This is a beautiful Mediterranean restaurant serving breakfast lunch and dinner, all delicious, with good coffee and fresh squeezed juices, located in the bustling Aliso Viejo Town Center. For all the restaurants in this center, in my opinion, Fennel is the best dining option if you want a sit down restaurant. Everything I've ordered thus far has been excellent, fresh, tasty, never dry. The service has always been extremely accommodating and the one time I've been disappointed in my original order selling out and having to wait too long for the final dish, they went out of their way to make sure I was given extra fries (which are excellent) and extra things to dip my heaping scoop of hummus into. Don't skip the cocktails, or really any of their handmade drinks. I cannot not get a cardamom latte at brunch, and it's so fun picking which cocktail to get to unwind with whatever dinner entree I go with (usually the salmon bowl). They have large tables so larger groups are welcome. I always see corporate type people having working lunches here, or families out for a nice dinner. This place is almost always quite full, but I still feel like they are slept on and under appreciated. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Baklava Waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

The servers are pretty on top of things here. We didn't have to wait and went on a mid sunday late lunch. The ambiance is nice but we did get seated in the cramp window seat next to the door, even though there were plenty of open seats & it was bench seating on one side. The food was insanely amazing very rich in flavor. I got the lamb risotto & my kid got the salmon bowl. The salmon was perfectly cooked flakey with a nice tasty sear. The lamb & barley rissoto was flavorful but had a lot of grease (likely from the cheese of the risotto). The server recommended a cauliflower&date appetizer and it was a great way to start. Savory with pops of sweet from the dates. Arrive with an appetite, because serving sizes are abundant and this food sits heavy. read more

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The food was excellent, the happy hour wine (a French Pinor Noir from Valala winery from the Loire Valley) I really enjoyed. I had the Barley risotto & lamb chops and my friend had chicken kabob plate. It was our first time and we both agreed we would definitely come back. The restaurant was pretty full and everyone's plates had nice sized portions of food. It was a little pricey, but due to the restaurants that surround this one, it's understanable, since they could get away with it. read more

We came here for Father's Day and we're luckily able to get a table. It was very busy inside. We ordered the cauliflower with the dates. It was absolutely delicious. Other people at our table ordered the spicy falafel wrap a salad and soup. We are vegan so we got the protein bowl and got things that were not vegan like the croutons and cheese not added, and then we added chickpeas and falafel. The bowl was a little dry, I preferred the roasted cauliflower and chickpea . I definitely would get that one again. My one complaint is that we ran out of water multiple times it was hard to flag down anybody to refill our water and then we also had a hard time getting a box and then getting the check everything just took a long time. I understand that they were busy. Parking is very easy lots of parking around and it's near the movie theater, which is nice. Inside is cute and we liked the decor. However, it was very very noisy. I wish they had a little bit more sound absorption measure so it was easier to talk to people at the table. The staff is very friendly and very helpful. Would highly recommend coming here for dinner again. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Protein Bowl made vegan - no croutons cheese and added chickpeas and falafel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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Overall, for a fancy-esque lunch/dinner in the laguna/aliso neighborhood. You can reserve ahead online via OpenTable. There is free parking in the lot shared with Panda express and other shops. Went in on a Friday, found a reservation 15 mins ahead amd got seated promptly. They were busy so would recommend making a resy, doesn't hurt. Service was prompt, friendly, and so welcoming! The space is designed a bit to feel indoor/outdoor, but is all indoors and covered. Food and beverage wise they have plenty of options to suit different diets. We ordered some vegetarian and pescatarian dishes. Tried the spicy falafel wrap that comes with arugula salad (3.5/5 - tad bit dry), salmon plate that they gracefully swapped the bulgur with broccoli for me (3/5 - a bit flavorless but cooked well), garlic potatoes (4/5), saffron martini (4/5), ohm fashioned (4.5/5), and a pom marg (4/5). We also asked for the baklava cheesecake (3.5/5) and love cake (2/5 - skip, very dry or get with a scoop of their icecream) slices, such large portion sizes on everything including desserts. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Ambience - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Came here to reunite with a childhood friend, and this was the perfect spot for a reunion. We shared the hummus with pita bread and veggies, which is always a good starter. I ordered the barley risotto and lamb chops. A generous amount of food, as I was able to take half of it to-go. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and I was thankful that it wasn't gamey. The barley risotto was new and different for me but it wasn't bad. Service was fantastic all around. Everyone was kind and attentive. It was a nice place to catch up with some comfort food. :) read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Barley Risotto & Lamb Chops - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Stopped by for lunch today and had a great time! Fennel is located across from Panda Express, there's a ton of parking nearby. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and the restaurant is really bright and has a nice vibe. I loved the modern feel mixed with all of the greenery inside. Service was solid considering we came at an odd time; they were a little understaffed and things got served a little slower than I'd hope, but the staff was super nice and communicative which I appreciated. On the food front, I tried the Fennel Cheeseburger and the Potato Croquets, and both were excellent. The burger was definitely the star, and I would absolutely recommend trying it some time. It was super flavorful, juicy, and an all-around great burger. I'm glad it came with a salad because it was quite rich. The croquets were very tasty too, the burger was just SO good. Overall, this is a great spot for lunch, and I would love to come back and try their brunch menu too. read more

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We went last night and had a great experience. To start we ordered the appetizer dips. My favorite was the tzatziki. The eggplant was pretty good too. We also got lentil soup. This was a miss . Very little flavor in the soup and most of the time lentil soup has some lentils blended. This is more of a broth lentil soup. For my main, I got the beef kebabs. It came with rice and some vegetables. I didn't care for the pickled onions and the regular white onions were a little bit undercooked. The meat was a bit drier than most Mediterranean kebabs I've had. We had great service though. We were seated outside so I can't really tell you the vibe. It was packed around 6:00 PM. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Service is fine, nice people, ambiance is fine .... Food? Mediocre at best. Their lemonade is what I enjoyed the most out of our lunch order read more

We dined at Fennel and really enjoyed the food and great service, our waitress was especially kind and helpful. We liked the cauliflower with dates, beet salad and salmon bowl, though the salmon is always slightly inconsistent in texture. We did find date seeds in the starter leftovers, which was a bit concerning so they should be more careful with removing them. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

New to town so decided to try this restaurant with my mom. Mom ordered the barley soup. It was inedible because all you could taste is salt. They were gracious enough to take it back. I ordered the cheese burger medium rare. The meat was overly done and there were no condiments, so the burger was very dry. Service was decent, but we won't be back read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - I asked for medium rare. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

The food is super fresh. All the sauces are Housemade and absolutely delicious. Their chicken kebab is very moist and flavorful. Rice is buttery and fluffy. Lentil soup could be a little bit more flavorful. read more

After coming here Wednesday, I had to come back today since I was obsessing on the fish dish I took home. I ordered the fish again and it was as good as the first time so I wanted to give them a 5 star review again. This is a hidden gem in Aliso Viejo that is a MUST do!! Everything I ordered was perfect and seasoned so well and so beautifully presented! Rita is an excellent manager and her employees are great especially Kris! read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Fish is delicious - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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Perfect post movie dining spot! We saw Wicked and were looking for a healthy option. This menu has something for everyone and is well balanced. The service was smooth despite multiple servers. The space is gorgeous modern with plants, unique lighting and warm woods. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Chicken Kabob Plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Found this as a recommendation in the AAA Westways magazine and it lived up to its review! The menu boasts a variety of delicious sounding options with fresh ingredients and great combinations. It is a great ambience with a lot of natural light and greenery. Was not super crowded on an early weekday evening, but got more and more crowded as the evening went. Service overall positive, but sometimes a bit slow and our waters stopped getting refilled after paying and continuing to sit and chat. FOOD -Fennel Slaw: I'm not a huge slaw person, but this was very tasty, not too much dressing/saucing, and flavors were great -Cauliflower & Dates: excellent! Flavors were so good and unique. Would eat this all day. -Appetizer Trio (fennel hummus, eggplant dip, and yogurt dip): excellent! All dips super tasty. -Salmon Bowl: excellent! Great ratio of toppings over rice and really good flavors. Would go again and would recommend! Thanks, AAA! read more

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Cute spot! Had only been for brunch but went for dinner with some girlfriends and we had a lovely time. We all got the protein bowl because the table next to us ordered one and it looked delicious! We each tried a different protein: salmon, chicken, and beef; all great! Overall, the taste was great and you get tons of veggies and a generous serving, I just wished the food was bit hotter. It was warm at best and my preference is hot food. We started with hummus and it was yummy. We got mocktails but they were unfortunately out of the strawberry ginger lemonade. Our server Lindsay was very attentive and helpful, even with tending the bar as well :) read more

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Amazing brunch at Fennel! Claudia was our server and she was very friendly and attentive. All of the food was incredible - my friends got the salmon bowl and lamb benedict, and I got the latke waffle with fried eggs. We also shared the seasonal salad which had blood oranges and grapefruit and it was excellent. They have indoor seating but given it's such a beautiful day we sat out on the patio and the ambiance was wonderfully refreshing particularly with our strawberry ginger lemonades. read more

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Fennel is one of the best restaurants in South Orange County for Mediterranean food. The restaurant is bright and cheerful with an enclosed patio. The food is fresh and delicious, their protein bowl is by far my favorite dish. The espresso martini is good, they make it with Turkish coffee ice cream which adds a wonderful flavor. If you love dates, tuned to order their Medjool Dates which are served warm stuffed with walnuts and topped with chocolate. I've eaten there at least 5 times and I have never had bad service. Food 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Service 4/5 read more

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I ordered the zaatar petite carrots and the barg (beef) kabob plate for my main and both were excellent! The beef was high quality and very tender. The restaurant has a very nice, relaxing ambience and the service was excellent! Highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar blends contemporary style with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Their staff, equally inviting, are perfectly attentive; dropping by at the right times and helping with menu selections. Special appreciation goes to Claudia, whose thoughtful service elevated our meal! THE FOOD. - Appetizer Trio. You need this in your life! Earthy roasted eggplant dip with a hint of sweetness. Garlicky yogurt dip brightened by herbs & ribbons of cucumber. Creamy, herb-laced pesto hummus. Soft, fresh pita to dip in each sauce....the whole dish (especially the roasted eggplant dip) is highly addicting. - Barley Risotto & Lamb. Succulent lamb chops on a bed of soft pearl barley risotto, earthy mushrooms, and Parmesan shavings. Every bite feels hearty with warm layered notes that linger pleasantly on the palate. Highly recommend. - Kabob Plate. Juicy, well-seasoned ground beef skewers paired with fragrant basmati rice, tangy pickled and grilled onions, blistered tomatoes, and a smoky, flame-kissed serrano pepper. THE DRINK. - Baklava Clarified Punch. Exceptionally delicious. Its smooth, spirited base is layered with cardamom spice, honey, and finely crushed pistachios. A pistachio foam tops this cocktail. The flavors remind me of a decadent baklava dessert. Easily one of my all time favorite drinks... ever. Highly recommend. - Piñacillan. Refreshing yet rich -- sweet, tart, and gently smoky, with a pleasant ginger heat that lingers. Reminds me of a whiskey sour. THE PARKING. Convenient surface-lot parking right next to the restaurant. Parking is free. THE VERDICT. 100% coming back for their appetizer trio, barely risotto & lamb, and their outstanding baklava clarified punch cocktail. read more

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Cute restaurant in Laguna Hills. Stopped in for brunch but apparently that's only on weekends so we dived in for lunch. Service was pretty quick, although none of the food served was actually hot, just warm. We had the potato croquettes which were more cheese than potatoes, along with the cauliflower and dates which were amazing. My friend has the salmon bowl. It looked delicious but she only had a few bites. I had the kebabs and I was not pleased with my choice at all. The meat wasn't seasoned at all. It tasted like hamburger meat but so bland. The rice was seasoned well though. Overall the service was great. They were really attentive and quick. Oh, we also ordered the rose lemonades. I would pass on that next time. It wasn't sweet and you could barely taste the rose. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Loved the cauliflower and date appetizer- so tasty! The eggplant dip and pita was also good. The beef kabob plate was delicious - flavorful, tender beef. The med wrap with braised beef was also excellent. The cucumber gimlet and fennel rose mocktails were refreshing. Friendly service! Enjoyed the outdoor seating! read more

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My friend took me here for brunch, and it was such a lovely experience! We came on a Saturday after a morning walk and we were ready to eat. The restaurant had a nice and warm ambience with all the sounds that a busy restaurant should have. The dining room is beautiful and has all the right touches of modern decor Our server was Lauren and she was kind and attentive and always checking on us and refilling our water and coffee. A lady who appeared to be a manager came to ask us if everything was ok. Very nice! As for the food, we ordered potato croquettes and the appetizer trio with pesto, eggplant, and fennel hummus. The potatoes were nice and crunchy, but a little bit much on the cheesy side for me with the filling. I'd prefer if it had a little more potato taste. the hummus came with pita bread and the eggplant was my favorite of the three. I would probably pass on the pesto hummus next time. We also had the apple beet salad. All the ingredients tasted fresh and delicious . Lastly, we had the Mediterranean wrap with pulled beef, which is their newest protein item. The beef was soft and very flavorful. We chose garlic potatoes as our side and these were the most unique and special potatoes I've ever had. The outside is super crispy while the inside exudes buttery softness that just melts in your mouth. This is a nice alternative to the normal french fries at most restaurants. Looks like they have daily specials and happy hour as well. See the photos for further details. We had a wonderful meal and it was a great time. I will definitely return and bring other family and friends! read more

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This is my third time at this restaurant and unfortunately I feel like it's going downhill. The food is still good but the service is severely lacking. I do not believe this is because of inexperience but a staffing issue. On a Thursday night at 6 o'clock there was one server who was also the bartender. She wasn't very friendly to begin with, but I could tell she was stressed. The surrounding tables also felt the same way. She came to our table a total of three times- 1. to take our order 2. to ask for a refill on drinks and3. to give us the final check, which took forever after we were done with our food and our plates had been cleared. There were plenty of bus boys standing around not doing anything if service was lacking because of people calling out sick maybe they should cross train the bus boys to help out more. This review is in hope that the owner sees this and makes a change because when Panini opens next-door in the next few months, there's going to be major competition. read more

Very light, airy atmosphere with excellent Mediterranean and Persian food options. The food is fresh and light, making it easy to enjoy a variety of dishes. The eggplant, date, and hummus dips are outstanding starters. The salads are all excellent as well. The lentil salad and the apple beet salad were both so good that it was difficult to choose a favorite. There are plenty of drink options, and the rose lemonade is especially refreshing. The staff is friendly, helpful, and attentive. The only drawback is that parking can be a challenge, especially during busy times. Overall, a great dining experience. read more

I absolutely Loved! This restaurant. The ambiance is just okay. The Food! Holy Moly was it fantastic. We started off with the lentil bean soup served with fresh pita triangles. This is what I recommend everyone try. No need for a large bowl unless you are having it as a meal. The chicken and pesto bowl was delicious though the chicken portion was slightly underwhelming. The Star of the meal was their falafel wrap they have all of these amazing sides to put on it and all together it becomes magical. Parmesan, pickled onions and make sure to get both sauces and put it all together. OMG I almost forgot get the baklava Ala mode for dessert. You will not be disappointed. read more

Went late on a Monday shortly before closing. Staff were still very welcoming and accommodating which was appreciated. The place wasn't very lively due to the time and date we went, but they have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating along with a cool indoor "patio" that has glass windows which I loved and feel like it would be a vibe during the day. Anyways, I ordered the barley lamb and risotto which was pretty good! Lamb was cooked perfectly and so was the risotto, though admittedly the dish wasn't super flavorful. Even still, it was very filling and they use high quality ingredients so I was satisfied with the meal. Everybody else in our party loved their food. Would definitely come here again during the day to sit in the indoor patio and try one of their wraps! read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Barley Lamb & risotto - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

I ordered the barley risotto and grilled lamb chops, and while it wasn't a bad meal overall, there were a few specific areas where the execution fell short. The main issue with the barley risotto was the seasoning and texture. It was far too salty, to the point where salt was the only real flavor coming through, completely masking the parmesan and mushrooms. It was also quite heavy and drenched in oil, with grease separating on the plate rather than being smoothly integrated into the grain. As for the lamb chops, the meat itself was decent quality and not overly fatty. However, they were double-boned cuts rather than individual single chops, which meant less surface area to get a proper sear. Because of that, the outside had a mushy texture rather than a crisp, fire-grilled char. Overall, it's a decent plate of food, but a lighter hand with the oil and salt would take this a long way. read more

FOOD: This is the first time we came here and it was great!! The food was very tasty and flavorful! We got the Appetizer Sampler with the eggplant, pesto hummus and fennel hummus. Everything was good! I got the Chicken kabob plate which was delicious! The chicken was cooked perfectly and was juicy. My mom got the Fennel Breakfast bowl and said it was really good. My dad who has a sweet tooth got the Baklava Waffles and he enjoyed it. SERVICE: Service was wonderful!! Lauren was our server and she was so friendly and attentive! She answered any questions we had and made some great recommendations and definitely went above and beyond in service! DECOR/AMBIANCE: Really nicely decorated! A lot of plants around and wicker lighting. Has an island vibe and feel. Will definitely be back here when ales are in the area! read more

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If you are looking for a little bit of an upscale Mediterranean restaurant, then I would for sure check out Fennel. The staff was so friendly, and atmosphere was beautiful. Perfect for a date night or friends dinner. The dishes are unique, and very flavorful. You must try the roasted cauliflower and dates...10/10. I for sure want to go back and try other items. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - The yummiest roasted cauliflower and dates. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

We have enjoyed going to Fennel since it opened. Our dinner experience yesterday, 7/22, was definitely not a memorable one. The steak in my steak & mash dish (asked for medium well) was so dark, tough, and dried up like beef jerky. The reason I was given by the manager was that they had a huge catering order/got busy so my dish wasn't prepared well. ????? ~ not sure of the relevance as catering order was probably placed in advance so prep should not have interfered with dinner service. There was a lady (owner?) and a manager right at the service line and my burnt/cooked like beef jerky dish was able to be served...? poor quality standards all around... I do want to mention that our server was great,despite being assigned to way too many tables in different sections of restaurant. Yes, we waited extra time for service but both the owner lady and manager were not around when there were other confused/frustrated customers waiting to receive service. Our waitstaff maintained professional/friendly but we felt very badly for her. I am writing this review as with our busy schedules, it's hard to dine out together. When we do get to dine out, I just wish it would be a nice one. read more

Food is okay nothing really wonderful about it... it's like other classic mediterranean food, I found out that it is a little bit pricey for that kind of food. I think it is more of a location rather than food service. The lady was nice but the guy was rude because every time we would ask something it seems like he didn't even want to be there in the first place lol... the Ambiance is casual for lunch time , have nice decorations but that is pretty much it... read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Salmon Bowl, Shish Kabob, Chicken Kabob - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

Hate to give bad reviews but this place was a pretty big let down considering the reviews. We came an hour before closing for dinner so we were sat pretty quickly, however that was really the only good thing about the service. Our waiter took forever to come and take our order and then it took a while for the food to come out even though the restaurant was fairly empty. The food unfortunately was worse than the service. We got the chicken wrap and the chicken kebab plate. The wrap was very plain and the chicken inside was unseasoned and a bit dry. Fries were good and crispy and were probably the best part of the meal which was a letdown for a Mediterranean restaurant. The chicken kebab platter was super plain and the chicken was dry and lacking seasoning. All the vegetables were burnt and the rice was super oily. Pistachio latte was delicious. Overall prices don't match the quality of food and service in my opinion. Probably won't be coming back. read more

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I visited fennel after a morning hike for lunch. I was greeted with a smile by the host who made me feel welcome. My server Claudia sent me a table, poured me water with no ice per my request. To start ,I had the pesto flatbread, which was amazing. And then ordered the salmon bowl, which was flavorful and filling. My server Claudia was pleasant and attentive to my every need and made my experience more pleasant. The staff was clean and friendly. This restaurant is consistent in their service, quality and cleanliness. Another five stars for a great place. read more

Fennel is a great addition to Aliso Viejo restaurants list. It opened a while back and I visited there couple of times when they first opened. Back then, the food was good but the service needed serious help. But now they are all good! Not only the food is amazing but the service was top notch! Lauren went above and beyond to accommodate my party of 7! You know when you go with a large party some waiting staff get annoyed and give you MEH service since they know they gonna get their tip anyways since it is gonna be automatically added to the bill. Nope not with Lauren! She made sure that we were all taken care of. She was checking on us literally every 10 mins which was amazing! We got the french toast, the lentil salad, their egg and bacon dish and couple of other dishes. Everything was amazing and everybody had a great time! I am so happy Panini cafe is gone and Fennel opened instead! Thank you Lauren! read more

Amazing food and service! Love the atmosphere too. A must try Claudia was our warm and sweet server! read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California

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First time coming here and my friend invited us. We sat outdoors and the heaters were so nice To have. The staff was super friendly and the food was really good. I'm a little far from this area, or else this would honestly be a regular spot for me. The coffee was great, the appetizers were amazing, and I absolutely fell in love with the steak sandwich. Whatever spicy steak sauce they use its phenomenal. Definately recommend. read more

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Dad and I dropped in for dinner upon his arrival to town. OPEN FACED PARMA HAM SANDWICH: -- not as good as last time -- pesto looked not very fresh and was used sparingly; did not taste as fresh either; very dark in color -- ciabatta bread nice RATING = B PESTO HUMMUS and PITA: -- still solid, but tasted a bit better my last time here RATING = A- QUINOA and AVOCADO SALAD: -- super light on flavor -- lemon dressing used to sparingly -- not a great balance of ingredients -- could have used more of the charred garbanzo beans to add some roasted flavor -- I would not order this again RATING = C+ read more

We came here on a week day for lunch to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends. It was my first time here but I had heard many good things about it and was excited to try it. I was greeted by the friendly greeter but was unfortunately told we couldn't sit in the beautiful patio area because it's already been reserved. I had no idea it's this popular even on a weekday lunch. We were seated in the main dining area which was beautiful nonetheless. We started off sharing the hummus trip which had the fennel hummus, eggplant hummus and tzatziki hummus. All 3 were delicious. I got the shish kabob plate, the meat was very juicy and tender and I loved the roasted vegetables. My friends got the barb kabob plate which had 2 portions of very tender juicy beef and she had enough leftovers to take home. I also got the lavender latte which was very flavorful with real lavender flakes. We were too full for dessert since the portions were pretty big. The service was great and ambiance was beautiful. I will definitely come back again! read more

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Great menu, it was hard to choose what to get! They have good appetizers and we ended up getting the trio dip which is a great way to try multiple dipping sauces and hummus. read more

Fennel Kitchen & Bar - Trio - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Aliso Viejo, California