With so much focus on outdoor dining this year, namely due to the pandemic, it seems dining al fresco has become a welcome trait given the circumstances. Still, while Irvine and Orange County adjust to a new open-air normal, here’s a list of Irvine’s best outdoor options that will give you plenty of room to frolic, unwind and best of all – dine.

Cucina Enoteca – Angel Hair Puttanesca

CUCINA Enoteca

Located at the Irvine Spectrum Center, this well-known chain of modern-Italian restaurants in Orange County offers a robust wine list, with more than 200 different varieties from Italy and California. CUCINA Enoteca is currently providing guests with al fresco dining reservations, where they can enjoy the Irvine location’s large, covered patio. If you go, be sure to try the  pappardelle pasta, and the stuffed fried squash.

532 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine.

Hangar 24

Come for the beer, stay for the paito. As one of Orange County’s independent brewers, the minds behind Hangar 24 know exactly how to have a good time. With an extremely large outdoor patio, featuring billiards, ping pong tables and corn hole sets, one might overlook the fact that Hangar 24 also brews all its own beers! With shareable plates like carne asada fries, and bacon-wrapped beer-battered corn dogs and artisan flatbread pizzas, there’s no shortage of fun, tasty fare at Hangar 24.

17877 Von Karman Ave, Ste. 110, Irvine.

Brisket Before Grilling (Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong)

Baekjeong KBBQ

Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, a well-known Korean barbecue chain, visited by the likes of Anthony Bourdain, opened its first-ever outdoor dining patio at Irvine’s Heritage Square last July. While COVID-19 continues to affect our day-to-day lives, outdoor dining will be the primary option for the foreseeable future. Until then, Baekjeong is still giving Irvine residents an opportunity to experience KBBQ outdoors. With a half-dozen locations in Southern California and one in New York City, the KBBQ chain gained major social media recognition in 2015 when the late Anthony Bourdain visited with a group of friends. It was clear at the time that Bourdain knew about the excellence of Baekjeong’s selection. The prime boneless short rib, ribeye, thinly sliced brisket, beef tongue and marinated pork collar are perfect starting points.

14160 Culver Drive, Irvine.

Javier’s

Javier’s – Irvine Spectrum

After temporarily closing in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Javier’s took the opportunity to give the Irvine location a chance to freshen-up, while incorporating COVID-19 approved sanitization safeguards. Javier’s Spectrum location is now open for outdoor seating and is accepting reservations. Specializing in elevated Mexican cuisine, Javier’s is well-known for their Trio De Ceviche featuring a choice of ahi, camarón, pescado or pulpo. And for those looking to take the edge off, Javier’s prides itself on maintaining the West Coast’s largest collection of the world’s finest tequila.

536 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine.

North Italia

A poignantly curated menu of charcuterie, pasta and pizza, if the food at Irvine’s North Italia doesn’t transport you to the streets of Northern Italy, the atmosphere found on the restaurants open air dining patio should make your stay quite enjoyable. The patio is mostly covered, with bar-style and table seating. There are also heaters and umbrellas to make your stay comfortable in any climate. Featuring a weekend brunch, along with a daily menu item made from scratch, the attention to hand-crafted detail seeps into every aspect of the dining experience at North Italia in Irvine.

2957 Michelson Drive, Irvine.

Chef’s Board (North Italia)

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