Brad A. Johnson’s 75 Best Places to Eat, 2022

Orange County offers a lot of ground to cover, and I try to get around. Despite the pandemic, I drove more than 8,000 miles over the past year, dining nearly 250 times (less than usual but still a lot, I think) at restaurants in every corner of the county. The 75 places on this annual list are the culmination of my never-ending exploration of O.C.

We just published the eighth edition of this guide, and once again Costa Mesa claims the prize as the culinary epicenter of the county. There is simply no other city in the territory that can match the breadth, diversity and quality of Costa Mesa’s restaurants. Four of this year’s Top 10 places to eat are located here.

Meanwhile, the food scene in San Juan Capistrano’s historic core has changed dramatically of late. The very walkable district around the old mission is suddenly a must-visit destination for dining thanks in large part to the arrival of Heritage Barbecue and Mayfield (both in the Top 10), plus other hot newcomers that didn’t make the list but definitely bolster the neighborhood’s fast-growing appeal.

Get in the car and go find something new to eat. This map should help. The full story is online now.