With the New Year just around the corner, you might wonder how to spend the holiday weekend with your family and friends. You may even be considering new things to try out in the New Year and get to know your local area better than ever. With that in mind, one fun way to spend an evening out is by trying out new restaurants and cuisines that perhaps you’ve never tried before. 

If you are an Orange County resident and are wondering what are the best places near you to check out, here is your list of restaurants to visit and celebrate the New Year. Whether you are looking for family-friendly dining, a romantic evening, or perhaps want to try something unique, our list has you covered.

Best Family-friendly Restaurants

#1 Angelo’s & Vinci’s

#2 The Beachcomber

#3 BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

#4 Bluewater Grill

Best Romantic Restaurants

#5 AnQi Bistro

#6 The Cellar

#7 Five Crowns

#8 A Restaurant

Best Unique Restaurants

#9 Nep Cafe by Kei Concepts

#10 Graceland

#11 Nok’s Kitchen

#12 The Lighthouse Cafe

Best Family-friendly Restaurants

#1 Angelo’s & Vinci’s

Originally built as a marketplace to house a host of Italian vendors and craftsmen, Angelo’s & Vinci’s offers a menu rich in Italian cuisine and culinary traditions. Between delicious pasta or tortellini made from fresh ingredients, there are many options on their menu to quench your desire for Italian cuisine. 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 4 – 8:30 pm, and 4 – 9 pm on Friday – Saturday

Location: 550 North Harbor Boulevard 

Recommended Dish: Spaghetti Marinara  

Website: Angelo’s & Vinci’s 

#2 The Beachcomber

If you’re looking for a fun place to dine with your family, the Beachcomber offers a unique atmosphere, great food, and a beautiful seaside view. Their menu has a variety of seafood dishes in addition to delicious roast chicken, prime filet mignon, and more. Alternatively, you can kick back and relax with a handcrafted cocktail or a mug of local craft beer! 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 7 am – 9 pm

Location: 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast  

Recommended Dish: Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs 

Website: The Beachcomber

#3 BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

With its origin as a pizza joint, BJ’s has since expanded to offer a curated lineup of staple American comfort foods and crafted beers that have earned them more than 220 awards. From delightful pasta dishes to yummy cheeseburgers and delicious pizza, everyone in the family can find something they enjoy. 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 11 am –  12 am (opens at 10 am on Sunday)

Location: 460 The City Drive South, Orange  

Recommended Dish: Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger 

Website: BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

#4 Bluewater Grill

Bluewater Grills offers excellent food in a casual, relaxed environment where you and your family can enjoy fresh fish, shrimp, shellfish, and more! If you’re looking for a fun place to celebrate the New Year and love seafood with a Spanish twist, this is the place to be. Don’t mind a draft beer to go with your food? You can head to Bluewater’s brewery for one of the finest High Spot Blonde, Pale Ale, and Amber Ale in Orange county. 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 11 am –  9 pm

Location: 630 Lido Park Drive, Newport Beach   

Recommended Dish: Beer Battered Fish & Chips

Website: Bluewater Grill

Best Romantic Restaurants

#5 AnQi Bistro

Established in 2009, AnQi’s Bistro brings you delicious gourmet recipes and noodle dishes that taste good and are great for your health. If you and your partner enjoy Asian cuisine, consider an evening at this restaurant to celebrate the New Year! 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 12 –  9 pm (closed between 4-5 pm every day)

Location: 3333 South Bristol Street, Costa Mesa   

Recommended Dish: AnQi Signature Sizzling Salt Block Prime Ribeye 

Website: AnQi Bistro

#6 The Cellar

Located inside the Villa del Sol, The Cellar is a 1920’s Spanish-style building that once hosted celebrities from all over the world, from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor. This fine dining experience is the perfect place for your New Year’s date night, where you can enjoy a delicious steak, pasta, and more. 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 4 –  10 pm

Location: 305 North Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton    

Recommended Dish: Classic Chateaubriand for Two  

Website: The Cellar

#7 Five Crowns

This romantic dinner destination offers a charming replica of one of England’s oldest country inns. At Five Crowns, you can experience excellent service and a cozy fireplace among authentic antiques and period paintings to give you a taste of life in England. Consider trying this restaurant with your partner for a quick trip to Corona del Mar landmark and some delicious food!

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 4:30 pm –  9 pm

Location: 3801 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar    

Recommended Dish: Filet Mignon 

Website: Five Crowns

#8 A Restaurant

Established in 2008, A Restaurant is led by Chef Robert Gomez, who has been in the culinary industry for over 20 years and creates new recipes with his team every day to delight their customers. From Angus Prime Short Ribs to Atlantic Lobster Tail, their picture-perfect food and appealing interior decor is a match made in heaven for a romantic night out! 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 5 –  10 pm, and until 11 pm on Friday – Saturday

Location: 3334 West Cost Highway, Newport Beach  

Recommended Dish: Filet Mignon 

Website: A Restaurant

Best Unique Restaurants

#9 Nep Cafe by Kei Concepts

If you want to try something unique, Nep Cafe specializes in serving brunch and coffee that pays homage to French cuisine mixed with Vietnamese culinary traditions. Whether you are looking for your next breakfast dining obsession or a place to meet up with a friend and grab a coffee, you will enjoy this Cafe from Kei Concepts. 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 9 am – 3 pm

Location: 108366 Warner Avenue, Fountain Valley 

Recommended Dish: Cajun Pork Jowl  

Website: Nep Cafe

#10 Graceland

Located at the heart of Huntington Beach, Graceland gives you a gorgeous ocean view with a backdrop of the famous Huntington Beach Pier. You can find staple comfort foods such as burgers, fish & chips, and more. For gorgeous views and delicious food, consider trying this place out next! 

Hours: Mon. – Thu. from 11:30 am – 12:00 am, Fri. from 11:30 am – 1 am, Sat. from 9:30 am – 1 am, and Sun. from 9:30 am – 12 am

Location: 155 5th Street, Suite 185, Huntington Beach 

Recommended Dish: Classic Burger  

Website: Graceland

#11 Nok’s Kitchen

If you are up for trying something new, Nok’s Kitchen serves Laotian cuisine in an authentic setting to bring guests joy through complex combinations of flavors sourced from local ingredients. Featured in major publications like the Register and New York Times, Nok’s Kitchen is the perfect place to tap into exotic cuisine and make long-lasting memories with your loved ones. 

Hours: Monday and Wednesday – Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm 

Location: 9378 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster 

Recommended Dish: Beef Noodle Soup  

Website: Nok’s Kitchen

# 12 The Lighthouse Cafe

For a gorgeous waterfront dining experience with great brunch or dinner, head over to Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, where you can find the Lighthouse Cafe. Whether you are looking for a classic American breakfast or juicy steaks and seafood delights, it won’t disappoint. 

Hours: Monday – Sunday from 8 am – 9 pm 

Location: 1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach  

Recommended Dish: Lighthouse Classic Burger   

Website: The Lighthouse Cafe

These are some of the best places around Orange County where you can try out new cuisines and experience fun dining experiences. If you are looking for ways to celebrate the New Year with your family and friends, consider visiting any of these locations for a fun time out!