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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Irvine

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65 restaurants available nearby

A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant
1. North Italia – Irvine
4.5
Awesome(5415)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 199 times today
At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.
A photo of Puesto Los Olivos restaurant
2. Puesto Los Olivos
4.6
Exceptional(1775)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • Irvine
Booked 34 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, Baja craft beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.
A photo of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations restaurant
3. Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
4.6
Exceptional(710)
Price: Expensive
• American • Irvine
Booked 28 times today
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations perfectly meshes upscale and casual dining with an expansive whiskey selection and unique offering of American comfort food. It offers high energy, open spaced concepts to promote a lively dining experience. With the rustic industrial aesthetic, brick metal and barrels are prevalent in the space. One of its most coveted attractions is the famous whiskey room, that houses hundreds of whiskies from several countries. From high end whiskies like Pappy Van Winkle, to a shot of Jameson with a Coors Light, there is something here for everyone's taste; and Bosscat prides itself on being this type of environment. Each season new flavors and recipes are brought into the kitchen. The culture and staff are encouraged to foster the fun and unique dining experience they so strongly emulate. Bosscat is open all week for lunch and dinner. Happy hour is available on weekdays, and a fun, boozy brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays.
A photo of Il Fornaio - Irvine restaurant
4. Il Fornaio - Irvine
4.6
Exceptional(3998)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 31 times today
Step inside Il Fornaio and take an award-winning culinary journey through Italy. Specialties include housemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, grilled fish, authentic risotto, and rotisserie meats. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, Il Fornaio offers a wide variety of premium-quality Italian food paired with great cocktails and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list.
A photo of Fogo de Chao - Irvine Spectrum restaurant
5. Fogo de Chao - Irvine Spectrum
4.2
Awesome(2275)
Price: Moderate
• Brazilian • Irvine
Booked 163 times today
Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.
A photo of Oliver’s Trattoria restaurant
6. Oliver’s Trattoria
4.8
Exceptional(337)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Irvine
Booked 36 times today
Opening December 10th, 2023! Chef Erik De Marchi is excited to bring his cuisine from Emilia-Romagna to Irvine with Oliver's Trattoria. Featuring homemade pasta and pizza and a full bar. Enjoy our outdoor patios, catering, and private event spaces. We can't wait to serve you at our second location Oliver's Trattoria.
A photo of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar- Tustin restaurant
7. The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar- Tustin
4.4
Awesome(2644)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Tustin
Booked 27 times today
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar is the newest addition to The District in Tustin. The interior promises a hip, lively & sophisticated atmosphere, with dark woods, leather and velvet bar stools. The state-of-the-art 7,500 bottle cellar IS one of the largest in Orange County. The Winery Restaurant & Bar is open daily for lunch & dinner & features a wine tasting bar with a full bar menu and cigar patio.
A photo of Gulliver's Restaurant restaurant
8. Gulliver's Restaurant
4.3
Awesome(2940)
Price: Expensive
• Prime Rib • Irvine
Booked 28 times today
In the last four decades Gulliver’s Restaurant has became one of the most popular Prime Rib Restaurant in Southern California. Gulliver’s hand-selected beef (corn-belt) is slow roasted in a unique patented oven system to assure flavorful, tender and juicy Prime Rib dinners. Gulliver's Restaurant is well known also for its other specialties as in-house aged Prime Steaks, Chateaubriand, Salmon, Rack of Lamb, Baby Back Ribs and roasted Long Island Duck. As you walk into a Gulliver's you will feel as though you have entered back in time to 18th century England. Guests at the Gulliver’s are surrounded by a veritable museum of leaded glass pieces, pewter and ceramic objects, and a collection of prints from Hogarth, Rowlandson and other Gulliver’s Travels illustrators. The Portions are huge, the service is gracious and friendly, and most importantly, the beef is cooked to perfection.Gulliver's is place where memories are created.
A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - Irvine restaurant
9. Ruth's Chris Steak House - Irvine
4.6
Exceptional(4302)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Irvine
Booked 96 times today
Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.Ruth's Chris Steak House in Irvine, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.
A photo of The Goldfinch restaurant
10. The Goldfinch
4.6
Exceptional(205)
Price: Expensive
• American • Irvine
Booked 9 times today
California Cuisine and an extensive Beverage and Craft Cocktail program while focusing on only the best and freshest quality ingredients.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • mike
    Greater Boston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Wonderful staff, good food! Great ambience. Totally enjoyed the experience.
    More info
    Bosscat Kitchen & LibationsPrice: Expensive• American• Irvine
    •
    4.6
  • DinaVIP
    Orange County •55 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Dining at Tommy Bahamas in Newport is always wonderful. The food and service are absolutely, and consistently, superb. The food is fresh, delicious, and original. The ambiance is also lively and beautiful. We were disappointed though that there is a new corporate policy that they won't serve ordered food for dogs on the patio. This reverses a multi-decade policy which old-time customers like myself (more than 26 years) really enjoyed. Please reconsider!
    More info
    Tommy Bahama - Newport BeachPrice: Very Expensive• American• Newport Beach
    •
    4.7
  • William
    Orange County •17 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    As always, nicely decorated for Christmas! Good food, great service. Although crowded for a Weds. nite the service staff was always present, filling water, getting drinks and delivering our food. Overall memorable experience.
    More info
    Gulliver's RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Prime Rib• Irvine
    •
    4.3
  • Angela
    Los Angeles •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Picked this place for team holiday luncheon and it was a great choice. The restaurant was nice and quite to have good conversation. The food was very good. Not a big fan of Italian cuisine but I will come back. That’s how good it was. I had their lunch special, which some sea bass with crab stuffing. The price is also reasonable for a company event, around $70 per person. We did not have alcohol but did order appetizers and desserts to share.
    More info
    Prego RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Irvine
    •
    4.6
  • Charles
    Orange County •1 review
    4.0
    Dined on 15 Dec 2024
    The food and service was great. One individual who was dining in may have had too much to drink and was extremely loud and somewhat provocative but not in the restaurants control.
    More info
    Driftwood KitchenPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Laguna Beach
    •
    4.5

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Irvine

Discover the culinary treasures of Irvine in South Orange County, a destination known for its exceptional dining scene that caters to explorers and food lovers alike. If you're searching for restaurants "worth the drive," Irvine offers a diverse palette of exceptional eateries that stand out not just for their unique culinary offerings but also for their commitment to quality and service. From innovative Mexican artisan kitchens to enchanting Cuban spots and modern Californian cuisine with a sustainable twist, the restaurants here promise a memorable gastronomic journey. Each establishment reflects a deep dedication to creating extraordinary experiences, evident in their meticulous attention to detail, from ambiance to the plating of dishes. These restaurants not only satisfy your cravings but also turn every meal into a special occasion, making them truly worth the drive. Irvine’s dining scene thrives on creativity and passion, ensuring that every visit is both a discovery and a delight. Whether you're a local or a visitor, these culinary gems are guaranteed to offer something exciting and new, perfect for any food enthusiast seeking adventure in every bite.

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