6 Best Orange Circle Restaurants (2024)
Want to know all the best restaurants in Orange Circle? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
Orange Circle, also known as Old Towne Orange has so many great restaurants (and antique shops).
If you’ve never been, it can be overwhelming to choose just one restaurant to visit.
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Best Restaurants In Orange Circle
These are all the best restaurants in Orange Circle that we love to eat at when we bring people here or we just want a fun date night out.
1. Citrus City Grille
Citrus City Grille is celebrating their 27th anniversary in Old Towne Orange.
When you come here, your meal will start with their complimentary bread service and specialty dipping oil.
On their signature cocktail menu, I recommend trying the Watermelon Pineapple Martini and the “Penicillin”.
The Penicillin is made up of Chivas 12 year Blended Scotch Whiskey, Lemon, Ginger, Honey, and Laphroaig 10 year Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Float.
It has a very smoky flavor, which brings out more unique flavor in the drink.
For appetizers, I recommend the Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates and the Saganaki.
Be prepared for the Saganaki to be set on fire as it’s presented!
This gives it the perfect texture and mix of soft cheese with a crispy shell.
For entrees, they’re offering seasonal specials this Summer in celebration of their 27th anniversary.
The Seared Ahi Tuna is perfect for Summer.
Another great, light meal is the Chicken Caesar Wrap with fresh fruit.
2. Old Towne Jalapeños Mexican Grille
Jalapeños is a counter service restaurant in Old Towne Orange that serves all your favorite Mexican dishes.
Choose from tacos, quesadillas, burritos, taquitos, enchiladas, tortas, and more.
I highly recommend their daily lunch specials from 11 am – 4 pm that are just $10 a plate!
We recently enjoyed a lunch here where we sampled a few different menu items including the Chicken Taquito Plate, Chile Verde Bowl, and Chicken Taco Salad.
What sets this place apart from many others is the quality of the meats in all the dishes.
We didn’t get any fatty or slimy pieces, which is so common in the more affordable restaurants.
3. Finney’s Crafthouse
Finney’s Crafthouse is a newer restaurant chain spreading all over Southern California.
We’ve been to several locations, including their Old Towne Orange location and they all offer a great experience.
One of our favorite appetizers is the Cheesesteak Egg Rolls which are filled with prime rib, onions, peppers, and fontina.
We also love the Bacon Deviled Eggs that come with candied bacon and sriracha.
The Mini Finney Cheeseburgers are also a great appetizer.
They come with american cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and ketchup.
This next one might just be a seasonal menu item since it’s not currently listed on their menu, but we loved their chili cheese brats.
Usually when we visit we just try a few different appetizers, but they also have pizzas, tacos, wings, burgers, and more.
4. Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
Bosscat is known for their unique food and drink items.
An appetizer I highly recommend is their Pulled Pork Hush Puppies which are cornbread battered pork, deep fried and served with Carolina barbecue mustard.
For your entree, stick with the classic Bosscat Burger made with in-house ground beef, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and house made pickles.
You’ll want to order it “the chef’s way” too.
The perfect side is the four cheese blend Mac N Cheese.
The burgers and sandwiches come with fries, but these aren’t any old fries.
They are massive.
For the life of me, I cannot remember what drink we had, but they have an excellent craft cocktail menu with drinks like:
- Panama Prescription – rum, banana, coconut, tamarind, citrus
- Pineapple Sage Elixir – espolon tequila, pineapple, sage, citrus
- Wouldn’t You – gin, citrus, elderflower, cucumber
- Nighthawk – bosscat’s house chocolate espresso martini
5. Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen is one of only a few Michelin star Mexican restaurants in Southern California.
I recommend their Chicken Mole, Enchiladas, and Sangria.
The atmosphere is really nice and on the darker, quieter side, making it a great place for a date night.
6. The Pie Hole
The Pie Hole is the perfect spot for dessert after enjoying any of the amazing restaurants around Orange Circle.
You can get pies by the slice or take a whole pie home.
They also serve a few savory pies like Chicken Pot Pie and a variety of cookie bites.
What Is The Orange Circle?
Orange Circle is the vibrant heart of Old Towne Orange, California, a historic district known for its charming streets, antique shops, and unique dining experiences.
Nestled around a circular plaza, Orange Circle is a culinary haven, boasting a diverse array of restaurants that cater to a range of tastes and preferences.
The history of Orange Circle dates back to the late 19th century when the city of Orange, California, was founded.
The circular plaza was designed as the focal point of the town, and over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant gathering place, attracting locals and visitors alike.
Its unique architecture, historic buildings, and diverse culinary scene celebrates the area’s rich heritage.
More Great Restaurants Throughout Orange County
Orange County offers a little bit of everything for every type of palette and budget.
These are more of the best restaurants in Orange County.
✅ Best Romantic Restaurants in Orange County
Date nights in Orange County have endless possibilities whether it’s your first date or your 25th anniversary!
These are our favorite restaurants in Orange County for a romantic couples night out.
✅ Best Birthday Restaurants in Orange County
Being local, we’ve spent plenty of birthdays in Orange County.
These are the best restaurants for birthday celebrations.
✅ Best Restaurants in Orange County With a View
Ocean views and mountain views can be found all over Orange County.
These are the best ones with the best restaurants.
✅ Best Italian Restaurants in Orange County
From super upscale fine dining to casually family restaurants, there are a ton of great Italian restaurants all over Orange County to try on your next visit.
✅ Best Mexican Restaurants in Orange County
From road side taco trucks to upscale fine dining, Orange County has some of the best Mexican food you can find outside of Mexico.
✅ Best Burgers in Anaheim
Anaheim is a neighboring town to Orange that also has a variety of restaurants for every palette and budget.
These are the best burgers you can find in Anaheim.
✅ Best Chinese Restaurants in Anaheim
From dumpling houses to your neighborhood mom and pop shop, there’s a ton of great Chinese restaurants in Anaheim.
✅ Best Bars in Anaheim
From classic tiki bars to breweries to rooftop bars, Anaheim has a little bit of everything.
✅ Best Restaurants in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach has more than just the touristy restaurants around the pier.
These are all of our favorites.
✅ Best Downtown Fullerton Restaurants
Downtown Fullerton is another historic downtown district in Orange County.
It’s known for its restaurants and antique shops.
Conclusion: Best Orange Circle Restaurants
Orange Circle has some of our favorite restaurants in all of Orange County.
It’s a great place for a night out or weekend brunch because you can enjoy all the best Orange Circle restaurants, then check out the antique shops or grab some dessert.
