New Restaurants in Orange County: 2026 Openings & Coming Soon
Orange County’s restaurant scene keeps changing, with new dining destinations opening from Anaheim and Irvine to Costa Mesa and the coast. This guide highlights notable new Orange County restaurants that opened in 2026, plus confirmed restaurants and cafés that are coming soon. We update it as new openings are announced and verified.
Check out our list of MICHELIN Restaurant Locations too!
Have fun exploring the OC's new restaurants this month. Be sure to tag us on Instagram (@enjoyorangecounty). We can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
New Orange County Restaurants - September 2026
Maleza - Costa Mesa
2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Maleza opened its first standalone restaurant at The CAMP in September 2026. The modern Mexican kitchen and mezcal bar is led by Executive Chef Marco Arreguin, with a menu built around masa, seasonal produce, larger-format proteins and Mexican-inspired desserts.
Mr. Moto Pizza - Irvine
5613 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92618
Mr. Moto Pizza opened its second Irvine location in September, taking over the former Brooklyn’s Finest Pizza space in Oak Creek Shopping Center. The San Diego-based pizzeria specializes in New York-style pies, slices, stuffed knots, wings, calzones and stromboli.
Levain Bakery - Newport Beach
Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Levain Bakery opened its first Orange County location at Fashion Island in September 2026. The New York bakery is known for its signature six-ounce cookies and also serves breads, pastries and coffee.
In-N-Out Burger – Irvine (The Canopy at Great Park)
7900 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618
In-N-Out Burger opened September 4, 2026 as the first restaurant at The Canopy at Great Park in Irvine. The new location includes dine-in seating and a drive-thru at Great Park Boulevard and Bosque. More Canopy tenants, including McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams and Baba’s Hot Chicken, are expected to open later.
Earlier 2026 Openings
Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby – Anaheim
1553 S Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802
Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby opened July 13, 2026 in the Downtown Disney District. The 1960s British-inspired gastropub is Ramsay’s first Orange County restaurant and his first on a Disney property, with a menu that includes beef Wellington, fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding.
Tiny’s Burger – Costa Mesa
3333 Bristol St #1000, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Tiny’s Burger opened June 15, 2026 at South Coast Plaza. Chef Sang Yoon’s fast-casual concept mixes an American burger stand with Japanese konbini-style snacks, including a dry-aged burger with gochujang and ssamjang, a Tokyo Dog and salt-and-vinegar tots.
La La Land Cafe – Newport Beach & Irvine
Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach; 756 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
La La Land Cafe opened its first Orange County location at Lido Marina Village in March 2026, then added Irvine Spectrum with a May 2 grand opening. The cafe is known for cloud-foam lattes, matcha drinks and toast.
Exit 8 Bodega – Costa Mesa
270 E 17th Street, Suite 12B, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Exit 8 Bodega opened in late July 2026 on East 17th Street next to ʻAi Pono Cafe. The Hawaiʻi-inspired concept from chef Gene Villiatora’s team serves poke, loaded bentos, breakfast sandwiches and island snacks in a grab-and-go format.
New Orange County Restaurants - August 2026
Telefèric Barcelona – Newport Beach
311 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Telefèric Barcelona opened August 20, 2026 as its first Orange County location at Fashion Island, taking over the former Hopdoddy Burger Bar space. The Spanish tapas restaurant serves paella, jamón and Catalan-inspired dishes, with an attached market shop for Spanish imports.
Pepper Lunch – Stanton
12885 Beach Blvd, Suite 7, Stanton, CA 90680
Pepper Lunch held its grand opening August 8, 2026 inside Rodeo 39 Public Market. The Japanese fast-casual concept is known for sizzling iron-plate dishes such as Beef Pepper Rice, mixed tableside by guests.
Last updated September 22, 2026. We focus this guide on notable recently opened Orange County restaurants and verify opening information against restaurant websites, public records and reliable local reporting.
Restaurants Opening Soon
These Orange County restaurants and cafés have been announced or are in active planning. Opening dates can change, so we’ll update this section as businesses confirm their timelines.
Cowboy by Nick’s - San Juan Capistrano
31896 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cowboy by Nick’s is scheduled to open at River Street Marketplace in fall 2026. The new Nick’s Restaurant concept is planned around fire-kissed steaks, cocktails and Western-inspired hospitality.
White Rooster - Corona del Mar
2931 East Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar, CA
Chef-owner Michael Campbell is planning a second White Rooster location in Corona del Mar, replacing the former Mayur Cuisine of India. The coastal California concept is influenced by Mexican flavors and centers its menu on smoke-kissed proteins, blue corn, salsas and citrus. An opening date has not yet been announced.
Wild Strawberry Café - Newport Beach
520 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA
Wild Strawberry Café is planning another Newport Beach location at 520 Newport Center Drive. County plan-review records identify the proposed location, but no public opening date has been announced.
Restaurant owners: Let us know if you're opening a location in Orange County or if you would like to feature a recipe on our site.
