Location: Rancho Santa Margarita
Top Restaurants in Rancho Santa Margarita
Top Things to do in Rancho Santa Margarita
Where to Eat in Rancho Santa Margarita: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California, United States. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master planned community set upon rolling hills. The population was 47,853 at the 2010 census, up from 47,214 at the 2000 census. Although it is named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, which was in San Diego County, the city limits fall within the borders of Rancho Mission Viejo. At 20 characters long, it is the longest city name in California.
Things to do in Rancho Santa Margarita
1. Hanna's Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By Dennise W - Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Without a doubt the best fine dining restaurant in RSM. For appetizers, the Ahi Tower is pretty amazing. Even the edamame is exceptionally tasty, with its savory ponzu sauce. Great wines by the glass. I've had the salmon and filet mignon and they were both terrific.
2. Peppino's Italian Family Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Peppino's remodeled restaurant on the Lake. Along with remodeling the kitchen, we have expanded the dining area, added a new full service bar with a waiting lounge and a front patio for dining. The rear-dining terrace has been expanded and offers a beautiful view of Lake Mission Viejo. PEPPINO'S EVENT CATERING Peppino's Catering specializes in great food & plenty of it! Whether you are having a business luncheon for twenty-five or a wedding reception for two hundred, Peppino's will do its best to make your event perfect and worry free. Our goal is to gain friends who will come see us in any of our locations, not only to cater your one time event, moreover to keep you coming back for more. (For more questions about our Catering Service please contact any of the store managers)
Reviewed By Jake S - Mission Viejo, California
If you like Italian, family ambiance and outside seating with a view you found a gold mine! They use unusually large amounts of butter for their food but I think that's why it's so good. Great staff and nice views. I've NEVER had a bad experience here. Even takeout is excellent. I recommend asking for bread on takeout otherwise they won't give it to you. Try everything at least once to see what you like. You'll love it all...
3. Rose Canyon Cantina & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By CATTSAR - Provincetown, Massachusetts
This is always a fun evening out. Tucked away in Trabuco Canyon part of the fun is getting there. In spite of its location it is still busy and supported by a lot of regulars. Melanie make everyone feel comfortable. The food is excellent and authentic Mexican, prepared to order and made of the highest quality ingredients. The patio, which is beautifully lit, makes outside dinning a particularly enjoyable experience. Thousands of lights wrapped on the trees give an ethereal quality. The bar is where we normally sit which serves as the heart of the restaurant. The drinks are on par with the food making for a totally enjoyable experience.
4. Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA RESTAURANT: DINING, CATERING, TAKEOUT AND GIFT CARDS Superb Dining at Moderate Prices! Wood Ranch in Rancho Santa Margarita is ideally suited for your large party gatherings. Our heated and enclosed side patio can comfortably accommodate a party of 60. We take a limited number of reservations for any size party, so please, call the store to check availability. If you're interested in doing a lunch party we will open for your party of 30 or more! Call the store and speak to a manager for more details.
Reviewed By Shawn M
I come to this area on a regular basis for work, and always make it a point to come to the Wood Grill. It has a great variety of drinks, appetizers, and their BBQ tri-tip is awesome. They also have a few TV's if you like watching sports.
5. Trabuco Oaks Steak House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By drastaboy - Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Granted I'm a traditionalist. Not happy about the cosmetic changes inside. The food though.. this is the only place I'll eat steak not from my grill! The bread one can never get enough of the stuff! They have made a few tweaks like adding a few new things. But keeping it simple is what keeps this place great. Please adhere to the dress code and gentleman wear a tie!
6. Delizie Ristorante & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Happy Hour from 4pm - 6 pm all appetizers 25% off, Monday - Friday. Well drinks 4.50, beer 3.50, glass of House Chard, Chianti or W Zin 5.00Salvatore Faso, proprietor of Mission Viejo's Piccolino Ristorante on Los Alisos Blvd, expands his innovative cuisine to South Mission Viejo with the opening of Delizie Ristorante & Bar. Delizie, literally "delights" in Sal's native Italian, opens in the location of the former Capriccio Restaurant at 25380 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo.Faso hopes to restore the historic ambiance of the Capricio Restaurant, which served patrons in this location for over twenty years. Delizie offers homemade pastas, imported Italian delicatessens served on butcher blocks, and the freshest fish and meats daily as well as an extensive listing of wines from California and Italy. Delizie also features a full bar and banquet rooms, available for private parties.
Reviewed By Pat B - Laguna Hills, California
My wife and I visited Delizie and we were pleased and have returned since.
The style is authentic Italian, and the service is impeccable. Clearly, the owner watches all tables and ensures that when a wine glass is empty, a water glass is low, that the waiter is there to fill that glass.
The Oso Buco (a special at weekends, apparently) is great. My wife enjoys pasta and she was pleased. We spoiled ourselves with a bottle of champagne, meticulous service and good food.
They have all meats - beef, chicken, seafood. The menu is broad.
Be sure to call for a reservation. I like the window tables - quiet and semi-private.
7. Carmelita's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By Darrenmt - Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Have been here a couple of times and the food is decent but generally find the service a little grumpy. They are busy because of their location and it appears that the crowds make them a little oblivious to showing that they are focused on their customers. Always an option but I continue to find plenty of alternatives where the staff actually appears to care about their customers experience.
8. Urban Grill and Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Urban is a unique, upscale eatery offering gourmet comfort food and boutique wines and cocktails served by friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Reviewed By bim55 - Boston suburbs
This is across the parking lot from the Marriott C/Y I was staying and so I checked it out.
Located in a strip mall setting this place is a surprise. Once inside you will find a great looking interior, a great vibe and plenty of wine and beer choices.
The menu ranged from delicious gourmet cheese sandwich to full entrees that left me wanting to go back and try some of other choices for sure.
There are plenty of small plate choices, salads, sandwiches and entrees to choose from and range in price so you will be sure to find something that works for you're taste and wallet.
I'd guess the locals are well aware of this place but anyone visiting in this are would be impressed here also. Great Choice!
9. Tutto Fresco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Tutto Fresco means “Everything Fresh” Since 1991, Tutto Fresco has been creating quality Italian cuisine, made with care by our family for your family. Our menu is inspired by authentic Italian recipes with a passion for flavor, a flair for creativity and a respect for tradition. Thank you for enjoying Tutto Fresco,where your request is always our pleasure! Buon Appetito!
Reviewed By blaneb2016 - Rancho Santa Margarita, California
They have been around for years and the new location is really nice, same excellent food I've come to expect, atmosphere is great . You won't regret giving it a try. If you do you will be back.
10. Piccolino Ristorante Pizzeria Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Italian Dining at Piccolino When Salvatore Faso opened Piccolino Ristorante Pizzeria, his goal was simple: combine his lifelong experience accumulated in the finest Italian restaurants of Italy and California, with the finest ingredients, authenticity, preparation and a passion for the Canyon and its surrounding communities. Established in 2007, Italian dining at Piccolino serves regional Italian cuisine, including artisan made pasta, fresh wild caught fish and the finest meats and poultry available on the market daily. We serve some of the finest Italian and Californian wines available.
Reviewed By TJC22 - Florida
Our service was wonderful - constantly checking back, filling water glasses, etc. Food was very good - many daily specials.
