A running list of the top new restaurants opening and longtime spots closing around South Orange County. This isn’t every single change — just the ones we think you’ll want to know. Missing your favorite new spot? Email us at donna@exploresouthorangecounty.com and we’ll add it.
Top Restaurant Openings
Costa Mesa
- Tiny’s Burger — June 2026 — gourmet smash burgers
- Bear Flag Fish Co. — late summer 2026 — sustainable seafood
- HeyTea — late summer 2026 — Chinese cheese-foam tea
- Maleza — Sept. 2026 — modern Mexican & mezcal bar
- Zov’s — late 2026 — Mediterranean, 2nd location
Dana Point
- White Rooster — Jan. 2026 — California coastal cuisine
Huntington Beach
- Little Sister — May 2026 — Southeast Asian-French
Irvine
- Din Tai Fung — Mar. 2026 — Taiwanese soup dumplings
- Rise Bagels — spring 2026 — chef-driven bagels
- Kalbi Social Club — mid-2026 — Korean barbecue
- Mr. Moto Pizza — Sept. 2026 — NY-style pizza
Laguna Beach
- Truly Pizza — early 2026 — Neapolitan pizza
- Small’s Smash Club — May 2026 — smash burgers
Laguna Niguel
- Gina’s Pizza — spring 2026 — Sicilian-style pizza
Mission Viejo
- Cali Curry House — early 2026 — Indian curry
- Min’s Dumpling — early 2026 — Chinese dumplings
- MOMOT Tea House — early 2026 — specialty tea spot
- Ocho Lab Coffee & Patisserie — early 2026 — coffee & pastries
- Pasta Viva — late summer 2026 — handmade Italian pasta
- Mac’s Tavern — late 2026 — American tavern fare
Newport Beach
- Nēsos — early 2026 — Greek, wood-oven cooking
- Kaiya Omakase Sushi + Bar — July 2026 — 12-seat sushi omakase
- Flecha Cantina — Sept. 2026 — modern Mexican, harbor views
Rancho Santa Margarita
- The Goldfinch — late summer 2026 — California cuisine, elevated bar program
San Clemente
- Miramar Food Hall — May 2026 — 15-vendor food hall
- Zov’s — May 2026 — Mediterranean
Recently Closed
Dana Point
- The Brig — Apr. 2026 — 44 yrs
- Wind and Sea Restaurant — Sept. 2026 — 54 yrs
Irvine
- Gulliver’s — June 2026 — 56 yrs
Laguna Beach
- Dizz’s As Is — Mar. 2026 — 40+ yrs
- Driftwood Kitchen & The Deck — Sept. 2026 — 12+ yrs