Each year, we ask Orange County Register readers to choose their favorite places to shop, dine, play and do business in OC.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best breakfast restaurant
Here are the top picks for Best brunch spot:
1. Casa de Onda
1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa; 949-612-2349; casadeondarestaurant.com
Imagine being in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by colored lighting and house music, feeling transported somewhere else, far from your everyday life. That’s how Alex Petrosian felt when he traveled to Tulum, Mexico, and that’s the vibe he wants to share with his customers at Casa de Onda.
Petrosian bought the restaurant, then known as La Vida Cantina, in 2020, but after running it for a few years, he realized it didn’t reflect what he was truly after so he reimagined the space with bamboo fencing around the patio, trees with colorful lighting on them and opened up the inside area to connect the two spaces.
“To me, Casa de Onda means House of Vibes, and that’s exactly what it is,” he said.
The vibe extends to brunch time where the executive chef comes up with made-from-scratch dishes that blend flavors of Mexico with American staples, from burritos and tostadas to omelets and pancakes, served in a relaxing escape type of atmosphere.
Because the patio can accommodate 250 people, Casa de Ondas has become a popular spot for bigger groups. Twenty or 30 people can easily find a comfortable spot to share the meal together.
Petrosian said the food at his restaurant is delicious, but it’s the overall experience that makes Casa de Ondas stand out.
2. Citrus City Grille
122 N. Glassell St., Orange; 714-639-9600; citruscitygrille.com
Sundays are for celebrating. At least that’s the philosophy at Citrus City Grille where the brunch buffet is filled with caramel French toast, prime rib, ham, a seafood bar and much, much more, including some gluten-free options. If anything is not quite to your liking (prime steak too rare, perhaps?), the staff will be happy to help you out.
It’s that kind of attentiveness that makes the brunch time special, says Joshua Cosmas, who oversees the buffet at the family-friendly eatery.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best barbecue restaurant
“We take pride in being really accommodating,” he said. “We always go out of our way to make things work for our customers.”
Beyond the food offerings, brunch comes with endless drinks, which can include champagne, mimosas, bloody marys, coffee, juice or soft drinks.
The restaurant has been in Old Towne Orange for more than 30 years with current owner and Joshua’s father, Charlie Cosmas, and his family running it for the last four years. They serve California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.
3. Baja Sharkeez
Huntington Beach, Newport Beach; 714-960-5282, 949-673-0292; sharkeez.net
Baja Sharkeez is the result of a father-son collaboration that brings casual, laid-back, beach cantina vibe to its customers who are a mix of locals and tourists alike.
“We love tourists because we get to show them a true SoCal social and dining experience, and they often visit us year after year,” said Leigh Lupinacci, vice president of food & beverage/partner at Baja Sharkeez Restaurant Group.
The restaurant has five locations including two in Orange County. All five are by the beach, which not only fits in with the overall theme, but provides an opportunity to make brunch part of a bigger oceanside experience.
Not that Baja Sharkeez brunch isn’t an experience in itself with a substantial menu filled with a mix of American and Mexican dishes. The Baja breakfast burrito with buttered brown tater tots inside is known to be a hit as is the Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar.
Particularly in the fall with college and NFL football, Baja Sharkeez is a popular spot for sports viewing. “Our vibrant atmosphere and unbeatable specials make every game day an unforgettable experience,” the bar says on its site.
Read more Best of Orange County 2026: Best bar