Aliso Viejo may be Orange County’s most master-planned community—and unofficially, its most underrated dining destination. You’ll find sizzling fajitas, authentic sushi, and farm-to-table bistros tucked between rolling hills and shopping centers. Next time you’re hungry in South County, let this guide point you toward the plates worth planning around.
Thai Bite Thai Cuisine
$ | (949) 643-0627 | WEBSITE
Opened before Aliso Viejo’s dining scene really took off (in the early 2000s, for those keeping track), Thai Bite Thai Cuisine is a Thai staple with a loyal fan base that spans years. It’s also one of the coolest spots on this guide. The TV casts a soft glow throughout the clean space, and the restaurant, including the booth seating areas, is regularly filled with diners enjoying vegetable stir-fries and pad Thai.
All of the gluten-free dishes like the curry are solid choices, so bring a bunch of vegetarian and meat-loving friends without issue. The red curry is hearty and deeply flavorful, and the pad Thai with its well-balanced sauce is the best in town.
Eureka! Aliso Viejo
$$ | (949) 323-8650 | WEBSITE
Even if you don’t drink whiskey or care about it at all, Eureka! Aliso Viejo is worth knowing. This restaurant happens to serve burgers that could satisfy you for the greater part of a day. Get familiar with the Bone Marrow burger, a patty overflowing with rich marrow butter and enough toppings to constitute as a proper meal.
It’s substantial enough to split between two people, and you should enjoy it from a booth seat if the lighting is right—or just head down to the bar area for a casual meal with friends.
Starbucks
$ | (949) 362-1415 | WEBSITE
This vibrant cafe in Aliso Viejo is a trusty steed. We rely on them for a wide range of delectable beverages that are more functional and reliable in comparison to what you’ll find around town. Check out the cozy and bright setting: The ham and Swiss sandwich and the popular Pink Drink made with regular milk will beckon, tempting you to try one of everything.
This place doubles as a perfect spot to catch up on work, so never fight the urge for a taste of whatever relaxing atmosphere is available for the day.
Luna Grill Aliso Viejo
$$ | (949) 305-1699 | WEBSITE
Luna Grill fills the niche of that requisite neighborhood spot for a quick and satisfying meal. The counter-service location is where to go on busy afternoons that call for fresh kebabs, flavorful bowls, and family plates with perfectly grilled salmon or koobideh. Even on the most hectic days, you’ll see regulars, families, and office workers devouring all things fresh and tasty from inside the clean, bright space, or taking their orders to go.
Join them—and always snag a side of that standout hummus for the road.
Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara
$ | (949) 446-9711 | WEBSITE
Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara is the best birria spot east of the 5 Freeway. They’ve got three excellent options, each with rich flavors like the tender birria or the savory carne asada. Every taco is packed with fresh cilantro, onion, and lime, all on tortillas that are crispy and charred on the outside while being delightfully soft on the inside. The tacos are definitely the easiest lunch option, but the hearty birria burrito with consome also makes a great refueling meal.
Trattoria Trullo
$$ | (949) 446-9715 | WEBSITE
Any time you’re craving Italian and in Aliso Viejo, odds are high you’ll end up at Trattoria Trullo. The sit-down trattoria is the go-to spot for authentic Italian fare and is always bustling with families celebrating milestones or couples enjoying a cozy dinner. There’s way more ambiance inside than out, just a warm, inviting space where you’ll settle into a wooden chair with your plate of pasta or roast chicken.
Go with the homemade Focaccia with Ricotta spread, and savor it along with some of the best service in town.
Stadium Brew Co.
$$ | (949) 448-9611 | WEBSITE
There’s no shortage of excellent casual bars in Aliso Viejo, especially around the Town Center. Stadium Brew Co. is one of the best options for lively gatherings, like crispy wings with various sauce choices, pretzel bites with cheese and mustard, and meals for picky eaters.
The walk-in-only spot is built for fun weekend outings that’ll end with leftovers for tomorrow’s game day, since portions are generous and everything on the menu is under $18 (if you want a brewery that takes reservations, check out the fancier places nearby). And a visit here isn’t complete until you get a round of their own amazing brews for the table.
Lupes Mexican Eatery
$ | (949) 328-9099 | WEBSITE
Lupes Mexican Eatery is a Mexican spot that feels more like a backyard fiesta. It’s bright, lively, with a soundtrack of sizzling skillets and upbeat mariachi tunes. The breakfast burrito is the move, made with so much care that a dollop of extra salsa would throw things off. Expect homemade habanero salsa with serious kick, and some burritos with chorizo and avocado. Consider this place the neighborhood’s best spot to fuel up by yourself, or with someone who doesn’t mind sharing chips.
For a more formal (and pricier) experience, try Chelas nearby.
Cafe Aliso
$ | (949) 588-6934 | WEBSITE
Cafe Aliso is tucked into a corporate plaza, but unlike most dreary office lunch spots, what comes out of this deli is actually pretty satisfying. It’s open for lunch hours on weekdays, and midday is when you should come here—both because that’s when the corporate crowd fills the place with energy and the straightforward American deli fare they serve is reliable and perfect when you need a quick break from work.
We like the generous turkey sandwich on fresh bread, the BBQ beef on a French roll, and the Korean food specials they rotate through most days.
Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican
$ | (888) 660-1643 | WEBSITE
A fresh modern Mexican spot in Aliso Viejo just makes sense. The counter serves a consistent lineup with options like the popular salad with black beans, rice, cheese, and more, and the beloved burrito. All of them work especially well as satisfying meals that leave you excited to return. Be sure to look beyond the mainstays to give the vegetarian options their due—the fresh and tasty choices are excellent, though limited for pure vegetable meals.
The generous portions of guacamole that come with the salad add to the enjoyment.
Urbane Cafe
$ | (949) 407-5154 | WEBSITE
As the name suggests, Urbane Cafe offers a genuinely welcoming atmosphere with comfortable seating and quick service, where orders are taken efficiently and food arrives within 10 minutes. The menu focuses on healthy options, including standout vegetarian choices like the portobello sandwich and tofu bahn mi, and they thoughtfully offer gluten-free bread for sandwiches. You’ll find organic selections for a more sustainable meal, and the take-out packaging is notably clean.
While the staff aims for a memorable experience, a warmer greeting would elevate service. Must-tries include the soft gluten-free flatbread and the fresh, flavorful salmon salad. With a variety of vegetarian options and the flexibility to make items vegetarian by excluding protein, you could eat here regularly without repetition.
Fill your order with these delicious, filling picks, and though parking can be hectic due to nearby shops, the cafe is clean, well-maintained, and organized—perfect for a quick, satisfying meal in the area.
Porky’s Pizza Aliso Viejo
$ | (949) 916-5000 | WEBSITE
You’ll spot the crowd outside Porky’s from a block away. This pizza joint has been Aliso Viejo’s go-to destination for years and shows no signs of slowing down. This is an efficient, casual operation, so prepare to sit down, finish off your huge slice, and leave satisfied. Going with any of the pizzas on the menu is a good move, but the chicken wings are also well worth your attention.
Tony Pepperoni Pizzeria
$ | (949) 349-9000 | WEBSITE
Excellent thin-crust pizzas with crispy, flavorful bases are the star at this casual neighborhood spot. You have a bunch of different pizzas to choose from, like the classic pepperoni, the loaded works, and the signature “the show” variety. They also make a very tasty gluten-free crust, which pairs perfectly with a drizzle of ranch or a side of their draft beers. Add in some soda and games and you have yourself the perfect, low-key night with family or friends.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
$ | (949) 362-0623 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you just need to tear your eyes away from a screen, get out of the house late at night, and satisfy a sweet craving. Beeline to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in Aliso Viejo. The casual spot has a menu made up of about 75% blizzards, all topped with whipped cream, like the limited edition Christmas Oreo hot cocoa or the one with Heath bar.
The medium dipped cones are the pinnacle of creaminess, and you’ll finish off the order in less time than it takes to find a parking spot in the drive-thru.
Aliso Viejo Commerce Center
$$ | WEBSITE
The breakfast burrito from Aliso Coffee and Doughnuts needs no introduction. Here’s one anyway: if there were a morning meal Olympics, this one would take home the gold. It’s a generous wrap of perfectly scrambled eggs, savory sausage, melted cheese, and fresh vegetables that really makes this handheld delight shine.
The family-friendly spot (there’s also a pizza place and sushi restaurant in the center) also does classic breakfast offerings, including croissants, fresh orange juice, and a fantastic sausage croissant.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
$ | (949) 448-0241 | WEBSITE
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers feels like the inside of a fast-food haven, and we appreciate the commitment to the chicken-finger theme. This American spot does both lunch and dinner, but we like it best during the day—the bright lighting and simple layout keep things efficient while you devour a crispy chicken finger or tangy-sweet Cane’s Sauce. This is also a great place to come with your appetite, since there’s tons of outdoor seating (plus quick service for you and your hungry friends, too).
OPAH Seafood Grill
$$ | (949) 360-8822 | WEBSITE
Seafood lovers are incredibly fortunate to have OPAH Seafood Grill. It’s among the top seafood spots in Aliso Viejo, and the quality ensures repeat visits. Follow the regulars when you order: Chilean sea bass that makes a side of risotto vanish, tender scallops over creamy risotto, and complimentary bread that all but ensures you’ll forget to pace yourself before the rest of the meal arrives. Best of all, you can usually walk right in.
