The 14 Best Santa Ana Restaurants In 2022


With the almost endless amount of Santa Ana Restaurants restaurants that show up when you search for something to eat in the area, it can feel like an overwhelming task to find the right restaurant to satisfy your cravings.

But have no fear, we are going to make your life a little bit easier. Our local guide has handpicked the 14 best restaurants that Santa Ana Restaurants has to offer.

The 14 Best Santa Ana Restaurants

Kaizen Shabu

Kaizen Shabu Shabu

Located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana, Kaizen offers the best shabu shabu experience in town and possibly all of Orange County.

They have several different broth types that you can choose from and they even have a delicious veggie based broth. All the cuts of protein are premium quality and you can definitely tell the difference.

Not only is the food super tasty, the customer service is stellar as well. The servers are super attentive and are always one step ahead of you.

Kaizen is definitely one of our favorite Santa Ana Restaurants that we have no qualms about recommending to all our friends and family and to you as well.

303 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Detention

Detention Santa Ana

Detention is one of the most critically acclaimed and best rated restaurants in Santa Ana.

The folks behind Detention are pushing the boundaries of the food scene in Orange County with their innovative cuisine and their impeccable service.

Although their menu rotates according to the season, there are some items that you must get if they are on the menu: Hokkaido Milk Bread & Butter, American Wagyu Tartare, Achiote Glazed Pork Jowl and the Fig Toffee Special. All these things will blow your mind!

Reservations are booked WAY in advanced, so plan your trip to this restaurant accordingly.

201 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

ShariNori

ShariNori

Located in Downtown Santa Ana and inside the 4th Street Market, ShariNori is a little stand that you would never guess is serving up some really premium sushi, quite possibly the best sushi in Santa Ana.

If it’s your first time and you have a little extra cash to spend, spring for their premium omakase sushi box. It comes out neatly packaged with 9 pieces of their premium sushi and 2 cut rolls. It’s a little pricey but definitely worth it.

They have tons of other options you would normally find in a really good sushi restaurant and I have yet order anything that I have disliked.

La Súper Birria

La Super Birria

When that craving for birria hits, there’s only one spot in town where you should focus all your time, money and effort to satiate those yearnings.

La Súper Birria planted its roots in Santa Ana in 2018 and has quickly cemented their reputation among locals, foodies and critics for their incredibly delicious birria tacos.

If it’s your first time here, get the birria tour. It comes with a few different tacos and it’s a nice introduction to what La Super Birria is all about.

Just know that once you dip your taco into their consomme, a shining beacon of light will descend upon you and illuminate you with the understanding and enlightenment that so many others have fortuitously found before you.

1041 W First St Santa Ana, CA 92703

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

gus's fried chicken

When you are in Santa Ana, there is absolutely no reason for you to visit KFC or Popeyes, when Gus’s is just around the corner.

The chicken at Gus’s is infinitely times more better than either of those two options. The fried chicken here is perfectly cooked and seasoned. The skin is incredibly cripsy and the meat on the inside is tender, juicy and moist and brimming with flavor.

My go to order is the 3-piece dark meat plate with the coleslaw and the baked beans. Even though its going to be hard not to stuff yourself silly, try to leave some room for dessert, their chocolate chess pie is an incredible way to end the meal.

Definitely put this Gus’s on your list of must-go-to Santa Ana restaurants when you visit.

102 N Sycamore St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

The Sandwich Society

The Sandwich Society

The Sandwich Society is the ultimate sandwich shop that serving up sandwiches from all over the globe and in every which way.

They have Italian subs, Vietnamese banh mi, Cuban sandwiches, Hawaiian sandwiches, shwarma pita sandwiches, cheese-steaks, pastrami, chicken parms, veggies sandwiches and even a breakfast sandwich that is served on a Hong Kong egg waffle.

They do everything and they do everything well. I have yet to order anything that I disliked and if you are staring at the menu and having a hard time deciding, you really can’t go wrong with the turkey melt with bacon.

2031 E First St A3 Santa Ana, CA 92705

Lola Gaspar

Located in the Artist village in Downtown Santa Ana, Lola Gaspar is a Spanish tapas restaurant that is serving up killer food and drinks and providing an ambiance is second to none. It’s the perfect place to get together with a few friends or get to know someone better.

When you come here you go to start things off right with one of their craft cocktails. Their Mole Old Fashion is a standout and comes with mezcal, mole and chili banana.

They have a rotating seasonal menu, but if you see it on the menu, get the bacon wrapped dates, the chorizo quekas, chile relleno and any one of their tacos.

Mil Jugos

Mil Jugos

Venezuelan food is severely lacking in Orange County, but thankfully Mil Jugo is there to pick up the slack and offer really tasty and authentic, home-cooked Venezuelan food.

If you never been before, you can’t go wrong with either the cachapas, arepas or empanadas. Dip it in their signature Guasacaca sauce and you’ll be instantly hooked!

Mil Jugos is one of the most underrated spots in the area, but is no doubt one of the best Santa Ana restaurants.

320 W 5th St Santa Ana, CA 92701

Wursthaus

wursthaus

Located in the eastern end of Downtown Santa Ana, Wursthaus is a German inspired beer hall that is serving up tons of great beer and delectable sauasges that is cooked and seasoned every which way.

Wursthaus delivers on every front. Their German beer selection is a sight to behold and all on tap and ready for your to toast to.

They have sausages and bratwurst of every kind and of every flavor. My favorites are the spicy polish and the chicken jalapeno and if you are feeling more adventurous, they have more ‘exotic’ flavors like alligator, rattlesnake and kangaroo.

All sausages are served on a freshly baked pretzel roll or traditional grinder and you can choose to add toppings like sauerkraut and caramelized onions.

The ambiance at Wursthaus is festive and playful , with a communal table that lends itself to sparking up a conversation with the people around you.

Wursthaus easily places on our list of best restaurants in Santa Ana.

305 E 4th St Ste 106 Santa Ana, CA 92701

Taqueria El Zamorano

Taqueria El Zamorano

Asking Santa Ana locals where you can find the best tacos and burritos can often lead to a heated debated, however there is one place that comes up more often than the others, Taqueria El Zamorano.

Come here for the burritos and the tacos, they are some of the best in Santa Ana and maybe all of Orange County. The nachos, enchiladas and gorditas can’t be missed either. Everything here is delicious and don’t worry, you will be back so there will be plenty of opportunities to try everything.

The only downside is the parking situation. There is only a few spots, so you might want to consider parking on the street.

925 W Warner Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707

El Mercado

Situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Ana, El Mercado crafting some of the best modern Mexican food in the city.

They have an insanely good drink menu that offer craft beers, wines and spirits and their cocktails are some of the most innovative in the city.

Try the Italian Wolf, it comes with mezcal, marsala, Galliano, lemon, agave, clove and comes presented in a smoke filled glass.

When it comes to food, everything is super tasty but we definitely recommend getting the Estofado Pork Belly. One bite into the super tender and flavorful meat will have you convinced that El Mercado is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Santa Ana.

301 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701

Benchmark

Benchmark - Santa Ana

Benchmark is one place that we all agreed had to be on our list of best Santa Ana restaurants.

Located just north east of Downtown Santa Ana, Benchmark is serving up modern American fare in beautiful outdoor patio setting.

Start the meal off properly with their crispy pork belly with shishito peppers or the artichoke fondue. When you are ready for the main course, you can’t go wrong with the Gochujang fried chicken or the Steelhead trout.

They also have a great brunch menu. The highlight is definitely the blueberry waffles that comes with blueberry compote, lemon mascarpone, candied pecan and maple syrup. Seriously delicious!

Benchmark is the perfect spot to grab a drink, enjoy a long meal and relax in the best outdoor seating the city has to offer.

601 E Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701, USA

OmG Omakase by Gino

OmG Omakase

Getting a spot at OmG Omakase’s 9-seat sushi counter is among the most coveted dining experiences in all of Santa Ana.

Your dedication and patience at getting a reservation months in advance will be rewarded with a sublime sushi tasting experience.

You are in good hands with chef Gino Choi, who will lead you through his artistic expression with taste and texture.

OmG Omakase is hands down the best sushi restaurant in Santa Ana and maybe all of Orange County.

304 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92701

Cafe Cultura

Cafe Cultura - Santa Ana

And last but not least we have one of our favorite places to eat in Santa Ana, Cafe Cultura, a downtown Santa Ana restaurant that is serving some of the most creative Mexican breakfast in town.

Cafe Culture is going to introduce some new flavors to your taste buds with items like tres leches pancakes, churro pancakes and pan dulce French toast on the menu.

More so they have a fantastic drink menu with coffee and espresso drinks, fraps, smoothies and pressed juices.

324 W 4th St #B, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Map of the Best Restaurants in Santa Ana

Mariska Lee

Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit. She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.

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