Where to Eat in Orange County in 2020: A Map of the Best Places
Tuesday, October 20, 2020

(Orange County Register)
For the previous five years, this guide has served as an adventurous scavenger hunt, a bucket-list ranking of the 75 best places to eat in Orange County.
But 2020 changed the way we eat, so this year’s installment is a bit different. This moment calls for a more utilitarian approach.
I’ve spent much of the year ordering takeout, so I’ve dedicated a good chunk of this guide to the best of what I’ve discovered along the way, like the extraordinary crispy tacos and shrimp aguachile from Taco María in Costa Mesa. Or the exquisite curbside tasting menus from Marché Moderne in Crystal Cove. Or the truly peerless tom yum with freshwater prawns at Thai Avenue in Garden Grove. But also a wide range of kabobs, dumplings, ramen, pizza and so much more.
If there’s been a silver lining to this strange and difficult year, I am thrilled to have so many new options for dining outdoors. Patios have sprung up in parking lots, hidden backyards, neighboring courtyards and on sidewalks throughout the county, many of them surprisingly charming. Date night awaits.
There are 80 restaurants in this year’s guide. These are by no means the only good places to eat in Orange County, but they are my favorites for this moment.
Best Places to Eat in Orange County in 2020
Top 5 hot new restaurants (Oct. 6)
- 5 takeout splurges when you want to celebrate (Oct. 7)
- Top 5 Italian restaurants (Oct. 8)
- 10 options for family-style takeout (Oct. 9)
- Top 5 pizzas (Oct. 10)
- Top 10 Chinese restaurants (Oct. 11)
- 20 great patios to have date night al fresco (Oct. 12)
- Top 10 Japanese ramen (Oct. 13)
- Top 5 Thai restaurants (Oct. 14)
- 5 picks for late-night takeout (Oct. 15)
- Restaurant of the year (Oct. 16)
Category: Business News, Travel and Tourism, Destination Irvine