01
Neighborhood classic
Moreno's Restaurant
El Modena • Family-Run Mexican Restaurant With A Roomy Patio • Local Favorite For Comfort Mexican
A longtime El Modena staple for hearty combo plates, margaritas, and big family gatherings.
If you ask around El Modena for a go-to Mexican spot, Moreno’s is the name that comes up first. Expect old-school chips and salsa, sizzling fajitas, and generously portioned combo plates in a lively dining room and backyard-style patio. It’s the kind of place where birthdays, team dinners, and casual weeknights all feel equally at home.
02
Best for special occasions
Orange Hill Restaurant
Orange Hills • Upscale Steak And Seafood Restaurant With Panoramic Views • Best For Date Night Views
A hilltop standby where steaks, seafood, and sweeping city views turn dinner into an event.
Perched in the hills above Orange, Orange Hill is the spot locals book when they want a little drama with their meal. Steaks, seafood, and classic sides are the draw, but the real star is the view over the city, especially at sunset. It’s dressier than your average neighborhood joint, making it ideal for anniversaries, graduations, or out-of-town guests.
03
Elevated Mexican pick
Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen
Old Towne Orange • Modern Mexican Kitchen In A Historic Brick Space • Best For Inventive Mexican And Craft Cocktails
Refined regional Mexican dishes and serious cocktails in a dim, brick-walled Old Towne dining room.
Gabbi’s brings a chef-driven spin to Mexican food just a short drive from El Modena’s quieter streets. Inside the brick-front building, you’ll find thoughtfully plated regional dishes, house-made tortillas, and a bar that takes its tequila and mezcal seriously. It’s a great choice when you want the flavors you love, but with more polish than your standard combo-plate spot.
04
Brunch standout
Anepalco
Near Chapman Avenue • Creative Mexican-French Brunch And Bistro • Best For Leisurely Brunch
A inventive brunch and bistro where chilaquiles, coffee, and seasonal plates draw a dedicated weekend crowd.
Anepalco is where Orange locals go when they’re ready to linger over brunch rather than rush through it. The menu leans Mexican at its core but isn’t afraid to borrow French techniques or dress up chilaquiles with thoughtful toppings and sauces. Plan for a relaxed pace, good coffee, and plates that feel a notch more creative than the typical diner breakfast.
05
Versatile crowd-pleaser
Citrus City Grille
Near Old Towne Orange Plaza • Lively American-Mediterranean Grill • Best For Groups And Mixed Tastes
A flexible spot near the Orange Circle with a broad menu, buzzy atmosphere, and reliable cocktails.
Citrus City Grille sits just off the Orange Plaza, making it an easy meet-up point for mixed groups. The menu covers a lot of ground—pastas, flatbreads, burgers, and Mediterranean-leaning mains—so everyone can find something without a fuss. It works just as well for a casual lunch after errands as it does for a pre-theater dinner or a celebratory brunch.