44 Best American Restaurants in Santa Ana

“Good breakfast. And good service“

“My bestie actually introduced me to this restaurant. We have gone during our lunch break ever since. The employees are so kind and welcoming. Plus, they have really taken the time to get to know each and every customer. They even already know my order. The food is really delicious and filling. I highly recommend eating here. It's only breakfast and lunch though. I believe it closes at 3pm.“

“great place for dining....“

“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!“

“Food And Service is always outstanding. One of my favorites here is the hot turkey sandwich. Everyone here is always friendly and very attentive.“

“Ian came back for sure , I loved this restaurant. Grate servicios, very clean.“

“Great service nice servers“

“their burgers are so good, the sauces are on point, and the prices are so cheap compared to many other vegan restaurants I've been to and nice burger tastes significantly better to. also there is a drive thru but i love the diner feel and decor inside the restaurant. True comfort food I just wish there was a nice burger near me. Updated from previous review on 2025-09-17“

“Good breakfast. And good service“

“Food is delicious and service is great!“

“The menu shifted with the night, but standouts were the sticky pork belly and a vibrant vegetable plate that balanced richness with freshness. Service carried an easy, playful energy, and the bustling room made the dinner feel fun and spontaneous.“

“Great food!“

“I had a great experience at Board and Brew in Santa Ana! I tried the Turkey Deluxe Rub sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. The turkey was perfectly seasoned, and the combination of fresh ingredients and the sun flower seeds really made it stand out. It was one of the best turkey sandwiches I've had in a while.
I also couldn’t resist trying their chocolate chip cookie, and it did not disappoint. It was soft, chewy, and had just the right amount of sweetness — a perfect end to the meal.
I would definitely come here if I’m in the mood for a sub again.“

“Visite este Dennys y todos los empleados fueron muy amables siempre sonriendo se sentía una atmósfera llena de alegría Alejandra fue nuestra mesera siempre sonriendo y muy atenta a nuestras necesidades el café bien calientito y sabroso no se diga los pancakes de plátano con chocolate todo estuvo muy rico el restaurante estaba muy ocupado pero todo se miraba muy limpio desde el comedor hasta los baños gracias a todos mi familia y yo regresarémos adiós y gracias“

“First time here, great service and yummy food. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. Everyone had a warm smile to welcome us in. We will definitely be back“

“Was looking for a place near John Wayne airport. Food was delicious, and will return when in the area again.“

“nice well done charbroiled burgers🔥. the breakfast in also 🔥 try it one day“

“Good Friends - Good Food - Live Music - I’m in!!!“

“the owner is a beautiful Asian lady with a wonderful disposition. I think she's good wifey material. and the food there is da bomb. I did ask her out but she never gave me her number. I'm not one of those dope fiend's that hang out out side I'm a single x-ray tech and earn 100k a year. will you have dinner with me my treat?“

“Always love coming out West from the East coast and making our first stop to In-N-Out Burger!“

“It is a lovely zoo. It is small. Perfect for small children. I loved the monkeys.“

“During our recent 3-day weekend getaway, we stumbled upon Citra Bar & Kitchen at the newly renovated Hotel Zessa, and it quickly became our go-to spot for nearly all our meals. This place is truly a hidden gem! From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the modern yet cozy ambiance. The highlight of our experience was undoubtedly the drinks. The Citra Margarita was refreshingly perfect, and my wife couldn't get enough of the Hibiscus Cooler. We also indulged in the Casamigos Flight, which was a delightful treat. Following our server's recommendations turned out to be the best decision. We tried nearly everything on the lunch and dinner menus, but the Chicken Taquitos stood out as our favorite appetizer—we ordered them multiple times! As for the entrees, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but our top picks were the Chicken A La Brasa, Blackened Mahi Mahi, and Salmon Salad. Each dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. Being gluten-free, I was thrilled to find that Citra Bar & Kitchen had plenty of options that catered to my dietary needs without compromising on taste. Overall, our experience at Citra Bar & Kitchen was outstanding. The revitalization of Hotel Zessa and the exceptional dining experience here is a testament to Santa Ana's commitment to enhancing their community. We can't wait to return, and I highly recommend this spot to anyone visiting the area. You will not be disappointed!“

“This is a nice little cafe inside the state building. The menu is quite large with lots of options. I had the Greek Gyros and really enjoyed them. I was expecting a small Greek salad with a couple slices of meat but to my surprise it was a wrap style meal with the salad and meat inside. It was very tasty and a large portion. The prices are good and the staff is very friendly. Highly recommend.“

“Found this place when looking for a lil brunch spot on a Sunday afternoon. Me and the wife swung by, great service. I got a breakfast burrito. Pretty good flavor just wished it was a bit bigger. But it was 9 bucks so I was happy about that. My wife got their basic breakfast food and she thought it was great. Similar to norms or dennys level of breakfast. Overall, we will be back soon!“

“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."“

“The food is good, huge Portion’s . Many different food options to choose from. Cool atmosphere. Very artsy ! It was worth the day trip.“

“the Chow great. the latrine clean“

“Antonio, our waiter was very friendly and professional. We ordered the Campfire Feast. We told him we were not in a rush and asked him to wait for us to signal him for the next course. He did exactly that. The Zucchini, salads and prime rib were excellent.“

“Games, bar and DJs are cool. Live bands aren't trialed and there's no sound guy. Bathrooms don't work.“

“Let me start out by saying the burgers were delicious! TK Burgers hosted a company lunch for us and we were not disappointed. Tristen and Saul went above and beyond to meet our needs. The fries were cooked perfectly and the vegetables were all fresh. We will definitely be using them for future events.“

“Holy cow. I was blown away with today’s meal. The food was all well prepared. Zero food quality issues. Every single item was spot on. The drinks were spot on. Customer Service was spot on- I just now realized I messed up the tip. I was not paying attention and there was a donation thing and then there was the tip. Omg I so messed up- so sorry! Booth was perfectly clean. Manager came by to say hello….. we ordered way too much food…. But get this. We had 4 plates of food we shared and two large glasses of wine and it was less than $60. It was actually $50 something. 2 ordered of the 2 for 25 and 2 generous pours of wine. 🍷. I do not live in the area and did a special trip to meet a friend. I think I might make Applebees the place for friends and fun! My only thing is im generous sized and the table was tight. My asthma kicked in a few times and my coughing rocked the table. Nothing big but - lol. I need a fat booth for my eating times!! FYI. I got a burger. I had no idea it would be a great - fried/smashed style with good pickles and onion and lettuce and cheese. It was very very good. Kinda like a naughty indulgence item. You know…. With melty cheese…. A bit of burger sauce…. It was very wonderful. I have to admit that the boneless wings AND fries with the burger were much LARGER than I anticipated. Truth is it was so much FOOD! If you are 1 person it’s fine but you will have lots of take -home. The fries are way better than in and out. We got a special treat and got their tartar sauce. Omg. On fries it’s delicious! ♥️♥️♥️♥️. A couple of asks. If you go in rush hours do not expect this amazing service—- and if you are a smart person- go on a weekday as an early lunch/ late lunch. If you have ever followed my elite yelp days or my Google Reviews- I’m a hard ass. So this spot is a secret gold mine. Please keep it that way- 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫“

“good not bad have good service“

“Showed up with my boy who was visiting from out of town. Never been to a lounge or bar in Santa Ana before. This is definitely the neighborhood spot, but they made me and my friend feel like regulars.

Claudia hooked it up with the libations. She made it happen. I mean you won’t get Clase Azul here but you’ll get first class food and service.

I had no idea the food was going to be on point as it was and it surprised me. You expect bar food, but this food is on another level. Fresh made tortilla chips served hot with mouth watering and juicy tacos. I had the asada and al pastor. Served hot and fresh.

Claudia and the chef Josh made it real nice for the experience. I highly recommend if you’re in Santa Ana. It’s dark in there so when we came out the doors at 5p you definitely need sun shades or time to adjust.

It’s a perfect vibe in there. Lookout for the baby giraffe!“

“Our dining experience was excellent, the attention Hugo gave was pleasant. He checked on our meal and coffee pleasantly and available.
When you go ask Miriam for the house salsa, it's Amazing.
Most IHOP are in personal, get in get out. This is not, we were there on a beautiful Sunday morning, yes we waited for a table, and we will wait again. Miriam runs a smooth and tight ship.“

“Raising Canes always delivers the goods! Excellent,Hot,and fresh every visit!“

“It was our first time coming here, and I cannot express how satisfied I am with the food and the service. Mike, the waiter, is hilarious and he made our experience a 10/10. We ordered the green chilaquiles and banana pancakes, and I highly recommend! I’ve only had amazing chilaquiles from Mexico, and these are just as delicious. The owner was very attentive and sweet. We will def be coming back!“

“Love love love. Owners are super nice, prices are reasonable. I love everything I’ve ordered. I eat almost every daily special, except for Friday’s fish taco special because I don’t like fish. Otherwise, I’ve had so many of their menu items and even some of there specialty foods they randomly make in small batches that they sell as ready-to-go (like their homemade potato salad). Love it!!!

Vegetarian options: They have options like their garden burger, potato salad, regular fries and onion rings. There may be more options but those are the ones I know.

Parking: Parking lot is paid, but if you get free monthly parking because you work in the buildings next door then it’s great, because there is plenty of parking, it’s just a bit confusing.
Entry and exit are one-way. When you enter you go only through the C & D sections, & you have to keep turning left to keep going up the levels. If you ever turn right on any level toward the exit sign you’ll be forced to keep going through the A & B sections downward until you exit and have to start over.

Wheelchair accessibility: It’s on the ground floor right by the parking lot. It looks like there should be no issue for wheelchair users to access. No ramp necessary for entry as there are no steps.“

“hands down best spot ik n downtown santa ana. great vibes great ppl and staff! 🙌🙌🙌“

“Love it my favorite place to eat“

“When there were mistakes… The bartender/server was very gracious to make up for it“

“No one who lives around this place should ever go to Dennys or IHOP ever again. Guys. This place was noticeably better than your average breakfast place. We got the breakfast special for like $12 and it had
2 pieces of toast (wheat, white, or sourdough): Usually the toast is a throwaway item for these restaurants and you don’t even eat it. Not this toast. We got that sourdough toast and it was so freaking good.
Hash browns: the hash browns were real potato’s goodness. Didn’t seem like they came frozen in a bag.
4 strips of bacon: for my liking the bacon was perfect. It had some flop to it. The strips were nice and big.
2 eggs of your choice: eggs were standard, I think the main reason I liked them so much is because last time I got eggs at a restaurant they sucked
What is amazing is all that food is a couple dollars less than Dennys or IHOP would be for the same stuff, but then all of it tastes better.
You order from the front rather than with waiters and a menu and the lady who served us was kind and patient and clear.
The only thing was the floors were kinda a sticky, but I don’t care my food was so freaking good and well priced.
I split the special with my husband so it was less than $10 a person for us, but if you get your own stuff it is like $10-15 a person.“

“Security here is very tight. The first time I went past them, they confiscated my steel pen and soft armor plate. Luckily the process to get it back was trivial. They once asked me to show them my inhaler. I ended up using a whole different backpack for trips here. The trials are interesting to watch. Some sobering, some slow and boring, and some dramatic.“

“Hobie Restaurant at John Wayne Airport is a surprisingly awesome spot to grab a bite before your flight! I stopped by for their tacos, and wow—they did not disappoint. The fish tacos were fresh, flavorful, and packed with perfectly crispy fish, tangy slaw, and a creamy sauce that tied it all together. The carne asada tacos were equally delicious, with tender, well-seasoned steak and just the right amount of toppings. For airport food, this is next-level good. The vibe is laid-back and beachy, which makes waiting for your flight way more enjoyable. If you’re passing through John Wayne Airport, do yourself a favor and grab some tacos at Hobie. You won’t regret it!“

“I went here, real late at night since it's open 24 hrs. And other than my girlfriend n i, there were 2 ladies who got there at the same time as us, and a gentleman that walked in a few minutes after us. It was nice. Relaxing. Very very clean. The service was awesome. And I plan on going back tonight. Only thing I wish could be better about the place is the prices. But then again, every place u go the prices have gone up. And this place beats fastfood 4 sure.“