Ding Dong Dupes
You’ll find all kinds of wonderful baked confections in addition to delicious breakfast entrees, signature sandwiches and burgers, and hearty salads ($7.96 to $18.95) at Scratch Bakery Cafe’s two restaurants. But it’s the menu of Knock temptations ($5.50 to $9.95) that’ll steal your heart. From the outside, they look like an old-fashioned Ding Dong. Take a bite, however, and you’ll find exotic fillings like Dubai pistachio, pumpkin spice latte, or cocoa cream.
24321 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills; 561 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach
Whiskey Banana Milk Cocktail
From seafood to dim sum, there’s lots to love at the new Chinese Cantonese restaurant Palette at The Market Place in Tustin. But perhaps the most surprising hit on the menu is the Golden Oak cocktail ($18). Featuring whiskey, banana milk, cinnamon, demerara sugar, and oak bitters, the smooth and perfectly balanced drink simply steals the show.
3015 El Camino Real, Tustin
Grab-and-Go Mimosas
Tiny and quaint, Orange Inn Cafe has been serving Laguna Beach locals and visitors alike for 95 years. It’s a popular place to grab breakfast, a cup of coffee, a quick lunch, or a smoothie. It’s also a great place to order a mimosa.
The team squeezes a selection of fresh juices (including strawberry and mango; prices vary) daily, and you can order your mimosa to go.
703 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach
Credit: Shachi’s Spice Girl SaucesSaucy Sensations
For more than a decade, Chef Shachi Mehra has been delighting diners with her flavor-packed menu of Indian street food, favorites like the flavor bomb pani puri, plentiful kebabs, and comforting curries and biryani dishes. And now she’s bottling up the flavors of India in her line of Shachi’s Spice Girl Sauces. She’s got an original hot sauce as well as tikka masala, and tomatillo and tomato chutneys. All are great for drizzling over dishes, using in marinades, or simmering over the stove with your choice of protein. We love dipping naan, sliced chicken breast, or just about anything, in Shachi’s sweet-spicy-savory tomato chutney.
Skillet Bread
There’s a lot to like about the Desi-style cuisine at Mint. The food is as delicious as it is fragrant. But it’s the Bandar Bun ($12) that continues to linger in our memory. Don’t let the name fool you. There’s more than one bun to an order. Five rolls arrive in a cast-iron skillet still steaming hot. They’re rich and buttery, with a texture similar to a croissant but more substantial in density. The restaurant serves them with a sweet-and-savory mango-garlic chutney. They’re so good, you’ll want to order another serving to take home.
25381 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills
Credit: Dwight’s Beach ConcessionGenerational Snack Shack
Dwight’s Beach Concession originally opened in 1932 and had its grand reopening in the spring. Still owned by the original founding family, the Clapps, it’s home to “world famous” Cheese Strips ($9.95), tortilla chips smothered with shredded cheese and finished off with a side of sauce, which has made for the perfect beach snack for decades.
The stand also offers bike and boogie board rentals (starting at $15) and Surrey rentals (starting at $35), as well as merch for sale such as a Cheese Strip Crocheted Stuffie ($31.25), shirts, mugs, and more.
201 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach
Credit: Irvin RiveraInnovative Cocktails
Verde was on our Best New Restaurants list in 2025, and now we are celebrating the innovative cocktails at Bar Verde (downstairs from the restaurant).
Looking for something refreshing but with a twist? Then ask for the Really? Carrot? ($18) made from carrot-infused vodka, pineapple, dill, and lemon. Or ask for the off-menu Salty Dog ($17) made with gin, Campari, lime, grapefruit, and basil with a lavender salt rim.
Be sure to check out Bar Verde’s Instagram feed for the next House Music Night or Pasta Night.
2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa
Credit: Rise BagelsWinningest Bagel
We knew Chef John Park had cooked up something special with his new venture Rise Bagels, and it was only confirmed when the shop was awarded the title “Best of the West” at BagelFest West this past April.
All of Park’s bagel sandwiches are winners in our book (mainly because the bagels themselves are excellent), but be sure to try the Tokyo-style egg salad bagel ($14) and the fruit bagel with cookie butter schmear and strawberry ganache ($17), which also won the top prize in the Most Creative category.
2010 Main St., Irvine
Frozen Greek Yogurt
Treat yourself to soft serve Greek frozen yogurt from newly opened Go Greek.
With flavors ranging from Greek honey to chocolate, banana, plain tart, and more (prices vary), you’ll feel satisfied without the guilt as these desserts are packed with protein, probiotics, B12, and contain lower lactose, carbs, and sugar.
Top off your treat with a variety of options, including fresh berries, cacao nibs, chocolate chips, and gummy bears.
191 Riverside Ave., Newport Beach
Designer Coffee
Long lines were a given when Ralph’s Coffee opened at Fashion Island earlier this year. Originally launched in 2014 in New York, the Ralph Lauren cafe finally debuted on the West Coast in our own backyard, bringing with it a cool vintage look and iconic green branding.
Try signature blends like Ralph’s Roast as well as espresso drinks, and classic desserts such as chocolate chip cookies and soft serve.
401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach
Secret Pizzeria
For some two decades, Johnny’s Saloon has been pleasing regulars with its rock ‘n’ roll and punk vibe (think giant posters of The Ramones and Johnny Cash plastered to the walls), and selection of stiff cocktails like the Ron Burgundy ($15), made with Lagavulin 8-year Scotch, blended Scotch, lemon, and ginger.
But it’s also home to a “secret pizzeria” that tosses some of the best pies ($16 to $23 for a Schmedium or $27 to $34 for a Largish).
There’s the I Wanna Be Sedated (pepperoni, garlic dust, Italian sausage, bell pepper, Romano and ricotta cheeses, and Croatian olive oil), and Ring of Fire (jalapeño, pepperoncini, mushroom, and black olives).
Our favorite: Be A Lot Cooler If You Did, made with all-beef pepperoni, Italian sausage, black olives, and bell pepper.
17428 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach
Readers’ Choice: Favorite Craft Cocktail
- fermentasean — Nauti But Nice (@webbsgrainworks)
- staciecoleman — G3 (@glassspardanapoint)
- samamariearndt — Monkey Business (@trevorsatthetracks)
- noahpricolo — Midori Sour (@drinkbardega)
- joeydlt — East of Eden (@club.616)
- zonumad — Ahumado Old Fashioned (@xacalli_kitchen)
- dougbrandon73 — Tales from the Black Lagoon (@strongwateranaheim)
- jillianvanevery — Blossom Breeze (@mayfield.oc)
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