Looking for restaurants to dine at on Mother’s Day? See our list of 20+ places to celebrate Mother’s Day in Orange County.
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails
May 11-12. Book a table on the rooftop terrace of Andrei’s for bottomless mimosas and a three-course prix-fixe brunch menu. Brunch highlights include salmon breakfast toast, Dungeness crab Benedict and piña colada carrot cake. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $49 adults, $15 bottomless mimosa cart, $15 children ages 12 and under. 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887. andreisrestaurant.com
21 Oceanfront
May 12. Take your mom to a three-course brunch with sweeping ocean views this Mother’s Day. Starter choices include an acai bowl, avocado toast, bacon-wrapped shrimp polenta, Caesar salad and lobster bisque. Main course options include King crab eggs Benedict, strawberry mascarpone French toast, dry-aged rib eye steak and eggs, crab-stuffed salmon Oscar and seafood Louie salad. End your repast with a banana bread pudding, vanilla bean gelato or chocolate covered strawberries. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $79 adults, $25 children ages 5-10. 2100 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach, 949.673.2100. 21oceanfront.com
Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana
May 12. Toast to mom with specialty craft cocktails for Mother’s Day and with Angelina’s a la carte brunch menu. Brunch highlights include Benedettina made with poached eggs, smoked salmon, avocado, Bearnaise sauce and toasted bread; Cappellaci di Mais e Granchio featuring round ravioli stuffed with yellow sweet corn, Dungeness crab meat and sea scallops, all served over a purée of yellow corn and pea shoots; Tonne e Caponata featuring ahi tuna steak served over Sicilian caponata, roasted potatoes and balsamic reduction; and Neapolitan-style fritters with chocolate dipping sauce called Bombolini. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Los Olivos Marketplace, 8573 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.536.5200. angelinaspizzeria.com
AVEO Table + Bar
May 12. Indulge in a signature Mediterranean buffet brunch that includes a seafood bar, omelet station, made-to-order pasta, a carvery and more—all set to the background of relaxing jazz music. While enjoying your meal, sip on your choice of a free-flowing beverage with options such as Spanish cava, bellinis and mimosas, plus mocktails for the kids. Moms will receive a petite box of specialty French macarons to take home. Reservations required. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $165 adults, $69 children ages 5-12, free for kids under 5. Monarch Beach Resort, One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3423. monarchbeachresort.com
The Backyard
May 12. Treat the leading lady in your life to a sun-filled outdoor affair this year. Bring her to Hotel Irvine’s The Backyard for a garden party complete with music, a farmer’s market-inspired brunch menu featuring breakfast favorites, bottomless “mom”-osas, a game room and crafts for the kids, a petting zoo and plenty of room for the perfect family photo at the colorful flower wall. Tulips for creating your bouquet will also be available for purchase. Seatings at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $75 adults; $35 children ages 5-12; free for kids under 5. 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. hotelirvine.com
Back Bay Bistro
May 12. Back Bay Bistro welcomes guests to celebrate Mother’s Day with a brunch buffet, bottomless mimosas and an unforgettable waterfront atmosphere. Indulge in signature breakfast dishes like pancakes with fresh berries and Back Bay Bistro seafood specialties highlighting chilled King crab legs and oysters in a half shell. Go back for seconds with live food stations such as cooked-to-order omelets, hot-off-the-skillet favorites including breakfast potatoes and smoked bacon, and a dessert display featuring a chocolate fountain. Seatings: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. $80 adults (includes bottomless champagne and mimosas), $35 children 10 and under. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com
Balboa Bay Resort
May 12. A traditional brunch buffet held at the resort’s Grand Ballroom. Enjoy all 11 brunch stations including breakfast classics such as pancakes, carving and poke stations, a kid’s corner and dessert station created by pastry chef Saree Musick and her team. Sparkling wine and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Reservations are encouraged. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $90 adults, $45 children ages 12 and under. 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.645.5000. balboabayresort.com
Bistango
May 12. Elevate mom’s morning with a three-course prix-fixe menu prepared by chef Javier Montoya. Menu highlights include exotic mushrooms consomme, pan-roasted New Zealand lamb chops and warm caramelized apple tart. Listen to live music during dinner service. A two-course kids’ menu is available as well. Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner: 5-9 p.m. 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.752.5222. bistango.com
Coastal Kitchen
May 12. Bring mom to the heart of the Lantern District to experience California cuisine at its finest. Mom can choose between the signature lunch or dinner menu and enjoy dishes such as a jumbo lump crab cakes and cioppono with scallops, shrimp, lump crab, manila clams, PEI mussels and grilled ciabatta. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 34091 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949.449.2822. coastalkitchendanapoint.com
Cultivation Kitchen
May 12. Housed in a bright greenhouse, guests can fuel their day by enjoying select entrees prepared with picked-with-a-purpose ingredients such as blood orange ricotta pancakes, brioche-stuffed French toast, avocado toast and a breakfast sandwich. Specialty cocktails can also be ordered outside of the prix fixe menu, which includes bloody mary, house mimosa and probiotic mimosas. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 350 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. cultivationkitchen.com
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
May 12. Express your gratitude to the woman who does it all. In addition to the dinner menu, Davio’s is offering a selection of Mother’s Day specials. Executive chef Istvan Toth has created specials with mom in mind including pan-seared wild salmon with red quinoa, shaved summer squash, green zucchini, roasted tomato vinaigrette ($27), all natural Brandt beef slow roasted ribeye ($44) and strawberry shortcake ($15). Reservations are recommended. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.477.4810. davios.com
Fashion Island Hotel
May 12. Elevate Mother’s Day with a garden party brunch and family fun in the hotel’s ballroom. Enjoy live music, bouquet-making and a kids’ activity station, plus a flower wall with a photographer standing by ready to capture the moment. Breakfast highlights include California artisan cheeses and charcuterie, classic ahi Niçoise, assorted authentic Chinese dumplings and vegetable chow mein. Main attractions to brighten the day are ribeye with chimichurri, herb-roasted chicken and cedar-planked salmon. Satisfy your sweet tooth with crème brûlée s’mores, pineapple upside down cake, raspberry French macarons, strawberry cheesecake, tiramisu and more. Seatings: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. $90 adults; $20 children ages 5-12; free for children 4 and under. 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4913. fashionislandhotel.com
Five Crowns
May 12. Treat the special women in your life to an incredible meal fit for a queen this Mother’s Day for brunch or dinner. Both the brunch and dinner menus highlight succulent starters such as mushroom soup with Devonshire cream and scallions and the little gem Caesar. Choose from mouthwatering mains featuring crab Benedict with homemade béarnaise sauce and truffle potatoes on the brunch menu, as well as Colorado lamb chops with Stilton mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach on the dinner menu. Indulge in delightful dessert options including lemon poppy seed beignets and strawberry shortcake with Bavarian cream and Harrie’s berries. Brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner 4-8 p.m. Brunch: $28-$102, dinner: $38-$102. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.760.0331. lawrysonline.com
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
May 12. Make Mother’s Day a memorable one with a brunch buffet at Hyatt Regency. Start with charcuterie boards of cured and smoked meats with artisanal cheese, and then work your way through the seafood buffet with halibut ceviche and freshly-shucked oysters. Munch on pastries, enjoy SoCal-inspired pasta dishes or indulge in prime rib carved from the butcher’s block. Top it off with dessert and a champagne toast to mom. Call for reservations. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $110 adults; $85 seniors 65 and over; $45 children 5-12; free for kids 4 and under. 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.845.4627. huntingtonbeach.regency.hyatt.com
The Loft
May 12. Perched over the Pacific, make Mother’s Day extra special with chef Benjamin Martinek’s four-course brunch tasting menu. It starts with either tropical fruit parfait, French toast bites with huckleberry compote or avocado toast with hard-cooked egg. Next, there’s a choice of Kenter Canyon Farms organic mixed greens, seafood cocktail or baked brie and cherries. Entrée selections are the Loft omelet, buttermilk chicken and waffle, quiche Lorraine or short rib and eggs with Hook’s aged cheddar grits. For dessert, buttermilk pannacotta with strawberries or Ecuadorian dark chocolate tart with apricots and marzipan ice cream. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $130 adults, $45 children ages 4-12, free for kids under four. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com
Montage Masterpiece Celebration
May 12. Mothers, their families and lucky friends will find everything they are craving at this Mother’s Day celebration that includes live musical entertainment, complimentary photographs and a champagne toast. Expect made-to-order omelets, lemon ricotta pancakes, French toast, smoked Santa Barbara salmon, local rockfish ceviche, antipasto selections, a carving station and a sushi station. Chef Lee Smith wows with his dessert display. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $175 adults, $55 children 4-12, free for kids under four. 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com
Oak Grill
May 12. Treat the leading lady in your life to brunch on Oak Grill’s sun-filled outdoor deck. Chef Peter is doing all of the heavy lifting serving up a brunch for the whole family to enjoy including live-action stations, made-to-order specialties and desserts prepared by pastry chef Andy de la Cruz. Top off the morning with bottomless mimosas, bloody mary and margarita bar. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $109 adults; $29 children ages 5-12; free for children 4 and under. Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com
The Ranch Restaurant
May 12. Elevate mom’s morning with interpretations of American cuisine in a special four-course plated brunch along with an extensive list of exclusive wine and whiskey. Crafted by executive chef Michael Rossi and pastry chef Dave Rossi, the menu showcases dishes such as di steffano burrata, hot smoked ora king salmon tartine, duck confit ravioli, slow poached farm eggs, Baja striped bass, peach crostata and República del Cacao flourless chocolate cake. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $85. 1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim, 714.817.4200. theranch.com
Sapphire Laguna
May 12. Spoil mom with a three-course in morning al fresco for brunch or for dinner watching the sun go down. Brunch menu items include house-smoked salmon omelet, white peach French toast, lamb schnitzel & frisée salad and triple chocolate icebox cake. For dinner, menu highlights feature crispy skin pork belly with French lentil, mirepoix garnish and kumquat; ginger-steamed steelhead salmon with Manila clams, shiitake mushrooms and soft tofu in Shiro miso broth; and Punjabi egg curry. Brunch 9 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner starting at 5 p.m. Brunch $88 per person, dinner $94 per person. 1200 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.9888. sapphirelaguna.com
Studio in Montage Laguna Beach
May 12. Perched over the Pacific, make Mother’s Day extra special with chef Benjamin Martinek’s four-course brunch tasting menu at Studio. First-course choices include hamachi crudo, marinated baby tomato salad and Dutch white asparagus and Lady Edison country ham. The second course offers savory spinach frittata, smoked red abalone or Dungeness crab potato hash. The third-course options are Alaskan halibut en croûte, Mary’s Farm organic chicken ballotine or roasted filet of beef. For dessert, enjoy caramel flan or raspberry pavlova. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $160 adults, $60 children ages 4-12, free for kids under four. 30801 Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com
Waterline
May 12. Enjoy a three-course plated brunch curated by newly appointed executive chef Vic Casanova and the culinary team. Menu items include Greek yogurt parfait, raspberry-ricotta pancakes, Ora King salmon and a selection of delicious desserts. Pre-reservations are encouraged. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $80 adults, $40 children ages 12 and under. Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.645.5000. balboabayresort.com
Photo credits: Five Crowns Mother’s Day photo by Anne Watson. Back Bay Bistro Mother’s Day photo courtesy The ACE Agency. Fashion Island Hotel photo courtesy Marguarite Clark PR. The RANCH Restaurant Mother’s Day photo courtesy The Ranch.
