The Best Restaurants in Laguna Beach for Views, Vibes & Good Food
Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
If there’s one place in Orange County that never gets old, it’s Laguna Beach. It feels like a vacation in your own backyard, and living fifteen minutes away, that’s something I don’t take for granted. People travel from all over the world for a weekend here, and Max and I get to drive down on a Tuesday morning just because we feel like it.
We’ve spent countless mornings, afternoons, and evenings in Laguna: the Saturday farmers market, golden-hour walks on the beach, and working our way through the dining scene one meal at a time. We were even legally married at Laguna Beach City Hall in 2025, ahead of our destination wedding in Italy, so this town holds a very special place in our hearts.
My Laguna Beach Favorites
Special Occasion
Broadway
Downtown Laguna
Best Sushi
Seabutter
dressed rolls
Sunset Views
Las Brisas
Above Main Beach
After the Farmers Market
Lumberyard
Forest Avenue
The best restaurants in Laguna Beach, California, from a local who eats here most weekends, are Broadway by Amar Santana for a special-occasion dinner, Seabutter Sushi for bold, dressed rolls, Oto Sushi for an upscale, sustainability-focused sushi night, Nick’s for macadamia-crusted halibut and butter cake, and Piatti for a cozy Italian night. For the view, book Las Brisas at sunset, and after the Saturday farmers market, it’s lunch at Lumberyard.
Planning the whole trip? My Laguna Beach travel guide has the beaches, hotels, and everything else.
Broadway by Amar Santana – Downtown
Broadway by Amar Santana is my favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach and one of my favorites in all of Orange County. Chef Amar Santana’s flagship earns its price completely: a special occasion, a celebration, or a date night when you want to do it right. The menu changes often with the seasons, so I’d check what’s on before you go rather than hunt for a specific dish. Whatever they’re serving, start with the cocktail and wine list while you settle in.
Best For: Date night, celebrations, special occasions
Las Brisas – Above Main Beach
Perched above Main Beach, Las Brisas is one of Laguna’s most iconic spots, and the view is the reason to go. Get a table right before sunset, order something from the sea (the menu is fresh seafood with a Mexican influence), and take in one of the most beautiful panoramas on the California coast. It works for lunch, brunch, or an early dinner.
Best For: Sunset drinks, ocean views, a classic Laguna experience
Lumberyard – Forest Avenue
Lumberyard is my pick for a relaxed, no-fuss meal in the heart of town. If you’re at the farmers market on Saturday, lunch here afterward is the perfect way to spend a weekend. The pub-style menu hits the spot, and the fish and chips are my go-to.
Best For: A casual lunch, post-farmers market Saturdays, laid-back pub food
Nick’s Laguna Beach – Downtown
Nick’s had been on my radar for a while, and it absolutely earned its spot. It’s a warm, welcoming neighborhood restaurant that works for a weeknight dinner or a slow weekend meal; you settle in, order something delicious, and never feel rushed. The macadamia nut-crusted halibut is the move, and if the butter cake is on the menu, do not skip it.
Best For: Dinner out, seafood lovers, a relaxed neighborhood feel
Oto Sushi – Laguna Beach
Oto Sushi is for the sushi lover who cares where the fish comes from. Everything is sourced from MSC-, ASC-, and BAP-certified fisheries and Seafood Watch-approved suppliers, so only fish rated green or yellow makes it to your plate (it’s a little confusing, but they’re happy to explain). It’s a thoughtful approach, and the quality shows. The room is sleek, and the whole experience feels intentional.
What to Order: Crispy garlic edamame · Vegetable tempura · The Apollo roll · Anything with hamachi, especially the yuzu-truffled hamachi
Best For: An upscale sushi night, sustainability-minded diners
Piatti – Laguna Beach
Piatti is a newer arrival we were so excited about. We’d fallen for the La Jolla location back when we lived in San Diego, so seeing it open here felt like a little win. It’s reliably good Italian with a warm, neighborhood-trattoria feel.
What to Order: Fritto misto · Spaghetti pomodoro or pappardelle pesto · A Piatti Spritz or a glass of wine
Best For: An Italian night out, dinner with friends, date night
Rasta Taco – South Laguna
Rasta Taco was a happy discovery one afternoon in South Laguna while we waited on our cat at the vet nearby. It’s casual and easy, perfect when you want something fresh and delicious without a reservation. I ordered the carne asada bowl and was genuinely impressed: generous, flavorful, exactly right for a laid-back lunch.
Best For: A casual lunch, a quick bite in South Laguna
Seabutter Sushi – Laguna Beach
Seabutter is one of my favorite sushi spots in all of Orange County, not just Laguna. If you love bold, dressed sushi with creative flavor combinations, this is your place. It’s relaxed and fun rather than formal, which makes it perfect for a casual night that still feels special.
What to Order: Garlic edamame, veggie tempura, and shishitos to start · The salmon truffle roll, one of my all-time favorites anywhere · Crunchy onion albacore · Kanpachi yuzu · Hamachi jalapeño
Seabutter or Oto? Choose Oto for a more upscale, design-forward evening with a sustainability focus. Choose Seabutter for incredible dressed rolls in a lively, relaxed room. You can’t go wrong; it just depends on the mood.
Seabutter’s salmon truffle roll is one of my all-time favorites, anywhere.
Lauren Belzer
Tango – Laguna Beach
Tango is a tapas spot best enjoyed at lunch or for drinks and small plates rather than a full dinner. The menu changes daily with what’s in season, so no two visits are the same. Pop in after a beach walk, order a few plates and something cold, and stay awhile.
Best For: Lunch, tapas and drinks, spontaneous stops after the beach
On My List for Next Time
Laguna has no shortage of places to eat, and this list will keep growing. A few I’m looking forward to:
Where to Stay Near the Best Restaurants
- Casa Loma Beach Hotel: Walk to Broadway, Nick’s, Las Brisas, and Lumberyard. Expedia · Booking.com
- Le Petit Pali Laguna Beach: South Laguna, near Rasta Taco and the Montage end of town. Expedia · Booking.com
- Montage Laguna Beach: For a splurge with its own restaurants on-site. Expedia · Booking.com
For all my picks, see the best boutique hotels in Laguna Beach, or browse Laguna Beach hotels on Booking.com. If you’d like a guide for your first afternoon, a walking food tour of Laguna Beach is a fun way to taste your way through town.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best restaurant in Laguna Beach?
Broadway by Amar Santana is my favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach for a special occasion. For sushi, Seabutter and Oto Sushi are both excellent, and Nick’s is a local favorite for seafood.
Where can you eat with an ocean view in Laguna Beach?
Las Brisas, perched above Main Beach, has one of the best views on the coast, especially at sunset.
Do you need reservations in Laguna Beach?
Yes for dinner at places like Broadway, Nick’s, and Las Brisas, especially on summer weekends. Casual spots like Rasta Taco and Lumberyard are easy walk-ins.
Laguna feeds us beautifully every time we come down the canyon, and I’ll keep adding to this list as we go. Fifteen minutes north, here are the best restaurants in Newport Beach, and for your morning coffee, the best coffee shops in Orange County.