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    Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

    3.9 (468 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Nirvana by Chef Lindsay Takeout or Delivery

    Nirvana by Chef Lindsay Photos

    Business Info

    NIRVANA BY CHEF LINDSAY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

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    MaDonna W.

    You absolutely must try Nirvana by chef Lindsay. One of the best restaurants I have been to in a long time right here in downtown Laguna Beach. Last night, Juliette took such fantastic care of us. The poblano cornbread with fresh creamy butter was to die for! We highly recommend that you make a reservation. It's a smallish restaurant without a patio, but lots of great lighting. Wonderful service, farm to table menu. We just love it.

    Scallop
    Lexy M.

    Had the pleasure of dining here for the first time on Valentine's Day, and it was a lovely experience. All our courses were amazing! The food was truly phenomenal, we were very impressed with how everything tasted. Staff were all super friendly and doing a great job managing all the chaos of being so packed. Looking forward to my next visit!

    Bread
    Angela C.

    I really like the concept of this place, and the food seemed very fresh and good quality, however, it could've been a little bit better. The Branzino had no flavor and was a bit on the small side, however the price is reflected. The site actually had more flavor and were tasty. Same thing with the mussels, they had no flavor and the sauce had no flavor, but the fries were amazing, except for the part that it's on top of the mussels and then got soggy. The place itself has nice natural ambience, but it was quite cramped. Some members of the staff were super friendly while others seemed lost, new, stressed. We had to ask for water a few times and by the end we never got a refill. We went after a show so I think it was good for the convenience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go back

    Barbara S.

    Our first time experience was outstanding!!! It was a fairly quiet Saturday evening because we came in early (5:30). Our waitress Nicole was the best, helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. I would always ask for her. To begin the review I need to say that one of our diners of the three of us is vegan. She had never seen vegan soup high-end restaurant before. She was very excited and had the vegan creamy zucchini soup. It had parsley, zucchini and spinach. I had the dairy free French onion soup which was so flavorful. For dinner, one had the grilled filet mignon, the vegan had tofu, coconut curry, and I Chilean blue lip, muscles, and frites. We each like our meals very much and would order them again, which always says a lot about a restaurant. We were too full for dessert, but we will try to save room for next time. It is sometimes difficult to go to a high class restaurant and find vegan options not just a salad or plate of vegetables. We appreciated this restaurant so much and will definitely return.

    Filet Mignon and Lavender French 75
    Victoria M.

    We celebrated Valentine's Day here, and it was absolutely amazing! Kim was our server, and she was so wonderful. Everything was delicious. It was our first time, and we're definitely coming back!

    Chocolate Banana bread pudding
    Jade M.

    Such delicious meal. The restaurant was so accommodating, we arrived for our reservation a tad early and couldn't wait to eat so they were courteous enough to seat us right away. The restaurant is well laid out a quaint spot on the corner near main beach, makes for great people watching. The service was a little disorganized but nothing outrageous. We ordered the grilled artichokes, mussel frites, wedge salad, followed by the stroganoff and the blackened seafood di mare. All were fantastic we ended the night with a little mud pie and chocolate banana bread pudding. Couldn't have asked for a better evening.

    Nirvana Kitchen

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    I would recommend going during the day so that the coffee bar is fully open. Great vibe and great people who work here

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    3 years ago

    The food is always so delicious here at Nirvana! I love the new market-style concept, and can't wait to go back for my next meal!

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    5 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Meal was amazing, service was fantastic and Michelle's service was off the chart. Great birthday experience.

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    Page 3 of 12

    Ask the Community - Nirvana by Chef Lindsay

    Are trendy jeans acceptable here?

    absolutely!!

    What time specifically is happy hour? I see it is nightly but there is no time frame.

    Every night till close during off season

    View All 6 Questions

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    The Deck is one of those places we have to come to every time we're in Laguna, which is usually at…read moreleast once a year :) And once again, it did not disappoint! Grilled Cheese - Seriously a MUST order. My picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice. So so good! Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos - We've loved these for years! They took them off the menu for a while and we're so glad they're back because they're sooo good. Burger - 10/10. Juicy, cooked perfectly, and really flavorful lots of fresh ingredients. Ceviche - A little on the small side, but super fresh and great flavor :) The location is right on the beach with ocean views and that makes everything better We had a group of 7 and our server was awesome. She was really sweet, kept checking in on us, and made everything easy even with a bigger group. If you're in Laguna and looking for a spot with good food, great views, and a chill vibe, The Deck is always a great choice. There's so many options and haven't had a bad dish here ever. I didn't order them this Time but we normally get the dozen oysters and they are delicious too

    Order the burger and it came with potato chips and ketchup. No fries because no fryers for them…read more Air fryer would have been a good solution for these guys. No more ciopino so we ordered the ahi poke. Was good. This place is set to close September 7, 2026 to make room for the new hotel setup. So sad to see this place close down as the location and vibe was so nice! Food was ok. Not the best, but okay. And they had a bar too! Byeeee if we don't meet again and thank you!

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    Nick's Laguna Beach - Warm Butter Cake

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    4.5(4.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    We had a wonderful dinner experience the other night. Service was excellent, especially Charles our…read moreserver. They had a wide selection of food for everyone. I got the bistro plate which included a petite fillet, salad and soup. At my age, it was a perfect amount of food. My wife ordered the salmon plate, which was really good. Nice piece of salmon with mashed potatoes and an awesome flavored sautéed spinach. We finished it off with a warm butter cake. It was decent. A little dry but still yummy with the vanilla ice cream. Overall, a really good done experience. Definitely will be back.

    Excellent dinner for my oldest son's engagement dinner! From the moment we entered with a nice…read morebottle of wine and the manager getting it on ice right away for me, to the sommelier opening the bottle of 2003 Dom and making it fun, to the excellent service by Dominic. Nicks comes through as one of OC's hot spots with a well deserved reputation. I had the Cioppino which was Wow good they loaded it with fish and shellfish. I would 100% order this again. My wife got the piccata which I know is a favorite here. Very well done and a huge portion. We started with the deviled eggs which were not my fave with the deep fried whatever in them. I get it, a crunchy take on the ubiquitous deviled egg. But I'm a purist by nature. One of the better multi chain restaurants in OC. I cannot wait to try the SC location close to my house.

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    South of Nick's - Tres leches

    South of Nick's

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    This place was FIRE! Came here on a Thursday around 5:30 PM and got seated immediately as a party…read moreof two. The service and food were both great, especially for the price! They start you off with complimentary chips and salsa, and the portions are HUGE--you definitely get a lot of food for what you pay. The vibe was more casual and chill, but the restaurant was super clean and the service was friendly. Would definitely come back!

    Holy smokes! There is a reason this place has a nearly five-star reputation on Yelp! We came here…read moreon a friend's recommendation while we were in Laguna shopping for some art for our home. It was the most delicious Mexican food I have ever had! I got the flautas and my BF ordered the soft taco variety plate. We also got the chips, guac, and salsa as appetizers, and we absolutely devoured it all! Sorry we didnt waste time with photos, but the presentation was gorgeous, and whole vibe of the restaurant was bursting with happy people and good energy. The views of the ocean were spectacular from where I was sitting, and I'd say it's probably a beautiful spot to watch the sun sink into the ocean! We were lucky to get a same-day, late-afternoon reservation, which was easy enough. There is a charge for cancelations and large parties, but other than that, everything was amazing! Service was phenomenal, even though it was super hot and muggy, no one seemed like they were unhappy to be working there. The restroom was clean, nicely decorated, and whatever scented room freshener they're using made me want to find out how to buy some for myself...lol. The only drawback is the ladies restroom is small, with only two stalls and one sink, so there was a line and it was a little too crowded, especially on a hot day. Otherwise, a top-notch dining experience, and will be our go-to when we spend time in Laguna!

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    Oliver's Osteria - STROZZAPRETI ALLA NORCINA
 Homemade egg free pasta, pork sausage, porcini mushrooms, light cream,
 black truffle

    Oliver's Osteria

    4.2(642 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Came here for Valentine's day and left pretty underwhelmed, sadly. We were seated outside in a tent…read morein the parking lot which was a little disappointing. Ambiance plays a big role (in my opinion) to a restaurant and not getting to be seated inside or at least on a patio docked some points off for me. For a special occasion dinner, I don't want to be sitting in a parking lot tent. For the price point, I didn't really feel the restaurant quality (plating, service, ambiance) really reaches those expectations. I can tell their food is great, I think I wish I chose something different when ordering. I couldn't tell you exactly what we ordered since I think they launched a new menu just this week but I'll describe it the best I can. Espresso Martini -5/5 Great espresso martini! No notes. Burrata with pesto - 4/5 Light and refreshing appetizer. This wasn't my first choice for appetizer but my partner loves burrata so we got it. It would be really hard to mess this up so I have no notes. $20+ for one tomato was pretty shocking, though. Tagliolini with shrimp and mushrooms - 2/5 To be fair, I've never had tagliolini before so I don't have a reference point of how it should be and maybe it's just not my style. The pasta was thin and flat and very very soft. There was absolutely no bite to it whatsoever and felt like it might be over cooked (again, I'm not expert so maybe this is how it should be). Because of the texture and size it kind of was just one big soft clump on the plate. The shrimp and mushrooms were nice and I enjoyed the sauce but I really didn't like the pasta on this one. And I know plating have any affect of the food but this one seemed really sloppily thrown together and I was pretty sad when it was put on the table. Definitely wasn't pretty or exciting to look at. Pappardelle made w/ beets in quail ragu - 4/5 We really enjoyed this pasta! The pasta itself had a subtle sweetness to it from the beets which made it much more interesting than your typical pasta dough. It had a nice chew, which is what I was really missing in the other dish. The quail ragu was yummy, although we did find a bone but it was large enough to easily pick out and put to the side. Panna Cotta - 4.5/5 Thick and rich vanilla panna cotta with a tart berry compote. Very delicious!

    We hosted our company holiday dinner at Oliver Osteria, and it absolutely delivered. The table went…read morefamily-style on antipasti--Carpaccio di Manzo, Polpette, Polpo alla Griglia, and Fritto Misto. All perfect for sharing and starting the night strong. For entrées, the crowd favorites were the Lasagna Classica, Filetto, and the Pork Tomahawk. I went with the pork tomahawk and wow which was rich, hearty, and full of flavor. The pork was perfectly cooked and paired with caramelized onions, a tangy mustard sauce, and creamy mashed potatoes that tied everything together. We wrapped up the night with desserts--Tiramisù, Profiteroles, Gelati e Sorbetti plus cappuccinos, which was the perfect way to end a long dinner. Shoutout to the servers they were incredibly patient, attentive, and helpful, especially considering we were a larger group. Everything ran smoothly, and we never felt rushed. Between the food, atmosphere, and service, it was an ideal spot for a holiday group dinner. Cozy, elevated, and absolutely worth a return visit.

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    Starfish

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    4.4(1.6k reviews)
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    Takes reservations
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    Absolutely loved my experience at Starfish Laguna Beach! I came in for a dinner and honestly had…read morethe best little night treating myself. I ordered the crab wontons, potstickers, sushi, and finished with the chocolate chip bread pudding -- everything was delicious and beautifully done. The crab wontons were especially addictive! I paired everything with a lychee martini, which was refreshing and dangerously good, and an Old Fashioned that was perfectly made. The vibe was EVERYTHING. The music was the perfect mix of melodic EDM with just the right amount of bass -- upbeat, sexy, and atmospheric without being overwhelming. It completely elevated the experience and made sitting there enjoying dinner and cocktails by myself feel like a whole vibe. My server Eddie took such great care of me! He was so warm, attentive, personable, and made me feel completely comfortable dining solo. The service and the teamwork displayed among all the staff was polished without feeling stuffy, and the atmosphere had that perfect Laguna Beach combination of upscale, sexy, and relaxed. And do NOT skip the chocolate chip bread pudding. Such a perfect ending to an already amazing dinner. Delicious food, gorgeous cocktails, amazing music, great energy, and exceptional service. Starfish officially made my foodie list. I'll absolutely be back!

    Excellent everything. Outside patio is perfect, quiet and intimate…read more Menu is superb. Entrees, appetizers happy hour is to die for. Service is outstanding, reservation time is respected with no additional waiting.

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    Q Terrace

    Q Terrace

    4.2(108 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Everything tastes as beautiful as it looks. Staff is very welcoming and friendly and knowledgeable…read moreabout the recommendations, he was so thorough and really helped us decide on what to get. The view of the beach from the rooftop is gorgeous!!!! I came to celebrate my bday here with my friends, it honestly makes a great spot to celebrate any occasion. Also! parking, there is a hotel near by that shares parking with the restaurant. I believe it's called 14 West but give Q Terrace a call to confirm.

    After a day of walking through the local art festival. We decided top walk the 5 minutes to have…read moredinner here. The main draw for us, at least me, was the Ukrainian dishes. When we entered the entire bottom floor was empty. Waited a bit and a gentlemen showed up and lead us to the roof top. Beautiful little roof top and place overall. Really clean and chic looking! We waited to be seated for, quite a while. That was the thing. To be seated and have someone take our order, it was a very long amount of time. Awkward standing there while others on the rooftop were sitting, talking and eating. I kept making accidental eye contact to the patrons. When we were seated, it took even longer for someone to come by and get our orders. One of my party members were so frustrated, he stated that we should leave in 4 minutes if no one shows up. Luckily for us, someone did. The girl that served us was a sweetheart. Once she was around she got the ball rolling, made sure that our waters were filled. Let us know when certain dishes were already gone. She was great! No complaints. We got dumplings, bolognese, shrimp scampi and I believe the fried chicken dish. The food was good. I got three large dumplings, and paired with the sour cream. Devine. The bolognese pasta was also wonderfully al dente. Everyone liked their food. You know it's good when everyone doesn't speak. I am conflicted. The servers are nice, the food is really good, but the wait times are atrociously long. It could be because we were one of the last people around closing time, it could be they were understaffed. But it was odd to have a majority of the work staff mostly ignore us. I want to come back here again and try their stuffed cabbage dish, but it will have to be on a day I have nothing but free time.

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    Nirvana by Chef Lindsay - comfortfood - Updated September 2026

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