New American Restaurants in Santa Ana, CA

“great place for dining....“

“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“

“This place absolutely blew my mind!! Thank you Scotty for taking care of us the whole evening. The ambience was super cool and intimate. Very trendy and hip. everything we ate was EXCEPTIONAL! We. had the carrots, squash, zucchini bread, swordfish and apple cider doughnuts. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this place and can't wait to return with new friends to introduce to it!“

“Trust is a restaurant that redefines all others. The concept of a pre-order and trust-us-you’ll-love-it concept for fine dining is absolutely brilliant. Love the family-dining setup where everybody sits at a L-shaped bar looking into the wonder that is the open style chef’s kitchen. The food is expertly inspired and impossibly delectable. Every dinner is different, and the variety keeps you craving more and more. The fantastic wine (and sometimes cocktail) pairing that goes with each 12+ course means you will need to Uber, because there’s no way you are leaving any of the wine in that glass. Trust’s sommelier is top-notch and paired each wine perfectly. The main draw here though is the chance to be regaled by Chef’s explanation of each course. It’s a night filled with irreverent, comedic, and incredible knowledgeable, such that you will come away feeling like you just attended a brash stand-up comedy about culinary genius. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience!“

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

“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!“

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

“Food is delicious and service is great!“

“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!“

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

“Great food!“

“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!“

“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!“