Coming off the high of season 18, arguably one of the best in the franchise’s history, the latest season of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” which just wrapped its finale, failed to reach that Icarian high. Despite a noticeable drop in caliber, the Housewives appeared in more than two dozen standout Southern California restaurants.
Costa Mesa eateries appeared the most this season, inadvertently helping to erode the city’s one-time reputation as a comparatively affordable place to buy or rent a home. (Alas, the sacrifice for reality TV.) Fans of the show will recognize a few RHOC staples, like the Quiet Woman and Mozambique, alongside newly opened spots such as Ospi and Verde.
And while a much-debated dinner at Mastro’s Ocean Club was discussed ad nauseum this season, the show’s stealth cameras were, sadly, not there to capture the intel.
Note: The focus here is restaurants in Orange County and nearby areas. Eateries in New Orleans and Amsterdam, this season’s cast trip destinations, are not included. Nor is the overelaborate, palazzo-style behemoth just off the 405 — the former Trinity Broadcasting Network headquarters in Costa Mesa — where Dubrow threw down a bonkers $140,000 birthday party.
Episode 1
Oliver’s Trattoria (Irvine): Emily, Heather and Tamra rehash issues from last season. No better way to open the season than with Erik De Marchi’s Oliver’s Trattoria, a spinoff of his hit, Oliver’s Osteria, in Laguna Beach. His Emilia-Romagna menu focuses on pastas (like Tagliatelle alla Bolognese or Tortelli di Erbette) and wood-fired pizzas with crisp bottoms and blistered crusts. 6511 Quail Hill Parkway, Irvine.
The Quiet Woman (Corona del Mar): The restaurant synonymous with RHOC only appeared in flashback scenes this season, specifically with Katie and Tamra. Also of note, Heather asked of the Corona del Mar eatery, “Does anything good ever happen at the Quiet Woman?” followed by Shanon’s famous plate-tossing scene. “It’s not so quiet, either. It’s very loud,” replied Tamra. 3224 Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.
Press and Moka (Irvine): Emily and Gina ambush Katie to talk about “blogger” drama that pockmarked most of the season. Billed as “a modern cafe with a warm, European heart,” this Irvine spot features coffee and espresso drinks, sandwiches (like soppressata and caciocavallo or croque monsieur), salads, sides (chicken barley soup, house-made oatmeal) and more. 18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine.
Episode 2
Nice to Meet You Skewer Hot Pot (Irvine): Katie, the first Asian American woman to be a full-time cast member on the show, takes the cast to this Irvine spot to learn about hot-pot dining, but promptly gets heat from Shannon for recording a meltdown the latter had last season. This Sichuan-style hot pot spot features a self-serve station of marinated skewers, meats, seafood, vegetables and noodles. 15361 Culver Blvd., Irvine.
Episode 3
The Bungalow (Corona del Mar): Jen, Heather and Shannon head here for cocktails (dirty martinis, of course). A heated exchange between Heather and Jen ensues. Menu items include burgers, a fried chicken sandwich, a pretzel bread board, bacon-wrapped dates, cocktails, kombucha, beer, wine and seltzers.441 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.
Tavern and Bowl (Costa Mesa): Bowling alley-cum-restaurant sets the scene for a triple date with Gina and Emily and their husbands, and Shannon and her friend, Adam (with whom she appeared on “Love Hotel”). Notably, Emily eats a chicken finger. Other menu items include flatbreads and pizzas, pulled pork sliders, house-made taquitos, nachos, roasted garlic hummus, onion rings, loaded tater tots, a kids menu, cocktails and more. 1875 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.
ALSO READ: Every OC restaurant featured in “Real Housewives of Orange County” season 18
Mozambique (Laguna Beach): Heather and Tamra meet at one of Orange County’s best restaurants with a view (and one of two appearances this season). Tears fall. Heather orders hot water with lemon. Tamra goes face-to-face again with the restaurant’s parrot caged at the entrance. Popular items include peri-peri chicken, seafood, steaks and curry. Other offerings include appetizers like samosas, seafood salads and burgers. 1740 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
Episode 4
Milligram Coffee and Kitchen (Costa Mesa): Katie, Gina and Heather. Katie talks about Tamra and Kiki Monique, the content creator who is a plot point this season. Located in the new Paseo 17 complex, this wine bar-slash-cafe-slash restaurant features breakfast and lunch menus. Highlights include caramelized onion and veggie quiche, tomato and burrata toast, a short rib and provolone melt, fig and honey flatbread and a millionaires sundae based off of the three-layer British cookie. 234 E 17th St., Suite 107, Costa Mesa.
Rose Canyon Cantina and Grill (Trabuco Canyon): Jen and Tamra have a heated talk at this Trabuco Canyon spot. Tamra departs in frustration. Jen meets an adorable puppy who chews her hair. 20722 Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon.
Episode 7
Ospi (Costa Mesa): Heather and Tamra dine here to rehash the trip to New Orleans. Ospi, located next door to Paseo 17, is a newcomer to the Orange County landscape since last season. I personally fell for Ospi’s Neapolitan meatballs and “chicken parm” wherein a thinly-pounded chicken breast gets fried golden-brown in a butter frier, then brushed with browned butter, followed by a layer of mozzarella and a dusting of parmesan. 234 E 17th St. Suite 100, Costa Mesa.
Goat Hill Tavern (Costa Mesa): Emily, Jen and Gretchen gather at this dive-ish bar, most notable for having a whopping 141 beers on tap. 1830 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa.
Episode 8
Javier’s (Corona del Mar): Shannon and her dad meet at this RHOC staple, a see-and-be-seen spot serving Mexi-Cali fare as carnitas, carne asada, Maine lobster enchilada, chile relleno, queso fundido and enough wine, cocktails, tequila and “champers” to pass through the weathered livers of each and every Newport Beach denizen. 7832 Pacific Coast Highway, Corona Del Mar.
Mozambique (Laguna Beach): Gretchen and Gina meet at this Coast Highway favorite (making its second appearance this season) to talk to Kiki Monique, the content creator who sheds light on an issue the cast has with Katie. 1740 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
Episode 9
Oslo Coffee (Ladera Ranch): Jenn and Katie reflect on the previous episode’s dubious lie detector results, effectively dissolving the pair’s friendship. This Norwegian-inspired cafe serves coffee and espresso standards and a menu featuring avocado toast, egg focaccia sandwich, lefse (a traditional Norwegian dish), salmon focaccia sandwich, brunost cheese toast and more. 25642 Crown Valley Parkway, Suite E1, Ladera Ranch.
Jolie (Huntington Beach): Heather, Tamra and Jen meet at this Huntington Beach spot in a friendly meal. The menu here consists of American classics like seafood (e.g. blackened seared ahi), chicken pot pie, filet mignon, apple-glazed pork chop, shrimp and lobster pasta, cocktails, wine and more. Another eatery on the show with a standout view of the Pacific. 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 220, Huntington Beach.
Episode 10
The Brant (Huntington Beach): Gina, Jen and Shannon dine at this beach-side spot that features a pretzel bread board, steamed clams, asparagus fries, prime rib dip sandwich, bone-in rib-eye, buttercake and other fine-dining staples. 21040 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.
Weins Cellars (Temecula): Venturing outside the confines of Orange County, Shannon, Jen, Tamra Gina head east to Weins Cellars winery in Temecula. 35055 Via del Ponte Road, Temecula.
Crustacean (Beverly Hills): Meanwhile, Heather, Gretchen and Emily head to Beverly Hills for dinner at this seafood spot. Chef Helene An’s Asian seafood fare from small plates (the king crab and caviar “banh knot” tart looks sublime) to large plates (same goes for the ginger-lemon seabass) to a “From the Secret Kitchen” menu. 468 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills.
Episode 11
The Abbey (West Hollywood): Heather, Gretchen and Emily pop into one of West Hollywood’s most popular queer bars, The Abbey (the venue that acted as muse for Chappel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club”), to drink, dance and daze at scantily-clad men. 692 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood.
Episode 13
Palenque Kitchen by Mezcal (Costa Mesa): Gretchen and Jenn discuss another Tamra flare-up. This brunch and dinner venue in Costa Mesa offers a menu of shrimp aguachile, lobster quesadilla, a poblano cesar salad, salmon al pastor, carnitas, tres leches cake and more. 1749 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.
Episode 14
Verde (Costa Mesa): Tamra and Katie talk about Gretchen and her male companion’s recurring shenanigans. Opening in late 2024, Verde, a two-story restaurant found at the Ranch at Newport Bay, features fare from chef Paula Balderrama (formerly of Pizzeria Mozza, Fable & Spirit, and Puesto), offering a seasonal menu of Neptunian bites and California fare. 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa
Las Brisas (Laguna Beach): Seaside spot where Gina, Heather and Tamra discuss the fallout of a cute yet contentious cake party held at Tamra’s abode. This popular breakfast-brunch-lunch-dinner spot offers an expansive menu of seafood (raw bar, teak and lobster enchiladas, branzino, seared scallops) and Mexi-Cali (tortilla soup, corn mousse tostada, butternut squash tamales) fare. 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.
Junior Cookies (West Hollywood): Where Heather held a fundraiser for the Trevor Project, an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth. Halil Sevis’ cookie emporium was featured in the episode, specifically its Funfetti Oreo Cheesecake Cookie. 8703 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood.
Westwood Coast (Costa Mesa): The scene of Emily’s innocence center project fundraiser — and stage of Gretchen trying to pick a fight with Tamra — this casual steakhouse and country music joint features a comfort-forward menu of parker rolls with whipped honey butter, cowboy queso, steak frites, burgers, truffle mac and cheese, and cocktails galore, including a cocktail of the month. 1870 Harbor Blvd, Suite L1-108, Costa Mesa.
Episode 15
608 Dahlia (Newport Beach): Shannon throws an afternoon surprise bridal shower for Jen with the entire cast: Gretchen, Jen, Gina, Emily, Tamra and Heather at this spot, located in the Sherman Library and Gardens. Chef Jessica Roy announced 608 Dahlia’s October closure after four years in business. 2647 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.
Five Vines Wine Bar (San Juan Capistrano): Gina and her beaux, Travis, have a date at one of their favorite restaurants. “Honestly, my favorite place to go to is Five Vines Wine Bar in San Juan Capistrano. It’s such a special place for (boyfriend Travis Mullen) and me,” she said in a 2023 interview, adding, “When I first started going there, I was still drinking and, yes, it is a wine bar, but Travis and I still go there around once a week because we’re so in love with the food and the space.” 31761 Camino Capistrano, Suite 11, San Juan Capistrano.
Rancho Capistrano Winery (San Juan Capistrano): Meanwhile, Tamra and her husband, Eddie, also stick to San Juan Capistrano for their date this episode. Tamra orders a beet salad and margarita pizza. Featuring brunch, lunch and dinner menus, Rancho Capistrano Winery offers high-end, hearty fare like baked brie, a harvest Wagyu salad, gorgonzola apple flatbread, short rib stroganoff, pan-roasted rosemary chicken, wild mushroom and truffle polenta. As its name suggests, this venue (with locations in Ladera Ranch and San Clemente) has a vast and impressive wine menu, offering vino by the glass or bottle. 26755 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano.
