City dining guide

Best restaurants in Tustin

3 guide-listed restaurants — Michelin, Bib Gourmand, Black Pearl, Must-Eat List, World's 50 Best and more. Reference quality signals; never ranked by commission, no in-app checkout.

Bib Gourmand 2

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

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.5/5 · 62 reviews

CHAAK Kitchen in Tustin offers refined regional Mexican cuisine. Food quality is generally praised, with highlights including grilled vegetables, cochinita pibil, octopus, and salads. However, some guests noted issues with over-salting, inconsistent freshness, and slow pacing. Service is typically professional and attentive, with staff like Isa and Orlando receiving commendations for handling reservation mix-ups gracefully. Conversely, negative experiences included long waits without compensation during holidays. The ambiance features cement, dark wood, and greenery, creating an open yet sophisticated setting, though loud pop music detracted from the experience for some. While suitable for special occasions, inconsistencies in service timing and perceived value remain points of contention.

Suitable for special occasions seeking refined Mexican flavors with tolerance for occasional service variability.

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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

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 51 reviews

Located in Santa Ana's Artists Village, Lola Gaspar is a popular Mexican spot. Food quality is generally praised, with tacos, steak asada, and unique small plates like blue cheese-stuffed dates receiving high marks, though some items like BBQ and mushroom tacos were deemed average. Service is mostly pleasant and efficient, though occasional pacing issues and staffing shortages occur. The ambiance is cozy and artistic, featuring a long bar, nooks, and a patio ideal for warm weather, but the interior can be quite dark. Value is mixed; while some find it reasonable, others feel the price does not match the food quality.

Suitable for diners seeking unique Mexican cuisine and an artistic vibe, best visited during off-peak hours for optimal service.

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Other guide picks 1

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