At Life Is Good OC, we love celebrating all things local—especially when it comes to great food created by our local families! Orange County is full of hidden gems, from cozy cafes to iconic eateries, all family-owned and operated, offering modern takes on traditional cuisines from around the world passed down through the generations. Check out our list of 10 must-visit family-owned restaurants that show off the heart and flavor of OC’s diverse food scene.
1. Avila’s El Ranchito (Multiple Orange County Locations)
Since 1966, the Avila family has been bringing the flavors of Guanajuato, Mexico, to Southern California through Avila’s El Ranchito. Founded by Salvador and Margarita Avila, the restaurant started with humble roots and has since grown to 12 different locations across Orange County, each still owned and operated by a member of the Avila family. Their focus on preserving traditional recipes from “Mama Avila” is evident in dishes like the famous chicken soup and carnitas platters.
We’ve also personally seen Avila’s El Ranchito partner with local nonprofit organizations like United Way of Orange County to help raise money for those in need in our community. We love to see it!
2. Mama D’s Italian Kitchen in Newport Beach
Come and enjoy some of the best pasta in all of OC at Mama D’s Italian Kitchen! Mama D first opened her Italian Kitchen in Manhattan Beach in 1992 using her grandmother’s old fashioned and time tested Italian recipes.
In 2005, her son brought his mother’s and great-grandmother’s legacy to an Orange County location in Newport Beach. Mama D’s Italian Kitchen has earned a loyal customer base thanks to their commitment to treat every guest like family and incredible food. You can almost always expect to see a line out the door on a weekend evening!
3. Hollingshead’s Delicatessen in Orange
For over 50 years, the Hollingshead family has been running this beloved deli in Orange. Known for its hearty sandwiches piled high with quality meats and its impressive selection of craft beers, Hollingshead’s Delicatessen is an old-school deli and a hidden gem tucked away in a small plaza off Main Street in Orange. If you’re a Green Bay Packers fan, you’ll be in good company. Packers paraphenalia covers the walls, and if a game is on, you’ll almost certainly find it playing.
The third generation of Hollingsheads continues to serve up classic deli favorites like hot pastrami alongside their own sandwich creations like the “Exterminator,” a liverwurst, turkey and swiss sandwich on rye with classic toppings and condiments.
4. The Bagel Shack in San Clemente
Run by three brothers, The Bagel Shack just opened its newest location in Irvine, but you can get their delicious food in San Clemente, Lake Forest, and Dana Point also.
Its first location in San Clemente is quite literally a bagel shack by the beach with a tiki theme and is a favorite spot for surfers after catching some waves nearby and is known for its absurdly good bagel sandwiches that are generous with their toppings. The new location in Irvine might be further from the beach, but it carries on the tradition of friendly service and making amazing bagels from scratch daily.
5. Brio Brio Cafe in Lake Forest
Female run and family owned, Brio Brio Cafe is a cozy neighborhood spot that is a cafe during the day and transforms into an Izakaya spot, BRI BARU, at night. Chef Naoko founded Brio Brio Café, inspired by her mother’s baking.
After moving to Southern California in 2014, Naoko turned her passion into a family-run café, blending Japanese, French, and American influences. Their signature brioche, crafted with natural yeast, is baked fresh daily. The family’s dedication to “Omotenashi” hospitality makes this café a welcoming gathering place.
6. Gina’s Pizza in Corona Del Mar
Gina’s Pizza is an iconic pizzeria that brings a slice of Sicily to Orange County and has been a go-to spot for locals since 1975. Gina’s culinary passion began in her hometown of Palermo, and after immigrating to the U.S., she realized her dream of opening a restaurant.
Lucky for us, that now means we have access to some of our favorite pizza ever. The Costa family, now in its second generation, continues to honor Gina’s traditional recipes, focusing on high-quality ingredients and slow-cooked sauces.
7. Zena’s Lebanese Cuisine in Orange
Come and enjoy a taste of Lebanon at Zena’s Lebanese Cuisine in Orange! Opened by the Masri family, Zena’s brings together recipes crafted by Issaas Masri and the culinary expertise of her husband Shouki, who ran restaurants back in Lebanon.
Since 2001, they’ve been serving delicious mezze platters, kebabs, and house-made baklava in a warm and inviting setting. Whether it’s the creamy hummus or the smoky baba ghanouj, every dish at Zena’s reflects a commitment to authentic, home-style Lebanese cooking.
8. Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen in Orange
Located in the heart of Old Towne Orange, Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen is run by the Patrick family, with Chef Gabbi herself at the helm. The restaurant is known for its elevated Mexican dishes that blend indigenous and regional tradition with modern day creativity.
This goal was done so successfully and deliciously they were even awarded a Michelin award! Whether it’s a perfectly crafted mole or a seasonal ceviche, Gabbi’s menu is a love letter to Mexico’s diverse culinary regions.
9. Neighborhood Bento in Buena Park
Neighborhood Bento, founded by husband-and-wife duo Jake and Tetsuko in 2019, offers a farm-to-table experience featuring authentic Japanese comfort food, sourcing food from their family farm, Yasutomi Farms, which Jake inherited after his father retired.
The menu focuses on traditional Japanese bento boxes, made with high-quality ingredients directly sourced from their farm. Signature items include teriyaki chicken, miso-marinated fish, and a variety of fresh vegetables, all prepared with attention to detail and care. The couple’s vision is to offer healthy, affordable meals that bring people together through quality food and community.
10. Les Amis Restaurant in Fullerton
Nestled right in Downtown Fullerton, Les Amis was founded by Jinan Montecristo in 2010, continuing her family’s tradition in the restaurant industry. The journey began when Jinan’s mother, Joyce, first opened a small eatery in Beirut before moving to California.
At Les Amis, the family blends authentic Lebanese flavors with a touch of Latin influence with menu items featuring Mediterrenean favorites like Baba Ghanouje and Shawerma and delicious fusion fare like falafel taquitos and tacos arabes. We can’t recommend sitting out on the patio in the evening under the street lights enough.
Know of other amazing family-owned restaurants in OC that we should add to this list? Leave a comment to tell us about it!