Making a reservation for Father’s Day? Here’s our list of the best places to celebrate the holiday in Orange County.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon
June 14-16. Spoil Dad this Father’s Day with a surf-and-turf dinner all weekend long. Menu highlights include a grass-fed beef tenderloin from Tasmania’s Cape Grim and a lobster tail from South Africa served with California Delta asparagus, morel mushrooms and thumbelina carrots. Enjoy a whiskey flight featuring three 3/4-ounce pours—Hibiki Japanese Harmony, High West Bourye and E.H. Taylor Small Batch Straight Bourbon—for an additional $35. 5-10 p.m. $135. 1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim, 714.817.4200. theranch.com
Back Bay Bistro
June 16. Dine with Dad this Father’s Day at Back Bay Bistro at a grand buffet complete with live omelet and carving stations, fresh seafood, breakfast favorites and more. The hot-off-the-grill station features items such as salmon and baseball-cut top sirloin and accompaniments including Gorgonzola bacon, green peppercorn sauce and assorted mustards. Dads receive a complimentary bloody mary or draft beer. Seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. $68 adults, $28 children ages 12 and under. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com
Bad to the Bone
June 16. Leave manning the grill to Bad to the Bone BBQ this Father’s Day. Dad can feast on his choice among three Southern-inspired entrées:classic Cajun seafood gumbo ($14.99); half-rack baby back ribs and mesquite-grilled jumbo shrimp with a choice of two sides ($29.99); and pecan-smoked fried chicken with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, cole slaw and a buttermilk biscuit with honey butter ($16.99). 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 31738 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.218.0227. badtothebone-bbq.com
The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
June 16. Treat Dad to beachfront dining in the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District. He can start with a craft beer paired with beignets and continue with his choice of eight entrées including surf and turf, grilled steak and eggs, Maine lobster carbonara pasta, baby back ribs and apricot-glazed roasted chicken. Call for reservations. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. $48.95 adults, $16.95 children. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 949.376.6900. thebeachcombercafe.com
Brunos Italian Kitchen
June 16. Dad can enjoy an Italian dinner with popular dishes such as the pan-seared Angus rib-eye or Father’s Day specials including Brunos rib-eye, the steak marinated in garlic and rosemary, finished with a Barolo red wine sauce and served with speck tater tots, truffle fonduta and farmers-market vegetables. Sweeten the deal with a panna cotta dessert. 210 W. Birch St., Brea, 714.257.1000. brunosbrea.com
Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen
June 16. Start Dad’s morning right with a two-course brunch at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen. Nom on popular entrées such as the braised short rib chilaquiles with tortilla chips, guajillo, chorizo salsa, roasted mushrooms, sunny side eggs, crema fresca, cotija and radish; and huevos rancheros—two farm-fresh eggs layered atop corn tortillas and black beans with guajillo chili and tomatillo sauces. Brea: 10 a.m., Irvine: 11 a.m. Brea: $29, $39 including bottomless mimosas, Irvine: $24, $34 including bottomless mimosas. 110 W. Birch St. #7, Brea, 714.255.1040; 13126 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714.408.7819. chachaslatinkitchen.com
Coastal Kitchen
June 16. Celebrate Father’s Day in the Lantern District. Lunch and dinner menus are available with dishes such as the baby-back Danish barbecue ribs, jumbo lump crab cakes (pictured) and the Cuban sandwich made with slow-roasted pork shoulder and black forest ham. Start the meal with handcrafted cocktails including the restaurant’s signature bloody mary. Call to make a reservation or book through OpenTable. 34091 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.449.2822. coastalkitchendanapoint.com
Cultivation Kitchen
June 16. Raise your glass to Dad at Orange County’s newest fresh fast-casual eatery. Housed in a greenhouse, Cultivation serves organic and healthy options that dads with all diets can enjoy: meaty, vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free. Dads can pair their wholesome meal with one of the on-tap craft beers from Beachwood Brew, a glass of organic wine from biodynamic wineries, loose-leaf tea from Art of Tea or Bambucha Kombucha. 350 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.603.7076. cultivationkitchen.com
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
June 16. Come hungry and sail the night away aboard the 95-foot flagship, Dana Pride. During the two-hour long cruise, you and dad can enjoy a buffet barbecue dinner while listening to live classic rock and roll music. Call to make a reservation. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $59 adults, $29 children. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603. danawharf.com
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
June 16. Celebrate Dad with something you know he’s going to love—a steak dinner. Davio’s serves a variety of favorites ranging from a juicy center cut filet mignon, double-cut pork chop and prime aged ribeye, to braised beef short ribs and a prime aged New York Strip. If dad enjoys surf-n-turf options, he can pair his steak with seafood flavors including Maine lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and sea scallops. Lunch and dinner reservations are recommended, although walk-ins are welcome. Irvine Towers, 949.477.4810. davios.com
Eats Kitchen & Bar
June 16. Treat your dad to a family-style dinner of his favorite foods. Highlights include a whole rotisserie chicken, a prime flatiron steak with chimichurri sauce, shrimp cocktail, farmer’s market salad, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and three delectable desserts. Reservations required. Starts 5 p.m. $69. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. hotelirvine.com
Five Crowns
June 16. Step inside a charming replica of one of England’s oldest country inns for a Father’s Day prix fixe dinner. Savor special menus of seasonal favorites, Crown Classics and traditional accompaniments courtesy of executive chef Alejandra Padilla. 1-8 p.m. $28-$102. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949.760.0331. lawrysonline.com
Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen
June 16. Elevate dad’s morning with a delectable brunch at Marriott Irvine Spectrum’s farm-to-table restaurant. The brunch showcases locally-driven, hyper-seasonal dishes featuring a fresh ceviche bar, the popular farmhouse omelet, smoked brisket, a California cheese and charcuterie station, and more. There are plenty of options for the little ones, such as chicken tenders, beef sliders, waffles with wild berry compote and desserts. $59 adults, $19 children ages 12 and under. 7905 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.759.200. heirloomfarmhousekitchen.com
Hornblower Cruises & Events
June 16. Hornblower invites you to celebrate Father’s Day with a beer buffet brunch or buffet supper cruise around Newport Beach. Start your morning with a brunch that offers unlimited beer, mimosas and champagne, plus a buffet along with scenic coastal views and a souvenir pint glass for dad. Come in the evening to enjoy a buffet dinner while watching the sun set over the horizon. Boarding is half hour before cruise. Brunch cruises: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m.; supper cruise 6-9 p.m. Beer brunch $85, supper $102. Hornblower South, 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., #101, Newport Beach, 949.646.0155. hornblower.com
Las Brisas
June 16. The restaurant serves a prix fixe, four-course brunch and dinner. Brunch offerings include bottomless mimosas, lobster Benedict (plus $10), crab scramble, French toast and prime rib. Stay for dinner to enjoy dishes such as lobster tostadas, slow-roasted salmon, seared sea scallops and flourless chocolate cake. Brunch: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner: 3-10 p.m. Brunch: $75 with bottomless mimosas, dinner: $85. 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949.497.5434. lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
The Loft
June 16. Surprise dad at the Loft with a four-course scotch dinner featuring the Dalmore distilleries’ whiskies. Created by chef Joosung Lee, main courses include roasted squab accompanied by Dalmore Cigar Blend, roasted venison tenderloin with Dalmore 18 Year and chilled green apple risotto with caramel ice cream served accompanied by Dalmore 25 Year. Guiding guests through the whiskey tasting is Dalmore’s head of education, Craig Bridger. Reception 5:30 p.m., dinner 6 p.m. $135. Monage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6000. montagehotels.com
Oak Grill
June 16. Bring dad to the Fashion Island Hotel restaurant this Father’s Day, where chef Brittany Valles is serving up brunch favorites and dinner delights so dad can get his grub on. The breakfast special features steak and eggs made with two eggs any style served with a 10-ounce New York Strip topped with Bearnaise, served with hash browns. Dinner special includes a 10-ounce New York Strip topped with an 8-ounce lobster tail, served with sauteed spinach and a loaded baked potato with all the fixings. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com
Orange Hill
June 16. Dine with an incredible view of Orange County at the fine dining steak house for Father’s Day. Featuring carved waygu brisket and prime rib, barbecue grill station with ribs, burgers, and Trip Tip, Giant Hoagie, mac n’ cheese bar, a free beer for dad and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $80 adults, $35 children ages 6-12, free for kids ages 5 and under. 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, 714.997.2910. theorangehillrestaurant.com
The Queen Mary
June 16. Bring the entire family aboard the world famous Queen Mary and treat your pops to a great day. With an impressive history for tradition and excellence, enjoy signature menus offered in Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge, Chelsea Chowder House & Bar or truly indulge with the award-winning Royal Sunday Brunch. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $69 without champagne, $79 with champagne, $24 children ages 4-11. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com
Vue Restaurant
June 16. Celebrate Dad with an oceanview barbecue brunch buffet. Offerings include live chef’s omelette station, farm fresh scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, seasoned country breakfast potatoes with peppers and onions, hardwood smoked bacon, oven roasted chicken apple sausage, thick Texas cinnamon French toast and eggs Benedict with hollandaise. 10 a.m.-noon. $49 adults, $20 children ages 6-12, complimentary valet parking. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.487.7577. lagunacliffs.com
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
June 16. Treat Dad to a special dinner where he can indulge in the Winery’s award-winning contemporary California regional cuisine, courtesy of executive chef Yvon Goetz. Call to make reservations or book on OpenTable. Brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner at 4 p.m. 3131 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.999.6622; The District at Tustin Legacy, 2647 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.258.7600. thewineryrestaurants.com
Oak Grill Father’s Day photo courtesy Marguarite Clark Public Relations. Coastal Kitchen Father’s Day photo courtesy Ajenda PR. Hornblower Cruises & Events Father’s Day photo courtesy Hornblower Cruises & Events. The Queen Mary Father’s Day photo courtesy The ACE Agency.Â
