Restaurants in Irvine, CA

Given Irvine’s proximity to the Pacific, it’s no surprise that Irvine restaurants hew to the cuisines of Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, and other countries across the ocean. The ever-popular 85°C Bakery Cafe, for instance, infuses some Taiwanese flair into its fresh-made baked goods, which often sell out just moments after they’re removed from the oven. And at Urban Seoul, Korean classics combine with Latin American flavors for a menu stocked with bulgogi tacos and chorizo-kimchi fried rice. Of course, the area’s best restaurants aren’t constrained to Asian fare or even to Irvine itself. Nearby must-trys range from Fashion Island restaurants such as Great Maple to Laguna Beach restaurants like Nick’s Laguna Beach.