creativity, flavors, and energy of the place feel completely different from anything else in the OC.

I also love they offer a variety of NA options and mocktails. If they keep pushing at this level, a Michelin nomination would not surprise me at all.“

“Exelent servís the food is exelent“

“Love the Brussels sprouts!!!“

“excellent food atmophere and service!“

“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.“

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

“I sometimes stop by this bar after work — either to grab a drink or have dinner after picking up groceries. Great atmosphere, wide selection of drinks, and it’s very convenient being right inside the same building. Always a nice spot to relax for a bit.“

“I went to Europe for two weeks and my entire time there I ate at a lot of tapas places. The only way to describe those places is that they felt like home, they felt warm and places that after a busy and stressful day of work you just want to sit there, rest, replenish and build back the courage to get back to business. Element felt just like that. In the heart of Santa Ana, the heart of Orange County, this place allows you to slow down through the business of life and recharge, laugh, connect with the local community and get right back to it. You can enjoy some incredible food that is cooked with precision and by a chief that enjoys his craft, you can drink some cocktails that have been carefully crafted to suit your needs and you can enjoy a community that cares about you and is proud of their upbringing. If you want to feel at home, if you want to feel refreshed and want to get a taste of the European fun while being close to home, Element is the place to be.“

“We came on a busy weekend but we found a seat at the bar and we were attended too fairly quickly. We did the recommended wine tasting and we enjoyed each glass. I like the idea of pouring it into a tube to go with the theme but I do enjoy an extra pour when it’s poured by hand to be honest lol but it was a great vibe over all I would highly recommend stopping by for a tasting if you are in the area. Very affordable. Parking can be terrible but it’s worth supporting local businesses I say.“

“Food is great and staff is fabulous!!!“

“Muy buen servicio al cliente“

“So good 😊 5 stars definitely recommend“

“Stopped in while walking around the shops and very glad we did! It was our first time here and we definitely would come back.

The menu is great. Tons of different options to pick from. The pizza is what was recommended to us by the staff and they were correct! Wow, delicious!
We tried the Hawaiian, Eggplant pizzas, as well as the French Dip. Everything was made well and tasted great. Would suggest going with a pizza! Big enough to share or have individually.

Good selection of drinks, cocktails, and draft beer. Tons of local selection as well. Our server was excellent throughout the whole meal.

If you're needing a local spot to try while on the island, definitely give Snipe Island a try. You won't be disappointed!“

“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. .“

“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!“

“VACA offers another incredible experience. Their food is simply amazing, and the service is impeccable. The atmosphere is electric, making it a perfect place for a special occasion. I highly recommend making reservations, as it gets packed on weekends. The wine list is extensive and impressive, and the drinks are always top-notch.“

“Food was great and service was quick“

“Stopped in at Social in Costa Mesa while spending a weekend down in Orange County, and I’m so glad we did. I’d heard great things from friends, and this place definitely didn’t disappoint. The food was absolutely amazing, the atmosphere was spot-on, and the service was just as good.

It wasn’t too busy when we arrived—probably because it’s Christmas season and everyone’s out shopping—so we got in right before the lunch crowd. I heard it was packed the night before, and I can see why. Everything we tried was top-notch.“

“great place for dining....“

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

“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.“

“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.“