The dining landscape of Orange County continues to thrive in 2025, fueled by a steady stream of notable restaurant openings. International concepts and beloved restaurant chains alike have found a home across the county’s neighborhoods.
Orange County’s Hottest New Restaurant Openings in 2025
In 2025, Orange County welcomed a wave of new restaurants reflecting emerging food trends and expanding dining options. The list below highlights some of the most talked-about restaurant openings of the year.
1. Pepper Lunch
After its successful run in the Diamond Jamboree location, Pepper Lunch has opened its second location at the Irvine Spectrum Centre this year. The fast-casual teppan chain is known for its signature ‘sizzle-it-your-way’ dining experience.
The menu of the restaurant focuses on authentic, bold, and robust flavors of Japanese cuisine and adds a modern twist to it. Pepper Lunch prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and presenting them at an affordable price. The restaurant chain’s main draw is its menu of 40 dishes, most priced at $20 or less.
Local favorite dishes include Classic Beef Pepper Rice, Kimchi Beef, Angus Steak Plate, and Sweet Potato Wedges.
When: February 7, 2025
2. CAVA
CAVA has opened one of its first Huntington Beach locations, bringing its Mediterranean-inspired menu to the coastal city. The restaurant hosted a Community Day and invited residents to enjoy a free meal before officially opening its doors. The funds raised from the Huntington Beach opening were donated to Food Cycle LA, a nonprofit organization for people facing food insecurity.
The menu features rice bowls, pitas, and house-made dressings focused on fresh, nutrient-forward ingredients. Menu items include the Harissa Avocado and Chicken Bowl. Customers can also build their own chicken bowl with their choice of toppings and dipping sauces.
When: May 23, 2025
3. Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen expanded with its fifth location in Laguna Niguel and hosted a grand celebration for its opening day. The fast-casual restaurant chain has introduced a limited-time K-BBQ menu in partnership with COTE K-steakhouse. The brand is known for its made-from-scratch menu, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.
The innovative menu features K-BBQ glazed steak in a new bowl and plate options. Additionally, it also features a spicy, Korean-flavored salad. Favorite items from the menu are the Harvest Bowl and the Crispy Rice Bowl.
When: June 17, 2025
4. Lotteria
Lotteria, a major Japanese-Korean fast-food chain, has opened its first U.S. location. Founded by a South Korean businessman, Shin Kyuk-ho, in 1972, the restaurant chain has expanded across the globe. For its opening day in Fullerton in Orange County, Lotteria hosted a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebrated with fun activities and events.
The restaurant menu features several viral items like shrimp and bulgogi burgers, Jeonju Bibimbap Rice Burger, which is served on gochujang-seasoned rice patties. Along with that, famous fried chicken and mozzarella sticks are also added to the menu.
When: August 14, 2025
5. Chick-fil-A
America’s favorite fried chicken chain, Chick-fil-A, has opened a new location. The Chick-fil-A Rose & Alta Vista location will be owned and operated by Chrissy Hartmann. Hartmann was previously responsible for operating Chick-fil-A at the Brea Plaza.
The opening day at Rose & Alta Vista included free offers and limited-time fall menu items. The latest Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwich was the new highlight of the restaurant chain. Cherry Berry beverages and Sprite were also available during the opening.
When: October 9, 2025
6. Studio Mediterranean
Situated on the shore of Montage Laguna Beach, Studio Mediterranean is an upscale restaurant. Led by Chef Dennis Efthymiou, a Greek native, the restaurant serves a high-end Greek seafood menu and features global flavors.
Popular items on the menu include Studio Mediterranean Seafood Tower, Charred Octopus, and Lobster ‘Hilopites’.
When: October 10, 2025
7. Prime Pizza
Known for its authentic New York-style pizza and square pizzas, Prime Pizza has opened a new spot in Mission Viejo, Orange County.
The menu includes classic round and square pizzas, such as Sicilian and Grandma styles. Popular choices include the Pepperoni Pizza and the Spicy Pepperoni Square. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Beyond pizza, Prime Pizza offers garlic knots with marinara, buffalo wings, salads, and, at some locations, hot subs and baked pastas. Other customer favorites include the White Pizza with ricotta and the Vodka Pizza.
When: November 3, 2025
8. Bushfire Kitchen
Bushfire Kitchen, a fast-casual concept known for its made-from-scratch comfort food, has opened a new location in Brea. For its opening day, the restaurant offered buy-one-get-one-free bowls, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The offer was available for first responders from November 17 through November 19, and from November 24 to November 26 for teachers and school staff.
Popular items on the menu include Thai Chicken Curry Bowl, Gaucho Steak Sandwich, and Grass-Fed Tri-Tip Bowl.
When: November 7, 2025
9. LJ’s Lil’ Cafe
The viral breakfast burritos spot, LJ’s Lil Cafe, has opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant. The breakfast joint has built a cult following for its oversized, freshly made breakfast burritos filled with scrambled eggs and quality meats.
LJ’s enhances the burrito with house-made sauces like Cilantro Crema, Spicy Habanero, and a sweet-and-tangy signature sauce.
Apart from breakfast burritos, other popular items on the menu include Spicy OG Burrito, Veggie Burrito, and Queso Burrito.
When: November 21, 2025
10. Blue Hummingbird Coffee
Coffee lovers’ favorite cafe, Blue Hummingbird Coffee, opened its fifth location with grand opening celebrations on December 3. From handcrafted drinks like the Cinnamon Roll Latte to a creative breakfast and lunch menu, the cafe emphasizes freshness across its offerings.
During its grand opening, the cafe encouraged the guests to bring canned food items to support Families Forward’s Food Pantry. In exchange, guests received 20% off their orders, a raffle entry, and discount coupons.”
Some of the popular items on the menu include Matcha Latte, Iced Latte, Drip Coffee, and more.
When: December 3, 2025
This growing mix of local favorites, international brands, and well-known restaurants highlights the diverse and vibrant dining scene in Orange County.
