Guidebook for Irvine
Food Scene
If you'd like to have a nice, delicious Italian meal, Cucina Enoteca is amazing! It's one of our favorite spots to go. They make their pastas fresh and pizzas are great! Very fresh ingredients. Highly recommend the Braised Beef Pappardelle! They have delicious cocktails and extensive wine list as well.
10 locals recommend
Cucina Enoteca Irvine
532 Spectrum Center DrIf you'd like to have a nice, delicious Italian meal, Cucina Enoteca is amazing! It's one of our favorite spots to go. They make their pastas fresh and pizzas are great! Very fresh ingredients. Highly recommend the Braised Beef Pappardelle! They have delicious cocktails and extensive wine list as well.
If you're looking for authentic Asian (specifically soup dumplings) food, this is a great place to try. Not this specific location, but the restaurant has won multiple Michelin stars in the past. The wait can be long, but it is located in South Coast Plaza, so you can shop while waiting.
85 locals recommend
Din Tai Fung
3333 PlazaIf you're looking for authentic Asian (specifically soup dumplings) food, this is a great place to try. Not this specific location, but the restaurant has won multiple Michelin stars in the past. The wait can be long, but it is located in South Coast Plaza, so you can shop while waiting.
A&J Restaurant
14805 Jeffrey RdGreat authentic Taiwanese food. Try the beef noodle soup or pork chop with rice.
Can't come to California and not have some fish tacos! Great Mexican food, but best known for their deep fried fish tacos.
34 locals recommend
Hole Mole
1327 E 4th StCan't come to California and not have some fish tacos! Great Mexican food, but best known for their deep fried fish tacos.
If you like seafood, this is the place to be! Try the mixed poke burrito!
78 locals recommend
Bear Flag Fish Company
3421 Via LidoIf you like seafood, this is the place to be! Try the mixed poke burrito!
Drinks & Nightlife
The only rooftop bar in Irvine and just a 15 min walk away from your apartment. Has great craft cocktails, beautiful view, and trendy ambience.
7 locals recommend
Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar
7905 Irvine Center DrThe only rooftop bar in Irvine and just a 15 min walk away from your apartment. Has great craft cocktails, beautiful view, and trendy ambience.
Great margaritas! If you like spicy drinks, try the cucumber jalepaneo margarita. If you like a little sweeter drink, try the watermelon maragarita! Food is also amazing. Can't go wrong with the Trio combo of lobster, crab, shrimp enchiladas.
28 locals recommend
Javier's
536 Spectrum Center DrGreat margaritas! If you like spicy drinks, try the cucumber jalepaneo margarita. If you like a little sweeter drink, try the watermelon maragarita! Food is also amazing. Can't go wrong with the Trio combo of lobster, crab, shrimp enchiladas.
Sightseeing
You can't come to OC and now check out the beach! The Newport Landing Whale Watching is a fun activity that is about 2.5 hours. They take you out from Newport Beach and down to Laguna Beach to whale watch and dolphin watch. Whales are not guaranteed as it is seasonal, but there are always dolphins and seals frolicking around!
62 locals recommend
Newport Landing Restaurant
503 Edgewater PlYou can't come to OC and now check out the beach! The Newport Landing Whale Watching is a fun activity that is about 2.5 hours. They take you out from Newport Beach and down to Laguna Beach to whale watch and dolphin watch. Whales are not guaranteed as it is seasonal, but there are always dolphins and seals frolicking around!
Shopping
Outdoor shopping center filled with retail stores and little boutiques. Even better because it is a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
554 locals recommend
Irvine Spectrum Center
Outdoor shopping center filled with retail stores and little boutiques. Even better because it is a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
Newport Beach's famous outdoor mall. Take a stroll through the shops, have a meal outdoors and enjoy the California breeze. After you're done, drive down to Balboa Bay to take a stroll.
719 locals recommend
Newport Center/Fashion Island
401 Newport Center DrNewport Beach's famous outdoor mall. Take a stroll through the shops, have a meal outdoors and enjoy the California breeze. After you're done, drive down to Balboa Bay to take a stroll.
Take a stroll through and shop through all the shops while you wait for a table at Din Tai Fung.
790 locals recommend
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol StTake a stroll through and shop through all the shops while you wait for a table at Din Tai Fung.
Essentials
Target
24500 Alicia PkwyWhole Foods Market
8525 Irvine Center DrEntertainment & Activities
Check out https://improv.com/irvine/ for tickets & scheudles! Just a 10 min walk away from the apartment.
30 locals recommend
Irvine Improv
527 Spectrum Center DrCheck out https://improv.com/irvine/ for tickets & scheudles! Just a 10 min walk away from the apartment.
Afforable place to rent a paddleboard or kayak to take out into the bay. Enjoy the California sunny days.
23 locals recommend
Newport Aquatic Center
1 Whitecliffs DrAfforable place to rent a paddleboard or kayak to take out into the bay. Enjoy the California sunny days.
An awesome climbing gym for those who love to top rope, boulder, or lead climbing.
7 locals recommend
Sender One Climbing, Yoga, Fitness and Sender City
1441 Village WayAn awesome climbing gym for those who love to top rope, boulder, or lead climbing.