Best known as the home of Disneyland, Anaheim is the second most visited city in the entire US. It’s not surprising as for families, couples and adults alike, there is simply so much to enjoy, eat and do in the Anaheim area. In the heart of Orange County, Disneyland itself attracts millions of visitors each year, but Anaheim is much more than just a home to Mickey Mouse.
Sitting roughly an hour outside of bustling Los Angeles, Anaheim is a go-to destination for some of the best food imaginable. From casual vegan eateries for lunch to handcrafted pizzas and out-of-this-world desserts, Anaheim is a cultural melting pot. Anaheim visitors can enjoy romantic, candlelit dinners at some of the top steakhouses in California and global authentic flavors from Mexico, Thailand, Asia, the Mediterranean and more. Take a look at our picks for the best restaurants in Anaheim.
1. Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails
Price: $$
AAA Diamond Rating: Three Diamond
Location: Century Center in Irvine
Great For: Relaxed, healthy meal
Andrei's Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails is known for its dedication to naturally raised meats and sustainable seafood that simply melts in your mouth. With chic outdoor seating in CenturyCenter, it’s the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch, light dinner or afternoon drink. Plus, valet parking is complimentary during lunch, but paid during dinner; there is a parking garage nearby. Reserve a table for their popular happy hour, which features Portobello steak fries, “bubbly drinks” and special cocktails.
Other popular options include lamb lollipops and fish tacos topped off with their signature Good Vibes cocktail, which features jalapeno-infused tequila, Aperol, pineapple, fresh orange and lemon and lime juices. If you want something alcohol-free, try the Faux-Jito or Rhubarb Cooler. Farm-fresh salads with local vegetables are an easy starter and you can try unique, sustainably-sourced seafood options like wild-caught Lingcod, Pacific scallops, Alaskan halibut, Scottish salmon and more.
2. Napa Rose
Price: $$$$
AAA Diamond Rating: Four Diamond
Location: Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel
Great For: Upscale dinner and wine
A gorgeous craftsman restaurant that encompasses the luxurious wine and fresh food of California, Napa Rose is located in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel as their flagship restaurant. It boasts an extensive wine list from local vineyards and around the world along with classic cocktails like the signature Napa Rose, which is a blend of Tanqueray 10 and Campari soda and the Swizzled Monk, which is made with Zaya 12-year Rum. Enjoy the fresh, light fare California is known for with starters like the grilled diver scallops, Smiling Tiger salad with lobster fritters and spicy beef and the Wine Country Beet Salad. Enjoy offerings such as on-site parking and valet, too.
3. Craftsman Woodfired Pizza
Price: $
AAA Diamond Rating: Diamond Approved
Location: Placentia
Great For: Quick lunches
A diverse pizza menu, hearty sandwiches and a full brunch menu await at Craftsman Woodfired Pizza. This is a perfect lunch option before heading to the Disneyland park or ideal for grabbing Sunday brunch with the family. Their food is family style and pizzas are hand-tossed, making it a relaxing dinner after a sensory-overload day at Disneyland or nearby attractions. There are also wine and craft beers for the adults, too. Enjoy popular items like the Bacon and Arugula pizza, the BBQ tri-tip grilled sandwich or the Sonoma salad with local ingredients.
4. Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen
Price: $$
AAA Diamond Rating: Three Diamond
Location: San Clemente
Great For: Cozy, intimate family dinner
A relatively new opening, Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen in San Clemente is the ideal gastropub for lunch and dinner. As a family-owned restaurant, it’s tucked into a small area that you could almost pass by completely. It’s known for wood-fired cooking for everything from shishito peppers to the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and its Harvest Hash. Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen also serves wine and beer flights, giving you a chance to sample new and noteworthy drinks. Reservations are ideal, but Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen is also fairly family-friendly, so feel comfortable bringing the kids.
5. Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner
Price: $$
AAA Diamond Rating: Diamond Approved
Location: Near Disneyland by Knott’s Berry Farm
Great For: Southern comfort food
A casual spot for the whole family, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner brings hearty Southern comfort food to Anaheim. Located near Disneyland and serving the area since 1934, it’s a quick bite to eat before or after the park and reservations are suggested. Patio dining is ideal in the balmy California weather and there is a full bar as well. Boysenberry is their signature delicious dessert, but start your meal with the classic fried chicken dinner. Enjoy homemade soups and salads in a large dining room remodeled to look like your grandma’s Southern kitchen.
6. Taco Maria
Price: $$$$
AAA Diamond Rating: Four Diamond
Location: Costa Mesa
Great For: Fine dining
Boasting the style of “New Mexican, Taco Maria is a fun destination for delicious food made by the renowned Chef Carlos Salgado. With a seasonal prix-fixe menu, meaning “fixed price” in French, diners can enjoy a specially curated four-course sample menu with highlights like fresh-milled blue cornbread, pescadilla and Baja striped bass with paired wine options from Italy, France and Mexico. Open for dinner, the restaurant has an open-kitchen concept with patio dining available.
7. Mahe
Price: $$
AAA Diamond Rating: Three Diamond
Location: Pacific Coast Highway
Great For: Sushi and seafood
Fresh caught seafood and sushi at an affordable price? Make a reservation ASAP! Known for its charming happy hour and live music, Mahe is a must-visit to grab trendy local favorites. Delicious filet mignons, Brussel sprouts and tender bone-in ribeyes are just a few of the dishes Mahe is known for. At the bar, try the Golden Mai Tai or a Raspberry Mojito as you enjoy some live music from local bands. Parking is also on-site and a reservation isn’t needed, but you can always make one.
8. Ten Asian Bistro
Price: $
AAA Diamond Rating: Three Diamond
Location: Newport Beach area
Great For: Affordable Asian cuisine for the family
Watch the traditional Asian mix with California fusion in real time! Ten Asian Bistro is the perfect dinner spot when you’re craving a warm bowl of fragrant noodles or sashimi and hand rolls. Boasting a hip cocktail lounge, you can kick off your dinner with a nice drink or popular appetizers like the hamachi crudo or chicken gyoza. Notable entrees are the Misoyaki local fish or the coconut curry salmon, and specialty sashimi like the toro taku and Cajun seared albacore are sure to impress. Reservations are suggested as it can get busy and parking is both on-site and valet.
9. 230 Forest Avenue
Price: $$$
AAA Diamond Rating: Three Diamond
Location: Laguna Beach
Great For: Tender and tasty steaks and seafood
The list would be incomplete without mentioning 230 Forest Avenue, an iconic restaurant in the Anaheim area. Enjoy lunch or dinner here with a full bar and outside patio seating. Must-try hits on the menu include modern California hits like the rock shrimp appetizers and blackened swordfish. Their oysters on the half-shell are delicious and salty, and the kung pao calamari is mouthwatering. For dessert, check out the basque cheesecake or the chocolate croissant bread pudding. Reservations are suggested and parking is on the street, so you might want to avoid the busiest hours.
Anaheim is not only a kid’s playground but a food lover’s dream. Whether you’re spending your day at Disneyland or willing to drive a little for some of the best food, these are our top picks for restaurants in Anaheim.
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