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Best Restaurants for Creative Cuisine in Santa Ana

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237 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Chapter One: the modern local restaurant
1. Chapter One: the modern local
4.6
Exceptional(591)
Price: Moderate
• Gastro Pub • Santa Ana
Booked 7 times today
A staple of the Downtown Santa Ana bar and food scene, Chapter One has been serving up fresh and familiar house-made dishes and cocktails since 2011 with an eclectic vibe. Enjoy one of the best burgers in town next to a group of judges and lawyers from the Ronald Regan Federal Courthouse, or throw back some Old Fashions and Mezcal with local artist on DTSA's famous artwalks. Situated in an old book store, Bib-Gourmand recognized Chef Luis Perez now serves up his spin on the Chapter One menu. Always fresh and always made in house, down to even the ketchup and tortillas, no detail is overlooked. Happy Hour Monday through Friday, 3p - 6p. Live Jazz Band every Wednesday night. Live Music Friday and Saturday Night. Weekend Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10a-3p. Awesome rotating beer and wine list curated by Ryan Harding. He's cool.
A photo of Habana - Costa Mesa restaurant
2. Habana - Costa Mesa
4.7
Exceptional(2870)
Price: Expensive
• Cuban • Costa Mesa
Booked 69 times today
Habana in Costa Mesa is praised for its creative Cuban cuisine. Reviews highlight the unique flavors, excellent service, and lively atmosphere. One reviewer appreciated the 'flavors of the Cuban cuisine' while another enjoyed the 'diverse menu'. The 'attention to detail' in dishes like the 'Taste of Habana' and 'empanadas' further testifies to the creativity of Habana's culinary team.
A photo of Water Grill - South Coast Plaza restaurant
3. Water Grill - South Coast Plaza
4.8
Exceptional(8514)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Costa Mesa
Booked 165 times today
Water Grill - South Coast Plaza is all about creative cuisine, offering a superior dining experience for more than 30 years. They source their seafood from local fishermen, ensuring first-of-the-season freshness. The seafood arrives at the table in a matter of hours, making each dish a true testament to culinary artistry. As one reviewer noted, 'each dish was carefully crafted with an impeccable balance of taste and presentation'. The restaurant also offers a unique and contemporary vibe, making it a standout in the area.
A photo of Le Hut Dinette restaurant
4. Le Hut Dinette
4.7
Exceptional(10)
Price: Moderate
• American • Santa Ana
Booked 5 times today
Chili Fries & Fine Wines “Ma Vie Folle” New concept by @heritagebarbecue located in the historic French Park Santa Ana Ca.730 N Poinsettia Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
A photo of Mastro's Steakhouse - Costa Mesa restaurant
5. Mastro's Steakhouse - Costa Mesa
4.7
Exceptional(8357)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Costa Mesa
Booked 91 times today
Mastro's collection of sophisticated, classic Steakhouses and Ocean Club seafood locations are recognized for their combination of world-class service, highly acclaimed cuisine, and live entertainment in an elegant yet energetic atmosphere. A truly unparalleled dining experience.
A photo of AnQi restaurant
6. AnQi
4.5
Awesome(1961)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Costa Mesa
Booked 13 times today
AnQi Gourmet Bistro & Noodle Bar serves a unique twist on California Vietnamese Cuisine, with favorites like Filet Mignon Potstickers and Miso Black Cod, as well as items from their Award-Winning Molecular Menu.
A photo of Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar restaurant
7. Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar
4.5
Awesome(1126)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Orange
Booked 15 times today
Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar offers a creative cuisine experience with its constantly changing menu and variety of options. One reviewer mentioned the 'eclectic, changing, varied menu' that caters to every taste. Another praised the 'unique and delicious options' and the 'signature cocktails'. The quality and presentation of the food, along with the extensive drink selection, contribute to the creative dining experience.
A photo of Top of The V restaurant
8. Top of The V
4.4
Awesome(1005)
Price: Very Expensive
• Spanish • Anaheim
Booked 6 times today
Top of The V, 12th floor rooftop setting provides spectacular views where guests can enjoy SoCal’s year-round beautiful weather as well as features an exhibition kitchen, private dining room, pool and a stunning outdoor dining terrace with fire pits. We embrace culinary influences throughout Spain and love to introduce guests to new techniques and flavors. To accompany the menu is a Spanish-influenced beverage program and modern classics, resulting in an effortlessly cool craft cocktail bar. Our bar’s feature 20 taps that pour local craft beers from across California, and the wine list features bottles from Spain, California, Oregon and the Old World.
A photo of Il Girasole restaurant
9. Il Girasole
4.5
Awesome(93)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Costa Mesa
Booked 12 times today
Il Girasole, now open at SOCO & The OC Mix in Costa Mesa, CA, brings a refined, modern Italian dining experience to Orange County. Named after the Italian word for "sunflower," the restaurant embraces a family-owned ethos, with a menu inspired by classic Italian flavors elevated through fresh, high-quality ingredients. Enjoy a variety of beautifully crafted dishes, from handmade pastas and creative flatbreads to thoughtfully curated seafood and meat selections. Each dish is prepared with a focus on authenticity and quality, delivering a dining experience that balances traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine.Highlights from the menu include unique offerings like wild striped bass, duck, sea urchin risotto, and handmade pasta with truffle enhancements. Il Girasole has quickly become a must-visit destination for both Italian food aficionados and those seeking an elegant yet welcoming dining environment in Costa Mesa.
A photo of Christakis Greek Cuisine restaurant
10. Christakis Greek Cuisine
4.9
Exceptional(1420)
Price: Expensive
• Greek • Tustin
Booked 12 times today
Please contact the restaurant directly for parties of 6 or more.***** VOTED BEST GREEK RESTAURANT IN OC BY OC WEEKLY (2016)On April 1, 1996, Yanoula Christakis Wallace opened the doors of Christakis, a restaurant that represented her homeland and the passion she felt towards her culture. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch or celebrating a special event, Christakis Greek Cuisine is the place to enjoy traditional Greek dishes at a reasonable price. Since 1996, we’ve used only the finest and freshest ingredients to create traditional Greek cuisine. Today, the family at Christakis continues to bring the authentic spirit and warmth of Greece to Orange County.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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