We’re keeping things close to home for today’s travel post and sharing all of our local Orange County favorites! From the best places to shop in Orange County to the coffee shops and lunch spots we frequent, we’re sharing all of our local recommendations. If you’re local too, let us know if we missed any of your go-tos! If you’re planning a visit soon, we hope this Orange County travel guide helps you plan a few spots while you’re in the area. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Where To Eat Breakfast In Orange County
Haute Cakes Caffe / Link
You’ll often find us here for breakfast or lunch! Pro tip: Don’t leave without trying one of their brown butter cookies!
Outpost Kitchen / Link
With a couple of locations in Orange County, Outpost Kitchen is one of our go-to breakfast (and lunch!) spots! They have great bowls, salads, and smoothies that are perfect for a quick and healthy meal.
Sidecar Doughnuts / Link
You’ll often find a box of Sidecar Doughnuts in our design studio… They’re just that good! They’re freshly made every day and they’re always rotating in new flavors, so we always have an excuse to stop by.
Zinc Cafe / Link
You’ve heard us talk about Zinc before in our Laguna Beach travel guide! They have great breakfast and lunch options, as well as the best iced tea in OC.
Rye Goods / Link
You’ve probably heard us talk about Rye Goods before – It’s one of our team’s favorite haunts! They have the best fresh pastries + a variety of loaves you can take home to enjoy later.
C’est Si Bon / Link
C’est Si Bon in Newport Beach has some of the best pastries around. Their fresh chocolate croissants make the perfect weekend treat!
Where to Eat Lunch In Orange County
ARC Butcher & Baker / Link
ARC is one of our go-to lunch spots in Newport Beach! We love the chopped salad and (of course) the fries!
A Market / Link
A Market is a gourmet deli and grocery spot in Newport Beach. They serve up breakfast and lunch daily – We love their sandwiches!
Bear Flag Fish Co. / Link
We don’t want to oversimplify, but Bear Flag is simply the best poké in Orange County! We’ll either order a bowl, tacos, or just get a portion of poké to eat with chips. Pro tip: Get the guac, too!
Sessions West Coast Deli / Link
If you’re in the mood for just good quality comfort food, Sessions is a great stop! They have a few locations around Orange County, so there’s always a convenient spot nearby.
Green Cheek Beer / Link
For a good burger and beer afternoon, look no further! Green Cheek has a great selection of beer (and in-house seltzers!) on tap, and their burgers are *chef’s kiss*.
The Butchery / Link
The Butchery has a few locations around Southern California, but the Costa Mesa location is right around the corner from our showroom! We often head here for lunch and to pick up meats to cook at home throughout the week.
Fork & Knife / Link
For seasonally-inspired salads, sandwiches, and small plates, Fork & Knife is a great lunch stop! They also have grab-and-go options if you’re on a tight schedule.
Flower Child / Link
When we’re in search of something healthy, Flower Child is always at the top of our list! The Glow Bowl and Forbidden Rice are definitely worth trying.
Fermentation Farm / Link
Fermentation Farm specializes in… The art of fermentation! From pickles and kimchi to sourdough starter, they have everything you could possibly need when it comes to fermented foods. They also have a delicious lunch menu!
Where to Eat Dinner In Orange County
2145 Eats / Link
We’ll never say no to pizza for dinner, and 2145 Eats makes some of the best in town!
Fable & Spirit / Link
Fable & Spirit is an elevated spot in the Lido area of Newport Beach, and their menu is full of fun (and delicious!) surprises. It’s the perfect date night spot!
Trenta Pizza & Cucina / Link
We consider ourselves quite lucky that our neighbors have an amazing pizza and pasta menu + wine list to match! You’ll often find us here after work loading up on all of our faves.
Vaca / Link
For authentic Spanish tapas and paella, Vaca fits the bill perfectly! Another great dinner date night spot in Orange County.
Gracias Madre / Link
Vegetarian dishes and top-tier margaritas take center stage at this chic and Instagrammable dinner restaurant in Newport Beach!
CdM Restaurant / Link
We can’t say enough good things about CdM Restaurant in Corona del Mar! Their cocktails are everything, and everything we’ve tried on their menu is delicious (and we’ve tried a lot)!
Gulfstream / Link
Across the street from CdM, Gulfstream serves up a solid seafood menu in an oversized and modern marine-inspired space.
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens / Link
Roger’s Gardens is one of our favorite home and garden shops in Orange County, and their Farmhouse Restaurant is an amazing dining experience. It’s the perfect place for special occasions!
Playa Mesa / Link
Classic Mexican food inside colorful digs make Playa Mesa one of our go-to casual dinner spots in Orange County!
Nobu / Link
Another location to the famous Nobu in Malibu, this Newport Beach restaurant is known for top-tier sushi. The yellowtail is a must!
Coffee Shops, Bakeries, & Wine Shops in Orange County
Neat Coffee / Link
We love stopping by Neat for a morning cup of coffee or staying around and working from their back patio when we need a change of scenery. They also have delicious breakfast options if you want a bite to eat while you’re there!
KIT / Link
KIT is one of our favorite spots for a mid-morning pick-me-up! We love their lattes with almond milk.
Daydream Surf Shop / Link
This surf-meets-coffee-shop is a trendsetter’s dream. Browse the unique wares while you wait for your afternoon brew!
Semi Tropic Wines / Link
If you’re looking for a cute (and Instagrammable) spot to spend an afternoon, look no further! Semi Tropic Wines has a great selection of natural and organic wines, and we always love trying the bartender’s recommendations while we’re there!
Blackmarket Bakery / Link
This bakery is located in The Camp, which is a cool spot to hang out on its own. Some of the best cookies in OC make this place one of our favorite haunts!
Paderia / Link
If you’re an avid reader of our MGD travel guides, you know that if there is a bakery we will find it! Paderia Bakehouse in Irvine is worth a stop if you love baked goods as much as we do!
Work In Progress / Link
Work In Progress (or WIP for short) is another one of our go-to coffee shops in Orange County. They also serve amazing breakfast bites if you’re in need of a quick meal!
Where To Shop In Orange County
Mindy Gayer Design Co. Showroom / Link
We’d be remiss to leave ourselves off this Orange County travel guide! If you’re in the area, we’d love for you to stop by our showroom in Costa Mesa to shop all of our favorite homeware finds.
Shoppe Amber Interiors / Link
We can always count on finding unique pieces and one-of-a-kind decor items at the Shoppe Amber Interiors location in Lido Village!
Serena & Lily / Link
It’s no secret that we’re big Serena & Lily fans and we use their pieces often in our projects! Head to their Lido Village shop to be inspired by all of their coastal-inspired designs.
Molly Wood Garden Design / Link
For outdoor decor, planters, and gifts for the green thumb in your life, Molly Wood is a must shop in Orange County! You’re bound to leave with at least one new plant for your space.
House of Morrison / Link
This quaint interior design shop in Costa Mesa is another spot we frequent when we’re looking for unique furniture and decor pieces!
SOCO & The OC Mix / Link
This curated selection of stores is home to some of our favorite places to shop. We often source here for our projects! Bonus – They also have great restaurants, so you don’t ever have to leave.
The Picnic Collective / Link
Head to The Picnic Collective’s cute shoppe for all of the tableware and decor essentials you need to recreate their dreamy beach picnics on. your own!
We hope you enjoyed our Orange County travel guide as much as we enjoyed putting it together! If you’re local, refer back to this list whenever you need a new spot for lunch or shop to stop by in Orange County. If you’re just visiting, we know you’ll love working your way through this list on your trip. For more Orange County travel content, don’t miss our Laguna Beach travel guide. We also have a plethora of guides waiting to be explored in the travel section of our blog.
Thanks so much for following along. Happy eating and shopping in our hometown of OC!