50 Best American Restaurants near Laguna Woods

“Great food Spectacular views“

“So much fun! Came here for my birthday and they did everything right- food, ambiance, staff, etc“

“Omg the food. 1st time in and I’ll definitely be back. Loved the outdoor seating option.“

“Had dinner reservations for 4 with my sister who was here from out of town. Seated very promptly , our waiter Jason and Manager were outstanding, very attentive yet not hovering. The food was delicious, the meatloaf was outstanding a combination of three different meats, so flavorful, and tender. My sister's chicken piccata and the shared appetizers amongst us were over the top good“

“Ok, so first up it was a bit pricey. But holy cow the burgers were all amazing, the place was clean, staff was wonderful. If you want ridiculously tasty burgers and don't mind paying for it... I'll give this place 5/5 stars for sure.“

“I love this place! I am on an anti-inflammatory diet and this is one of the few places I can eat. Double bonus - they serve grass fed beef, which is the only beef I can have. Their burgers are one of the best I have ever had. My personal favorite is the California Burger. It is amazing!

Dietary restrictions: They have grass fed beef, which is perfect for anti-inflammatory diet.“

“I chose this restaurant due to its proximity to downtown, situated just off the main street. The ambiance, both indoors and outdoors, was exceptionally warm and welcoming. The patio featured outdoor heaters for comfort during meals, complemented by live entertainment that enhanced the experience without being overwhelming. Inside, we were seated in high-backed chairs by the window, allowing us to observe the trains arriving and departing. The service was outstanding, with the staff promptly attending to our needs. The food was exquisite, with generous portions that were satisfying without leading to waste. They offered wine samples to help us select the perfect pairing for our meal. We decided to order the Mac-n-cheese to take with us for a late-night snack after the concert, which proved to be an excellent choice to share. The overall atmosphere was friendly and courteous. I would highly recommend this establishment and eagerly anticipate my next visit.

Parking: Multiple spaces to park, easy to find and pay for parking. Approximately $2 for each hour. Ticket was clear on how long you could park and even provided the time you had until.“

“My new favorite Happy Hour place in Laguna Beach.Great deal! Excellent price for good quality wines plus discounted food menu. Pizza of the day is half off during HH. Artisan wood fired pizzas are fabulous. Extensive wine list you won’t find in any other pizza place. Great place for larger parties.“

“This location is the best! The staff is very nice and attentive. My husband and I live in walking distance so we're here once a week. The food is much better here than the location on Alton. The only thing I'd change about this location is the smell of rancid standing water / funky garbage near the bathrooms.“

“Had a wonderful evening out with my wife at Ironwood Cellars in Laguna Hills. We had reservations for 5:30 p.m. and arrived early. We were greeted by Joe, the manager on duty, who was very kind, professional, and welcoming. Art was our server and is amazingly gifted in customer service professionalism and overall people skills. Yes, showing the love. We started with tequilla drinks from the bar, and we each had a wedge salad. Joe sent us over a wonderful Agnolotti appetizer as well, which was more than kind. The ambiance was positive and upbeat, perfect for the evening. Sergio was also quite attentive in making sure our table was serviced properly. We ordered our entrees with my wife having the halibut dinner, and I had the famous giant meatball dish. Both meals were hot & tasty and presented well. We had a terrific time, and Art surprised us with a complimentary dessert 🍨 with berries. The restaurant is so nice and offers an outdoor patio and bar seating as well. The wine list is extensive, as are the craft beers. Highly recommended.“

“It was my first time here, and the food is delicious. Love the simple & quaint decor. Definitely will be back!“

“Súper recomendado muy sabroso 😋 y muy amables todos 💕🙏“

“I use to go to RH with my family in the 70's. Atmosphere always transported us to Hawaii. They were famous for BB ribs, drinks, unique salad (with mayo dressing) and even served a bowl of crudite' with celery, salami, etc. every meal. I didn't like the modern re model, however, NOW THIS RE BUILD iS so cool! Just like the 1970's but better!! Dim lit and Hawaiian music set the mood. I was really anxious to try the ribs again. The service was GREAT appetizer excellent but, ribs, BAD! They were not edible. Hard and chewy, like beef jerky. I was so disappointed and all of our party ordered and received the same. I may try again but won't order ribs!!!“

“If you want a unique dining experience this is the place to go. The wait staff and servers they were all on point very attentive I never had to look around to look for anyone if I raised my head somebody was right at my table to find out what I needed or how they could serve me. Awesome awesome experience wonderful food. I will be back!“

“We've enjoyed many meals over the last year and always happily return for more. The venue is gorgeous of course and it's difficult to leave roaming the beautiful nursery & craft store area to get to your reservation so give yourself plenty of time during your visit for shopping. The capable service staff is eager to please and every dish is thoughtfully prepared/presented. A couple of our favorite dishes are: the Asian beef short ribs & the Pomegranate & balsamic glazed salmon salad which are reasonably priced and delicious. A bonus for us as Guide Dog puppy raisers is they're dog friendly.“

“My daughter discovered Maldon’s a couple of months ago and loved it. Today it was her restaurant of choice for her birthday (four family members are gluten sensitive).

I can’t say enough good things about this place! We had the French onion soup, BLT, hamburger, Eggs Benedict, vegetable medley sandwich, Popovers and Cinnamon Rolls and wine. Everyone was exchanging bites with each other because it was all so good. It was so wonderful to be in an environment where I didn’t have to grill the staff on what was truly gf. The staff was attentive and friendly. Adam who was bartending was very engaging and sent over tastes of different drinks he was making. He’s the nephew of the owner and a fountain of information. He told us they have an exclusive proprietary flour that they use. Overall the service was not particularly fast; but it was Saturday and we were there to enjoy ourselves. The singing guitarist added to the charming ambiance.

I was hoping to try their chocolate chip cookies, but they were out. Guess I’ll have to come back again and again until I’ve tried everything!“

“I love this place…!!! Been coming here for many years…!!! Never disappoints… tasting menu is a must try at least once… you may try it again and again and never get the same thing… but ALWAYS good…!!!“

“great NY vibe with good food“

“Good breakfast. And good service“

“The food is very tasty, good presentation! delicious 😋“

“The Chili Fries, and the Stand Burger is the Best.“

“Breezy Experience #breezy #goodfood #filipinofusion #brunch #familybusiness“

“I highly recommend this fine dining establishment. The service and food was impeccable. Maren and all of the bus boys did a spectacular job, including the bartender assistant. Maren, our waitress, made our anniversary celebration very special.“

“Rafael the bartender was very gracious to surprise is with this delicious dessert for our anniversary. He made us a delicious liquor, coffe drink called Callejito yummy. The appetizers were tasty. We had the octopus in lentil curry sauce and the grilled artichoke. Very tasty. We will be back in 2 week.“

“Delicious healthy food. I highly recommend this restaurant“

“Shout out to the incredible Chef Elvis for crafting the most delicious dishes and to the warm and hospitable Rachel for treating me like a queen on my birthday! From the exquisite flavors to the impeccable service, every moment was pure magic.

If you're looking for a place that makes you feel special while indulging in amazing food, A Crystal Cove is the spot! Highly recommend for an unforgettable dining experience.

Grateful for the love and hospitality! ❤️“

“Went with my parents for an early Christmas dinner and service was great… food was delicious… and atmosphere was on point!“

“We wanted to have a delicious brunch in a nice outdoor scenic area.

Thanks to my spontaneous friends making it happen. The food, service and view / atmosphere was all excellent. Will definitely be coming back!

Thank you! The Terrace at Rancho San Joaquin“

“Food wasn’t bad, the A5 Wagyu burger was underwhelming, however blue cheese burger and wings and Truffle fries were good
Be careful you automatically get charged 3$ if you just touch the iPad
Though it is written on it however we didn’t know that just by trying a silly tik tak tok game just twice for fun we were charged 3$ on the bill!!!
It didn’t feel right at all!!“

“A true gem of a restaurant, offering delicious food and a delightful atmosphere perfect for a date night. The culinary experience is matched by the ambiance, making it an ideal spot for a romantic evening.“

“My fiancé and I eat here all the time. There is a lot of variety, and the dishes are flavorful! I really love their chicken club sandwich and cheeseburger, but you really can’t go wrong with anything you choose. Staff is super friendly and helpful as well - shoutout to Lali and Nathan for providing amazing service!“

“Easter Brunch 2023 was outstanding! So many options for a Starter, Entree and Dessert. Frankly, when our beautiful server came over to see what I wanted, I wanted ALL the starters as I have enjoyed them for years! The Filet Mignon eggs Benedict was perfect. The bottomless, large mimosas were so fun with choices of orange juice, pineapple or watermelon; I tried them all😊 We all passed around our desserts. The Crème Brûlée and Flowerless Chocolate Cake were standouts for sure“

“My wife and I love this place! The food is great and the service is good too. I would have given the service 5 stars, but they get so busy on the weekends that sometimes you wait a while. The servers themselves are very cool and accommodating though.“

“It was my first time here, and I found this place while searching for a restaurant nearby. I was curious, so I decided to check it out. I was amazed by the delicious food and professional service. I especially loved the vibe of the place; it was really great! Definitely worth the visit!“

“Great Food and atmosphere! Mosic was our server and he was awesome. Asked what we were into for both food and cocktails and his recommendations were spot on. The Panama Prescription was divine and I loved the shrimp and grits. My husband had the 12 hour short rib and I can’t tell you which was better. We will be back with friends!“

“First timer drove all the way from Downey worth the drive. I had the blue cheese bacon burger with garlic fries and of course a Dr. Pepper. Very friendly staff they all help out my daughter had the mushroom burger with onion rings and my son had the bacon cheese burger with tots. A must try the only other thing that caught my eye was the hot wings the table next to us ordered Definitely next time“

“My wife found this little gem whereas we stopped in on a beautiful Saturday morning for brunch. Ramos Cafe did not disappoint. Brunch was delicious and the atmosphere quaint.“

“Lovely experience Charming All around and great food 💕“

“The Lumberyard located in beautiful downtown Laguna Beach is a great place to have lunch or dinner. There is a new $16 lunch menu and I decided to try the fish tacos. There was a choice between salmon or halibut for the tacos which included shredded cabbage with a pink cream sauce and a side of black bean and corn salad. I chose the halibut for my taco and it was cooked perfectly. It was a generous portion of fish in each of the tacos so it could easily be split with a friend. The service was excellent. Our orders were taken within about five minutes of sitting down and the food came out quickly after we ordered. I would recommend the Lumberyard if you are visiting Laguna Beach. You will need to have reservations during the Art Festivals or when there is a play at the Playhouse.“

“We always love the charm, amazing food and incredible views at the BeachComber. One of our favorite places to visit when we are in California. Highly recommend, I suggest a reservation, and arriving much earlier allowing plenty of time to either take a beautiful walk down or the shuttle from the parking lot, enjoying the ocean views and breeze once down there, stop in the little shops, walk down the new pier and enjoy a drink at their bar all well before your dinner reservation. It adds to the whole experience and makes for an extra special and memorable time to share with friends and family. As for food, don't miss the clam chowder, bloody Mary's, and the roasted artichoke for starters. All entrees are always great as well, love the Brussels sprouts as a shareable side, and even desserts of there's still room, even just one to share & taste it all. Enjoy!“

“The Reaper chicken.
That's what I've been seeing on social media.
I got it. It was hot, but not as hot as everyone made it seem.
Don't get me wrong, it was delicious and very spicy. But it's not for the weak. 👍“

“Great food, highly recommend the fried chicken. Servers are fantastic.“

“Food is usually superb as is the atmosphere. Service quality depends on the staff… possibly understaffed when we were there, but overall it’s a go-to place for brunch or a nice local time out. We often hit up the outdoor scene for live music, drinks, and the best ambience in town.“

“The hamburger, shrimp and chicken sandwich were very good. The summer salad was very disappointing. It was just lettuce with barely any fruit or any of the other things indicated on the menu. I would not order it again. The bread was too soft and uninteresting. The service was great.“

“Fresh, tasty, great combination of flavors and options on both salads and sammies. The natural sodas are a nice touch. Gotta try a cookie!💛 Staff has been consistently courteous and responsive. I’ve been three times. I CRAVE their salads.“

“Ate at the Jamboree location in Tustin and cashier Ali was courteous, kind, knowledgeable and very helpful in helping us understand the menu options. Even offered a couple samples to make sure we ordered something we’d enjoy. Great customer service!“

“Always great wine and food here!“

“When you taste them, you'll know he qualities they possess that you can't resist“

“I couldn’t wait to share our experience at Benchmark restaurant in Santa Ana California. Everything about this place is perfection! It was a hot day, but the beautiful outdoor dining area was cool and breezy underneath the beautiful trees. Our waitress was knowledgeable, wonderfully friendly, and attended to all our needs. Each of us ordered a different item on the menu and I had to taste everything. I had the Spanish omelette, which was delicious, the burger seems like a very popular item understandably because that along with the delicious fries was exceptional. Enchiladas with mole were a wonderful treat, and the French toast was probably the hit of the table. This wonderful brunch dish was not exceptionally sweet, which made it so perfect. Some places just overdo it with the sweetness. We will definitely be going back many times to tryout dinners and more of the selections on all of the menus. I will also be spreading the word because this is probably my favorite place in Orange County now. Thank you Benchmark for a fantastic experience!“

“Great servers! Good food!“