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# Where to eat in Orange Circle in Old Towne Orange, Orange County
- URL: https://couchpotatocook.ghost.io/where-to-eat-in-orange-circle-in-2/
- Published: 2025-05-04T16:57:26.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T09:00:30.000Z
- Description: How many more times can I write Orange in the subject line? 🍊
- Author: Mallory Carra
- Tags: Travel, Guides

During the height of many Instagram food crazes in 2016-2017, a lot of my blog/IG tasting invites were in Orange County — so many that I’d have to schedule what I called “OC days” almost every month. I’d drive down early on a Saturday or Sunday and hit as many of my invites as possible ([rainbow bagels](https://www.instagram.com/p/BDJXHUAn47D/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D&ref=couchpotatocook.ghost.io) in Aliso Viejo, [poke burritos](https://www.instagram.com/p/BMFPQHRBD%5Ff/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D&ref=couchpotatocook.ghost.io) in Fountain Valley, the [OC Fair](https://www.instagram.com/p/BmcEaSIHY4W/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng%3D%3D&img%5Findex=1&ref=couchpotatocook.ghost.io) in Costa Mesa — you get the picture), then head back to LA on the 5/405 by the end of the day. What a time to be alive.

Fast forward to Fall 2024\. I started driving down to Orange County — specifically, *Orange* — every week for a gig I can’t talk about publicly, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the culinary wonder of Orange Circle, AKA Old Towne Orange.

I did what I usually do: Google all the best places, the Eater guides, look at the LA/OC TikToks and IGs for suggestions. I got some ideas of where to eat that way, but I was sorely disappointed to find that there aren’t comprehensive guides for Orange Circle. So, I did what any enterprising journalist/foodie/part-time academic would do: launch a semester-long research project…which involved me trying all the places in Orange Circle that I could.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/e08e16b9-e75c-4b99-af00-c688a7581396_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

Without further ado, here’s my short guide to what to eat in Orange Circle. It’s by no means complete…because Substack says this email is too long 😔 (make sure to click more!!).

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## O Sea

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/860dc863-0670-4bb2-8e16-4a673d41891b_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/a2bac09a-f19c-4315-b8cb-4d36ae1a0020_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

*For a fancy seafood power lunch and/or dinner with your coworkers.*

**Must-try dish:** Spicy Wild Tahitian Albacore Tuna on Crispy Rice; Farmed Atlantic Salmon Ceviche

**Should-try indulgence:** Any of the seasonal desserts

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## Chaiwale & Co

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/3e384243-4185-42b4-ad83-89938df3b501_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/386b64b2-77d2-4027-910b-6a43d5c6d49a_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

*For a chai and treat-yourself kind of snack break.*

**Must-try dish/drink:** Masala Chai; Chicken Tikka Burrito

**Should-try indulgence:** Kulfi Tres Leches cake

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## Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/1d5d773e-c56a-4bf2-8ab8-32c8b3cff6ca_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/c66d5d03-42aa-49c3-a9f0-3fcc27773e96_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

*For classy comfort food favorites and lively cocktails/mocktails.*

**Must-try dish:** Bacon jam and burrata

**Should-try indulgence:** Banana pudding

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## R&B Tea & Fushion Restaurant

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/6a853e3a-bdb1-4dbf-ab95-948728c34b28_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/fdb0264d-504b-430d-9235-8304e7c6e6cf_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

*For a fusion/tea place with really good noodles.*

**Must-try drink:** Jasmine green tea

**Should-try indulgence:** Garlic noodles with any meat

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## 1886 Brewing Company

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/e7a27a2d-40f6-4626-ac9b-5666c00cad20_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

*For a good place to kick back and watch a game with comfort food.*

**Must-try dish:** Chile Verde Poutine

**Should-try indulgence:** Watch sports and get a beer here! It’s fun.

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## Zito’s Pizza

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/af7a832f-6bd6-4742-8150-815c89123449_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

*For when you’re craving a close-to-authentic NY slice.*

**Must-try dish:** The pizza, of course. Get any slice.

**Should-try indulgence:** Garlic knots

---

## Honorable Mentions

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/1251399c-ba94-487a-8fe1-6c243f5f4f37_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/92d0cf89-0aaa-41dc-994e-697dec6eab00_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/f597e9cc-248f-41af-b104-7cb16e5f56da_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/0bcf8615-8246-44a8-91b3-c34ce968d6f5_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/f5ca3ecd-c2e5-40ad-9e31-24c4104ebedd_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/3ba99030-2e5d-42d6-98eb-de5f09d0fe4f_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/79053161-4a6a-4bfa-9e71-9530ed29820f_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/4527bb8b-bf9d-494a-a580-7c482aaab04e_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/31/f0/31f04d57-b044-43f8-bd1f-bb4827714897/content/images/2026/07/ac25aefe-5e94-407c-adb0-bed4b48ca1ce_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg)

Row 1, L-R: BLK Dot Coffee, Play Coffee & Long Dog Coffee & Treats for good caffieniated beverages; Row 2, L-R: Wazabi Sushi for affordable, "college" quality sushi; Urth Cafe for old standbys like the Urth Salad; The Pizza Press for newspaper-themed custom pizzas; Row 3, L-R: Haven Craft for rustic faves like pork belly tacos; Oiio for boba faves like Thai tea boba, and a non-food place: The Hilbert Museum of California Art to indulge in some wonderful local art