Orange County, california
Restaurant recos
The best sushi in Orange County, hands down.
I am not a vegan, but this plant-based Mexican-inspired menu won’t even have you missing the carne or pollo. Plus, the outdoor patio is Instagramable, and then some.
Surf & Sand resort has a full restaurant, but I always just sit in the bar for the amazing view, drinks and (limited but really good) menu of appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches. Unlike The Deck and The Rooftop Lounge in Laguna Beach, this place is indoors - but the view is by no means compromised.
As soon as you walk down the stairs to get to this restaurant your face is going to turn into that emoji with the heart eyes. It is one of the most breathtaking views i have ever seen, and it continues make me feel all the feels every time i come here.
This is a cute little natural foods café in a charming Spanish style building right on Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach with lots of fresh, organic vegetarian and vegan options (plus a lot of gluten free ones).
The line out the door here is telling of how good this place is. It is a no frills kinda place that honestly sold me my first visit when I tried their pumpkin pie with a gingersnap crust. It is the best pumpkin pie I have ever had.
Without a doubt, this is my favorite avocado toast in town - it is buttered toast with smashed avocado, lemon juice, radish salad, chives, onion and dill - and I add a poached egg. Zinc is my favorite spot in Orange County to meet up for breakfast with friends.
Mother’s Market may just look like (the best) healthy food grocery store on the outside, but it’s one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots too.
The Aussie-inspired menu here never ever disappoints.
This restaurant’s menu is the perfect hybrid of authentic Mexican food and consciously healthy options. Their tacos are made with GMO-free corn tortillas infused with herbs and spices, they source greens from local sustainable, organic and regenerative farms and serve humanely raised meats and sustainable seafood.
I honestly almost didn’t share this one, because I wanted to keep it a secret. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but Chixy Natural is my go-to for the perfect post-workout meal.
I don’t drink coffee, but I come here for the toast and the best damn breakfast burrito.
Ever since I had my first sidecar doughnut, I feel spoiled. I honestly don’t even bother with other doughnuts now. All of the doughnuts here are handcrafted and you can see the sidecar team making the doughnuts fresh back-of-house all day.
If I am doing happy hour with girlfriends, I love this place because the happy hour food menu actually has options I want to order. I also order take-out from here a couple times a month.
The entire menu is 100% organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and vegan. And, seriously so good. And, so much to choose from.
This restaurant is my spirit animal. There really isn’t anything on the menu I don’t like here - but I definitely have my favorites.
I have been obsessed with this place since my Arizona State college days.
I have been loyal to Hosum Bistro since high school, when I put the restaurant on speed dial and would call in my order, ditch 6th period and chill on the beach with my best friend. TThe restaurant serves up “californiental cuisine” - think of Asian flavors meets healthy California tastes.
If I am getting a sandwich around town, it will be from here. I love that their sauces, dressings and sides are all made in-house, that their produce always looks so fresh, that they only use natural meats and that the bread is all sourced locally and delivered daily.
This place is my spot. The food. The drinks. The view. The vibe. Everything about Malibu Farm Lido is what I want out of restaurant.
Another favorite spot of mine in lido (a couple doors down from Malibu Farm Lido and with a very similar vibe). This place has an amazing selection of beer and wine from California, France, Italy, Chile and Argentina. I love coming here for happy hour and getting a glass of vino and getting some tartines for the table.
A casual spot; but definitely the best poké around.
I have been obsessed with this place since high school. It’s a total health food haven with an uncomplicated menu of sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, amongst other breakfast, lunch and dinner options that all feel homemade. The Orange, CA location that I go to regularly is a house renovated to be a restaurant and feels super homey and cozy.
This place is iconic. You can see the coastline for miles north and south from the Rooftop Lounge. Whenever I have friends in town, I always take them here for a drink and appetizers. If you are a fan of mojitos, they are known for them here.