Best restaurants in Oceanside

R|O-Rebel Omakase

★ Michelin$$$$Japanese, Sushi

Tucked away in a modest little shopping center, this serene space feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle. Chef Jordan Nakasone oversees two seatings a night, by reservation only, at the understated counter. With one foot planted in tradition and the other in creativity, the menu strikes a pleasing balance, highlighting seasonality and excellent quality ingredients. Skillfully prepared nigiri hew more towards the former, showcasing delicacies like yagara (red cornetfish) and nodoguro (blackthroat sea perch), while the array of kitchen dishes show a bit of flair, as in an indulgen

Valle

★ Michelin$$$$Mexican, Contemporary

Chef Roberto Alcocer brings his vision of modern Mexican cuisine to this handsome space in the Mission Pacific Hotel overlooking the scenic Oceanside Pier. The name is a nod to the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, Mexico’s premier viticultural region, and the source of a plethora of interesting options on the wine list. The elaborate tasting menu is imaginative, and the likes of mushroom and goat cheese tetela or, say, corn chowder ice cream with trout roe strike a fine balance of creative and flavorful. A roaring fireplace anchors the main dining room run by an attentive team.

Lilo

★ Michelin$$$$Californian

Good things often come in small packages, and it's certainly true of Lilo, where guests are welcomed to a moveable feast beginning on a gorgeous, heated patio before moving to a stylish counter wrapped around Chef Eric Bost and his kinetic team. Ambitious and complex, the cooking features prime ingredients like Japanese kinmedai and wagyu, Maine lobster and scallops, and California abalone. Midway through, hope for a thrilling orgeat ice cream topped with celery root bushi and Ossetra caviar. The experience ends with a myriad of desserts like sake-infused rice pudding with passionfruit granita

Jeune et Jolie

★ Michelin$$$$French, Californian

Flaunting a nouvelle-French sensibility, this appealing restaurant from Chef Eric Bost is dressed in shades of rose and flooded with natural light. The food turned out by the wide-open kitchen is top-notch, showcasing excellent ingredients handled with precision. Most diners opt for the perfectly pitched prix fixe, though à la carte offers many of the same dishes for those looking for a quick snack at the bar. Start with grilled leeks and buttermilk finished with fragrant black truffles before moving into heartier territory like roasted duck with parsnips. Milk bread is a must. An excellent co

Knife Pleat

★ Michelin$$$$Contemporary, Modern French

This elegant little operation, set on the third floor of South Coast Plaza amidst fashionable stores, has plenty of charm. With a gleaming open kitchen edged by a chef’s counter, plus a secluded patio, this is a spot to dine in style. Chef Tony Esnault offers his personal take on classic French cuisine, tinged with international influences, offered at both lunch and dinner as prix fixe menus of varying length. Open with small bites, before proceeding to more substantial courses like steelhead trout with fennel and rainbow chard, or barley risotto with chestnut, parmesan and brassicas, before e

Heritage Barbecue

Bib Gourmand$$Barbecue, Regional Cuisine

Barbecue is a veritable religion in America, and chefs in this realm have a near cultish way of doing things. With that in mind, consider this SJC bijou, packed to the gills with focused diners and trays of smoky meat.Punctuality is of the essence as everyone is here, early and eager, for Chef/owner Daniel Castillo's food. His creations draw inspiration from central Texas, so when that sweet scent of California white oak gets going, find yourself transported on a riotous journey, starting with slices of glistening brisket—correctly charred and deliciously rich. Add on a side of chili with more

Dija Mara

Bib Gourmand$$Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese

This industrial Indonesian eatery is every bit as easy-breezy as its Oceanside hometown—imagine cheeky murals, dim lighting and a roll-up garage door entrance. But lest you consider it a divey drinking hole, be advised you’ll find some serious cooking here. Excellent nasi goreng combines fried rice with shrimp, pork belly, chicken and the yolk of a sunny egg, while charred eggplant with smoked tomato sambal and crispy fried shallots is a textural (and flavor-forward) delight.All that spice is sure to put you in the mood for a drink, and their creative cocktails deliver, with unique low-ABV bev

Fable & Spirit

Bib Gourmand$$Californian, American

With its elegant design and backdrop of the sparkling sea, this "fabled" spot doesn't have to try very hard to win fans. And yet, it never rests solely on its good looks. The room is packed with an unmistakable hum of happy diners diving into delicious pub grub. The comprehensive menu offers up a handful of delicious, inventive vegetable items such as the roasted cauliflower with green harissa, curry caramelized onions and almonds. You'll want to order everything, but don't skip the ambitious but well-executed 12-hour Kurobuta porchetta with polenta, romanesco, Calabrian chili, chimichurri, an

CHAAK Kitchen

Bib Gourmand$$Mexican, Regional Cuisine

The team behind these stoves swimmingly brings the vibrant smoke- and spice-focused cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula to life. Of course, that same region's rich and complex history simply means diners can expect nothing less than seriously intriguing cooking. Start off with a mezcal cocktail, customized with tamarind and mole bitters, or Mexican wine, by the glass. From there, spoon up every last drop of the charred habanero salsa that accompanies crisp corn empanadas filled with Oaxacan cheese and epazote. Cochinita pibil is prepared with marinated citrus and achiote, resulting in a tender an

Atelier Manna

Bib Gourmand$$Californian

Husband-and-wife Andrew and Larah Bachelier have fashioned a hipster haven at this Encinitas hideaway where the covered patio dining area is set with furnishings crafted from recycled and upcycled materials. Meanwhile in the kitchen, local ingredients are the basis for a streamlined selection of seasonally focused and shareable dishes for breakfast and lunch. Whether you've ordered the locally caught halibut with sudachi and coconut leche de tigre or the grilled Salmon Creek Farms pork rack with a tableside pour of pomegranate-infused jus, expect plates that are as pleasing to the eye as they

Lola Gaspar

Bib Gourmand$$Mexican

This gastropub in downtown Santa Ana isn't new but a post-pandemic reset and a trip to Mexico changed Chef Luis Perez's mindset—and menu. It's all about quality over quantity here, so expect a tightly edited menu featuring tacos, quekas, and churros, but it's all very good. Happy hour discounts make sampling it all a tempting proposition. Tacos are made with handmade flour tortillas topped with a grilled tomato and dried chili salsa and filled with everything from sauteed shrimp to pork shank carnitas and suadero. Quekas feature hand-pressed masa and are served with a habanero salsa. While the

Phở 79

Bib Gourmand$vietnamese

If you are no stranger to the slurp, then Phở 79 is likely already on your circuit. After all, this place is an institution. Opened in the early 80s, it's widely considered to ladle some of the best and most praiseworthy pho in southern California.The simple interior is enlivened by a bright yellow wall adorned with numerous accolades. It's spartan but clean, and you're here for the pho, not the fashion show. Place your name on the clipboard by the front door and expect a wait. Once seated, peruse the extensive menu, which runs the gamut from egg noodle soups and goi cuon, to appetizers and de

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Selanne Steak Tavern

$$$$Steakhouse, American Contemporary

Once a home, this historic setting on Pacific Coast Highway now houses a winning steakhouse. Inside, a variety of settings welcome guests, ranging from the upstairs Loft, the bistro-style Wine Library, the handsome Tavern, or outside on the Veranda or Sunset Terrace. The buzzy bar is also a favorite perch for a crowd that's both relaxed and regulars. Steak is revered in this place and it lives up to its promise with tender, well marbled meat, but the kitchen ratchets it up with expert cooking (and dousing it in butter never hurts). Thick seared mushrooms in a Madeira reduction are a nice touch

Oliver's Osteria

$$$Italian, Regional Cuisine

Note: Temporarily closedSet just minutes from the Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna College of Art + Design, this Italian gem makes a delightful sight. Inside, the dining room oozes warmth, thanks to sleek banquettes, artwork-lined walls and an inviting bar—perfect for solo diners. It paints the very picture of Italian hospitality and that's even before you've had your first bite.Chef Erik De Marchi's menu has something for everyone. He takes a range of familiar dishes and enhances them with an authentic flair. Start with fiori di zucca, a zucchini blossom stuffed with ricotta cheese, anchovie

24 Suns

$$$Chinese Contemporary

24 Suns from Chef/owner duo Nic Webber and Jacob Jordan retains the nimble mindset of its pop-up roots with an ever-evolving rotation of dishes and ingredients that are driven entirely by the season. Set in a former dive bar that has been transformed into a comfortable space with tables, booths, and bar seating, this spot filters fine dining through a casual lens. The menu is split between snacks and dumplings, chef's selections, and shareable plates for the table, while the wine list features a nice mix of by the glass and bottle, as well as sake. This is the sort of place to order without li

Tanner's Prime Burgers

$American

What happens when a fine dining chef leaves the white tablecloths behind? Enter Tanner's Prime Burgers, from Chef Brandon Rodgers. As expected, this place is all about the hallowed beef; single-source USDA prime, to be exact. Naturally, burgers are the go-to order, available in single or double sizes with toppings like American cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, and more in a brioche bun. Of course, fries are the perfect sidekick, and theirs are fried in beef tallow and double cooked for a perfectly crisp exterior. Still hungry? Order their vanilla tallow ice cream sandwich crafted from two ch

Marché Moderne

$$$French, French Contemporary

Chefs/owners Florent and Amelia Marneau deliver modern dishes with hints of French classics. This is a stunning, elegant and sumptuous establishment that feels and tastes familiar yet original. The cooking follows suit from the glassed-in kitchen with soft globe lighting to the fire engine-red Berkel that's ready to slice their superb charcuterie. The classics, from coq au vin to the poached Maine lobster tail flambéed in Courvoisier and paired with a quenelle of scallop, are perfectly on point. End with a cheese plate or a traditional baba au rum. Handcrafted cocktails mirror the bounty of th

Campfire

$$$Contemporary

Located in a midcentury Quonset hut enlivened with eclectic outdoorsy decorations, this rough-and-tumble counterpart to more glamorous nearby Jeune et Jolie has plenty of fun with its theme, down to the teepee on the patio. The centerpiece is a custom-built 12-foot wood-burning hearth, which lends an appropriate note of smoke to many of the kitchen’s offerings, from vegetables like crispy roasted broccoli with a tangy chermoula sauce, or grilled octopus with Jimmy Nardello peppers. Meatier options like slow-cooked brisket or a hefty tomahawk steak for two will sate even the burliest appetites.

Bello by Sandro Nardone

$$$Italian, Contemporary

Originally from Atina and boasting a lineage of chefs and farmers, Chef/co-owner Sandro Nardone brings his experience with Italian cuisine and wood-fire cooking to Newport Beach. Low lighting and large paintings set a chic tone in the dining room, while the open kitchen keeps all eyes focused on the food. It is an idyllic setting for a gastronomic retreat; and the contemporary cooking never disappoints. Get one of their skillfully made pizzas, perhaps one topped with mushrooms and green onions or tuck into a plate of pasta amatriciana, a house-made rigatoni in a guanciale and pomodoro sauce wi

Sushi ii

$$$$Japanese, Sushi

The space is chic and well designed; and the kaiseki-style menu, complete with Japanese-imported fish and local ingredients, is a tribute to the seasons.These plates are meticulously prepared and enjoyably nuanced. The Bizen option may commence with the likes of tofu topped with Bafun uni and yuba, followed by a procession of cold summer bites, sashimi, and silky ankimo with nukazuke pickles. Peak-season belt fish may then be presented with yamaimo and a dashi-simmered tomato. Nigiri, like wild flounder, hagashi toro, and baby sea bream, are crafted with care; and desserts, like rum raisin ice

Hana re

$$$$Japanese, Sushi

Tucked away in the back corner of a Costa Mesa shopping mall, this intimate ten-seat counter offers a relaxing retreat from the outside world. Chef Atsushi Yokoyama skillfully oversees a leisurely omakase, beginning with variety of composed dishes such as chawanmushi with blue shrimp and smoked trout roe, perhaps followed by such delicacies as hairy crab dressed with tangy tosazu gelee, or tender braised abalone with leek puree and Hokkaido uni. Nigiri forms the final portion of the savory menu, continuing the theme of simply prepared, excellent quality seafood. To finish, a delicate almond pa

Vaca

$$$Spanish, Contemporary

Courtesy of Chef Amar Santana, this cool and rustic tapas bar offers consistently pleasing food and an extensive list of sherries and Spanish wines amid a quirky setting (the banquettes are decorated with jokes). In addition to the beautiful bar area, guests may sit in two outdoor areas or the main dining room with views into the semi-open kitchen. The lunchtime prix fixe is a great deal, though it would mean skipping their wonderful array of tapas and paellas. Standouts include the bikini sandwich, layering cured Jamón Ibérico, Manchego cheese, and a bit of truffle oil into pretty little pipi

Omakase by Gino

$$$$Japanese, Contemporary

Omakase by Gino is nestled amid a sleepy section of downtown Santa Ana but inside, this sushi den is firing on all cylinders. Distressed wood and exposed brick lend a tavern feel while decorative touches are decidedly Japanese. Chef Gino Choi brings palpable joy to this spot with his friendly but focused manner, and the food is just as smile-inducing. Imagine the likes of yuzu cream tucked with a ribbon of crisp Asian pear filled with house-cured ikura or a beautiful fillet of tuna sliced, hit with a flame and set atop an elegant swoosh of garlic and shishito pepper miso. Thick udon noodles ar

Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen

$$Mexican, Regional Cuisine

The cooks here understand the essence of regional Mexican cuisine, so trust in their skills and do not be disillusioned by the menu line that reads "substitutions are graciously declined.” Many of these dishes offer a spin on traditional items, as in the citrus-tinged achiote pork that tops creamy black beans and puffed corn tortillas in panuchos de Yucatán. Tacos are a signature for good reason; and the Puebla with spicy sausage, carne asada, smoked applewood bacon, and morita salsa delivers just the right level of piquancy.This special haven also makes the most of its idyllic setting, amid a

LSXO

$$$Vietnamese, Contemporary

Across from beautiful Huntington Beach, find this not-so-secret speakeasy tucked inside its parent restaurant, Bluegold, where it's difficult to avoid staring at the Pacific views. But the difference is palpable—LSXO is a bit cooler, louder and has a more defined personality. There are so many terrific dishes on offer that it's hard to go wrong and helpful servers will always steer you in the right direction. Don't miss the savory pork, shrimp and crab dumplings served alongside an incendiary, peanut-loaded black vinegar dressing. Then, a big steaming bowl of cháo loaded with crab, salted cod,

Phởholic

$Vietnamese, Regional Cuisine

We'll give you one guess as to what makes Phởholic a much-talked-about spot. Yes, it is the pho, and it's the reason why everyone flocks to this Westminster original (two other locations also lure slurpers). It's a classic shop that attracts everyone from grandparents to Gen Z'ers, all here to partake in the beef-focused pho. Though the prices are gentle, the kitchen never skimps, using only high quality products. Diners take their pick of noodle style and meat from the beginners and adventurers menus, then wait for the large metal bowls of steaming comfort to arrive. The scent of anise fills

The Ranch

$$$Steakhouse, Regional Cuisine

There may not be many cowboys in these parts, but there are plenty of decorative elements and music they’d covet at this urban steakhouse with farm to table touches. The menu is meat-centric, but also focuses on seasonal vegetables grown on their own farm. Pay close attention to daily specials and you might just be rewarded with an heirloom tomato salad bursting with ripeness. Unless you have the appetite of a rancher, these dishes are best shared. Crisp popovers served with sweet homemade tomato jam are a can't miss, and the prime rib is ultra-tender with jus, horseradish sauce and a cast-iro

MARKET Restaurant + Bar

$$$International

This restaurant's creative cooking continues to draw patrons for both special occasions as well as date night. The dark and seductive décor manages to be elegant without a hint of pretense, but one glance at the parking lot and you know that this spot is favored by a moneyed lot. Sushi is well-loved here, but it would be a shame to miss the chef’s creative and internationally influenced dishes. For instance, blue cheese soufflé with anise-orange marmalade shows off a European bent, while miso-glazed cod with shrimp dumplings is resoundingly Asian.

Taira Sushi & Sake

$$$Japanese, Sushi

Taira Sushi & Sake isn't knocking anyone off their feet with its nondescript mall location, but it's what's inside this tiny spot that makes it special. Young duo Chef Ben and Ayako Sato have penned a love letter to Japan here, where great care is paid to details (the menu is written by hand nightly) and warm hospitality makes everyone feel welcome. Guests are invited to enjoy omakase or order à la carte. Standouts include kanpachi slightly seared and served with a sprinkle of rock salt, lemon and yuzu, or tender firefly squid topped with scallions and laced with nori. Seared spicy cod roe and

Poppy & Seed

$$$Southern, American

Chef/co-owner Michael Reed and co-owner Kwini Reed are behind this gorgeous perch in the Anaheim Packing District. Poppy & Seed epitomizes the SoCal lifestyle with a lounge and bar nestled inside a greenhouse, and outdoor dining surrounded by citrus trees, herbs and flowers. As the setting hints, the focus is on organic, sustainable and locally grown (as well as raised or caught) ingredients. Settle in at sunset or under the stars to enjoy dishes such as creamy Anson Mills grits topped with gravy and plump tail-on shrimp. Charred eggplant puree and pickled sea beans lend a bite to steak tartar